Just in case you haven’t seen it yet, here is our new logo! Look for it on our cooking class aprons, hand thrown coffee mugs and stitched on the staff’s chef jackets for starters.
Archive for the ‘Press’ Category
The Inn’s New Logo
Friday, August 20th, 2010Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors
Saturday, July 24th, 2010
I just picked up the current issue of Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors magazine, not noticing the caption on the cover that reads “Dining at the Hartstone,” and began paging through the articles. For some strange reason, I always flip through magazines from the back to the front, scan over articles and save the heavy reading for my day off, usually on my boat. No magazine could be more fitting to read while floating in Camden harbor. After two page flips, I see a dining photo that looks very familiar. “MJ” (Mary Jo) I yell, “we’re in this issue of Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors.” I made an exception and read the article on land. Peter H. Spectre writes a restaurant review for each issue under the heading “Mainely Gourmet.” The magazine features great articles on boating, Maine homes and, of course, dining. Here is the link to the article: http://www.maineboats.com/print/issue-111/mainely-gourmet-111
I’d like to thank Peter and the staff at Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors for the review and encourage anyone with an interest in Maine maritime to subscribe to this wonderful magazine.
Top 10 Romantic Inns
Friday, February 5th, 2010
We are very proud to have been chosen as one of the “Top 10 Romantic Inns for 2010″ by American Historic Inns and iLoveInns.com.
“The Top 10 Romantic Inns have been carefully selected for overall romantic attributes–scenic setting and location, interior beauty and design, subtle yet personable hospitality, pampering amenities and creative activities. Each inn offers a variety of romantic offerings personalized for a truly one-of-a-kind experience. These B&B inns are sure to surprise and delight couples celebrating their love.”
To read the full article visit iLoveInns.com.
Martha Stewart Recommends the Hartstone Inn
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
In the August 2009 issue of Martha Stewart Living, Martha writes about the “heavenly” hiking in Maine. Her house is located in Seal Harbor, on Mount Desert Island, the home of Acadia National Park. Acadia is known internationally for it’s wonderful network of hiking trails through (as Martha writes) “…rocky cliffs, gentle meadows, sand and rocky beaches, and dense evergreen forests.” In addition to the great hiking in her back yard, Martha dedicated a full page to hikes in other areas of Maine and lists Camden’s Mount Megunticook in her top ten. We happen to agree with her, so pack your hiking boots on your next visit to Maine and we will send you on your way with a map to Camden Hills State Park…you may even run across Martha on the trails!
Hartstone Inn Receives Award of Excellence
Saturday, June 20th, 2009
We are very proud to have been awarded an Achievement of Excellence Award by the American Culinary Federation. The fine dining category includes nine prestigious restaurants from across the country including: Charlie Trotter’s (Chicago), The French Laundry (Yountville, Calif.) and The Inn at Little Washington (Washington, Va.). Following is a portion of the press release:
ACF Announces 2009 Achievement of Excellence Award Winners
St. Augustine, Fla., June 18, 2009—The American Culinary Federation (ACF) will honor 16 establishments nationwide with Achievement of Excellence Awards at the 2009 ACF National Convention held at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Fla., July 11–14.
Achievement of Excellence Awards recognize foodservice establishments that exemplify a commitment to excellence in their area. Criteria for the award include being in operation for at least five consecutive years, nomination by an ACF chapter, member or individual in the foodservice profession, and being a recognized industry leader.
To read more, click on this link: 2009 ACF Achievement of Excellence Award
Budget Travel Article
Monday, November 24th, 2008
The December 2008/January 2009 issue of Budget Travel Magazine names the Hartstone Inn as one of it’s “40 Best Deals of the Month.”
The Hartstone Inn is featured in a section titled “Down with Downhill! When you get tired of the slopes, these packages include other wintertime activities.”
The package listed is our 2 night getaway which includes a multi course breakfast each morning, afternoon tea and cookies, five course dinner for two and 2 one-day lift tickets (or snowshoe rentals) at the Camden Snow Bowl. We also have happy hour cocktails each afternoon by the fire and serve complimentary hors d’ouevres.
