Mid-Coast Maine Restaurant Challenge
aka My Big-Fat Vegan Birthday!
Most of you know that we serve up a Whole Foods, Plant-Based diet here at the Leafy (virtual) Cafe and have been doing so for about 3 years. We make and serve such delicious and healthy food in our little kitchen on the Ridge that its often a challenge to dine out. Most area restaurants do not offer anything but fat laden meals heavy on animal products and light on the micronutrients we desire and need for optimal health! Well, recently we decided to venture out and re-try some of our former favorite jaunts (and these restaurants are faves of many local diners) in search of a place we could count on to serve us a plant-based meal we could not or would not make at home. Something way better for those special occasion meals. This month marked our 11th wedding anniversary and my XX birthday, both reasons for celebration. I won't give the names of the establishments we tried which did not please our discerning palettes, or the ones which would not even bother to offer a Plant-based option, rather I will focus on the Fabulous meal we did have at Natalies in the Camden Harbor Inn.
We had heard through the grape vine (RAYR wine store that is) that the chef at Natalie's is happy to prepare a Chef's Tasting Meal, VEGAN so we made our booking for Saturday evening, Sept. 24th. We were not disappointed this time and I had to show/tell you all what we enjoyed-which was EVERYTHING! I confess I did not even think about posting this dining experience on the blog until we were well into the third course but then I had the light-bulb moment. I had only my phone for photos so the pictures are not great but the meal was delicious! I was afraid to request vegan AND low-fat however I do believe the chef had some intuition as he laid low on the EVVO.
This was no messy plate of over-salted, greasy mass of side veggies to which I am often subjected at many of the better local hot-spots. The chef knew the perfect blend of avoiding too much salt and oil and the other nastys that bog food down to the point at which you cannot taste anything else. Our server Patrick, knew just the right amount of fussy attention mixed with leave-them-alone and delivered his perfect blend of service for the evening.
Here is the Menu:
Amuse Bouche:
Watermelon & Apple Cider "Shooter" with tasty garnish
1st Course:
Chilled Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho with Bell Pepper, Poblano, Garlic and Onion
2cd Course:
Farm Fresh Fall Salad with Endive, Pear, Grapes & Walnuts. Apple Cider Dressing
A side treat of:
Semolina Pizza with Mixed Veggies
Main Course:
Basmati Risotto with locally foraged Beartooth & Royal Trumpet Mushrooms, Baby Carrots, Celeriac & Tomato Confit
We then returned home for these fantastic (not so low fat but still better than the regular) cupcakes.
Thank you Chef Geoffroy Deconinck and team at Natalie's for a perfect Birthday Dinner, I only wish some of the other restaurants in the Mid-coast would follow suit!
Sláinte!
Most of you know that we serve up a Whole Foods, Plant-Based diet here at the Leafy (virtual) Cafe and have been doing so for about 3 years. We make and serve such delicious and healthy food in our little kitchen on the Ridge that its often a challenge to dine out. Most area restaurants do not offer anything but fat laden meals heavy on animal products and light on the micronutrients we desire and need for optimal health! Well, recently we decided to venture out and re-try some of our former favorite jaunts (and these restaurants are faves of many local diners) in search of a place we could count on to serve us a plant-based meal we could not or would not make at home. Something way better for those special occasion meals. This month marked our 11th wedding anniversary and my XX birthday, both reasons for celebration. I won't give the names of the establishments we tried which did not please our discerning palettes, or the ones which would not even bother to offer a Plant-based option, rather I will focus on the Fabulous meal we did have at Natalies in the Camden Harbor Inn.
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| The Camden Harbor Inn and Natalie's Restaurant overlook charming seaside Camdentown. |
This was no messy plate of over-salted, greasy mass of side veggies to which I am often subjected at many of the better local hot-spots. The chef knew the perfect blend of avoiding too much salt and oil and the other nastys that bog food down to the point at which you cannot taste anything else. Our server Patrick, knew just the right amount of fussy attention mixed with leave-them-alone and delivered his perfect blend of service for the evening.
 |
| David enjoys Natalie's warm decor and relaxed atmosphere! |
Here is the Menu:
Amuse Bouche:
Watermelon & Apple Cider "Shooter" with tasty garnish
1st Course:
Chilled Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho with Bell Pepper, Poblano, Garlic and Onion
2cd Course:
Farm Fresh Fall Salad with Endive, Pear, Grapes & Walnuts. Apple Cider Dressing
A side treat of:
Semolina Pizza with Mixed Veggies
Main Course:
Basmati Risotto with locally foraged Beartooth & Royal Trumpet Mushrooms, Baby Carrots, Celeriac & Tomato Confit
 |
| The little side treat of Semolina Pizza |
 |
| Main Course |
 |
| Local Wild Mushroom Risotto with Baby Vegetables and Tomato Confit |
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| Dark Chocolate Cupcakes filled with Espresso Pastry Cream |
We then returned home for these fantastic (not so low fat but still better than the regular) cupcakes.
Thank you Chef Geoffroy Deconinck and team at Natalie's for a perfect Birthday Dinner, I only wish some of the other restaurants in the Mid-coast would follow suit!
Sláinte!
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