If you're anywhere near Yarmouth and even slightly hungry, make the reservation at Royal River Grill House. It's one of those places that never misses. Let's start with the cocktails, because they truly deserve top billing. I always order the seasonal espresso martini, and somehow it just keeps getting better. This time it was tiramisu-inspired, and it was unreal. Rich, balanced, not overly sweet, and actually tasted like the dessert without feeling heavy. Whoever is behind that bar knows exactly what they're doing. The fish and chips? You cannot go wrong. Perfectly crisp batter, flaky fish, and fries that hold their own. It's one of those dishes you order once and then find yourself thinking about days later. That said, everything we've tried over multiple visits has been consistently excellent. It's the kind of menu where you feel safe branching out because you know it's going to deliver. The space itself adds to the whole experience. The architecture is beautiful, with warm wood tones and big windows that bring in natural light and make the river views part of the meal. It manages to feel polished and special without being stuffy. You can dress up a little or come in relaxed and still feel right at home. And the service is always attentive in that effortless way. Our servers have consistently been knowledgeable, present, and genuinely welcoming without hovering. It makes the whole night feel easy. read more

Clearly we are late to this party...we should have had this place on our radar as a good stop when traveling on 295. We stopped in for lunch, off season. It was about 11:30 and the place was getting busy. By the time we left there was a short line out the door waiting to be seated and the parking lot was full. My fish sandwich and fries were fresh and tasty. My husband's chicken salad wrap and fries were equally good. Great views of the marina, comfortable tables, very good service. We will definitely be back. read more

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We went here for my mother in law's birthday and the experience was a bit of a mixed bag. I have to say that I, personally, enjoyed the entire experience. The restaurant is very inviting and I loved how it was subtly decorated for the holiday season without being too overbearing. My food was delicious and I thought my latte was really good! My wife ordered an eggs benedict and the hollandaise sauces was underwhelming (in portion and flavor), also the ratios of the plate were definitely off... way too much spinach served. My father in law also complained that the lobster bisque was watery and lacked a lot of flavor. read more

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BRB, adding this spot to my list of favorite restaurants in the greater Portland area... This place sits right on a marina, with plenty of parking and gorgeous views. I'm honestly annoyed it took me so many years to finally visit Royal River Grill House in Yarmouth. Like... where have you been all my life? Our meal here was the epitome of a perfect brunch. We had reservations (highly recommend, they get packed), and we scored an outdoor table on their covered, heated patio. The whole space was lovely, almost Scandinavian in vibe. With a dreamy view of the boats and the water, I definitely found myself daydreaming about summer, though... The food was so. freaking. good. We kicked things off with Bloody Marys, and those were excellent (and huge) and exactly what we wanted. The coffee was also delicious. I ordered a special, huevos rancheros, and it was probably the classiest take on that classic dish I've ever had. Honestly, everything on the menu looked incredible. They have such a great variety which only makes me more excited to go back. Service was a solid 10/10, too. I wish I'd caught our server's name because she was on top of everything, even once the place got really busy! read more

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Great service! The view was amazing and the attention to allergens was greatly appreciated

For our first night in Maine, dinner here made it quite memorable. The location by the water and the nautical atmosphere was very enjoyable. Everything we ate was incredibly delicious. The blackberry salmon was a sweet and savory delight. The pan seared panko was generously sized and every bite layered with the accompanying parmegiano potatoes melted in my mouth. The lobster special showcased the sweet succulent seafood that can only be enjoyed in Maine! read more

Delicious food, lovely ambiance, and fair service. We arrived and were seated immediately for the time we made a reservation. However, we waited over twenty minutes for anyone to greet us at our take. Once we were greeted drink orders went in but didn't get served for another fifteen or so minutes. The server returned and took our order and brought us some bread, but forgot napkins and utensils-more waiting. Eventually, the napkins and utensils arrived and the drinks and bread were lovely and kept us engaged until the food arrived after much more waiting. All told we were there nearly 2 hours when we only ordered 3 entrees and a salad. Less waiting and more attention from the sever would have made a difference, but the food was sensational so the review is on the whole great. read more

