newsletters

Spring 2020

Fall 2019

Taylor Benenti

Which Way the Wind Blows
by Taylor Benenti 

Hurricane Restaurant Celebrates Our 29th Year!
As most of you know Hurricane Restaurant changed ownership this year. As the new owner, my biggest priority during this transition was to keep Hurricane the same comfortable and friendly local-dining hub you have grown to love. I collaborated with our veteran staff, vendors and distributors to ensure our tradition of consistently high quality food with welcoming and efficient service. We kept all your favorite dishes and really listened to your suggestions. Serving our guests with excellent cuisine and superb service is the most important thing we do. It is a joy to provide a dining experience people truly appreciate and savor.

I was raised here in Kennebunkport and have fond memories of dining at Hurricane Restaurant. I want that to continue for generations to come. I have been overwhelmed this season with smiling faces old and new wishing me good fortune in this endeavor. I want to thank the community, the incredible staff, and long-time guests who have made this transition so much easier than I ever could have imagined. I would also like to thank Luanne MacDonald for taking the time to stay on a couple days a week to help ease the transition and coach me on how Hurricane has run so successfully over the years. There is an abundance of positive energy flowing throughout Hurricane, and I am honored that I was given the opportunity to carry on the torch. My first summer season went without a hitch! I’m excited to head into fall – my favorite time of year – and bring back some of our favorite shoulder-season dining and drinking opportunities that take a break during the summer bustle. That’s right, I’m talking about the legendary Public Suppers and Wine Wednesdays. And I am super excited to announce Wine Dinners are coming back to Hurricane. As we say goodbye to our summer visitors, I look forward to seeing more local folks again. Join us for lunch, dinner or cocktail and say hello.

Wine Dinners Return to Hurricane!

A momentous event to be sure, we are proud to announce the return of Hurricane Restaurant’s famous Wine Dinners. Mark your calendar, save the date and call now for a reservation for Wednesday, October 30th**.

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 5:30 PM in the bar area featuring appetizers and a glass of Catena Chardonnay. A four-course dinner follows at 6:30 PM. Each dish will be paired with a specially selected Catena Malbec. Save your appetite because Chef Jason Leighton will be crafting some amazingly delicious Argentinian cuisine.

Our Fall Wine Dinner will be themed around the wines of Catena Zapata Winery in Mendoza, Argentina. These wines are highly rated and we are pulling corks on some of the most sought after wines in the Catena Zapata portfolio. We will be highlighting the release of the newest vintage of their prized Malbec Argentino 2015 (shown in the picture). Our presenter, Ann Marie Sgroi, will share the story of the Renaissance of Malbec during each course. Sgroi is the personal assistant to Laura Catena in Mendoza. Catena (born 1967) is the fourth generation Argentine vintner for the winery as well as a practicing physician and author.

Hurricane Wine Dinners are open to the public, but seating is limited and reservations are required. Remember: Wine is best when shared by friends. Invite some. They’ll thank you for it.

Here are the details:   

  • $100 per Person (Tax & Tip INCLUDED)
  • 5:30 PM Cocktail Hour
  • 6:30 PM Four-Course Dinner
  • Wines: Malbec
  • Limited Availability Please Call Today (207) 967-9111!

**We will be closed to the public all day on Wednesday October 30th for this very special event.

Hurricane Restaurant’s Commitment to Quality Wine:
This season we updated our wine list showcasing many of the best varietals and vintages from all over the world. Not only has our commitment to wine continued, it has expanded to regions we haven’t focused on before. Come join us and experience new flavors and pairings. Not to worry, we will always have your favorites.

 
Hurricane Restaurant is proud to announce it has received the 2019 “Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator Magazine. Hurricane has received this award every year since 1991. (28 years!) We want to thank the many diners who enjoy wine as much as we do. Winning awards is good. Winning new friends and keeping them is better.

Wine Wednesday Returns Wednesday October 16th

wine bottles

Every Wednesday night until we close, choose any bottle of wine under $100 for half off! With over 100 bottles to choose from there’s certainly something for everyone.

Public Suppers Return Tuesday October 15th

Every Tuesday night until we close, select from our three comfort-food menu items for just $11.95 (tax and tip not included). Menu’s are posted on Facebook weekly or feel free to call the restaurant to inquire (207) 967-9111.
 
Live Music by Lisa Mills, Mark Gunter, Jim O’Neil, & Andy Oliver. We’ll provide fun Halloween treats and award special prizes for best costume!

