Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro
140 Main St, Freeport, ME, 04032
Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Freeport for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Freeport for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Freeport for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
140 Main St
Freeport, ME, 04032 - Phone (207) 869-7200
- Website https://www.tuscanbrickovenbistro.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Susan M.
My sister-in-law and I are visiting from California, staying at the Candlebay Inn. We asked for a dinner recommendation and was given the Tuscany Grill. We had the white clam, red potato, garlic herb butter, roasted sweet corn, pancetta, asiago, Pecorino, Romano, and mozzarella cheeses, parsley and red pepper flakes pizza. The salad was local goat cheese and citrus, spinach, arugula, shaved fennel, apples, orange medallions with honey and citrus dressing. It was the best meal have had dining out for a long time. Our service was fine, Nichole, our waitress was serving the bar area and tending bar. If she were wearing a fitbit, it would have exploded. Totally enjoyable experience.
(5)Jerry W.
Love this place every time we come in to town. Usually I tend to get the same thing, not wanting to mess with what I know is good. But here, I try something new each time, and every time it's better than the last! They do a great job of taking orders for take out. My only complaint is that it is very expensive. Two entrees with no drinks or apps can cost you around 50 dollars. I get that I'm on vacation, but still.. It's expensive.
(4)Anna H.
This is one of our all time favorites. Whenever we want to go out to dinner but can't decide, it always comes down to the Tuscan Bistro. Their pizza is excellent, but personally I prefer their other entree dishes. The "Chicken Under a Brick" is a family favorite. It's an unbelievable combination of flavors. The appetizers are always great too, especially the charcuterie board. Service is also very good. All around a great place for a yummy and fun dinner.
(5)Rob B.
What a great place for Italian dinner! Nikki was awesome great personality and great service! Good was fantastic!! Calamari and salad to start was best I had! Great flavor! A must try!!
(5)Mrs. M.
I can't remember the last time we've had such a positive, memorable dining experience - had to share on Yelp and send Kudos to the entire team at Tuscan. We chose Tuscan for our special parents dinner away while visiting Freeport. This place is truly a gem. It's fits our dining personality to a T. The interior design of the restaurant is really well done. The designer which we understood from our waitress is the daughter of the owner. She is very talented. The mix of textures in the space give it just the right character. It's a big open space but feels cozy and intimate at the same time. Plenty of space in between tables for conversations, the acoustics are good so it is not too loud for dinner conversations. The menu has a great variety of dishes. We opted to share two of the crostini apps for a starter. My DH had the waygu beef carpaccio and I had the burrata caprese. Our fav out of the two was the caprese. The combination of the pesto, creamy burrata, and balsamic was delicious and very flavourful. We were so torn about our entrees but couldn't resist the homemade pastas. My selection was the hand rolled gnocchis with the duck confit. OMG - sublime! I'm swooning just thinking of all the flavors. The duck confit while minimal amount, was tender and moist. The gnocchis were tender little pillows of happiness. The veggies in the dish were perfectly cooked and the duck a jus was addictive. My husband got the bolognese which he typically never gets at a restaurant. This take on a bolognese was really well done especially with the high quality beef and house made sausage. The ragu flavors were concentrated and very flavorful more so than most boring bolognese's we've had. The homemade pasta which accompanied it was spot-on al dente and the ragu sauce ratio to the pasta was perfect. We didn't save room for dessert and we really wish we could have tried one of their amazing looking pizzas. Oh we also had a great bottle on Pinot Noir. I believe the name was Leese Fitch from Sonoma. It was priced at a bargain $24 and we really enjoyed it. Our waitress was prompt with her service, refilled glasses quickly and removed dishes just as fast. Can't wait for another adventure back to Maine! This will always be a stop when in Freeport.
(5)Bud P.
This is a great date restaurant. Nice and well designed but not too foo-foo. The mostly Italian fare is very good. I've had their Pasta (made in-house) and Brick oven pizza. which has some interesting options for toppings. Drink menu is fun and they have off street parking. If you spend anytime in Freeport that is a big thing. Also if you dine in and around Freeport then this really is the best option. There is truly some terrible food in this town
(4)Christopher S.
Been a while and things have changed. We really enjoyed coming. The new interior changes make the place much more intimate. The menu is higher brow than we are used to but the food is excellent. Our waiter was nice and attentive. And the brick oven pizza is amazing. If being busy is an indicator of how good the place is there was an hour wait, but was worth it.
(4)Chaz A.
Amazing place in downtown Freeport!!! Great menu, great atmosphere, had the clam pizza and Caesar salad extremely tasty. Great alternative when you need a break from lobsta shacks!
(5)Lorraine T.
Went for dinner with my mom on a rainy summer night. It was quite busy but we were seated within 15min. We started with calamari, which had a balsamic dressing that was delicious. We then each had a pizza; my mom liked oh-my-cheese. I had the farmhouse, which I loved. They accommodated some cheese related changes I asked for without issue. The waitress was very pleasant and efficient. Definitely a higher end atmosphere than many restaurants north of Portland. I would recommend for a date night. We would certainly go back.
(5)Kurt W.
If you are looking for a pizza, this is the place for you. I got the pizza and it was on my top ten list of pizza. I think if you pick what you like, you will be satisfied. The restaurant is very upscale and I was worried about the prices but most things were below $20. Jen, my waitress was very friendly and made sure I was taken care of. The wait staff also made sure they covered for each other. When I was low on water another waitress saw it and helped me. The only one thing I didn't care for was the bread. It had a funny taste that I didn't agree with. I couldn't put my finger on it, but it was just off. But when it was free bread, I really couldn't complain.
(4)Melissa F.
All the food is amazing but go for the pizza for a special treat. I love the atmosphere inside but on nice days you can't beat the patio. Dog and kid friendly service!!
(5)Joyce M.
Very good meal. Casual environment. Italian options ranging from pizza to more sophisticated fare. My mixed seafood grill was beautifully prepared. Nice change from the non-stop lobster pounds in this area.
(4)Cynthia C.
We had such a great meal here! The food was all excellent and the service was too. A big thumbs up to our waiter, TJ, who was very patient and helpful with us. We had the caesar salad and the wings to start. The salad was fine, but the wings were excellent! And then we had the bolognese, the chicken parm and the chicken under a brick. All were cooked perfectly and the flavors were wonderful. We sat outside, as it was a lovely evening, but inside looked very nice and comfortable. We didn't get the pizza but it looked very good. Will definitely go back when next in or driving through Freeport!
(5)Connie D.
Good food, good service! The restaurant has a patio where you can bring our dog to join you while you eat. This place probably would have gotten 4 stars from me, but I ordered roasted vegetables, which I just didn't like. The other dishes around me looked great and everyone looked pleased.
(3)George H.
Went here with the family several weeks ago. The cheese and charcuterie boards were very nice. For the main course I had the Caesar salad and much (15%?) of the lettuce was pink which is indicative of some age on the produce. Service was very good which is why I rated as 3 stars.
(3)Kylie D.
I haven't lived in Maine for a long time but when I did, from 2002-2008, I never would have thought it possible to have a "nice" dinner in Freeport. Now that I'm back, I'm happy to say that Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro has changed my mind completely! It's an absolute delight and a welcome respite after a long day of shopping, mountain biking on Bradbury Mtn. or adventuring on one of L.L. Bean's Discovery School outings. When my friend and I decided to spend the day in Freeport, I did what all smart people do, I consulted Yelp in hopes of finding a good spot for dinner. Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro popped up with high ratings from Yelpers that I know and whose opinions I trust, so it was an easy decision to add TBOB to our agenda for the day. We arrived early, around 5:45pm, on a Saturday night and it was already packed. Luckily we scored two seats at the bar after a short wait. I tried a nice Chilean Cabernet ($8 for a generous pour) and ordered a field greens salad and Prosciutto Pizza. The pizza was amazing - red sauce + salty, heavenly Prosciutto di Parma+ black truffle and sautéed arugula. I enjoyed every bite and there was more than enough to take home. As other reviewers have mentioned, the look and feel of TBOB is warm and chic with a bit of rustic charm. This is a polished establishment - if I didn't know otherwise, I might think that it was part of an upscale chain, but that's not in any way meant to be an insult to TBOB - instead, it's meant to indicate that this place really seems to have its s**t together. Drinks were quick but food was a little slow. Our bartender was friendly and funny and prices were reasonable for the quality and experience. And, if by any chance, you're the woman on the date who was sitting next to us at the bar that night - RUN! The guy you were with was an absolute idiot. You can do better.
(4)Kayley R.
Food good, service good. We had our dog with us so they let us sit outside. We had the calamari, wings and the fennel sausage pizza. All were good. Nothing blew me away though. Calamari was our favorite. My boyfriend loved the brown hound beer that had on tap.
(4)Lori S.
The food has always been excellent, maybe a little pricey, but worth it. The atmosphere is relaxing and we have always been treated nice by the wait staff. Their calamari is unbelievable!!! My husband and I have gone there just for that!! Excellent!
