liam Posted August 29, 2006 Share Posted August 29, 2006 Melissa Kelly is the Executive Chef and proprietor of Primo, a 7-year-old restaurant in Rockland, Maine--about 75 miles or two hours northeast of Portland. Kelly is the 1999 James Beard Foundation Awards winner of the American Express Best Chef, Northeast Award. Her husband, Price Kushner, serves as bakery/pastry chef. She is profiled in Michael Ruhlman's new book, The Reach of A Chef. She also owns Primo Restaurants in Orlando, Florida and Tucson, Arizona.My wife and I had dinner at Primo last Tuesday night while on vacation in Maine. It was superb--one of the best meals we've had all year. The restaurant is located in an old farmhouse, on a small bluff overlooking the southern end of Rockland Harbor (about a mile south of downtown). There are number of small dining rooms, located on both and first and second floors. We sat at a two-top in the front room on the first floor. On the property are a number of gardens, providing a number of fresh ingredients used in Primo's cooking. While the restaurant was chock full of customers by Tuesday evening, it never became too noisy or uncomfortable.For appetizers, I had the oysters two ways and Sara had the salad. The oysters reminded me of the oysters three ways at Restaurant August in New Orleans--I found them to be even better. Both served in their shells, the Pemaquids were roasted in the wood oven with red pepper basil butter; the Sudsbury oysters were fried with green coriander and corn relish. The corn in the latter preparation was by itself incredibly tender and flavorful. My wife had the salad of red lettuces with black mission figs, rosemary almonds, and a Gorgonzola dolce crostini with balsamic fig vinagrette.Our amuse was a shot of gazpacho (which was also used in other dishes on the menu).For entrees, I had the wood grilled Cayuga duck breast served with a hazelnut farrotto, lemon thyme and scallions, roast beets, and a wild blueberry gastrique. Sara had a special, blackfish (called toehog locally) with yellow tomato gazpacho, carolina rice with coriander oil, and peekytoe crab fritters. The duck, served medium rare, was among the moistest I've been served.Desserts. Wow! I had the affogato with zeppole, my wife had an evening special, the profiteroles with peanut butter gelato, peanut brittle sauce and chocolate. The zeppoles rivaled beignets I've had in New Orleans. And the affogato was rich and giant, completely unfinishable after such a large meal.Our server had worked at Primo for four years, certainly someone personally invested in the restaurant. She took care of us terrifically, ready with helpful recommendations about the menu to lead us inpleasing directions.The restaurant also has a well-designed cocktail and wine list. I'd say that the wine list is about 75-80% Old World, with a nice choice by the glass as well as some half bottles. I had the Question Mark to begin the evening, made with Maker's Mark. I managed to find a small producer California pinot noir by the glass with dinner. And enjoyed a glass of house-made limoncello with dessert. They fixed up my pregnant wife with a lovely 'maternity cocktail' to start the evening and she had an enormous chai with dessert.Overall, the food struck me as tremendously sophisticated. Not sophisticated in an arrogant sort of way or in the use of lots of foams and new-fangeled cooking methods and presentations, but in its emphasis on fresh ingredients that speak to the palate in harmony with one another.One thing I did notice is that those with late reservations or late walk-ins were left waiting in the entry foyer for tables to clear. Pacing at Primo is rather relaxed, which is wonderful for those dining, but may potentially lead to waits later in the evening. Our reservation was at 6:30 pm and we were seated promptly.A final observation: Both my wife and I were struck by the enormity of choices at a small restaurant. Inclusing specials, there were no less than 12 appetizers, 2 pastas, 9 entrees, and 15 dessert choices. Other appetizer choices included foie gras, soup, 2 additional salads, and wood fired pizza with duck confit. Other entree choices included lamb 2 ways, pork saltimbocca (the house specialty), wood roasted bronzino, and pan-seared scallops.Primo is a restaurant around which we'd build another visit to the Maine coast! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjsadler Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 Michael Ruhlman's "The Reach of a Chef" has an interesting profile of the restaurant Primo in Rockland, ME. It sounds like an interesting place (it has its own garden for vegetables) that might be worth the drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Rymarz Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 Michael Ruhlman's "The Reach of a Chef" has an interesting profile of the restaurant Primo in Rockland, ME. It sounds like an interesting place (it has its own garden for vegetables) that might be worth the drive. Melissa Kelly's work is very ingredient driven. I have yet to visit Primo but did go to The Old Chatham Sheepherding Company while she was chef. