Surprised by Meatballs By JF Morgenstern III Title: A Captivating Epicurean Oasis in Rustic Kennebunkport: Where Reds Reign Supreme Review: Prepare to be enthralled by the exquisite allure of rustic Kennebunkport, Maine, as we unveil a hidden gem of a wine restaurant that effortlessly blends culinary artistry with an opulent selection of red wines. In this gilded sanctuary, we were met with unrivaled sophistication and an overwhelming sense of gastronomic delight. Join us as we embark on a journey of indulgence, where flavors intertwine in a symphony of excellence. Let us begin with the culinary treasures that awaited us. The lemony Caesar Salad, a radiant composition of vibrant greens, boasted a tangy citrus infusion that danced upon our palates with refreshing grace. The addition of anchovies lent a whisper of the sea, enhancing the salad's complexity and ensuring an unforgettable culinary experience. In our quest for refinement, we encountered the hummus adorned with an array of meticulously arranged vegetables. From the generous slices of giant carrot to the crisp cucumbers, each component was chosen with discerning precision. This symphony of flavors and textures harmoniously combined to create a tantalizing tapestry that delighted both the senses and the soul. And now, let us immerse ourselves in the intoxicating world of red wines. Guided by the restaurant's discerning sommelier, we embarked on a voyage through vineyards unknown, where the essence of passion and dedication filled every glass. From velvety Merlots to bold Cabernets, the red wine selection offered an unrivaled sensory experience that showcased the artistry of winemaking. Each sip revealed layers of complexity, igniting a fiery passion within us and leaving an indelible mark upon our palates. Now, dear connoisseurs, let us bask in the rarefied air of indulgence that this wine restaurant exudes. Its refined ambiance, impeccable service, and an unwavering commitment to excellence create an atmosphere that transcends mere dining and transforms into an extraordinary celebration of the epicurean arts. In conclusion, this captivating wine restaurant in rustic Kennebunkport, Maine, unveils a world where culinary refinement and an exceptional selection of red wines converge. From the lemony Caesar Salad with anchovies to the meticulously crafted hummus accompanied by a symphony of vegetables, every dish tells a story of culinary mastery. The passionate embrace of red wines elevates the experience, leaving an indelible impression of opulence and delight. Indulge, dear epicureans, and surrender to the allure of this epicurean oasis. With each bite and sip, you will be transported to a realm of unparalleled refinement and sensory bliss. By JF Morgenstern III esq. read more

Come for the wine, stay for the cocktails! Some seasoned pro's gave some 5 star recommendations as we chatted at the bar. Food look fantastic, will be back for more. Seasoned bartenders made the experience and ambiance fun and welcoming. read more

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I came here for dinner while on a bachelorette trip back in July. It was a group of about 14 of us. We had a reservation for 7:15pm on a Saturday and seated upstairs. I enjoyed my experience here. Great for groups so you can try as much as you can! We decided to divide the table up into thirds. So each section ordered different items. My foodie group of 4 ordered the following: Crispy pork belly - so good we ordered a second one Cured Halibut + Sushi Rice Burrata Salad Short rib - so good Braised beef ravioli Lamb Duo Chicken Meatballs Scallops read more

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The menu has been downsized since our visit last year though it proved not to be a problem. We settled on a sharing what proved to be an over dressed Caesar salad. For entrees we each chose grilled salmon that was enhanced by a bechamel sauce and served over wild rice and peas that proved to be perfectly prepared and delicious. Service was excellent as well. read more

Old Vines Wine Bar - grilled salmon - Wine Bars Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

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This was the most fun we had eating a meal during our trip to Maine. The atmosphere was festive, with excellent service, a lively crowd without being obnoxious, and a feeling of community. We loved it here. The wine selection is phenomenal, and the sauv blanc we had way too many glasses of was fantastic, as were the dirty martini and chocolate martini. The food was good but way too salty! Shew. Make the holes in that shaker smaller or something. Make reservations or be prepared for an hour's wait. It was worth the wait, though! read more

We came here on a vacation we had planned, and had read good reviews on Yelp. This place was good, but not great, and definitely pricey. We were sadly underwhelmed. They did have great service and a good list of drinks, but the food was lacking in flavor. It is also the kind of place where the portion sizes don't match the prices. We went to another fine dining place in the area the next night that felt more worth it. Parts of our meal were good, especially the hummus. The read more