(5)Mary S.
Overall this place was ok. Considering this place got such good reviews and the prices were very "Freeporty", I was expecting great things. Is it the ambience and location that convinces people from away that it will be amazing? Yes, the decor of this pizza eatery is pretty stellar. With cozy waiting area and even cozy chairs at the table, it's hard to not feel like you are about to also be wowed by their food. Anyways, their bread and dipping oil that they served during our over 40 minute wait was pretty fresh. We both ordered a personal size pizza which had enough for leftovers, so I was happy with the portion size. The pizza itself was nothing amazing. Maybe we are use to a Brunswick area pizza that I will not name that is to die for, but this pizza didn't make me want to come back for more. Bah.
(3)Brian G.
I've had lunch and dinner here now, and both experiences left me wanting more (in a good way). Freeport is a bit of a haul for us - maybe 35, 40 minutes north. We typically go two or three times a year to hit the shops. We've had some decent meals up there (Jameson Tavern comes to mind), but this will probably become our new regular stop for lunch when shopping with the kids. Both the pizzas and the sandwiches are excellent. Our lunch visit was over the summer, so I recall the outstanding cheese pizza for the kids and the generous Buratta Cheese Appetizer, but I don't really remember what paninis my wife and I ordered, other than that they were delicious. Last night, my wife and I had a babysitter and decided to bypass Portland and head the extra 15 minutes north to check out the dinner experience at Tuscan. We were not disappointed in the least. Beginning with a Crostini appetizer with pesto-based and eggplant/white bean spreads - as well as two strong cocktails (spiced rum for her, espresso martini for me) - we were immediately under the spell of the place. The interior is very inviting, with an open space and comfortable seating along with exceptional lighting that adds to the overall pleasing ambience. We followed with a special soup for her (green pea lentil) and a personal Caeser salad for me. For $5 and $7 apiece, these were very generous helpings. Her soup was an experience on the palate, with a pleasing texture and chock full of fresh vegetables. My Caesar was exceptional, with a creamy but not overbearing dressing and anchovies that added plenty of flavor. For dinner, I was tempted by the duck confit gnocchi but didn't want to feel like a stuffed pig. I semi-reluctantly ordered the salmon, but WOW was that that a stellar choice. The well-seasoned salmon - subtle, yet noticeable, exactly how salmon should be seasoned - was fork-tender, falling apart into bite sized morsels with each prod. The salmon was overlaid atop a bed of flavorful spinach, garbanzo beans, lentil and a light oil-based marinade. Really, really great. My wife got the short rib special and was not disappointed. She made it halfway through, offering me the rest (what a great gal) but I declined as I didn't want to drop into a food coma. But her special was also obviously fork-tender, served above mashed potatoes and topped with a horseradish mousse. Also, the service was top-notch. not much to say really except she was pleasant, present (but not overbearing), and we were very happy. We will be back many, many times moving forward.
(5)Elizabeth L.
The food here is delicious but a bit pricey. Ambiance is wonderful and warm. However, the service is poor. The waitresses seem unhappy and slow. I have been there at least 4 times and gotten the same unfriendly boisterous waitress. She is always very exuberant about the drink menu And at first seems excited to serve you......then her performance goes down hill. She served us drinks on a slow Sunday night and waited 45 minutes to just take our order.....sheesh. If the prices were not so high I think I could handle it but cmon......
(3)Leigh H.
Have been here several times for lunch. They take reservations which is nice. The pizza and sandwiches are good, full entrees seem a little overpriced. Service is a little inconsistent- polite but slow.
(3)Bethmarie E.
The bartender down at Maine Craft Distilling recommended this place and it really was good. Excelent pizza and we had some toast with basil pesto and fresh tomatoes. Everything was great, my only complain is that it was a bit pricey for small portions and the soda didn't even have one refill for the price.
(4)Sarah E.
The best pizza ever. I have been here twice with my boyfriend and both times I have gotten pizza. I'll review both experiences. Atmosphere: Beautifully decorated, intimate, yet open, rustic, and romantic. I love it. Casual attire and lively atmosphere, was perfect for a late lunch (pretty empty on a Friday afternoon) and late dinner (packed on a Sunday night at 7 pm). Service: First time, our waitress seemed more attentive to her coworker that she was talking to instead of us. We had to ask for oil and bread and she didn't check in that often with us. Considering the place was pretty empty and they were getting ready for dinner, it was slower service than expected. Dinner last Sunday, the waitress seemed really rushed, and I assume she had a lot of tables. The manager ran our food and we hardly saw her it seemed. Food: White bread on the table with Fiore olive oil - they change out the flavors as each bottle finishes I guess. That is some amazing olive oil. Bread is good too. BF got the Tusacan panini (Italian meats) and fries. The fries were amazing and he loved his panini said it was "the best panini I've ever had". I got the fungi pizza. It was AMAZING. So cheesy and the onions gave it a nice flavor and texture when mixed with the mushrooms. Second trip he got the Caesar salad, it was good, a little heavy on the dressing, but still pretty good. I got the cheese pizza and was surprised that it had red sauce on it. It was pretty good. The crust is so chewy and the flavors all pair well together. Price: Super affordable. Some of the main dishes are fairly expensive. They look awesome and I can't wait to go back and try the other dishes.
(5)Allegra S.
Stopped by here on the way to Northern Maine and loved it!! Got pepperoni pizza and the burrata appetizer with crostini. Delicious!
(4)Ryan D.
If you are in Freeport, drop your shopping bags and eat here. No questions, eat at Tuscan. From the outside it might not look like much, a restaurant in a strip/mini mall area. However don't let that deter you, inside will change your mind completely about this place. Gorgeous set up and excellent large bar area give almost a home-y feel even though it is so large. We sat at the high top tables and didn't feel like we were "in the bar area" so don't worry if you don't have a reservation, but I do recommend it with the amount of people who do know that Tuscan is a great place. For starters, go with that Lobster Stew. Trust me those are some huge lobster pieces in there. Since it was lunch, we just shared a pizza and a great choice is the Fennel Sausage and Burrata. Ok, so a weird thing that many have commented on is the olive oil served with the bread here. Wow, this is so good. Tuscan, one of the best restaurants I have been to, period.
(5)Diane H.
I can only imagine the crowds here in the summer. My friend and I stopped in at 5pm after an afternoon of shopping in Freeport. We chose the high tops at the bar as it was just appetizers for us. Jenna at the bar took great care of us! Pear Sangria and white wine accompanied fabulous wings and caprese salad. These are not your ordinary wings...fabulous. Can't wait to come back for dinner -- menu looked fabulous.
(5)Rachel D.
We had a great lunch experience at Tuscan in Freeport, yesterday. I typically find it hard to pick a restaurant in Freeport, as a couple of my favorite food carts are closed during winter. The interior is quite appealing and rustic, giving off the apres ski sort of feel - without the ski portion. Their large brick oven and open kitchen work well with the wood bar and hanging gothic inspired light fixtures. We split the local harvest pizza and antipasto for two - delicious and very filling. The pizza included sweet potato and fried sage with arugula and romano on top, a long with a couple other delicious veggies. The antipasto had mozzarella, pepperoni, side salad with balsamic, olives, asparagus, and a few others. Other meals enjoyed at the table included the cheese pizza (like a grilled cheese and tomato soup pizza I was told!) and then the actual grilled cheese (with olives pinned into the sandwich with a toothpick) and tomato soup which was excellent, I was told. All in all it was a fantastic meal and very filling - we took some of our pizza home for later. The pizza was definitely a highlight - the crust was moist and baked well. The service that we experienced was very prompt and our water glasses were never less than half full! Our waitress was also quite pleasant and our food was brought out quite quickly. They have a lovely waiting area with couches in the front as well, since we had to wait about 15 minutes until we were seated. I would definitely recommend Tuscan to any of my friends looking for a spot to enjoy a meal in Freeport.
(4)K B.
Very cozy and hip! I came here with a group and we were able to make ourselves comfortable and had a great time right away. The restaurant has a big open layout, with grand armchairs at almost every table- how fun! You can see the huge brick oven churning out delicious pizzas- of which we had the pleasure of sampling the fungi pizza and a meat lovers special. Both were great. The whole table also split the antipasto platter which I must say was bangin'. We enjoyed an impressive wine selection, ordering two affordable yet dynamic bottles for the table and topped everything off by splitting two desserts- the dark chocolate cake (reminiscent of a s'more) and a cup of house made mascarpone ice cream. Great experience- I would return!
(5)Becky L.
Very classy place. The food was excellent. The atmosphere is kinda fancy. I had the swordfish and shrimp skewers and it was absolutely delicious.
(5)Will K.
By far the best dining experience I have ever had in Freeport. Great ambiance, service, and food. Limited taps but still a top notch beer selection. The brick oven pizza was fantastic. If you are tired of the other mediocre dining options in Freeport I highly recommend this establishment.
