OBSESSIONS

WHAT WE CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF THIS MONTH.

SNACK

BREWER NUTRITION

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? Following an especially strenuous walk on the Brewer waterfront (who knew strong winds would make things so difficult?), I decided to drive over to nearby Brewer Nutrition for a much needed snack. And I am now hooked. Brewer Nutrition — located 46 Center St. — has loads of delicious options to choose from, from toasts, shakes and teas to smoothie bowls and smoothies. The smoothie I got was my favorite fruit-filled food since my beloved acai bowl at the now-closed Logical Sip. Called the Kaless Whisper, it’s filled with kale, pineapple, lime, coconut water, banana, mango and ashwagandha. It’s the perfect healthy snack for my post-workout hunger. — ROSEMARY LAUSIER

WATCH

SONIC HIGHWAYS

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? If you’re reading Dave Grohl’s book (recommended in the last issue!) and bummed about the cancelled Waterfront Concert, watch (or rewatch as it first came out in 2014) the band’s eight episode documentary “Sonic Highways.” The show details the making of the album of the same name, following the Foo as they travel to iconic music cities like Austin, Seattle and New York. Each episode is a deep dive into the city’s music history, including beautiful interviews conducted by Grohl (he is an excellent storyteller after all) with Dolly Parton, Buddy Guy, Emmylou Harris, Trombone Shorty, Willie Nelson and more. The band gets inspired, writes a song and each episode wraps with the Foo Fighters recording a song in spots like Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Studios in Nashville and Preservation Hall in New Orleans. You don’t have to be a Foo Fighters fan to enjoy this series — all you need is a love for music. Available on various streaming services including Amazon Prime Video.

READ

TESSA BAILEY ROMANCE BOOKS

Your summer beach read!

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? During the pandemic, I was truly in a reading slump. I used to love books, but I just couldn’t pick one up. Then I discovered contemporary romance books. What started with a single book (“Beach Read” by Emily Henry) turned into a full on obsession and I read more than 15 contemporary romance books in 2021. One of my favorite authors is Tessa Bailey, whose book “Hook, Line and Sinker” (her follow-up to “It Happened One Summer”) was one of my recent reads. The books follow Piper and Hannah Bellinger as they spend their time in coastal Washington state and eventually fall in love with two local fishermen. “Hook, Line and Sinker” was romantic, swoony and extremely steamy (warning: if you can’t handle more than kissing, shelve it). Plus it included one of my favorite romance tropes: friends to lovers. I just couldn’t put it down. If you’re interested in dabbling in the genre, Tessa Bailey is a great start.

— ROSEMARY LAUSIER

GO

Perfect for a summer dip!

GOULD’S LANDING IN ORONO

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? Two years ago, desperate for some summer fun, my kids and I headed down Essex Street until we hit water — and by water, I mean Gould’s Landing in Orono. A short drive from Bangor, this boat launch and swimming area features picnic tables, a large grassy area, some rocky/sandy shore and a lot of clear, pristine open water. We’ve been swimming there in the warm months ever since. The water is always cool — perfect for a hot summer day. And there’s plenty of room to splash around. Wear water shoes if you have sensitive feet though, the bottom is a bit rocky. And one more tip: be sure to head to Orono’s website to fill out the form for a parking permit.

It’s required (and free!) and there’s almost always someone in the parking lot checking passes.

DINE OUT

HAUS MEATLOAF SANDO

AT NOCTURNEM DRAFT HAUS

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? We’ve become regulars at Nocturnem in downtown Bangor, and for good reason. The food is always delicious, the beer selection is huge and ever-changing, the staff is awesome and the atmosphere is exactly what you want from a cozy pub — and as things warm up, there’s a big outdoor patio area to enjoy as well. We’ve tried just about everything on the menu and I recommend it all. My kids are obsessed with the Haus Mac & Cheese, which is creamy and delicious and topped with a “Cheez-It crunch.” I mean, what’s not to love about that? But I’m currently obsessed with the Haus Meatloaf Sando. I’ve never been a fan of meatloaf and prior to trying this, the words “meatloaf sandwich” only ever conjured up visions of Adam Sandler’s “Lunch Lady Land.” Now it’s got me thinking about Nocturnem’s delicious handheld combo of juicy meatloaf with dijonaise dressing, lettuce, caramelized onions, melted Swiss and topped with fried onions. The menu changes frequently, so stop in soon to try this out — though you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu! — AMY ALLEN