Komorebi
KENNEBUNK, ME | OCTOBER 2022
There’s a particular feeling — a calmness of body and mind — that is familiar to anyone who has found themselves in a quiet woods in the afternoon, when the sun slants through the tree canopy in syrupy bars that cloud the trail ahead in a glittering haze. The achingly short days of fall only enhance the moment. Those thick rays of sunlight break up the chill of the shadows with piercing bands of subtle warmth.
Our fall supper at Hidden Pond in Kennebunk on Maine’s southern coast felt just like that, a ray of golden sunlight in a quiet oasis, a chance to bathe in the unexpected warmth of good company and forget, for a little while, whatever is going on outside that streak of gold. Everyone took a shuttle ride to the secluded grounds of Hidden Pond, where we had a chance to let the chill creep into the tips of our fingers with a welcome cocktail from American Harvest Vodka served poolside before seeking shelter for Supper. Even inside the barn, we felt like we were in a woodland paradise, both because of the amazing decor and Chef Joe Shafer’s plates, which could have been pulled straight from the surrounding woods and waters. As the sunlight faded outside, we poured some California rays into the glasses lining the table with wine pairings from Rodney Strong Vineyards. Golden candlelight glowed long after dark, which always arrives much to early in New England’s fall. But that light, in its flickering warmth, served only to bolster conversation, to hold us together in the circle of its glow, for just a little bit longer.
WELCOME
We started the afternoon rimmed in sunlight around the outdoor fire, where we served American Harvest Vodka Harvest Apple Cider Cocktails from the outdoor bar.
Everyone enjoyed oyster shooters with fresh Maine blueberries and perfectly in-season scallops as their first bites to tease the beautiful menu to come.
A MENU BY JOE SCHAFER
Hidden Pond’s onsite restaurant, Earth, just happens to be a dreamy farm-to-table oasis with a talented chef at the helm. We were delighted to showcase Chef Joe Shafer and his beautiful plates highlighting so much of Southern Maine’s incredible pantry of ingredients. The meal was almost too pretty to eat, but we dug in to experience the deeply comforting flavors that warmed everyone up on the chilly evening.
MENU
WELCOME
Matsutake Mushroom Tart leeks, pancetta, goat cheese lovage
Oyster Shooters fermented blueberry
Scallops in the Shell chestnuts, black truffle, dashi
Harvest Apple Cider
American Harvest Organic Vodka, apple, honey, liqueur, cinnamon dust rim
2021 Rodney Strong Vineyards Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc
FIRST
Confit Pheasant Cavatelli cipollini onion, kale, Pecorino Romano
Wee Bee Pumpkin Soup snapdragon apple, cider, pepita
Wine: 2021 Rodney Strong Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir
SECOND
Peekytoe Crab Stuffed Lobster tarragon butter
Roasted Honeynut Squash ras el hanout, toasted hazelnut, goat feta
Wine: 2018 Rodney Strong Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
MAIN
Pork Porchetta fennel and pepper agrodolce
Course Milled Polenta 24 month Parmesan Reggiano
Wine: 2018 Rodney Strong Vineyards Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
DESSERT
Poached Pears in Phyllo frangipane, amaretto cream, candied almonds
Cocktail: American Harvest Vodka Espresso Martini
WINE PAIRINGS
We poured a little bit of Sonoma County, California sunshine into our glasses with wine pairings from Rodney Strong. We tasted through the spectrum of colors, from barely gold to rose to deep ruby red as the sunlight faded outside the barn, finishing the night with a bold Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon paired with a hearty porchetta and polenta main dish.
NIGHTCAP
The meal ended with poached pairs perched on their plates like little paintings in the flickering candlelight and rich espresso martinis made with American Harvest Vodka.
As the night’s chill settled in outside, it was difficult to leave the indoor oasis of the forest-filled barn, a perfect clearing of presence in the tangled woods of everyday life. There were requests for one more splash, one more story, any chance to stay a little bit longer in the moment we created together.
SECRET LOCATION: HIDDEN POND RESORT
Hidden Pond is a luxury summer camp for adults. The secluded bungalows are scattered throughout 60 acres of birch woods by the ocean, offering a quiet retreat just minutes away from the lively town of Kennepunkport. We felt like we were setting the table for a woodland fairytale, complete with a chefs garden and on-site farm.
