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A collage of photos from the author’s recent visit to Jedediah Hawkins Inn in Jamesport, made using the app “Pic Stitch” . (Credit: Vera Chinese)

You know those annoying people who will whip out their smartphones while enjoying a gourmet meal at an upscale restaurant and snap a couple of pics of their duck confit or mushroom truffle risotto to make their Facebook friends and Instagram followers jealous?

Well, last Friday, I was guilty of this obnoxious offense.

I was enjoying my 30th birthday celebration at Jedediah Hawkins Inn in South Jamesport and wanted everyone to know what an excellent time I was having.

But a 640×640-pixel photo taken on a cellphone doesn’t do justice to the Jed’s monkfish a la plancha or lamb ribs, both excellently prepared by chef Craig Attwood.

Instead I call on all our northforker readers to visit this South Jamesport gem for your next birthday, anniversary, graduation or what-have-you.

I’m making it my new go-to special occasion restaurant.

Our recent meal was impeccable, with our party of 10 ordering dishes ranging from a flavorful Portuguese seafood stew to a perfectly seasoned aged angus rib-eye steak. Also worth mentioning: the restaurant’s signature duck wings served with a plum ginger sauce and yogurt raita and rice balls served with red cabbage.

The service was also flawless.

While the food is a draw on its own, one cannot mention the eatery without commenting on the beauty of the historic Hawkins homestead. The elegant architecture and beautiful grounds set the mood for a unique dinner.

We ate in the solarium, which was lovely, though I imagine the experience is enhanced during daylight hours.

We ended the evening in the restaurant’s subterranean speakeasy bar with local beers and a few games of Jenga. The speakeasy’s brick walls, leather chairs and solid wood bar are cozy and the curious cavern in its corner reminds guests of the building’s rich history. We were told the passageway was likely used for bootlegging during prohibition.

Appetizers and burgers are also available downstairs — they even have a $15 burger and beer special on football Sundays — making the speakeasy an ideal place to visit with friends.

As for our visit, my companions and I never felt rushed or unwelcome on our night out.

For such an upscale establishment, the ambiance is inviting and suprisingly low-key. Anyone who has ever considered a night out at the Jed, but felt discouraged because of an imagined sense of snobbery should know that is not the case.

It will not disappoint.

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