Daron and crew crushed it tonight, as usual. It was our first time trying oxtail and we were floored by the flavor. The gravy The queso was excellent and wonderfully enhanced by the homemade chips. Pumpkin curry soup was a delicious precursor to dinner. We chose the evening special- a tagliatelle Bolognese. Glad we saved room for dessert because the chocolate mousse with homemade cream and sea salt gelato was perfection. 10/10 read more

Charming spot with good selections. We enjoyed the portobello and burger! The service was very attention and they bring you water in glass bottles for the table - quaint! read more

I had dinner there each of the last 2 night while in the area for work. The food is absolutely amazing. I would highly recommend to anyone. Natasha is a great addition to the staff! Sincerely Shawn Howard read more

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We stopped here for brunch because we read that brunch was served until 2:30 and it was 11:00. We arrived to a locked door, but there were customers inside eating, and someone quickly came to the door, greeted us and took us to a table. Our server explained that they were only serving lunch. We were fine with that and quickly ordered. I had the pork belly BLT, which was great! I ordered a side salad, which was essentially spring mix and nothing more with the one type of house vinaigrette dressing. The dressing had the consistency of applesauce and the taste as well. I asked for a different dressing, but they only had balsamic so I stuck with my applesauce. My husband ordered a burger and it was disappointing at best. The patty was extremely small, about the size of something you would get at a low end fast food restaurant. It was definitely not what I would expect for a burger that cost around $16 with no sides. if everything was like the pork belly BLT, we would definitely come back, but because everything else was a bit disappointing I'm not sure I could highly recommend it. Overall, the atmosphere was very cute and the service was very good. read more

Food is hit or miss here. I've had 5 star entrees - I've had 3 star entrees. Portions need to be larger. Servers aren't particularly friendly. read more

Went for the Easter brunch - the atmosphere is lovely and the food is just divine. The asparagus bisque with crab was silky and super flavorful -there were even little balls of lemon that surprised you in every three or so bites. The ham on the inside out cheese sandwich was smokey and gorgeous, and he drinks were also just perfect. Great wine selection. The menu is small - and seasonal - gorgeous food presentation. I will absolutely return. Can't wait for the sumptuous summer menu! read more

Provender Kitchen + Bar - My first Bloody Mary - it was great! - New American Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

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Ambiance was warm and comfortable like a New England tavern. I had a signature cock tail "Shut Up and Sit Down" which pretty much made me. Had the flank steak which was cooked to temp and had great flavor. I only wish there had been more sides. I was still a little hungry after I cleaned the plate. read more

Tried this place on a whim, and without a reservation (which i don't recommend). We came on a Wednesday evening and the hostess was clearly unhappy we didn't have a reservation as they were pretty busy. We were still seated quickly but it took our server a bit to realize we were there. With that said, once our server came over we had quick and friendly service. The place is on the smaller side and a bit loud, but nicely decorated and had an initiate feel despite the volume. Everything we tried was very flavorful and tasty. The portion sizes in my opinion were a bit small for the price but the food was still worth it. Overall I recommend the place but do think reservations are needed. read more

Provender Kitchen + Bar - New American Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

My husband and I went to Provender to celebrate our anniversary. We chose it based on posts in a Facebook group--specifically, the restaurant's warm invite to vegans in a comment. Full transparency: My mocktail was excellent, as was the atmosphere and the service. Our waitress was super kind and helpful. The vegan menu was lovely--so many thoughtful and creative options! (The food itself was just ok; both of our meals seemed way over seasoned--maybe it was an off night. If things had been different, we def would have come back to try other options.) The thing was, we were surprised to see foie gras on their main menu. (As opposed to other animals killed for food, geese and ducks are treated to additional unnecessary cruelty--it's been banned in many places, and many non-vegan places removed it from their menus.) I did my typical activism--I left them a note and then privately message them to give them some more info. Things escalated quickly. They told me not to tell them how to do their job, and long story short, I was basically banned for sharing info with them. It was the type of interaction I'd expect if I'd told a BBQ joint not to kill pigs; this is a fine dining place with a full vegan menu. It's not a leap to think they'd be at least want to shut down the convo with a simple, "thanks, noted." Other vegans can consider whether they want to support this business--not just for the foie gras but for how aggro they got over someone saying anything, even privately, about it. For someone offering a separate, entirely vegan menu, they seem to resent it. As so many other vegan reviewers point out (and the owner themselves), vegans in this region have few options for fine dining. I hope Provender steps up and does better by the vegans it is trying to court ...or another restaurant picks up where Provender is leaving off. Edit: Update to respond to the owners reply which has lies. There was no negative interaction with the staff. And seems pretty standard to write a bad review on Yelp and Google. I do not know anyone in Maine--just shared screenshots of our interactions in a vegan Facebook group. read more

