Tom Laslavic, our award-winning mixologist, is preparing for the Signature Event cocktail competition on February 29 in Portland. He earned the People’s Choice Award in 2010 with his cocktail The Camden Hike and this year he’s competing for People’s Choice and for top honors in a professionally judged cocktail competition.

We thought we’d share a few of the cocktails he created this winter as part of his Maine Made Cocktail Series. He won’t be serving any of these on the 29th, he’s creating something new for that and of course his contest entry is top secret. If you attend the Signature Event be sure to stop by and sample his concoction and hopefully give him your vote!

The first is the Camden Carol
4 tangerine segments, muddled with lime
1 oz Cellardoor Treasure
2 o.z Twenty 2 Vodka from Houlton, Maine
1 barspoon of ginger
4 dashes of Fee Brothers Orange Bitters
4 Dashes of Aganostora Bitters
Shake and strain over fresh crushed ice, top with club soda.

The second features products from two local wine makers, Cellardoor Winery’s The Perfect Stranger, (made from the Cayuga white grape, this wine has aromas of beach roses with flavors of juicy pears and a finish that is both spicy and sweet) and Sweet Grass Winery’s “Back River Gin.”

Mountains Meet the Sea
4 kumquats
3 large sage leaves
1/2 lemon
1 1/2 oz Back River Gin
1/2 oz St. Germain Elderberry Liquor
2 oz Cellardoor “The Perfect Stranger”
Splash w/ Prosecco

Muddle Kumquats, sage and lemon, add gin, elderberry liquor and wine.
Shake and double strain into chilled snifter, (no ice) add a splash of Prosecco

Stop in at Natalie’s to sample these soon, and join us in Portland on February 29th!

Not all of the ice this February will be on the ponds and lakes - we’re planning an Ice Bar, February 9-11, right here at Natalie’s. If you aren’t familiar with the concept, imagine a bar, carved out of ice. It’s a beautiful, temporary, work of art - yet functional, since it also has a martini luge, making it possible for us to pour your martini right down the luge and into your waiting glass. The Ice Bar is tremendous fun, and just in time for the US National Toboggan Championships down the road at the Camden Snowbowl. Toboggan run in the daytime, party at the Ice Bar at night.

The Ice Bar

February 14 is Valentine’s Day. Every year we celebrate this day of romance with a very special three-course or five-course dinner (a la carte dining is also available). We’ll announce our menu soon, but don’t wait too long to make reservations, we always sell out early. Natalie’s was named New England’s Most Romantic Restaurant. Perhaps it’s the fine wine, or the delicious food, or the cozy red furniture. Whatever it is, we know people like to get engaged - and get married - in our restaurant, so romance is always in the air here.

Natalie's, ready for romance

We hope you’ll join us in February for a romantic dinner or for a drink at the Ice Bar and a fun night out! If you’d like to make a night of it, be sure to check out our variety of packages, we’ve got something for everyone.

As many of our guests know, the owners of Natalie’s and the Camden Harbour Inn, Raymond Brunyanszki and Oscar Verest, are from the Netherlands. Christmas is celebrated a little differently in the Netherlands, with a visit by St. Nicholas, or Sinterklaas, on December 5. This is the day that children wake up to find that the hay the left in their wooden shoes for Sinterklaas’ horse has been replaced with sweets and toys. The Dutch begin to decorate their homes and prepare for Christmas Day beginning on December 6. Christmas itself is celebrated over two days, December 25 and 26.

There are many traditional foods eaten during this time and one of the most popular snacks are bitterballen. This bite sized savory treat can be made with a filling of cheese or meat which is then battered and fried and usually served with mustard for dipping. It’s designed to be eaten in one bite of hot deliciousness, with a crisp exterior and flavorful interior.

Bitterballen are not on the menu at Natalie’s, but we are serving them as a bar snack right now. Join us at the bar, let our award winning mixologist Tom Laslavic make you a cocktail and enjoy a Dutch treat, right here in Camden.

Happy Holidays!

