It's always unfortunate and sad to write a re-review for a spot that is a favorite that will be closing. Gross Confection recently announced on social media they would be shutting down the bar/desserts service while remaining open as a bakery. My wife and I came here many a times for an end cap to the night for one last drink and delicious and beautifully made desserts. From times in their dimly lit space that gave off romantic vibes or even enjoying our desserts in the summer sun outside people watching, every time will be remembered. Timing worked out well and we were doing a staycation in Portland and knew we needed to add a stop here one last time. Thankfully we got our names in on the waiting list early enough Friday and got sat as one of the last tables. We each had one last phenomenal drink; my wife and Apricot 75 that had a great tart kick of apricot and lemon. While I enjoyed their Chai Fashioned which spelt like a chai but had that boozy bourbon warming you'd expect. Dessert wise everything sounded good as always but we settled on two. The Goat Cheesecake and Pineapple Cake. The cheesecake was the perfect sweetness without being cloying and the blueberry sorbet on top paired so well. The pineapple cake was moist and tasted so good we needed to scrap the plate clean. I'm sad that Portland is losing this amazing dessert space but glad it's not a complete goodbye since they'll operate the bakery still! If you somehow read this today and have the chance make it in for one last visit tonight before they close their doors! read more

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It is a bar, but with the highest quality dessert. They do not serve non- dessert food. This was my 2nd time there. Loved it again. Great service, cozy atmosphere, open later (we went after 9pm), great selection of desserts. read more

Gross Confection Bar - Gross's Confection Mess - Chocolate and caramel mouse with toasted marshmallow, caramel crunchy popcorn on top. So good! So creative. - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

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holy crap, didn't know dessert could be this good. We got the brown butter chocolate cake and the peach semifreddo. The brown butter cake was warm and soft. The sweet and creamy vanilla ice cream on top contrasted nicely with it. savory shredded parmesan sprinkled on top of it. The brown butter sauce added even more complexity of flavor to it, making this easily some of the best cake i've ever had in my life. The semifreddo was light and creamy, with a blueberry sauce and ice cream. It was amazing and even though I liked the other dessert more, this was still extremely delicious. Service was amazing and the interior was beautiful. It reminded me of a fancy restaurant but instead it was fancy desserts. totally worth the price and would come back again!! read more

Gross Confection Bar - brown butter cake - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Brown Butter Cake (9/10): DELICIOUS. the brown butter outer layer is so rich. I never thought parmesan cheese would go well with a dessert, but they somehow made it work. This dish is well-balanced in terms of the fruit, ice cream, cake, and cheese. Peach Semifreddo (7/10): this one was a bit overshadowed by the brown butter, but still very solid. Service was great. Interior felt very comfy and welcoming. Prices are high, but I would definitely return read more

Gross Confection Bar - Peach Semifreddo - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

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We came here after the lobster roll. Because I had only gotten the 2oz lobster roll, and we were on vacation, we decided to get some late night dessert. This place came up on the map as still opened so we went and got seated quickly. A line did form later so I was glad we got there earlier. We chose the triplet: which is you pick 2 from the lighter dessert. We picked chocolate cake, carrot cake, and strawberry semifreddo. The strawberry semifreddo was very cream and luscious. It was my favorite of the 3. The chocolate cake was rich and i felt tasted more like caramel. The carrot cake was very sweet but it had the nice espresso coming through. I also got a non-alcoholic drink called ghia & tamera - which was a wonderful way to finish off the evening. The ambiance is of course - busy busy busy. Servers hustling back and forth and people talking. This group sitting next to us were pretty loud so it was hard for us to ignore what they were saying. All in all, I think it's a wonderful dessert bar and I think it should be the go-to dessert bar in Portland. read more

Gross Confection Bar - The triplet left to right: chocolate cake, carrot cake, strawberry semifreddo - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