This place continues to be one of my favorite local spots. They serve a great selection of wine and small plates. On the 2024 summer menu, I highly recommend the short rib and blue cheese toast, the chipotle hummus dip, the wings and the meatballs. The charcuterie board is always a must-do as well. I love the ambiance and the service is always great. read more

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Old Vines Wine Bar in Kennebunk has a large outdoor patio, two bars (one downstairs and one upstairs) and seating inside on two floors. During my recent visit, I opted to sit upstairs at the bar since the downstairs bar was a bit crowed. The wine menu says to ask about wine flights. So, I did. The bartender had to look up the prices, so I'm assuming they don't do a lot of wine flights. There isn't a set flight list. For $25 you get 3 wines of 3 oz each. There is also a wine flight option for 6 oz pours. You get to pick your wines from anything available by the glass. I tasted some white wines. The flights also come with soda. I've never been served soda with a tasting. It's just not something I've used to rinse out a wine glass between tastings. From all the wine tasting I've done, I was under the impression the best way to rinse out your glass is to use a bit of the new wine you're going to taste next. For a wine bar, this place sure has an extensive cocktail list. Although, I've been told that Old Vines also offers private cocktail tastings where you actually get to make the cocktails, so that's pretty neat. I also like the smaller plate options along with plates designed for sharing. There were a couple fruit flies that were a bit annoying at the bar, but otherwise I enjoyed my time here. There is also ample parking available in a large lot next to the restaurant. read more

Old Vines Wine Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

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I must have been abducted and transported by aliens from this place, as I have no idea how how so many good reviews have come to be. After making reservations 6 weeks ago, we were promptly seated beneath the stairs with a prime view of the restrooms, a never ending parade of running staff and patrons going back and forth to the "perhaps" better seating upstairs from whence we later saw the herd of children emerge that had been running back and forth sounding like thundering hooves below. We had also expected options for full portion meals based on the reviews...?? The Tapas sized plates were well prepared and quite tasty, but the top ranking by Yelp in KBP is so so misplaced....Sincerely go elsewhere! read more

Great setting for gathering of friends. I miss the Shepard pie they once had maybe during Covid. The prices are a bit more on the "trendy" size compared to the portions you get, so don't be shocked if your vegetables are just two scoops of pureed something on the side. Service has always been excellent, their menu rotates but the beef ribs, fingerling potatoes, sticky pudding , beet salad and fish are always fresh and flavorful read more

Really fun wine bar! Came here on a Saturday night while visiting the area and this place definitely drew us as it was pretty busy! Located right by all the happening spots in Kennebunk/Kennebunkport, the location of Old Vines Wine Bar is great. I do recommend making a reservation in advance especially if you are planning to go on a weekend night. My friend and I came and we were able to put our name in (they use Resy for reservations which allowed us to leave our name and they would text us when our table would be ready in 15 minutes). I have come across this where they way overestimate the wait time when using this app. I believe they told us it would be 1.25 hours and it was only about 30 minutes. During that time we walked around the area and explored all the little shops. The food and wine here was great! It is a perfect choice for anyone who is not looking to have more seafood. While I do recommend seafood while in Maine, this was a nice way to mix it up. Their menu is seasonal and rotates so always as for what is the current specials. We had a super crispy flatbread with tomato, onion, and bacon, grilled salmon with butternut squash puree, and a side of the brussels sprouts If you are in this section of Maine, I would definitely make it a point to stop into this area for the evening. Beautiful scenery and great food! read more

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OVWB is the absolute perfect spot for a happy hour cocktail or full blown dinner and wine. We have been here a bunch since moving to Kennebunk in late 2019 (can't believe I haven't previously reviewed!) and everything lives up to the hype. The cocktail menu is awesome!! Soo many delicious and unique concoctions - it's honestly hard to choose. They also have a decent beer list and of course a great wine list!! I had the rose on my last visit and it was perfect for a warm afternoon with their mezze platter. Speaking of this platter!!! It has a ton of different items on it- it is the best pairing for a drink and enjoying on their patio. It's not too heavy so you won't be too full for dinner afterwards. The baked feta is absolutely delicious!! Definitely get a reservation ahead of time - or if you go on an off hour you might get lucky (we did last time (5pm on a Friday). Service is friendly and efficient - and the servers are happy to make recommendations if you need them. read more

Old Vines Wine Bar - Mezze platter. Yum!!! - Wine Bars Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

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As a Wine Professional this place did not disappoint whatsoever. It wasn't busy when we arrived but they had a good selection of wines and a friendly bartender to recommend some things to try. It was my husbands birthday so I started off with a bubbly. It was very cozy inside and I would definitely recommend checking it out. They also have an outdoor patio too for warmer weather. read more

Old Vines Wine Bar - Cheers - Wine Bars Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

Great place for some unique cocktails. Wasn't able to get a table but ate at the bar and glad we did. Food was amazing!