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skysplitter Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 6. Camden is the most beautiful city that we visited without question, when I buy a summer home, you will probably find me there. We went on a schooner trip, the Surprise, and we loved it. Camden is a jewel without a doubt. I worked there 2 summers ago and think of the town often. If you're going back this summer, check out my 2 haunts. One's Boynton-McKay, which is a coffee shop that does breakfast and lunch, which are really quite good. The coffee at the place is amazing, and I usually managed to come out with one of their baked goodies. They had a strawberry coffee cake which I still remember, yum. The other is Francine (forgo Natalie's, just go straight to Francine). I preferred the atmosphere of Francine to Primo's and the service, but from what I recall, I think Primo's food was a little above Francine. I only ate here a few times since my miserable paycheck didn't really allow for more, but when I head back there, I make a point to put it in my schedule (not Primo's, heh). Their cocktails are quite good, their steak frites are to do die for, but the place is SMALL. I think maybe 35 people can fit in there at a time, including the bar and the outside tables. It's worth the wait however Francine Bistro 55 Chestnut St Camden, ME 04843 phone: 207-230-0083 Boyton-McKay 30 Main St Camden, ME 207-236-2465 (closed on Mondays) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjsadler Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 This was the second time we've been to Red's Eats in Wiscasset. They still have great lobster rolls, but we were surprised by how good their fried clams were. The batter was unlike anything else we had in Maine and the Maritime provinces. A savory beignet batter, like I had growing up in Cajun land. Kind of hard to describe. Melt in the mouth! After recent, extensive taste testing, I thought Red's Eats had the best lobster roll in New England. Only minor flaw was that it was served a little too chilled. Should have tried those clams! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwertyy Posted October 18, 2009 Share Posted October 18, 2009 The Newcastle Publick House in Newcastle, Maine, was the find of our recent trip. My brother was unhappy with his burger, but when you're in a place that smokes its own turkey, ham, and pork, what the heck are you doing ordering a burger?? The pulled pork was AWESOME--I'm still dreaming about it. The haddock chowder is redolent with bacon and butter and fish, and so tasty that I ordered it on both our visits. The local oysters were sublime; they're served with a yummy lemon-leek relish, but resist using as an oyster topping because it really overwhelms their delicate flavor. Among the dessert offerings were cherry, apple, and blueberry pies. When we asked if they were made in house, the server said no , they're made at an organic farm down the road . The crusts were a little underdone for my taste, but they were all wonderful, especially the blueberry. Go here. Your tummy will thank you. I also had a delicious brunch at Cafe This Way in Bar Harbor. House-made corned beef hash. Smoked haddock eggs benedict. Ham-stuffed french toast. Fabulous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirite Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 We will be spending the first two weeks of July in Camden, ME and venturing up and down mid-coast Maine. Any recommendations? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leleboo Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 We will be spending the first two weeks of July in Camden, ME and venturing up and down mid-coast Maine. Any recommendations? Thanks The Southern Maine thread has a few ideas -- because I've been delinquent in splitting things out correctly into Southern, Mid-Coast, and Down East; my former neighbors would have my head -- so that might give you a start if you read through it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirite Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 The Southern Maine thread has a few ideas -- because I've been delinquent in splitting things out correctly into Southern, Mid-Coast, and Down East; my former neighbors would have my head -- so that might give you a start if you read through it. Thanks very much. We will be a bit north of the southern coast. Basically, Brunswick to Castine but staying in Camden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leleboo Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Thanks very much. We will be a bit north of the southern coast. Basically, Brunswick to Castine but staying in Camden. Yep -- check it out; the thread is not actually limited to southern Maine. You're motivating me to remedy this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirite Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Yep -- check it out; the thread is not actually limited to southern Maine. You're motivating me to remedy this. Francine Bistro in Camden looks promising, but a guide to the mid-coast would be great. I would hate to just rely on Fodor's. