Took a wander through downtown Rockland today. For the most part, Main Street appears healthy, and that’s a good thing in this economy. Sure, there are a few empty storefronts (Sage Market has moved to Camden), but for the most part there’s life here. And promise.
Just opened a few days ago is Clan MacLaren’s, an order-at-the-counter lunch spot serving paninis, sandwiches, soups, and chowders. Nothing too exciting or flashy, just solid choices such as the Angus MacLaren: ham, povolone, tomato, green pepper, onion, pickles, black olives, and olive oil—which sounds very similar to a classic Italian sandwich—two sizes, $5.99 and $7.99. It’s at 395 Main St.
Of course, Rockland has plenty of choices for lunch, especially on Main Street. I’m really liking the options at Rock City (previously Second Read) these days. I’ll be back to try some of those (as well as another of those killer triple chocolate cookies).
Rockland Farmers’ Market opened its season today at Harbor Park, and will continue on Thursdays, 9-12:30, through Oct. 15. Plenty of enticing foods, from fresh produce to fresh cheeses, natural meats to hand-crafted chocolates. And of course, Harbor Park is such a lovely spot for it.
I grabbed a croissant stuffed with prosciutto and Parmigiana and moseyed along the boardwalk out to The Boat House, the newish restaurant (opened last fall) with that wowser location (former MBNA pier). It would have been an ideal day to hang on the deck sipping wine and nibbling on choices form the raw bar. I’ve yet to eat here, so I can’t provide a first-person report, but what I’ve heard through the grapevine has been mostly positive. It’s still on the young side, and entering its first prime time tourist season, so there are bound to be a few snags. It’s not large, and it doesn’t take reservations for parties fewer than six. Like I said, it gets big points for location. Prices range from $10 for burgers or fried fish sandwiches to $17 for beef tenderloin topped with fresh picked lobster; majority of entrees are in the upper teens. Not cheap, but like I said, the views alone… It’s open daily from 11:30 a.m., serving lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.