Annual Gift Card Sale November 20th – December 15th

For every $100 gift card you buy, you will receive an additional $20 Gift Card. Hurricane Gift Cards make welcome gifts for friends, family and associates. Wish them the best with the best dining experience around!

Holiday Cakes and Pies!

Pre-order your holiday cakes and Pies from our talented pastry chef
Amber Goodman.

Happy Hour Drink Specials Monday – Thursday  
4 PM – 6 PM in the Bar

$5 Selected Red and White Wines – $5 Draft Beers – $5 Cocktail of the Day

Friday Food Happy Hour 4 PM – 6 PM in the Bar

Complementary BBQ Ribs and Buffalo Wings

Saturday Night Live Music 8 PM – 10:30 PM

Sunday Brunch 11:30 AM – 3 PM

Sunday Buck-A-Shuck 4 PM – 7 PM

Every Sunday night we offer one-dollar oysters until we run out.

“Hurricane is Divine” – Tell Your Friends
(Cathy Smith, Tucson, AZ) 

Word of mouth is the best advertising you can’t buy. If you enjoy receiving the occasional email from Hurricane, please invite your family and friends to sign up, too. They can join our emailing list at our website. Simply copy and past this link in an email and send it to them: www.hurricanerestaurant.com
Spring 2019
news from hurricane
Which Way the Wind Blows – Part One
by Luanne MacDonald
Lu and Mac

Big news! In January 2019 I sold the Hurricane Restaurant to Taylor Benenti.

Since my late husband Brooks MacDonald’s passing I’ve had a number of people approach me about buying Hurricane. I never put it on the market, but I did listen to the offers coming in, more out of curiosity than anything. I’ve gone to countless meetings and listened to all the sales pitches but nothing ever felt right to me. I feel a strong responsibility for my staff’s welfare, we’ve worked together for decades and they are my second family. I also feel a responsibility to Kennebunkport and to my loyal customers who gave “Brookie” and I an opportunity to do something good in this community.

I think this is the right fit for all of us.  It is the right fit for me, the right fit for my landlord, the right fit for my staff and the right fit for the community.  I also think this is what Brookie would have wanted.

I am confident in Taylor taking the helm.  He is respected in the industry having come from the Black Point Inn in Scarborough for the last five years working for the Migis Group and Ocean Properties. He may be young, but Brooks and I were young once, too. Taylor is a local man and he’s seen how Hurricane has operated over the years. He has a degree in the hospitality industry and he has a passion for this business. I’m sure he will put his on own touches on the restaurant. 

I will be hanging around for a couple of days a week during Taylor’s first year as new owner. Please stop in and wish him the best. If I’m not there, I am traveling the world and tuning up my golf game.    

 

Which Way the Wind Blows – Part Two
by Taylor Benenti
Taylor Benenti
Taylor Benenti

I’ve been coming to Hurricane ever since I can remember. I’ve always been impressed with the operation and how Luanne and Brooks ran their business. I have known them as family friends for years so I know how helpful and smooth Luanne will make the transition for me. I have the ability to work in many types of atmospheres but have always leaned more towards fine dining. I have a passion for refined cuisine, wine and craft cocktails, and love being able to execute a fine dining experience while presenting a comfortable and professional work environment. Hurricane is a family owned business and an institution in the town of Kennebunkport. I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to continue the restaurant’s legacy in the community. I’ve always wanted to own my own business and this is the perfect fit!

I do not plan to drastically change anything. The menu offered at Hurricane is very extensive and well executed. The recipes are tried and true and well loved by our loyal guests. I plan to keep the majority of the menu the same, using Brooke’s recipes and legacy that made the restaurant what it is today. The decor and hours will remain the same going into the 2019 season. You will see many of the same promotions that have been in place for years as well.  (See below.)

I plan to bring my passion for the industry, wine/bar knowledge, food knowledge, management style, service techniques, attention to detail, relationships with employees, guests and vendors, and gracious hospitality. Hurricane is already a very successful restaurant and I plan to continue its success while bringing my personal touch to the business. I want our community to know that I am not coming in to change everything but to build upon a place that is special to so many. I want everyone to know that it will still be the same restaurant, staff, and atmosphere they have grown to love! With the Hurricane brand comes good faith, and as a local man myself it was important to Luanne and Brooke that the restaurant stayed in the “family.”