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leleboo Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Francine Bistro in Camden looks promising, but a guide to the mid-coast would be great. I would hate to just rely on Fodor's. Thanks. Yep -- it involves me going through that thread and figuring out what goes where. I promise it'll happen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMM Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Primo in Rockland is very good - dinner only, must reserve in advance, expensive. Damariscotta has a couple of pleasant places to eat - Newcastle Publick House and the Damariscotta River Grill. Both have good food and pleasant atmosphere and are not expensive. Francine Bistro gets good press but I've never been there. The Hannaford supermarket on business US 1 just north of Damariscotta is a great grocery if you'll have cooking facilities. The best ice cream in midcoast Maine is just up the road from them - Round Top. Be sure to stop there for a memorable treat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hersch Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 On the morning of September 11, 2001, I set off with my Irish terrier from the seaside cottage where we were staying in Rockport, to drive to Rockland to take the ferry to Vinalhaven, an island (and town) out in Penobscot Bay. After I started the car, of course, the radio came on and I became aware of some very unpleasant things that had happened earlier in the morning and were still happening. When I got to the ferry port, I used a pay-phone to call my mother to ask if she had heard from my sister, who worked in the World Trade Center, and was relieved to learn that my sister was vacationing in Italy. (It turned out everyone in her firm got out okay.) So thinking there was nothing I could contribute to the situation, I decided to proceed to Vinalhaven as planned. Anyone who was anywhere in the northeast United States that day will remember what an astonishingly beautiful day it was, and being on the ferry was wonderful, and Cassie, my dog, made all kinds of friends. After we landed, we walked along the main street (called Main Street) and came upon a little restaurant, nothing much to look at, that had a carryout window and advertised a fish chowder, among other things. Good fish chowder is among my favorite things to eat, and theirs, it turned out, was the best I ever had, even though eaten with a plastic spoon. Google tells me that the place was probably what is now and may have been then called Harbor Gawker, on Main Street in Vinalhaven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirite Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 Primo in Rockland is very good - dinner only, must reserve in advance, expensive. Damariscotta has a couple of pleasant places to eat - Newcastle Publick House and the Damariscotta River Grill. Both have good food and pleasant atmosphere and are not expensive. Francine Bistro gets good press but I've never been there. The Hannaford supermarket on business US 1 just north of Damariscotta is a great grocery if you'll have cooking facilities. The best ice cream in midcoast Maine is just up the road from them - Round Top. Be sure to stop there for a memorable treat! Thanks for the recs. Any ideas for Belfast and Castine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiveturk21 Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 I mentioned this in the Portland Maine thread, because most of my trip was in Portland, but I felt that Primo was a bit overrated. If you are in that area for two weeks, you have to check it out, but if you only had one night for dinner up there, I would pass on it. It was good, and I have heard from others that they thought it was great, I just wouldn't have too high of expectations when going there, I think that is why we were disappointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMM Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 Thanks for the recs. Any ideas for Belfast and Castine? Sorry, no. We spend the summer in South Bristol and never seem to make it that far north. