Dining Out

Permanent lowering of excise tax and collaborative beer are shot in the arm
A glass half full is current state of Maine brewing industry
Thu, 01/14/2021 - 1:15pm

Ten months ago, Maine’s brewing industry came to a screeching halt the day after one of the biggest beer-drinking days of the year, St. Patrick’s Day, when the novel coronavirus pandemic prompted Governor Janet Mills to issue an Executive Order on March 18, 2020 to close all bars and restaurants for a period of 14 days. Back then, for many at the beginning of this unknown pandemic, the assumption was that breweries, bars, and tasting rooms would eventually re-open...
Takeaway Chili Supper at People's United Methodist Church
Mon, 01/11/2021 - 4:00pm
SOUTH THOMASTON — People's United Methodist Church will host a Takeaway Chili Supper on Saturday, Jan. 30. Pick up will be between 4 - 5 p.m., at the Church, 13 Chapel Street, So. Thomaston. 16 oz. Chili (Choice of Traditional, Taco or Vegetarian), corn muffin and a brownie; $13 or 2 dinners for $25. Pre-Orders ONLY! Call Priscilla at 593-8698 or 571-227-5184 by 9 p.m., Jan. 27. Make checks payable to PUMC or have exact change please. Proceeds will be used to support church programs and mission.
Projected opening date: Jan. 16
Butter Up Cakes, all-gluten-free bakery, cafe, brews and ciders opens in Damariscotta
Fri, 01/08/2021 - 9:45am

DAMARISCOTTA—Faced with the food limitations necessary for their own family, a baker and her husband have decided to open a completely gluten-free bakery and cafe at 77 Main Street in downtown in mid-January named Butter Up Cakes. Candice and Patrick Brady have three children. “Two of our children have celiac disease, are lactose intolerant and can’t have high fructose corn syrup, and my husband is the same way,” said Candice. “So, I make all of their food from scratch, anyway. We decided to...
Formerly the Rotary Pizza restaurant, 10 Leland Street, Rockland
Maine Kebab opens in Rockland with forward-thinking takeout model
Fri, 12/18/2020 - 11:00am

ROCKLAND—A fast-casual lunch and dinner spot opened this week called Maine Kebab, and owner Shane McGarvey and his executive chef, Ken Hynes, are already ahead of the curve in terms of issues that have plagued restaurants since the COVID-19 virus hit back in March. The menu is very simple: Mediterranean and Turkish flavors. Main dishes include Tumeric rice bowls, flatbread sandwiches, falafel and hummus box, and a salad box all serve as the main ingredient dishes, to which a diner has the...
food prepared by Primo Restaurant
Adas Yoshuron continues Christmas Day turkey dinner – takeout style
Wed, 12/16/2020 - 12:45pm

ROCKLAND — Adas Yoshuron Synagogue, in Rockland, will continue its annual tradition of serving a turkey dinner for their Christmas Day Community Dinner. The food will be prepared by Primo Restaurant and served as a TAKE-OUT meal due to Covid 19 restrictions. Everyone is invited. Please wear a mask and stay socially distanced six feet apart. Dinner will be served Friday, Dec. 25, at 1 p.m., at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 11 White Street, Rockland, next to the Rockland Public Library. Please...
Offering light breakfast, local lunch favorites and fresh lobster rolls
Bill’s Original Kitchen opens at Knox County Regional Airport
Wed, 12/09/2020 - 1:00pm

