Living across the water from the lovely owner, I will try to restrain my acerbity and be positive. Primo is a pretty place. Having read the remarks below, yes it can be totally uncomfortable to be placed in the downstairs room in an alcove with nothing to look at, or in the bar, which is dark and uncomfortable (strange bump I had to sit on, tried using the pillow so it wouldn't hurt so much) and not at all up to the prices you pay. As someone else stated about the temperature, we had to wrap scarves around our arms and on lap to try and keep warm, even after telling the waitress how cold we were. They turned the air conditioning (On Jan 1) off for about 8 minutes than back on again. Maybe this is why so many men keep their baseball hats on??? We didn't make the 5 min drive to Primo all summer/fall so we went twice on Dec 30 and Jan 1 for brunch. The Friday night visit was in the dark bar where we had a waitress who I think would've been happier hitting me rather than serving me. We do not like to pay for bread so we waited our 40 min wait with nothing on the table, no lagniappe even though it was the night before Christmas Eve. (I have friends who will no longer go to Primo because they think charging $2 for bread when you are paying $37 for a plate of pasta or $59 for a steak is egregiously greedy. Which it is.) The food was somewhat delicious. The skate cooked perfectly and my pasta with seafood incredibly tasty although there was hardly any seafood in it. (and I can make skate like this at home for much less $) Not being able to find a decent place on New Years Day we returned for brunch. A wonderful waitress this time (new I think which was why she's so friendly?) served us downstairs where it's so cold you could hear the other tables complaining. We ordered several things and they were sort of good. Grilled Lamb lollipops with tired bits of a supposed Greek salad, $$. One quail $$$ served on a too little plate with more tired salad. Lentil soup, pretty good but not hot. Burrata salad that said grilled eggplant but only had a swish of eggplant puree barely enough to see, (kept looking for the eggplant because that's why I ordered it) some red peppers and a small bit of arugula, another high price for such a small dish. And then there was that octopus carpaccio which the waitress gushed over saying it was the most beautiful thing she ever saw. It was beautiful, very thinly sliced octopus in a gelee that made it look like a shiny puzzle. Some strange black stuff underneath, which turned out to be charred onion (we had to ask). Beautiful but completely tasteless. We remarked on the way home, if you closed your eyes and tasted it you would have no idea what it was. Primo will always be popular but I'd suggest M.K. visit Greek Islands in Ft. Lauderdale to see what simple grilled octopus should taste like (incredibly delicious!!!) or lamb lollipops can be. Or what Greek salad means. And how they give you fresh bread with great olive oil AND a tahini dip for FREE at much lower prices. Funny thing is Home Kitchen's chef turns out tastier food than Primo, but with much less fanfare. Then again, that freshly made pasta is delicious! (note to self: learn to make that 2023) Happy New Year! read more

Primo - Mediterranean Near Me - Rockland, Maine

Definitely the nicest restaurant we've been to in Maine. Primo is a destination-type experience, suitable for special occasions, but casual enough to show up as you are for a weeknight meal (if you can afford that sort of thing). Other places claim to be farm-to-table but Primo takes the concept to the next level. The farm behind the restaurant is the source for nearly every ingredient on the menu (not the seafood, obviously), and the rows of fresh vegetables, herbs, flowers, etc are well-spaced and open to guests -- arrive early for a lovely pre-dinner stroll. And that should clue you in about what to order. Linguine with clams sounds good, but why choose that when the day's offerings include house-made gemelli with fava beans, mustard greens, herbs and pork all grown/raised just a few yards away? Or a "red salad" with a variety of beets and berries from the garden. Look to the daily-changing menu for items inspired by the garden, and you're likely to be rewarded (though that salad was extremely overdressed -- enough to deduct a star from the experience). Note: plan to spend a long evening because this is the kind of place that takes it's time, pacing each course so that there's a 15 minute break between each. If you like lingering over a cocktail and, well, lingering over each course as well, this is your kind of place. If that drives you crazy, make sure your waiter knows, or look elsewhere. At these prices, I thought it was pretty silly that they charge for bread, but the bread is pretty damned good, and are most things here. read more