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skysplitter Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 We will be spending the first two weeks of July in Camden, ME and venturing up and down mid-coast Maine. Any recommendations? Thanks Having worked up in Camden a few summers ago, I give Francine a big thumbs up. I think there was another restaurant (something like Natalie's) which got more buzz, but the locals didn't like it, and since I hung out with the locals, ended up at Francine a number of times. Fantastic steak frites and great cocktails. If Boynton-McKay is still open, that place had great coffee and morning pastries (I really want their strawberry coffee cake recipe), and they did a mean breakfast too. I don't really remember any standouts from Belfast or other places, but since where I worked prepared 3 meals a day, I usually ate there (sadly ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirite Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Having worked up in Camden a few summers ago, I give Francine a big thumbs up. I think there was another restaurant (something like Natalie's) which got more buzz, but the locals didn't like it, and since I hung out with the locals, ended up at Francine a number of times. Fantastic steak frites and great cocktails. If Boynton-McKay is still open, that place had great coffee and morning pastries (I really want their strawberry coffee cake recipe), and they did a mean breakfast too. I don't really remember any standouts from Belfast or other places, but since where I worked prepared 3 meals a day, I usually ate there (sadly ) Boynton-McKay has a pretty elaborate website, so it appears to be open and thriving. I will check out both of your recs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirite Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 Boynton-McKay has a pretty elaborate website, so it appears to be open and thriving. I will check out both of your recs. Moving up the coast a bit, has anyone eaten at Fiddler's Green, Red Sky, or Cafe 2 in Southwest Harbor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirite Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 Moving up the coast a bit, has anyone eaten at Fiddler's Green, Red Sky, or Cafe 2 in Southwest Harbor? Are any other Rockers going to Mid-Coast Maine this summer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithstg Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 Are any other Rockers going to Mid-Coast Maine this summer? I'm there every summer - unfortunately not for the entire summer anymore, like when I was little, but for at least a month. My place up there looks out at SW Harbor, actually. I've been to Red Sky in SW Harbor and enjoyed it. If you venture in to SW, check out Sawyer's Market. Also Red Bird Provisions in NE Harbor, if they open this summer - I had heard that they might not. If travelling by boat, you could always try the Islesford Dock restaurant on Little Cranberry Island. Great view, and Cynthia and Dan gave me my first summer job back in the day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirite Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 I'm there every summer - unfortunately not for the entire summer anymore, like when I was little, but for at least a month. My place up there looks out at SW Harbor, actually. I've been to Red Sky in SW Harbor and enjoyed it. If you venture in to SW, check out Sawyer's Market. Also Red Bird Provisions in NE Harbor, if they open this summer - I had heard that they might not. If travelling by boat, you could always try the Islesford Dock restaurant on Little Cranberry Island. Great view, and Cynthia and Dan gave me my first summer job back in the day! Thanks for the tips. We plan to take the ferry from SW Harbor to both the Big and Little Cranberry Islands. We'll only be there for the first two weeks in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirite Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 Just returned from 17 days in Maine. Here are a few quick takes. Brunswick--Henry and Marty's. Much, much better than Back Street Bistro. Camden--Francine was a big disappointment--noisy, oversalted food, greens from a bag, all of our dining mates were also dismayed. Belfast--try the Belfast co-op. Wonderful organic grocery and restaurant. Southwest Harbor--three very good places from top to bottom: Fiddlers' Green, Red Sky, Cafe 2. We canceled our reservations at Primo in Rockland and Natalie's in Camden on the advice of locals who advised that they are expensive and overrated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirite Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 Thanks for the tips. We plan to take the ferry from SW Harbor to both the Big and Little Cranberry Islands. We'll only be there for the first two weeks in July. Keith, We were unable to get to the CBIs because of fog. But we had three wonderful dinners in SW Harbor, and a great time in Acadia. We stayed at the Kingsley Inn. I f we go next year, we would stay at the Claremont. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirite Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We'll be there for most of August. Any recommendations for Rockland, Rockport, Camden? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hersch Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 We'll be there for most of August. Any recommendations for Rockland, Rockport, Camden? I'd reiterate what I said somewhere above: take the ferry from Rockland harbor to Vinalhaven and seek out the Harbor Gawker and have their fish chowder, which I will remember till my dying day. If it turns out to be not so great, then I beg your pardon. When I've stayed in mid-coast Maine, I've always stayed at Oakland Seashore Cottages and Motel, or whatever they're calling themselves, and I cannot recommend anywhere else on earth as highly as I recommend that place. Their address is Rockport, but they're not really in Rockport, they're between Rockland and Rockport. It's a beautiful place, with little cabins perched on a low cliff along the shore of Penobscot Bay. Most of the cabins have tiny little kitchen facilities, and I've always taken most of my meals "at home" in the cottage. With my dog. And a view of the sea. Really lovely people run the place, and it's like stepping back into the 1940s. Really one of the most wonderful places to be in the whole world.I started staying there way before such places had websites, although there were websites, but now of course they have one: CLICK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMM Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I've had lunch a few times at the Black Bull Tavern on the main drag in Rockland and found it to be very good. Friends have recommended Lily Bistro in Rockland, but I haven't been there. My husband and I did have a wonderful dinner at Primo last September. It is expensive, but the food, service and atmosphere were great. It was a kind of quiet mid-week night and just very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirite Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I've had lunch a few times at the Black Bull Tavern on the main drag in Rockland and found it to be very good. Friends have recommended Lily Bistro in Rockland, but I haven't been there. My husband and I did have a wonderful dinner at Primo last September. It is expensive, but the food, service and atmosphere were great. It was a kind of quiet mid-week night and just very nice. Thank you very much. Has anyone been to Marcel's at the Samoset Resort or Natalie's in Camden? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hersch Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 I'd reiterate what I said somewhere above: take the ferry from Rockland harbor to Vinalhaven and seek out the Harbor Gawker and have their fish chowder, which I will remember till my dying day. If it turns out to be not so great, then I beg your pardon. When I've stayed in mid-coast Maine, I've always stayed at Oakland Seashore Cottages and Motel, or whatever they're calling themselves, and I cannot recommend anywhere else on earth as highly as I recommend that place. After eleven years, I've finally returned to mid-coast Maine. And this afternoon I took the ferry from Rockland to Vinalhaven, and sought out the Harbor Gawker, which hasn't changed much. The chowder I remembered as fish chowder is actually seafood chowder, although the seafood is predominantly fish, with some scallops and tiny shrimp. It was as good as I remembered. I got a cup of chowder and a lobster roll to go, and ate them at a picnic bench in the harbor parking lot, which was actually much lovelier than it sounds. The chowder: The lobster roll: The Harbor Gawker, cheerful and unprententious as they come: The view from my window at Oakland Seashore: (That was Tuesday, unfortunately the only sunny day this week.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian R Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 I'll add my two cents on Mid-Coast, as I've been going to Pemaquid Beach (in the Town of Bristol) for a quarter century.  Go past the exit for Boothbay and make a right at Damariscotta. Pemaquid's more off the beaten path than Rockland, Camden, Bar Harbor and other popular spots on the coast.  If you have a Maine state quarter, the lighthouse on it is at the end of the peninsula.  Best fish chowder and sticky buns I've ever had are at The Cupboard Cafe near Pemaquid Beach.  https://www.thecupboardcafe.com.  Family operation, makes their own bread for their sandwiches, their own desserts, everything.  You can take out homemade chicken pot pies on Wednesdays to cook at home. Best local view with lobster is the Pemaquid Co-op.  Cheapest lobster if you are cooking yourself is at the New Harbor Co-op.  Prices vary every summer, but I've paid between $3.50 to $4.50 a pound for soft shells (not like crabs!) available in the summer.  