I don't a single bad thing to say about Provender or Chef Daron. The food is outstanding, the ambience is lovely, what a gem in Ellsworth. Chef Daron gives food and fine dining to people who need it. He advertised that if a Maine couple hasn't had a night on the town in a long time, he will host them and make it work. He catered our wedding within our meager budget and the food was delicious. When we eat at Provender, I eat whatever is put in front of me, even if it's not what I usually eat. Please go if you can. read more

So to start off usually this place has it together last night was clearly a train wreck. I come from a family who works in the restaurant and bar business and have a significant other who does so I'll break it down 1. They were out of 2 appetizers and an entree by 7PM if you do not close until 9PM then why are you out of things when you are still seating people 2 hours before then? 2. Regarding alcohol they served a watered down gin and tonic, they were out of sparkling rose and served us lukewarm champagne in wine glasses because they said they were out of champagne glasses. They also didn't offer anything to chill the bottle of champagne in until requested. 3. We had a 7:15 reservation and our main courses weren't served until 8:35. My mother was still eating at 8:50 and they came to clear the dinner plates and asked her as she was still eating if they could take her plate and grab dessert. 4. The coffee served with desert had grounds in it that were noticeably frosting in the top of the cup. In other words the bottom line is the service was terrible the food its self was good but no one was given the proper room or time to enjoy it. My advice would be slow down and train the staff so rookie mistakes don't add up. read more

So, came back with friends! Definitely had to make a reservation for a Saturday night. This place is packed. For drinks we got the "it's complicated" which is grilled pineapple and ginger beer along with another one which was like strawberry lemonade but fancy. The pineapple one definitely had a kick to it and felt like drinking a cocktail without the alcohol! Appetizers we got the garlic boule (how can you say no to cheese and bread) and the foie gras. The garlic boule was heavenly. With garlic and ricotta filling in a large crusty boule of bread it also comes with a side of marinara. So good. The foie gras comes with strawberry and picked rhubarb as well as couple slices of baguette. For entrees we got the lamb saddle, prosciutto wrapped monkfish, and the halibut. Overall food here is pretty good, but don't bring people here that don't have diverse palates. It's good but not good enough to overcome that haha. Sometimes the side of the main dish is a little too "fancy" like the halibut comes with with pureed parsnip and peas. read more

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This is EASILY one of the BEST restaurants in Maine. If you find yourself to be someone who is moved by food and a chef who cares to make it the best, then look no further. Absolutely epic. 10/10. Excellent waitstaff as well. WOW. Ambience is amazing with a nostalgic vintage feel. read more

Provender Kitchen + Bar - Handmade pork dumplings, MAINE MUSSELS - New American Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

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10/10, came from out of state and so happy to have stumbled onto this place. Getting a rez was tricky but absolutely worth it read more

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The tale of my cocktail. First, this is a owner run restaurant - two owners, one person at the bar another chef who runs the kitchen with help of their staff. Our food was phenomenal, we tried the Coconut curry, and the chicken gnocchi both superb and well beyond our expectations. This review and three stars are for the face of the restaurant, the bartender and her service. Her bar tending is seriously questionable and she's part owner?? Let me tell you why!!! We ordered The Last Word, Toasted Almond, The Boulvadier and a glass of Cab. The Last Word was really sour and Toasted Almond was too sweet and weak. We politely informed the staff of our dissatisfaction. Their response was shocking, the state of Maine does not allow free alcohol so nothing they can do, She advised us to get a new drink. Guest service is against the law? Since when? What if there was a bug in my drink? Or you accidentally gave me the wrong drink? How would you correct that? Lame answer! I'll be sure to send a copy of this review to Maine state attorney to reconsider his states restaurant management deceptively using the state law! So anyway, we weren't about to hand over a good evening to a lousy bartender, we decided to order a new round. My friend deorder Old Fashion same as their The Boulvadier but with Buffalo Trace bitter which to our surprise was served with crushed ice, in a cocktail glass with a straw! We nick named it fake fashion. I honestly feel sad for the amazing chef, truly the best food in town. read more

