The Reading Room
Bar Harbor Inn,1 Newport Dr, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609
The Reading Room Menu
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Address :
Bar Harbor Inn,1 Newport Dr
Bar Harbor, ME, 04609 - Phone (207) 288-3351
- Website https://www.barharborinn.com/dining.html
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Charity W.
We travel to Bar Harbor a couple of weeks a year to hike. This trip we discovered our favorite waitress was no longer working at the restaurant we were used to seeing her at. We asked around and found out she had transferred to the Reading Room at the Bar Harbor Inn. We had been there years ago, but had not gone recently. We decided to try it so we could see her. Our first concern was did we pack appropriate clothes. Given these trips are all about hiking, the nicest clothes we had were jeans and casual shirts/sweaters. We checked with the front desk and they said we would be fine. We ended up going twice during the week and the Saturday night crowd was dressed nicer than the weeknight crowd, but we were comfortable in our jeans either night. The food was impressive. On both nights the meal starts with a complimentary treat from the chef - one night a small serving of lobster salad, another night we had strawberries and crème fraiche. We tried several appetizers - baked brie (came with an impressive amount of fresh fruit), Caesar salad (with a lovely parmesan crisp, and Onion soup (very yummy but a bit small). Next came a complimentary serving of lemon sorbet (complete with a teeny-tiny spoon). We had several entrees across both nights - all very good. (Lamb, roasted sirloin, prosciutto wrapped chicken). We tried two desserts - an amazing-best-ever-strawberry rhubarb crisp that was so good I wanted to go hug the chef. The second night we had a lemon curd cheesecake that was delightful. The atmosphere was amazing. In the past, we had gone to the afternoon brunch at the Reading room, but never went for dinner. The dining room truly sparkles at night. The view is spectacular. The crystal chandelier, candlelight, and piano make it a very memorable meal. On our last evening we were celebrating our anniversary. We were told we could request a song from the piano player, which played as our dessert was served with a candle in it! The piano player (Bob) was very talented. He had a tablet so he could look up music if he wasn't familiar with it. We felt the prices were equivalent to a very nice meal out. We will definitely visit again on our next trip.
(5)McKenzie W.
The two stars are for the view. I would recommend getting a drink at the bar to enjoy the view rather than spend the money for dinner. Most damaging: over cooked seafood. Any chef worth their salt should be able to properly cook scallops, shrimp and halibut but especially in Bar Harbor! My review would spiral down from there based on taste, temperature of food, spilled food (on me-lucky it was only lukewarm). I didn't have a chance to try any other dinner spots in Bar Harbor but am confident a burger at the local pub would be more satisfying.
(2)Tamir G.
If you sit by the window this restaurant deserves 5 stars. The food is really tasty. The Cesar salad was OK , not bad not spectacular. The bread is great. The lobster bisque is nice. I had the de shelf Maine lobster which was fabulous. The mash potatoes it came with was just ok. For this reason I gave the place 4 stars. For the price that you pay I strongly recommend the window seating. If not than pass.
(4)Tatjana C.
Hubby and I arrived having made reservations with prompt seating. We were the first to be seated on the second tier of the restaurant. Parties after us were seated at Harborview, felt a little second class; maybe because we booked through another service. I noted in our reservation it was my birthday, though no one acknowledged it. Service was a little abrupt, so not warm fuzzy (did not appear to care we chose this restaurant). Food was ok... Did not knock our socks off, and the place felt really old. Some updates and improvements to customer service could be made to attract a broader guest base and following.
(3)Clarisa Y.
This review is only about the staff since we didn't stay to get served. We called the bar ahead to see if 5 of us could get a table in the lounge by the window for happy hour and were told we could if we hurried. We were there in 2 minutes and were completely ignored by both bartenders. After standing around for a few minutes we asked one of the bartenders about which one we spoke to on the phone and he told us it was the one walking around. He didn't bother to tell his partner we were looking for him and when the one we were waiting for came by and saw us, he didn't try to help us when it was clear we were the ones he spoke to on the phone just a few minutes ago. Looking around we saw the one table he mentioned on the phone by the "window"-not worth it. We stayed standing inside googling for a new place to go to for 15 minutes and no one approached us the whole time to even offer us a table or drink. TLDR: There is a very pretentious and unfriendly vibe when you walk into this lounge/restaurant here. The bartenders are rude and not helpful. Would not recommend going here at all. The outdoor restaurant (terrace grille) might be better.
(1)Don D.