At Natalie’s restaurant we celebrate New Year’s Eve with two festive menus: a five course menu that is available at 5 pm and an 8 course menu at 8 p.m. Both of Chef Geoffroy Deconinck’s menus start with an oyster (we will substitute something equally divine if you don’t like oysters) and include options of House Made Salmon Gravlax served with dill, crushed pepper and horseradish cream or a Cauliflower Veloute with saffron, apple and croutons; pumpkin risotto; and for a main course, Butter Poached Halibut accompanied by spinach puree, a medley of rainbow potatoes and Thumbelina carrots or Pan Seared Beef Ribeye, Braised Cheeks, celery root puree, glazed pearl onions and bordelaise sauce. For dessert, both menus offer a traditional New Year’s Eve dessert of Nougat Glace and Exotic Fruits.

The 8 course menu also offers a third course option of House Made Beef Ravioli Tomato with confit, broccolini and Parmesan foam or Pan Seared Sea Scallop with braised endives and preserved winter black truffle, a sixth course of an international cheese plate and for a seventh course, Chocolate Mousse with a berries coulis.

To add to the festivities, guests who dine at Natalie’s on New Year’s Eve are invited to join in the New Year’s Eve party with live music, dancing and hors d’oeuvres as well as a champagne toast at midnight.

Reservations are accepted through opentable.com or give us a call at 207-236-7008. And if you’d like to spend the night, be sure to take a look at our sumptuous two-night New Year’s Eve package at the Camden Harbour Inn.

We hope you will join us to ring in the New Year!

With winter upon us our thoughts turn to delightful evenings spent indoors, preferably somewhere cosy and warm, with good food and fine wine. A fireplace would be lovely too. Well, at Natalie’s we’ve got all that and more, just waiting for you.

Executive Chef Geoffroy Deconinck recently introduced a new menu and we’re certain there enough tempting items on it to encourage you to visit us one evening soon.

For appetizers Chef is offering a winter salad of Vegetable Crudités and Citrus Segments in a Grapefruit Vinaigrette; a Butternut Squash Soup; Seared Scallops with Braised Endive and Black Truffle Sauce, and the ultimate winter temptation: Baked Local Apple with Blue Cheese, house made Duck Prosciutto and Candied Walnuts.

The new menu main course options are Butter Poached Lobster with a winter truffle crust, celery root, rutabaga and shellfish foam; Roasted Monkfish with cauliflower, cranberry beans, kale and matelote sauce; Roasted Long Island Duck Breast with wild rice, squash, confit leg and cranberry marmalade, and what has quickly become a signature dish of Chef’s - Beef Duo with seared Rib Eye, Guinness braised short ribs, onion puree, parsnips and jus de braisage.

Natalie’s also offers a 3 course tasting menu and for a very special dinner experience we have a five course Chef’s Tasting Menu with items that are not featured on the a la carte menu.

As always, dinner at Natalie’s begins with a light amuse-bouche and the meal concludes with a mignardise.

If you are in the mood for something a little more casual, we also offer a bar menu, the perfect excuse to enjoy a cocktail from our award-winning (and included in the The American Cocktail) bartender Tom Laslavic and a delicious dish. Bar offerings include oysters, lobster bisque, Guiness braised short ribs, lamb bolognese, our Moroccan lamb burger with frites and spicy aioli and a selection of cheeses.

Bon Appetit!

Natalie’s Executive Chef Geoffroy Deconinck was recently invited to the TV studio at WCSH-TV (our NBC affiliate) to appear on the popular daily show, 207. Chef Deconinck shared a recipe that he felt was perfect for the holidays, something that kids and adults alike love, crepes. The recipe is from his mother and is very similar to a recipe that children learn how to make in Chef’s native country of Belgium.

Chef shared an alternate version with us as well, you can make these crepes with a mix of beer and milk for a more savory crepe. We were lucky enough to sample both and have to agree, the savory one made with beer has a truly intriguing depth of flavor. The crepes made with just milk were delightful, perfect for dessert or snack. Both were impossible to resist.