(5)Tammy N.
This was one of the best Italian meals I've ever had in the states. By far the best Cesar salad ever. The Burrata Caprese was absolutely delicious, as was the Field Greens with Balsamic. We also had the special pizza of the day...Fig, Ricotta, Blue Cheese, and Arugula.....very good but I would try the Fennel Sausage & Burrata Pizza next time. I tried a local summer ale but found it bitter and not as light/refreshing as I hoped for. I replaced it with a glass of wine and our server removed the beer from our bill. Service was outstanding. I look forward to dining here again.
(5)Matt W.
Really good food and cocktails. Had the black & blue pizza and it was delicious. Great atmosphere.
(4)Jackie G.
Best Twin Lobster Rolls in Freeport!! The freshest tasting and unheard of great price that no other restaurant in town can beat! You have to try this place as the decor and menu choices are amazing. A beautiful patio and air condition dining room make it ideal for families, too. The open kitchen is a stage as the cooks make your food within your sight. The restrooms are clean and orderly and everyone is so nice! Swing up to window to chat with Chef Chris about your experience, you can't miss him!
(5)Karen W.
I had huge high hopes about food from reading menu. Good was eh. Rabbit meat was shredded... Sure it wasn't chicken? Not terrible food, but more about ambiance and atmosphere than the food.
(2)Selina C.
This place is hands down one of my favorite restaurants. It's perfect for any occasion, whether it's casual or a date. But definitely the ideal place for a date. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, relaxing place to be. It's beautiful inside and their food is high quality! It's pricey but worth it! The bread they serve before the meal is the best, 100x better than Olive Garden's cheap breadsticks!
(4)Carol M.
A bit over priced and "nickel & diming" if you will. Nothing "comes with" your meal, you pay dearly for it, a trick the server will use on a "side" you may want. $2.25 for a tea bag and cup of warm water? It starts there. A $10.00 lunch jumps to $19.00 before you get your second cup of coffee oh, they don't ask, they want to flip tables quickly. Nice seating.
(3)Sharon L.
Superb food, drink , decor- not to be missed when in Freeport. Farm to Table with extremely knowledgeably wait staff.
(5)Jeff S.
Good new spot in Freeport. Huge sandwiches, friendly staff. I asked for them to leave the tomato sauce off a chicken parm sandwich and our server suggested pesto instead. It made for a very tasty sandwich! The French Fries that came with lunch were a disappointment, usually I leave none behind. Was not eager to pay a $2 up charge to eat a healthy salad instead. Next time I will. Nice space just a few blocks from LL Bean. You might also want to try the Tavern at The Harraseeket Inn, for a more upscale ambiance.
(3)Hillary B.
Have dined here twice now, once for dinner and once for lunch. I am drooling just thinking about both experiences! They have the best caesar dressing! Seriously, the second time I asked for a side of it just to dip my bread in. And FINALLY!! A restaurant in Maine that has Carpaccio on the menu. It is one of my favorite things, and the night we had it it was served with local greens and a pink peppercorn foam, AMAZING! We will be back just for that. We tried a few of the pizzas and they were all perfectly cooked and delicious. And....they were willing to make up some pasta with pesto for my 15 month old even though its not on the menu. Possibly my new favorite in Freeport!
(5)Michaela M.
I have been a handful of times and each time I feel the same way: I love the food, I love the prices and I love the drinks. The service leaves me feeling neutral. My friend and I went last Sunday for a late dinner. We split some appetizers and cocktails before we got a pizza. The waitress seemed busy doing other things, though I couldn't see her at other tables. I would have liked a check in before the entire meal was gone, but we didn't get it. That being said, five stars on the food. And it is a really cool huge Italian style place. Fancy chairs and interesting table set up. Open-ish kitchen too!
(4)Xuan Z.
We had the lobster stew and cheese pizza. Really comforting during the cold winter. The stew's texture is just right, not too creamy and full of flavor. The pizza is fresh and warm, but nothing too impressive. What is cool is that you can see the chef making the pizza in front of the big fire brick oven. However, service is not as good. Really hard to find our waitress throughout the meal except for getting the check and getting the tips. Also, every table seems to have free bread except for us, but it could be that we didn't order entree... (we realize that when we were waiting for the pizza, so didn't even bother to ask...)
(3)Jim B.
I've been wanting to try this Freeport eatery for awhile. A Saturday outing with friends offered me the opportunity. Located on Main Street, a stone's throw from LL Bean, Tuscan is a nice option for a town that has plenty of retail and not as much quality dining. I kept lunch simple; the three cheese panini, and the soup of the day, which was an amazing cream of tomato bisque. The panini was excellent; the cheese blended just right and the panini, grilled to perfection. A small but not unnoticed touch was the three olive skewer on top. The soup was presented in a nice ceramic bowl, piping hot, with a colorful presentation of cream and bay leaf on top. The flavor was topnotch. The restaurant, while spacious, doesn't feel cavernous. I enjoyed the smell of the busy brick oven, which was cranking out pizzas; the bar looked appealing and would be a nice place to belly up to for a Friday happy hour. Our waitress was attentive, yet she didn't hover. The place was busy for a Saturday afternoon, but we were not rushed. She checked back with us, answered questions, and made sure we had the opportunity to order additional drinks. Props also for buying locally-sourced beef from nearby Pineland Farms, and locally-grown produce, which is always a nice touch and helps promote local Ag in Maine.
(4)Steff D.
Where do locals eat in Freeport? I'm guessing it's the rustic and warmly decorated Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro which at 1pm on a Saturday afternoon was positively slammed. Now, while I loved their waiting area - large, low L-shaped couches around a glass table (I felt like I was sitting on some Modern Home Magazine set) - I wished we could have been served there. Our entire party of nine fit around it perfectly and comfortably, and there was plenty of room for us to eat lunch. Unfortunately, after waiting more than a half hour (side note: our original party had eight people in it, when a ninth joined Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro tacked on an additional ten minutes to our wait time which seems kind of lame to me; as does the fact that we couldn't all sit together), they broke our party down into two which - in my opinion - kind of defeats the purpose of being together if you ask me. Our waitress was unmemorable... in the best way possible (I mean this as a heartfelt compliment, I really do!). She wasn't invasive and she didn't neurotically check in on us, and yet somehow my water glass never hit empty. I don't know about you, but I'm a girl who seriously appreciates ninja-style waiters/waitresses. They get in and get out without you ever noticing, and that makes the experience amazing because it allows you to focus on what you're there for: your dinner guests (or, at least, half of them) and the food. My counterpart ordered the Oh My Cheese ("tomato sauce, taleggio, asiago, pecorino toscano, mozzarella, ricotta, Parmigiano-reggiano, and oregano"), I ordered the Local Harvest. Too much food for two people, but we conquered and destroyed every last bite of those delicious 'za's long after we had hit the point of being uncomfortably full because it was just so incredibly delicious. The Oh My Cheese literally tasted just like a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of creamy tomato soup... only in pizza form (the basil and dollop of complimenting ricotta were lovely, lovely touches). Read: this was one of THE BEST CHEESE PIZZAS I'VE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. I would go out of my way for one of these! Meanwhile, the Local Harvest - made with "ricotta, butternut squash, cranberries, sweet onions, fried sage leaves, arugula, balsamic, and toasted pumpkin seeds and pecorino romano" - tasted just like you would imagine autumn would if it became an edible thing. I didn't really pick up on the fried sage leaves (actually, I wish those had either been more prevalent, or taken off the list of ingredients list all together as they genuinely seemed missing), but the other toppings complimented each other wonderfully. The butternut squash wasn't pureed (which I appreciated since so many places who have similar pizzas seem to use blended stuff), but still had some density; the pumpkin seeds added a nice crunch; and the arugula tasted fresh (I'm one of those freaks that LOVES fresh greens ON their salad, so this delighted me thoroughly anyway). The beers we had were priced on par with most places in Portland; there weren't a ton of vegetarian options, which was kind of a bummer; the complimentary bread and olive oil before our meal was a thoughtful touch (who ate all the olive bread at her table?! THIS GIRL.); and, we were never rushed out of our seats once we had finished eating. Definitely one of THE places (and a much bigger one than you're probably expecting from the outside) to eat in Freeport!
(4)Sylvie C.
Amazing how good my meal was here! I had the duck gnochi which was so tasty and belonged in a higher end restaurant with double the price tag. Would have given it a 5 star based on my meal but decided on 4 for several reasons. Our waitress initially complained about having to work today when she thought it was going to be a storm day which felt a bit unprofessional and uncomfortable. However, she quickly became extremely friendly and helpful to a level we hardly ever experience which was pleasant. The bread they served at the beginning was a bit dry and the olive oil on the table tasted rancid.
(4)Kat M.