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I first had their everything scone with goat cheese and jam three years ago, and it was so good that it made my must-eat list for this trip. Sadly, they didn't have it today--and they're closed tomorrow--so I guess I'll just have to come back again. This time, I tried the sausage Parmesan handpie and banana hazelnut scone--both were excellent. The handpie reminded me of sausage rolls from Hong Kong and Australia, but with a more delicate crust. It had a perfect sausage-to-pastry ratio that kept the crust from feeling dry or too heavy. The banana hazelnut scone was also great. I love the texture of their scones. While I still miss the savory-salty flavor of the everything scone with goat cheese, this one had a unique flavor combo that worked really well. This place is a must-visit every time I'm in Portland. read more

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Was in portland for the weekend and why not go out for dessert right? We walked by this place a few times and were like, what a name huh? Looked it up and actually piqued my interest. Turns out they were a James Beard award semifinalst and dangit.. I don't even care that we spend $40 total for 2 desserts. These things were worth it. The gross confection mess and the brown butter cake topped with CHEESE didn't miss. The mess was perfect to end on- sweet satisfying many different textural components, it had all the qualities you'd wan in a dessert (and quite frankly, that I'd expect spending as much on one as an entrée at many places). The mess is creative, yes. But I've seen similar desserts before. The Brown Butter cake with strawberry Rhubarb filling, vanilla ice cream, burnt caramel sauce and 30 month aged pecorino Romano was on a different level. Grated cheese on a dessert? YES. The nutty salty flavor of the cheese compliments the nutty toasty flavor of the burnt caramel and the brown butter in the cake. The icecream rounds out the earthy and savory qualities and balances the whole thing along with the strawberry Rhubarb filling. This was an exceptional dessert that I didn't know how to feel at first. I can definitely tell you how I feel now. I'd go back and eat it over and over again. The filling will change with the season always giving this dessert a new feel. I hope next time we visit they'll have it again! The desserts were only part of the fun. At night time this is a classy, dimly lit, cocktail bar with perfect ambiance for a date or just somewhere quiet if you want to escape bustling loud bars and restaurants in the area. Our server was also lovely, honestly couldn't say a bad thing about this place. Just don't look at the price tags and live a little. read more

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I popped into Gross Confection Bar in Portland, Maine, and quickly realized the name is the biggest lie since "just one bite." I ordered nothing resembling a balanced meal--just a dessert plate and a cocktail, and my pancreas is still sending angry emails. The drinks are cleverly crafted sugar bombs with a sneaky kick; mine tasted like crème brûlée got tipsy and decided to flirt. The desserts? Imagine a pastry chef and a mad scientist teaming up to weaponize butter and chocolate against your self-control. Every bite was a delightful ambush: crunchy, gooey, and worth every future dentist bill. By the end, I was floating somewhere between a sugar coma and a champagne bubble. Five stars for unapologetic indulgence, minus one for the fact that I briefly considered licking the plate in public. Gross? Hardly. More like gloriously gross, bring stretchy pants and a designated driver. read more

Proof of concept is through the roof on this one. Great spot for date night and makes for a good gathering spot for a big group of friends (great deal to get multiple desserts). The entourage board and the triplet give you a maximized experience. I've done this a few times with girlfriends, about 6-7 people each time and just FYI we never finish everything. I can actually say with confidence that I have tried everything on the menu. The warm brown butter cake has survived the tests of time and is delicious in every season. The yuzu cake is light, fruity and wonderful in warmer months. Slightly rotating menu for seasonal desserts, but they keep their VIP starting line up in tact. Good cocktail menu although with all the sweets, it's nice to have a glass of wine or cup of tea to help polish off the desserts. A salty treat, the cheese plate, helps reset the palate afterwards. Have always had good service and no issues making reservations in advance for large groups. read more

Gross is my favorite stop on my Portland food crawl. So definitely make time to drop by there and don't eat too much dinner before coming here. Since I came with a group we did a trio sampler plus and another dessert to share. Don't want to recommend a particular dish since their menu changes and some items are seasonal too. However to assured that everything is amazing and there's something for everyone. Whether you're in the mood for a chocolatey, fruity or mellow and creamy dessert, they've got it covered. Every dessert is well balanced, appropriately sweet and has varying textures from the meringues, fresh fruit and crunchy toppings. The bar has an easy and chill vibes. Also the staff were welcoming and helpful with their recommendations. and chat. read more

