Maine Dining 2009

DINING

Best Catch:
FISHERMAN’S CATCH, Wells
It’s completely understandable why locals would rather keep the Cardinali family’s off-the-beaten-path chowder and fish joint a secret. This salt-marsh-view restaurant is renowned for its light, crispy, fresh fried fish as well as for its generous lobster rolls–but don’t even think about skipping dessert. The freshly baked blueberry pie is to die for. Entrées: from $8.99. 134 Harbor Road. 207-646-8780; fishermanscatchwells.com

Best Seaside Twofer:
PIER 77 AND THE RAMP, Cape Porpoise
Upstairs is fine dining with spectacular harbor views; downstairs is a cozy pub decorated in a sports-bar motif (but without the blaring TVs). Culinary Institute of America-trained chef Peter Morency turns out classics with pizzazz (we love the seafood stew); his wife, Kate, keeps the dining areas running smoothly. And did we mention the views? Lunch and pub Entrées: from $9. Dinner entrées: from $18. 77 Pier Road. 207-967-8500; pier77restaurant.com

Best Picnic Lunch:
MICUCCI’S, AMATO’S, DUCK FAT, TWO FAT CATS BAKERY, DEANS SWEETS, RABELAIS, Portland
Here’s the menu: A large slice of pizza ($3.99) from Micucci’s or an Italian sandwich (from $3.29) from Amato’s, paired with a milk shake ($4) and fries (from $4.25) from Duck Fat, plus a cookie (prices vary) from Two Fat Cats Bakery. Finish with a hand-dipped truffle ($17.50 per box of eight) from Deans Sweets. All are within steps of one another on India and Middle Streets, in Portland’s emerging East End foodie neighborhood. Dining alone? Add a good read from Rabelais, which specializes in food-related books. Micucci’s, 45 India St.; 207-775-1854. Amato’s, 71 India St. 207-773-1682; amatos.com. Duckfat, 43 Middle St. 207-774-8080; duckfat.com. Two Fat Cats, 47 India St. 207-347-5144; twofatcatsbakery.com. Deans Sweets, 82 Middle St. 207-899-3664; deanssweets.com. Rabelais, 86 Middle St. 207-774-1044; rabelaisbooks.com

Best Proper English Tea:
JACQUELINE’S TEA ROOM, Freeport
Plan ahead and reserve a seat for a formal British tea, a two-hour, four-course indulgence served on fine china ($25.50 per person). Choose from 76 teas to enjoy with finger sandwiches, scones topped with Devon cream, fruit jam, and lemon curd, and if that’s not enough, dessert and sorbet. 201 Main St. 207-865-2123; jacquelinestearoom.com

Best Taste of Home:
WILD OATS BAKERY AND CAFÉ, Brunswick
Since 1991, Wild Oats has treated locals and visitors alike to scratch-made breads, soups, and pastries, as well as creative sandwiches, quiches, salads, and Entrées, including vegan choices. It’s the place to pick up local news and gossip along with a smoothie, sticky bun, and java in the morning; to relax over lunch with a friend; or perhaps purchase a casserole (from $11.95; serves 2-4 people) to reheat for dinner with biscuits or bread. Tontine Mall, 149 Maine St. 207-725-6287; wildoatsbakery.com

Best Summer Tradition:
JORDAN POND HOUSE, Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island
No visit to Acadia National Park is complete without afternoon tea on the lawn at the Jordan Pond House. Savor scrumptious popovers slathered with butter and jam–and heck, you’re on vacation, splurge on ice cream, too (popover a la mode $6.50)–all while drinking in the views over the pond to the Bubbles. You can always walk it off on the carriage roads afterwards. Call for seasonal hours. Park Loop Road. 207-276-3316; jordanpond.com

Best Warm-Weather Treat:
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND ICE CREAM, Bar Harbor
MDI makes its decadently rich and creamy ice creams and sorbets in small batches, using fresh fruits and topnotch ingredients, and it’s hard to say which are more creative, the names or the flavors. Possibilities include Hot Chili Chocolate, Neato Doritos, Girl Scouts Gone Wild, Scorned Woman, Pear Riesling, and Stout With Fudge. 7 Firefly Lane & 325 Main St. 207-288-0999, 207-288-5664; mdiic.com

Best Haute Cuisine in the Boonies:
CANTERBURY ROYALE, Fort Fairfield
Trained chefs Barbara Boucher and Renee O’Neill have turned a little cottage way, way, way off the beaten path into an Old World European dining experience, decorating the two tables with silver, crystal, and china, and serving sublime six-course meals (from $40). 182 Sam Everett Road; 207-472-4910

Best Down East Chow:
CHESTER PIKE’S GALLEY, Sullivan
Almost everything–breads, pies, muffins–is made from scratch at this cheerful, homey little place. The pies are divine; the muffins delicious; the homemade doughnuts satisfying; the lemon roll, oh my! Here’s a hint: Order dessert first, so as not to be disappointed later. And if you happen to be around on Friday nights, don’t miss the fish fry. 2336 Route 1; 207-422-8200

Best Family Farm:
PAINTED PEPPER, Steuben
Just try to resist the to-die-for sorbets, cheeses, and fudge made from Painted Pepper’s herd of Nigerian dairy goats. Jordan Godino, his wife Lisa Reilich, and their three daughters also produce organic granola, preserves, and maple syrup on their 40-acre saltwater farm. Purchase products at the farm or at area farmers’ markets, or try one of their special gift tins (from $24). 55 Goods Point Road. 207-546-9777; paintedpepperfarm.com