Good Eats

from Belfast & The Wonders of Waldo County 2021

by Belfast The Bay And Beyond Magazine

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WHETHER YOU'RE CRAVING A CLASSIC LOBSTER ROLL, FARM TO TABLE FARE, OR HANKERING FOR A BURGER AND A PINT, WALDO COUNTY OFFERS A BOUNTY OF OPTIONS TO WHET YOUR APPETITE.

In 2019, when Khris and Lizzie Hogg opened Perennial Cider Bar + Farm Kitchen (84 Main St., Belfast; 207-808-1083), it was the first rathskeller of its kind in New England, pouring dozens of ciders from Maine and beyond, and pairing them with a menu entirely sourced from locally grown, organically raised ingredients. Belfast seemed like a natural fit, given the region's thriving cider scene and abundance of organic farms. "I wated to offer an eating and drinking experience that reflected the local landscape, with a complete commitment to where our ingredients come from and how they're raised," Khris Hogg says. "Belfast seemed like it was ready for that."

That one-of-a-kind quality is the hallmark of this area's dining scene. While farm-to-table pioneers like Chase's Daily and The Lost Kitchen have gained national renown, what locals know is that the region has a bounty of culinary delights that are as eclectic as Waldo County itself. In a very small radius, you can dig in to cantaloupe drizzled in yellow birch oil, sip pints that have been brewed just down the road, or crack into Maine lobster that's been freshly plucked from nearby waters, while enjoying a waterfront view. The region has just the right balance of consistency and surprise - and plenty of curbside and outdoor dining options - to keep you coming back. "The food culture here is incredible," says Charlie Zorich, who with Kirk Linder co-owns The Hichborn (10 Church St., Stockton Springs; 207-322-8307), which serves up New American fare in an 1850s Italiante mansion in Stockton Springs. The team is also opening a new gastro dive bar and art gallery in Searsport called Hey Sailor. "The farmers, cheese makers, foragers, and the aquatic industries make it an ideal place to dine," says Zorich. Here's just a taste of what Belfast and the surrounding area has to offer.

(For a full menu of Waldo County dining options, check the dining listings starting on Pg. 54)

Hailed as "Best of the Best" for date night by The Republican Journal, Delvino's Grill and Pasta House (52 Main St., Belfast; 207-338-4565) marries white-tablecloth elegance and a cozy rustic vibe with an exposed-brick interior that's adorned with works from local artists. Since 2010, owners Tina Delsanto and Anthony Jacovino, who also own nearby Front Street Pub and Harborwalk restaurants, having been dishing out creative spins on Italian classics - think pesto gnocchi and mushroom Saccetti, wild porcini and roasted portabella mushrooms blended with cheese, wrapped in house-made angel hair pasta. At the granite bar, you'll find an extensive list of wines and drafts, plus creative cocktails like Maine Wild Blueberry Sangria.

Neighborhood (132 High St., Belfast; 207-505-0425) has made its mark for its inventive menu that’s locally grown and globally inspired, with twists on Mexican, Greek, and Korean dishes, plus oodles of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free items. The menu has a dizzying array of options, from Jamaican jerk squash tacos, to bahn mi tostadas with slow-roasted pork and a dollop of Sriracha mayo. Owners Seth Whited and Sarah Waldron started with a food truck in Belfast in 2011. Within six years, their fresh creative fare had become so popular that they moved into brick-and-mortar digs.

No trip to this coast is complete without a taste of Maine’s signature seafood, and you can crack into the fresh catch from the waterfront Lobster Pound Restaurant (2521 Atlantic Hwy., Lincolnville; 207- 789-5550), which has been specializing in Homarus americanus for nearly a century. Indulge in a quintessential shore dinner, with steamed soft shells, chowder, steamers, corn on the cob or blueberry pie. Craving a Maine lobster roll? You have the option to make it a jumbo. Anglers Restaurant (215 East Main St., Searsport; 207-548-2405) offers plentiful portions of traditional favorites, like bone-in saltwater smelts and platters that include whole-belly clams, sea scallops, baby shrimp, and haddock, all fried to crispy perfection.

For the abundance of specialty food options, there is no shortage of casual mainstays that you can count on for comfort food and cozy atmosphere. That includes Darby’s Restaurant and Pub (155 High St., Belfast; 207-338-2339), which has a tin ceiling, exposed-brick walls, an antique bar, and intricate woodwork that dates back to the restaurant’s opening in 1865. Owners Lisa and Cory Chase offer an ever-expanding menu of enhanced comfort food that includes everything from prime rib au jus to vegetarian three-bean chili to chicken enchiladas. You’ll see paintings by local artists and pottery honed by Gail Savitz who, with her husband, Jerry, bought and restored the restaurant in 1985 and sold it to the Chases in 2016. Gail’s studio, Front Street Pottery is just around the corner. Over at Rollie’s Bar and Grill (37 Main St., Belfast; 207-338-4502), a local institution since 1972, you can dig into everything from beef tips to pizzas while enjoying views of the harbor from the deck, seated on one of Rollie’s vintage benches, or sidled up to the bar, which was salvaged from a 19th-century sailing ship. Catch up on the scores while you’re there on one of a dozen high-definitino TVs. Owner Ryan Otis is heartened to see Waldo County's dining scene flourish to include so many different types of eateries. “Everyone has found a niche,” Otis says. “It gives residents and visitors a choice, and keeps their palates satiated.”