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The Schooner Eleanor sheds its shrink-wrap and the crocus muscle their way through the frozen ground. After a particularly snowy winter, we are very glad to see these harbingers. Soon, daffodils, tulips, and hyacinth will eclipse the crocus and water will be flowing in our water garden. Opening Day for the Red Sox has come and gone, which is another signal that spring is truly upon us. Our favorite sign, however, is the proliferation of ones that say "Open" hung cheerily in the windows of local restaurants and shops, many of which are awakening from their annual winter slumber. Hurricane, Mabel's Lobster Claw, Bandaloop, and On The Marsh have either opened or will open later this month, adding to the wonderful variety of places to grab a bite to eat in Kennebunkport and Kennebunk.

Spring is always a time of anticipation, renewal, and change. This spring is no different with a handful of area staples being reborn as new ventures. After sixteen years of serving delicious, northern Italian fare, Grissini Italian Bistro will soon reopen as Abbondante Italian Eatery under the steady hands of Local restaurateurs Merrilee Paul and David Ross, who also created 50 Local and Owen's Farmhouse. The venerable Cape Arundel Inn is reinventing its namesake restaurant as Ocean, helmed by Chef Pierre Gignac whose Ogunquit restaurant 98 Provence was an area favorite for 17 years. Another new restaurant set to open this summer is David's Kennebunkport which will be located in a brand new waterfront building that has risen on the spot that used to be the Landing Hotel and Restaurant. Acclaimed Portland chef, David Turin's latest venture will offer creative, contemporary cuisine in a prime spot overlooking the water.

Other changes are afoot in Dock Square where a handful of shops and galleries are set to open for the season with new names and fresh offerings. Stay tuned for updates as the tides of time continue to pull us toward warm days filled with sun and surf.

Is there really anyone who doesn’t like ice cream or its close cousins? What could be more perfect than cooling off on a warm day with a palate pleasing cone of Chai Cardamom ice cream or a delectable dish of Vanilla Bean gelato. If you are looking for something a bit less guilt inducing, you can even score fat free frozen yogurt. Kennebunkport and the Lower Village of Kennebunk are fortunate to have a wealth of frozen treat establishments. While not a comprehensive list, below are some of the many places in town to indulge in cold, creamy comfort food.

Rococo Artisan Ice Cream - 6 Spring Street, Kennebunkport, ME - 207-251-6866
Rococo Artisan Ice Creams are made from fresh, real ingredients and hand-crafted in small batches at their shop located in Kennebunkport. They are committed to using only the best ingredients and all natural dairy from local farms to create unique flavors like Honey Vanilla, Ginger Trifecta, Strawberry Basil and Chai Cardamom.

Aunt Marie’s - 10 Ocean Ave., Kennebunkport, ME - 207- 967-0711
Aunt Marie’s features Maine-made Gifford’s ice cream.  Made from fresh cream and top-quality ingredients, it has an old-fashioned, super-rich “ice cream stand” flavor. The history of Gifford’s Ice Cream goes back five generations. Flavor favorites include Maine Maple Walnut and Maine Wild Blueberry.

Ben & Jerry’s - 5 Union Street, Kennebunkport, ME - 207-967-2322
Ben & Jerry’s is a New England original offering unique flavors of ice cream and frozen yogurt. The ice cream has a high milk fat content that makes it super-creamy. Though it has grown exponentially from its humble beginnings in a converted gas station in Vermont, the company maintains its mission to create high quality all-natural products while promoting business practices that respect children and families, the environment and sustainable agriculture on family farms.

Willard Scoops - 21B Western Ave., Kennebunk, ME - 207-232-3618
Willard Scoops offers homemade ice cream and ices made fresh daily on site. They use specialty ingredients in many of their flavors and strive to be as all natural as possible.

Dock Square Coffee House - 18 Dock Square, Kennebunkport, ME - 207-967-4422
Dock Square Coffee House features gelato from The Gelato Fiasco’s Creation Kitchen in Brunswick. The gelato is created in small batches using only the best ingredients. From Stracciatella to Strawberry and Vanilla Bean to Rocky Road, you’ll find a rotating list of flavors that is simply delicious.

H.B. Provisions - 15 Western Ave., Kennebunk, ME - 207 967-5762
H.B. Provisions serves up Shain’s of Maine premium ice cream. Cones, cups, shakes, etc, take your pick as you dive into unique flavors like Maine Survivor or familiar standbys like Butter Pecan or French Vanilla.

Yo Goody’s - 13 Western Ave., Kennebunk, ME 04043
Yo Goody’s features five self-serve machines that hold either fat-free frozen yogurt or soft serve ice cream. Flavors can be dispensed individually or combined in a “twist” to create combinations like Strawberry Cheesecake.  Yogurt and ice cream are sold by weight and a wide array of mix-ins are available, including things like Cocoa Puffs cereal, Snickers, Oreos, almonds, and fresh fruit.

