We were lucky enough to stay at the Camden Harbor Inn and had the 5 course dinner at Natalie's in Camden, Maine - one of the nicest harbor towns in the state. The meal started out with the chef's tasting - which included perhaps the perfect bite of a crab cake puff, light as air, yet full of flavor, topped with a tiny dollop of creme fraiche, one single caper and a pop of a lemon segment! Oh, I could have stopped there - and had about 10 more, and called it a meal. However, the meal continued with a first course of oysters and a horseradish foam; followed by our second course of an amazing velvety butternut squash soup accompanied by a baked apple slice stuffed with blue cheese and an endive leaf with duck prosciutto. Heaven!
Our third course was monk fish in a rustic stew of cranberry beans and cauliflower; followed by the fourth course of beef two ways - a delicious Guinness braised short rib that melted in your mouth with a crunchy and salty fried onion ring on top and a hearty rib eye perfectly prepared with a side a sauteed kale. Oh my! Our fifth and final course was dessert - a smooth and creamy cinnamon creme brulee with apple sorbet. I loved the way the two flavors played on the opposite temperature expectations you would typically have with this dessert of warm apple crisp and a cool cinnamon ice-cream. Simply divine! Total cost for 5 course dinner for two, including two cocktails (Champagne Cosmo and 007 Martini - which were excellent!) and three glasses of wine was $250. So, if you are in Camden, don't hesitate to go to Natalie's - you won't be disappointed - it's a treat that is well worth every penny!