Warm, cozy basement atmosphere. Service: Staff was kind and receptive. QR code menu unless you ask for a paper one. Food: Food was delicious! Brown Butter Cake was a little heavy handed on the cheese and light on the roasted apple, but was otherwise excellent and interesting. Confection Mess had a fun balance of flavor and texture without being overwhelmingly chocolatey. Overall: Would definitely come back. Just wish there was more to try! read more

Gross Confection Bar - Brown Butter Cake - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

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we stopped in for a proper birthday dessert menu, looked like your typical ice cream bar, with spacious, comfortable seating and good music. our server, anya, is a sweetheart and took time to explain ingredients in depth and had great conversation, and recommended the right dessert (blonde baked alaska) since the one we wanted wasn't available (peanut butter). the blondie baked alaska was smooth, rich, creamy, chunky, all of the things. it has an orange blossom base under a blondie brownie, topped with banana ice cream covered in chocolate magic shell and peanuts. it was delicious but a little overpowering, we wished they had more smaller portions. the surprise birthday cannoli was a perfect portion, came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a rich chocolate sauce + crunchy bits. raspberry cannoli is the perfect flavor combination and rich inside, not overpowering, and perfect portion. baked alaska 4.5/5 birthday canolli 5/5 raspberry canolli 5/5 my friend doesn't even like sweets but he loved everything here. i don't have the biggest sweet tooth either, but it was a unique experience and everything was executed very well. ambiance: 5/5 food: 5/5 service: 6/5 gross confection bar: 5/5 read more

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You have to try this amazing James Beard semi finalist place, yum. My chocolate martini was best one I've ever had with little chocolate crisps on top. read more

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Do you guys do takeout? Kind of. Not over the phone, you have to come in and order. What kind of rule is that?! But, the Yelp photos looked so good that that's exactly what I did. I walked half a mile to the restaurant and placed my order for dessert takeout. And I just waited. And boy, did it pay off. All three of the desserts that we got we're delicious, and Jessica, the host, was so friendly and kind. Can't wait to come here in person, but for now just know that to go only exists if you go there in person, and they don't take orders over the phone. Thank you for the wonderful dessert. Just a side note: the layout of the restaurant is really weird. You basically have to see what looks like a logical entrance, and walk halfway around the block to get to the actual entrance. There are stairs, doors, it almost has the complexity of a speakeasy just to get in. read more

Gross Confection Bar - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

You'll find extremely delicious pastries, coffee and desserts at this fantastic sweet spot in downtown Portland. The staff is very friendly and they always sell out because they make incredible treats. There is plenty of cozy seating and something for everyone. The biscuits are phenomenal but really everything is extremely tasty. Check it out, they're open while supplies last! read more

We stopped in for some dessert post lobster roll and were able to grab a table on the patio! Our server was lovely and provided great recommendations. We shared the double chocolate cremeux which was super rich, and the strawberry semifreddo that was both our favorites. The fresh ice cream with the vanilla mousse and fruity compote was perfect! The left side of the menu, the taste, was described as 5-7 bites, and the right side set list was 10 bites. I thought the semifreddo portion was great for two but the cremeux was a bit small for the price. If you're looking for a fancy end to your night I would definitely stop in! read more

Gross Confection Bar - Double chocolate cremeux - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Popped in here for a treat on Sunday! Was able to get a table outside and enjoy the weather. Our server Zoe was so nice and was able to answer all our questions when we were being indecisive. Everything was tasty and the spritz was great- we probably got too many desserts but regret nothing. Be prepped to spend some money but if youre in the old port I suppose you already are read more

Gross Confection Bar - Strawberry semifreddo - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

