New Jersey to Maine

Hi Everyone! Haven't been here in a while -been crazy busy at work (I guess that's a good thing...) But, the hubby and I are going to take a much needed vacation the end of June and have finally decided on a roadtrip to Maine (from NJ). We will probably be taking scenic Route One most of the ride. What are your suggestions for places along the way? Can anyone also recommend any bed & breakfasts? Any off the beaten path 'attractions'? Any info would surly be appreciated!

On the Post Road (Rt. 1) in Westport, CT, there is a great restaurant called Taipan (around 400 or so Post Road East). It is kind of an Asian-fusian cuisne. The chef/owner is Indonesian, his wife is Taiwanese, and their food encompasses Thai, Chinese, Indonesian and Malaysian elements. The lump crabmeat duplings wrapped in paper-thin tofu skin and served with a mustard-passionfruit sauce are to die for. The chicken with hot pepper and crispy spinach is also incredible. Who Knows, maybe you'll run into Martha Stewart.

Oh, also in CT, in New Haven there is a place called Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana (or just mention "Pepe's" in New Haven and everyone will know what your talking about). Pepe's pizza just might be the best in the world, and I am not kidding. People have been known to travell great distances, wait in line up for hours, take home and freeze the stuff they are so good. It's on wooster Street.

Rt 1 in MA has a Kelly's Roast Beef location in Saugus,MA-see the Roadfood review of the Revere Beach location...or you could head off on Rt 1A and visit that Revere beach Location anyway.
http://www.kellysroastbeef.com/
One of leechef's favorites in the North End of Boston is the Daily Catch restaurant-they have a 2nd location on Rt. 1 in Saugus,MA-fabulous seafood.http://www.dailycatch.com/
Rt 1 in Rowley,MA has the Agawam Diner, a traditional REAL diner still gleaming silver and serving diner specialties since 1940.http://www.dinercity.com/maDiner/northEastMA.html
Also just off Rt.1 on Rt. 1A in Rowley,MA is the American Barbeque. http://theamericanbarbecue.com/
Rt 1 goes all along the seacoast in northernMA, into NH, and then southern ME.
How far north into Maine will you be travelling?
My family home is in Kennebunkport.
That will help with giving you more suggestions.
DaveM

We will most likely shoot for as far up as Arcadia Park. Thanks everyone! I'm taking notes!!

In Portland Me.,the Bayou Kitchen,on Deering St.off Forest Ave. north.

I just returned from Acadia Park and Bar Harbor in May. They were just preparing for the season and many of the restaurants were still closed. However, I have been there many times before and Galyn's on Main St. in Bar Harbor was open and remains my favorite spot for dining. I've been going there since the 80's and the food quality has remained consistently outstanding....fresh and expertly prepared. I was the first customer of the 2004 season at the West Street Cafe on 76 West St. in Bar Harbor and enjoyed their twin lobster dinner very much, also. The service was excellent and they are very friendly people. Beals Lobster Pound is a great spot to have a meal and soak up the beautiful scenery plus try a different experience if you haven't done that before. I had a great time on my trip and hope you both do also.....Lyn

Thank you all so much! We'll try to get to some of those places suggested and hopefully have some of our own discoveries to report on!

Another vote for the Agawam, and on Rt 1A, there's the immortal Clam Box in Ipswich!

For a quick bite here are a few places. Most of them specialize in seafood.
Route 1 clam/seafood places
CONNECTICUT
clam castle - madison
the place - guilford (casual outdoor dining, byob)
johnny Ad's - westbrook/oldsaybrook
Sea Swirl - mystic

MASSACHUSETTS
Route 1A in Ipswich MA - Clam Box

Other places
Pauls pasta shop - Thames St Groton, CT - (not on rte 1 but just off I-95 after the Gold Star Bridge)
Portsmouth Brewery - downtown Portsmouth NH

Rawleys - hot dogs - Route 1 Fairfield, CT

If we're talking downtown Portsmouth, I have to put in a vote for the Friendly Toast on Congress Street, a diner that my wife and I drive to from Boston (about 70 miles!) at least a few times a year.

There is an excellent lobster shack (literally the size of a small garden toolshed) that has been located on Rt 1 in Wiscasset, ME forever. The place is I think called Red's Eats, right at the bottom of the hill before you cross the river. Best lobster rolls anywhere.

Don't forget the Maine diner:
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=208

and Moody's, even if you aren't hungry, stop for the black walnut pie!:
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=209

and in CT stop at Louis Lunch, where the hamburger got it's start, and is still delicous:
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=402


Don't get impatient to get into Maine and drive past Portsmouth NH. Spend some time in it's beautiful downtown area and waterfront. Lot's of interesting places to shop and eat and drink such as the Stockpot.

We just got back from almost the same trip. We started in Northern NJ and ended up in Bar Harbor. One place that we thought we great was in Southwest Harbor (Acadia). It is a lobster place called
Beals (sp). It is extremely simple but the unique thing is that they are located on a pier and use fresh sea water to boil the lobsters.
In my humble opinion (and after consuming over 9 lobsters on this trip) I think this method of cooking lobsters is far superior and much more yummy than the conventional way.