The Kennebec Explorer 2015 Visitor's Guide to Maine's Kennebec Valley | Page 25

Photo by: Thalo Blue Design
Other Tasty Bits
We’ve heard that Lake Parlin Lodge has a dynamite chef, and
they have a barbecue menu, too; check it out and let us know.
If you are in Belgrade for dinner, head over to the newly
renovated Village Inn for the duck (but call ahead for a table).
Treats for You
The Bankery in Skowhegan and Waterville’s Holy Cannoli
offer up the sweets like nobody’s business. It seems to be
available everywhere now, but ice cream right from Gifford’s
stand in Skowhegan or Waterville cannot be beat. For pure
heaven try Kennebec Chocolates on the rotary in Augusta.
A favorite for candy and treats has got to be Scrummy
Afters in Hallowell.
Whoopie Pie
Put a Whoopie Pie in front of us and you’ve got our attention,
put one from Skowhegan’s own Al’s Pizza down and we can’t
resist. Or stop by Aroma Joe’s in Waterville or Hillman’s Bakery
in Fairfield to satify your craving for the official Maine treat.
Festive Foods
The Skowhegan State Fair is a fair food mecca, but then
any of the festivals or fairs in the region can offer you a
tasty-but-bad-for-you meal. Then there are the special food
events like the Taste of Waterville which brings restaurants
in from all around. If you love bread, the Artisan Bread Fair
after the Kneading Conference is something you should make
the trip to Skowhegan for.
How About a Tasty Beverage?
In 1996, Oak Pond Brewing Company opened a brewery not
far from Skowhegan. They stuck with the classics, such as their
Nut Brown Ale with its complex eight-malt blend, an Oktoberfest
lager and some seasonal brews you’re sure to love.
Tree Spirits in Oakland makes beverages of another sort. Wine-
maker Bruce Olson is turning Maine’s sweetest apples, pears and
maple syrup into award-winning wines and distilled spirits. Last
year they became the only approved absinthe maker in Maine.
Across the street from Tree Spirits is Riverside Farm for a night
of fine dining and music or the area’s finest brunch. And we
would be tossed out if we failed to mention our very good friends
at The Maine House or The Liberal Cup in Hallowell. The “cup”
offers a rotating menu of 21 beers all year long. Kennebec River
Pub & Brewery, located at Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort
in The Forks, offers great seasonal brews and some of the
finest IPAs in the state.
Learn more at KennebecValley.org 23