The start of our 2013 season has been a whirlwind with features on Nebo Lodge in four prominent magazines. We are so excited and grateful for their recognition. See links below to each article!

We are looking forward to another summer of preparing fresh food and a wonderful place for people to stay while visiting North Haven. Our summer will be filled with the usual restaurant service, Turner Farm Barn Suppers, Community Days BBQ, Equinox Dinner Cruises and more. View our full schedule and calendar of summer events here!

If you are planning to stay at Nebo this summer, don’t wait to make your reservations as the inn is filling quickly! You may view availability on our website, www.nebolodge.com.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

10 Best Hotels for Food Lovers in America by Bon Appetit (Nebo Lodge is #5 on their list!)
Easy Weekend Getaways by Travel + Leisure
Island Delight by Down East 
The Best of New England by Yankee Magazine

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Additional Barn Supper Dates and Equinox Dinner Cruises

A feast prepared by Nebo Lodge will be served at the Turner Farm barn celebrating the abundant island harvest four evenings this summer. The dinners will begin with a cocktail and some first tastes of the farm’s freshest offerings. Then guests are invited into the barn where a family-­‐style meal is served against the backdrop of the sun setting over Penobscot Bay. The prix fixe menu is comprised of farm-raised meats, vegetables and cheeses prepared by the cooks at Nebo Lodge. Dates for Turner Farm Barn Suppers: Saturday, July 13, Thursday, July 25, Thursday, August 8 & Saturday, August 17. The cost of the supper is $75/Adults and $50/Under 21. Call or email to make a reservation. Space is limited.

There will be Equinox boat trips from Rockland to North Haven every Saturday in June and September, and Monday, Wednesday and Friday night in July & August. Enjoy a visit to North Haven island with a scenic evening boat ride across Penobscot Bay and dinner at Nebo Lodge all in one night. Please call Nebo to make reservations for dinner and the Equinox boat ride. Equinox round-trip is $25 per person. Reservations required.

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Inn Guests Enjoy an Abbreviated Dinner Menu During Midweek Stays in June

June is a perfect time to visit Nebo Lodge before the hustle and bustle of the summer season, and now guests visiting midweek can enjoy supper from our restaurant!

In June, if you are staying at the Lodge on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, we offer an abbreviated restaurant menu served between 6:30pm and 7:30pm to inn guests only. On Sunday and Monday evenings we offer a simple dinner of our homemade pizza and salad.

Check our availability this June on our website!

Nebo Lodge  recently gained national recognition as one of the 10 Best Hotels for Food Lovers in America in Bon Appetit Magazine’s May issue. Bon Appetit, one of America’s most notable food and entertaining magazines, placed Nebo Lodge 5^th nationwide on the list released this month. The magazine cited the friendly and unique atmosphere, and innovative dishes prepared with locally sourced vegetables, meats, and cheeses. The list of hotels is based on outstanding food and drinks, as well as being destinations that Bon Appétit editors just love to go to, and want to return to again and again.

It may come as a surprise to some that a small island inn and restaurant located twelve miles off the coast of Maine gained this distinguished ranking. However, to the many visitors who have made the trip to Nebo Lodge to dine and stay this acknowledgement of exceptional food and hospitality fits the bill perfectly.  Housed in a beautiful historic inn overlooking the busy Fox Island Thoroughfare, the intimate restaurant and nine charming guest rooms make for a unique travel experience.

The restaurant works closely with its partner business, Turner Farm, both of which are owned by longtime island resident Chellie Pingree and husband Donald Sussman, as well as other local farmers and fisherman to serve the freshest food the island has to offer. North Haven oysters, lobsters, beef, pork, poultry, goat cheese, and vegetables are the focus of the seasonally inspired menu.

The restaurant is not only innovative in the food it prepares, but also in making itself accessible to the wider midcoast population. July-September round-trip dinner cruises are offered from Rockland harbor, so guests from the mainland can dine on the island and return home the same evening. To spice up the experience and take advantage of the beauty of North Haven, Nebo Lodge also hosts special Barn Suppers at Turner Farm, where a family-style meal is served against the backdrop of the sun setting over Penobscot Bay.

