I L❤VErmont

Took my first trip to Vermont this past weekend.  Mostly Burlington. All I have to say is Vermont is giving Maine a run for its money!  Well deserved praise goes to: Bluebird Coffee, Farmhouse Tap and Grill (where I enjoyed an almost magical evening), Stone Soup, and El Cortijo (margaritas reminiscent of my dear El Dorado.)

Burlington is such a great mix of city and beautiful nature areas.  One of my absolute favorite spots was the Island Line Trail, a pedestrian walkway (technically a foreshoreway, I've just learned) between islands.  Amazing!

Stay tuned for a few in-depth features on my favorite Burlington spots...

A & J King's Bakery

It's almost the weekend, so I thought I'd better get to telling you about last weekend before it's too late!  Sunday was a wonderful day spent eating donuts, visiting the ocean and roaming around Salem.  By far my best discovery was A & J King's Bakery.  Which surprisingly was not the source of the aforementioned donuts! Yes, I am the kind of girl who visits TWO bakeries within three hours.  A & J King's is one of those lovely spots where you wish you could spend your entire day hanging out, drinking coffee and reading.  The sandwiches and bakery were stellar and this is the first place I've found on the east coast that has Fougasse, much like my dearly missed Batch Bakehouse.

So, yeah, this is most definitely love.

Another round of Portsmouth

A few more photos from my trip to lovely Portsmouth.  I discovered so many great new spots, including the art and craft shop Nahcotta, the sweet little paper store Gus and Ruby Letterpress, tugboats, estate jewelry stores, the aforementioned bakery, and so much more.

Portsmouth Baking Company

Three days off over Labor day weekend meant there was time for a quick trip to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  My experiences with New Hampshire have been kind of spotty so far, some spots have been amazing some have been, well, less than amazing.  I won't name any names here, cause every town gets a second chance, right?  I am so grateful to locals Liz, Brigid, and Virginia who recommended Portsmouth!

One of my favorite spots was the Portsmouth Baking Company. I've developed an affinity for really good coffee & sandwich spots and the PBC did not disappoint.  Delicious sandwiches on fresh crusty bread and great coffee from the local Arlington, MA (let's hear it for Arlington!) roastery, Barismo.  All in a beautifully designed, clean and airy space.  I'll surely be back to the PBC soon. Real soon.

Portland, Maine

Portland was the first stop on last week's trip to Maine.  What a charming and beautiful town!  I only wish I could've spent more time there. Some of the highlights: the best french fries ever at Duckfat, a delicious coffee from the friendliest baristas at Bard Coffee, and Rabelais, a wonderful little bookstore full of beautiful cookbooks.

Portland, I'll be back soon!

Small Point Cafe, Providence

Wandering around Providence RI on Sunday morning, I was so happy to find a coffeeshop that was actually open at 9AM.  I was even more excited that it was the perfect coffeeshop.  The Small Point Cafe is a new addition to the Downcity area of the town, as I've learned.  It's exactly the kind of coffeeshop I'm always looking for...modern but comfortable, cozy but still hip and...open on Sunday mornings.  You'd think that last one would be a given, but not so in Providence, it turns out.

Oh oh and they have a donut robot??!  Freshly fried donuts at the touch of a button!  Somebody better make sure I never get my hands on one of those magical machines.

PS
They sell little plants in brightly colored pots too :)