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AS Midcoast residents we have eaten at Primo frequently over the past 10 years. The food is almost always stellar. I know prices are up everywhere and understand that. What we don't get is the big drop in wine pours this year. A few ounces of wine?? same price?? The Italian restaurant in Rockport which we also frequent still provides a true glass of wine. Primo needs to remedy this. We enjoy a glass of wine with good food but feel a bit ripped off at Primo. read more

Food was amazing-service was prompt and very good - I am vegetarian and although their menu showed very few vegetarian choices they were very accommodating - place is a little pricey but definitely worth checking out for special occasions- recommend you make reservations at least on weekends. read more

By far the best food I've had in decades. Every single course from the cocktail to dessert was fabulous. Perfectly prepared and unbelievably tasty. Service also was outstanding and even though the parking lot was completely full, it felt comfortably intimate inside. Perfect ambiance. Nothing lost about this kitchen, and it's aptly called Primo! read more

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Gotta admit, after seeing Gordon Ramsay's TV show Uncharted featuring the state of Maine and the head chef of Primo, I knew that when I was coming to Maine on vacation in a few weeks that I wanted to make a stop here for dinner. It was well worth the almost two-hour drive from our rental. Situated in a beautiful Victorian house complete with acreage for a farm with animals (the chicken and pigs you are eating were probably clucking and squealing nights before on the farm) and lots of space to grow flowers and herbs, Primo lived up to its name for the quality of the food. We had a 5pm reservation, but walk-ins start lining up at 4:30pm and the day we were there they all were able to get seated. We were about 30th in line when we pulled up right at 5pm and no spaces were available in the parking lot; we had to go to the overflow lot. The line moved quickly, however, and although some were in jeans and t-shirts, others were dressed up. There didn't appear to be a dress code to eat at this Michelin Star rated restaurant and twice James Beard Award Winning Head Chef/Owner, Melissa Kelly. Duncan, our server, was always on top of things during our meal. He made great recommendations, and we did not experience any of the negativity in service that others have written about in their reviews. If we didn't drink alcohol, then our meal probably would have been about $100 cheaper. But it's vacation time! My Millions Peach was peachy, the Blueberry Mojito was top notch, and when I asked for the least dry white, the Reisling came out. Not super sweet or too dry, but a good balance. My wife had the Zenzero (like a ginger Cosmo), and a Garibaldi (Campari, Blood Orange, and soda) which to me tasted like grapefruit. The end of meal Limoncello was hot on the alcohol. Our meals were spectacular. I started with a special of Squash Blossoms which were stuffed with cheese (I forget what kind) and fried. Nice and light it started the meal off well. Wife had an appetizer size of the homemade pasta special which was ravioli stuffed with chicken in one of the lightest Alfredo but most delicious sauces she's ever had. She also got the bread for one. It's not free here; a $2 per person fee, but we only got it for one and it came with three different homemade breads and about eight pieces. All three were fresh like they came out of the oven right before serving. Next was the onion soup. Not French Onion, but it had to be the best onion soup I've ever had. I had to share and she agreed. It came with a small grilled-cheese sandwich which was to die for. I ended up taking a piece of my wife's bread to crumble into the onion soup just so nothing was left in the bowl. For mains, I was convinced to change my mind from the scallops to the swordfish. It was a big piece of fish with beans, hot sausage, and greens from the outside garden. Wife got the whole Branzino which our server filleted for her. Nice and flaky it was a great size which was not too lemony, and probably the only part of the meal which we felt was average was the gnocchi the fish came with. They were not that flavorful and quite dense. But our fish meals were excellent. Of course, we had to have dessert. I went with the special Blueberry Shortcake which they promote as a "James Beard" recipe, and wife went with the Profiteroles. She also was up in the air as to having them or the Zeppole. Duncan came through again with the right choice, and the salted caramel gelato made the Profiteroles 1000% better. We ended with the Limoncello, Cappuccino, and a Latte. Almost three hours later, our meal came to a close. We were both very full and probably tipsy. The pacing at least today was very European style with a lot of space between courses. We were extremely pleased with everything at Primo. $275 for two not including tip. I even asked about coming back later in the week, and told about the walk-ins if we get in line a 1/2 hour before opening. We just might do it again! read more

