Absolutely wonderful!…read more A local recommended this pizza spot to us and I am so glad she did! I doubt we'd have found it if she hadn't. Such friendly service. It's family-style seating but we ordered and a table opened up for us within about 5 minutes. We had the meatballs appetizer, house salad and a sausage and cheese pizza. Food was out quickly and everything was so fresh and delicious! Ambiance is beautiful in this small, cozy carriage house with a charming garden and a few additional tables nestled there. I loved everything about this spot.

Superb pizzas & salad, solid beer menu. Lovely staff. Wonderful live music the night we visited.read more

I know it seems rough to give three and a half stars, but rounding up to four doesn't seem quite…read moreaccurate. I think the problem is that it's been given a pass for so long that now it's reputation is untouchable, and this unfortunately is going to be a humbling post. It was highly recommended to us by our hotel during our stay in Rockland, and we went the first night, of which they were booked out but no problem at all, it smelled so good we decided to make reservations for the subsequent night. So we did. Mind you, let me caveat and say it's also always a challenge to eat at Italian restaurants, because it means that someone has to make a sauce that's better than you can make it home, and that's normally not the case, save a few exceptions. So we came back, excited, and ready to be blown away, because of the house made pasta, because of the amazing aroma, and because of the beautiful ambience. However, all of our meals fell short. Spaghetti & meatballs, the meatballs were quite dry and somewhat crumbly, and the sauce while yes fresh still had no flavor. The pasta, which was probably most of the excitement for eating there did not taste as delightful as you know fresh noodles should taste. Pizzas were just ok, and although the eggplant Parmesan was cooked well, again the same sauce was used to flavor it and was still non descript. Our server was phenomenal in good news, checking In repeatedly, saw the uneaten meatballs, and asked if there was a problem, which I just replied they weren't quite what I expected. Also, the vibe in the restaurant was amazing. So if anything I would go for that, but food would not recommend.

We came here on a whim while visiting and it did not disappoint. Our server Hyatt was so attentive…read moreand so kind, it was lovely. The food was really great as well. We had the carbonara and the margherita pizza. Both were quite delicious. The carbonara was genuinely one of the best I've had in some time. The pizza was light and not overtly heavy or dense. Definitely great for sharing. I do recommend either getting a reservation or preparing for a wait as they were quite busy the entire time we were there. Overall though the vibe was great and I would definitely go back when in town

My wife is vegan. She made a reservation a few weeks out and emailed and asked if it could be…read moreaccommodated. No response. We decided to chance it and our server assured us that the summer pasta could be made vegan no problem. The food was great, the drinks were great, but when we got the bill we noticed the server had put a truly rude note for the kitchen, describing her substitution and finishing it off with "stupid vegan people." If you can't accommodate dietary restrictions and substitutions that's fine, but there's no reason for nasty messages. It's the most ridiculous thing I have ever experienced at a restaurant.

Fantastic experience here. We made a reservation about a month out, chose the harbor view seating…read more Not disappointed with our choice! We arrived about five minutes early and were directed to the harbor view seating towards the shore, second door outside. We were greet by our server warmly, and got some fresh still water...nicely chilled. The menu has all options, but we were here for fresh seafood. My wife had a nice glass of wine and I tried Amayas Choice, a lemon spritzer with a fresh squeeze on top. Refreshing! We started our meals with a half dozen oysters on the half shell and an order of the fish cakes. Both were fresh and delicious. Especially the oysters!! Next up came our entrees. I had the Clam Pasta and my wife enjoyed the macadamia encrusted local haddock. Both dishes were prepared perfectly, my only regret was no fresh bread to sop up the delicious butter sauce. My pasta was delicious, and the clams burst with flavor. I sampled the haddock and it was perfect as well. It was accompanied by locally grown zucchini and soft mashed potatoes. We left room for dessert and enjoyed a wonderful slice of orange sour pie. The ginger bread crust was to die for, and it was topped with fresh whipping cream and a zest of orange. This is the dining spot on the island if you want fresh fish in a slightly sophisticated atmosphere. We will definitely be back.

I was pleasantly surprised how high quality Hope General Store was! We were staying at an Airbnb a…read morehalf mile away and our host highly recommended stopping there for provisions. We got in later our first night, so a pizza was perfect for our first night. The pizza was solid (a high compliment coming from a Chicagoan) and gave us good leftovers for another meal. The selection of dry goods was also great, despite having more limited options. We stocked up on snacks (including some local brands). We actually went back for more snacks and another pizza toward the end of our trip! I also recommend their deli sandwiches. I had an egg salad with avocado on a sub roll that tasted just as good as the ones from Pret a Manger. They don't have online ordering, but the staff is very friendly and attentive on the phone. It feels like a good community spot, and I felt very welcome as an out-of-towner. Highly recommend!

What a gem! Super friendly staff, great menu- we both got the steak sub which was fantastic!…read more Tender steak, light toasted roll, fresh peppers and onions. Tap beer and wine available, we enjoyed the picnic tables and picked up some local produce. Highly recommend picking up some food here if you go up to Brodis Blueberry for cocktails on the hill! Will stop here anytime in area.