Oh wow! A dessert bar!? We couldn't figure out the name... but no matter. I can assure you, it was NOT gross. Came with 2 girlfriends after dinner and cocktails on Friday, 10/25/24. We sat at the bar where we had friendly service from the bartender. I had the Fall Fashioned cocktail, one friend had the espresso martini and the other had a chilled glass of port that was so good. I really enjoyed the fall fashioned. The smell of the orange peel at my first sip brought me joy. We knew we were each going to have a dessert to share and decided to go big with the Entourage Board - 4 desserts. We chose: Steamed pumpkin pudding with buttermilk ice cream - the ice cream was to die for. I am surprised by how much I liked it. The pudding was creamy and had the perfect crunch on top. I think this one was my favorite. Chocolate Torte with Hazelnut ice cream - the torte was RICH and smooth. The ice cream flavor was subtle and the perfect accompaniment. Warm Butter Brown Cake - the seasonal fruit was apples and they were baked into the cake. The vanilla bean ice cream topped with 30 month aged parmigiano regiano sounds weird, but it was dreamy. The way the salty cut the sweet, balanced it out and made this a favorite of ours. Gross Confection Mess - there was a lot to this one. It was really good, but of the 4 it was my least favorite. But to be fair the cake and pudding were just SO good! This was also rich, but the sprinkle of sea salt took it to the next level. The whole experience was lovey. The space is decorated so beautifully and with seasonal touches. I cannot wait to talk to my local about this spot and highly encourage them - and anyone else in the area - to check it out! read more

Gross Confection Bar - Fall Fashioned - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

Great treats!! I got two pastries and they were amazing. The staff was so kind and knowledgeable about the items. I recommend. They have public WiFi,but it did not work for me. read more

Gross Confection Bar - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

Yes, an all around yes. Staff is incredibly friendly the spot is intimate and quiet. This is a great spot for an after dinner cocktail and dessert - I highly recommend the warm brown butter cake. read more

Gross Confection Bar - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

While walking down Exchange Street my kids noticed some baking going on through the bottom windows and we had to stop in for a peek and a quick snack. The entrance we found was down a few steps on Middle Street and is shared with the Salt Cellar. They were pretty busy for being an underground spot. The inside was small, but well laid out and inviting with some local art on the brick walls and a fancy display case of ridiculous desserts. The kids devoured a couple of huge Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies $3.75 each and I had a cup of espresso $4. They had a clean bathroom located down the hall which was a savior when you're trying to find a pit stop in town for a young child. The rest of the desserts they had laid out looked extremely tasty. Show these guys some love and stop in for a quick treat and a jolt of caffeine while walking around Old Port! read more

On our little Portland trip, I came here just for the espresso martinis. I'm not saying it's the best one I've had though! It is definitely strong but the balance of coffee and alcohol just wasn't there for me, the guy at the table next us had like 3 while we were there. Our waiter was well versed in the menu, felt like he was a memorized script but hey nothing wrong with that. Kept checking on us which was absolutely great. Getting seated on the other hand though, there was a large group of 8 people in a corner, 2 people a table away from them and we got seated right in the middle of the two parties. The entire place was basically empty and instead of separating us, put us all together which made me feel a little uncomfortable. read more

Gross Confection Bar - Espresso martini - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

I SOLEMNLY SWEAR TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY DESSERT GODS... This place is the Holy Mecca of desserts and indulgence! I have to say, I came here with a group of friends and I was a bit under the influence, but out of all the things that happened that night, this dessert was an out of this world experience. I mean if you are an apple dessert fanatic or you just love dessert in general, PLEASE do yourself a favor and try this wondrous and unique dessert! At first the Parmesan cheese was a bit off-putting like I thought it didn't belong there when I read the menu. But when I tried this piece of patisserie art I fell in love, as if I was seeing the "Starry night" for the first time or something similar of admiration! May have been that my senses were hightened by unknown substances in my system, don't know, I could not confirm nor deny this. But the Parmesan tied this dessert all together into an orgasmic oblivion of pleasure. PLEASE EAT it! Unfortunately I couldn't have the pleasure of eating it more than once. But I think that's part of why I remember it so fondly. Try it! You will NOT regret it! As for the rest of the night, it was pretty much all a blur. read more