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You already know it's going to be a five star review. The entire machine that has become Primo is so well oiled, works so smoothly, that you wouldn't expect anything less than a five star review. Other chefs may have fancy tricks, expensive cuts of meat, or caviar and gold foil to make their food "fancy", but absolutely nothing can beat locally grown/foraged/farmed food. And that's exactly what Melissa Kelly and her team does best. The menu changes all the time so there's no point in me telling you what I got, all I can say is get the specials, get what's in season, and definitely get the pork saltimbocca. read more

Primo - Mediterranean Near Me - Rockland, Maine

Primo obviously doesn't need my review, it's spectacular and everyone knows it, but some people do sort to see most recent, so this is for them. If you haven't been yet and are wondering if it's worth it, stop wondering and make a reservation already. The food is ridiculously good and the cocktails are just perfect. As one member of our party said, we were supremely early, and Benjamin took great care of us. It was pretty busy and we know he had to juggle, so we really appreciated his accommodating us. Sarah H. was our server and she was so wonderful. Her suggestions were perfect and we had such a great time chatting with her. Always a great evening. Do yourself a favor and head up to the bar for a bit, it's lively and not to be missed. read more

This is one of our favorite anniversary or birthday dinner restaurants. It's always a tough reservation to secure and for us it is a bit of a drive but it is so worth it. Food here is farm to table, they grow most of the veggies, make all the breads and the pork chop I had came from their stock. The restaurant is in an old house so there are several ambiance's from small rooms to the 2nd floor bar area. We like the bar area as they have some tables near the bar. Cozy, candlelight, inviting. Servers are always friendly and very knowledgeable about the dishes, ingredients and preparation. We had the bread service which is pricey at $3 pp but the onion bread is a must do for me. My pork chop was delicious but the star was the sweet potato. Small, whole roasted sweet potatoes. Dessert was a bread pudding, delicious. Parking is the only downside for me. Small lots, tight parking, always a bit of a hassle to find and get into a space. If you have a car and a truck, bring the car not the truck! read more

Primo - Squash pizza appetizer - Mediterranean Near Me - Rockland, Maine

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My friend and I celebrated her retirement at Primo the other night. What an inspired and delicious experience! We tried the prefix seven course meal with wine pairings. Every single course and glass of wine was outstanding. The staff was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, the ambience was warm and inviting, and the grounds are absolutely beautiful. I hope to go back again and again well done everyone at Primo! read more

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I have been here quite a few times. Oyster night is a favorite. So good! Love to try the random dishes with ingredients I would never think to use, or have heard of. Of course the drinks are typically made from things I never believed would go together. Tuna steak, amazing and cooked perfectly Never had swordfish before, love it now Tried octopus for the first time and I would again Only complaint is the one "normal" thing I've gotten here is a steak, an almost $60 steak. Should have been rare, was medium, sadly I can cook worse cuts of steak better in my sleep. read more

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Very good dinner, but not as good as expected after reading all the glowing reviews. I felt our server was a little arrogant and did not guide us regarding how many dishes to order. Seemed like he just wanted a bigger check average. Overall, food was good but does not live up to the hype. read more

Had a great time at Primo. Found this place because I saw the chef on Gordon Ramsay's Uncharted show. The food definitely lived up to expectations! Staff was professional and knowledgeable. Ben was our waiter and he did an outstanding job. I had the farm salad and rigatoni-both were amazing. My wife had the red lettuce salad and the bluefin tuna special-delicious! Peach panna cotta dessert was the finishing touch to a perfect night!! Cheers to Primo! read more

