Slates Restaurant & Bakery
167 Water St, Hallowell, ME, 04347
Slates Restaurant & Bakery Menu
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Address :
167 Water St
Hallowell, ME, 04347 - Phone (207) 622-9575
- Website https://www.slatesrestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :3:30 pm - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Burgers
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Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
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TJ S.
First time here with my relatives. Great bohemian atmosphere and mellow acoustic string music in the background, coupled with seafood specials make this place worth my return visit. The menu selection seem to be all American dishes with good influence on Italian and French. Good selection of savory dishes, meat and seafood. I would be happy with any of the entree dishes but opted for the special of the day - seafood medleys (lobster, muscles, sea scallops) herb Provençal The service is relaxed pace but attentive and creative at times. That makes it interesting to watch the wait staff and patrons interactions. I thought the parking was a little tricky on the street but there is a free big parking lot behind the building.
(4)Greg F.
This place gets a ton of great press... maybe I ordered badly... maybe I was having an off day? I had a steak - over sauced, over cooked, under chosen. The wine selection was okay... The service was good. The space was pretty cramped and uncomfortable. Lot's of people still rave, so don't take my word alone.
(2)Michelle G.
This is just such a great meal...everything! We had fettuccine which was perfectly cooked and flavored and I had a Cajun burger that was also perfectly cooked! Great atmosphere....great food...homemade and specialty items that you can't find anywhere else. The dessert menu looked incredible too.
(5)Jackson M.
Half of "Today's Specials" were unavailable. Otherwise, the food and the atmosphere were enjoyable.
(4)Lauren M.
I returned to Slate's last week and my second experience was much better than my first. The bread was still delightful. The beer was great. I ordered the baked haddock with potatoes and squash, and, by the end of the meal, I was stuffed, but I wasn't going to leave food on my plate! The fish was perfectly cooked. As promised by the waitress, the pesto was incredible. Rarely when I travel do I feel like I'm getting a home-cooked meal, and this was definitely a treat! Note that this place gets very busy, even during the week. We had to wait about 20-30 minutes for a table of 4 at 6:30ish on a Monday night! However, the ambiance is very nice in the back room--much nicer than in the bar area.
(4)Krystin P.
I was disappointed after the Yelp reviews I read. I was looking for a cup of coffee and was disappointed to see the coffee was the Green Mountain brand that had been sitting in a coffee carafe. When I put it into my cup, the first thing I thought after feeling the cup/taking a sip was, "this needs to be much hotter." My boyfriend and I got a double fudge brownie, a chocolate macaroon, and a chocolate chip peanut butter cookie. The cookie was the best. I did not like the macaroon at all. The brownie tasted like there was an extra, unnecessary cup of sugar in it,. It was overly sweet, and therefore unenjoyable.
(2)Downeast K.
Maybe I just hit this place at the wrong time of day, but we had lunch there yesterday and I didn't think it was anything worth writing home about. Servers were spread too thin. My father's silverware was dirty and the bread was kind of stale. All-in-all it was nothing to write home about and we won't be returning. I have to respectfully disagree with this Yelp listing that says Slates is a good place for kids. There's no kids menu! People with kids either have to share their meal with their children or they have to order full-size meals for their kids (which is expensive and way too much food!)
(2)Janice S.
Wish I could say I loved it. music was great..service was great which that was never the case before but the food was..meh....crabcakes were nonexistent.. mired in sauce and soggy..hubbys fish was tiny and overcooked. Friends fish was drowned in pesto and inedible... brought the wrong wine twice to the friends...
(2)Beth H.
Amazing! Their seafood is incredibly fresh, and their steak is also delicious. I had their crab cakes to start and they were very good. Their pecan pie is also delicious, probably because they have a bakery next door. It was all wonderful. It has been family owned and operated for 30 years. The owner is the head chef. You will not be disappointed!
(5)Allan P.
We went to Slates for camp weekend so while I get the rush this created, we had a horrible experience. Everything took forever and many dishes were off the menu by 8PM. Not only that but I only found out the dishes were gone after I ordered and waited for a half hour. I will also add this is the second year in a row we went there (not my call) but will not go back. Food is mediocre at best, service lags and there is really nothing special about this place. Just below average bar food with bad service. Nuff said.
