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Headed north? Eat this and that

Gail Ciampa, The Providence Journal
·4 min read

Good day my friends. I'm Gail Ciampa, Journal food and dining editor.

I saw a lot of Rhode Island wave license plates in Maine while I was on vacation. I expect more of you may head north in the next few weeks, or during foliage season. I thought I'd suggest some restaurants worthy of your expectations.

I featured one in today's food coverage, because it is so good, you could build a roadtrip to Portland around it. It's also brand new. Twelve is in Building No. 12 in the19th century Portland Company complex. It's on Casco Bay.

They do a four-course, fixed price menu with the accent on local incredients and seasonal dishes. I can't stop thinking about a farro dish I had.

Farro Sabayon was a delicious risotto-style dish with fava beans, right, while a flavorful Lamb Tartare was topped with housemade mini chips.
Farro Sabayon was a delicious risotto-style dish with fava beans, right, while a flavorful Lamb Tartare was topped with housemade mini chips.

There's lots to read in my story.

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More: Looking for a quick summer getaway? This restaurant in Portland is worth the drive

Wolfpeach's tagliatelle with tomatoes and basil and sourdough bread.
Wolfpeach's tagliatelle with tomatoes and basil and sourdough bread.

I tried another new restaurant, Wolfpeach, that was also refreshing in its concept. It's in Camden, a beautiful and popular, mid-coast tourist destination. Here you can take a ride on a schooner or go to the top of Mount Battie or visit Cellardoor Winery and taste their wines while looking out on their vineyards.

Wolfpeach is a unique restaurant that has a small dinner menu and a novel beverage program. They only serve wine by the bottle, and it is a locally focused. They do cider cocktails and beers, too.

They make their own pasta and have one dish a night. It was tagilatelle with tomatoes and basil on the night of my visit. They also had local pork on the menu in the form of an outstanding smoked chop.

They make their own sourdough breads with local Maine grains. Fresh oysters are also on the menu.

I think my fav dish there was heirloom tomato toast with garlic aioli. Check out the photo here.

By the way, the resturant is non-tipping.

Heirloom tomatoes on toast with garlic aioli was a seasonal dish on the menu at Wolfpeach in Maine.
Heirloom tomatoes on toast with garlic aioli was a seasonal dish on the menu at Wolfpeach in Maine.

If a stop near Pemaquid Lighthouse or beach is on your roadtrip, you can't miss Shaw's Fish & Lobster Wharf. It's a combination clam shack and restaurant with lobster and fried clams on the menu next to elegant tuna dishes.

Lobster at Shaw's Wharf in New Harbor is a great summer dining destination where you sit outside over the water where lobster boats come in with their bounty.
Lobster at Shaw's Wharf in New Harbor is a great summer dining destination where you sit outside over the water where lobster boats come in with their bounty.

The view is also the star here. Order at the counter and then get a table on the upstairs deck.

The view from the deck of Shaw's Fish & Lobster Wharf, a clam shack in New Harbor, Maine.
The view from the deck of Shaw's Fish & Lobster Wharf, a clam shack in New Harbor, Maine.

I've one more spot to recommend, and it reminds me of a Rhode Island restaurant in all the best ways. It's Ports of Italy in Boothbay Harbor. The service here is as stellar as the food. The cocktails are excellent, as is the wine list with lots of Italian choices.

From the Eggplant Rollatini to the Frutti di Mare with squid ink pasta, the dishes are superb.

Frutti di Mare with squid ink pasta is a specialty at Ports of Italy in Boothbay Harbor.
Frutti di Mare with squid ink pasta is a specialty at Ports of Italy in Boothbay Harbor.

Back to Rhode Island, Central Falls Restaurant Week starts Friday. Look over the restaurants and menus and give this little city's restaurants a chance. They are wonderful and transport you to Latin America, the Azores, or Peru.

Looking for dining with a view? Try Shark's Peruvian Restaurant. Want to grab a fab breakfast where they have killer omelets? Try Georgia's. Like pastry and bakery treats? La Sorpressa is amazing. Want an old fashioned burger? Stanley's Hamburgers will always satisfy.

There are also a few new ice cream shops, fried chicken restaurants and more.

More: Sample food from around the world in one square mile for Central Falls Restaurant Week

Bubble Waffle Cafe has unique ice cream cones with specials for Central Falls Restaurant Week.
Bubble Waffle Cafe has unique ice cream cones with specials for Central Falls Restaurant Week.

Tonight I'll be meeting some of Rhode Island's newest food entrepreneurs and you can, too.

During Wednesday's Schoolyard Market, from 5 to 7 p.m, Hope & Main, 691 Main St., Warren, will host the second annual Sam Adams Brewing the American Dream Pitch Room Competition. Six local food companies will compete for $10,000 in prize winnings, and it's free to attend for the public. I'll be one of four judges hearing the pitches.

Kathleen Bellicchi, founder of Bellicchi's Classic Biscotti; Martha Tsegaye, founder of Ethiopian Eats; Miguel Allis, Founder of Hawt Chocolate; Gina Ferrara, founder of GGs Pretzels; Pablo Mastadrea, founder of the Perfect Empanada; and Katie Potter, founder of Newport Chowder Company.

The two finalists from the Pitch Room Competition will go on to compete for the $10,000 cash prize at the Hope & Main Twilight Party on Saturday, Sept. 10. Party-goers will vote for their favorite business, and the winner will be crowned that evening.

That's all for this week dear readers. See you here soon, same Bat place, same Bat channel. I loved that TV show. Did you?

If you like our time here, please tell a friend to sign up here to receive my weekly newsletter, Gail's Food Feed.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Twelve and Wolfpeach are new and notable dining destinations in Maine