A little less meat, but sweeter and easier to take apart. Shaw's in New Harbor is an institution, with a great view of another working harbor, but it's been "meh" recently.   2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Dedrick Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 I'm headed to Bar Harbor with my parents and my cousin in late August. Any recommendations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 8 hours ago, Mark Dedrick said: I'm headed to Bar Harbor with my parents and my cousin in late August. Any recommendations? Also check this thread, though there isn't anything recent. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 If you happen to be flying via Portland or driving along I-295, I would suggest stopping off at the Maine Beer Company just outside Freeport. Small bustling tap room, outdoor seating, fridge filled with bottles to go. Good IPAs. The brewery is a couple minutes down the road along Rt. 1 at Exit 20, so it's very easy to get to. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty L. Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 20 hours ago, Mark Dedrick said: I'm headed to Bar Harbor with my parents and my cousin in late August. Any recommendations? If Edan Macquaid ("Pizza Man") still haunts these pages, he'll be able to tell you just where to go. Beal's was my standby for lobster, but it's been a few years. If the Somesville Union Meeting House church pies are still running when you get there (usually through the third week in August or so), line up for those on Wednesday morning. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 Just got back from a week in Maine. We flew from BWI to Portland, ME on Southwest, a direct flight which only takes about 80 minutes and then another 1 hour or so to Boothbay Harbor. It's a pretty easy trip really. I've posted my Portland review in the Portland, ME thread. Freeport Area Maine Beer Company: The brewery is about 15-20 minutes along I-295 from Portland at exit 20 and then only a couple minutes drive down Rt. 1. They are currently building an extension to the brewery, so the parking lot is a bit of a construction zone. They have a small patio/deck area, a trailer style wood fired pizza oven, and a small tap room. Near the door is a fridge loaded up with bottles of beer. If you know what you want you could be in and out and back on the highway in 10 minutes. I enjoyed the Lunch IPA (abv 7%) brewed in the East Coast style as well as the Mean Old Tom stout (abv 6.5%) an American style stout aged on vanilla beans. I was not as impressed with Post Ride Snack session IPA (abv 4.9%). Boothbay Harbor Area  Boothbay Craft Brewery: About a short drive outside of town just off Rt. 27. The brewery has a garage style brewery and adjacent is an old farm house style tap house. They also have a lovely beer garden with picnic tables and bocci court. Order a tasting flight and head to the garden, on a beautiful Maine afternoon, tough to beat. We thought the Ken Brown American Brown Ale (abv 5.6%) and the Thirsty Botanist Juicy IPA (abv 7%) were their two standout beers. The rest were a little uninspired. The tap house is only open Tuesdays-Saturdays noon-4pm. They sell 4 pack tall boy style cans to go. We were pleasantly surprised and definitely worth an hour of your time. Mine Oyster: Probably the best meal we had out on the town. Although the bar didn't seem to be that high. Or maybe we didn't go to the right places. We had a late lunch on their small second floor deck overlooking the harbor. Excellent Glidden Point oysters from the nearby Damariscotta River. Solid fried haddock sandwich and portobello mushroom burger, which was actually more like a sandwich. It was a pleasant place to have lunch. Despite the expansive menu, I'd suggest sticking to the basics. Boothbay Lobster Wharf: Our first night we wanted a quintessential sit by the harbor, have a lobster roll dinner. This place fit the bill. Other than the lobster roll, which was bland and boring with tough meat. Kinda of a "what's the big deal with lobster rolls" moment. I'd suggest going with the crab meat roll instead. Otherwise, a cool spot. Lots of picnic tables on the dock. Order at a window and pick up the food on trays. Decent beer, great views, live music on the weekends. Unfortunately, a mediocre lobster roll. Red Cup Coffee House: Cute coffee shop, not very good latte. Seemed to be the only game in town for coffee. Eventide Specialties: A lovely little provisions shop. The kind of place with jugs of olive oil and balsamic for tasting. Large cheese selection and small deli and wine shop in the back. But it will cost you, we bought a hunk of packaged halloumi cheese for $14, which would sell for about $7-$8 in DC.  Downeast Ice Cream Factory: Pretty much exactly what you want in a old timey, vacation town ice cream store. And the ice cream was pretty good too. Expect a line out the door in the evenings.   