My wife and I dined here tonight. I had the petite filet and lobster tail and my wife the filet mignon. This is a "fine dining" restaurant with prices about double what you pay at an average restaurant outside of large cities . Service was good and not intrusive but our server was not overly friendly. Presentation was good but not outstanding. The food was about what I get at my local steak house back home for about half the cost (not a fine dining establishment but an up scale chop house) . Steaks were good meat but cooked a bit past the medium rare requested. Clam chowder was about an 7 out of 10 based on my experience and I will almost always order it if available. Desert was their special that night pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream and was excellent. Piano player was very good with a good mix of music. View of harbor is great but not enough to overcome the 30-35% price premium for the quality of food. Not somewhere I would recommend to friends, just to those who want to impress someone.
(4)An O.
This restaurant only gets a star due to the view, which is expectedly lovely. The service is so-so (at best) with servers who are not knowledgeable. Most importantly, the food is terrible. Not just the starters, but the mains and kids food as well. The taste is consistently terrible, with the plate appearance only marginally better. Yes the view is great, but let's be honest, many places nearby have a nice view AND good service and food (generally for better prices too!). Don't eat here, even for a special occasion.
(1)David N.
Food was pricey but you pay for the view and piano player. Salmon was very good and I had lobster bowl which was ok. Service was good. I would have given it 4 if the price was a bit cheaper.
(3)P B.
The worse meal i ate on my week long stay in Bar Harbor was at this restaurant. I got the lobster pie. Absolutely disgusting and the lobster did not taste fresh. Not one person in my dinner party finished their dinner because no one liked the food. The beef carpachio (sp) tasted like roast beef from a deli. SO very disappointing. $300 for 4 people.
(1)Elise B.
We came here on the Maine foodie tour. We got a cool history lesson and a taste of the yummy lobster bisque. Beautiful views and extremely friendly and knowledgable staff.
(4)Logan S.
Simply put- the food doesn't match the Real Estate. The Reading Room has a great open dining room with fantastic views. Unfortunately, the culinary portion of our night was below average. Another funny thing we noted was that the pianist played the same 5 songs over and over. Ha! We started with the Brie appetizer, and that was the best part of our meal. Entrees: Lobster Pie (lobster meat in lobster bisque with ritz crackers in small bowl baked) I gave it a C- My wife had the seafood platter which was terrible. Rice was dry and stale. Service was a high point- Wayne was attentive and friendly, as were his supporting cast. Water promptly refilled and never had to wait for anything. This is a place worth grabbing a drink and seeing the view, but true foodies will expect MUCH better cuisine.
(2)Carly W.
We stopped in here for a drink post our spa appointments. We were waiting out the rain and went into the lounge area. With the rain, there were no tables available. We were immediately greeted by David - who cleared a table and got our drinks. He was delightful and made the crowded lounge an extremely enjoyable time! The views were spectacular - we didn't eat but food smelled great. Cosmos were good! Thanks David!
(5)Nick C.
This is type of place you go to because you're visiting on vacation it's marketed as having the best view and one of the few upscale joints in the town. The view was fantastic, but the rest of the experience was not. We waited about 15 minutes for wine after we ordered it, and similar waits for the rest of our food. The soup and salad starters were tiny (as expected) and the meals reminded me exactly of a catered meal you'd receive at a wedding (in both taste and presentation) On a sidenote, I also tripped going up the stairs. Completely irrelevant to the review but its hilariousness was the most memorable part of the meal.
(2)Trish S.
I really wanted this place to be good, because we ate outside last year and we loved it but unfortunately it wasn't great. I would give 2.5 stars if I could. Order the lobster, I am assuming you can't go wrong with it. For appetizers we had the Brie and lobster Bisque. The Brie was pretty good, the Soup was the same as most places in Bar Harbor. I ordered the Lobster pie thinking it was going to be a take on a Pot Pie. IT was too soupy for me. Though there were chunks of lobster I felt like I was eating another soup with a crust.. It just wasn't good or even flavorful. My husband had the Rack of Lamb and he was happy. The view is nice if you are able to get a window seat, otherwise its just another restaurant. The ambiance is much nicer than the Looking Glass and you are treated better. There was piano music in the background which was nice. Service was okay.
(2)Andy L.