OWLS HEAD—Bill Clifford, a chef who once ran Bill’s Original Kitchen in Kittery, has revived his one-man operation and recently opened his new kitchen at Knox County Regional Airport. Originally from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Clifford has worked as a chef at multiple venues in Maine, including his last stint at Point Lookout in Lincolnville before it abruptly closed. The plan was in place since mid-October to take over the space, once occupied by the Salty Owl Cafe. He decided to take the best...
2 for $25 or 1 for $13
Church fundraiser to sell homemade tourtière
Mon, 12/07/2020 - 2:30pm
SOUTH THOMASTON — As a way of supporting church programs, People's United Methodist Church will be selling take-out homemade French meat pies (Tourtière) on Saturday, Dec. 19, from 4 - 5 p.m., or until sold out. To pre-order meat pies for pick up Saturday, call 571-277-5184 or 207-593-8698. $25 per 6” pie. Serves 2-4, or 1 for $13. Please have a check made out to PUMC or have exact change. People's United Methodist Church is located at 13 Chapel Street, So. Thomaston.
For #Giving Tuesday, a story on giving back to the restaurant industry
Maine Cater serves as a lifeline to local restaurants and servers
Tue, 12/01/2020 - 7:00am

APPLETON—Maine Cater, a recruitment company dedicated to serving New England’s food and beverage industry, has come up with an idea to provide local “restaurateurs, employers, job seekers, and FOH/BOH” with an economic lifeline during a pandemic that shows no signs of stopping. Husband-and-wife team, Daryle and Orianna Degen launched Maine Cater in Camden in 2017 as a way to supply temporary employees to restaurants suffering from immediate gaps in employment. “We’ve both worked in the...
Lexi Zable renovates Eclipse and Speakeasy into a locals’ haven
The Grey Owl Bar & Grill in Rockland is set to fly mid-November
Wed, 11/04/2020 - 8:30am

ROCKLAND — Lexi Zable, owner of Port Clyde’s The Dip Net and The Barn in Port Clyde, has secured a new Rockland location for a third establishment, taking over The Eclipse and The Speakeasy on the corner of Park Street. The Grey Owl Bar & Brill comprises both spaces and is currently in the midst of renovations, not only to improve the eatery’s aesthetic, but also to provide more partitioned space between diners per the COVID-19 mandates. With The Dip Net and The Barn closed down for the...
Take-out Homemade Chicken Pie Supper
Mon, 10/26/2020 - 5:00pm
SOUTH THOMASTON — People's United Methodist Church will hold a Take-out Homemade Chicken Pie Supper, Saturday, Nov. 7, from 3:30 p.m. until sold out. Menu: Homemade Chicken Pie, gravy, cranberry sauce, peas, dessert $10 per meal. Please have a check made out to PUMC or have exact change. PUMC is located at 13 Chapel Street, So. Thomaston.
free takeout turkey dinner; everyone welcome
St. Peter’s Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Nov. 26
Mon, 10/26/2020 - 5:00pm
ROCKLAND — St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will continue its Thanksgiving in a slightly different style due to Covid-19. Instead to the usual sit-down dinner in the church’s parish hall, the meal will be exclusively take-out. However, the free turkey dinner will still have all the traditional dishes: roast turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, squash, cranberry sauce, and lots of pies. Gluten free and vegan items will also be available. The take-out dinner is on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday,...
Restaurants, breweries, farms and bakeries connect statewide through free website and app
Chefs of Maine is online hub for state’s culinary scene
Mon, 10/26/2020 - 11:15am

ELLSWORTH —Two years ago, graphic designer Nick Sarro and Chef Daron Goldstein of the Ellsworth restaurant, Provender Kitchen + Bar, were having the kind of “what if” chat friends often do when envisioning ways to make the world a little better. That brainstorming session turned into Chefs of Maine , a statewide network connecting the restaurant industry with breweries, farms and bakeries and offering the public an easy way to locate all of it online with a website...
in memory of Michelle Winkley Creamer
Delano Seafood to hold fundraiser for Maine Cancer Foundation
Sat, 10/24/2020 - 8:30am
WALDOBORO — Delano Seafood and Delano Seafood Shack, in Waldoboro, will be having a fundraiser for the Maine Cancer Foundation in memory of Michelle Winkley Creamer, on Saturday, Oct. 31 and Sunday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on both days. There will be donation jars available, a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction under the tent. Delano's will donate $5 for every transaction at the Shack and in the market. Delano’s is located at 2090 Atlantic Highway (RTE 1) in Waldoboro. Delano's welcomes any...
And the 7-Napkin Burger is Back!
Owls Head General Store reopens under new owner
Mon, 10/12/2020 - 11:00am