Oddly we only found two farm stands, which were basically just huts with a small selection. Even more surprising was the lack of fish mongers, other than the fresh lobster pounds along the harbor. One place I went to scoffed at the idea that they would carry mussels. Your best bet is Pinkham's Seafood, which is a good ways out of town along Rt. 27. Otherwise, we found the local oysters to be excellent, especially if you like briny oysters. My take away is go for the oysters, fresh lobster, and fried fish sandwiches. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Dedrick Posted September 20, 2018 Share Posted September 20, 2018 We had a fantastic time in Maine last month, and did a ton of hiking around Acadia during our stay in Bar Harbor. I wouldn't say that it's a great food city, but it was far better than I was expecting given what friends had told me, and it's far better than most touristy beach towns I've been to elsewhere in the US. Maine Beer Company - We flew in and out of Portland, and hit this place up on the drive up to Acadia. It's a nice taproom, and their beers are killer. Thurston's Lobster Pound - In Bernard near Southwest Harbor. We paired lunch here with a visit to the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. It's right on the water, and the lobster was fantastic. Jordan Pond House - I think this is the only restaurant actually in the National Park. Parking here during the summer can be very scarce, as the first time we tried to go here we had to change plans as we couldn't find any parking. Our second attempt worked better, we arrived early, and then did the hike around Jordan Pond before grabbing lunch. It was good. I had a very nice oyster stew, along with the signature popover, which fueled our hike to the Bubbles immediately after. Mount Desert Ice Cream - Very good ice cream. Side Street Cafe - We ate lunch here twice, and they have a fantastic lobster roll. They claim that there are two entire lobsters in each roll, and given how overstuffed they are I believe it. Havana - This is a Spanish-style restaurant on the south side of town, and we quite enjoyed it. The seafood paella was enormous and delicious. Parilla - When dining at Havana we noticed their outdoor less formal restaurant, Parilla, and returned there later in the week. It was very good. The menu is smaller, and more tapas-style, with a lot of the food coming off of the grill. West Street Cafe - We did dinner here, and this is the sort of place I expect to find in tourist beach towns. But my fried clam bellies were good, as was my clam chowder, and they had a nice beer list. Mache Bistro - Probably our best meal in Bar Harbor. Wonderful food, great service. The closest thing to fine dining that we experienced. Reading Room Restaurant - My least favorite meal. The dining room was felt really stuffy, and while the food was good, it was good enough to justify the high prices. You can tell that you would have wonderful views, but that's not a feature when it's dark out. This is probably the one place that I wouldn't recommend. 2 Cats - Good for breakfast. Atlantic Brewing Company - Cool brewery, and worth a visit if you're into that sort of thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Wells Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 On 7/18/2018 at 4:16 PM, Tweaked said: Just got back from a week in Maine. We flew from BWI to Portland, ME on Southwest, a direct flight which only takes about 80 minutes and then another 1 hour or so to Boothbay Harbor. It's a pretty easy trip really. I've posted my Portland review in the Portland, ME thread. Nice report. We stay in BBH every year as part of our camp visiting weekend trip, and always at the Topside Inn, which is an outstanding B&B. I agree that for a great Maine coastal town, BBH is not the best for food. We've found Mine Oyster to be good for oysters, meh for everything else. The Boathouse Bistro, owned by the same people, is also meh. Shannon's Unshelled near the footbridge has superlative lobster rolls. I second the rec for Eventide Specialties; it's a great store. We had our best meal in town at the Thistle Inn. Cozy tavern with very good food. Heading out of town on 27, Karen's Hideaway is a fun spot for lob rolls and other seafood. Bet's Fish Fry in Boothbay Center has outstanding fish & chips. And of course a few miles up 27 is Wiscasset, home of Red's Eats, which does have amazing lobster rolls and other great offerings, such as the blueberry cake. Across the street from Red's is TREATS, a really good bakery that uses all kinds of seasonal fruits in muffins, scones, bread pudding, etc. Another good spot for lobster rolls just outside BBH near the Botanical Gardens is the Trevett Country Store, right by the the very unusual Trevett Swing Bridge (if you're into bridges). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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