Hello,

I am taking my wife to Kennebunkport, Maine for a long weekend in June. I am looking for some restaurants recommendations. One night we are looking for a casual local spot in town for seafood. It does not need to be anything fancy.

The 2nd night I am looking for something a little more upscale, also either steak or seafood. The White Barn Inn is a little too expensive. Can anyone recommend something a bit less expensive but still very good?

Thanks!

Matt

The Ramp at Pier 77 for casual, or Mabel's Lobster Claw. For the 2nd night, Stripers Waterside.

www.stripersrestaurant.oom

Oddly I would have also suggested The Ramp/Pier 77 and Stripers as my first thought.

Is Pier 77 good for casual or would you recommend The Ramp? The Ramp looks more like just a bar? Is that correct?

The Ramp is the more casual section of Pier 77, if it's a bar-rowdy Saturday night you might not like it but any other time there is a great view. See if they'll reserve you a table with a view.
The service in the more expensive Pier77 section has never been very good, so it's not worth the upcharge in my opinion, if you're going to get casual/student-summer-job type service you might as well eat at The Ramp.

Bandaloop or Nunan's Lobster Hut are also worth considering one night.

This place may be worth taking a look at. davids KPT. all new

http://boathouseme.com/davids/

Good one, L_G! David's in Portland is a long-time favorite of ours. Hope he can find decent staffing in Kennebunkport.

The Ramp doesn't ever take reservations and you can easily wait an hour for a table on a busy day. And it is a tight crowded space with a sports memorabilia decor. The food is good and a great value, though.

Pier 77 upstairs is actually great for lunch. The menu is much less expensive that at dinner (more like the regular Ramp menu) and it's very civilized then.

The Boathouse is just opening this week. Based on conversations I've had with them about rooms in the inn, I suspect they might have some management problems that spill over to the restaurant.

Bandaloop is a favorite casual & comfortable place of mine, and they have a diverse menu. Very popular with locals maybe even more so than with tourists. On the Marsh seems to come up as a popular upscale place, but somehow I've never been there.

janie, It's not really fair to condemn a place in its first week of opening. most reputable food critics visit a restaurant multiple times before critiquing. I am quite hopeful that the boat house will be a great place this season.

Yeah, if a hotel leases out a restaurant to an independent party, not fair to say that the hotel management shortcomings are going to spill over to the restaurant. And all businesses have opening jitters and growing pains.

I have not eaten at the restaurant--it hadn't even opened yet
I think they just did a couple of days ago, so I assume none of us has!

I'm sorry If I sounded misleading. I certainly didn't use any words that "condemn" it, just the opinion that "I suspect they might have some management problems". Several people at the hotel (including asking about the restaurant) that I dealt with were unpleasant and unhelpful.

You suggested that a poster consider going to this new restaurant. I thought it was equally useful to point out that it is brand new and whether it will be "opening jitters and growing pains" or "Hope he can find decent staffing" or management that isn't capable or welcoming, there may be glitches. I know that if I was looking for a place to sub for the White Barn Inn, I would want something more firmly established and with a good reputation. Also FYI, I'm surprised to see on their website that "David’s KPT does not take reservations." That would ceratinly be a factor for me to consider on a busy summer weekend

I hope that clears up my comments, and that burnma01 has a great trip to Kennebunkport

Other places to consider are Hurricane - upscale casual- and Federal Jacks (casual brew pub with decent views). Kennebunk Inn - Academie(?) is on our list to try next. Our realtor gave it thumbs up and we saw the chef on Chopped. She didn't win but still looked good. Lobster pot pie is a speciality from what I've read.

Agree with Ramp/Pier 77 - we've always had great food at both places but agree that the service at Pier 77 can be spotty at times. My biggest complaint is that the piano gets too loud at times. Had Easter dinner there and had no complaints about the food, service or the live music. went to the Ramp on a beautiful day in April - managed to get those 4 bar stools in the little overflow area that overlook the water. Perfect!

Mabels is a great choice for casual seafood. I would suggest that over Nunans.