During a recent trip up to Camden, Maine, we discovered this fantastic boutique bar right on the harbor waterfront. Nestled away from the main streets is Paper Plane owned by mixologist and wine-aficionado Clementine Senatore. With an all white interior, projections of underwater marine life, and intentionally designed lighting, the space is upscale, urban and inviting.
Carrying a wide selection of gins, whiskies and amari, this craft cocktail lounge boasts an innovative menu. Paying homage to the creators of classic cocktails, Paper Plane’s list includes the resurgent-in-popularity Last Word and Japanese Manhattan – noted on the menu as originating in 1930’s and 1870’s, respectfully. Further, the fantastic new adaptation, aptly named the Wasabi Story (pictured below), is a bold and playful cocktail balancing bright citrus, spicy wasabi, and floral bergamot. The presentation, reminiscent of sake service, features a small glass with a secondary carafe of this delicious green elixir, allowing you to pour for yourself or share with a friend. Delicious and creative.
The wine program lists a collection of over 200 old world and new world examples, including an excellent representation from Champagne, Burgundy, California, and Piedmont. You’ll find everything here from the world’s greats (OPUS ONE, Beaux Freres, Vietti, Penfold’s) alongside the under represented regions of Iraq, Georgia, and South Africa. With so much to choose from we decided on a 2006 Sassontino “Casanova della Spinetta,” from Toscana, Italy (pictured below). Showing exemplary tertiary notes of dried cherries, blackberries, and plums with expressions of tobacco leaf, chocolate, and bourbon vanilla, this wine added depth to the evening’s conversation, where old friends met new acquaintances at a beautiful boutique bar in Camden, ME.
TerroirSomme 