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Visited Royal River Grill House for brunch - excellent in every way possible! The restaurant is gorgeous and has a wonderful view of the water. The service was top-notch too. The menu offers something for everyone, along with several specials. I tried the carne omelet. It was so large that I couldn't finish in one, but absolutely delicious. I have visited for dinner before, and it is consistently amazing! read more

Royal River Grill House - Carne omelet - Steakhouses Near Me - Yarmouth, Maine

One of my brothers said these were The Best Steaks in Portland. We had a Monday night reservation in late June. Sat at a window table with beautiful views of the small harbor. Large comfortable dining room with peaceful ambiance. Everything looked amazing on the menu so we decided to share a steak and sample many dishes. The bang bang shrimp was outstanding. So many crispy shrimp in a tangy sweet sour spicy sauce. Wife loves beets and enjoyed the side as a salad with whipped goat cheese and pistachios. I wanted a salad and server suggested a Demi which was the perfect size. It was dressed moderately with a bunch of goodies, bacon, egg, tomato, blue cheese crumbles. I asked for more dressing, it was a fresh ranch, herbaceous. We asked for two white wines to sample and shared a a glass of chenin blanc that they kindly split. Onto the Main event and side of course. Our server suggested the gnocchi with gorgonzola but then redirected us to the lobster mac. Thought the former was more unique but the latter was mo betta! Really tender noodles with creamy textured sauce and really significant chunks of lobster meat. Big Win! The 16oz Rib Eye was , one big enough to share and two damned delicious. Cooked very well, nicely marbled and served on a streak of sauce that had a sun dried tomato quality with great depth of flavor. Our server Kristen was a grand slam of hospitality. Answered questions about local items, offered excellent suggestions, timed things meticulously and made it feel like a Special Occasion. read more

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A beautiful placed and designed restaurant. The Royal River Grill House is well payed out, maintained, and hosted. The decor of the facility was well thought out and beautifully done. The service was first class. From entering the restaurant, to sitting at the table, and being served; every step of the was well done!! The food was delicious and perfectly balanced with fat, acid, salts, and seasoning. We started with the bang-bang shrimp, and the burnt brisket tips; perfectly flavored with season vegetables and all sized to share. My party all ordered different Black Angus steaks for dinner, from the rib cap steak, 30oz French long bone ribeye, to the center cut filet mignon, and heart of ribeye. All steaks were perfectly cooked and well seasoned. For sides we family style share mashed potatoes with bone broth, truffle cheese fries with , and garlic mashed potatoes. Definitely worth the trip to have an excellent meal with amazing company!! 10/10!! Make time (and reservations) to eat here of your ever in Portland or Yarmouth!! read more

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My wife and I were looking for a new spot to have dinner to celebrate our first wedding Anniversary this past weekend. Came across Royal River Grill House that caught my attention with their menu. They had a good amount of steaks offered so my wife wanted to try it out as well. Their website said it recommends reservations and due to not being tourist season we got one day off. By the time we left it was getting busy though. Stepping foot inside we felt like we made a good choice. Nice atmosphere and vibes that felt like it leaned towards fancy but did not have any pretentious feeling. We were sat inside but they had some lovely looking waterfront/deck seating that looked great. The only odd choice was that most tables (including ours) had four chairs with two of them being traditional wooden/wicker restaurant chains. The other two being upholstered cushioned chairs. While these were comfy it was an odd choice for two different sets of chairs. We each got one of their new fall seasonal cocktails to start our night, I went with a Chai Old Fashioned and my wife got the Fall Sangria. Both were well made drinks and felt like great drinks to kick off the fall season. Then we got the amazing sounding appetizer BBQ Brisket Bites and woooooow! I would return here just for those by themselves, perfectly cooked and so tasty. After that we got the complimentary bread with olive oil and despite being a little late it was steaming hot and delicious as well. Finally onto the entrees I chose the Lobster Mac n Cheese and it was a good size portion and the lobster pieces were quite large. A worthwhile to try version of this dish if you are a lobster fan! My wife got their Wagyu Bistro Filet Entree, which I will say at first when her meal was delivered we encountered our only negative experience of all night. Thankfully our server checked in about a minute after it arrived and before we could even say anything they noticed the error and the fact they brought the incorrect dish out and took it back. Just a few moments later they brought out the right dish. The speed at which our server fixed it and apologized was handled perfectly. Between the overall experience we had here from the well made drinks to delicious food and great friendly service as well as the atmosphere of this spot made it the perfect celebration dinner. I would recommend grabbing a meal here if you find yourself nearby! read more