(1)Chantel C.
If you are an out of towner do not go here. They had a really hard time with my ID they were not going to serve me. My boyfriend and I joked saying wait till they see his Id (he's military). I even talked to the owner and she was rude, this town has really nothing we are passing through for the night and will never go back there again. TERRIBLE SERVICE, unknowlegable staff...
(1)Bethany M.
My favorite place for brunch--and I LOVE brunch. All of their assorted eggs benedict are superb, and their homefries are AWESOME. Homemade breads for toast, and unique specials--it's on my regular list of great places to go. Their Pepper Bloody Mary is my favorite in the area!
(5)Jeanne M.
Who dathunk there would be such a fun, funky, fabulous restaurant in what I thought was the middle of chain restaurant land in Augusta? Well, Sinead, the fabulous front desk person at the nearby Quality Inn (also 5-star worthy but we'll leave that for another review). , steered us over to Lovely Hallowell and told us there were many good dining options. Well, the six of us who were traveling for work at nearby camps were awfully glad we chose Slates. We were greeted with a big smile and a "Great, we'll have a table for you in two minutes" when we walked in to a very busy restaurant, sans reservations, at 7:00 pm on a Thursday. Richard,our gracious and funny server, seemed genuinely happy to see us and was efficient and helpful without being obtrusive. The food is yummy, four of us had salads from the vast salad options and the even more options as add-ons. II chose fresh lobster as an add-on. perfection! A couple of my colleagues were in the mood for Mexican had nachos and gazpacho which they said were top drawer. Good beer and wine selection. And my Aforementioned Mexican minded colleagues said the Margaritas were scrumptious. We topped dinner off with a brownie from the bakery which Richard suggested needed some ice cream, hot fudge sauce and nuts. He was right. Camp season is hard work for us and Slates is our new reward after a long, hot day at work.
(5)B M.
Ho hum food. Way overpriced..Bread too hard, coffee too old and dessert was stale. Salad was ok. as was the brie and grapes. Waitstaff snotty Although some of the food tasted ok going down, I was sick all night upon returning home. Maybe they turn the lights way down so you can't see how dirty the place is. Won't be back.
(1)James S.
I started my night in Hallowell trying to get a meal at The Liberal Cup. Because it was Tuesday night Trivia and chaos, I never did get to eat there. So I walked down the street and popped into Slates. It's an eclectic place, a little bit of a hippy vibe going on. It was a little dark for my taste. The host (young kid) asked me if I wanted to sit at the bar. I saw the restaurant was only about half full so I asked if I could sit at a table. He first tried to give me a tall table with tall stools. I asked for a regular low table and he seemed a little put out with me. He gave me the worst table in the house, way in the back corner, by the bus station - I was being punished! The waitress was a very sweet woman who had a nice way about her. I started with a salad that was just very average. I also got some bread, that was also average. I was not impressed and was expecting just a very average meal. Then the magic happened! I had a baked haddock stuffed with lobster meat. It was out of this world - delicious. It was a well cooked piece of fish and generously stuffed with lobster. The sauce was rich and tasty. I had sides of carrots and smashed potatoes. The carrots may have seemed simple, but they were so good. I enjoyed my entire meal and cleaned my plate. Now I have been trying to be good and go with out dessert these days. But something told me that tonight I should try the dessert here. When I Maine I go with the blueberries. They taste nothing like the berries we get in Pennsylvania. They are smaller and are packed with blueberry flavor. So I got the pie and homemade ice cream. It was outrageous. The pie crust was perfect and flaky. It may have been one of the best pie crusts that I have ever eaten. Plus a nice big scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream. I learned Slates has their own bakery next door and they are know for their wonderful baked goods. The pie was very remembrable. I really enjoyed my meal here. It tasted homey and homemade. It was the right choice!
(5)Devon D.