I cannot believe the high reviews for this place. We went for lunch on a weekday. It was not crowded and we waited 40+ minutes to receive 4 sandwiches. A table near us waited an hour, while other tables got their food in reasonable times. 4 sandwiches, no alcohol/appetizers/dessert, and bill was $70 with tip. Only sandwich that was worth the price was the caprese. Terrible waste of time and money.
(1)Will P.
Stopped in for a beer and app. Ordered the pepperoni pizza which was great. The crust was perfect and crispy. High quality pepperoni and the basil finished it off wonderfully. Luckily we saw the blueberry pie in the kitchen window and asked for a slice. Even though it was mid afternoon the chef offered us a slice. The crust was fresh and buttery, blueberries were cooked to perfection and a touch of powdered sugar was a great finish. To boot the bartender was attentive and great with an attention to detail. Worthy the walk down the block away from the hustle of Freeport.
(5)Jamie W.
I stopped here to meet some friends while driving back from Boston. We each ordered pizzas (probably could have split 1 per 2 people). Mine had thin sliced steak and blue cheese. It was delicious. I especially liked how spicy their pepper flakes are. The ingredients are clearly very fresh. The wait staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. My favorite park was the decor. Many tables have mix of chairs and couches and there are tiny white lights in the indoor plants that give it a great ambiance.
(4)Catherine W.
Had the fennel sausage and burrata pizza, and an antipasto appetizer platter. There was also a kids' menu which was reasonable. We sat in very comfortable sofa seating at our table. Glad I called ahead for a reservation as they were turning people away at the door. It was a pleasant experience, though food was not particularly memorable.
(3)Corwin K.
This is our FAVORITE restaurant! We like to go here for every special occasion (or even if we are just in the area) everything from the comfortable seating and beautiful lighting to the food is amazing. Our meals have always tasted very fresh, our favorite is the pesto ravioli!
(5)Geoff G.
Great place for artisan food in a relaxed environment. Friendly and classy staff. Recommended for lunch or dinner
(4)Carrie Ann J.
Great ambiance and PHENOMENAL pizza. Must eat here if you're in Freeport! My husband ordered the lobster pizza and I ordered the Pomodoro. Simply divine.
(5)Susan L.
Based on the many positive Yelp reviews, we were excited to have lunch here, but we were disappointed in the quality and execution of the food. I ordered the open face crispy eggplant sandwich with "melted fresh mozzarella". The mozzarella was not "melted" at all, but rather cold and rubbery, with none of that oozy cheesy goodness that you expect from a topping with fresh cheese. The eggplant rounds were thickly sliced, and the skin was so tough I couldn't even cut through it. The flesh itself was mushy with little flavor. Another person had the salmon burger which he said was very dry. The third person in our party ordered the Portobello mushroom panini, which was fine but not exceptional. The best part of the meal was the bread served with Fiorini olive oil, the hot, salty hand cut fries and the house made pickles. Unfortunately, our actual meals did not live up to the quality of the starter bread and the side dishes. Service was friendly if a bit slow, and the environment was inviting and comfortable. Maybe it was the chef's day off when we visited, or maybe they were just having a bad day, but none of our 3 meals were anything special.
(3)Amanda R.
Holy Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro should be the full name. I am in love with this place for millions of reasons, but I'll only name a few. My bf and I went up to the Freeport, ME area for some grub and relaxation. We made reservations at the sister restaurant, but when I saw their prices, I wasn't really impressed. This restaurant is pricey, but it's 5-10 bucks cheaper. The layout of this restaurant is phenomenal. Couch seating and a great bar. It was a busy night and we got seated within 10 minutes. I ended up getting the Peach Bellini and my bf got the Allagash white. We had chicken wings to start and let's just say it was a melt in your mouth feeling. The chicken wings have balsamic dressing, toscano cheese, garlic and other yummy herbs. For an entree, I had the local scallops and crispy cod cakes with brussel sprouts, pancetta, and Maine lobster tarragon veloute sauce. I was very impressed by the presentation, the combination of ingredients, and overall taste of this dish. I was craving seafood that night, can you tell? Too bad they were all out of the salmon or else that would have been my entree of choice. My bf had the duck pizza and I tried a piece. I fell in love with the combination of the figs, red bliss potatoes, onions, arugula, and the truffle oil!! Go if you haven't already. It's right across from Beans.
(5)Duane B.
Enjoyed a great lunch after checking this out from Yelp reviews. Love the decor. Staff was very friendly.
(4)Shivani S.
My boyfriend & I took a trip to Maine this past weekend for a wedding and decided to make a trip out of it. We spent an afternoon in Freeport outlet shopping and working up a hunger. Read great reviews about Tuscan Brick Over Bistro & I have to say they are accurate! I'll start by stating that I called and asked to be added to the list. I was told there would be a 45 minute wait. I decided to show up early (~15 minutes after calling) & was seated immediately! This was perfect since we were driving to Portland after dinner after already driving from Calais earlier that morning (hungover). The restaurant looked quaint from the outside but I was surprised to find it was much larger than it looked on the inside. They do offer outdoor seating but it had started to rain & I wasn't interested in getting wet. The nice part about the outdoor seating is that they have large umbrellas over the tables to help keep you dry/cool while you eat. Inside they have what looks like a decent sized bar. The tables are spaced so you don't feel like your neighboring table is on a double date with you. The lighting was dimmed enough to make you feel relaxed. On to the food. As an appetizer, I ordered a cup of the Maine Lobster Stew & it was delicious! Lots of lobster! My boyfriend ordered the Maine Mussels. Generous proportion and perfect to share. The sauce was so flavorful we continued to dip the bread in it! I have to say that the polenta frittes that come with the mussels are the best I've ever had, I just wish there was more than two! For our dinner, we both ordered a pizza. I ordered the Funghi & he ordered the Prosciutto Tartufo. Both were great but I think the Funghi was my favorite. I'm a huge fan of mushrooms and I'll admit, i'm usually not a fan of onions but the sweet onions really complimented the flavor of the mushrooms. Highly recommended! Overall I really liked this restaurant. Everything was great, from the ambiance to the service to the food.
(5)Star E.
As an autistic adult I can perceive I would NOT want to be here at peak meal times. Tonight was perfect...but it is late & it is a quiet wee crowd. Food is AWESOME. Just enouugh spice & rich sauce without being muchness. Everthing lovely from presentation to waitstaff. GF options, even pizza! Now-for decadent chocolate. Serrvice dog Shakespeare apprroove eacch dish-exept chocolate!
(5)Ken S.
Came here because of all the great reviews, left a little disappointed :\ Pizza: chicken/toppings were a little too salty, but crush/bread were JUST RIGHT Rabbit pasta: this dish seemed a little confused, I found everything from basil to corn in here For some reason I thought this was going to an Italian-Italian restaurant, nope. Wait was 45 minutes at around 6PM.
(3)Jessica S.
This was my first time here and it was AMAZING! We ordered 3 different kinds of pizza (farmhouse, fungi, and oh my cheese) and shared at the table and they were all SO GOOD. Even my 3 year old and friends 4 year old devoured everything! The waitstaff was friendly and super helpful when the kids started getting fussy they brought us our checks as soon as we asked, and helped us box up leftovers - I will definitely be going again!
(5)Anna E.
My family has had great experiences at the Royal River Grillhouse in Yarmouth, the sister restaurant to Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro, including the time we rented out the top floor of the restaurant for my brother and sister-in-law's rehearsal dinner. We'd heard a lot about Tuscan so we were excited to try it this weekend. We had a 12:45 lunch reservation and were seated within minutes of arriving. The place was very busy and there was a lot of activity but that did not distract me from noticing the interesting and unique décor. Indoor trees were lined with lights, oversized chairs and plush couches providing some of the seating, while large murals and an open wood fired oven provided a rustic, whimsical and playful feel. After we were seated we waited for quite a while before anyone came to us. So long that I almost went up to the hostess station. Finally, someone came over to us confused as to why we hadn't yet seen a server. We placed orders for drinks while we scanned the menu options. We ordered peach bellinis for the adults, a Coke, and a lemonade for the child in our party. The lemonade and the peach bellini tasted off. Another long wait and the bread arrived at the table along with olive oil for dipping. There were a few kinds but the olive was the most memorable. For an appetizer we ordered the mussels and they were absolutely the highlight of the meal. They came in a garlic, white wine and butter broth that was flavorful and fantastic. The mussels were large and plump. Broth was perfect for dipping bread. Unfortunately, we did not feel as strongly about the burger or salmon that were both just mediocre. Also, while we were impressed by the mussels, I did feel unexpectedly queasy later in the day and I wonder if there was any connection. Had the service been better, perhaps these could've been somewhat forgiven. Our experience at Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro was disappointing. With so many other dining options in town I doubt I will be back anytime soon.
(2)Jen C.
Amazing. Beautiful ambiance and delicious food. My favorite restaurant in Maine! Definitely worth the drive down from Waterville. Perfect for a romantic dinner for a special occasion or stop in for a nice lunch after shopping.
(5)Jennifer L.