Gross Confection Bar - Apple Cake with vanilla ice cream and Parmesan cheese on top - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

Super cute & different place to dine in.. for all good reasons! Our server Natalie G. was super sweet. We ordered the warm brown butter cake & passionfruit shiffone cake. We definitely loved the brown butter more! I also ordered a non alcoholic espresso martini-- loved this option as someone who lives a sober lifestyle but still wants to feel included with friends. I hope this business continues to be successful! If we are ever in the area again, we'll be back for certain. read more

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This was my first time here and I'm not really sure if I enjoyed it. The dessert was very very good however for a tiny portion an and price threw me off a little. the drinks were average price and fairly good. I'll give it another shot and maybe it'll be a better experience. read more

Gross Confection Bar - Chocolate Martini and S'more's Tiramisu - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

Visiting portland and looking for a spot near the old port shops that would had pasteries. Like pan au chocolat and croissant types. Wow i found it - i have no evidence of this but i'm 90-95% sure they are french trained - okay this isn't factual per se but my take 100% enjoyed and would return all the times read more

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Never been to a dessert bar and glad I was able to check this place out! It wasn't that busy when arrived but it got really busy a while after I arrived. It's not clear looking at the menu but "the taste" section, according to my waiter, is 5-6 bites and "the set list" is a full dessert. In my opinion, the items under taste were no different than a regular sized dessert. I like that every dessert is in-house made. Because I love desserts, I ordered a triplet: 1) triple cheese cheesecake: 5/5 (Just full of yumminess! Rich, not overly sweet, and slightly tarty) 2) s'moramisu: 5/5 (Full of coffee flavors. I don't know what cookie was used but it's a bit sticky) 3) The Olive cake: 2.5/5 (the fruit sauce on the bottom is tarty. The ice cream is salty. The fruit cake on top was weird. I thought it was a very airy, light bread. I didn't understand what it was doing in the dish and wasn't needed. The rest does help in balancing the other two desserts I had but I would never order this again). My waiter was very nice and seemed to be a sweet soul. I would re-order the first two in a heartbeat! My favorite is the triple cheese cheesecake. I could eat a couple of them in one sitting if it's right in front of me I now want to find a dessert bar in other places! If I ever return to Portland, I will come back. read more

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If you're looking for a good dessert spot in Old Port, then this is your place to go. The smore/tiramisu dish was what a lot of people suggested but I was eyeing the these dishes below. Insanely delicious and nothing was too sweet. The service was super friendly and great at recommending which dish to get. The staff cared about feedback and what we thought of the desserts so they can have better recommendations for future customers. They were really great about filling up our waters and making us feel taken care of. We sat outside on a nice day which was such a great people/dog watching spot. Loved the ambiance of this and the people walking down Old Port streets. My only gripe with this place is how expensive one dessert is. It was about $17 for the cake I got but the quality and presentation value here is high so it may be justified. TLDR: really good dessert spot, may be a bit pricey though, and sitting outside is the move. read more

Gross Confection Bar - Gross Confection Mess - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Dessert bar with fancy desserts and large cocktail menu. Desserts are on the pricier side but everything is homemade, unique twists and quality ingredients. Server was enthusiastic and described every flavor when it was served. Unique concept restaurant. They have a takeaway bakery in the mornings through early afternoon or until sellout. Have not tried but would like to. Pretty ambiance on the inside. They also serve assorted dessert on a large 3ft wooden board so would be fun for group. We saw a family with 2 kids and their faces lit up when it came out. read more

Gross Confection Bar - Gross Confection Mess $19 the caramel corn was insane - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Looking for some place to celebrate or to just enjoy such delectable confectionery, this is thee place to go. Been a fan since they opened and visit frequently to their bakery. Celebrated my birthday recently and enjoyed half the menu lol! Sooo good! Service was excellent and very knowledgeable about the menu options. What is your favorite Gross confectionery? read more