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Royal River Grill House has lots going for it: a beautiful location on the Royal River with views of lobster boats and recreational boats, it is one of the most accessible restaurants in the area with regard to people with mobility issues, and it offers a wide range of seafood entrees. There are several things that could be better: the music is too loud, there is often only one non meat dish on the menu, and the food is under seasoned. We had guests from out of state who were looking forward to a Maine seafood dinner. Both guests have mobility issues and we were impressed by the ability to park next to the entrance, as well as the completely flat walkway that leads to the restaurant. No curbs, no steps, just an easy entrance! We went for an early dinner and were promptly seated by a window with beautiful views overlooking the Royal River. My guests both ordered seafood apps and entrees and said they were excellent. The lobster mac and cheese came in an iron skillet and looked like about a week's worth of food. I ordered the heirloom beets and grains and was happy with the attractive presentation of fresh vegetables over quinoa and black rice, but was disappointed with the lack of flavor--it was terribly under seasoned. Although the menu referenced garlic, the only discernable flavor was from the goat cheese. I was hoping for something similar to the vegetable tagine I once had at their sister restaurant, Sicilian Table, which was beautifully seasoned. My other observation was that the music was far too loud for dinner at this type of place and for the older crowd eating dinner there on a Sunday. There was someone at the table next to us speaking very loudly, possibly due to the loud music. At times it was distracting and difficult to hear people at our table. I didn't ask, but I bet my guests would have rated their experience higher than my three stars. However, my meal wasn't great, and combined with the loud music that put a damper on the ambiance, this was a three star experience for me. read more

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Very good brunch. Excellent service. So lucky to still be able to sit outdoors in October. Food is definitely elevated above your typical brunch selections. We tried the veggie omelette which was an interesting combination of leeks, asparagus, Gorgonzola and capers. It was cooked perfectly, very flavorful, great combination of flavors. I would have liked a bit more asparagus in it...there was only a tiny amount. The brisket hash and eggs was excellent. A hearty portion of potatoes and sweet potatoes, and some roasted carrots, topped with the chunks of melted in your mouth brisket. We also tried the smash burger...my daughter (a teen) said it was the best burger she has ever had. It was topped with crispy bacon and cheddar cheese and came with excellent fries. Although the food is elevated, the prices for brunch are a bit steep, but the view of the water/boats/river make the prices a bit easier to swallow. read more

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Come for the view and a drink, skip the food. My husband had the fisherman's platter which was recommended by our server. The grease and pile up presentation made the fries an inedible soggy mess. The French dip had so little flavor I was genuinely bamboozled, it tasted like straight out of Sysco unseasoned disappointment. The bread wasn't good, the meat and jus had no flavor, generally just very poor. For the prices here I'd expect MUCH better. Also, I'd like to see an effort made to source local ingredients. I would come back but only for a drink and the ambiance. The service was good but doesn't save the sad food. read more

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The view and setting is beautiful. Not sure why it felt disappointing. Everything was fine but that might be why it was all just ok. The service was good but very slow. We got a orchard salad with scallops which was good but the dressing was really bland the veggie were fairly tasteless. The haddock sandwich was tasty but the fries could have been crispier. The burger was large the coleslaw was lacking in any real flavor. The scallop omelet was very good as was the fruit salad. The corn beef hash was very good as well. The Bloody Mary came with some shrimp and was a very good size. Would probably go back for a drink at the bar. read more

