I pity anyone who doesn't experience the joyful, vibrant, and delicious experience of dining at Pomelia on Station Avenue in Brunswick, Maine before they depart this Earth.
I am glad we live in a state without the death penalty, and I will do my absolute best to be a good man and citizen to serve the State of Maine and our American nation, and support and defend our U.S. Constitution, but should I ever be seized by the enablers and cronies of an authoritarian cult of personality, and find myself on death row at the hands of an oppressive regime--my friends and fellow citizens--I would ask for my last meal to be from Pomelia.
For it would be bliss and a gift to have the taste of this restaurant's heaven on Earth on my lips for my final moments.
The staff transcends benign and mundane customer service of other establishments to make a guest feel you are an honored VIP member of the community, a long lost family member, or a dear friend returned from voyages in exotic lands.
"Welcome" is inadequate to describe the feeling that one had been invited to a feast of Italian/Sicilian inspired delights.
I had heard good things about Pomelia, which occupies the sacred space of the former Scarlet Begonia's restaurant, a cherished jewel in the crown of Brunswick eateries, run by the legendary Doug and Colleen Lavallee, who after decades (thirty years) of their family running the establishment chose to retire, and handed the torch to Chelsea and Tony Bickford in November 2024.
And they have taken that torch to blaze a new trail to culinary, service, and ambiance excellence. A magnificient accomplishment to honor the legacy, and to become a bright new shining star among the Brunswick restaurant constellation, already a very competitive restaurant environment.
This is the first time I've ever visited this establishment, I do not know the owners, and I am not receiving any compensation for this review.
I walked in the door in the company of a dear friend, not knowing a reservation was preferred and suggested. Chelsea, the owner, with a lovely sweater, on this chilly damp Maine mid-Spring evening, was manning the host station and was warm, kind, and gracious and found us seating at the bar with a minimal delay--profusely apologized for.
Leigh Anne, the tallest french horn playing (not at the time mind you) waitress I have ever experienced, was a charming delight, seating us and beginning the family-esque dining experience.
She was followed by the bartendress, Laurel, with the magical mystery moth tattoo, and exqusite body artwork and personal style and flair, and cheerful countenance, conjuring a delicious Sicilian Manhattan for my dining companion with an extra luxardo cherry, soaked in marasca cherry syrup.
Despite the bustling filled to capacity crowd, Laurel was fun and friendly with the barside banter, answering all of my ignorant questions about the menu, while simultaneosly pouring and mixing a bevvy of beverages for the patrons.
Jason was her compatriot behind the bar, with tender caring dad energy, keeping it real and relatable, engaged us in conversation, and making expert recommendations (I was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver on Tuesday...sigh...and probably not the best idea to go out to an Italian restaurant under those circumstances, but he did thoughtfully offer the best calorie conscious choices), while patiently waiting for us to decide from a menu with so many delectable competing dishes vying for our attention.
The atmosphere was a mix of urban chic and modern Italian charm. I hope the new American Pope Leo XIV visits and is blessed by the authentic Italian cuisine.
The food came in a timely fashion, but we were so entertained by the staff, that we didn't even really notice the wait. Expertly and gently served in front of us. As pictured. the Meatballs and Caesar salad were perfection, a remarkable and balanced mix of flavorful and zesty. My vegetarian dining companion's kale salad, and Sicilian cheese pizza, thicker than Roman pizza, with a tangy baked to perfection texture, it felt like it had come from some hole in the wall bistro on the side of a Palermo backstreet, an authentic Sicilian dining experience--deliziosa!
We were too stuffed and satiated for dessert, but the dessert menu looked amazing, ("leave the gun, take the cannoli") and maybe we will come back sometime just for dessert.
if you ever get invited to this restaurant, make sure you understand that this is an offer that can't be refused, and do yourself a favor of enjoying the total experience of Pomelia. Gratzi! Buon Appetito!
Essayons!
M.D. "Mitch" Mitchell
Major (Retired), Combat Engineer
Maine Army National Guard
Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, 2004-5, 2010-11
Freeport, Maine read more