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Before I write anything else, let me state this: This place has the best sorbet I've ever tasted...ever...anywhere in the world. They call it "kalamansi"**! The server could only explain it as "passion fruit mixed w other fruits". Having tasted it, there is no way she could've convincingly said what it tasted like. Imagine a spoonful of the citrus smell that puffs when you push your finger into the bottom of a tangerine to peel it. But, imagine that melting onto your tongue w a balanced sweetness. I propose that Gross sell this sorbet to surrounding restaurants the way local coffee roasters have their coffee featured on local menus. More people need to taste this!!! Many "nice" or "fancy" restaurants seem to offer dessert as an afterthought. Gross inverts the concept & skips dinner altogether branding themselves as a "Confection Bar". And they nail the concept! We tried the "espresso, orange, cardamom" & the "apple crisp profiterole", plus the flannel crush cocktail & the chocolate martini cocktail. I'd strongly recommend the "espresso, orange, cardamom" (a dish so good they named it w just ingredients)- I think this dish captures what Gross is going for. It's decisively dessert but presented like something out of Netflix's Chef Table. "Elevated" is cliché, but appropriate. The flavors paired perfectly, without becoming cloying or heavy. And if you enjoy texture, this plate has so much going on. A 1st instinct would be to hit up a "dessert restaurant" after dinner elsewhere. Skip that. Treat this place as it's own destination, not an afterthought. Treat it like a bar or like you're "going out for a treat". If you show up here on a full stomach, you'll rob yourself of an opportunity. And treating it like a bar seems fit for purpose. The cocktails were expertly mixed. And, even w the confection moniker, the ambience here is more West Elm than Willy Wonka. Taking full advantage of their basement location, this place seems to have all the space on that floor (a rarity at almost any restaurant in the area). It's a simple concept that's difficult to pull off as successfully as they do. I don't really get the name, though. Maybe it's ironic or I'm missing something - bc there was nothing "gross" about this place. And that mix of surprise & intrigue makes me wish I lived in Portland so I could see Gross develop. ** I have since looked up Kalamansi & learned it is its own fruit cultivated in the Philippines & native to Southeast Asia. Not sure if actual kalamansi is used in the recipe for this sorbet. But, I know something new now & that makes me like this place even more. read more

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Loved it! And loved the trio dessert! Very unique place and the vibes were also great! read more

Gross Confection Bar - Trio dessert you pick - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

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We were in the mood for a very light dinner and some dessert, so we sought out Gross Confection Bar. It is underground and dimly lit with a super sexy vibe, but they happily welcomed us with our toddler. We got the two charcuterie boards to fill us up, and it was a solid idea. Lots of delicious meat and cheese to try. The desserts, clearly homemade, were delicious. I couldn't decide which one I liked more. They were both so inventive and the perfect portion so that we wouldn't feel gross afterwards. I adored the bean mousse on the semifredo! It's a unique bar and I would recommend stopping here after dinner for light bites. Meat and cheese charcuterie boards Honey semifredo Creme brulee The bling ring (yuzu, honey, peach, and orange nonalcoholic drink) read more

Cool, trendy dessert bar. They have apps and lots of amazing, different desserts. It has brick walls, and a small bar and lots of tables. The service was great and had some good suggestions. They have some different desserts even one with parm cheese on it's they also have processco on tap which is great! read more

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We have only gotten take out via "Too Good to Go" and yes, they deserve 5 stars based on our experience. The staff is always prompt and friendly. We are always greeted warmly even though we are getting takeout. They are helpful and willing to answer any questions you may have about their food. Every biscuit, cookie, scone, pastry have been perfect!!! My favorite is the savory "everything" style biscuit with cheese and apricot - WOW - amazing flavor dimensions that satisfy, my desire for savory/sweet/crunch and chew. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT. Their cookies. AMAZING - when I have been lucky enough to get a cookie in my Too Good to Go order, I don't share it. :) I do want to order a proper breakfast sandwich to go at some point. I highly recommend Gross Confection Bar if you are in the area. Please try them, I don' think you will be disappointed if anything on the menu appeals to you. I hope they stay in business for a long long time! read more