These recent accolades from Bon Appetit are especially exciting given that Nebo Lodge was only reopened seven years ago, after spending nearly five decades as a private residence. “When we reopened Nebo in 2005, we hoped to create a vibrant island business. This honor from Bon Appetit goes beyond our wildest dreams. I am so proud of our amazing staff who worked so hard to make Nebo an exceptional place to visit and eat.  Introducing new people to the beauty of the island and serving great food grown on North Haven is as fulfilling as creating a gathering place for island friends and families, who remain the cornerstones of our business.” –Chellie Pingree, Owner.

Nebo Lodge is open May through October. The restaurant serves dinner Friday and Saturday evening in May, June, and October; Monday-Saturday in July and August; and Thursday-Saturday in September.  Visit www.nebolodge.com or call 207.867.2007 for reservations or more information about round-trip dinner cruises to the island, Barn Suppers and other special offering throughout the 2013 season.

The inn opens in May and the restaurant will be serving dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings through June. Our 2013 Calendar of Events includes our Annual Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet on Sunday, May 12^th and we will also be serving dinner the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.

We hope you will be able to join us at Nebo Lodge for wonderful food, drinks and good friends! We encourage patrons to arrange both room and dinner reservation early, as we fill quickly especially for July and August. See you soon!

 2013 Nebo Lodge Calendar of Events

SPRING

May 1    Inn Opens

May 3-4    Restaurant Open Fridays & Saturdays through June

May 12    Sixth Annual Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet

May 26    Restaurant Open Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend

June Saturdays    Equinox Dinner Cruises from Rockland

SUMMER

July 1-Sept 1    Restaurant Serves Monday-Saturday, Plus Sunday of Labor Day Weekend. Equinox Dinner Cruise Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in July & August; Boat Leaves Rockland at 4pm, Returns by 9pm

July 4     $1 Oysters on the Deck (Fourth of July)

July 13    Turner Farm Barn Supper

July 25    Turner Farm Barn Supper

August 8    Turner Farm Barn Supper

August 10    Community Days Barbecue Buffet, 5-7pm

August 17    Turner Farm Barn Supper

FALL

September 1    Restaurant Open; $1 Oysters on the Deck (Labor Day)

September    Restaurant Open Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, Plus Sunday of Labor Day Weekend

September Saturdays    Equinox Dinner Cruises from Rockland

September 7     Closed for Special Event

September 28     Harvest Supper (Equinox Dinner Cruise)

October    Restaurant Open Fridays and Saturdays, Plus Sunday of Columbus Day Weekend

October 27    Inn & Restaurant* Close for the Season

Warm summer days on North Haven and evenings at Nebo Lodge are beckoning!

SPRING

May 1    Inn Opens

May 3-4    Restaurant Open Fridays & Saturdays through June

May 12    Sixth Annual Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet

May 26    Restaurant Open Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend

June Saturdays    Equinox Dinner Cruises from Rockland

SUMMER

July 1-Sept 1    Restaurant Serves Monday-Saturday, Plus Sunday of Labor Day Weekend. Equinox Dinner Cruise Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in July & August; Boat Leaves Rockland at 4pm, Returns by 9pm

July 4     $1 Oysters on the Deck (Fourth of July)

July 13    Turner Farm Barn Supper

July 25    Turner Farm Barn Supper

August 8    Turner Farm Barn Supper

August 10    Community Days Barbecue Buffet, 5-7pm

August 17    Turner Farm Barn Supper

FALL

September 1    Restaurant Open; $1 Oysters on the Deck (Labor Day)

September    Restaurant Open Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, Plus Sunday of Labor Day Weekend

September Saturdays    Equinox Dinner Cruises from Rockland

September 7     Closed for Special Event

September 28     Harvest Supper (Equinox Dinner Cruise)

October    Restaurant Open Fridays and Saturdays, Plus Sunday of Columbus Day Weekend

October 27    Inn & Restaurant* Close for the Season

Join John Bagnulo, PhD, Nutritionist,  and William Armstrong, BA, LMT, Movement Therapist and the staff of Nebo Lodge on North Haven Island, Maine for a 5-day Health and Wellness retreat this April.

