LimeRock Inn - Affordable Full Service Luxury Inn in Rockland Maine

Historic Inns of Rockland win IFWTWA Award of Excellence!

March 17th, 2011

ifwtwa From the IFWTWA:

The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association’s (IFWTWA) Excellence Awards program recognizes the world’s finest travel and tourism industry professionals as experienced by the organization’s journalist members. Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine earned IFWTWA’s Award of Excellence in Hospitality for its outstanding inns and exemplary guest services.

According to the IFWTWA member journalist who nominated Historic Inns of Rockland for recognition: “The Historic Inns of Rockland (4 properties) all work together in setting and complying with high standards of service. In addition, they have received the State of Maine award for conservation practices. During the past two years, I have stayed at the inns, toured, eaten, interviewed innkeepers, videoed their kitchens and have been impressed with their commitment to service, cleanliness, green practices, friendliness, and delicious food.”

The award nomination was carefully evaluated and recommended by IFWTWA’s Excellence Awards Committee and the award approved by IFWTWA’s Board of Directors.

“As a winner of an IFWTWA Excellence Award, Historic Inns of Rockland demonstrates the professional standards that represent the best in the hospitality industry,” said Maralyn Hill, IFWTWA President. “This company and others in its class set – and raise – the bar in the hospitality field worldwide.”

About IFWTWA: The International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) is a global network of journalists who cover the hospitality and lifestyle fields, and the people who promote them.

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Cooking with Franco!

March 10th, 2011

PJ is often the beneficiary of my ever-evolving Italian cooking skills acquired from visits to Rome and Milan like this last trip in December. In addition to watching Zia Adrianna hone her skills, Lucy, Barbara, Chiara and I took a couple of days to drive to Milan. After touring one of Italy’s most beautiful and modern cities, we treated ourselves to an afternoon cooking class in the test kitchen of La Cucina Italiana magazine.

So tonight for dinner, Spinach ravioli served with a traditional brown butter and sage sauce. To solve the problem of an absence of protein, I stopped at Hannaford and picked up some Al Fresco chicken sausage seasoned with roasted peppers and Asiago cheese.

Sausage in Sage and Brown Butter Sauce

Why the blast of domesticity, you ask? Well, that’s the best part. I hope you will consider joining me at Café Miranda on Saturday morning, March 19^th for a Pasta Throwdown between me and chef owner, Kerry Altiero. Café Miranda is known far and wide for their homemade pastas and specialty sauces featured on their eclectic menu. But last time we talked, Kerry challenged me after teasing me about my more traditional hand–rolled pasta making style.

The finished dish was quite delish!

Traditional sauce recipes, tips and catholic guilt courtesy of my Nonna Mary Rose and his Grandma Connie are included at no extra charge! Be sure and reserve your spot now cuz remember, it’s LimeRock Inn Bed & Breakfast (not dinner). So don’t get any ideas. If you are inclined, though, you can visit our dear friends, Wendy & Chef husband, Bruce (pronounced Broo Ché when he’s cooking Italian) at their wonderful Bed & Dinner called the Arnold Black Bear Lodge located in the beautiful Stanislaus National Forest of Northern California.

Ciao for now!

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A Tour of Breakwater Vineyards

March 3rd, 2011

Today, we hopped in an Escalade Stretch Limo courtesy of All About Trolley and took a ten minute drive over to Owls Head along with some other innkeepers for a tour of Breakwater Vineyards. This coming summer will be their second season in operation.

We got a tour of their winemaking process where they were currently working on a Blueberry wine and a Chardonnay.

The vineyard is located on a former horse farm on a hilltop in Owls Head with absolutely stunning views of Penobscot Bay and the Camden Hills.

The main house contains the tasting room where we sampled a Reisling, an Oak Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir. Now, I don’t normally care for Riesling as I find it too sweet but this was absolutely delicious. It was not too sweet and had a slightly crisp and tart finish.

The tasting room is stunning and has a small shop with Breakwater Lighthouse gift items with proceeds going to the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Light. They also sell their wine of course and branded gift items.

Breakwater Vineyards offers free tasting every Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 5 pm in season. If your in the area, this is not to be missed!

Thanks again to All Aboard Trolley for transportation. The stretch Escalade, complete with 4 TVs, ambient lighting, fireplace, laser lights, fog machine and every imaginable bell and whistle made us feel like movie stars!!!

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I feel a Mocha Nutcake craving coming on!

March 2nd, 2011

This is a delicious cake that is not too sweet and has a wonderful mocha coffee flavor. I’ve had people offer me money to make this for them!!

Mocha Nutcake

MOCHA NUTCAKE

CAKE
5 eggs, separated
1 c. sugar
1 T. instant coffee powder 1/2 c. sifted flour
1/2 c. finely ground hazelnuts

Preheat oven to 325°. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Add sugar gradually until mixture is stiff. Beat egg yolks separately until thick and light; fold in. Blend together coffee, flour and nuts; gently but thoroughly fold into egg white mixture until no white streaks remain. Spoon into 9-inch tube pan which has been greased and floured. Tap on the counter to remove air bubbles. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Cool on a rack and then split cake into 4 layers. Fill with mocha cream and sprinkle with confectioners sugar over the top.

MOCHA CREAM
2 c. heavy cream
2 T. confectioners sugar 1 T. amaretto
1 T. instant coffee dissolved in the amaretto

Beat Cream until thick. Blend in sugar, the coffee dissolved in amaretto. Stir until smooth.