Royal River Grill House - Burger and coleslaw - Steakhouses Near Me - Yarmouth, Maine

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I just had the most delicious burrata pesto salad of my life!! The tomatoes were exceptionally fresh and delicious. The pesto was also amazing!! I got mine with scallops that were seared to perfection. Delicious!! We were seated and served quickly during lunch. read more

Royal River Grill House - Steakhouses Near Me - Yarmouth, Maine

Aubrey, my granddaughter - wanted to have lunch at a place where she could "watch the boats" and so we headed to Royal River. We didn't have a reservation - but we were able to set outside on the high tops with a great view of the boats! She is a fan of mocktails and enjoyed a peach version. I tried a lavender cocktail that was surprisingly good and not too strong. I ordered a chicken salad - that didn't seem like a chicken salad -it was tasty, but I guess I didn't pay attention to the description. I enjoyed it with a side caesar that was yummy. Aubrey wanted a burger and fries and the burger did not disappoint - again, it was messy - kind of a fork burger - but good. I tasted a couple of her fries, they were good, not spectacular. Our servers, Jason was great. read more

Royal River Grill House - Chicken salad and caesar - Steakhouses Near Me - Yarmouth, Maine

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Oysters were good. Clam chowder bowl was huge and very filling. Great views while we ate. Sandwiches and dessert also good.

Wow! One of the few places we've been to recently that we've felt so happy with every part of our experience. Let me start with the decor and location - Royal River Grill House is nestled in a woodsy part of Yarmouth next to a boat yard and right on the bank of - you guessed it - the Royal River. It is delightfully hidden, one of those spots that people don't just wander into, but that you must *seek out*. Parking lot is a little small for how busy it is, but there's overflow parking around the other side of the building. Finding the place and walking past the big metal fish bone sculptures feels a little bit exclusive but inviting. Once you step inside, it's even better. High vaulted ceilings, chandeliers with warm lighting, big cozy chairs, a couple of animal heads on the walls. Very lodge-like and so cozy. Pull up a chair and stay awhile! The tables are very close to each other, which seems excessive but made sense once we sat for a bit - this place filllls up! We got lucky because we arrived early for Sunday brunch; however, I recommend making a reservation on Resy to ensure you get a table. Our server Melinda was outstanding, one of the best servers we've had in recent memory! She was incredibly kind, communicative, helpful with recommendations and specials, and wonderful with our 8-year-old daughter. It's hard to tell how the staff will react to a kiddo at a nicer restaurant, but everyone was so kind to her and made us all feel welcome! On to the food... our meal took just a little longer than we are used to, but it's a giant place and they make everything fresh, so we didn't mind the wait. It gave us time to sip on our super tasty cocktails - the Storm Warning (a mezcal and chile cocktail that was not spicy but super good) and the Gooseberry Bellini, which I highly recommend! It's served in a Grey Goose bottle whose top has been sabered off. See the pic - it's a big beautiful drink with vodka, peach, and champagne, and it definitely packs a punch - a one-and-done type situation! Once our food came, we were super happy with the portion sizes and how fresh everything was! My daughter was obsessed with her butter pasta off the kid's menu. The fries that came with it were thin, crispy, and SO well seasoned. My Winter Solstice salad was beautifully balanced - the candied pecans with the fog cheese and crispy prosciutto was just a perfect bite, and they really nailed that charred beet dressing as well. The figs were cut a little big but I didn't mind. The star of the table though was the waffle breakfast sandwich - it's a SAVORY (!!) waffle, cheddar and chive to be exact, with eggs, sausage, bacon, cheese, and spicy aioli stuffed in between. This thing is a beast (and a steal at $16). I was so blown away by the flavor of everything. The waffle was so delicious and held up beautifully to the wealth of fillings. The sausage was nice and herbacious but not distracting. The spicy aioli brought it allll together and created that addicting quality that made us come back for more. The home fries were a mix of potatoes and I thoroughly enjoyed picking out all those little sweet potato nuggets. Overall, we had a totally lovely time, from the atmosphere to the service to the food and everything in between. It's a treat to be pleasantly surprised and impressed with a restaurant experience, especially when the prices are fair and make sense for the quality. They have a killer dessert menu... and happy hour menu... and dinner menu... and shoot, we will just have to keep coming back! read more

