Vessel & Vine — Restaurant in Brunswick

A trip home for the holidays helped introduce my (local) sister and (visiting) me to Vessel & Vine and its excellent backroom bar, Caballeras. We were looking for a drink and snack, but arrived before the 4p opening, so we first sampled some excellent cheese and crackers in V&V's well curated market and wine shop. After the bar opened, we sat in a cozy booth, excitedly assessed the four Hot Toddy specials, asked the server for appetizer advice, and drew comfort from a sign over the bar saying that right-wing extremist Proud Boys were not welcome here.

The tropical flavored Hot Toddys, with pineapple rum, were served in nifty glass holders. They were terrific, not too sweet, evocative of warmer climes, and the perfect drink on a wintry Maine day. The appetizers also hit the spot. The dolmas/stuffed grape leaves were yummy, but perhaps would be even tastier if served warm. The Muhammara spread, a spicy Middle Eastern walnut and roasted pepper dip, was fantastic, with just the right spicy kick, and served with toasted bread. We loved it, loved the hidden vibe of the bar, and felt well taken care by the staff.

It's always nice coming home and, once there, finding a great new spot. We ended up buying cheese and crackers and that great Muhammara dip to share at Christmas dinner. I will...

HOT off the PRESSES .. 🚨 alert: I think I have a new favorite shop 🧀😵‍💫 … after a brief solo gaze upon the case, I asked for suggestions regarding a ‘hideously pungent’ rindy cheese, and she instantly became my muse. Lovely. There are surprises in & around every nook of this rustic little shop. And the eye candy! Cheeses, meats, wine … bitters ! If you do not know this is here, you could walk right on past it ~ Don’t let it happen! At the register, there are discoid carrot cakes which resemble the yeasty aging rind of a mutant cheese. Jump in my basket. Please. My sales associate was charming & beautiful and helpful and lovely … Thank you for that infectious smile and whimsical air, cheesegirl. My pungent, rindy Flora was wrapped hideously, but with cunning and playful abandon. I am a happy guy and I will definitely return to this brilliant gem. In a godforsaken state where there is a WeedMart about every 2.7 miles on any stretch of town road … it is refreshingly beautiful to have a CheeseMart close by and ready to remedy any challenge the day brings. Readers: do yourselves a favor and visit Vessel & Vine,...

Such a pleasant surprise to find this treasure in our back yard! A tiny wine and cocktail bar that punches way above its weight. Whoever has constructed the wine selection knows their stuff. Unusual and excellent value wines, to include Saparavi (Republic of Georgia), and some standout South African bottles. In addition to these unique, outstanding, relatively unknown wines (but therefore undervalued with great prices!), there's also a surprisingly broad group of carefully selected more standard European and American bottles. This place is great. A fantastic addition to Brunswick, and an establishment that wouldn't be out of place in Portland or...