Tuesday is the New Saturday

It's hard to believe that it's the end of July, and here we are.... in one piece and smiling. That's not to say we haven't experienced some growing pains at Side Street, but we are a heck of a lot more fluent in being a restaurant today than we were a year ago today. Thanks to a great staff and the most supportive patrons, we powered through the kinks of growing and expanding and becoming what we are - now it's just time to work our butts off for the rest of the season!

We were surprised by some of our favorite people a week or so ago! Marcus, Natalie and Joanna were the core members of the original Side Street Crew in 2009. It was fun to show them the changes, to reminisce, and to catch up on each other's lives. Let's face it... this place never would have opened or stayed open without these people :)

A few things you should know:

#1 We have a LOBSTER MARTINI NOW! Crazy, right? Actually, no, the only thing that's crazy is that you haven't tried it! This is a vodka martini with a carefully prepared lobster broth and other "secret ingredients." And did I mention that there it's served with a full lobster skewer? It may be $14.95, but we make it worth every penny!

Thank you Maija Leyendecker for being such a devoted taste tester as we perfected the recipe...

Meet Matt B. and his lovely lady - He was our very 1st Lobster Martini patron. I won't divulge how many of them he drank during his week here, but let's just say that he was a fan ;) We miss you guys already - you are our favorite kind of customers!

#2 WE HAVE A GRILLED FLUFFERNUTTER SUNDAE... 'nuff said. It's everything that you could hope and dream. We're just waiting for a call from The Food Network!

#3 The Bar Harbor Times Best of the Best Ballots are Out and it's time to Cast your VOTE!!!!

Do you have a favorite Realtor (Erica Brooks obviously!) or Home Builder (hello? Jeff Young ;)) This is the place to let your vote be heard. Last year, you all made Side Street feel SO loved - Best Burger, Best Lobster Roll, Best Chef, Best Kids Menu, Best Business Lunch, Best Family Lunch, AND Best Healthy Lunch. THANK YOU for your votes. We have ballots available at Side Street, so stop by during our amazing HAPPY HOUR (Including 1/2 priced WINGS) to try one of our prefect MARGARITAS or MARTINIS while you eat a SANDWICH, BURGER, LOBSTER ROLL, or LOBSTER STEW while listening to LIVE MUSIC on our OUTDOOR PATIO. It's a total coincidence that the words in bold are also categories on the Best of the Best ballot ;)

At the end of the day, the Best of the Best competition and gala are for a good cause - to raise money for Island Connections, so it's nice to keep the whole thing fun! We just love to be a part of it :)

#3 Tuesday is the New Saturday, so mark your calendars! The Larks are playing at Side Street from 8-10 on Tuesday the 26th, yes.... THIS TUESDAY. It's always a fun time to stop in for drinks, food and rock and roll. Let's all admit that by Tuesday night we need a little pick-me up - well, here it is! Come hear one of MDI's fave bands. Stay tuned in August because we plan to have bands equally as fun every Tuesday night.

Presentation Matters

I love when food pops up in the kitchen window and it is so beautiful that I just have to take a photo!

From top to bottom is the Caprese Salad with added avocado,

The new Blueberry Pie A La Mode Martini,

Black Bean Wrap with an added salad and our Lobster Roll

Stacey, Phil and Ian were cranking out some great looking food today :)

Big changes are happening at SSC. Our dinner specials are ever changing, new staff is coming on, new creative drinks are being designed and tested, the outdoor deck is now open for seating, and our new drink menus are out with fresh wine options, gimlet pitchers, margarita pitchers, beer pitchers and much more. I would highly recommend Megan's Hibiscus Gimlet, made with house infused hibiscus vodka :)

Check out our new happy hour - served at the bar from 4:30 - 6:00 - 1/2 priced wings, $10 pitchers, $3 drafts, $3 house wine.

This is basically the look on Ian's face no matter what task he is dealing with.

Picking a crate of lobster with a smile on his face!

Can GOOD Beer Come in a Can?

The simple answer is..... YES! Baxter Brewing Co. from Lewiston, Maine is redefining canned beer with their craft selections. We are carrying their Stowaway I.P.A. on tap and their Pamola Xtra Pale Ale in the can. Both have been a huge hit. Baxter is just another Maine brewing company that is putting our state's beer on the map. Maine is currently #59 on the list of the best beer in the WORLD thanks to brewing companies like this.

Also on our tap lineup is Peak Organic IPA from Portland. By far the most popular draft choice by our customers and staff. John Cadoux, Peak's owner swung by our restaurant to check out the renovations and chat. It's great to meet the hardworking people who create the yummy local things that we sell.

Happy Hour is from 4-6 at the bar where you can get any of our draft beers for $3, Glasses of house wine for $3, Domestics for $2.50, And signature cocktails for $5.50.

One of our favorite customers recently requested that we bring back our old margarita recipe (created by Marcus Kenney) which featured a scoop of citrus sorbet from MDI Ice Cream shaken in. We just may have to do that Dale! Thanks for the feedback :)

In the Groove

We are very sad to announce that Side Street Cafe will be closing our doors. After an exciting and challenging journey we have decided that there is just too much stress involved in running this business.

Did I get you? Even just for a second? It's 10:30 at night on April 1st, and I realized that I hadn't played an April Fool's joke ALL day, so this was really my only opportunity. We are FAR from closing the doors at Side Street. In fact, we just reopened them this afternoon after 3 weeks of renovation, expansion, creative thinking, problem solving, cleaning, sanding, painting, wiring, installing, repairing and so much more. I couldn't be more thrilled with how it all turned out. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but we now have a kitchen twice the size of the old one and a new dining room in the back of the building which has a more intimate and cozy feel.

BEFORE

AFTER

The angle is a bit different, so it's hard to capture the big change, but your best bet is just to come in to see for yourself!

Below is our kitchen and walkway into the back dining room.

And the new back dining room! This stencil on the wall was painted by Megan, one of our talented staff members.

I must say that the most rewarding part about the process has been the past week. Not just because that's when it all finally came together but also because we had the entire (very committed) staff there to help us put the pieces back together. Seeing their excitement over the new updates made me even more pumped to reopen. I love that everyone who works for us feels a sense of ownership over what Side Street has become. We are VERY lucky to have some great people working for us and with us.

From Left: Megan, Abby, Heidi, Adam, Jonathan, and Kris.

(Not pictured: Brandon, Stacey, Shannon and Amy)

Big shout out to MR Electric, A-Team Painting, Coastal Energy, Pine Tree Equipment and Harold Lynk Plumbing and Heating for bringing out the big guns and doing all of the REAL work. Oh yeah, and this guy Jeff from Young's Building Contractors did some work there too I think, but he usually showed up late and left early. Just Kidding! Thank you Jeff for busting your butt for 25 days straight to make it all look perfect and by our deadline! Even if you weren't my husband I would have hired you because you are just THAT good.

My husband Jeff and daughter Lexi hard at work. This is a rare sight on both accounts. KIDDING!.... sorta.

Annie Menzietti Palmer, Johnnie Garcia, and Russel Snyder performed as "Hamilton Station" for our opening and brought in a huge crowd of fun locals. Talk about talented musicians! We're looking forward to having them back again on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend (May 29th.) Such a fun night and a great way to get back into the groove.

A few of those "fun locals" that I was referring to....