Inside Info from The Oxford House Innkeepers

Ready for Summer!

2010-06-18T21:31:00.005-04:00

Spring has come and gone...when did that happen? We were fortunate to have stayed very busy skipped over mud season this year, though that means our list of projects never got finished. However, our Summer Menu is done and getting rave reviews! We have brought back a couple favorites-Seared Ahi Tuna with Soba Noodle Salad and Maple Wasabi Creme Fraiche, our ever popular Hoisin Braised Duck & Scallion Pancakes, and added many items- Maine Shrimp Lettuce Wraps, an Amazing Kobe Sirloin Steak with Warm Frisee, Fingerling Potato & Bacon Salad, topped with a deep "Fried Egg"- so neat! Strawberry Chevre Cheesecake, Homemade Bourbon Banana Ice Cream....come visit and find your new favorite. Sunsets viewed from the back porch have been unbelievable this week. Reserve early for a stunning view!

Meisters

2010-02-04T08:44:00.004-05:00

So, week 5 of Cranmore Mountain Meisters Race Series and our team, The Oxford House Inn Maineiacs sit in third. Out of a 37 total teams I'd have to guess that we're doing something right. Come play with us on Wednesdays in North Conway at Cranmore Mountain. This week was a fund raiser for Leanne Smith, a local skier who got her start at Cranmore. She had the good fortune to get called up for the Olympic Ski Team, as a community we are all trying to pull together to get her family to Whistler to be there for Leanne. Next week is a benefit day for Devin Delaney, a member of the US Junior Olympic Team, to help her with her chase for the gold. These benefit days are great for those who are not happy with their time, cash out of hand and you get to make another run. The Jen's Friends day is a hoot too, you can just lap the race course all day. I believe last year they raised close to $2000 for the charity. Perhaps we'll see you out there. J-

New Menu

2010-01-28T21:16:00.003-05:00

One on Nick's beautiful creations, tasted great too. Good first night with the new menu, unfortunately Thursday is our Pint and a Pound special night so the majority of folks through the door got a pint o beer and pound o mussels/clams. Happy with the new format of the menu too, seemed like we got a good response. Check the new menu at http://www.oxfordhouseinn.com/menu-entrees.php

New Menu, New Concept

2010-01-28T09:20:00.003-05:00

Pretty excited for the new menu/concept here at The Oxford House/Jonathan's. We've rewritten the menu to include most of our bar favorites in the dining rooms too. Natalie has been hard at work updating the decorations and the overall feel of the dining rooms to reflect the hip new offerings. Come check it out.

Fryeburg Snowmobiling

2010-01-27T09:00:00.003-05:00

While the Fryeburg trails are reportedly closed, up in New Hampshire (the trails are at a higher elevation) it is riding great. I went out for a couple hours and NH19 is holding up great. Maybe I'll see you out there. J-

Mmmmmm Pancakes

2010-01-24T17:20:00.004-05:00

All right, Natalie tells me to blog recipes. We'll start with a simple one for the most important meal of the day.
Buttermilk Pancakes
3 Cups King Arthur All Purpose Flour
5 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Salt
3 Tbsp Granulated Cane Sugar
Mix dry ingredients in medium bowl.
1 3/4 Cups Buttermilk
1 Cup Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
2 Eggs
4 Tbsp Oil
Measure and mix wet ingredients, add to dry. Mix till just barely combined. Cook on a well buttered 365 degree +/- griddle.
You can add almost a limitless amount of fillings to these, also you can substitute 1.5 cups whole wheat flour for 1.5 cups AP flour. Have fun experimenting. J-

Bluebird day sledding

2010-01-24T15:12:00.003-05:00

Took the roundabout way to Moose Pond to check on a friends camp. The Fryeburg trails were fairly beat up, at least the scenery was redeeming.

Winter Wonderland

2009-12-31T20:22:00.005-05:00

Winter has officially arrived! We've spotted the snowmobile & cross country ski trail groomer in the fields behind the inn, providing access from our back yard to the interstate trail network that meanders through Maine and New Hampshire. Conditions at Cranmore Mountain, Shawnee Peak and Attitash are excellent. Our Quick Escape package is the perfect way to get some rest, have a great day on the slopes and enjoy a delicious three course dinner prepared by Jonathan. For just $199 for your room, breakfast & dinner with discounted lift tickets available, it can't beat! Visit our website for all the details. See you on the slopes!

Occasionally the sun does shine

2009-07-08T21:38:00.003-04:00

Believe it or not, the sun does shine in Maine. We've been able to take advantage of some of the best days. Most, not all, of our time is spent at the grinding block. Every once in a while we get to take accidental naps (Natalie) during a heated cribbage game, go for strolls down to the Saco with Grammy Knickerbocker-she's so awesome and work on our bicycles. We've managed to keep busy preparing for the summer rush and some special events. Most notably we've been invited to take part in Fields on the Saco this year. In it's second year, this dinner event features three other valley chefs and gobs of local products from goats milk cheese to Blueberry Vodka - it promises to be a great night. If our weather men/women are accurate I think we'll have another sunny one tomorrow. Let's see where the adventure brings us.

Sit Awhile and Enjoy the View!

2009-07-03T21:14:00.002-04:00

How do we do it?

2009-06-05T20:24:00.004-04:00

Our guest's #1 question to us-how do you find the time to have fun? Well, we make time! This area is to beautiful to leave unexplored. Our new favorite hobby- road biking. Here, Jonathan is out with a neighbor & fellow innkeeper at 6:30am. The winding roads behind our inn offer some of the most picturesque and beautiful country scenery found in New England. Mountains, corn fields, old farm houses, waterfalls, cemeteries dating back hundreds of years, the gently flowing Saco River and lots of animals, from cows to alpaca & sheep are part of our daily ride. Be sure to bring your bikes when you visit, and we'll send you on our favorite loops-maybe even pack you a picnic!

Cinco de Mayo Dinner Fiesta

2009-04-23T19:33:00.003-04:00

Over drinks last spring with fellow innkeepers Hilary Jones and Derrek Schlottmann from The Admiral Peary House, we discovered our mutual love of authentic Mexican cuisine. It was soon decided we would host a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, of course! Jonathan and Derrek fired up a terrific menu and produced absolutely amazing food, from hand-pressed corn tortillas & black chicken mole to Maine shrimp cerviche. We all had so much fun, we're doing it again. What better way to celebrate Mexican flavors and the onset of summer than a casual Mexican fiesta at The Oxford House Inn! Grab some friends and join us Tuesday May 5th, from 5:30-9pm. I've been perfecting my margaritas...the pear and ginger is the reigning favorite! Reservations, please. 800-261-7206

Glorious Signs of Spring..

2009-04-23T16:47:00.011-04:00

With roof shoveling, yard sanding and frozen pipes now officially behind us (all of which were new experiences since moving to Maine), spring has cheerfully arrived. Our robins are back, my new tulip bulbs are making a valiant effort to push their way through the remaining shadows of snow, I drifted off to sleep last night to the sound of peepers by our pond and the first of Weston's local maple syrup is about to arrive from the trees down by the river. Spring vacation stories and summer plans are circulating among our staff, and we are busy planning several upcoming not-to-be missed events. Check in often!