OWLS HEAD—The Owls Head General Store, shuttered for nearly three years, is back in operation under new owner, Maya Newsam, 27. “We originally planned to be open the Fourth of July, and here we are, Columbus Day Weekend,” said Newsam with a laugh. The Owls Head and peninsula communities are overjoyed to have their convenience store back and one of the most frequent questions Newsam has been asked is: “Is the 7-Napkin Burger on the new menu?” The answer is yes. The famous burger made national...
People’s United Methodist Church to hold Curbside Bean Supper
Sun, 10/11/2020 - 7:00am
SOUTH THOMASTON — People’s United Methodist Church will hold a Curbside Bean Supper, Saturday, Oct. 24, from 4:30 until sold out. Menu: grilled hot dogs and homemade beans, brown bread, coleslaw and chocolate chip cookies. $10 with 1 hot dog; $12 for 2 Please have a check made out to PUMC or have exact change. PUMC is located at 18 Chapel St., So. Thomaston.
final to-go supper of the year; other events planned
Grilled Chicken Supper at Thomaston’s Williams-Brazier Post 37
Tue, 10/06/2020 - 5:30pm
THOMASTON — On Saturday, Oct. 17, Williams-Brazier Post 37 will hold its last to-go supper of the year. All present Post 37 procedures, as well as all coronavirus State of Maine guidelines, will be followed. Serving begins at 5 p.m. Each meal will be packed in “to go” boxes and placed into a bag for carry out. Patrons can drive/walk to the front of the Legion Hall, order a meal(s) and pay for it. A Legion member will retrieve the order and bring it back to the patron. There will be a price...
drive thru; picnic outside
Union Masons plan benefit lobster dinner for Oct. 24
Tue, 10/06/2020 - 5:00pm
UNION — The Union Masonic Lodge 31 will be holding a Lobster Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 24, from noon to 2 p.m. The event will be held at their Lodge located at 149 Sennebec Road in Union. The dinner will consist of a lobster, potato salad, macaroni salad, and a drink. Dinners should be ordered in advance by calling Gary at 749-1846. Dinners may be available the day of the event on a first come first serve basis. This is Free to the public, however donations will be accepted. All proceeds from...
deadline to order is Thursday, Oct. 15
Takeout supper at People’s United Methodist, Oct. 23
Tue, 10/06/2020 - 4:45pm
UNION — Once again, the People’s United Methodist Church in Union will be offering a take-out supper on Friday, Oct. 23. “The church has found a tasty and creative way to replace funding that has been lost to COVID-19 and the necessary restrictions on public gatherings,” said PUMC, in a news release The October meal, which is all homemade, will consist of Beef Stew, Biscuit, and Chocolate Fudge Cake with Chocolate Fudge frosting: “a perfect fall supper,” said the church. All food is prepared in...
proceeds to provide basic necessities for children in RSU 20
Ham and Beans (take-out) Supper in Searsport
Mon, 10/05/2020 - 5:45pm
SEARSPORT — Searsport First Congregational Church will host an Old-Fashioned Ham and Beans (take-out) Supper, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, from 4 p.m. until sold out, Dinner includes ham, baked beans, cole slaw, brown bread, and two generously-sized cookies, according to the Church. Suggested donation, $10. “Limited meals available, so pre-orders are highly recommended to avoid disappointment,” said the Church. For pre-orders, call Phyllis at 538-0232 or Sandra at 548-6530. All proceeds to go...
Baked bean suppers to-go continue at Legion Post 37
Sun, 09/13/2020 - 7:00am
THOMASTON — Post 37 will continue its to-go baked bean supper on Saturday, Sept. 19. All present Post 37 procedures, as well as all coronavirus state guidelines, will be followed. Meals may not be ready to be served until 5 p.m. However, meals may be ordered ahead of time and then picked up after 5 p.m., in the sequence of when ordered. Pre-ordered meals will have a priority when they are ready. Pre-orders may also be made by calling Post 37 Commander, William Demmons. Your order will be ready...
Traditional Italian cuisine is elegant fare with casual dining
Ports of Italy restaurant opens in Rockport
Tue, 09/08/2020 - 4:15pm