I adore this place. The interior is charming and sort of luxe rustic, if that's a thing. The drinks are yummy, lots of local craft beers on tap, and the food is excellent. My husband and I are pizza connoisseurs, and we really like the crust. I've had a couple of salads, which were fresh and tasty. The stand outs for me are the Bolognese and the fennel sausage and onion pizza.
(5)Jennifer M.
This is a gorgeous place for either a family dinner or a nicer wine and dine. Service is excellent and the food is even better! Portions are perfect (not small but not huuuuge) with decent prices to match! I had wine (of course), a salad, and the four cheese ravioli -- was really craving ravioli and it just hit the spot! My coworker couldn't get enough of the flatbread. And the fresh pizza looked amazing! Basics done right, more than right, and beyond right! Will definitely recommend this place as a new go-to spot when my travelling coworkers and I are in town.
(5)Sandy B.
I have been here with family and friends several times since they opened. The place is beautifully decorated and the waitstaff is extremely attentive and friendly. I'd consider it rather expensive, however, there are appetizers, pizzas and desserts more reasonably priced than the full dinners or pasta specials. The food is extremely good and well prepared. When there was an issue (with pizza that came with no cheese), the management was contacted at a later date and issued a gift card for a return visit which is commendable and good business practice. Their breads are made in-house and are exceptional. There was a bread with caramelized onions that first week they were open that hasn't been there since. Oh, it was incredible! The homemade ravioli was wonderful. The portion could have been bigger - a couple more ravioli for the price would have been nice. Chicken parmesan was very good and the Chicken Under a Brick is heavenly! Last time we visited, we had the pepperoni pizza and it was perfect! The menu is revised from time to time so one can go every few months and try something new. Desserts are $5 - such a deal - and always include a seasonal Bombolini (little donuts) with some ice cream and other accompaniment. We also tried the cannoli chips drizzled with caramel sauce and rum ricotta cream. Delicious!
(4)Kevin F.
What a nice surprise. I hit this place up for lunch and am glad I did. Very nice interior with comfortable seating. The pizza is fantastic and the price is very reasonable. I look forward to my next visit.
(4)Yasi J.
We just had lunch there and I was VERY satisfied. We ordered the Local Harvest pizza and it was Amazing! It had squash and cranberries in it, so the flavor really reminded me of Halloween-Thanksgiving time. I had never had a pizza with such pleasant sweet flavors . The crust was also really great and fluffy. I absolutely loved it! The restaurant interior was really charming. I think it works perfectly both for a date and friends gathering. And the prices are also reasonable. My friend and I shared a pizza and the bill was only 12$! Loved it!
(5)Debbie H.
Great lunch with my husband and sister. The salads were delicious as were the fries, burgers, and olive bread. The lobster rolls were just okay but not amazing. Make sure you are not in a hurry when you go - we waited a while between ordering, getting food and receiving the check. We loved the atmosphere.
(4)Corey S.
Stopped in for lunch. The atmosphere is welcoming and cozy. Wait staff was top notch. I was impressed by the brick wood fired ovens and large open kitchen. Local beers on tap and plentiful menu. I had the burger: perfectly cooked local beef (ground in-house) and brilliant preparation with finely-shredded lettuce and tasty garlic mayo. Also had an unbelievably good potato gnocchi dish with duck confit and shiitake mushrooms. Food took a little extra time and though we were not in a hurry the manager stopped by and apologized. Will definitely be returning when we're in Freeport!
(5)Alina B.
I've been here a couple times with my host family an it's a really nice place. Once it's dark out, the atmosphere is great. The lights and furniture look really neat. Though it's a little bit overpriced it's stilled a good place to go out.
(4)Andy W.
This is my third time at Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro - two times for lunch and this time was dinner. I was somewhat reluctant because the service at lunch had been slow both times but it had been a while since I visited so figured I would try again. This was a ladies night and we were there early and ordered our food around 5:40pm. We did not get our food until 6:45 - we were 4 people - two ordered salads, two ordered pizza and one ordered pasta. The waitress stopped by one time to say that the pizzas were slow because so many people ordered pizzas at the same time. When we placed our order at 5:40 the restaurant was nearly empty - it did fill up more around 6pm - so I suspect our ordered was not submitted. The waitress stopped by many times to fill our water glasses with warm - no ice water. The bread at the table was not filled again so we waited foodless for 45 minutes after the last slice eaten. My pasta was okay - a bit cold and not worth the extremely long wait. Not impressed and will not be returning..... and I am a freeport resident - there are other places in freeport where you can get food a lot faster.
(1)Jessica S.
I have never been disappointed. Finally a resturant in Freeport for visitors and locals alike. There is almost always a wait but it is never long and how can you even mind when the waiting area is more cozy and inviting than most living rooms. The setting is comfortable with class but not so much that you cannot wear jeans. The open concept is well furnished and intimately lit. Did I mention the food? It is even better then the atmosphere. The gluten free pasta is just as fresh as the other dishes. I have tried different pasta dishes and sandwiches- but the gluten free version of the chicken parm is my favorite. So happy that the Tuscan Bistro made it's home in Freeport.
(5)Lisa J.
The food is delicious, and I've make it a point to return three times after eating twice with family and friends. Each of the three times I went by myself in the afternoon and early evening, I did not receive good service. The third time I left without eating. A single person at the bar or at a table should not be treated any differently than a party of two or more. Not being greeted by a server or served water within five minutes of sitting just feels awful.
(3)Stephanie M.
Yum I couldn't wait to come here after planning the trip. Sure enough it was the first place I went. I was craving the harvest pizza and it delivered. Light and airy but with these great rustic veggies and a balsamic glaze. It was so delicious, a consistency of almost butter. I would def stop back here when in the area.
(5)Regina G.
Service was phenomenal, food was amazing. And when we accidentally left our debit card behind we quickly realized it and when we went to retrieve it, it had already been secured in their safe. How nice is that! Thanks and we will be back
(5)Lauren M.
This place has a very cozy atmosphere, with upholstered booths adorned with pillows and a lodge-y decor. The place is very clean and looks to be fairly new. I was disappointed that no one was sitting at the bar, so I had the hostess seat me. She sat me at a table intended for four and it was a bit awkward, but I figured they put me here for a reason so I didn't make a fuss. The menu has a decent variety. I ordered the Maine Shrimp and Artichoke and a glass of red wine. While waiting for my food, the waitress gave me an oil (?) dipping sauce and a basket of bread. The olive bread was inedible but the regular Italian bread was delicious. I ate it by itself because the sauce was disgusting. It definitely did not taste like extra virgin olive oil and had no seasoning in it at all. The pasta was a little disappointing. The spaghetti was clearly fresh. I normally do not like spaghetti but I enjoyed this one. I was very disappointed by the size and lack of flavor of the shrimp. The artichoke added a nice flavor to the dish as well as the olives and spinach. The cream sauce had a lot of flavor, but was very oily. Service was okay but nothing great. Really everything was acceptable but nothing would make me look to come back again soon.
(3)David W.
Best pizza in Freeport. Fresh ingredients and simply delicious. Reasonably price, too. Will definitely go there again in our next trip.
(5)Glenn M.
The restaurant had great food made with fresh, local ingredients. We had the brick oven pizza and the calamari as a starter with no complaints. The only complaint we had was that the waitress did not communicate the daily specials to us, which we would have tried after hearing them, nor did she ask if we wanted fresh ground pepper upon delivery of our entrees. All in all, great restaurant for some fresh, local Italian cuisine.
(4)Seth J.
Our new favorite spot. Epic atmosphere and awesome variety. Try the mussels. Seriously....
(5)Carlo G.
Just had lunch here for the first time. My wife had the salmon on a Cesar salad. Outstanding. I had the pork and broccoli rabe sandwich. Wows a. What a great treat. The decor is welcoming and warm. Th only problem was the music. 60s? Where's the italian music?
(5)Jack T.
Credit where credit is due! This is what is expected of a fine over the top restaurant. Our party of four had Chicken Parmesan, Bolognese, Duck and a regular cheeseburger with french fries. It's obvious these people understand food but most importantly how to exploit it to the hilt.
(5)Travis D.
This place is awesome! We were passing by Freeport today and stopped for lunch. The reviews looked promising, so we gave it a shot and we were NOT disappointed in the least. My family and I all LOVED our dishes. I got a "basic" chicken parm dish, but there was nothing basic about it. The pasta was prepared to perfection, while the sauce was truly delicious. The chicken was thick and moist and breaded with something of their own creation that made it oh-so-tasty. My wife's gluten free pizza was fantastic as well; it was all she could do to keep me and the kids from stealing slices off of her plate. The dishes at the tables around us all looked too good to be true. I only wish that we had time for desert, but we had to save that experience for another time. I may have to plan another excursion to Freeport just to dine here again!!!
(5)Lee C.
Went back for another try. Was not disappointed. I had the Lunch Special as did my wife. Both were amazing. The Martini was excellent. Just don't order the Bolognese cause that sucks :-)
(4)Julia W.