I grew up in Kennebunkport and have been a part of the community my entire life. It’s a special place for me and I am very excited to be starting my first personal business venture in Kennebunkport.

I attended schools in Portland (Waynflete) and Kennebunk, graduating from Kennebunk High School. After high school I attended Quinnipiac University in Connecticut obtaining a bachelors degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship.

I started working in the service industry when I was fourteen at Port Bistro in Union Square. I followed my time there by working two jobs, one at Dock Square Coffee House and the other at the Nonantum Resort. I worked at the Nonantum Resort for about 5 years through high school and college, which is where I really found my passion for hospitality and the service industry. During my time there I worked my way up to bartending and serving events.

A day after graduating college, I moved to Bar Harbor, Maine where I secured a job for Ocean Properties Hotels Resorts & Affiliates. I was in charge of managing the bar at the Bar Harbor Club and covering bar shifts at the Harborside Resort when needed. After the Bar Harbor season ended I was transferred to their property in South Portland, the Marriott at Sable Oaks as one of their restaurant managers.

At this point in my career I had a love for hotels, but it was the food and beverage side of things that truly interested me. I felt I needed to find my way to a smaller more innovative hotel group. I was hired by Migis Hotel Group at Black Point Inn in Scarborough as their Bar and Restaurant Manager in 2014. After two year I worked my way up to the role of Food and Beverage Manager, which I ran successfully for 3 years. I would also serve as a liaison for new properties we would bring on each year, helping create and implement new food and beverage programs for our new hotels. The food service industry is what gets me out of bed in the morning and where my passion lies.

Please come in and allow me to introduce myself. I want to be the same warm host you’ve come to expect every time you come into Hurricane.  

 

Open for the 2019 Season on April 5th! 
New Owner, Same Great Dining Opportunities:   

  • Easter, Sunday April 21st 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Brunch until 3 PM
  • Mother’s Day, Sunday May 12th 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Brunch until 3pm
  • Public Suppers 5 to 9:30 PM in Spring & Fall, $11.95
  • Sunday Brunch 11:30 AM to 3 PM Year Round
  • Happy Hour 4 to 6 PM, Monday to Thursday, $5 Draft Beer & Cocktail of the Day and Rotating House Red or White Wines. Complimentary Ribs & Wings on Fridays
  • Wine on Wednesday 5 to 7 PM, Half Price Bottles of Wine Under $100 until Memorial Day and after Columbus day.
  • Prix Fixe Dinner 5 to 6 PM Monday – Thursday
    • Three Courses $30
    • 3 oz. Wine Pairings With Each Course $45
  • Tailgate Parties – Red Sox Opener, Sunday, April 14th 1 to 5 PM. Complimentary Ballpark Food, Popcorn, Peanuts and Cracker Jack
  • Chowder Society members receive a $50 gift card for every $500 they spend at Hurricane.
  • Buck-A-Shuck Oysters 4 to 7 PM Every Sunday Until They’re Gone!
  • Live Music Every Saturday Night
Winter 2018

Fall 2018

Spring 2018
news from hurricane
Which Way the Wind Blows
by Luanne MacDonald
Lu and Mac

 

Hurricane Restaurant returns for the 2018 season on Easter weekend, March 30th!

We hope you’ll join us to enjoy a beverage, some great dining and check out our renovations.

As you may have heard by now, or seen in the media – Portland TV Channels 6 and 13, NECN, NBC New York, Portland Press Herald and even the Bangor Daily News – Hurricane incurred significant damage from the arctic blast that visited us in late December.  It doesn’t usually get below zero so early in the winter, but when it did it came quickly. The pipes froze on Wednesday, December 27th and the pipes burst on Thursday, December 28th. It’s an old building and just couldn’t keep up. We had no choice but to close the restaurant.  We lost 250 New Year’s Eve reservations and a lot of revenue. The food was already purchased and the band was already hired.  We gave the food away to local restaurants and the local food pantry.

Then, as if that wasn’t enough, we were hit with an astronomical high tide caused by the Blue Moon combined with a Super Moon. The rare phenomenon is called a Super Blood Moon.  The last time all of these events occurred simultaneously in the Western hemisphere was 1866. The tide rose into the restaurant, parking lot and most of Dock Square.  My new concern is there are two blue moons in 2018, one March 1st and one March 31st.  I’m crossing my fingers we won’t be impacted by these tides and the rising seas!

