great tapas, extensive wine list and home grown fare!

I am SO thankful for Cleonice Mediterranean Bistro in little Ellsworth, Maine! So many nights Jon and I end up there for either tapas and drinks or a full meal prepared with local ingredients from their own farm Artisana. Usually Jon and I will go in and order our "usual" which is a Stormy Night martini (Gosling's Rum, ginger juice, lime and candied ginger) for me and a Geary's Hampshire Ale for him.

For tapas our faves are their Hummus & Baba Ganouj w/ pita crisps, marinated olives, spicy Htipiti and the Four Season Farm Spinach Salad with Anne Bossi’s Chevre, Smokey Bacon, Hazelnuts & Onions. MMM!!! We often make a meal out of those tapas! Their ingredients are always fresh, local and seasonal. A few of our favorite entrees include: the Chicken Arthur Avenue ( Pan-Seared Organic Chicken Breast with a Sauce of Mushrooms, Leeks, Housemade Pancetta & Imported Marsala. Served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Sautéed Greens) the Paella Cleonice (Native Littleneck Clams, Mussels, Scallops & Maine Shrimp Simmered with Organic Chicken, Spanish Chorizo, & Fresh Vegetables in Saffron- Scented Spanish Montasia Rice) and the Grilled, Grass-Fed, Black Angus Rib-Eye Steak (With Gorgonzola Butter, Hand-Cut 16 Ounce Steak, Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Fresh Vegetables) - in fact anything with Gorgonzola Butter makes me smile!!!

Usually we don't go for dessert as were so stuffed - BUT sometimes their chocolate mousse with candied ginger or fresh mint hits the spot. Or sometimes a cordial glass of their homemade limoncello is all one needs after such a satisfying meal. That is why I love living 10 minutes away from this fab bistro!