Category Archives: foods

The foods I love

The Quarry is a Magical Place: Monson, Maine

If you’re looking for a unique dining experience in Maine, look no further than The Quarry restaurant in Monson. This cozy spot has earned its reputation as one of the top restaurants in the state, and it’s no surprise why they’ve been named a finalist for the prestigious James Beard award in the hospitality category.

Owned and operated by Marilou and Bill Ranta, The Quarry is a labor of love for the couple. They’ve poured their hearts and souls into creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that feels like home to their guests. Whether you’re looking for a romantic date night spot or a place to gather with friends and family, The Quarry is the perfect choice.

One of the most unique things about The Quarry is their dedication to feeding the artists from the Libra Foundation. The foundation, which supports a wide range of artistic endeavors in the region, sends artists to The Quarry to enjoy delicious, asian influenced meals as they work on their craft. This commitment to supporting the local arts community is just one of the many reasons why The Quarry has become such a beloved spot in Monson.

Of course, the food itself is also a major draw. Whether you’re in the mood for a steak, seafood, or a delicious vegetarian dish, you’re sure to find something that tickles your taste buds on their flexible multi-course tasting menu. The menu changes frequently but I have included photos from our recent visit below, as well a few shots of one of their charming Airbnbs.

But it’s not just the food that makes The Quarry stand out – it’s the whole experience. From the cozy dining room to the friendly staff, most of which is family. Every aspect of The Quarry has been carefully crafted to make guests feel welcome and at ease. And with the James Beard award nomination, it’s clear that others are taking notice of the magic happening in this small Maine town.

If you find yourself in the Monson area, make sure to stop by The Quarry for a meal you won’t forget. And if you’re not in the area, it might be worth planning a trip just to experience this unique and special restaurant.

Amazing Duck with pickled apple and five spice

Amazing Scallops,special of the night.Wow!

ChefsFeed Indie Week

Tickets on sale now, for a series of dinners hosted at award winning chef Cara Stadler’s Lio Restaurant on the evenings of September 5, 2019 through September 8,2019. The lineup is an amazing combination of both local and top chefs traveling across the country creating beautiful feasts at every stop. Each dinner will feature 12 courses and makes a wonderful excuse to visit Portland, Maine!

Get your tickets now!

Portland, Maine Roster:

Cara Stadler
Tao Yuan , Brunswick, ME

Ross Coleman
2840 at Dukesa, Houston, TX

Kim Alter
Nightbird, San Francisco, CA

Alex Sáenz
Bisq, Cambridge, MA

Mason Hereford
Turkey and the Wolf, New Orleans, LA

Vien Dobui
Cong Tu Bot, Portland, ME

Ilma Lopez
Piccolo, Portland, ME

Briana Holt
Tandem Coffee + Bakery, Portland, ME

Brian Jupiter
Inae Mae Tavern, Chicago, IL

Matt Ginn
EVO Portland, Portland, ME

Courtney Loreg
Woodford F&B, Portland, ME

Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins
Unaffiliated, San Diego, CA

Amanda Rockman
New Waterloo, Austin, TX

Jennifer Jackson
Voyager, Detroit, MI

Justin Tootla
Voyager Ferndale, Ferndale, MI

Tracy Chang
Pagu, Boston, MA

Lamar Moore
The Swill Inn, Chicago, IL

Rebecca Arnold
Whole Heart Provisions, Cambridge, MA

Peter McKenzie
Haley Henry, Boston, MA

PJ Edwards
Meadow Neighborhood Eatery, San Antonio, TX

Kate Hamm
Lio Restaurant, Portland, ME

Brian Mercury
Puritan & Co, Boston, MA

Mishiguene Fayer- Road Trip

Mishiguene Fayer, Crazy Fire two sister restaurants making crazy-good Jewish food with Argentinian flair. Fayer, the more casual of the two spots, truly makes fine use of its namesake fire when cooking and even more happily; it is open for lunch! What most drew me to this restaurant was the New York Times article and the story it told of the creative individuals behind this restaurant and how they came to be serving out of this world Jewish food in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am so happy that my wife and I were able to make it in for lunch. We weren’t sure if we were up for a big meal before spending the next 24 hours traveling home to Maine, but I am so glad we did! Truly excellent food, served in an elegant environment, without any pretense. So very good!

We started with the beet hummus. Our Spanish being limited, our waitress kindly made sure we did not miss it. So fluffy, yet rich, full of sweetness and beautiful color from the beets! And the Arabian flatbreads served warm and soft, were so pillowy that they would be perfect for napping if they weren’t just so good to eat! Especially with the beet hummus! Oh, and the pickles, did I mention the pickles to start?! How could I forget?! They were delightful! I love pickles, and house-made ones are a great way to begin any meal. Then there was the pastrami: full-sized, brined, and spiced on the bone BRISKET!!! The process of preparing it takes 12 days, and it really shows. If G-d were to ask his Bubbie to make him a brisket, I’m pretty sure it would come out a bit like this. It can’t get any better! Full of spice and smoke yet still so tender and moist!! How could it possibly be moist?! Sliced from the bone, thick or thin, with the grain or against, it was one tender morsel after another! So good!!!

Despite being in Argentina, we did in fact have some sides to go with our beautiful meat. The waitress again helped us immensely by suggesting we order a combination of small plates: baba ganoush, cole slaw with raisins, tabouli with tzatziki, a delightful bean salad, and another featuring dill, and more beautifully pickled vegetables. They were all so good; they had to be in order to compete with the pastrami, and compete they did! Just so many good flavors, textures, color! What a meal!!