The good news is the flooding with a high tide is short-lived. Hurricane is now under repair with new floor, carpet and HVAC systems among other equipment. We won’t know about a lot of the other equipment until we try to turn them back on in this spring.

I want to thank the Kennebunkport Fire Department for their help and quick response and to the entire community for their concern for our well-being. Community support is what makes the Kennebunks a great, well, community. The Hurricane family is grateful and proud to be part of such a great town.

I’d also like to thank you, our customers, for supporting us year after year. We are passionate about what we do here at Hurricane Restaurant. We take our jobs very seriously. Without you, we’d be an iceberg floating out to sea.

And lastly, I’d like to thank my staff for your commitment, dedication and hard work.  I am proud of all of you! I never take it for granted!

Come hell or high water, Happy Spring!

Easter Brunch & Dinner

 

It may be April Fools Day but we’re not kidding about serving up an unparalleled Easter feast on Sunday, April 1st. Easter Brunch gets underway at 11:30 AM and is served until 3:30 PM. Easter Dinner will be served all day until closing. It’s our opening weekend and after the trauma of New Year’s Hurricane is super excited to be back in the hospitality business. We’re going to pull out all the stops and make this Easter a spring celebration beyond compare. Reservations are strongly suggested.

 

Public Suppers Return Tuesday, April 3rd 

Every Tuesday night from spring opening through Memorial Day and then again after Columbus Day until we close over New Year’s, Hurricane holds a Public Supper. It’s an opportunity to join your friends and family for a choice of three comfort-food menu items: Hurricane meatloaf, macaroni and cheese and fried chicken, just to name a few. And it’s STILL just $9.95! (Tax and tip excluded.) Watch your email for our weekly menus.

Red Sox Opening Day Party, April 5th

Normally, Hurricane opens for the season on the same day the Red Sox open Fenway Park. The timing just didn’t make sense this year, so we open Easter weekend and are still going to celebrate opening day at Fenway on Thursday, April 5th. The Sox take on the Tampa Bay Rays at 2:05 PM. Call your boss and say you’re calling in Sox that day. Join us for hot dogs, popcorn, Cracker Jack and beer. Lots of beer. Wear your logo-wear and be ready to cheer the Sox on to another great year.
Red Sox Opening Day Party, April 5th

Normally, Hurricane opens for the season on the same day the Red Sox open Fenway Park. The timing just didn’t make sense this year, so we open Easter weekend and are still going to celebrate opening day at Fenway on Thursday, April 5th. The Sox take on the Tampa Bay Rays at 2:05 PM. Call your boss and say you’re calling in Sox that day. Join us for hot dogs, popcorn, Cracker Jack and beer. Lots of beer. Wear your logo-wear and be ready to cheer the Sox on to another great year.

 

 

Making Mother’s Day Special   

 

 

 

Mother’s Day is May 13th and Hurricane strives to make the day as special as your mom. As we do with many of the Sunday holidays, our Mother’s Day Brunch gets underway at 11:30 AM and is served until 3:30 PM. Our special Mother’s Day menu will be served all day until closing. Reservations are strongly suggested.

 

 

 

 


Restaurant Week Comes to the Kennebunks in May

 

 

 

Eat the Kennebunks Week will be a cuisine- and cocktail-centric celebration stretching from May 14-20, 2018. During this week, there will be everything from cook-offs to cocktail classes, beer and wine diners and a cocktail crawl, along with traditional restaurant week-style prix fixe dinners. Watch your email later this spring for Hurricane’s restaurant week special dining opportunity.

 

 

 

Sherrie Stone - General Manager

Ladies & Gentlemen, Meet our New General Manager  

 

 

 

After years of dedicated service Paul Brick has retired and returned to Florida. So it is with great pride that I introduce you to our new Hurricane Restaurant General Manger Sherrie Stone. Sherrie started at Hurricane in 2011 where she first worked on the floor as a server.  She then became a bartender, host, manager-on-duty and finally to dining room manager. Sherrie brings her extensive experience and knowledge of the menu and wine list to her new position. Her natural friendliness, energy and enthusiasm will transition nicely to the management team. Sherrie will work closely with Chef Jason and myself to achieve Hurricane’s goals of delighting our customers with memorable dining experiences. We congratulate Sherrie on her promotion and wish her a long and successful management career.