The best thing about crepes: they are delicious with jam, a dusting of powdered sugar, fresh fruit and whipped cream, nutella, maple syrup, or even chicken, vegetables or leftovers.

We have crepes occasionally on our breakfast menu at the Camden Harbour Inn for our overnight guests, they are always a popular choice.

Here is the TV clip and the recipe.

Christmas is a time to celebrate, indulge and share the joy of the season with your friends, family and loved ones. We love Christmas in Maine. The evergreens stand tall against the blue sky, the ground may be dusted with white snow and the crisp air is rejuvenating. Mt. Battie, with its Star of David shining above the village, is a heart warming sight.

The entire village of Camden is decorated for the holidays. The shops lights are a welcoming sight and here at the Camden Harbour Inn, we have tens thousands of white lights decorating the porch and adding their delightful glow to the Inn and the harbor below from a glorious old tree on the front lawn.

Indoors, the custom made red chairs in our dining room make Natalie’s feel especially festive accompanied by our Christmas ornaments, poinsettias and Christmas tree.

Executive Chef Geoffroy Deconinck has planned a tempting five course gourmet Christmas Dinner. The menu at Natalie’s features modern French-inspired dishes with seasonal local ingredients such as duck terrine, broccoli veloute with preserved black truffle, roasted Guinea Hen breast, seared beef rib eye with Bordelaise sauce and for dessert, the beautiful and delicious Buche de Noel with raspberry and chocolate.

We are accepting reservations for Christmas Dinner, give us a call at (800) 236-4266 or book online through OpenTable. Dinner is $79 per person and if you like, our certified sommelier, Alex Marchesini, will select wine pairings for your dinner for $68 per person.

If you would like to spend your Christmas holiday with us, please join us for a two night luxurious package, complete with a welcome glass of Prosecco, daily a la carte Champagne breakfasts, our Christmas Dinner and a map of historic Camden to take with you on a stroll through the Village.

We wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas.

December 25, 2011

First Course

Duck Terrine,
Ice wine gelee and house made pickles
Or
Broccoli Veloute
With preserved Black Truffle and sautéed florets

Second Course

Ricotta Gnocchi
With butternut squash, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts
Or
Maine Sweet Shrimp Risotto
Preserved lemon and chervil

Third Course

Roasted Monkfish
Accompanied by Tarbais beans, tomato confit and Shellfish butter
Or
Roasted Guinea Hen Breast
With celery root puree, parsnip and Sherry Sabayon
Or
Seared Beef Rib Eye,
Bacon Wrapped Potatoes, Creamy Jerusalem Artichokes, Preserved Winter Black Truffle, Bordelaise Sauce

Fourth Course

Cheese Degustation

Fifth Course

Traditional Buche de Noel
With raspberry and chocolate

What could be better than a fabulous dinner, great wines and an opportunity to hear from a renowned wine expert? We are truly excited to announce a very special wine dinner featuring Allegrini wines on Thursday, November 10.

The Allegrini family has played a leading role in the history of Fumane and of Valpolicella since the 16th century and has passed on the culture of wine-making from generation to generation. Together with our certified sommelier Alejandro Marchesini and Helen Gallo Bryan, VP of Winebow, Robin Sway, acting Export Manager for the Americas for Allegrini, Corte Giara, San Polo, and Poggio al Tesoro, lead dinner guests at Natalie’s, Camden Harbour Inn, through a unique wine dinner.

The 5-course dinner with wine pairings is $75, excluding taxes and gratuity. For guests interested in staying at one of the inn’s luxurious guestrooms, Camden Harbour Inn is offering a special rate of $162.50 per person including the Allegrini wine dinner and a la carte champagne breakfast (excluding taxes).

For dinner reservations please call Natalie’s at Camden Harbour Inn at 207.236.7008 or call 800.236.4266 for room reservations.