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I got an incredible chocolate dessert because chocolate is my fav. I thought I had never tasted something so good. And then... I tried my friend's dessert, the first thing out of my mouth was "I feel like I'm cheating on chocolate." I think hers was even better. And I can't believe I'm saying that. Favorite destination. I'll be dreaming of coming back to ME just for this place. read more

I can't say enough good things about Gross Confections. I'm sad they don't do morning pastries anymore, since they were amazing, but dessert did not disappoint either. My wife and I got chocolate martinis, which were rich, boozy, and garnished with crunchy chocolate balls. Delicious. Our dessert of choice was the chocolate caramel torte, which blew me away. I can't describe how delicious it was, and the texture was perfection. Through all this, our waiter was amazing- attentive and made great recommendations. I absolutely will be back to try the rest of the menu! read more

Gross Confection Bar - Chocolate Caramel Torte - Desserts Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Speakeasy feel. Across the street from Post Office Plaza in Old Port. Street parking. EXCELLENT service. Oat milk cappuccino with cute little sugar in the raw cubes. PB & J dessert which was a very rich dessert with raspberry fig jam, lightly salted peanut butter mousse, peanut sablage (some kind of crunchy topping?) & chocolate sorbet!! The sorbet was super interesting to me because I had never seen that before and I am a big sorbet fan-especially because I cannot eat ice cream. Sorbet was a little rich for me, but I am not much of a chocolate fan. If you are into chocolate-you will love this. It also has raspberries, again not a big fan-but the jelly was delicious and won me over. It is a little pricey at $18, but we split it and honestly felt it was big enough to split 3 ways. It reminded me of a PB & J sandwich from my childhood-which is probably part of what they are going for? I love food that evokes memories. I highly recommend a visit. read more

Overall: cozy ambiance, it's excellent for a date night but also a fancy group hangout. Pricy, but everything is delicious. Price: I personally think the drinks and the desserts are delicious but not good value. The portions are small, but everything is so beautifully presented it *almost* but not quite makes up for it for me personally. What *is* a good value though? Their mystery grab bags! This is something they only start selling at 5pm. Most of the bags they put on a food waste app, where people reserve to pick up. Sometimes, though, they still have some bags left over! If you're hungry and more into baked goods than drinks or desserts, this is the way. Food: jalapeño scallion cheddar biscuit, coconut macarroon, herb goat cheese and jam on an everything scone are especially delicious! Service: hit or miss, but overall good. We had one server who did not want to be there, but the ambiance and the food was so great we didn't mind. Our other two servers were beyond excellent Value: for me, personally, only a good value if you get a mystery grab bag. If you value ambiance and presentation, though, you'll like this place. read more

I'm just going to say right now, I think the name deals with the fact that you'd enjoy ordering 144 items here (get it?). I had not known about Gross Confection until Boston friends, who knew I'd be in Portland, recommended it. I owe them big time. It's an enjoyable place to visit. The space is rustic and comfortable, and while there I was serenaded by music from acts such as David Bowie, Velvet Underground, Soft Cell and The Cure. Besides their homemade desserts, you can also get charcuterie, cocktails, wines, sherry, and digestifs. If you come early, they have their equivalent of a Happy Hour, where a selection of their small plates confections are half price. That led me to their espresso chai latte mousse accompanied by a porch swing cocktail. Service was as good as their desserts. We were checked on frequently. When your desserts arrive, you get a "backstory" explaining everything that went into the creation of each one. It was also fun to watch the giant dessert boards with the assortments being delivered to other tables and hearing all the "Oohs!" and "Aahs!" from the excited patrons. I wonder how many local restaurants lose out on their own dessert sales because this place exists? read more

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