As crocus and daffodils begin to muscle their way through the soil after their long winter nap, another kind of awakening is taking place in town. After taking breathers of anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, many local restaurants are throwing their doors open again for business. We are very fortunate to have an absolutely amazing selection of restaurants in the area, ranging from humble lobster shacks to white tablecloths and china to pretty much everything in between. So wake up your palates and come sample some of the wonderful food that can be found in and around the area.

Some places that recently opened for the season or will open soon are:

Arrows - Opening April 7th - Arrows is a true country restaurant:  proscuittos and charcuterie are created on premise, fish of all types are prepared in the onsite smoke house, breads and pastries are created by a master pastry chef, and Arrows organic garden provides up to 90% of the restaurant’s produce needs. www.arrowsrestaurant.com

Bandaloop - Opening April 17th - Bandaloop is known for its use of organic and local foods, many vegetarian and vegan options, and an array of appetizers, entrees, and sauces to choose from. Everything is created in house, from the organic bread and sauces straight through to the desserts. www.bandaloop.biz

Cape Arundel Inn - Recently extended their hours to include Tuesday - Saturday from 5:30-9 PM and Special Sunday Suppers from 4-7 PM. - Cape Arundel Inn offers a combination of inventive Maine cuisine paired with warm, professional service and breathtaking ocean views. Be sure to arrive early to have a cocktail in their cozy living room or on their ocean view porch. www.capearundelinn.com

Hurricane - Opening April 6th - Hurricane serves only the freshest seafood and lobster and they feature many satisfying vegetarian dishes. Steak and chop lovers will easily find something on the menu to tempt them and their in-house pastry chef will delight your sweet tooth. www.hurricanerestaurant.com

Kennebunkport Inn's One Dock - Opened March 30th - After a total off-season makeover One Dock is now open with a fresh new look. Situated in a wonderful location overlooking the Kennebunk River, One Dock offers creative, contemporary New England cuisine and traditional Maine favorites with a bold fusion flair. www.onedock.com

Mabel's Lobster Claw - Opening April 5th - Owners Stephanie and Robert Fischer take great pride in serving the freshest quality pieces of  fish, steaks, and lobsters available.  Homemade pies, blueberry bread, and corn muffins are baked every morning on the premises. www.mabelslobster.com

On the Marsh - Opening April 5th - Ethnicity of cuisine flows through On the Marsh's menu which features the freshest products from local growers. All of their cuisine is prepared in house with a focus on the individual's palate. www.onthemarsh.com

Ryan's Corner House Irish Pub - Opened March 17th (of course!) - This Irish Pub is the real deal, serving up plates of Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, and loads of potatoes!

If you primarily associate March in Maine with mud and the still real and present danger of snow squalls, you may want to recalibrate your thinking. Marking its fourth year of providing a late winter culinary pick-me-up, Maine Restaurant Week kicks off February 29th and runs through March 10^th, offering the perfect opportunity to cozy up and flirt with all of those restaurants with whom you keep meaning to make a date.

Restaurant Week is more than just a celebration of the depth and breadth of Maine’s fantastic food scene. The buzz it generates gives restaurants a much-needed boost by getting people excited about eating out during what can be a slow time of year. Plus, thousands of dollars have been raised for local non-profit organizations since the inaugural Maine Restaurant Week in 2009.

A list of participating restaurants is available at www.mainerestaurantweek.com.The list will continue to expand through March 1, 2012. At this point, over 70 restaurants throughout the state are confirmed for this year from towns including Portland, Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Auburn, Camden, Brunswick, Bangor and more. As in years past, the three-course dinners range in price from $20-$40 per person and some restaurants will be offering three-course lunches for $15. Restaurants also have the ability to identify vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options on their menus.

The Signature Event will launch Maine Restaurant Week on Wednesday evening, February 29th from 5:30-8:30 pm at the Portland Harbor Hotel, 468 Fore St., in Portland. This event will once again feature a People’s Choice competition for best cocktail and a People’s Choice competition for best dessert. New this year is the introduction of a professionally judged cocktail and a People’s Choice award for best table display. Tickets to The Signature Event start at $35.

The Incredible Breakfast Cook-off will take place Friday morning, March 9th at the Seadog Brewing Company, 125 Western Ave in South Portland, 7 am - 9 am. The Good Table, Cape Elizabeth, will return for the third year to defend its two-year title of People’s Choice winner with its decadent Crème Brulee French Toast.

For more information go to www.mainerestaurantweek.com.

Event tickets are available through www.mainerestaurantweek.com/events or www.brownpapertickets.com.

Stay informed through www.facebook.com/mainerestaurantweek and www.twitter.com/dineme.

Maine Restaurant Week is sponsored by the Swan Agency-Sotheby’s International, US Cellular, L.L. Bean, Down East Magazine, Shipyard Brewing Company, Native Maine Produce, Maine Today Media and Cumulus Radio.