Think old school money. My guess is this is the best run room in town. A very romantic setting with a wonderful view. Professional staff was a pleasant change from the rest of town. Even had a live piano player. Was offered a pleasant amuse bouche to start. Split an appetizer and a salad (with no added charge for the salad split). Then I had the seafood stew. Delicious- big chunks of lobster, large shrimp, scallops and mussels in a light tomato broth sauce with rice. Definitely more seafood than rice. And a selection of fresh veggies on the side. Wife had what was essentially a lobster pot pie. Thick and rich sauce, plenty of lobster, and a nice pasty puff on top. Both meals were great. Food was outstanding, prices were fair, very professional service, and a spectacular view. Highly recommend.
(4)James R.
My parents love this place. They think this is the greatest restaurant ever. I have been around and had good meals for less money. I understand where I am and what I am paying for, the ambiance comes into play. Problem is when you sit for dinner at dark and can't see anything and the view is the same if not less than you room, it is very underwhelming. Dinner was fine, selection was okay, the mrs. Steak was over cooked for the surf and turf. The blueberry martini was really good. But a lot for what it is.
(3)K C.
We really enjoyed this. Everything about it was so extraordinary. The service was amazing. We had Ricardo and Sergio and they were great. The food was great as well. The chief even gave us a shrimp sample as well as a "pallet cleanser" aka lemon sorbet after our appetizer. As for the location. It had a view of the sunset over the mountains and water. It had a nice ambiance as well that was formal but yet very nice. We loved this place. And recommend it to anyone. ( maybe not right for young kids though).
(5)Luba B.
Like it! Good service, decent food and perfect view! Clam Chowder- die for!
(4)Michele F.
Fantastic meal with extraordinary views. Loved the meal, the service, and location. Highly recommend!
(5)Roberta D.
Service was good, food was good, location was beautiful :).
(4)J. H.
Would not recommend to anyone. First, the view was outstanding. Really beautiful. The service was so bad that I would give it a negative 20. The waitress in the middle of taking my husbands order said, I have to go and get something from the kitchen. ( He had asked one question about a special)., When she came back five minutes later she said are you ready to order yet. No Susie ( or Susan) we are not ready to be insulted by the staff in an upscale restaurant. Are you ready to learn some manners? The only thing which kept me from leaving zero tip was my kids. They repeated what I had said earlier in the week. Mom, people work really hard in the Summer in Maine, maybe she was just feeling grumpy. OK. Sometimes I get Grumpy too. The food. A one at best. Steak had been frozen, things were soggy and tasteless. We really should have saved the effort to dress up and the money and spent it on something worthwhile. Still did love that view so I gave it a two ( and on the rare chance that Susan/Susie has never done that before or will never do it again). I had checked it out on Tripadvisor to mixed reviews I should have listened.
(2)Lisa A.
We vacationed in Bar Harbor and stayed at the Inn for six days so we purchased the package to eat at The Reading Room for breakfast and three dinner meals. We were seated at a window table every time except for one evening meal. Window seating with this view is fantastic and we even believed sitting one row in from the windows was just as nice. When the blocked sun shades were lowered, one can still see out to the beautiful view very well. The staff was attentive and knowledgable about the food along with the many different things to do in the area. Highly recommend the lobster and other types of seafood available. The seafood was cooked perfectly and as the saying goes, when in Maine...
(4)D K.
Best view in town! Try for table next to the window for a sunset view - spectacular! The food is very good. The crab cake appetizers were nicely prepared. The fish of the day was a Chilean sea bass that was perfect. The seafood Cioppino includes a variety of excellent seafood in a slightly spicy tomato-fennel broth. This was my favorite dish. The prices are about what you would expect in a resort hotel restaurant. The only issue was the service. The sever was a young woman who was inattentive, disinterested and displayed an attitude of "I could care less". Too bad. It would have been a good dinning experience if the service was more professional and engaging.
(2)Caitlyn M.
The reading room is one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. It has a beautiful view of the ocean and a wonderful ambience. The lobster pie was decadent and perfect, and the pistachio crusted Seabass special was light and delicious. They started us off with a complementary appetizer of fruit with caramelized sugar. We also ordered the beef carpaccio appetizer which was absolutely amazing. The meat was like butter and it's served with this buttery creamy garlicky sauce which is a perfect pair. After the first course, they served us a complimentary lemon sorbet to cleanse the palate. It was a complete dining experience. We would 100% come back!
(5)Chris D.