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Royal River Grill House is an excellent restaurant for lunch or dinner. We were highly impressed with the haddock sandwiches that we had. Next time we want to bring more family members and try some of the other seafood items. They have steaks and American fare as well. The service was impeccable from start to finish. The server explained the specials and took our order. He then returned to check in on us a couple times. The hostess was wonderful to find us a table with water view. It was truly a special treat! The restaurant is modern but comfortable at the same time. It was a wonderful choice for lunch. I'm thankful that we were able to find this gem on Yelp at the last moment. read more

Royal River Grill House - The best haddock sandwich! - Steakhouses Near Me - Yarmouth, Maine

Yes, the main courses are expensive. Yes, the menu is geared towards meat eaters and pescatarians. If you've kept reading, then those are not your concerns. The location is unrivaled - a picture perfect slice of Maine with lobster boats and autumn leaves showing off their brilliance. This was the perfect place to catch up with a dear friend, enjoy the view, the expertly crafted seasonal cocktails, and nosh on a couple of apps for $10 each - large servings of truffle fries and the butter board (house baked honey oatmeal sourdough, salted butter, roasted butternut squash, pomegranate seeds, roasted pumpkin seeds and a maple mustard drizzle). The service was just the right touch - our server knew when to check in without being signaled and easily picked up on our cues. A great place to go when ambience and service are the priority and cost and menu variety are not. read more

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We came here on Wednesday, 10/23/24 for a team dinner. There were 15 of us and we were seated in the balcony/loft section. Our server (dang it, I didn't get her name) was absolutely incredible! She was so patient and friendly. Several people ordered the Wagyu steak and said it was delicious. I had the scallops and loved them. The stuffing and sauce were the perfect component to the scallops. I had the gooseberry Bellini to drink and it was a delight! It was served in a GRAY GOOSE BOTTLE GLASS! I had to have 2. The restaurant itself is cozy and has a great ambiance. The food is amazing and the service is awesome. Highly recommend if you are visiting Portland. It's worth the 15 minute drive to Yarmouth. read more

Royal River Grill House - Diver Sea Scallops - Steakhouses Near Me - Yarmouth, Maine

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Service is awesome. Food is delicious. Price point is right for quality/quantity and Ambiance.

Excellent variety of food and our server Ezra was first rate funny and very attentive.

This is my favorite restaurant in Yarmouth. It's beautiful inside and the food is consistently great. Lots of parking and the service is great. I had a wonderful haddock dinner and shared some peach cobbler and some blueberry cheesecake for dessert. read more

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My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Royal River Grill House. I had the scallop dish, and it was delicious. I give this restaurant 4 stars and not 5, because my dish had 4 scallops on the dish. Even though they were flavorful, the dish was over $50.00, and I felt that it was asking too much for what I was given. I am a seafood snob and know these were over-priced. read more

Service and food was excellent. Such a beautiful setting with quality food to match. Had a party of 10 that couldn't fit at one table but other than that worked out perfectly. read more

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I went recently for Sunday Brunch with a group of 6. We had reservations and they sat us immediately upon arrival. We were sat in the outside seating area which was nice and cozy. Despite it being winter, they have the outdoor area tented off with multiple outdoor heaters. It's nice because it's bright and the daylight comes through. The food didn't blow me away, it was really good, but not mind blowing. I'd definitely return if invited but wouldn't drive out of my way to get brunch. I had the French toast with blueberry compote and it was ok. We received the Sweater Weather drink (in error) and it was probably the best tasting thing on the menu! I highly recommend it. The coffee gets 10 stars. One of the most delicious cups of coffee I've had in a long time. read more

Royal River Grill House - Steakhouses Near Me - Yarmouth, Maine

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Royal river is one of my favorite spots. The lobster Mac and cheese is so good. The Demi half Cobb was also great. The extra dirty martini with gin was so good! The service is also great! read more

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Always great Love the location right on the water, the food, the service, and just a minute off of 295! Loved that colossal Bloody Mary! read more

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The Food and service was absolutely incredible! We will definitely go again. Great drinks too!