The rates are as follows:
$360 Orchid, Victorian Charm, Tally- Ho, Lemon Verbena, Viola or Sweet Woodruff
$385 Magnolia, Tea Cup, Mansard, Lark’s Nest, Rose Hip
$450 Sunflower, French Thyme, Arbor, Manor, Cottage, Carriage, Garden, Mt. Battie, Lavender
Click here to view a summary of the article online
Zeph wins first runner up award in Maine Lobster Cook Off
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
Congratulations Zeph!!! Yesterday at the Blaine House (the official residence of the Governor of Maine), the Hartstone Inn’s Sous Chef, Zeph Belanger, was named first runner up in a state-wide Maine lobster cooking competition. Here he is pictured (holding his award) with Maine’s First Lady Karen Baldacci. The annual competition for “Maine’s Chef of the Year” is organized by the Maine Lobster Promotion Council and sponsored by Maine Food and Lifestyle Magazine.
Zeph’s dish was a Maine Lobster Salad with Ginger, Daikon, Bacon and a warm Ponzu Dressing. Look for it on upcoming menus at the Inn. Zeph started working at the Hartstone Inn in October 2007 and has become a valuable member of our team. Like myself, Zeph started working in restaurants when he was a young teen-ager and was destined to excel in the kitchen. He is a very talented cook with great “kitchen sense,” a drive and curiosity to learn and discover all there is to know about food. This spring, Zeph attended the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California (Napa Valley) and took a course on Mediterranean cuisine.
Congratulations again Zeph, we are all very proud of you.
Click here to see Zeph’s Recipe.
Photo courtesy of Jim Bazin – Creative Director, Maine Food and Lifestyle Magazine
Maine Food & Lifestyle Blog
Sunday, April 20th, 2008
When the first issue of Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine arrived at French & Brawn (our neighborhood food market) in the Summer of 2006 I was utterly amazed by the quality writing, beautiful photography and the unique and inspiring layout of the magazine. How can a publication of this caliber focus on my little area of the world? If you have not seen the magazine, go online and order the 5 back issues (available for only $4 each) and subscribe. On your next visit to the Inn you will notice that we proudly stock each guestroom with the current issue.
So, needless to say, I was extremely excited when Merrill Williams (Editor/Publisher) contacted me about a feature in the magazine’s second issue. The article “To Market and Home Again with Chef Michael Salmon” (in the Holiday 2006 issue) focused on a holiday menu for four people with recipes and outstanding photographs by Jim Bazin (Creative Director and Food Photographer, extraordinaire – I added that last part). Click here to read the article online.
With that brief history behind us, we can move on to what’s new and current at the magazine. Blogs are all the rage right now and I am happy to announce that Maine Food & Lifestyle has just launched their blog this month titled “Plating Up.” The list of contributors is quite impressive and they have even asked me to contribute. Quite an honor. The current articles are very interesting so I invite you to go online and become inspired. Jim Bazin blogged about “A Lamb Meal To Die For” and you might want to read about the Chef that prepared that meal.
Do Chefs Eat Junk Food?
Tuesday, April 1st, 2008
Port City Life Magazine called me a few months ago and asked me if I ever ate junk food, and if so, what were some of my favorites. Well, this is what I and some other Maine Chefs admitted.
Hartstone Inn – Voted Best of Best
Tuesday, March 25th, 2008
Every year local readers of Village Soup (our local on-line newspaper) and the Knox County Times vote for their favorite businesses. This year, we are proud to announce, the Hartstone Inn won in two categories: best bed and breakfast and best chef.
Following the results, a Best of the Best gala, hosted by Village NetMedia and the Samoset Resort, is held. The annual event highlights the work of local businesses, and all proceeds go to United Mid-Coast Charities. In five years, the Best of the Best event has raised about $10,000. The event, held on Thursday March 20, 2008, was a big success.
To read more about the best of best gala or to see the results of the poll visit: http://knox.villagesoup.com/Community/story.cfm?storyID=111813