I'd give 3-1/2 stars if I could. My wife and I spent our anniversary weekend (early November) in Bar Harbor, came here for our fancy dinner. Off season, which helped. The restaurant got busier later on, but never crowded, and we didn't feel rushed. Wine list is standard, nothing really remarkable. Hard to pay $40 for a bottle that can be had for $10 at the grocery store, but that's the business, and you come to expect it. I don't remember what she had; I had a rack of lamb. Generous portion, delicious, well-cooked (medium-rare). Ge ready to break the bank here. Two people, $190 after tip. Good thing we budgeted for it. Fun to do every now and then, but not our standard fare (we like cheap mexican usually). If we visit Bar Harbor again, we probably won't return. Just didn't live up to the price--but again, that's not really our thing. If you love fine dining, fancy atmosphere, and phenomenal views, you'll probably love it here.
(3)Craig H.
The reading room looks on first glance a classic fine dining restaurant of days gone by. The room is beautiful to be sure and the views as the sun sets over the harbor are matched by few locations. Unfortunately, the service is very average and the food doesn't measure up to todays haute cuisine. We waited far to long between courses. it was probably 30 minutes before any food or beverage touched the table cloth. We had a good time but for what we paid the experience should have been better.
(3)Kirby G.
Our hotel stay at the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel included two dinners at the Reading Room. For both evenings, the food was exceptional. I would recommend the Lobster Pie or any of the evening seafood specials (Pan seared diver scallops in saffron sauce was great - photo posted). Looking forward to eating here again someday.
(5)Jen L.
Classy, romantic and high end. Great views of the ocean. Recommend requesting a window table. The food was excellent and the service was excellent. A great dinner to end the trip.
(4)Adrienne M.
My husband and I were married at the Bar Harbor Inn in August 12th. Our ceremony was outdoors on the lawn and the reception was in the Reading Room restaurant, with food provided by the restaurant. The setting of the restaurant, and the reason why we chose the Bar Harbor Inn as our wedding venue, is exceptional, with a view straight out onto the water, with the nearby islands and passing boats. The restaurant itself has floor-to-ceiling windows in a large semi-circle so there are lots of good seats (all of the tables at our wedding were adjacent to a window). The food is good but not as extraordinary as the view. There is a lot of seafood on the menu, of course. At our wedding we served the chicken marsala, ravioli and native haddock, all of which appear on the regular menu. We got a lot of compliments on the food at our wedding. That said, I think the prices in the regular restaurant (many entrees in the mid-high $30s) are a bit high for the food quality. You have to go into the meal with the understanding that you are paying for the view and will have a good meal as opposed to the other way around. If the food itself is the only thing you care about, there are better places to go in Bar Harbor for the price (or less).
(4)John G.
What an exquisite place. Beautiful views from anywhere in dinning room. The staff was really attentive, our personal waiter was excellent. The ambience created by the piano player made you feeling relaxed and ready for an excellent meal. Unfortunately the meal although well prepared and tastefully presented left you hungry for more because the portion size was miniscule. Our food was delicious. With all the care that the staff took on our main course the lost when they brought out desert and there was a long hair in my Bananas Foster. I must say when I brought it to their attention they were fast to offer replacement and the management did come over to our table but by then my appetite was gone. The sad thing is when you think about it this place should be a five star but the tiny portions and carelessness decreases it's rating. I believe I am being generous on this one.
(3)Sayaka T.
I get why folks come here..great ambiance, piano music drifting across the warm dining room, and the best view of the harbor in town splayed across giant glass-paneled windows as a reminder of why you are paying an arm and a leg to dine here. It's one of those atmospheric restaurants where at any moment you'd expect someone to pull out an engagement ring. But one word of caution - the food was awful. I think this may have been the worst price-to-food-quality ratio I've suffered since Ninja New York (and for that restaurant, you figure you're paying for the entertainment...as well as the novelty of your food blowing up in front of your very eyes). At the Reading Room there was no such entertainment, though yes, the aforementioned view and candlelit ambiance was nice. As my fellow diner subtly remarked - the taste of the entrees was like wedding food: standard, mass-produced, and full of an expensive but unrefined greasiness. Only saving grace was the blueberry pie, which tasted, to our relief, like any old nicely cinnamon-seasoned blueberry pie.
(2)Gerard S.
Great for a HOTEL restaurant !!!!!!!
(5)Stephanie V.
