Storytime: Hobnobbers Pub

I thought I would welcome you the way I was welcomed on Valentine's Day.  Our table had a window cling to mark our reservation and a treat. 

Now are you sitting comfortably?  Then I shall begin.

Hobnobbers Pub took the place of a little bistro at the end of the downtown block in town.  This strip would be straight ahead as you headed up Route 16 into town.  Some of the recipes from the bistro were kept including their Bistro salad.

We opted for the pear-raspberry salad for our dinner.

Unfortunately, disaster struck the pub.  A man robbed the place.  In order to cover his tracks, he set a fire behind the restaurant.  The result: the majority of the downtown strip was destroyed.  It was a big tragedy in town.  We had assistance from surrounding communities. 

Sad thing about a small town, many of us watched the firefight.  My kids asked to go watch.  I said, "Okay, but stay out of their way." 

Thankfully, everyone got out alive.  There were a few apartments above the businesses and the residents got out safely.  Only one business survived the fire intact.  Hobnobbers was destroyed.

As with my dinner (my husband and I both had wonderful prime rib), Hobnobbers story has a happy ending. 

The offender was quickly caught and sentenced for his crime.  The town made a deal with the owner and it now resides at the former site of Milo Community Hospital.  They have pictures of people who were born at that hospital on the walls as well as a floor plan of the former hospital. 

Because of all that, we left fat and happy with leftover beef and potatoes we cooked for breakfast the next day.  We love Hobnobbers!

Be seeing you.

Personal Story: IPA and hot sauce

I tend to be a bit of a hermit when I am on the road.  Most times, I hide in my room when I am not working.

Sometimes, though, I will take myself out for a nice meal.  I will grab a table with a book or my cel or my Dsi.  When I am feeling particularly social, I will sit at the bar.

So one day I decide to sit at the bar in a restaurant in Calais for some prime rib.  India Pale Ale (IPA) has been my least favorite beer.  I like darker, full-bodied beers, but I always found IPA to be too bitter.  So I surprised myself and ordered it.

The bartender asks me if I want hot sauce for my beer.  He explains to me it is a common way to drink IPA.  Feeling adventurous, I say "sure."

Then the heavens opened up, and the angels begin to sing.  The bitter elements that make IPA unpleasant for me mellow out, and the beer takes on a pleasant, rounded flavor.  You can get a real hit of hot sauce in the bottom of your glass, but that can be fun, too.

This is now my new favorite beer. 

This picture is Baxter Brewing Company's IPA from my Valentine's Day dinner at Hobnobbers Pub.  I love the glass they serve it in.  It is a fine brew.

I have explained before about the good food at Hobnobbers.  This restaurant has an interesting tale behind it. 

That story, and more pictures from our romantic meal, next.

Be seeing you.

Dinner Out at Home

I wanted to take my husband out to dinner.  He does so much for the family, I try to get him out for a good dinner he did not have to cook.  We were going to go to Bangor, but we had kids and grandkids later than we expected.

Thankfully we have a nice restaurant in Milo.  Hobknobbers Pub is where we go to get a nice meal.  We have two diner/family style restaurants in town.  This place is a little nicer. 

We had a tasty meal and some beer.

And for dessert a chocolate lava cake.  With good food so close, it can be hard to drive 45 minutes.

We were so happy, we made reservations for Valentine's Day.  On holidays like that, they serve a special fixed-price meal.  It should be a good night.

Be seeing you.