I was excited about going to the restaurant, but as a result of our meal, I was EXCEPTIONALLY DISAPPOINTED. I ordered a planked salmon that came out as nearly raw (I understand that it should be on the rare side, but this was barely cooked at all.) I sent it back to have it cooked a bit more, and when the runner brought it back, I received a sarcastic comment that it was supposed to be cooked the way it was originally brought out. My wife ordered a branzino, and when the runner brought it out, he put the whole fish in front of my wife and then left. Nobody offered to fillet it (like any restaurant where we have ordered branzino in the past), and nobody came back to our table to assist. I was forced to cut off the head and tail of the fish and fillet it for her, which I would not expect for such a "fancy" restaurant. When I mentioned this to the server after the fact, she said that someone should have offered to do this for us, and she apologized. The useless restaurant GM came to us with a half hearted apology and offered to remove 2 desserts (of the 6 ordered for the table) but the damage was done. If I had been the GM, I would have gone out of my way to make the situation better, but he didn't do that and as a result, this restaurant will remain off my list for the future. read more

all was absolutely wonderful... had the pork saltinbocca- which was amazing!! Everything was very good. However, was very disappointed we had to pay for bread individually!! I think it's terrible when any restaurant of that caliber charges for a few pieces of bread!! read more

Prior to this year's visit, would have given 5 stars. Prior 3-4 times, the experience was excellent, especially last year when they quickly and graciously accommodated a last minute change from 4 to 6. Have had the melt-in-your-mouth pork chop in the past, pre covid, and was jonesing for it this year as the only place I trust to eat a rare pork chop, so expectations were high and disappointment was great when it came out overcooked. Service could have been better this year too--it wasn't bad by any stretch, but just not as warm and friendly as years past. It did not help that the table next to us was having a bad experience and complaining that 6 of their 8 dishes were inedible. The staff did not seem to be interested in the feedback. All that said, we still had a nice meal, just a slight notch down from the excellence of prior years. read more

Primo - Mediterranean Near Me - Rockland, Maine

Cute restaurant near Rockland, ME The restaurant is quaint, and can get busy so make reservations. The food is average. I got the razor clam special and the pan sear halibut. The razor clams were ok, nothing too exciting. I found the halibut to be a little dry, and wished it was a little more buttery and flakey. I did like the flavor of the Brussels sprouts that came with the halibut. They were roasted well and slightly sweet. I also got the cider which was very good. read more

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What an amazing dinner we had at Primo. Very delicious! Service excellent, atmosphere terrific. On the pricey side but I think fair for the quality of The food and the experience. And we knew that going in. Had a lovely evening! read more

Primo is one of the best restaurants in Maine! I love that the food is always local and fresh. Great cocktails and desserts here as well. Primo takes food allergies seriously and offers plenty of gluten free options. read more

Primo - Mediterranean Near Me - Rockland, Maine

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We're from Maine. We had to go once we saw Gordon Ramsay's episode of Uncharted where he cooks with the owner Michelle Kelly. I'll start off by saying the attention to detail and the exceptional service we have never experienced in the state of Maine. We live two hours away, our reservation was at 7:45-we got there at 7:00, and they still sat us. I got the chicken breast special with Parmesan risotto. My partner got another special, the pork chop with black eyed peas and collard greens. And his mother got the swordfish steak which is on the menu. For appetizers, we got the farmers salad and the razor clams. I do recommend getting the Panzalla-- they're were sold out though! For dessert, I got the cannoli with a scoop of chocolate gelato, and my partner got the affagado! We couldn't recommend more, I'd like to come back in the summer seasons. read more

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A repeat visit to Primo. It's still a very good restaurant but no longer has the overall wow factor in my opinion based on the food. One of our special appetizers - the tuna meatballs were not worthy of a fine dining establishment. The second appetizer special of scallop ceviche was good but not great. Mains were excellent. A Campanella pasta mostly vegetarian brought us back to pastas in Italy and the local Halibut was exquisite- especially the vegetables accompanying it that both of us felt were truly top notch. Recommend fish is cooked very slightly less but this is nit- picking. The crostata dessert was excellent. Excellent, professional service and the wine list and sommelier were both very good. So a great meal and recommended but not at the overall level I remember from the last time. The room we were seated in looked a bit tired. Also we had gone to a competing restaurant the previous evening that blew us away so some level of comparison maybe evident here. Primo is a special restaurant but at $150-200 per person needs to be judged at the highest levels hence removal of one star. Just my opinion - everyone seated around us appeared to be having a wonderful time. A visit to Primo should include a walk around the farm that was wonderful. read more