Our paleolithic ancestors ate simply and close to the source; they moved to survive, adapt and prosper. Back pain, diabetes, obesity and the litany of similar conditions have ironically come with the modern world and leisure. often, the response to these changes in movement and nutrition have been complex, costly and ineffective.
This retreat offers a simple and effective strategy based in our human heritage — our genetic code.

• Learn sound principles of nutrition, food sourcing and preparation. You will learn how to cook the healthiest foods in the healthiest ways.

• Each day will begin with functional warmup movements, including the use of a foam roller. We will explore the Island on foot, using trekking poles as we walk. Participants will receive individual postural evaluations and corrective strategies. We will use daily activities, such as ascending and descending stairs, as the basis of fitness and functional longevity.

• Experience the peaceful environment of North Haven Island and welcoming hospitality of Nebo Lodge as a source of nurture to incorporate in your future personal care plans.

John Bagnulo, PhD, teaches nutrition at Kripalu and holds a doctor- ate in food and nutrition sciences and a masters in Public Health. He is on the faculty of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine. John and his family live on their biodynamic farm in Northport. He provides consultation at his office in Belfast. (www.johnbagnulo.com)

William Armstrong, BA, LMT specializes in assessment and treatment strategies of acute and chronic soft tissue conditions. Posture and functional movement facilitation are fundamental elements in his approach. He lives and maintains his office in Belfast. (www.39main.net/ HealthWellness/ )

DATES: Wednesday, April 24  - Sunday, April 29
RATES: $1,380 – $1,520 depending on room amenities (foam roller and trekking poles included)

Program Information/Registration: 207.338-6624 or email: wla.train.gmail.com

Payment, Lodging & Meal Information: Nebo Lodge: 207.867.2007 www.nebolodge.com

Special Restaurant Evenings This Winter
February 9th & March 30th

On Saturday, February 9th, come cozy up fireside and enjoy a delicious island dinner in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Nebo Lodge will be serving a simple menu from 5:00-9:00, and the bar will be open until 10:00. For guests interested in making the trip from off island, the inn is offering special room rates of $125 for a room with private bath, and $100 for a room with a shared bath. A complimentary bottle of sparkling wine is included, as well as our continental breakfast.

Then on March 30th shake off the winter duldrums and celebrate the start of spring with a second special resturant opening before the 2013 season begins!

Please email or call us, info@nebolodge/867-2007, if you are interested in joining us for either of these two evenings.

Looking Forward to Spring

Although the coldest days of winter are upon us, with seasmoke sweeping the Thoroughfare each morning and dooryards stacked with firewood, the few minutes of extended light creeping into each day is a reminder that Spring is not so far off. We are looking forward to long warm days at Nebo Lodge and making this summer even more enjoyable than the last! Be sure to make your room reservations early for the 2013 season. You can book online at www.nebolodge.com, or call us at 207-867-2007.

Now Hiring for the 2013 Season

Nebo Lodge is now hiring for the 2013 season. We are looking for dishwashers, prep cooks, servers, hosts and catering help. Please send letters of interest to amandahallowell@gmail.com.

We have Nebo’s signature shirts, aprons, tea towels, tote bags and other great holiday gifts including gift certificates. Contact us if you are interested!

Lucky for me it turns out that the classic Scandinavian Smorgasbord is really just a big picnic of little tastes and finger foods, sandwich fixings, pickles and sweets—my favorite way to eat! So we set out to create our own island Smorgasbord menu. We started with Chellie’s secret family recipe for pickled shrimp [recipe follows], which we usually make with the first Maine shrimp of the season, as well as the Johnson’s deadly Tom n’ Jerry’s—a sort of hot eggnog concoction complete with a signature line of punch bowls and mugs. Over the years we’ve added our homemade pickles, fantastic little sausages from Morse’s sauerkraut, Courtney Naliboff’s rye bread, a delicious creamy, salty potato gratin flavored with anchovies, and of course Swedish meatballs made with the Turner farm’s ground pork. This year I might try cooking up some Turner Farm brisket, which just seems inherently like a winter’s labor, and you’ll certainly see Turner Farm duck on our dinner menu, which will be offered after the Smorgasbord. We roasted it for Thanksgiving and it was incredibly—flavorful, moist, tender, with a nice crispy skin… I recently ate at a great little place that serves it with sushi rice, a scallion pancake and plum sauce—yum!