 

 

 

 

 

A Word from Our Chef  

 

 

 

by Executive Chef Jason Leighton

I am super excited to begin my 17th season at Hurricane Restaurant. As we get close to opening day I am pleased to announce some new choices on the menu. Try the lightly fried local squid with kimchi aioli. BTW: Calamari is literally the Italian name for squid. We are especially proud of our brined pork chop au poivre with smoked sea salt crushed potatoes and brand green peppercorn cream. One of our new lunch items might just become your new favorites. Perhaps a grilled ham and fontina cheese sandwich with caramelized kale and blue cheese mustard or something lighter like wasabi deviled eggs with tobikko and green onion.

We will always offer many of our classic Hurricane options, our famous lobster chowder and slow roasted rack of lamb, just to name a couple. If you come in one day and see that a dish you had previously enjoyed is not on the menu don’t panic! It doesn’t mean you will never see it again. Our menus are printed daily and you’ll always find something special to delight your palate. If not, tell your server you want to talk to Jason..

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Brunch & Bloody Mary Bar   

 

 

 

Remember tomato juice, vodka and a stalk of celery? Na, neither do we. The fastest growing tradition at Hurricane has been our Make-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar. We’ll supply your vodkas, mixers, spices and an amazing array of garnishes. Make it your way to make it a Bloody Jane or a Bloody Tom. (Regrets, the Bloody Mary Bar is not available on Sunday holidays: Easter, Mother’s day, etc.) We serve our Sunday Brunch menu until 3:30 PM. Reservations suggested.

 

 

 

 

 

Buck-A-Shuck oysters Buck-a-Shuck Oysters    

 

 

 

Every Sunday around 4 PM we ice up mounds of the world’s best oysters and sell ’em for a dollar each. Do the math on a dozen and you’ll have schlurped your way around the oyster world for just $12. If the half-shell ain’t your thing, the kitchen goes oyster-crazy on Sunday nights, too. You’ll find oyster dishes galore every Sunday night. Come to Hurricane Sunday nights and make the world your oyster.

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy Our Award-Winning Wine List    

 

 

 


Because I did not go to Florida this year on my usual winter break, I had a lot of time to expand my palate with my friend and Level 1 Sommelier Peter Emery of Optimus Imports in Portland, Maine.  It is always good to have an experienced and knowledgeable friend with you!  We visited many great restaurants in Boston, New York, Quebec City and our own backyard in Portland, Maine.
It takes a lot of discipline to sit and taste, but someone has to do it!   And seeing as our Paul Brick has retired to sunny Florida, I guess I accept this tedious task of tasting wine – and food – a lot!  So much market research to do…ho hum.

In the next few weeks I will be attending all the spring wine events hosted by our local distributors.  I wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity to bring you the best vintages, categories and brands for your enjoyment. Hurricane continues to bring you exceptional quality and great values from the U.S., Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Austria and many other countries.  We are always looking for something new and delicious to offer our guests!

And don’t forget our Wine on Wednesday celebration. Starting April 4th we discount any bottle of wine 50% between 5 and 7 PM. As always, we are happy to open any bottle of wine at any time if you agree to purchase two glasses. Such a deal.

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday Night is Cabaret

 

 

 


Lisa Mills & Don Wessels kick off opening weekend, Saturday night, March 31st from 7 to 10 PM as Hurricane brings back a fan favorite for our Saturday Night Cabaret. Hurricane features some of the finest musical talent from around the seacoast to delight our bar patrons every Saturday night. You never know who might stop by to jam. And you never know who might pop up to sing along. C’mon along!

 

 

 

 

 

Chowder Society Benefits

 

 

 


Chowder Society Card Hurricane rewards its frequent patrons in the Chowder Society with a Hurricane gift card worth $50 once you have spent $500 at Hurricane. Do the math: That’s 10% back! And every Monday Chowder Society members get double points. Ask your server next time you’re in, get signed up and start saving!

 

 

 

 

 

Prix Fixe Seven Nights a Week

 

 

 


It’s not an early-bird special!! It’s an “opportunity” to get an early dinner at a great deal. Every night from 5-6 PM Hurricane offers its prix fixe opportunity: select a salad or appetizer, an entrée and a desert. As always, it’s just $30. And you’re home in time to watch the news.

 

 

 

Happy Hour Monday Through Friday

 


Every weekday the folks in the back load up some serving trays with happy hour goodies and bring them out to the bar at 4 PM. They’re tasty! Until they’re gone. Enjoy your favorite beverage, join your friends and turn your day around. C’mon get happy.