Allegrini Wine Dinner
Executive Chef Geoffroy Deconinck

First Course
The Coast of Tuscany
2007 Vermentino “Solo Sole” Poggio al Tesoro
Crab Salad, yuzu juice and avocado

Second Course
The Veneto
2007 Allegrini, Palazzo della Torre
Barley Risotto, Local Wild Mushrooms and Parmesan Foam

Third Course
The Hills Of Montalcino
2006 San Polo, Mezzopane
Duck Breast, Celery and Marinated Cherries

Fourth Course
The Tradition of Drying Grapes
2006 Allegrini, Amarone
Beef Tenderloin, Red Mole Sauce, Medley of Baby Yukon Potatoes

Fifth Course
Giovanni Allegrini
Recioto Della Valpolicella Clasico
Italian Cheese Degustation
Dry Fruits and Biscotti

These days of warmth and sunshine are an especially great time to be a Chef because it means that gardens are bursting at the seams with fresh produce. At Natalie’s, we source locally whenever we can, and in the summer the kitchen takes advantage of all the wonderful flavors available.

The Maine Department of Marine Resources can tell you exactly when your favorite seafood is in season. Luckily for those in Maine, lobster is in season all year round. Especially lucky is that summer – right now – is the season for soft shell (or new shell) lobster, which many believe is a sweeter lobster.

Not many in other parts of the world know that lobsters shed their hard shells as they outgrow them. This time of year is a treat for people visiting (or living) in Maine; no one else will get to experience the soft shell lobster because they are so tender at this stage they do not survive long-distance transportation, unlike hard-shell lobsters.

This is an especially great time to come to Natalie’s and experience our Four Course Lobster Tasting Menu. It changes daily and elevates lobster to new culinary heights. You may enjoy your meal on our porch overlooking the harbor while you watch the lobster boats and sail boats go by, or dine in the luxurious comfort of the dining room in the Camden Harbour Inn.

Curious about what else you might find at markets or in our restaurant these days? The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association offers some really useful information about what’s seasonal during each month of the year. What are farmers harvesting throughout the summer?

-    Berries and stone fruits, including blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, and peaches are in season at various points throughout the summer. You can also find cucumbers, peppers, peas, summer squash, melons and tomatoes.

-    Hearty vegetables, such as beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, eggplant, onions, and potatoes are widely available. There is also broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, radishes, turnips.

-    Aromatics, such as celery, fennel, garlic, leeks, scallions, shallots, and herbs are in season. So, too, are greens of all shapes and sizes: lettuces, kale, chard, bok choy, mustard greens, arugula, beet greens, and so many others.

If you’re planning a visit to Camden, we hope you’ll visit us at Natalie’s for some amazing preparations of Maine’s finest local ingredients.

Bon Appetit!

Wine Excellence - we take our wines seriously at Natalie’s and we’re happy to announce that we’ve just been notified that we’ve received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for 2011.

This Award is an acknowledgement of (if we may say so ourselves) our excellent wine list, our dedication to carefully pairing our wines with our menu, sourcing from quality providers, and presenting a diverse selection to cater to our guests.

We’ve won this Award before, and are honored to have it bestowed upon us again. Further, with the recent addition of our own certified sommelier, Alex Marchesini, we are excited at what the future will bring. He’s been hard at work revamping the wine selection, in particular adding a selection of seven 1995 vintage Bordeaux wines to the list. This vintage, due to unique weather patterns across the region, boasts a universally excellent crop of grapes which have matured into highly sought-after bottles.

Marchesini developed the new wine menu to complement the flavors of the summer season, the fresh seafood from the coast of Maine, produce from Camden area farms, and the creations of Chef Deconinck, who has earned plenty of his own accolades. Our list offers seventeen wines by the glass, over 250 wines from the cellar, and a notably extensive selection of Champagnes, sparkling, and dessert wines.

Wine pairings are always offered with the three- and five-course tasting menus, as well as the lobster tasting menu.

As Marchesini continues to develop the list, we are looking forward to our application to the 2012 judging panel and beyond.

Awards aside, Natalie’s at the Camden Harbour Inn is dedicated to serving the finest cuisine and the finest wines from the best producers and purveyors in the world, and we’ll hope you’ll join us to sample what we offer very soon.