Bar Harbor Picks

By Rebecca Richardson

Bar Harbor is like no other town or city in Maine. A summer retreat for the wealthy and renown for over a century, it has evolved into a popular vacation destination for the not so wealthy with the creation of Acadia National Park, a magnificent nature retreat covering one-third of Mount Desert Island. Over 3 million visitors arrive here each year, ready to sample the fare from a variety of dining establishments—a lot of people to feed in this town! Many restaurants have endured over the years, while others have come and gone like the tides. Most take advantage of Maine’s outstanding seafood, and visitors wouldn’t have it any other way. As a local resident I find that I lean towards other specialties on the menu, since (gasp!) I get my quota of seafood each year with family seafood feasts and drop-offs from my lobsterman buddy. Visitors may be torn between sampling as much seafood as possible and enjoying other menu selections.

The Chart Room
Located directly on the ocean, in business for 20+ years, they are the experts at traditional seafood preparation. They also serve a wonderful prime rib and other certified Angus beef dishes. Dine on the patio, and feel the ocean breeze on your face. Open for lunch (try the prime rib steak sandwich) and dinner in the summer when you’ll need a reservation, as they get busy. Open early May to late October. 585 Eden Street, Bar Harbor 207.288.9740 www.chartroombarharbor.com

The Reading Room
Located in the historical Bar Harbor Inn, this gorgeous dining room is great for a special occasion. The view of the harbor from the expansive dining window is memorable. Traditional entrées are prepared elegantly and served on white table linens. Pricey, but a lovely dining experience. Open early May to late October. 7 Newport Drive, Bar Harbor 207.288.3351 www.barharborinn.com/dining.html

Havana
A touch of Soho or Newbury Street right in Bar Harbor. Urban setting and an excellent menu with a Latin flair: seared tuna, jerk chicken, filet mignon. Mucho delicioso! Excellent service by a bevy of young, attractive wait staff (future actors, perhaps?). As a former resident of Manhattan, I enjoyed the urban ambience. Open April to New Year’s. 318 Main Street, Bar Harbor 207.288.2822 www.havanamaine.com

Jack Russell’s Steakhouse
Located in an old historic home, this steakhouse is a must-dine for steak lovers. Having dined at New York’s Peter Luger and Smith & Wollensky restaurants, I can appreciate a good steak. Filet mignon, prime rib (call ahead), N.Y. strip—all are very well prepared here. The standard garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus are good, but it’s the steak you’ll go back for. Seafood dishes are served, too—how else can you have “surf & turf?” Open year round. 102 Eden Street, Bar Harbor 207.288.5214 www.bhmaine.com

Portside Grill
Great downtown location, this seafood grill is owned by chef Matt Hall and wife Vicki, the hardest working people I know. When they opened in 2007, they had a few kinks to work out. Now they’re at the top of their game. Seafood dishes are top notch, but what’s nice is their vegetarian fare, and my personal favorite, the Chicken En Croûte. Open for lunch and dinner, early May to late October. 38 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor 207.288.4086 www.portsidegrill.com

Little Anthony’s Sports Bar & Pizzeria
Great comfort food, including a blackened chicken Alfredo pizza, Philly cheese steak sandwich, pasta dishes, burgers, and a grilled chicken Caesar salad I enjoy regularly. Family friendly with pool tables, arcade games, seven TV screens, and the Buzztime trivia network. Owner Greg Noble is a fun host, and it’s one of the only places in town that delivers. Open daily year round, serving lunch on weekends. 131 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor 207.288.4700 www.eatatlittleanthonys.com

Town Hill Bistro
A great little out of the way spot with seating for about 30, so make a reservation. Delicious gourmet food. Small plate and full menu, includes steamed mussels in a cream sauce, Asian meatballs, calamari, specialty seafood—a little out of the ordinary for Bar Harbor. Chef Maureen Cosgrove has done an excellent job creating an intimate dining room to match the personal and familiar flavor of her food creations. Open year round. 1307 State Highway 102, Bar Harbor (Town Hill) 207.288.1011

Guinness & Porcelli’s
Open only a couple of years, G&P’s has become one of the top eateries in town. Mediterranean dishes include ravioli, chicken piccata, and gourmet pizza. Nice large bar for hanging out, and a deck ideal for outdoor summer dining. Inside is a comfortable noisy din. Open most of the year, with a short closing in the winter. 191 Main Street, Bar Harbor 207.288.0030 www.guinnessporcellis.com

Michelle’s, at the Ivy Manor Inn
Elegant and intimate, another terrific place for a special occasion. French cuisine that includes a wonderful onion soup. They also have an excellent and very reasonably priced breakfast menu. Save room after dinner for the Bag of Chocolate dessert—a chocolate lover’s dream! Open Memorial Day to end of October. 194 Main Street, Bar Harbor 207.288.2138 www.michellesfinedining.com

Burning Tree
When you ask locals what their favorite three restaurants are on Mount Desert Island, Burning Tree is on everybody’s list. In the tiny village of Otter Creek (where generations of my family have lived), its unassuming appearance belies the presence of one of the best restaurants in our area (and also one of the priciest). The petit gourmet menu focuses on our wonderful local seafood, including scallops, crab cakes, and fish, all superbly and uniquely prepared. Four miles south of downtown Bar Harbor, it’s worth the drive. Open June to October. 69 Otter Creek Drive, Otter Creek 207.288.9331

Café This Way
Just off Mount Desert Street, Café This Way is the spot for breakfast. Come here when you’ve got a morning paper and can spend some time, since lines are long and service is not rushed. They use the freshest ingredients and brew a great cup of coffee. Try the breakfast burrito—best in town! Bloody Marys and Mimosas also served for those festive brunches! Open early May to late October. 14½ Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor 207.288.4483 www.cafethisway.com

McKay’s Public House
A great atmosphere combined with good cuisine makes for a nice dining experience. Dining outside under the twinkling lights is great way to spend a summer evening with friends. Inside is warm, softly lit, intimate. You might be swept off to a back room of just four tables in this converted house. And proprietor Brian Smith could not be a more pleasant host. Dubbed “elevated pub fare,” the menu is really unassuming gourmet dining featuring seafood, steak, and organic chicken dishes—delicious! Open year round (locals are grateful). 231 Main Street, Bar Harbor 207.288.2002 www.mckayspublichouse.com

Maggie’s Restaurant
Hard to find, but worth the effort, Maggie’s is a delightful, unpretentious spot with excellent fare. The menu features mostly seafood, prepared with wonderful sauces and vegetables from their own garden, and a few surprises like chicken enchiladas. The dining room décor is agreeable without being fancy, but who cares when the food is so good and the service so pleasant. 6 Summer Street, Bar Harbor 207.288.9007 www.maggiesbarharbor.com

Mount Desert Island Ice Cream
The better restaurants in town serve this ice cream and/or sorbet, as it was originally made for wholesale business only. Thank goodness we can now get it anytime! Two locations, but Firefly Lane (by the Village Green) has a larger selection of flavors. The super-premium ice cream is made on the premises by owner Linda Parker. Flavors you’ve never dreamed of include Mid-Life Crisis, The Dude (white russian ice cream), Girl Scouts Gone Wild. On hot days, try raspberry or lemon-lime sorbets. Connoisseurs will be highly impressed, ice cream lovers will think they’ve died and gone to heaven. Open April to November. 325 Main St. & 7 Firefly Lane, Bar Harbor. (207) 288-0999. www.mdiic.com