Very nice restaurant with delicious food and drink and unique Mediterranean/italian inspired cuisine with Maine influences. The decor and grounds were nice - The garden outdoors was also very nice little stroll. They very nicely made my kids off menu spaghetti and meatballs which they loved. We had roasted oysters and fried squash blossoms to start and halibut with beans and whole Branzino (labino to them) with grilled romaine. One star deduction because it was very pricey with smallish portions. Only 2 squash blossoms came with the order and 6 oysters. The mains were a bit larger but the branzino was a bit overly salty. So be prepared to spend a lot but the food is good. read more

We were super excited to visit this renowned restaurant. Hence. we arrived almost an hour early to ensure that we could be seated at the bar due to high demand and difficulty in securing a table reservation at such a popular restaurant. We arrived first but due to an unclear greeting procedure we're seated second. We were fortunate to have a few tasty drinks prepared by their fine bartender. However, after placing our dinner order it took some time to receive our appetizers. Then, after quite a lengthy period (over an hour), we were kindly visited by a manager who acknowledged the delay and apologized and offered complimentary cocktails and or dessert which we graciously accepted. Sadly the complimentary drinks and or dessert never came. Nonetheless, the experience has sadly tarnished our view of this lovely place that we had previously enjoyed so much read more

Our experience, like many others on yelp, was nothing short of perfection. We came for an anniversary dinner - and from start to finish we were really blown away by both the service and quality & inventiveness of our dinner. Everything was phenomenal - but the highlights for me were the special pasta (tagliatelle with crab) and the zeppole / donuts. These are two of the best things I've eaten in the last few years. I thought this was going to be a situation where it was over-hyped and didn't live up to expectations, but it was even better than i imagined. Get yourself a reservation (well in advance) and try one of the top 5 restaurants in Maine! read more

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This place was hyped up significantly by a friend in Owl's Head and I'm pleased to say that it lived up to said hype. We went on a perfect October evening and everything was excellent. The wine list, the service, my perfectly prepared seafood pasta, and the overall ambiance. Upscale but comfortable, attentive but not overbearing, and packed. Looking forward to my next visit once they open for the season! read more

One would think as a "Farm to Table" restaurant they would have a few "WFPB" (whole food plant based) options. Nooo Finally ended up with a salad that was salty? Huh? And my friends meals were also way salty.. So.... $25 later for 8 leaves of lettuce, Can't say I'm a HAPPY CAMPER. read more

0km is a Sunday midday meal for anyone who wants casual dining with exceptional quality and detail. If you don't like lines, get there right before 1 b/c by 1:30 the line will be around the parking lot. Farm to table but not overbearing and always delizioso and varied enough to satisfy families and venture capitalists alike. Yes, after 25 years in Rockland their reputation and Chef Kelly's vision and skill have kind of created a monster but sit in a spot looking out onto Owl's Head and enjoy your icicle pop bellini, arancini, and $2 Mere Point oysters and you won't be distracted or disappointed. read more

Worth the drive! We were on our way to Portland and planned to stop here... and we're so happy we did! Definitely, definitely recommend making a reservation - line was out the the door on Sunday when we got there and it was mostly people without reservations. The food and service were outstanding - everything is perfectly seasoned, you can tell pasta is homemade and cooked perfectly al dente. They had a great cocktail and wine selection as well. I've seen other reviews say it's pricey - but for the quality of food and service you are getting, it's absolutely worth it! Save room for dessert! We wanted to try them all - including all the specials - I guess we have to come back! read more