ROCKPORT—Italian born-and-raised restaurateur Sante Calandri was not about to let a pandemic stop him from opening his new restaurant, Ports of Italy, in Rockport last week. With a sister property in Boothbay Harbor, he’d always had his eye on the Midcoast and when the Helm restaurant came up for sale, he jumped on the opportunity. For the last year, he set to work on redesigning the place, adding two decks that overlook the forest-covered river in back. Set originally to open this past spring...
‘Pete’ asks the community to support local restaurants
Pope Memorial Humane Society: Eat for Pete’s Sake
Tue, 09/08/2020 - 1:30pm

September 17, 2020 would have been the 13th annual Eat for Pete’s Sake event, to raise funds for animals at Pope Memorial Humane Society. Traditionally, Pope Memorial Humane Society supporters and restaurant patrons dine out at local restaurants and restaurants then donate a portion of the day’s sales to PMHS, according to PMHS, in a news release. “Pope Memorial Humane Society fully understands what a difficult time it is for the service industry right now, so this year, Pope Memorial Humane...
‘Thanksgiving-style’ turkey takeout at Searsport church
Sun, 09/06/2020 - 6:15pm

SEARSPORT — The Searsport United Methodist Church is holding another "Thanksgiving-style" turkey supper this Saturday, Sept. 12, from 4 to 6 p.m., in the church vestry on Main Street. This is a TAKE OUT meal only.....roast turkey dinner with all the fixings! Cost is $10, and each person will individually be served their TO GO meal inside the church vestry. Reservations are not required and proper social distancing will be observed, according to the Church, in a news release.
Chili and Chowder, Books and Bakes fundraiser at Thomaston Public Library
Thu, 09/03/2020 - 6:45pm

THOMASTON — As with everything else this year, the annual Friends of Thomaston Public Library Fall Chili, Chowder, and Book Sale is going to look a little different, but will be no less fun and delicious, according to Friends, in a news release. Join Friends on Saturday, Sept. 19 (rain date Saturday, Sept. 26), between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., for a socially distanced book sale on the lawn at the library. Items will include chili and chowder takeout, as well as baked goods “and lots and lots of...
replacing funding lost to COVID-19
Baked Bean takeout supper at People’s United Methodist Church
Thu, 09/03/2020 - 5:30pm
UNION — Once again, the People’s United Methodist Church in Union will be offering a take-out supper on Friday, September 25. “The church has found a tasty and creative way to replace funding that has been lost to COVID-19 and the necessary restrictions on public gatherings,” said the Church, in a news release. The September meal will consist of Baked Beans, Cole Slaw, Corn Bread and Apple Crisp; “a perfect fall supper,” said PUMC. There will be regular baked beans and vegetarian beans are also...
Williams-Brazier Post 37 spaghetti, meatball supper
Thu, 08/27/2020 - 9:45am
THOMASTON — The Williams-Brazier Auxiliary Unit 37 will hold another spaghetti and meatball supper on August 29. All present Post 37 procedures, as well as all coronavirus state guidelines, will be followed. Meals will continue to be served at 5 p.m. However, meals may be ordered ahead of time and then picked up at 5 p.m., in the sequence of when ordered. Patron names will be called, and they will be able to pick up their meal. Pre-ordered meals will have a priority when they are ready. Serving...
Camden’s newest takeout eatery helmed by former Ebantide chef
Deirdre’s Roadside Takeout Serves Elevated ‘Food for Travelers’
Sat, 08/22/2020 - 7:30am