Service was nice and casual. Wine was limited but lovely. Only sad we didn't know about a private party that pushed us through and out too early. Our fault for not checking but food for thought for those thinking of booking. read more

The best "foodie" spot in Kennebunkport. Great drinks and apps and the service is excellent. read more

Old Vines Wine Bar - Halibut with sushi rice. - Wine Bars Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

Visited Old Vines while in town for work and it absolutely lived up to the hype. As pretty much everyone in our party agreed, we will all be dreaming about that baked feta for days. My Mexican Mule was so refreshing on an extremely humid day but the drink that stole the show was the "life changing" espresso martini. For an entree I had the short rib which fell apart as soon as it saw my fork and the tomato jam was the perfect addition. I'm just sad we didn't get any pictures before everyone dove into their food! read more

Looking for a great place to have dinner in Kennebunkport? Check out this place! We wanted a seafood break and decided to check it out because of the small plate appetizers. We ordered the Japanese fried chicken and pomme Frites. Japanese fried chicken was high on my list because of the place in Camden ME. But these were a compete let down... basically just some tiny chicken strips fried with sauce. Pomme frites were really good. Small crisp fries with garlic and herbs. Covered in a cheese sauce. Nothing wrong here! I had a Shrimp salad with a honey dressing. It was just what I was wanting. Spicy shrimp with a cool well dressed salad. For dinner my wife had the filet and frites because she liked the fries so much. For 24.00 it was a great value. Steak cooked perfectly and was really tender. I had the pork belly because I am a sucker for anything. Thick pieces of pork belly grilled and glazed to perfection! Will probably be back soon! read more

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Have dined here many times, this was the first time we were a bit disappointed. The cocktails were delicious, the service was very good, but it was the appetizers that fell short (called "Bites" on the menu). The baked feta came with a nice and generous assortment of both veggies and pita, but the thin piece of feta was almost tasteless. Good quality sheep's milk feta is sharp and tangy, this was very bland. The halibut and sushi rice consisted of 4 tiny pieces of halibut that tasted like they had been rolled in breadcrumbs instead of sushi rice. We couldn't taste the halibut at all. Surprising since I have had other halibut dishes there that have been excellent. That said the crusted tuna was excellent, as were the short ribs. And the sticky toffee dessert was delicious and decadent. And a note on the patio - do not hesitate to dine on the patio even during a rainstorm (which we did). The solid permanent roof and the stable plastic sides keep you dry and comfortable. We'll return, but may skip the "bites" and just have the plates and dessert, and of course cocktails. read more

The food was ok, nothing too special here. Considering what you can get in the local area, it was a bit of a let down. The food was salty and the seafood portions of the menu were not as up to par as expected. The sushi rice was crunchy but the flavor of cured halibut was a bit odd. The cod was the most decent dish out of what we ordered, the miso and bokchoy went well together. But again, pretty salty. The outdoor seating area was cute and service was alright. If you're really looking for a typical Kennebunkport meal I would look elsewhere. If you need a break from all the lobster and sandwiches, this would be a decent respite. read more

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Was craving a send-off Summer meal with the Fall weather. Found this place by looking up local food and wine. Arrived early at 5:30 pm to beat the Wednesday night crowd and enjoy the "sunset". Found free parking on the street right out front. Sat at the bar inside and was seated spaciously apart from good company, had a great conversation, friendly bartender, and speedy service. Ordered a glass of Rosé, the Fig Tartlet (goat cheese, crispy pancetta, and roasted shallot jam) and finding myself still hungry, staying on the fruit and cheese course, I ordered the Watermelon + Burratta (Watermelon, Narragansett Creamery Burratta, Balsamic, and Mint). Everything was absolutely YUM! So content. Timed it right noticing as I left that tables, inside and outside, were filling up. read more

Old Vines Wine Bar - Watermelon, Narragansett Creamery Burratta, Balsamic, and Mint with a glass of Rosé. - Wine Bars Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