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Beautiful property where you can see your dinner in the works! Gardens of fresh herbs and flowers. We arrived a little before 5 and the line was starting to form. We were seated on the porch and greeted with smiles and positive vibes for a great night. The porch does have some road noise but that didn't deter us . Our waitress was quite informative of the specials and drinks. I never heard of a drink being clarified before and mine was with feta. Very sweet and enjoyable. Our beet salads arrived and split for 2 with no problems. The greens were so crispy and fresh. If i would suggest anything it would have been to sprinkle a little of the dressing on the top. Most was on bottom of plate Out entrees were delicious and delivered in a very timely manner. We did also have the bread service and the bread was very fresh and enjoyable. Service was all around us from hostess's to servers, bar servers, busser ' expediters and managers . All hands on deck make for a restaurant to run efficiently! Top notch service. Will go again and try to hit the little bar in the back before we go to our table next time for dessert as well. read more

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I do have high expectations as I worked w/many talented folks on the West coast managing some great restaurants. The service was minimal-as if the poor guy just needed to get through his shift. The wine list was good-but wine was brought to the table too early & was merely placed in a chiller unopened until we finished our champagne. We ordered several courses including appetizers, salad, entrees . The best made/tasting dish of the entire night was the salad. The charcuterie was fun/ok but could use labels for food geeks. There were people pacing the floors but not really noticing we couldn't get through either entree. The scallops ordered felt like a kid right out of culinary school made it up w/out guidance from a more sophisticated chef. There were way too many flavors including a WAY over seasoned black rice & odd pesto on scallops that was washed out by rice. The saltimbocca was also WAY too salty. I've managed these tables-there's an easy solution that requires someone in the establishment to actually give a %#it! When I was asked how I enjoyed my meal; I was politely honest. No response from anyone at Primo. This is truly a tourist trap-super overpriced for what they deliver. One would enjoy the cuisine of a more authentic chef by going to Nina June down the road. I will definitely NOT be recommending this place to the hundreds of Inn guests that ask for guidance during their stay-what a waste of several hundred dollars! read more

Last nights dinner at Primo went above and beyond my expectations of any restaurant we have visited by far! Farm to table dishes from the restaurants property. The food had so many layers or flavor, so fresh, so robust and just downright delicious. The spacing between courses was perfect, it allowed us to enjoy the food without feeling overwhelmed and weighed down. It also allowed us to enjoy each others company. Our waiter, Duncan was phenomenal! He made excellent recommendations and was just amazing at what he does! To the lovely couple that sat beside us (dining with their two young grandchildren) thank you so much for the conversation and thank you for the bottle of Donnafugata Mille e una Norte bottle of wine, it was so generous of you! Chef Melissa Kelly and your staff, Bravo! Thank you for making my husband's 50th birthday all that it needed to be! read more

Primo - Purple rain - Mediterranean Near Me - Rockland, Maine

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Spectacular experience. Michelin star quality food, excellent service and outstanding drinks! Server Christine was perfect and had a great grasp of men, drinks and service. Food was gorgeous and delicious. Drinks are best in Maine - perfectly crafted and house cocktails were great as were calls. This is a must visit if you are within 2 hours. If you're further, still consider. Best we have had here in Maine. It's super beautiful and charming inside and out. Only "con" was manager or sommelier who visited other table next t9 us and never acknowledged us. Serious faux pas since he fawned over their experience and never even looked at another table in ear/eyeshot. Couple dining at table next to us were regulars and they thought it strange, to. For the level portrayed, it was noticeable and easily correctable. read more

This restaurant was simply incredible. Service, 10... food, 10... ambiance 10. If you are within any reasonable distance you need to give this restaurant a try. The food is truly farm to table, the service is professional but also laid back, the ambiance is upscale rustic. Our server was knowledgeable, witty, relaxed, and professional. We took her recommendations for drinks and for food and they were great. The ambiance was nice and matched the area. It feels like you are at an upscale place while still being rustic. The food was outstanding. Fresh, flavorful, and unique. The chef has put together great dishes and built flavors along the way. The attention to detail was visible on every plate. We were floored by this restaurant and highly recommend. read more

