I sat down today, May 13th with Jennifer Wright, the Events and Development Director with the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce today, and we talked about The Taste of Bar Harbor, which is running this week May 15-18, 2014. It’s time to get your tickets to this very popular event.

The festival kicks off on Thursday, May 15th with Dessert Night 6-9 pm sponsored by the Bar Harbor Merchants Association. Register ($15) and obtain a ballot at the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce on the corner of Cottage and Main Street or Window Panes 166 Main Street, then take a self-guided tour of participating restaurants sampling their signature desserts. Vote for you favorite dessert to award the restaurant with the most votes a $500 cash prize! Participating restaurants include 356 Bakery, Bar Harbor Catering Company, Bistro on Eden, Coffee Hound Coffee Bar, Finback Alehouse, Galyn’s
Guinness & Porcelli’s, Havana, Island Bound Treats, Paddy’s Irish Pub, Poor Boy’s, Route 66 and Side Street Café.

Friday, May 16th is the Pub Tour 5-9 pm sponsored by Atlantic Brewing Company. Purchase your beer glass, wrist band and 10 sample tickets ($20) at the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce on the corner of Cottage and Main Street or Bar Harbor Brewing Co.’s tasting room at 8 Mt. Desert Street, then take a self-guided tour of participating restaurants sampling their featured beer or wine. Participating pubs/restaurants include Bar Harbor Brewing, BLAZE, Cottage Street Pub, Finback Alehouse, Galyn’s, Geddy’s, Guinness & Porcelli’s, Leary’s Landing Irish Pub, Little A’s, Paddy’s Irish Pub, Side Street Café and Thirsty Whale Tavern.

On Saturday, May 17 we are bringing back the popular Chef’s Table sponsored by Pine State Beverage. Experience a 5-course dinner and wine pairings at one of four exclusive restaurants. Chefs will be giving tours, demonstrations and sharing recipes. The cost is $75 per person and is limited to 40 seats. Your undisclosed dining location will be revealed at a reception from 5-6 pm at FIORE Artisan Olive Oils & Vinegars. Participating Chef's include Chef Arturo Montes, Looking Glass Restaurant ; Chef Cassady Pappas, Havana; Chef Mandy Fountaine, Bar Harbor Catering Company; Chef Ryan Phillips, La Bella Vita and Chef Louis Kiefer, The Reading Room.

During the day on Saturday, don’t miss the Bar Harbor Merchants Association Sidewalk Stroll. Stroll the sidewalks for a Taste of all that Bar Harbor Merchants have to offer. Featuring unique shopping, culinary and made-in-Maine products, Spring sales and tasty treats.

On Sunday, May 18, we are happy to announce the addition of the Eden Farmer’s Market to the festival’s schedule. Featuring a diverse group of local food growers, producers and artisans, the market will provide an opportunity to learn about all of the wonderful food sources available in our area, and give you the opportunity to sample, purchase and learn from the Downeast sources themselves.

Along with the Eden Farmer’s Market, we will also be introducing the 1st Annual Waiter Race! Watch as the finest servers from our area’s restaurants compete against one another for bragging rights, as well as the “Ultimate Tip” cash prize!

Get out all festival long for the $20.14 Menu! Participating restaurants will be offering a prix fixe menu for $20.14 of their own choosing; perhaps it will be an appetizer and glass of wine for $20.14 or 2-for-$20.143 entrees, or a 3-course meal for $20.14. Whatever the offerings, it will be a great time to try a Taste of Bar Harbor! Participating locations include Fish House Grill, Galyn's, Little A's, La Bella Vita, Paddy's Irish Pub, Portside Grill, Side Street Cafe, Terrace Grille, The Thirsty Whale Tavern.

You can get more information by calling the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-345-4617, or by visiting the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Website. For more information on the Taste of Bar Harbor, visit the Taste of Bar Harbor Website, or Facebook page.

More From WWMJ Ellsworth Maine