This is a great place to go for a mean. The food is very good - can be a little on the pricey side - and they have some really interesting and fun drink specials. Their seafood alfredo is very tasty and packed with seafood. They have some of the best desserts you could ask for; I had the German Chocolate Cake and it was out of this world.
(4)Justin F.
Slates is the finest restaurant in the greater Augusta area, hands down. Every time I am in Augusta I go to Slates. The food is actual culinary art and not just food. The wait staff is always pleasant. The hummus plate. I could write a long review about this place, but I don't have to...it's just plain ol' good here.
(5)MJ H.
Slate's lunch and dinner is fabulous if you're feeling a bit footloose and fancy, because even though it's casual, it's definitely not "run of the mill." Their dishes always have a unique "twist," which doesn't always fit what people are looking for. Their ginger-peach mimosas are deeee-lish, and their menu (which does change often) has some mouthwatering items. (my favorites are the crepes!) Be warned that some of their cakes turn out dry. I had the german chocolate cake twice, and it wasnt good at all. I'll never order it again. Breakfast is something you can skip if you want to save yourself the money. $15-20 for one person for breakfast is steep, and the breakfast is certainly good but nothing that will be "unforgettable."
(4)Jen F.
A little high priced but great food. This may be some of the freshest seafood you will get. The stuffed haddock with lobster or crab seems to be their most popular item. Everything here was good though, from the bread with olive oil to the nachos to their salads. The lobster pizza was another great item as well as the salmon. If you're really hungry, go for the seafood alfredo. My co-worker said it was the best pasta he's had in a long time and it was super rich and creamy. The peanut butter pie with ice cream was excellent. I'll have to try out the bakery next time I'm in town.
(4)MK G.
The perfect end-of-summer last stop before heading south for this tourist. Food, ambience, service and fellow customers all a treat. Oh, and the mussels. Sigh.
(4)Amybeth H.
Thanks for a great place! Amybeth Hurst, Portland, ME
(4)Alex W.
You guys, it was bad. I've heard so many good things about this restaurant; I was excited to finally try it. The interior of the restaurant is so cozy and cute. Everyone was really friendly when we arrived and they sat us even though our entire party was incomplete. The wine was mediocre table wine. I had the flat iron steak with garlic fresh herb butter, kale, and quinoa. The steak came out cold with a heap of what looked like, I kid you not, a two tablespoon clump of butter. The kale tasted like it had been dry rubbed in salt, and the quinoa was somehow undercooked and burnt. For dessert I had the peanut butter fudge swirl pie and a brownie. The brownie was dry and stiff but the peanut butter fudge swirl pie was good and I would recommend it. Our service wasn't that great either. Friendly, but absent for most of the meal leaving our water glasses empty until we ordered dessert. Everyone else in my party had a similar experience with the food. As a long-time server myself, I'm a pretty easy guest and always tip 20% no matter what, but unless Slates is going to cut their prices in half to match the quality of their food, save your money and go to the Liberal Cup.
(2)Brian S.
Wow! The food was acceptable, the price was high, the atmosphere was horrible. Very loud, very slow service. Don't waste your time, there's better food in better restaurants.
(1)Christina P.
This was the worst meal I have ever had. The only reason I stayed is because I was with good company. If you're looking for any semblance of customer service, turn around and go somewhere else. At $25 a plate, the service was unacceptable. Restaurant Impossible needs to come in and teach the owner how to keep her staff in order. The sass and attitude they spewed the entire night was atrocious. Our "server", if you can call someone so rude that, wasn't happy with us from the start. She needs to go in to another profession, one that includes no interaction with people. The duck wontons were too oily and the sauce was overwhelming. The flavor of duck was non existent. We have to wave someone down to get drink refills. Only to find out they ran out of Shipyard Pumpkin. Who runs out of beer? About an hour later, our "server" stops by to say that our dinner is coming out after the big party next to us. Well they get their food in five minutes. Half an hour after that, I wave someone down to check on our meal and she says it's coming right out. Two folks got duck, and the serving sizes were completely different. Shouldn't they have been the same size? One was dry and the other was over sauced. The pasta with sausage was bland. The "crab" crepes had more 90% artichoke and 10% crab. They should have called them artichoke crepes! When asked if we wanted dessert, I asked if it would take an hour to get that too because the "server" was rude the entire meal. She said to blame the slow meal on the kitchen and she was just the messenger. She didn't seem to realize that her lack of communication was more upsetting than the slow food. We asked to see a manager because we didn't want to deal with her any more. She came back and told us to go to the kitchen because she was working and could not come out. Are you kidding me? The owner should have come right out to talk to us. When we get back there, the two servers, who looked like nagging sisters, ganged up on us and told us that we were in the wrong! Seriously? The customer service there was non existent. And the owner had zero control of her staff. I will NEVER be back. Why would I pay money to be given attitude and suffer thru boring food? Save your money.