My wife and I have been celebrating as many anniversaries as we can at Primo. With the exception of…read more2020 and 2025 we haven't missed a year. However. This year made us realize that this is our last year. It was our 25th and we were looking forward to it. It started with the hostess who was annoyed that we showed up 7 minutes early for our reservation and told us they were running on time and to take a walk in the garden and come back at the exact time of our reservation. Which we did. We were seated by the manager who seemed impatient. He handed us the menus and walked off. A detail I didn't consider until I noticed that the other manger handed the menus and went over some drink specials and menu specials. Our server was nice in the beginning although seemingly distracted. We found out a little later they had a wedding party upstairs and the kitchen was behind. We didn't mind because we were there for the experience as much as the food. However as the night rolled on and things took longer and longer, the staff seemed more and more annoyed with us for ordering our meal. By the end of the meal, our server asked if we wanted a cheese or dessert service and seemed very annoyed when we said yes. At this point we were 2 1/2 hours in and they wanted us out. However, we were still there because it had taken so long for our service and food. In the end we split a strawberry shortcake, which was very good, I had a coffee, and we got out of there. They wanted us out and we didn't want to stay any more. What is sad is we have been celebrating our anniversary for 20 years there as often as we can and this, our 25th was the worse experience we have ever had and we won't return. It broke our hearts.

Primo, "first". Interesting name to give your own restaurant. And the website doubles down by…read morequoting the chef - "the ultimate Farm to Table experience." (Another superlative?) Further reading boasts that they've received multiple awards and accolades, though the last one seems to be from 6 years ago. (As they say, time changes everything.) After walking around the beautiful grounds and event spaces, the young hostess who greeted us told us confidently that we would not be disappointed. Such hype and a charming setting could be a set up for disappointment, and it was. The friendly and attentive waiter tried to recite the specials but had to check his notes and wasn't certain about some ingredients or pricing. We chose the toast special "with house-made bread, cheese and seasonal berries". Immediately after ordering it, he asked if we wanted the bread service as well. We just ordered the toast . . . It was thin bread spread with bland cheese, a few macerated strawberries, a drizzle of balsamic and some greens on top (because you always put balsamic glaze and a few greens on top at an Italian-inspired restaurant?) Cliché, bland and no way those were local strawberries this early in the season. I like a simple starter but that depends on having flavor. (We had better avocado toast for breakfast at Joe's Flat Iron Cafe in Skowhegan a few days before.) Next we shared the Farmer's Salad, appetizingly and nostalgically served in a hand-turned wooden bowl. The crisp, fresh greens were radicchio, frissé, and romaine with house croutons, shaved Parmesan, pork belly pieces and a tasty dressing. Good effort overall but 1) what local farm produced those greens in early May ("ultimate farm to table"?), 2) I'm over trendy, greasy and sinewy pork belly replacing good, crispy bacon and 3) It was a simple salad I could have made at home. Where was the wow? We again went with the seasonal special for the main - house-made ravioli stuffed with house-made ricotta, lobster pieces and vegetables in an herb infused oil. Sounded great, looked good but another bland disappointment. The vegetable on top (garnish?) was roasted pea shoots that were dry and stringy. Sautéed cabbage was mixed with the raviolis. A flavorless filler. But kudos for including locally foraged fiddle heads to add seasonal color and interest. The pasta was well made but the cheese filling was just bland. As was the colored but flavorless herb oil. (And now I understand why Italian cooks say cheese doesn't go with seafood.) We asked for salt, got a strange look but they brought it. I have to give them credit for carefully crafting an uplifting and appealing setting. The gardens, event buildings, main house and dining spaces have an intoxicating atmosphere. And they clearly have their fans. (A woman at the next table who was eavesdropping on our conversation about the pros and cons of the food pointedly said to us as she left so that others could hear "I hope they got your meal right".) Bless her heart. Fine to support the home team (Maine plates on her car) but it's good theater more than great food. Overhyped and too expensive for what it is.

A beautiful meal. The service and seating is so cozy and not rushed. The salad and olives set the…read morestage for an amazing spread of pizzas followed by creamy maple vanilla swirl soft serve. The real candles and outdoor deck made the experience unforgettable.

We only ordered takeout during opening weekend, but it was fabulous! We can't wait to eat in soon.read more

My husband and I had a delicious dinner here tonight, the servers were friendly and the food was…read moreexceptional! The menu was authentic Italian cuisine and the desserts were divine. We will be back next time we are in the area!

WOWOW!! I ordered To Go Pasta during my visit in Rockport. Easy ordering online. Pick up was a…read morebreeze. We were immediately greeted by several people. We picked up our food effortlessly. I was so eager to dig in before sharing with my daughters and mom while my husband and I drove back to our hotel. The pasta was INCREDIBLE!!! It would've tasted out of this world if we dined in house. We ordered the AGNOLOTTI, FETTUCCINE VERDI ALLA CAROLINA, TAGLIATELLE ALLA BOLOGNESE, and POLPETTINE DI CARNE. The veal ravioli was absolutely delicious, the mushroom and sauce really elevated the veal. Ravioli was cooked perfectly. My mom and husband also enjoyed their dish. The bolognese sauce was on the more tarte taste but my husband liked it that way. My moms fettuccine was perfect. My daughter is a picky eater but kept asking my mom for more!!! The meatballs were moist but could use more seasoning. Overall, food was delicious. Service was inviting. Cant wait to visit again in the near future!!

Just go! You'll absolutely love it. The beautiful location. The amazing food. The friendly owners…read moreand attentive staff. We live in Camden and this place makes us feel like we're on vacation when we're there! Added tip: go for brunch and have the donuts! One of our all time favorite things to do. Another tip... go early and walk around Clark Island before your meal. Just a great restaurant and a beautiful spot. We take our visitors there to show them how amazing Maine can be... a true gem!!!

Beautiful spot right on the water in Spruce Head, across from Clark Island, the road stops at the…read moreCauseway and you can hike the path over to the Island. Can't believe this is our first time here over all these years, but it is a bit off the beaten path. We got there at 2 on Sunday, so it was a limited brunch menu. Wish we would have known that! But had some excellent oyster from right off the water in front of them, a Bloody Mary and Fried Haddock!