We were here last year and it was fabulous. This year... made our reservations 6 weeks ago. Last year we sat downstairs and loved the cozy vibe. This year we were upstairs with terrible acoustics, noisy!! The food wasn't as good as remembered. One of the appetizers was wrong. They graciously removed that.. thanks... so many choices in Kennebunkport .. I'll move on read more

This was a wonderful and surprising find for us. The other reviews giving a shout out for service are spot on! I'm sorry that I don't remember her name but she was really knowledgable, certainly likes her job and provided prompt and attentive service. Kudos! We went with shared plates and there was nothing that wasn't delicious. We had a tomato, watermelon, burrata and some great sparkling rose. Everything was terrific. I also like the ambience of this place. It has a great outdoor patio but it was too hot to be outside and indoors was a good option also. This was our favorite meal in Kennebunkport! Give it a shot. read more

Good sharing items, noisy and cramped. Server was attentive and had good recommendations. Jon thanks for your response. Short ribs toast and scallops excellent. A lot to choose from so worth a return visit. read more

Dined here multiple times in 2024. The food was always excellent and the portion sizes are reasonable based on the prices. Highly recommend getting at least two or three plates per person. Very nice patio outside in front. The pork belly and the short ribs read more

Old Vines Wine Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

Love the dishes at this place. Love their process for ordering too. If you want to order you raise your flag and someone will help you. Really makes things great and easy so you aren't busy trying to flag down a waiter during social distancing. Small plates are meant to be shared and come out as they are ready. We really enjoyed everything we tried from the pomme frites to the steak. The burrata is delicious, they add a fresh pesto which is really above average. The mahi mahi is also really good and the rice that's with it is SPICY be warned. Great for groups! read more

Old Vines Wine Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

I have been here a few times over the past several years and am happy to report they are better than ever! We were specifically looking for outdoor seating given the evening weather happened to be perfect last night, kind of a rarity in Maine especially in early June. We didn't have a reservation but arrived early enough that it wasn't a problem. Service was impeccable; our main server was very friendly and prompt, and throughout the meal checked in with us just the right number of times. He was occasionally assisted by some other servers who were just as nice and helpful. If you appreciate a good variety of Tapas you will really like this menu. They also offer larger plates if you want to have more of a complete meal. One of my all time favorites is Beef Carpaccio and here you will find a perfect rendition. We also sampled very tasty chicken meatballs served with a spicy tomato sauce and 2 lovely pieces of garlic bread and the Caesar salad with a perfectly made light lemony dressing and crunchy croutons. It goes without saying their wine list is long and offers numerous wines by the glass; their specialty cocktail list gets kudos as well. Old Vines is one of those places where you feel perfectly happy and satisfied at the end of the night, having enjoyed lovely outdoor seating, good food and drink and great service. read more

Old Vines Wine Bar - Beef Carpaccio - Wine Bars Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

My husband, daughter and I dined here a few nights ago to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We had a 6pm reservation on the patio. I have come to Old Vines several times in the past when visiting Kennebunkport, but only for drinks, never a meal. I am glad we decided to come here for such a special occasion. We started with the Pork Belly and Baked a feta appetizers. The Pork Belly was downright delicious. The baked Feta was pretty salty, but maybe that is what happens to feta when it is baked? IDK, it was my first time having it. I was impressed with the portion size for both for the price. For our entrees, our daughter got a short rib that was under Small Plates, which she loved. I had the Filet Mignon large plate, the only reason why I didn't rate Old Vines fives stars.... It said that it came with local mushrooms and fingerling potatoes. I think there was one stem of a local mushroom on the plates and the fingerling potatoes were fine, but nothing special. The filet was cooked nicely, but while I was hungry and ate the dish, I would not order it again. My husband loved the lamb dish. My husband had an old fashioned or two To drink and said they were delicious. I really enjoyed the Tempranillo by the glass. My daughter and I left no room for dessert, but my husband said that the Sticky Toffee pudding was great! The service was kind and courteous and I will definitely be back! read more

The chicken meatballs and spicy shrimp salad were wonderful, but the other dishes missed the mark. The Japanese chicken was really just regular old General Tzaos chicken and lacked that crispy skin one associates with Japanese chicken. The steak was under seasoned and they put the meat on top of the fries so they were soggy by the time they reached the table! The pork belly was unremarkable. I will say that I loved the concept of putting up the flag on the table when you needed service, it was a great way to overcome some of the staff shortages induced by COVID. Well done in that regard! I just wish the food was a little better. read more

Old Vines Wine Bar - The two favorite dishes! Ovwb Classic Chicken Meatballs and spicy shrimp salad - Wine Bars Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