(1)Tonya B.
Brunch is the best here. Wide variety to choose from and the muffins are delicious. Getting in is uncomfortable. Long lines and this is the only place I have ever been where the host or hostess ignores you. Really? The restaurant needs training in customer service at the door. Too much a space to hold people waiting for tables- expansion needed.
(3)Brad L.
I am sad to say that what would originally have been a 5 star review has become a 3 star review. I have been a fan and patron of Slates since 1976. I know the website says 1979 but the actual business opened earlier that than that. For years whether I was living locally or coming in from away Slates has been a primary destination for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Slates didn't start as a dinner restaurant it was primarily Breakfast and Lunch - Brunch being the pinnacle for us at least. The huge choices of Benedicts, the fresh baked breads and a different brunch bread every week using seasonal fruits and more. A former favorite has been the smoked seafood with , well anything. Slates was ground breaking in it's approach to what kind of food to serve , how it was presented and the entire model for the way the business was run. It served both the general public, tourists and still maintained the local vibe. Everyone came in through the week for a meal or a drink at happy hour. Long before every vodka was flavored Slates was infusing vodkas - in fact it was one the first if not the first to create a pepper vodka. It started with again, ground breaking Monday night music and art opening events and special dinner nights. Now it seems to be primarily lunch and dinner. I miss being able to get breakfast any day of the week and brunch on both Saturday and Sunday. We were disappointed this year that Slates would not open on Old Hallowell day for Brunch. It has been a family tradition for 30 years and this year we had to make other plans. I imagine the food is still good but a place changes and it just doesn't feel the same. Sometimes it's more than just the food.
(3)Bryce W.
100% lived up to expectations. The food was excellent (despite being a little pricey) and the atmosphere is really unique. I had a special (they all sounded so good I post a picture of the special menu) the Mint Julep Marinated Swordfish with Grilled Jumbo Shrimp and Mango Peach Papaya Purée. My sides were Roasted Carrots and Thai Slaw. I am pretty sure they dug the Carrots out of the ground minutes before they were so fresh and delicious. My only complaint would be the beer selection was limited but the wine list looks decent. I give the servers a four chili pepper rating. Stick with the restaurant, the bakery is just ok and crappy green mountain coffee.
(4)Lori S.
1st time visitor and I will be back Interior brick and artwork line the walls. The walls are brightly painted with color giving the space a lightened-up feel The seating space feel roomy. Slate's is an eclectic way to enjoy your meal. Three of us got there at about 1130 on Saturday, we were seated within a few minutes. The special menu flanked two sides of paper. Prices ranged from 10-15, I had the crab cake eggs benedict, with homefries, I also had a strawberry Italian mimosa which was tasty. The eggs benedict was the best I have ever had. I would suggest poppin' into the bakery for a treat for after your meau
(5)Linda P.
Lovely lunch. Crab cakes and fish chowder were excellent
(5)m h.
I had dinner at Slate tonight. The food wasn't bad. The wine list was ok if you like high alcohol "hot" (january vintage) american reds. The worse part was the owner, a self righteous, officious, unfriendly older lady who should channel her aggression to more constructive causes. She typifies the intolerant former hippie type that only gets crankier with age. I certainly won't return to be in the presence of such a buzz kill.
(1)Rob S.
