The Hidden Boulangerie.

Some of the best things in life are not always so obvious. And while a Boulangerie on any street is a happy find, one tucked behind a celebrated French restaurant, in Maine, is a blissful one. So are their Macarons, as I discovered.

Welcome to the 98 Provence Bakery. Made fresh daily: Baguette, Fougasse, Ciabatta, Croissants, Pain au Chocolat, Almond Brioche, Walnut Sticky Buns to list a few. And – sound the trumpets and french horns – Macarons! Beautiful, pastel, crunchy-chewy bites of pastery artistry. My vote: Pistachio, but the Hazelnut is a close second and the assorted colors make it hard to choose, so don't, get one of each I say.

There are also soups, salads and sandwiches – French Ham & Gruyere on a baguette might have you searching for a park, a bottle of Limonade and Jacques Brel strolling with an accordion. Croissant with warm Ratatouille and Chévre anyone? I might just start whistling La Mer.

And then there is whole-roasted chicken with lemon curry and thyme butter. It's a whole chicken, roasted with Chef Pierre Gignac's blend of curry butter and herbs, and it just begs for a bottle of Provencal Rosé and a farmer's table in a meadow. Don't wait to find one of those tables, just eat the roasted chicken anywhere, and hum.

Oui, s'il vous plait. And a few Macarons for dessert.

Find it: 98 Provence Bakery Boulangerie
262 Shore Road, Ogunquit, Maine 
Around back.
207 646-9898

Memorial Day.

Chowder With a Side of Memorabilia.

The Ramp at the wharf in Cape Porpoise, Maine on a Sunday afternoon: Pete's Clam Chowder, Cabot Cheddar Burger and a side of vintage advertising, news and signage. The Ramp is the only place where I've ever seen vintage political posters sharing space with sports banners and lobsterboat views. The collection of posters is impressive – Carter/Mondale, Rockefeller, Kennedy, Muskie. Cain. Herman Cain. A poster asking for the vote for November 2012 – all on the ceiling alongside Boston Red Sox banners, a Heavyweight Championship Boxing poster from Norton's days, yesteryear metal signs of $10 ballpark fees and inauguration parking rules.

Go. Go for the drive. Go for the ocean cove view. Go for the food – the Lobster Roll is one of the best I have had, made with the freshest lobster and just the right amount mayo and scallions. You might share the first one but from then on you'll want one all to yourself. You'll feel the same about the homemade potato chips it comes with. The menu hits all the right notes: Maine Crab Cakes (served with an arugula & fennel salad), Steamed Mussels or Clams are done three ways. Chopped House Salad, Seafood Stew,  BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich. It's pub fare, taken up a notch, on a cove on the coast of Maine. On Sunday afternoons there might be a wait. So wait. And look up.

Take RT. 1 north from Ogunquit, Maine, through Wells and then a right on RT.9 to the village of Kennebunkport, to the church at the top of the rise. Make a right and then a left for the continuation of RT. 9 into Cape Porpoise. Straight ahead to Pier 77 Restaurant and its Ramp 77 below, side entrance.

Alan Crofut Chocolates.

I recently had the delicious fortune of being introduced to chocolatier Alan Crofut, owner of Unbridled Chocolates, a small boutique chocolate shop in Marlborough, New Hampshire. Most intriguing of Crofut's creations are the dark chocolate truffles he is crafting with Ghost and Habanero peppers. And with the Fatali pepper which I have never heard of, and have yet to taste. The pepper is Crofut's favorite. His chocolate has won awards and I suspect more awards are in the future.  unbridledchocolates.com

Still life in boxes.

The boxes are often more beautiful than the labels.

Looking up on Madison Ave.