by Christine Liu - 156 Reviews - 111 List
Boston is the hub of the universe, but weekend getaways are the perfect chance to travel and eat your way through other East Coast cities. Pack your bags, hit the road and take your pick between high-brow and low-brow at top restaurants and bars in Portland and Kittery in Maine and Washington, D.C.
(Photo: Roadtripping in Portland, Maine by Christine Liu)
Updated: June 15, 2010
HIGH-BROW: Nibble on weightless fried pig ears or dive headfirst into a nightly "blind tasting" multi-course menu at Hugo's, which focuses on seasonal ingredients and whose chef Rob Evans won the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef Northeast title in 2009.
HIGH-BROW: Gleaming like a shiny shell on the sleepy seacoast, this warm and rustic bistro is Kittery's hidden gem. Head in for comfortably chic dining among the copper pots--from local shellfish to a grilled pork chop with spring garlic puree.
LOW-BROW: From the same owners as Anneke Jans, AJ's (located next door) is the spritely, sporty, aluminum-colored sibling in the shape of a casual, yet no less delicious, pizzeria. Local beer on tap pairs well with the housemade sausage toppings.
HIGH-BROW: The diminutive, fire-engine red, caboose-scale diner car scarcely reveals its secrets behind a humble exterior. A market-driven, daily changing (and verbally presented) menu is prepared from an open kitchen inches away from an intimate dining arrangement.
LOW-BROW: Beer geeks flock to this rough-and-tumble, lovingly worn outpost that serves as the local watering hold for local McNeill's brews and other quality quaffs. Baskets of salty pretzels and patron Polaroids on the back wall add to the convivial pubbish charm.
Life is too short for gas station snacks (seriously, put that pickle-in-a-bag down). Instead, prep your joyride before hitting the road at Blunch (not too far from the interstates), with insanely fresh coffee, plump eggwiches and a muffin or two for good measure.