A perfect place for a mid day shopping break. Everything is so delicious even the olive oil is very flavorful. ( from Fiore down the street) We love the wings, pizza and salads... I guess pretty much everything off the menu.
(5)Patrick M.
Holy cow this lunch service must be a serious anomaly compared to the other reviews. Our server seemed bothered to have the opportunity to serve a father and son out for lunch. I eat out a lot and this was miserable. We ordered a cup of soup that had a layer of oil on top of what was supposed to be creamy potato. The presentation was sloppy and the manager just kind of tossed them on the table on his way somewhere else. After quite a long wait we were served our entree. I had the chicken parm sandwich and greens and my son the pepperoni pizza. My sandwich was soggy and tasteless. The pizza was doughy and under cooked. I grew up making pizza in Chicago. Even the greens were bad the stalks were woody. I don't understand all of the great reviews. This was a late lunch. The place was empty our server took the slack time to get caught up on email and texts. Gotta say as a local I won't be back. Petrillo's is around the corner go there. Heck the pizza at Pat's in Yarmouth is better.
(2)Lisa P.
Just got back from Christmas vacation in Freeport and so happy we tried Tuscan! We first went for lunch, and we each ordered a pizza, the pepperoni and sausage and fennel. Both were delicious, with fresh ingredients and perfect crust. We then went back a few nights later for dinner and again were blown away (had the cod cakes with scallops, the others in my party had the short ribs and seafood zuppa). The atmosphere is just amazing, I would hang out all night there with a nice glass of wine on a cold night. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Gretchen K.
Loved everything from the decor to the service to the food! The pizzas are delish & my hubby was raving about the lobster mac n cheese!
(5)Marla C.
My husband and I went here for dinner on a recent Wednesday night, and without a reservation, we had to wait about 15 minutes to be seated. Not bad. Our server was very attentive, but not overbearing. And the food--my GOODNESS--it was EXCELLENT. I started out with the Burrata Caprese Salad, which had fresh pulled mozzarella , delicious local tomatoes and basil and was beautifully presented. It was PLENTY big enough for two to share. My husband opted for the Pomodoro pizza for his entree. It was perfectly prepared, with that great brick oven crispy finish. I had the Chicken Under a Brick, which was a rather large dish (especially after the generous salad starter we'd had). It was served with delicious mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts and baby carrots. The parsnips and fennel added a nice earthiness to the dish, and the chicken was perfectly cooked. Although we had NO ROOM, the desserts looked amazing. And, for the quality of the food and the upscale atmosphere, I thought the menu was very well priced. If we ever find ourselves in Freeport again, we will DEFINITELY pay the Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro another visit.
(5)Tiffany W.
Very good! We all four ordered lobster rolls! The bread was great & there was a great portion of lobster on them as well! The service was good- the kitchen was slow in my opinion- we went at an "off time" it wasn't busy & it seemed to take a long time. The atmosphere was darling! If we are even in town - we would definitely stop here again! :)
(4)David L.
We came here tonight and had the local pomegranate and apple salad, bolognese pasta and a pepperoni pizza with mushrooms. All three were quite fresh and if we were to go back again we'd definitely order the salad and pizza again. Even though we were full when we left, we didn't feel "heavy" and "stuffed". Highly recommend people staying in Freeport to check this place out.
(4)Michelle E.
I want to give this place five stars but I can't for one reason: the music. The food is good. The service varies, but is usually decent. But the music is boring. When this place first opened, my husband and I went for dinner and they had an awesome playlist. But each time since, they have catered to an older population. For a restaurant that is more hip than most in Freeport and the surrounding towns, the music is dull. How about pandora 80's pop? I really think this place could get a good thing going if they just livened it up a bit with the tunes. Seriously. I know that you think this review should be about the food, but look at the menu-it's not complicated cuisine. Pizzas, pastas, salads. It's like a non-chain version of bertucci's. It's good. Are these chefs going to be featured in food and wine magazine, probably not. Will the restaurant be around longer than the previous tenants, most likely. It brings a much needed option to Freeport. Now if they'd just step it up a little with the music...
(4)Michelle M.
Wonderful!! The decor is very cute, lighting is perfect. Sitting inside or outside will be a delight. We Ordered the chicken parmigiano and chicken under the brick, both were excellent! Local chicken, herbs, and vegetables were certainly tasty!
(5)Andy G.
After reading the great reviews I had the urge to try the Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro in Freeport and got my chance yesterday. I find that many times I have been let down by great reviews on Yelp but in this case all the rave reports were spot on. This eatery is just a stones throw away from the LL Beans Sportsmen's Disney World complex on Main Street and it is surprisingly romantic and warm. Its dimly lit and not only has your traditional seating but also some very cozy sofas and chairs and a very relaxing waiting area. Having gone for dinner on a Tuesday night we did not have to wait at all and were seated as soon as we waked in. Although the menu is not huge, it is filled with lots of great and somewhat different sounding items ( Rabbit pasta anyone ?). Homemade pastas, pizzas, seafood, steaks, chicken, duck. There are so many choices, but for our appetizer we choose the Veal Meatball Stuffed Portabello Mushroom Cap. While we waited, we were treated to some good quality sliced Italian and Olive Breads with Olive Oil to dip it in. The appetizer was as advertised. Straight out of the brick oven , four very tender melt in your mouth mini veal meatballs sit atop a mushroom cap with a hearty portion of rich, slightly smokey marinara sauce and melted cheese with fresh basil. It was great in its simplicity. Do yourself a favor and soak up the leftover marinara with some extra bread. Our entree was not far behind and for that Simone and I split a Duck Confit Pizza. I am surprised not more people have reviewed this particular pizza on Yelp because it is some kind of wonderful. Its loaded with ingredients that separately on their own are all pretty darn good but when combined on top of the perfect smokey charred cornmeal pizza crust they are out of this world. So its starts with a rich white cream sauce base, then it gets a nice thin sliced layer of white tender potatoes. Next up a sprinkle of whole balsamic soft sweet figs, then some rich tender cooked shredded duck. Top it off with perfect caramelized onion, some sharp and nutty Pecorino Romano cheese add a drizzle of earthy truffle oil and finish it all off with peppery baby arugula leaves. This may be one of the most perfect gourmet slices of pizza ever. We finished every last slice and left wishing we had bigger stomachs so that we could have more. I can imagine that this place gets very busy in the summer and the wait times probably get pretty long but this is a place I would stand in line for again. I cant wait to go back and try many more things on the menu. This is perhaps the best pizza I have had in Maine.
(5)Jay M.
The calamari is fabulous it had all sorts of vegetables with it over a bed of fresh lettuce. Pasta was good and would have been excellent if it wasn't overcooked. Service is great. This is a nice upscale option for Freeport.
(4)Tim B.
Having failed to get in on the Saturday night, my wife and I decided to take lunch here on the Sunday and an excellent choice it was too. The décor is very pleasant, with a variety of seating styles to choose from, including a spacious and well appointed bar. They serve Monkeys Fist IPA, which is a big plus and I was soon getting outside a pint thereof. Wife chose the soup of the day (tomato) and I had the clam chowder, which was truly outstanding. We only had cups, but that was close to all we needed. We shared a beautifully prepared pizza for mains, and actually had to have the last two slices boxed up for later. The restaurant was quite busy and service was brisk and efficient. Price was very reasonable too.
(5)Marc D.
Great food and service. Table was ready on time, and the service was respectful, friendly and helpful. The food was really quite good and was well presented. We would definitely come back.
(5)Eric S.
We had a great experience here and I'd recommend this place to anyone. Great smells, comfortable seating, and a nice atmosphere are all pluses. The caprese sandwich was top notch as well as the mussels and calamari appetizer. Good stuff - easily the best place in Freeport for dining at lunch.
(4)Melissa W.
Hi, My fourth time here and probably last for awhile. Came for lunch and sat outside although I think its just adorable inside. My friend and I did not wait long. We each ordered a glass of red wine. Which was good but not $9 worth of good. It took 5 sips to drink the glass. Come on guys, it was not a top shelf bottle of wine. I ordered the Oh Cheese Pizza which was mediocre. Not great but not bad. Just ok. My friend ordered a salad and was happy with it. She said the chicken was very good. To sum it up, I thought that the meal was good but overpriced. I paid $25 for my lunch and that was with 20% taken off the glass of wine. Much to much for a good but not great lunch.
(3)John K.
I was part of a group of nine who had dinner at the Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro. What was remarkable was that every one in the group was complimentary about the food. Seems to me that with that size party, and human nature, someone is usually disappointed. Not this time! We ordered quite a range of meals. For me, it was their rabbit dish, which was excellent. The decor is attractive. Good lighting. I'd be pleased to go back again when I'm next in Maine near Freeport.
(5)Sarah B.