Outstanding meals and wine. You can't go wrong with the filet mignon. The staff is very meticulous and attentive. I can't wait to come back next summer! read more

Royal River Grill House - Steakhouses Near Me - Yarmouth, Maine

Food was delicious and the view of the river was nice also, was looking forward to the New England clam chowder it was delicious. read more

Royal River Grill House - Fisherman's Platter , New England Clam Chowder - BOWL - Steakhouses Near Me - Yarmouth, Maine

Stopped here for brunch the other day and it was very great. The views are amazing, and inside is beautiful. It doesn't matter where to sit you have a view or looking at something pretty. The service is also really great. They are know for their bloody marry in half a grey goose bottle so of course we had to get that. It lived up to the hype and was delicious. The food was great as well. Overall I would come back for brunch and I can't wait to try dinner! read more

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Bartender was nice. The clam chowder was gummy and pasty. Might try again and order something else, but probably not. Drinks did look good. I had beer so can't comment on whether they actually were. read more

The Royal River Grill House is in the marina on the Royal River in Yarmouth, Maine. Seated on the windows we had great views of the river and marina. A beautiful spot for dinner. I had three appetizers for dinner; the clam chowder that was the perfect thickness with smokiness, clams, onion and potatoes, the local lobster that came opened on a bed of ice with drawn butter that was fresh and delicious, and then the wedge salad of lettuce, cherry tomatoes, onion, radishes, chopped bacon with ranch dressing. Fantastic! Others had the panko crusted haddock on mashed potatoes that was perfectly cooked and moist haddock and a wood fired grilled salmon that was on a bed of grilled potatoes and wonderfully presented. We sampled the lemon tiramisu dessert that was sweet and beautifully done. Our service was on point, attentive but not intrusive and appreciated with a generous gratuity. Highly recommend - make a reservation in the summer! read more

Royal River Grill House - Haddock - Steakhouses Near Me - Yarmouth, Maine

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They had me at their truffle fries! Seriously, it's our go-to restaurant for entertaining visitors in addition to an occasional date night-outing. Lots of company dinners over the years and never disappointed. Creative cocktails, well made. For our crew, it's a cant miss. read more

The food and drinks are always fantastic at Royal River Grill house. The Grilled Soft Tacos with Tuna are my favorite. The tuna is always cooked according to request. Everyone has to try the Gooseberry mimosa at least once, pretty sure it won't be the last. Plenty of parking and seating-favorite place to sit, At the bar. read more

Royal River Grill House - Grilled Soft Tacos with Tuna - Steakhouses Near Me - Yarmouth, Maine

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We were looking for a restaurant for a special occasion with a beautiful waterfront view and Royal River Grill House was spot on. If you're looking for a classy, modern rustic, yet upscale beach house vibes, this is it. Be sure to secure a reservation early. Everything from the menu sounded delectable, so hard to make a choice. We started off with Bang Bang Shrimp, and I got the Summer Mirrage mocktail (highly recommend! I haven't had pear in a drink, and it was a delight especially the tajin rim). We shared a half dozen oysters with sides of mignonette and cocktail sauce which were super refreshing. For main course, I got the Scallops au Poivre. I haven't had scallops in years, but they were cooked just right. I also had a side of the confit garlic and parm mashed potatoes which were good but not amazing. My friends enjoyed their Haddock and Pork Chop entrées (beware, the pork chop is HUGE and oh so juicy). We had great service from our waitress as well. read more

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Really enjoyed this restaurant. Beautiful outside area with fire pits, excellent food and very attentive service. Can't wait to go back read more