The filet mignon was the best I ever had. It was juicy and had lots of taste, which is difficult to do with that type of cut. We found the lamb to be too fatty and did not finish it. It was a waste due to the cost. While the scallops wrapped in bacon were good, we found the scallops to be too small for the cost. We think it would have been better to receive less, but bigger scallops. The lobster tail was overcooked, but still very tasty. Service was very professional. I don't eat vegetables or mashed potatoes, but I ate theirs. That says a lot! Be prepared for an expensive, but exquisite dinner. By the way, all of the wait staff were very attentive. Our wine glasses were never close to being empty, an empty plate did not stay on the table long and it seemed as if you were always doing something/eating without much down time, which included cleansing your pallet.
(4)Cindy E.
Don't waste your time or money. It is expensive with very low quality food, wine and service. They are resting on the old saying of "location, location. location." That works for them but there are some excellent restaurants that deserve your dollars and this is not one of them.
(2)Joe D.
Went here for the taste of bar harbor desert night. Wow, the chocolate creme brûlée was awesome. My wife and son loved the citrus creme brûlée.
(5)Tom H.
We eat here often and have found it to be quite enjoyable. I am surprised by other reviews here. The food is never awful--it's pretty good. You are really going for the atmosphere, though.
(3)Trevin L.
Pleasantly surprised with our experience, especially after seeing some of the other reviews. Came for dinner in 9/2011, which was included in a vacation package we got from a local inn. The views were gorgeous! We got a window seat and watched the sunset during dinner. The ambience was old-school, piano-music, romantic. The attire was dressy casual but you feel like you should be more dressed up here. The food was actually very good! The gorgonzola and candied pecan spinach salad was fresh, sweet and savory with great crispy crunchy texture. Our entrees were specials of the day. The baked atlantic sole was cooked perfectly with a rich creamy sauce. The roasted half suckling duck was delicious with a crispy skin. The recipes were classic American and done very well! There was even an amuse-bouche and a sorbet compliments of the chef. The service was solid; no complaints. Overall, we had a wonderful dinner experience!
(4)Elizabeth R.
My husband and I went here for our anniversary dinner and it wasn't that great for the money you pay. I thought it would be an exceptional meal with impecable service, I was disappointed. I do not reccomend this place for dinner. The views were beautiful, but if you don't get a window seat, don't bother or if you really want a nice meal, also don't bother. I order Fruit De Mer and my meal was a very large, heavy, sticky serving of linguine and various cooked seafood in an alfredo sauce.... That was it. The shimp were very overcooked and the presentation was kind of... dumb. Not artful, creative, or simple... kind of weird and unappetizing. And the portion was enourmous... too much for such a heavy dish. The food was too rich and tasted like it was cooked in a pound of butter. I would go to the separate Reading Room LOUNGE again, just for atmosphere, drinks and light fare. Or, I would try the outdoor seating, it's less expensive, but I wouldn't expect much from the food. Go for the view and drinks only.
(2)Linda B.
Excellent. Even a vegan/vegetarian can eat here. Try the Veggie Wellington! What a treat. My husband had the surf & turf. I know, boring... but it wasn't. He said it was one of the best filet mignon's he has had- extremely flavorful. It came with a side of sauteed local fresh veggies, and a heaping mound of garlic mashed potatoes. We ate here our first night because we are staying at the Bar Harbor Inn where this restaurant is. The menu has a great variety of selection. The location is divine- direct waterfront. We were dressed far too casually (shorts and casual tops) for the setting (linen table clothes and napkins) and most people were dressed more formally than us, but we were tired having traveled for several hours. They had no issue with our dress but we felt underdressed. FYI- you might want to dress it up a bit to eat here, but it is not a prerequisite.
(4)George R.
If it wasn't for the pretense, I might have been more impressed and less disappointed. The restaurant is actually very nice and everything you've read about the ambiance is true, however, the service is marginal and the food is just OK. After being seated by a very uptight looking man, in a bow tie no less, we waited for about ten minutes until I finally caught the floor manager's attention. When I asked her if my wife and I could order something to drink (aka, a little service please??) she promptly assured me she would ask our server to take care of it. Really? Your server is obviously so busy she hasn't acknowledged us in ten minutes since being seated. How about you just take the order and take care of it yourself and help a little...oh and a quick acknowledgement and apology for making us wait would be nice too. So the waitress shows up with our drinks five minutes later, none to happy that we ordered our drinks through her boss, and again no mention of the fact that this was the first time we had seen her during the fifteen minutes we had been seated. The menu offered lots of promise and pretense...and the food was good not great...and disappointment again. Here's a suggestion/thought...just come off your high horse, adjust your prices down a tad, and stop the show, because it really sets you up to fail with well traveled folks looking for a better than average meal.
(2)