Holy moly, this restaurant has all the stops. Nestled in the middle of downtown Ellsworth, its charming exterior and energy coming from within is palpable. We were quickly seated (after changing our reservation from 4 to 5 people 2 nights before) and very much understood they were not at full staff (on a holiday weekend) so to be kind regarding delays, etc. We started off with cocktails and while I am unable to reference their menu online, I had the mezcal cocktail and it was what dreams are made of. I ordered another one before I was half way done with my current drink! The table ordered the scallops, octopus, foie gras and mussels. The scallops were swimming in a beautiful light mushroom broth that miraculously didn't mask the scallops which often happens with garlic and butter. The octopus was charred perfectly, the foie gras was shockingly paired with strawberries & dragonfruit and it was nothing short of delightful. The mussels were cooked in a garlic butter broth but what made it so pleasing to the eye (and tastebuds) were the colorful accouterments tossed on the bed of mussels - see pictures! The table then ordered the pesto gnocci, fish and lamb chop. I tied the gnocchi and lamb chop. While I'm not a big fan of pesto (I don't care for the pine nuts in the sauce), I actually enjoyed the gnocci. They weren't overcooked and were generously tossed in the sauce. I didn't try the fish because the two who were sharing didn't offer us any! But they reported back it was delicious. My boyfriend ordered the lamb chop and didn't think it was seasoned enough. I, on the other hand, thought it was salted perfectly and finished his meal for him. We ended the night with two rounds of espresso martinis which legitimately tasted like the creamiest chocolate milk you've ever had. Hence, the second round. We arrived at 7:45 and were one of the loudest and most obnoxious tables at the restaurant (it was our first family meal together for my first visit to Maine!), of course being one of the last tables to leave. Our server rolled with the punches and entertained us with his cheeky sense of humor. Most importantly, even though they were short staffed, you would have never noticed. Our drinks came out promptly, even when we sent back one cocktail (without a fuss from our server), our meals were timed perfectly (including after we decided to add the lamb chop, last minute to the entrees - which there was NO expectation for it to come out with the rest of the food) and the staff at Provender were simply in good moods. If they were stressed out or overwhelmed, they handled that Friday night (on Fourth of July Weekend!!!) like professionals and didn't let it show. I enjoyed it so much, we came back for lunch four days later! Thanks for making my first dinner with my boyfriend's entire family (who are locals) so memorable and enjoyable. read more

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This restaurant is amazing. It was so good to dine outside tonight! We got takeout from Provender often during the winter. The food never disappoints! Great service and such a friendly staff. It's nice to see a combination of fine dining and casual attire. The best of both worlds and perfect for the area. Kudos to both the chef and to the staff!!! read more

Staying in Bar Harbor made the stop in Ellsworth for dinner from a friends recommendation. What an amazing place. Inside decor is so authentic and cozy. Had the burrata and fig appetizer, the halibut and the chefs special of filet medallions with short rib ravioli and spinach. Everything was amazing. And Jessica our server was so awesome. Such a nice place especially if you want a break from the lobster shacks! read more

One of the nicer places to grab a bite in Ellsworth. Unfortunately they had a limited menu due to Covid but the food was very good. I loved the crispy brussel sprouts and the burger was excellent and cooked perfectly. Service was good. I suggest making a reservation, they get very busy! read more

Provender Kitchen + Bar - New American Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

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Provender was the best non-seafood food in all of Ellsworth. The flavors were great, portions were big, and service was fantastic. I'd highly recommend Provender to anyone who is seeking anything but lobster (I do not eat any seafood)! read more

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where to start!? ... i was so excited to try this place as soon as i saw the menu and saw photos of the food and interior, it by far exceeded my expectations!!! This place is as absolute GEM!!! Exceptionally clean inside, unique touches,incredible architecture,gorgeous plating and a genius mastermind also genuinely nice and cool chef behind it all!! Even though we were the last table in there we never felt rushed or uncomfortable. Hard to decide what to get because everything looked INSANE!! 1000% GO HERE!! Try new things that you wouldn't normally have a chance to and it will blow your mind!! THANK YOU CHEF for the best restaurant experience I've had in years. Immaculate vibes. So sad we couldn't go back the next day read more

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My wife likes this place. Located in a former wine and cheese bistro, this restaurant has had many iterations. This one is just as good as those that found a home here in years passed. Again, my wife likes to dine here as she thinks that the aesthetic is authentic and romantic. I don't agree but the food is good enough to eat there. It is a fine place for a romantic dinner in Ellsworth but much of that is because there are few other options. I wish that the restaurant pushed itself as it can aspire to be more. read more

Was visiting for a few days from Michigan. Really cool place. Great service, even better food. Give it a go.