The Smorgasbord has become one of my favorite menus, full of quirky foods and briny, savory flavors that light up your tongue. (If the food doesn’t do it, the Tom n’ Jerry’s will!) I hope all will come and enjoy the party once again this year. It is a celebration of the season and of the community, of a hard summer’s work and a long winter’s rest, recovery and rejuvenation. I look forward to it all!

Here’s the menu, which we’ll be serving up on Saturday, December 8, from 5-7. The Tom n’ Jerry’s and some kind of punch will be on us, with a cash bar available till 10pm. We’ll also offer a small menu from 7-9, for those who want to stay and pay for a meal out!

The Johnson Family’s Famous Pickled Shrimp
Swedish Meatballs
Jansson’s Temptation (Potato-Anchovy Gratin)
Salt Cod Brandade
Assorted Housemade Pickles
Little Urchin Rye Bread
Assorted German Sausages with Mustards
Dilled Egg Salad & Hardtack
Almond Shortbread Cookies
Linzertorte

Elderflower-Prosecco Punch
Tom n’ Jerry’s
Glog (Swedish Mulled Wine)
Lingonberry-Gin Jello Shots!

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The Johnson Family’s Famous Pickled Shrimp

2 ½ pounds of raw, peeled, deveined shrimp (I usually use Maine shrimp but you can also use other small wild shrimp as well)
½ cup celery tops
¼ cup pickling spices
3 Tbsp salt
2 cups sliced onions
7-8 bay leaves

Marinade
1 ½ cup salad oil
¾ cup white vinegar
3 Tbsp capers
2 ½ tsp celery seed
1 ½ tsp salt
a few shakes of tobasco

Place celery tops, pickling spices and two Tbsp salt in a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Place shrimp in boiling water until just firm and opaque. Drain and layer with 2 cups sliced onions and 7-8 bay leaves. Cover with marinade made and let stand for a day or two. Enjoy!

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We will officially reopen May 1, 2013 and look forward to seeing you next season!

The restaurant will be closed for special events on September 22nd and October 6th.

Celebrate the bountiful fall harvest from the Turner Farm at Nebo’s Third Annual Harvest Supper Sunday, October 7th. The menu will feature fresh vegetables, cheese and meats. Supper will be served at Nebo family style with a prix fixe menu. The equinox round trip boat ride from Rockland will be offered that evening as well. Call 207-867-2007 to make a reservation.

Community Days BBQ at Nebo Lodge

August 11, Serving 5:00-7:00

Each year the second weekend in August is highlighted by a flury
of activity as North Haven celebrates Community Days! Downtown
there is a parade of floats fashioned by some of our most
imaginative residents. It is also custom to watch your friends
race on Main Street negotiating a quick dress into oil skins
while cradling a large codfish in the Codfish Relay. And then of
course there are the famed Lobster Crate Races.

After all this fun, we invite you to join us for a Barbecue on
the Nebo deck from 5:00-7:00. The Menu is fixed and served
buffet style. You can call to reserve a table 867-2007 or walk
in.  Afterward, dance the night away on Main Street to the tunes
of the Mallet Brothers and other local musicians.

Highlights of The Barbeque Menu
$1 Oysters & $2 Beers on the Deck
Bourbon-Spiked Sweet Tea
Chipotle Lime Grilled Corn on the Cob
Sweet Vinegar Baby Back Ribs
Smoked Paprika & Lemon Grilled Turner Farm Chicken
Cornbread with Local Honey Butter
Fresh Tomato Salad
New Potato Salad
Sweet Corn Ice Cream
Sea-Salted Caramel Rice Krispy Treats
Watermelon with Chili-Lime Dressing