Went to this restaurant on our last day of vacation to tops things off and man it didn't disappoint. We sat outdoors under the heated/shaded fixture with red lights and it was super cool looking. Our server was super attentive and offered a ton of her own opinions on the menu. The feta dip, truffle fingerlings, and the short rib are to die for. read more

Our experience here was just OK. We ordered two drinks: strawberry fields and my fiancé tried to order the Evan Williamson Single Barrel from the Lion's Tail drink menu but they stated they were out. We also ordered the Welsh Rarebit and the Cuscus con Gambas. I've never had Rarebit before, but I wasn't a huge fan of the shallot jam. It was a bit too sweet and overpowered the entire dish. Texture wise, it'd probably be better to toast the bread first and then put the cheese on top right before serving because you get soft mushrooms on top of soggy bread. Thé Gambas came with three shrimp. I was hoping for unpeeled head on shrimp, but instead got three large shrimp on a bed of oily cuscus. They were cooked well but lacked flavor. The cuscus was good, but was too oily. Overall I'd order something different for food, but would definitely get the strawberry fields again. read more

Tapas place off the main strip in Kennebunkport. The tuna tartar had a kick to it. The crispy pork belly was cooked to perfection. Staff was friendly and enjoyed talking about cocktails. Good place for a small bite. read more

Sat at the bar. Lots of fun and great food. The drinks were awesome. Our Bartender was friendly and quick.

Overall we had a very positive experience and plan to be back the next time we visit Kennebunkport. We arrived for our reservation and was offered a 2 person table smack dab in the middle of the chaos on the patio. We asked if there was another option and were given a table outside the tent. The only issues being there was no light, not even a candle for us to read the menu or see our food. Also there were random breezes of manure possibly coming from the large flower containers next to us. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. We were very happy with him. We ordered 2 glasses of white wine each, Patatas Bravas, Chioggia Beet Salad, Crispy Duck Breast, and Seared Halibut. All were excellent. Perfect amount to share without leaving us stuffed. For dessert - also very very good - we ordered 2 coffees (beans provided by local Coffee Roasters) and tiramisu. read more

Loved the tapas and the service was great. Cocktail menu and wine options are excellent. Had a venison carpaccio with drunken cherries that was outstanding. read more

I had come to Old Vines years ago when it had just opened. I remember their venue and how they had great wines and cocktails. However, for some reasons, I didn't return for at least 4 years. Recently I have come back and rediscovered this gem! Recently, I have been back to Old Vines twice. Since my first experience years ago, a lot of things have changed. First off, their bar is beautiful and newly renovated. The venue still has an upscale rustic charm to it with wooden walls, dim lighting from candles, and everything is well-thought-out. They also have an outdoor space, which is perfect for the Summer months! Recently, I have tried a few of their cocktails and food. First off, their charcuterie board is AH.MAZ.ING. Probably the best charcuterie board I have ever had, if not, it's a close second. The board is huge and comes with a variety of select cheeses, meats, spreads, and pickled veggies. It's so good. However, just be prepared to drop $36, but it's seriously worth it. My friend and I couldn't even finish it...and we can definitely eat. I'm also a big fan of their cocktails. My favorite being the "Bee's Knees" which has gin, lemon, honey, lavender, and flower bitters! It's incredibly good. They also have a decent selection of local beers on draft and in bottles. I definitely want to come back and try more of their drinks, and although I want to try more of their eats...that charcuterie board is surely calling my name. Perfect Summer spot for dates or meeting up with friends! read more

Cozy atmosphere, very friendly staff, and yummy food! Pork belly was absolutely fantastic, only wish it came with more! read more

Old Vines Wine Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

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Fantastic food, drinks, and service. One of the very best local spots. Love the portion size and all the flavors and extensive wine pairing opportunities. If you are a foodie, this is your spot. read more

Fun menu. Casual and upbeat setting and service. Good place for a casual party. That's all I have to say.

This was our second dinner in the Kennebunkport area. We are still wary of catching Covid and the two of us arrived in masks. With great cordiality the staff seated us in the back and cracked a door open since their outdoor area was not set up for the season. It probably is too darn cold to sit outside at dinnertime on this late April night! We had the mezze plate for two, patatas bravas and a delightful grapefruit-based mocktail. With tax and tip north of 20% we were just shy of $80. We are not drinkers so the food had to stand on its own and it did. We recommend this place. read more