The place is cute and atmospheric. The online reservations was awry for me because I didn't catch that you have to scroll down to see if you want bar or table. I didn't want bar. The real problem was the site says vegan options and the online has them. However, when we went there was ONLY a Brussels sprout starter! Zero options, vegan or even vegetarian. We got a drink and left read more

My husband and I had dinner here last night. The food was delicious, the staff were very welcoming and attentive. The atmosphere was quiet and relaxing. Oh yes and they make a very delicious Lemondrop Martini. read more

My favorite restaurant in Hancock County. Delicious and creative food, personable and attentive staff, great atmosphere. Truly a diamond of downtown Ellsworth. read more

One of the best restaurants I have ever visited. Run by a husband and wife team. I cannot say enough about this place. Charming spot with an old fashioned dark wood bar with intimate dark, wooden booths. The food is spectacular. Appetizers were delicious . Our entrees were delicious. I had the rigatoni and my wife the fish special. Perfectly prepared and enough for us to take some home. Drinks were perfect. Wine recommended was spot on and just right for our meals. I would eat there every night if I could. read more

A Great Night Out at Provender By Nan Lincoln In my 70 plus years of dining out, I have had some truly memorable meals. The first transcendent dining experience, I recall was the fried clam platter at Howard Johnson's I ordered as a five- or six-year-old on our way to Maine one summer and demanded again and again on that happy journey Down East, until the iconic orange and turquoise rooves disappeared from our highways. Oh my! I still miss those crispy strips of lightly breaded clam (no bellies) paired with the acidic hit of tartar sauce lumpy and crunchy with sweet pickle. Also on my list is a sumptuous Chinese feast from Sally Lin's, also Boston; Mongolian hot pot from a chilly restaurant in Beijing; a breakfast in Paris, with buttery brioche and shirred eggs; a caribou lasagna with a tart cloud berry sauce in Rocky Harbor, Newfoundland; The duck tamarind and everything else at Seng Thai in Belfast, Maine. Well, last week, I enjoyed another memorable great night out at Provenders in Ellsworth. I have loved this mid-Main Street venue for decades and through several of its incarnations. The handsome rosewood bar and high-backed booths have always reminded me of a belle epoch scene in a painting by Manet or Latrec, even when I first encountered it as a lowly hamburger joint. But the place has truly hit its gustatory zenith under the uber-talented hands of owner and head chef Daron Goldstein, who uses flavors with the flair, color, and panache of a great painter. I have enjoyed many delightful meals at Provender, but last Wednesday night Chef Goldstein outdid himself with a seven-course tasting menu he created to help celebrate my son and daughter in law's 10th anniversary. Initially they had discussed making this a private affair, held on one of the Provender's nights off, something Chef Goldstein would like to offer diners as an alternative to catering dinners in private homes --a service which Provender currently offers. The logistics couldn't be pulled off in time for a private anniversary event, this time, but the Chef did create a special tasting menu for our party that was so attention grabbing, we barely noticed the other diners who filled the restaurant. When our excellent server Angela Williams first handed us our specially printed prix fixe menus, I thought I was going to have to make some difficult choices as everything listed looked amazing on paper. Imagine my delight upon learning that we were going to get all seven of the courses! So, let's dig in. It all began with a delicious little Amuse Bouche --a medallion of crunchy brochette topped with a rustic vegetable pate, which was, as advertised, very amusing. After this the courses arrived in 15 or so minute intervals giving us time to savor each small plate. Next up, and one of my favorites of the evening, was a Wild Mushroom Risotto with maitake and truffles. This light, slightly, al dente dish, in which each grain of arborio rice swam happily in a creamy, mushroomy sea of crème fraiche is what I aspire to when I cook risotto but have yet to acheive. The first protein of the meal was Poulet Breton, a delicious little stack of chicken gnocchi, onion, and curls of roasted carrot with an apple cider jus. Now this is what I was talking about when I mentioned Chef Goldstein's artistry. This unexpected pairing of flavors, that upon tasting makes you wonder why you never thought of it yourself. This is my favorite season and the third main course turned out to be the perfect expression of autumn on a dinner plate. The tender cranberry, honey- glazed pork chop with crunchy braised red cabbage, roasted fig on a bed of pumpkin polenta, tasted even better than it looked, with just the right balance of sweet and savory. This was followed by an "Intermezzo" palate cleanser of Apple Cider sorbet, which did its job magnificently and I am determined to try to replicate. The final main course was a tour d' force of taste -- a melt in your mouth NY Strip steak, topped with fresh creamed spinach and sunchoke, a light bone marrow, walnut gravy and crispy parsnip. Unbelievably I managed to finish this 6th course and wish there was more. Even better then seconds, though was the dessert of Banana Corn Bread Pudding. This was an extraordinarily light, deeply satisfying confection finished off with apple cinnamon cream and a crushed maple, walnut cookie. Oh man. Just writing about it gives me goosebumps. All this went down very nicely with a bottle of Daou Cabernet, which the Chef had recommended. I have to mention here that normally after a multi-course meal, I feel overfed, uncomfortable and vaguely ashamed of myself. But the portion size was pitch perfect with just enough on each plate to fully experience the individual flavors and leave room and enthusiasm for the next adventure. My son and daughter-in-law are already making plans for their next anniversary when they plan to have Provender all to themselves and their guests. I just hope I'm on that list. read more