CAMDEN—Patrons looking for your garden variety dogs and burgers will be pleasantly surprised to see what’s on the menu at the newly opened roadside takeout shack just outside Camden Hills State Park. Deirdre’s Roadside, co-owned by Chef Ean Flanagan, former owner of Ebantide and Kenny Corson formerly of the catering/banquet department of Point Lookout, are putting out an elevated comfort food menu with the emphasis on high quality, eclectic tastes. After only being open two weeks, the owners...
Union Masonic Lodge: now in its 200th year
Union Masons plan free chicken BBQ for August 15
Fri, 08/07/2020 - 5:15pm
UNION — The Union Masonic Lodge 31 will be holding a benefit chicken barbecue on Saturday, August 15, from noon to 3 p.m. The event will be held at the Lodge located at 149 Sennebec Road in Union. The dinner will consist of a chicken leg quarter or chicken breast, corn on the cob, potato salad, cole slaw, roll and drink. This is free to the public, however donations will be accepted. All proceeds from the dinner will be used for Lodge improvements. Because of the current pandemic the BBQ will...
roast turkey dinner with all the fixings
Thanksgiving-style turkey takeout supper in Searsport
Mon, 08/03/2020 - 9:30am

SEARSPORT — The Searsport United Methodist Church on Main Street is holding another summertime "Thanksgiving-style" turkey supper this Saturday, August 8, from 4 to 6 p.m., in the church vestry. This is a TAKE OUT meal only.....roast turkey dinner with all the fixings! Cost is $10, and each person will individually be served their To Go meal inside the church vestry. Reservations are not required and proper social distancing will be observed.
Pulled Pork, coleslaw, potato chips, blueberry pie
‘A Tribute to the Union Fair’ takeout supper in Union
Wed, 07/29/2020 - 10:00am
UNION — The People’s United Methodist Church in Union will be offering the third in its series of monthly take-out suppers on August 28. With the loss of the Union Fair this year, the Church will be offering one of the favorite meals from the Church Café Booth that has been at the fair for many years. The menu will consist of Pulled Pork on a bun, homemade coleslaw, potato chips and a slice of blueberry pie made from Maine wild blueberries and prepared by the bakers of the church. All food is...
Crepes Crepes Crepes, a new food truck, opens in Thomaston
Did someone say crepes?
Wed, 07/29/2020 - 10:00am

ROCKLAND—Something sweet has come out of the Summer of 2020 and it has rolled out in a pink-and-white food truck with a logo of the Eiffel Tower. Eric Boyce has always had the dream of opening a breakfast spot; it just has taken awhile. “I’ve been in aviation for 58 years, both as a helicopter and airplane pilot and as an aircraft maintenance engineer, and lived in Alaska for 21 years, but with COVID-19 happening, and losing my job in April, this seemed like the right time.” With his partner,...
RasDal Falafel, a Belfast food truck and Station 118, a BBQ restaurant
Two new eateries bring exotic flavors to Belfast, Thomaston
Fri, 07/24/2020 - 10:45am

MIDCOAST—A barbeque restaurant and a food truck serving Middle Eastern street food have opened on the coast in recent weeks. Here’s the skinny on both. RasDal Falafel — Belfast Canaan Jordan recently opened his new food truck, RasDal Falafel on Front Street by the footbridge earlier this month. Specializing in Middle Eastern street food, which is mostly vegetarian and vegan, Jordan said, “I’ve been cooking for almost 20 years and this is the kind of food I really like to eat,...
Outdoor dining at Midcoast Maine Restaurants: Who is offering what?
Tue, 07/21/2020 - 1:00pm

Many Midcoast restaurants have had to completely re-think their seating models in the summer of 2020 due to the social distancing requirements during COVID-19 and adapt all of their protocols safely. Here is a comprehensive list of all of the Midcoast restaurants, food trucks, and places that serve prepared foods with outdoor seating. Belfast Alexia’s Pizza , Pizzaria. Sidewalk seating. Facebook Bell The Cat , a deli/restaurant. Outdoor patio...