I had the fresh baked haddock with fresh Maine crabmeat filling, but it was smothered in a creamy or cheesy concoction which wasn't described on the menu. It was a bit bland, but the bread and olive oil / pesto / garlic was excellent beforehand. It was expensive and I would've expected better from a far lesser cost place, but that was just one menu item.
(2)Ernest P.
Not a bad experience though a bit of a let down for the "fanciest place in town". Nice warm, cozy atmosphere though the funky painted tables, and pastel napkins were a bit tacky and dated (despite recent redo after fire). The bread was decent and tasty, as well as warm brie with smoked shrimp appetizer. a bit salty but a good way to get the taste buds warmed up. I made the mistake of getting the crabcakes, which were a bit smaller than say hockey pucks and full of breading, no crab to be seen. I had been told that this is simply how crabcakes are prepared outside MidAtlantic area but had to see for myself. ugh. My wife's burger looked delicious and juicy, topped with caramelized onions among other things. Crepes looked like the way to go, as well as our tablemates simply grilled pork tenderloin with choice of sauce. He did comment that the accompanying vegetables were bland and cold. All in all no culinary fireworks but a nice atmoshphere, reasonably priced "nice" restaurant, and live acoustic music during dinner was a welcome touch for a night on the town. some have commented that it makes the restaurant too loud though i enjoyed it. Finally, drinks were ok. I thoroughly enjoyed my Stella Artois in a perfectly shaped stella artois glass.
(3)Eli B.
Slate's is an institution in Maine dining. My parents used to drive from Waterville regularly for dinner in the '80s because it was the only decent place in the area. It only seemed fit that while I was in Maine for a week for the first time in 4 years that we stopped by for brunch. I think it must have been an off day, sadly. Both my mother and boyfriend enjoyed their eggs benedict (his steak benedict, hers normal eggs benedict), but it took probably half an hour to 45 minutes to get our food - enough for us to each drink about 4 cups of tea. I ordered the crab cakes which were small but tasty. The deal-breaker was the crab-shells in the crab cakes and egg shells in the egg. Unfortunately the taste of the food can't compensate for being put off your eggs and then trying to soldier through the rest of your breakfast, only to discover more unwanted crunchiness in your main course. The waitress comped us the crab cakes and I just can't in good conscience give Slate's anything less than 3 because it is an institution in mid-Maine dining, though I was incredibly disappointed...
(3)Tina D.
This is a diamond in the rough!! ... and I mean rough! When I think Augusta/Hallowell area, I do not think fancy restaurant. Oh boy, was I surprised. What first tipped me off was the fact that I saw people walking down Water St in suit jackets and dresses. I immediately needed to know where they were coming from, as I have not experienced anything "fancy" about this nature loving area. Nothing wrong with that, but trying to find a place for a Company Holiday party is difficult when your options are local bar or chain restaurant. The ambience here is very relaxed and chill, the décor is adorable, and the service was wonderful. The food and wine selection was expansive, and everything we ordered made our mouths water. The seafood stew got rave reviews! This would be an excellent place to take someone on a date or if you want to impress a client.
(4)Abigail K.
I loved this place the moment I walked in. The decor, the friendly staff, the guitarist playing quietly, the menu - everything was just what I wanted. The bread and olive oil with - I'm not sure, mushrooms and garlic I think - were out of this world amazing. If I'd eaten just that I'd have given a 5 star review. The salad and balsamic dressing were delicious. The pasta with lobster was good but not great. I was told it would be a very light sauce, just a little olive oil, but it looked like a olive oil/butter soup with all the oil in the bottom of the bowl and dripping from everything. The pasta was fairly mushy with no real flavor or interesting texture. The lobster was yummy. For dessert I got the fruit pie and was really disappointed in it. I don't recommend it. It's a crumble top, not a real pie crust top, and the whole thing tasted (unlike everything else I ate for dinner) like something I'd buy in a store, not a home made dessert. Still, I loved this place and would go back, I'd just order a different main and dessert.
(4)Benjamin C.