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A Favorite from Pies on Parade in Years Past

February 27th, 2011

I wanted to share this recipe with everyone as it hasn’t made it onto the table for several years. This was always one of our most popular creations during the Historic Inns of Rockland’s annual Pies on Parade Event. Although the recipe is for one tart, it can be easily modified to make individual tarlets as shown in the photo.

Pies on Parade

RASPBERRY CHEESE TART

CRUST

1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. sugar

1/2 c. cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 to 3 T. cold water

Preheat oven to 350°. In a food processor blend together flour, sugar, and butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 2 tablespoons water and toss until incorporated. Add enough remaining water if necessary until mixture begins to come together but is still crumbly. Refrigerate dough, wrapped in plastic for 1 hour. Press crust evenly onto bottom and sides of an 11 inch tart pan with removable fluted rim. Prick the crust with a fork, line the dough with aluminum foil and weigh it down with pie weights or beans and bake in the middle of oven until golden, about 30 minutes. Make the filling while the crust bakes.

CHEESE FILLING

8 oz. 1 package cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. almond extract
1 large egg, beaten lightly

1 T. all purpose flour
1/4 c. seedless raspberry jam
1 T. water
3 c. raspberries

In an electric mixer beat together cream cheese, sugar, almond extract and egg until smooth. Add flour and blend mixture well. Pour the filling into the warm crust, spreading evenly, and bake in the middle of the oven until set, about 20 minutes. Cool the tart in its pan on a rack. In a small saucepan heat the jam and water over moderate heat, stirring until melted and smooth. Remove pan from heat and cool jam slightly. Arrange the raspberries on top of the part and drizzle the jam over the berries.

Note: You can substitute raspberries for almost any type of berry. You can also do the same with the jam. To make individual tartlets, use a 24 mini muffin pan instead and press large gumball size pieces of dough into each well. Reduce baking times by half.

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Guests pick LimeRock Inn for 2011 “Best Location for Walking to Shops/Dining” from over 8,500 B&B’s

February 13th, 2011

We’ve won another award!!!! Please see our press release below. We are very honored!!

Rockland, ME – - The LimeRock Inn in Rockland, ME was chosen by our readers of LanierBB.com Travel Guides as North America’s “Best Location for Walking to Shops/Dining” for 2011. Having unanimously received the greatest number of votes out of 8,500 properties by their loyal B&B guests and regular visitors to LanierBB.com, LimeRock Inn earned one of the industry’s most prestigious awards. Last year, LanierBB.com readers awarded LimeRock Inn with the distinction of “Most Affordable Luxury Property”, making this inn a two-time LanierBB.com award dinner.

“Warm, welcoming and full of character and charm, P.J. Walter & Frank Isganitis offer exceptional hospitality and effort to go that extra mile,”said Pamela Lanier, owner of LanierBB.com and travel guide/cookbook author. “Earning themselves the designation of “Best Location for Walking to Shops/Dining for 2011” with Lanier readers, this B&B truly stands out above the rest,” finished Lanier.

“We’re delighted to receive a Lanier award for the second year in a row,” said Frank Iganitis, LimeRock Inn co-owner. “It’s especially satisfying since this award came directly from our guests, and one of the things they love most is our location, which is a great selling point for the inn” finished Isganitis.

The LimeRock Inn, a turreted Victorian mansion, is an exquisite example of Queen Anne architecture. Featuring two front parlors, spacious guest rooms and an inviting wrap-around porch, LimeRock Inn offers guests the chance to experience luxury and elegance in a gracious historical setting. Located in Rockland’s Historic District within strolling distance to the renowned Farnsworth Museum and Rockland’s thriving Main Street and harbor, the Inn is perfectly situated for those who enjoy exploring Rockland’s downtown and waterfront by foot or for leisurely driving tours of the Midcoast region. Eight sizeable guest rooms are decorated blending period details with comfort and luxury.

Pamela Lanier’s Bed and Breakfasts, Inns and Guesthouses International has been assisting inn goers with a comprehensive variety of boutique lodgings since 1982, announcing an “Innkeeper of the Year” winner for 28 years in a row, the oldest and most prestigious B&B vote program in the world.

Thinking of visiting Rockland and the Penobscot Bay region, or want to meet these exceptional innkeepers that put their heart and soul into their B&B? Contact the LimeRock Inn today and you’ll be received at their B&B with open arms! For more information and reservations, visit LimeRock Inn at www.Limerockinn.com or email info@limerockinn.com. To talk with the Frank and PJ, call 207-594-2257.

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First Blizzard of the Season!

December 27th, 2010

It looks like 2010 is going out with a bang as we’ve had a blizzard overnight. The storm dropped about 10 inches which is not too bad considering how the rest of the east coast fared! Of course, due to the high winds there are some pretty amazing snow drifts around town. It was the perfect day to cozy up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate!!

2010-12-27_11-03-32_132

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Season’s Greetings from LimeRock Inn

December 22nd, 2010

Holiday Card 2010

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I Love Living Here

November 20th, 2010

I was driving to the store last night and had to pull my car over. One of the things I never grow tired of is looking out into Rockland harbor. Whenever you’re out and about in town you can’t help but notice it. Well tonight the sunset was particularly pretty so I got out of my car and walked down to the water to snap this picture. Enjoy!

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