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A great meal, with interesting & delicious drinks, in a very cool environment, with excellent, friendly staff. The truffle fries alone are worth committing a crime for. I'm just saying... read more

It is just ok. No atmosphere. Over priced for a very cold environment. Decor is ok. There are much friendlier places to go in Ellsworth with great food. I will not return. I own a cottage here in Ellsworth and was not just passing through. read more

Excellent service. The food was good -- the poblano sauce with the halibut was a valient attempt at "different" however was extremely bitter -- might have leaned more into the coconut than the pepper. read more

This restaurant is amazing! Friendly staff, creative and delicious menu, warm ambiance! I ordered a tasty vegan meal: beet Reuben, truffle fries with shaved Parmesan cheese followed by the decadent chocolate caramel dessert. All phenomenal!! Worth going out of your way for! read more

So lucky to be introduced to Provender Kitchen and Bar by Blue Hill friends while staying in Ellesworth for a couple of days. We met for dinner, on their recommendation, and we are certainly glad we did. Daron had created a complete experience. The space is fabulous with bar, table and booth seating. It's relaxing with its wood and brick features and has an acoustic that makes for easy conversation. The menu varies but is carefully made up with an attention to focused detail. They don't try to do everything and this makes what they do offer shine. The preparations are clean and the ingredients superb. Service is attentive, warm, and very professional. The servers have personality and charm without ever being overbearing. Really terrific. We felt no real desire to go elsewhere on our second evening so let this great team host us again! Thanks, Daron and crew, for two splendid evenings! See you in July!! read more

This is by far and away the best restaurant in Ellsworth, perhaps in all of Bangor. I can't speak for the island, I don't like to go there often and NOW I don't need to, cause this is my kind of food. Besides, everywhere on the island is closed now (February) and guess what? Provender isn't! *cracks bullwhip* The chef here is advanced and he doesn't hold back. Dishes are rich. Each dish is well-balanced in terms of textures, salt, sweet, bright. His food is rich, often a bit sweet. I only wish they did small plates or I had a bigger belly (or larger party) so I could justify ordering more things without getting full or feeling gluttonous and wasteful. But alas. I'll have to return back again and again! The interior is rich, warm, historic and tasteful. Everybody who waited on us made us feel supremely welcome from the hostess to our server to the bartender who ran us drinks and delivered or poured each one tableside, it seemed they were working as a team and elegantly so. This is the kind of restaurant that makes me want to go back to restaurant work, makes me whole heartedly miss working in restaurants. It makes me want to own a restaurant! Provender has changed the game in Ellsworth. Bravo chef! Ps The gnocchi on the current Italian menu is out of this world. read more

Fabulicious...This us our favorite place...The food is dreamy and the atmosphere is 5 stars Highly recommend Provender cannot wait to go back in a few weeks read more

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Make at least two reservations for this place before Sunday and then plan to go to lunch. The menu rotates somewhat (we stuck with duck and steak dishes to give ourselves a break from lobster) and I've yet to find anything on the menu we did not fall in love with. Trust me, you will be sad if you go the first time and realize they are all booked up for the rest of your visit. Hands down one of the best restaurants on the trip that we didn't go to specifically for lobstah. read more

Came here for my birthday lunch today and it could not have been better. Ambiance was warm and a mix of Modern and classic. Etta James Playlist set the perfect mood. Every bite more delicious than the first. Best lobster bisque ever. Wonderful Spanish influence, creative menu, and beautiful presentation. Truffle fries were perfection. Can't wait to come back. read more

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I've been dying to try Provender for years and finally made the trip up from Boston. Let me tell you, it exceeded all of my expectations. Every single bite was an experience. Order drinks, order desserts. Order everything. Highly recommend! read more

Loved the baked manchego appetizer. Grilled salmon was a delight. Menu is small but made with care. Has a bar like feel -casual. Worth it!

Mid food. The service was really good unlike the food. The ambiance was amazing unlike the food.