If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you know that this week has been rough. Too much work, too much stress, too much arguing, too much crap. Steve has been working long hours, I’ve been trying to fit in my own stuff where I can, kids are on spring break (minus the fun! spring! break! part of that), I’ve had a cold, parenting woes, and there I am having alone time in a dark part of our basement nearly in tears. Been there? Done that? I don’t find myself in that desperate a place too often, but when I do, it really sucks. So, here I am throwing it back to a sunnier, happier day in Portland the day before Easter. We love Portland for a day trip. It’s not so close that we go often, but not so far that we can’t. Nevertheless, we’re averaging a Portland trip less than once a year. Next time, as I told Steve, we should plan an overnight! So many places to check out in that sweet little city.
Our first stop was The Holy Donut. While the donut craze has hit America hard, it hasn’t really hit north of Boston specifically that hard. There isn’t an awesome donut place within… at least 30 minutes of us? What the heck! So, Holy Donut it is. (In fact, if someone from Holy Donut happens upon this post, I see you’re opening new locations… let’s talk.) 
Suddenly a lanky little boy. Pretty sure I gave birth to him a few days ago. This makes no sense.
Get this, there is real MASHED POTATO in the batter and somehow it totally works. They’re delicious. More of a cake-like donut than a real fluffy one and I loved them. I had the chocolate sea salt and a little bit of the original that Steve got. I regret not trying all of them. We mostly bought them for friends of ours. (I suspected a cold was coming, and when I’m in that place, I’m pretty psycho anti-sugar.). Now I’m looking at the above picture and wishing for a bite of the lemon and the vanilla. 
There are two locations in Portland lest you find yourself in too long a line at one. Go to the other!
Parker is so, so, so much more ready for a long, sustained cuddle with Anders than Anders is with him. Anders is just a mover and a shaker and, at the energetic age of 2+, he cannot sit still with Parker the way Parker wants him to. It is both adorable and heartbreaking. “Anders! Come sit on my lap on the stroller!” He would’ve proudly pushed all over Portland that way. Anders allowed it for about 4 seconds. 
Photo credit to Parker on this one! 
Portland has this sweet little alleyway that runs parallel to the water, and it’s all brick and beautiful. And in this alleyway, I found my next restaurant wishlist: Central Provisions.
It’s pretty typical for the driving force behind a day trip to be a restaurant I want to visit. In this case, it was Duckfat. The fries, the sandwiches. I don’t remember where I first heard about it, but it’s been on my mind. It was about an hour wait, and we were not going home without it. (We’d just had our donuts so the hour wait, on a sunny day, was sort of lovely.) It gave Parker time to practice his photography too. He took so many pictures. Mostly of our restaurant buzzer which he was in charge of.
The below was a brussels sprouts appetizer and they were out of this world. The greatest brussels sprouts I’ve ever had. A mustard vinaigrette, bacon, croutons, fried in a little bit of duck fat. They were delicious. I could’ve eaten a vat of them.
Then we got fries with garlic mayo, horseradish mayo, a pork cubano sandwich, and a brisket sandwich. The sandwiches were really delicious too, but the apps stole the show for me.
Locals, any other Portland favorites? I’m hoping to get up there again for a ferry ride to Peak’s Island this summer. We did that a few years back and I loved it!
ahhh! ever since a cup of jo did her guide to portland maine i’ve been dying to go! it looks so picturesque- and that restaurant seriously has my mouth watering.
also- what is your stroller? i like how low it looks!
xo, brittany
our current faves on my blog today!
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I never knew Portland was so beautiful! I only visited once when I was very, very young as my Uncle lives there. A trip to visit him again is definitely in order. 😉
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I work one day a week at Maxwells Pottery which was in the background of one of your pictures! Glad you had a a great time –Portland is such a fun place. Next time try the sweet potato ginger donut it’s my fave!
I’ve been curious about the ferry ride to Peak’s island. Did you do this with the kids? Do you remember how long the ride was? I have squirmy little boys and I keep wondering if this would be fun for them or if we should wait another couple of years!
did it with william and lindsey (nearly 9 yrs ago!) but parker and anders weren’t born yet. i don’t recall it being too long for them to sit through!
It’s only about 15-20 minutes!
We live in Maine and go to Portland all the time! We took our little toddler this past summer (he was not hey one at the time) to Long Island which was a pretty quick ferry ride–plus the ferry is indoors and super open so your kids could move around a bit. It was a longish walk to the beach but so so worth it. We just loaded the stroller and our backpacks and stayed alllllll day. It was magical.
Fore Street for an adults only dinner if you ever do an overnight and have a sitter. Make a res well in advance! One of the top 3 meals I’ve ever had. I also love MJ’s Wine Bar. They have a wall full of records and you can choose what you want to play, and they have a cute patio too.
I’ve heard so many amazing things about Fore Street. One of my foodie-friend’s fave places!
Hello Bridget,
Ahh, the ups and downs of marriage, parenting, life in general. If I can offer any advice… hang in there! This too, shall pass. Perhaps a little quiet time, a cup of tea, a brainless movie, a date with your guy, all work. Some days can be so overwhelming, some weeks too. But in the end, life goes on. You will survive and look back and smile. You are a lucky gal, beautiful family, both in MA and NJ. Reach out, they are all there. Take care of Bridget, all will fall into place just where it should be. XXOO Carol
thank you so much Carol!
Beautiful photos! May I ask where your lovely coat and bag are from?
bag is an ona! and coat i just found on sale at h&m about a week ago!
Desperately wanting a bacon cheddar donut from Holy Donut now! Love love love them. Try out Scratch in South Portland for any and all their baked goods. They’re famous for their bagels which are really probably the best I’ve ever had. My friend is one of their bakers for other sweets and they are amazing!
Two Fat Cats Bakery has the most delicious cupcakes and whoopie pies. A nice treat every time we’re in Portland.
Bayside American Cafe is incredible for breakfast! Holy Donuts and Duckfat are my other two favorites 🙂
Alright, two outta three ain’t bad. Next up… Bayside!
If you’re thinking of an overnight stay in Portland, check out the Press Hotel in the former Portland Press Herald building. It’s a cool space and right at the top of the Old Port.
If you haven’t already tried the Palace Diner in Biddeford, it is totally worth a trip to Maine (and it’s closer than Portland!) just for the Palace potatoes. There are also great breweries, an amazing ice cream shop and restaurants in the old textile mills on the river.