You can't travel without eating in a restaurant, and I love the experience of trying new food in restaurants that I have never visited. Sometimes I make a good choice and sometimes I don't and my reviews will reflect that! These are in no particular order, and some I frequent because they are local.   The Best-of-the-Best are highlighted.

 

   Abel Blood's, Dover-Foxcroft - I've eaten at this pub several times and have never had a bad meal or bad service, but nothing that exceeds mediocre. CLOSED.
   Noodles & Company on Wilson Street in Brewer has so huge menu, and I plan to go back and try different plates--the Thai-style stirfry chicken was bursting with flavors. They also have some curry dishes I'm dying to try. Big plate of food (lunch) and a root beer was under $10.

   The Pickled Herring, Eastport - MUST stop to eat here! An unexpected surprise that won't soon be forgotten!
TJ's Family Restaurant, Dexter - I don't know why Dexter can't support more than two restaurants, but I understand why this one survives-the food and service are VERY good. A varied menu, reasonable prices and nice presentation of the food makes this a winner. CLOSED
  Bear Brew Pub, Orono. A popular spot among the University students and always delivers great food and hand crafted beers, as well as Corona and Bud. Not just a pub menu here-very inventive and delicious food served by friendly students working their way through college.

   Dysarts, Hermon-THE classic truckstop diner-GREAT food and value, especially for 24-hour availability of breakfasts and great home-baked goodies.
  Camden Deli, Camden-situated right on Main Street with an upstairs patio for outside dining that overlooks the beautiful Camden Bay. The food is outstanding here, service can be slow because it's so busy, and the prices seem high, but anywhere on the coast the prices are high.  The lobster roll is amazing, as are the desserts.
   Thistle's, Bangor - An unusual opportunity to savor exquisite Argentinean cuisine and wines. Interesting decor and great service. Perfect choice for a special occasion.   
   Cappy's, Camden- easily found right on Main Street; a very popular spot and with good reason. The Maine lobster dinner, which included corn on the cob, cole slaw and baked potato, was very good. Jim had Crabcakes which were served on light greens with a nice dressing.  Our server, Molly was great, even though they were very busy.                                                              

   The Countryside, Corinth - great diner offering fantastic breakfasts (breakfast buffet on the weekends), delicious fried seafood, friendly service and very fair prices. Save room for a slice of one of their homemade pies!
   Chowder House, Boothbay Harbor - Competition is stiff between restaurants anywhere along the coast of Maine and I was expecting the Chowder House, a longstanding restaurant to be exceptional. It was adequate. The Clam Chowder was a little light on the clams and not really hot enough. I happen to like lobster rolls with a bit of mayo and celery, and this was good except that there was more roll than lobster. We paid almost as much for this lunch as we did for dinner at:
   Bayview Lobster, Camden. I had eaten here before so I knew it would be good, but I was pleasantly surprised at our dinner. Jim ordered Calamari as an appetizer; I have tried it in the past and didn't like chewing on rubber bands, but I had to try one so I could write about it--I ate half the plate. They were deliciously coated and fried perfectly and one easily led to another. I have to say they were better with cocktail sauce than with the marinara that they were served with. Just my preference.  Jim had pan-seared scallops and sweet potato fries, which were both excellent. I ordered blackened haddock but asked the server to tell the chef to just "lightly" blacken it--it was perfect. Just the right amount of seasoning to give it a smoky taste but not cover the delicate taste of the fish. The rice and cole slaw were excellent sides. Service was very good-thank you Asheley, and we met some great Washington State people that were seated next to us. Another thing this place has going for it is it's outstanding view of the Camden harbor and all the boats coming in and out of the harbor.
   Taste of India-68 Main St., Bangor  There's a reason this place hasn't changed a bit it 20 years--there's absolutely nothing to do to improve on it. Authentic staff, food, atmosphere and excellent prices.  I will visit here OFTEN and so should you!
  Whig & Courier, Bangor  Excellent service and food; the day I ate their it was warm enough to use the outdoor seating. Even though it was busy, I wasn't made to feel like I needed to hurry.

   Moon Hing, Dover-Foxcroft-Excellent value, especially at lunch. Great service.

   Governor's, Bangor - Great breakfast-ask for Dean's table! Very reasonable prices and good menu selection.

   China Way, Newport - My choice as Best Chinese above Portland. Good Chinese food, good service,  reasonably priced, especially at lunch, but tacky decor. I'm almost too busy with my face in the plate to notice...
   China Light, Broadway, Bangor. Not great atmosphere but the food and prices more than make up for it. I've eaten here for years and can always depend on a great meal. My second favorite Chinese food north of Portland.
   Chase's Family Restaurant,Winter Harbor. This place has been too busy to repair and renovate the decor, but the food and service are among the best. Very friendly staff, food came out fast, fresh and hot and prices were very fair.

   Muddy Rudder, Freeport and Brewer-one of few non-chain "date" restaurants-good seafood; New Year's Eve was crazy, but the kitchen and staff did a great job. Beautiful views of the Penobscot River. Food is always fresh and cooked perfectly.

   Moody's Diner, Waldoboro - extensive diner menu-lots of daily specials. Maybe I was there on a bad day, but I was dissapointed in the food. Peas were inedible and service inattentive.

   Lunt's Lobsterpound, Trenton - great food,wonderful people, good value, no ambiance. If you're looking for a romantic place for dinner, this isn't it!
   Bay Haven Lobsterpound 2 in Cornish has great fried scallops and excellent prime rib. Fried clams could have cooked another minute and I can make better french fries at home. Go with the twice-baked potato instead. VERY busy on Father's Day...

   Bear's Den, Dover-Foxcroft-nothing fancy, just good food and adequate service. Live bands in the lounge several nights a week.

   Noah's Landing, Dexter - decor a bit tacky, but a good diner, fair service and price.

   Fisherman's Friend Restaurant, Stonington - A++ extensive menu, generous portions, great

      service and to-die for Scallop Stew! If you want mayo on your crabmeat roll, ask for it

      because you get 100% meat! Excellent value here.
Massachusetts

      future visit! Our waitress, Ashley was terrific-ask for one of her tables.

   King's Sub's, Andover - very good food--all 10 of us thought our meals were good.  Good menu.

New Hampshire

   Muddy Moose, N. Conway - has it all-good food,service and atmosphere-good beer menu too-definitely order the ribs!!!!

   Darby Field House Inn-VERY nice-great food, full bar, lovely dining room, great service.

   Beefside on Manchester Street in Concord - excellent fare, especially the beef dishes; large portions, ok service. Prices are  very reasonable.