We ate dinner here last weekend. We had tried for dinner last winter but the wait was too long. That wasn't a problem tonight-only 10 minutes to wait. I started with a rhubarb cocktail that was just the right balance of sweet and savory. I loved the bread and the risotto of the day was the best I've ever had.
(5)Peter T.
We live in Freeport and for years have longed for an affordable, everyday kind of local restaurant. The Tuscan is the best thing to happen to our restaurant scene in a long time. The owners have put some real money into the space--open but still cozy and really nice. Very attentive and professional service. But the real breakthrough for our town, where too many restaurants get sloppy because of plenty of itinerant tourists, is the food. Pizza, from the brick oven, was excellent. The sausage and green onion was awesome. Great crust. Pesto chicken also great, but very rich with goat cheese. The arugula spinach salad had a terrific, bright citrus dressing. The kids went loopy for the lobster mac and cheese. Full bar and a fun cocktail menu--rosemary infused Cold River Gin from right up the road for example. Solid wine list and no excessive per glass prices Hurray for the Tuscan! Rock on.
(5)N L.
I am a local Freeport Resident and have to say Freeport restaurants have improved over the years. This Tuscan Grill should go away. It was disgusting. I can't put it politely. The hostess was pleasant . We were seated outside. (they have NO bug deterrents, so there are TONS of mosquitos and black flies, I was chewed up!) The server was super and friendly. (her first ever waitress job....Azure you should hire her). We were a party of 5. After a long wait we ordered an appetizer of the antipasto salad. I couldn't eat it, my husband loved it. It was totally unusual with very strong cheeses....just yuck to me, my husband loved it. Then the bread and dipping oil came. Bread is homemade and wonderful. I only had the italian bread. It was wonderful. The oil had NO flavor and was VERY BLAND. We didn't have salt or pepper on the table so we couldn't add to the oil....they need to rethink this...maybe just bitter would work better that doing something that they can't do. Maybe take a lesson (OR 8 from Azure across the street..they are WONDERFUL) anyway....so the oil is bland, useless. Bread super. Appetizer was good to my husband gross to me. So after a LLLOOOONNNNNGGGGGG wait and many bug bites, we get our meals. (a little over an hour to be served the main meal, which if things FLOWED isn't all that long, but we just sat waiting........) hmmmm. 1. Ravioli with no sauce. this plate was $14.00 it came with 6 MINI ravioli's. (not the jumbo big ones, little tiny ones. The picture on their website has to be in a childs play kitchen plate, as the ravioli's were TINY and 6 probably equaled 3 of the large ones. That's it. About $0.50 worth of food on it. The ravioli's were under cooked and very chewy....my daughter couldn't eat it. I asked about the 6 ravioli's and was told that was correct. HUH? plate #2 my sister in law had the Ravioli with sauce and was pleased plate#3 was a pizza that was fine. plate#4 was chicken parm, my husbands. TO start stating he was sick after it....should tell you something. The sauce is plain, no flavor...none, not even tomatoey. The Chicken was "blackened" but was identifiable...even if not edible. It was a horrible meal for $16.00 the prosciutto was so burned we didn't know what it was. and this was the GOOD Chicken parm. plate#5 was my chicken parm. BLACK, not identifiable. I had no idea what this black lump was on my plate with this burned black thing under my cheese ( I could tell the cheese) BUT I had to remove the cheese to get this "burned prosciutto" off leaving me with NO cheese, plain tasteless sauce and a burned (I mean charcoaled) piece of something....and spaghetti that was undercooked chewy and slimy. It was all terrible. I too was ill as soon as I got home. I managed to get the chicken down, couldn't touch the pasta....it was horrible. I hadn't eaten since 7am, I HAD to eat SOMETHING...MISTAKE!!!! THEN the manager, Margaret stopped by without us asking for her. She apologized and offered us dessert on the house. we accepted. The LONG wait (the waitress kept apologizing and saying the kitchen was backed up) If the kitchen can't handle the dozen tables they have...they need to reevaluate! It was terrible. SO without us saying a word to the staff, the manager came and chatted, we told her we were huge AZURE fans and we had to try the Tuscan Grill. She said she hoped we wouldn't take tonights meal as the norm....they can do so much better.... SO I TAKE IT, it's a HIT OR MISS and we MISSED??? DO I want to spend over $100. and maybe "MISS"? I think not. So we had dessert.....which everyone liked. I had a dish of gelato as there was not a dessert I would eat. Definitely not a place for someone who wants a simple italian dinner....nothing is normal here. Your kids will hate you for bringing them here....no "regular" italian food. They tried to be creative and fancy and failed miserably. My next dinner out is back to the wonderful, CONSISTENT AZURE where they KNOW what to do and do it right! I also heard in town that Tuscan Grill is trying to take Azure's staff.....isn't that unethical behavior in the food world? I think it's wrong and won't do business with bully's. This is in the top 5 of my VERY WORST MEALS EVER. If you want to "MAYBE" have a decent meal and pay decent prices, go for it...you might be pleased or maybe you'll leave sick like we did...your choice! I'd rather go across the street and ENJOY my meal.
(1)Pam G.
This was a great little find for lunch in Freeport. The ambiance is warm and inviting and they had so many awesome choices on their menu it was really hard to choose. I went with the lobster roll because I hadn't had one yet and it was really really good. It was very lightly dressed and all about the lobster, served on a delicious butter toasted roll. The caesar salad side was a little unusual but very good. My gf had the eggplant and she said it was the best eggplant that she has ever had. I would definitely go back again, especially to try the duck confit pizza!
(5)Al G.
Tuscan is an oustanding experience Really well in the italian high cuisine style All menu item are crafted oustanding Service is greatyou could not ask for more Dont missed it Ill keep comming back when im in town
(5)Molly H.
This place is just ok. The service is very hit or miss especially at dinner time (where the service is really slow). I've been here probably 5 times because it's close to where I work but meh. Several times for dinner, I go out w/ people from work and they bring our food and mine is cold. I don't say anything because I'm hungry, don't want to appear difficult, and have already waited way too long so I deal w/ it. I've had the seafood skewers which are mediocre (and that dish was cold when it came out), the hanger steak (ok, but the sides were terrible). I've had their salads (kinda small), lobster roll, salmon burger, and pizza too. Everything is just ok, they lose a star because of their higher prices. I don't know I really want to like this place but I don't.
(2)Paige M.
Let me first say that this is one of the most beautiful casual restaurants I've ever been to! The painted brick, couches, reclaimed wood, and tasteful decor made for a great atmosphere. Beyond this, there were a few things that I was quite unimpressed with. For one, I expected more variety and more pizza and pasta choices on the menu, especially for a "Tuscan Bistro". I had really been craving something with a cheese/ cream sauce (like Fettuccini Alfredo or something) but found nothing like this on the menu, so I asked our waitress if I could simply order a plate of pasta with a parmesan sauce. The kitchen staff was very accommodating and said that they would be happy to. While waiting for our meal I overheard the front of house manager raising his voice at the waitstaff near the food window. This is unprofessional and obviously unpleasant to hear while you're dining. After a reasonable wait, my small plate of pasta with cream sauce arrived, but unfortunately I had finished half of my meal before my mother's meal was brought to our table. If there's one thing that I learned not to do when I was a waitress it's to not bring out food until the entire order is ready. I felt bad that my mother had to watch me eat while her pizza took at least another ten minutes to arrive. While my pasta was delicious, my mother's pizza crust was so soggy that it had to be rolled up to be eaten. Pretty disappointing since this should be their specialty. The biggest disappointment of the night came with the bill. My small plate of pasta tossed in cream sauce was $18.00! The restaurants large serving of chicken parmesan was $18.00, which is reasonable, but for a small pasta dish with no meat I found the price of my order to be outrageous. I love the restaurant itself, but I'm not sure if we'll be returning here.
(3)Randolph C.
Went there last October 2014 for the first time and really enjoyed it. We had one of their pizzas and it was outstanding, staff was friendly as well.
(4)Mike B.
Very nice restaurant with a great atmosphere and reasonable prices. Our party had pizza, lobster stew and the grilled swordfish sandwich. That swordfish sandwich was maybe the best fish sandwich I have ever eaten. Service was good and we didn't have to wait too long. I highly recommend this place. Right on Main St in Freeport, and easy to find.
(5)Jim M.
Ate here 2nd eve in Freeport. On of the best meals in many months. Chicken Parmesan, cheese pizza, pasta Bolognese were the choices and each person raved about how good it was. Ambience is nice. We were so impressed, we returned the next night. We rotated dishes, so no new dishes to report on--but everyone was very happy---except we each had dessert the second night and it was overkill. Portions are substantial.
(5)Robert P.
A must when you are in town Fig salad and sausage fennel pizza Great service etc good prices Cheers
(5)Jaime Y.
