Monday, Dec 05, 2011

Website

There are very few food and libation focused bookstores in the world that can rival that of Rabelais in Portland Maine. They are more than just a cookbook store. Essentially, what Samantha and Don Lindgren offer at their space on Middle Street is a tremendous guide to doing things right and leading a happy life. Lining the walls and tables are books about food, wine, liquor, gardening, history and honeybees.

From modern agrarian books about starting seeds and maintaining a garden, to antique farming books about livestock, to the entire Ferran Adria collection, they currently stock the books that will cover every foodist and hedonists’ bases.

Their rare and antiquated book collection is mind-boggling, to say the least. I love to stare through the glass at the limited selection they keep at the shop, and I when I do, I immediately shove my hands in my pockets like a well behaved six-year-old in a Limoges shop, so I don’t get my grubby digits on them.