This is where my husband and I ate after our ceremony at Marshall Point Lighthouse. What a warm, welcoming establishment. Molly our waiter was so sweet and professional with great recommendations for food and drink. Can't wait until next year to eat here for our anniversary. I've never had swordfish before and wow, it tasted amazing. I regret not taking a photo of our appetizer, it was octopus, and it was so juicy and tender almost like a steak. My husband had the risotto and he ate every bit of it, it was so good. I know I'll be raving about this dinner for weeks to come. read more

Primo - Risotto with shrimp, scallops, crab and roasted tomatoes. - Mediterranean Near Me - Rockland, Maine

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What a disappointment. Guess the shine from a James Beard award tarnishes after 10 years. We ordered the scallop hor d'ourves, it was fine. We did also order the Burrata which was inventive and delicious. Unfortunately, until dessert, we were disappointed. My wife ordered the Campanelle. The Percorino cheese was very bitter and she only has a couple forks. I ordered the Bluefin tune. It tasted great but the tuna (ordered med rare) was overcooked and the pureed parsnips were cold. Desserts were a treat. We ordered a puff pastry with a delicious Carmel ice cream and Carmel sauce. I ordered a cannoli that was amount the best I ever had. Beautifully smooth and tasty filling. Perfectly fried shell and the ends were dipped in chocolate and then rolled in pistachios. Nice beginning and ending to a disappointing dinner. The service was attentive. read more

food was great, but service was spotty and somewhat unprofessional. with good server training, this could be a great restaurant. good wine list read more

Amazing farm to table Italian restaurant w/ a beautiful garden near the sea. That homegrown salad and zappella dessert were out of this world, everything was so fresh. This has to be one of the best meal I've had in 2022. Life is at a slow pace in ME, you have to take your time to savor every moment at this restaurant. A must visit restaurant in Rockland, ME. read more

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There was a so much here to recommend. Drinks were great, food was out of this world and service was superior. The location is lovely but we didn't get to enjoy that as much since it was raining. Didn't care! Experience was so fantastic I would drive up again just for dinner! read more

This was hands down our best meal in Maine. It was impeccable. I was somewhat unsure if the hype around this restaurant (ie: being a favorite of Anthony Bourdain's) would give us the classic letdown upon actually experiencing the restaurant...but if anything, the food and entire experience were actually better than we had anticipated. The service was also great as we had a very large group (including some children). The food was out of this world: farmers salad was memorable, the salmon was perfect, bluefin was a big hit (seasonal I believe), oyster oyster oyster was popular amongst our group, mussels were awesome, the desserts were off the charts - everything was extremely well executed, thoughtful, and most importantly delicious. Wine selection was way better than average. We had bottle of Austin Hope and Orin Swift Mercuryhead and both were home runs. The food rivaled almost anything I've had anywhere else. To add to the 5 out of 5 food...the property is really charming. It's an old Victorian house that's been repurposed into a restaurant and it's just very different and fun. In addition, there are gardens (yes, where the herbs and salad greens come from) to walk through and enjoy as well as a very large chicken coop with probably 50+ chickens running around. We also found 10 or so pigs in the back of the property in a pig sty which was super neat. The pigs smell, well, like pigs as you can imagine lol - but they're a good five hundred yards from the restaurant so don't worry you won't smell a thing while eating haha. the kids loved them. And, yes, the bacon and pork products come from the pigs as I understand it. read more

Ah, Primo. That locavore Mecca on a hill just outside of Rockland's arty downtown. Chef Melissa Kelly's reputation for destination dining is James Beard awarded, well-earned and evergreen. The restaurant itself is charming and is as appealing on a hot summer twilight on the patio as it is cuddled up in a cozy nook in a rainy, coastal squall. Much is grown or raised at this resto-farm and the food shines with seasonal freshness and the quality of its husbandry. With a slight Italian flare, vegetables, fish, seafood and meats come together into lovely, creative takes on old favorites like Saltimbocca and Cordon Bleu or as beautifully cooked simple preparations of local halibut or scallops that emphasize the integrity of the ingredients. The wine list is appealing, the cocktails are fabulous and dessert is worth saving room for. And where else can you pick up a dozen farm fresh eggs on the way out the door? Primo ain't cheap, but it's worth every, single penny. Go there. read more