Loved this restaurant! Friendly staff, our waitress Tabitha was fabulous and our food was delicious. They have a great menu selection including an abundance of options that you can make gluten free by request. They even had gluten free beer. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. I didn't think the price was bad, definitely as expected for a tourist area. The meals tax is on the high side in Maine but if you're there you'd pay that price at any of the restaurants so I'd say The Tuscan Bistro is the place to go. A casual upscale restaurant, it has a classy feel without the snobby atmosphere. It was exactly what we were looking for. We ate a late lunch at this establishment and enjoyed the atmosphere. Also, the bathrooms were clean and decorated to fit the theme of the restaurant. We will definitely return.
(5)Marcia F.
Had a great experience here - excellent range of choices, fresh ingredients, and everyone really enjoyed their selections. The field greens with balsamico was a hit all around, and I loved the figs with prosciutto. Would definitely come back!!!
(4)Brett J.
My son (he is 10) and I found this restaurant on Yelp, and we shared the mushroom and cheese pizzas. Both were very good (mushroom pizza is a bit sweet - but just right) and complemented one another well. We will be back!
(5)Nick R.
was a long wait but the hostess was very friendly and the atmosphere was enjoyable. was unsure what to order but the waitress recommended the duck gnocchi and it was DELICIOUS! there was an issue with my fiances meal, however, and the manager went well above and beyond to accommodate us. would definitely return!
(4)Sarah W.
I asked to sit at a corner table, explaining that I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from serving in Afghanistan. Almost every table was empty, and the manager came out and said he couldn't help us because he didn't have anyone to serve a corner table, even though said corner table was 15 feet from where they sat us. Take note, veterans- this place will not even attempt to make accommodations, and disrespect your service. Apparently PTSD isn't an issue. I hope you boycott this place in support of the thousands of troops coming home with PTSD.
(1)Courtney M.
Wow. Best pizza I have EVER had. The brick oven makes the crust extra crispy and a little charred but in the best way possible. The sauce, the crust, the toppings- honestly I could eat this pizza every week and not get sick of it. Also I have tried the salads- and every time I have been super impressed with the size and ingredients. Always seasonal ingredients. This place is amazing. I would recommend it to anyone passing through. The ambiance is so cozy and warm, you won't be disappointed- guaranteed!
(5)Noah E.
We has trout it was crisp and flavorful. The scallops and cod cakes was creamy, crispy and tasty! We also had the pear ginger martini which had ice crystals-how refreshing. The pineapple jalapeño margarita was a sweet start with a zing ending-loved it!!!!! GO!
(5)Cathleen O.
This place was excellent. I had fried calamari, chicken Parm, baby spinach arugula salad. It was great. I'm stuffed and loved the ambiance
(4)Ido W.
The bottom line: cozy, inviting place, over priced, not good for takeouts. The Pro's: Spacious modern cozy design, the food we had was pretty good. The Con's: The only dish that I can comment about is a pizza that we took out with us. While the pizza tasted good, it was rather small and overpriced. I appreciate the brick oven, however I expected a larger thinner pizza.
(3)Jack S.
Surprised to find this gem in downtown Freeport, expected a faux bistro for the LL Bean tourists but this is the real deal. Been here 4 times over last couple of months. Great salads, appetizers and pizza. Reasonable prices and friendly, professional service. Perfect dinner ambiance, quiet room that is ideal for conversation. Best of the downtown Freeport restaurants.
(5)Lucy D.
One word, "outstanding"! Service, atmosphere and food totally exceeded our expectations. The homemade pizza, spinach salad and bread were excellent. This is a relatively new restaurant that is right down the street from LL BEAN. I highly recommend and hope to return sometime really soon!
(5)Lori S.
Fantastic lunch menu! Beautiful restaurant and nice outdoor dining area. Great prices on their food. I had the lobster panini and my friend had the swordfish. We were both thrilled. We split the roasted fig appetizer and it was small but yummy. No Reisling on the menu but the Pinot was delicious. I'd definitely come back!
(4)Maria Z.
The hubby and I just had dinner here and it was fantastic! The service was fast and friendly. The restaurant is nicely decorated and not too loud despite the fact that it was full. We started out with the antipasto salad - very yummy. Had to try the Lobster Stew, it was good - I won't say great because I think it could of had a few more pieces of lobster. Then we had the sausage and fennel pizza - oh my! It was so good. The crust is superior the topping was tasty. My husband, a pizza lover, thought it was probably one of the best pizza he has ever had! If you're in Freeport, you have to try this place.
(5)Ciara B.
Just finished eating and I could not wait to write a review! We finished shopping around the area and were hungry for lunch. Thanks to yelp, I found this place. The ambiance and the decor are so nice and contemporary. The bathroom decor was nice too lol anyway, I had the soup of the day which was creamy mushroom. I had the chicken parm w/ spaghetti and I have to to say that they were the best creamy mushroom and chicken parm I've had..so far at least lol if I go back (since I'm on a family vacation), I'll definitely try to go back here
(5)Colleen F.
Don't miss this place if you are staying in Freeport. Ask for Laura to be your server you'll want to make her a part of your family!! The special soup Buffalo chicken soup was amazing...should've ordered the bowl. The pizza was perfect...dough ingredients perfect. The Lobster Mac was demolished by my 18 yr old cousin. We had 20 people in our group and no one had a bad thing to say! We are making this a yearly dinner experience :)
(4)Marty L.
Food was excellent. We had a large family group with bunch of children and grown ups. There was something for everyone - pizza but at a more civilized atmosphere after a day of shopping and terrific tasting food. The food must have been pretty excellent because the service was a little topsy-turvy. A miscommunication with the reservation...but the host made a quick accommodation for us. But then it took about an hour for our food to come...close to 2:45 for our lunch with kids. By then the restaurant was about half full so I have no idea what the delay was. The bread was yummy and the kids filled up on them while we waited. My large salad was fresh and tasty. My dad's burger was delicious. My duck confit pizza was scrumptious. My husband wouldn't even share his black and blue steak pizza. Panini was also good size for sharing and delicious. A lot of taste, a little sweet with carmelized onions, a little creamy with goat cheese, some extra flavor with fresh drizzle of olive oil. Yum. In spite the wait with bunch of young kids and me with diabetes blood sugar issues... I still give it five stars.
(5)Mike C.
Went here on a Thursday night in November at 6:30pm for dinner. It was full, but we got a table and drink orders were taken. My wife had a chicken pram and a Ceasar salad the pram was 18 and the salad 8. I had chicken BRICK. Which was a small piece of chicken on top off boiled greens and mashed potatoes.I also had the salad. 21 for the chicken and yes, 8 for the salad. The food was all good although my chicken could have been a bit hotter. Prices are HIGH so be prepared, but in a town like Freeport there are few food bargains, or any others for that matter. I am not sure if I would return.
(3)Erin B.
Tonight I had the chance to visit Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro in Freeport, Maine. It is a large imposing space that feels completely comfortable, cozy nooks, fabulous chairs and great lighting. I have long been a fan of Chef Merrill's work and tonight's meal reached a new high for me. We could of been a challenging table for most fine dining restaurants 2 people on Paleo, one gluten free pescatarian, two picky pre-teens and an 18 month old. We had the antipasto to start, while the kids gobbled the bread and oil, my daughter exclaimed, Foccacia with bacon!" The antipasto was excellent with fresh well thought out ingredients and tons of flavor. One of the picky pre-teens and the baby had chicken strips and fries, both enjoyed them very much. My daughter had the pizza Margherita which she thoroughly enjoyed, announcing it a five. It was a little difficult for me not to taste the light, bubbly crust, but being gluten-free I abstained. I had the sirloin special, the meat was perfect, chargrilled and cooked to medium, served on an amazing mixture of swisschard, sundried tomatoes, and currants. The plate was also graced with crisp green beans and fingerling potatoes all with just enough of a delicious red wine sauce. It was wonderful to have a chef really consider the vegetables on the plate elevating what some might consider a side dish. My sister had the scallops dish from the menu and declared it the best dish she had eaten in a long while. My brother thoroughly enjoyed the brick chicken as well. For dessert we shared two flour less chocolate tortes with salted caramel gelato. The perfect end note to a fabulous meal.
(5)Michael F.
I would give it 4.5 stars. This place has only been open 3 months and appears to be doing very well. The place is beautiful inside and the decor and cozy furniture makes it a very intimate setting. The bread with the dipping oil was fresh and tasty. We ordered the family size salad of the field of greens. The dressing on the salad was delicious making this salad a winner. We ordered a Margherita pizza and a pepperoni pizza. It's a thin crust pizza and it was the right amount of pizza for the three of us. They were both tasty and satisfying. The service was very good throughout. I must add the bathrooms were very clean which is something I normally don't put in a review.
(4)Chris N.
The Bistro is exactly what Freeport needs! The owners of the Royal River Grillhouse have done a great job again. I went to the Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro for lunch and got their calamari and rabbit pasta. The ingredients were fresh and the food was amazing. On top of the amazing food the staff were very attentive and polite. This is definitely a place that I would go again especially with it's reasonable prices.
(5)