Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
By Maria Holloway
NEWRY — The much anticipated opening of the Bluebird has become a reality. The new restaurant and bar serving up a unique menu of ethnic street food and genuine hospitality has quickly become a popular hot spot with both locals and visitors alike.
The restaurant, which opened in December of 2016, is located at the former Sunday River Inn and Cross Country Center on the access road at 23 Skiway Rd in Newry. The restaurant is locally owned and operated by Janet Bartlett and Deb Doyle, both longtime members of the Bethel-area community. Janet first started The Local Hub in Greenwood and then moved on to open Northern Roots Grow Supply, also in Greenwood, with her husband. Deb is the owner of The Bethel Hostel in West Bethel, she managed the day care center at Mt. Abram, and also operates Alldoyles Cleaning, servicing commercial and residential customers in the area.
The Bluebird serves up an eclectic mix of delightful foods with a hint of Asian, Indian, American and Mexican flavors. The simple but yummy menu offer starters and main dishes to satisfy both adventurous and traditional diners alike. Appetizers include oysters on the half shell, Thai lettuce wraps, kung pow cauliflower, zucchini noodles, Mexican tamales and Indian-style poutine. For the main dish, there are burger sliders with real Maine fries, fish and chips, fried chicken, Thai beef salad, burritos with veggies with your choice of chicken, beef or shrimp, or the popular Asian broth bowls. Bluebird is family friendly, too, and offers a “Picky Eaters” menu for children.
Andrew Raymond and Jasmine Boisvert are the chefs and kitchen managers. They both are eager to please and take pride in creating interesting menu items made with fresh food completely from scratch. Said front-end manager, Kijah Bartlett, “Yes, truly everything on our menu is homemade,” and added with a smile, “except the mayo!”
Bluebird has a full bar with 18 bottled beers including local Maine craft beers and an additional eight beers on tap including Norway Brewing and Foundation. Unlike many other eating establishments in the area, Bluebird serves a full menu until very late into the night and through the early morning hours. They are open Wednesday from 3-10 p.m. and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. with the full menu being served until closing. A traditional Sunday brunch with a Bluebird flair is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The atmosphere is relaxed, and the decor is simple and rustic. There are two fireplaces and sensational views of Sunday River ski trails and wide bluebird skies from your dining table. Patrons receive genuinely warm hospitality from the moment they walk through the door. Both visitors and locals are comfortable here and are welcomed to stop by for apres ski, dinner or very late night. Find Bluebird on Facebook or call 207-824-1054.
