Natalie's

I decided to drive down to Camden, and treat myself to a nice dinner.  After extensive research online, I chose Natalie's, a fine dining establishment located in the Camden Harbor Inn.  I was pleased with my evening, to put it mildly.

I arrived at first seating, 5:30pm, without a reservation.  I was seated at what I quickly decided was the best seat in the house, a corner table overlooking the harbor.  This was the first night of the summer menu, and I could tell the staff were excited and nervous about the details. 

The menu, it was explained, was a prix fixe, with a three course option or a seven course option available.  I had planned ahead with a very light lunch, so I chose the seven course.  I declined the wine pairing, as I had a little driving to do to get back to the dogs.  Instead, I ordered a glass of Grenache, a red wine made locally by Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville.  "Soft on the palate with lots of bright raspberry, cherry and strawberry on the nose and palate, and with a warm spice throughout." 

And then it began....



Photo courtesy of nataliesrestaurant.com



My table.  Perfect.

View of Camden Harbor from the table; I think I see the "Promise Promise"

Amouse-Bouche: Salmon with Balsamic Reduction and Roasted Capers

First Course: Three Preparations of Local Oysters

Unsweetened Butter with Choice of Salts Added
I chose White Truffle, Merlot, and Rosemary

Second Course: Israeli Osetra Caviar with Yukon Gold Potato Puree

Third Course: Local Poached Chicken Egg, Whole Grain Mustard Dressing, Anchovies



Palate Cleanser: Berry Sorbet in Something Sparkly

Fourth Course: Maine Halibut, Zucchini, English Peas, Corn Puree, Morels, with Lobster Foam

Fifth Course: Lamb Loin, Turnip Puree, Fava Beans, Golden Raisins, Thai Basil, Mushroom Jus

Sixth Course: Cheese Selection with Apricots, Roasted Ginger

Gruyere Cheese Beignets (I ate one before I remembered to take a pic). 
Not on the menu, but I read about them when researching Natalie's, and after asking if they would be available on my next visit, they magically appeared on the table.  Imagine that.

Seventh Course: Chocolate Banana Mousse with Beet Sorbet and White Pepper Cream

In lieu of coffee, this after dinner cocktail appeared (complimentary). 
"The Dusk" has Cherry Liqueur, Walnut Liqueur, and Espresso

 

 

I am delighted to say that I plan to return in the near future.  For the first time, I was so impressed with my meal, I took the time to subscribe to a few restaurant review sites to voice my opinion.  The service was excellent, the staff worked well as a team, the cuisine was an adventure of tastes and textures.  Add to that the atmosphere, music (modern, soft, French), and décor (red, dahling), and I'm a loyal fan. 

 

 

Ship App

As I mentioned in an earlier post, there is an app you can download that tells you if there are any ships in the area.  I check this several times a day, as monitoring traffic in the bay is one of the many tasks I have taken up.

 

The blue dot is my current location.

The app even tells the name and type of ship

The weather was foggy, but you can see how close it is

Interlopers!

Intruder Alert!  I was walking the dogs last week, and we ventured all the way to the top of the driveway.  They were sniffing around as usual, when I heard an unmistakable sound.  Any of the Baker Four would recognize this sound.  "Gobble Gobble".  Upon hearing these calls, I was instantly transported back in time to the ranch in Show Low, and the feeling of sheer terror at being chased across a field by thousands and thousands of wild turkeys.  There is no better way to get four squabbling children to band together than to just "add turkey".  To this day, I thank god for that lone tractor that we climbed upon for safety.

But I digress.  Upon hearing the telltale sound of predatory hunger, I quickly walked the dogs back to the house (they had no idea the monsters were there).  I went to get my camera, and tiptoed outside, and waited.  And waited.  The monsters were of the ninja sort, it was becoming clear, as they did not make an appearance for a few days.

Yesterday morning, however, I was upstairs, and glanced outside to see if any ships were in the bay.  Something caught my eye, and low and behold, there were five turkeys picking their way through the grass behind the house.  I ran downstairs (careful not to trip over the dogs), grabbed my camera, and went out to the back porch as quietly as I could.  They heard me, of course, but I still managed to get some pictures.





This guy was three feet tall, at least!



"Walk like an Egyptian"

zoomed out

zoom in



 

Natasha and Stitch

Natasha and Stitch are adjusting to life without mom and dad rather well.  Natasha was aloof for a few days, but she has come around, becoming quite the snuggler.  Stitch is a big guy, and still growing into his paws.  I would describe him as a big lug; a little clumsy at times.  They both sleep on the bed.  Stitch was rolling around this morning and stretching, and he rolled right off the bed!  Next thing I knew, I heard a little commotion; he had somehow managed to roll right under the bed, and couldn't figure out how to flatten himself enough to get out! 

Natasha on the left, and Stitch.  Just taking a look under the bed.

Stitch is a heavy sleeper (and snores)

Natasha

Natasha stood like this for well over five minutes. 
The only thing I could see was a leaf fluttering around in the breeze.

 

The Birds and the Bees

I have come do discover that I quite enjoy days filled with important tasks, like discovering a type of bumblebee I've never seen before, or stalking birds to get a perfect photo.  It can be quite exciting, as there are a lot of tall trees nearby, and the birds are active.

 





 

 

 

 

 

Private Beach

Lou and Sharon have 300 feet of private beach.  Lou says that he can have so many ( I think three) lobster traps set in front of the house.  He has plans to get an additional gas line installed and connected to an outside cooker to steam the lobsters and corn right on the porch! 

I took advantage of the sunny weather to trek down the steps I have been photographing so diligently.  I checked to see when low tide would be (yes, there is an app for that), got the dogs squared away, and set forth for destination "hope I can make it back up the steps".

 

View to the south

View of the house from the beach



I forgot to count how many steps there are in all

Bannister

Green Grass

A little grass, a little rocks, makes for the perfect setting

Playing around with perspective

Leftover from fall?



 

Paradise on the Penobscot

The house in Northport is known as "Paradise on the Penobscot".  The house came with that name, or should I say, it came with a gold leaf sign above the garage:

 

 

"We'll leave the light on for you"

Lou hasn't gotten around to updating the décor of the mailbox yet.
It sure is easy to find the house, though.

View of the house from steps to the beach



 

 

Spring has sprung



There is a magnificent view of Penobscot Bay.  You can see across to the islands (the big one is called Islesboro) when the fog is absent.  The ferry to Islesboro leaves from Lincolnville, a small town to the south, on the way to Camden.  Islesboro is entirely residential, having apparently no shops or stores, with the exception of a snack shack at the ferry terminal.

 

Sunset



More sunset 

Sunset view across the bay to Islesboro

Roots



View of the street from near the driveway

 

Random photo of the water: Glistening