Honestly, a let down. A huge let down.
Now, let me start by saying my server, Moriah (according to the receipt), was nothing short of ideal. Extremely polite, the perfect blend of friendly and accommodating, and an invaluable asset to a southerner like myself trying to navigate the menu.
However, when I arrived I was told the wait time was expected to be 5-10 minutes. This surprised me because the parking lot was so full I had to park a half block away. Whatever, 5-10 minutes gave me a chance to browse the gift shop. I took my time and after deciding upon a black "Mike's" shirt I sat down expecting my buzzer to go off at any time. It didn't. Thirty minutes after sat down and roughly 45 minutes after I arrived I was finally seated...in an almost empty dining area. All this time waiting and for what??? At this point in the night I'm starving and would've already had time to drive somewhere else and finish a meal before returning to my hotel. But, I was hyped up! This place was the talk of the town (as far as Google goes) and I was already invested.
After careful deliberation over a fresh, steaming, hot cup of coffee, I decided (with the help of Moriah) on the Broiled Seafood Sampler and a cup of Seafood Chowder. The sampler consisted of haddock, two stuffed shrimp, and scallops all broiled, supposedly, to perfection. For the sides I chose the daily vegetable which turned out to be squash and zucchini and an order of the loaded mashed potatoes. But, before I feasted on the Maine course, I needed an appetizer to quiet my rumbling stomach. For that I chose the Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms. Order complete.
The stuffed mushrooms arrived very quickly and were honestly one of the most delectable looking appetizers I'd ever laid eyes on. Stuffed tall and full, crispy and baked to golden perfection. Let me tell ya, they tasted as good as they looked. If I had know how my main entree was going to turn out I'd have just ordered a fed servings of these instead. They were exceptionally tasty and for once in my life I waited until my food was good and chewed up before swallowing, savoring every bite.
Next up, the seafood chowda. The menu advertised a blend of lobstah, fish, and shrimp and it didn't lie. Immediately I was turned off. You could see the grease bubbles floating all over the top and in the saucer beneath the bowl. It appeared to be almost as thin and transparent as the Atlantic Ocean from which it's ingredients were caught. Still, I rowed on. It tasted about the way it looked; sure you could taste the fish and even the shrimp, but other than that it was a bland bowl of disappointment that even salt, pepper, and oyster crackers couldn't save.
Finally, after a glass of water to wash away the taste of sadness left behind by the chowda, my entree arrived.
Glistening with a slight crust around the edges, the presentation was very misleading in regard to what the actual food tasted like. Broiled haddock, scallops, and two stuffed shrimp. Should be a winning combo, right? Not in this case. With the exception of the stuffed shrimp (which were on par with the aforementioned stuffed mushrooms), the food was bland and unseasoned apart from the watery butter bath in which it sat. I tried to muscle through it, but I just couldn't. I rarely leave a plate unfinished and always use a take out box if I do, not in this case. Besides the fact that no one likes reheated seafood, this wasn't worth saving. Worth mentioning though, the loaded mashed potatoes were as good as any I'd get in the South. Pure mashed perfection with gooey cheese and fresh bacon crumbles. Paired with the stuffed mushrooms, the potatoes could have been a meal all on their own.
Needless to say I asked for my ticket, paid my bill, and left quite disappointed.
As I looked out upon the overly filled parking lot I could only think of a few things about my latest dining experience: why did I wait so long to be seated an empty dining area, how does this place have such rave reviews, and should I go back to order more of the stuffed mushrooms? Questions I may never know the answers to.
So, if you do end up stopping in after reading this review, skip anything broiled and ask for Moriah. read more