Hit or miss. That is how I always thought of Slates over the years. Lately it seemed to be hits all around but last Monday we went there for dinner. We all had dropped jaws reading about the special Brazilian fish stew and ALL ordered one. It was $29 but we thought it would be worth it. It most certainly was not. We got smallish bowls of a few tiny mussles, tiny scallops, fragments of lobster in a just ok broth. I seriously doubt that anything was from Maine other than the lobster. The shrimp certainly were not and I would rather have frozen Maine shrimp than gulf or "fresh" Asian farmed toxic ones. Wow that was a real waste of money and now my impression is "miss."
(3)J F.
I was treated to a dinner with friends at this restaurant last night. I loved the decor, but as warned it is very noisy. The food was average. My host ordered crab cakes that were small firm pucks of breadcrumbs, very little crabmeat to be found,and very tasteless. I rode red a seafood pesto dish that was just okay, more garlic than basil, but it was edible. We ordered white wins that arrived warm, our server, who,was wonderful, offered up a chilled wine cooler to cool off the wine, but that did not help. I cannot say I will be running back to this place as it was not as " great" as all the reviews have stated. Chef/ owner needs to up their game, or maybe they just don't care and will continue on packing the house serving mediocre food.
(3)Emily D.
The menu is fantastic; prices are very reasonable. Usually a wait, so make reservations or bring your patience - it's well worth the wait if you have the time. I think their menu is somewhat limited, but the options (and amount of locally sourced ingredients) are excellent. I recommend it for a nice leisurely and satisfying experience.
(4)Angela D.
I love Slates and my trips to Maine don't seem quite right when I don't get in there at least once for a delicious meal and a glass (honestly, bottle...) of my favorite wine with my friends and coworkers! The food is great - innovative and really, really tasty and you cannot go wrong with any of the bakery items. If you find yourself in this part of Maine - seek this place out. You will not be disappointed!
(4)Tina M.
I'd give it a 3.5 if I could, because the food itself was pretty good, though a bit overpriced. My fiance's coffee tasted like it was sitting on the burner for a long time. The server was pleasant, but the service was really quite slow. We were just getting ready to complain when our food showed up, which is why I didn't rank it higher.
(3)Mike C.
Discovered this nice little gem by recommendation from my hotel's front desk, and boy was I glad I took their advice. Most things on their menu look great, but if you want to spend a little more, go for some of their specials and you won't be disappointed. As others have noted, you should probably make a reservation and expect to spend a little more than other places nearby. Oh yeah, and service was great!
(4)Chester O.
I don't understand why this place gets such great reviews. The food is ok but its overpriced. My family had breakfast there once and it was very expensive. I think people just go there for the name....
(2)Rachel G.
I stopped by today to meet a friend for brunch. I had great anxiety as I read over menu because there were so many things I wanted to try... they have several takes on benedict, so I decided to order the goat cheese, red onion, and basil version. It was DELICIOUS- lots and lots of goat cheese, and smothered in hollandaise. It was served with a small portion of home fries, I wish there had been more 'tates! My friend and I were trying to keep to a schedule, and we were a bit disappointed with the slow service. When I first arrived there were several employees lingering, so it was a bit confusing when it took so long for the waitress to take our cards... perhaps the other side of the restaurant was busier than we realized? Other than that, super experience.. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Tom C.
Great menu...lots of choices. Service and food well done. Very reasonably priced
(4)Ben E.
We brought a party of eight and everything was fantastic. The steak was probably the best judging by what others got - not that my pesto pasta with seafood was bad at all! This place has a very distinct feel to it unique to Maine.
(5)Hugh G.
Good restaurant in Augusta Maine. The salads were especially good. The Lobster Pasta was wonderful. I am enjoying a coffee next door in their bakery. Don't miss Hallowell if you come to Augusta!
(4)Josh Z.
Great place, I love going here. It's a little gem outside of Augusta. Friendly staff, great atmosphere, excellent food. We make sure to stop when we are in town.
(5)Angie B.
I had many outstanding meals at Slates during my time in Maine. All of the seafood is incredibly fresh and plentiful. Service was always impeccable and the decor is really funky and fun. This is a must if you are in Augusta!
(5)Tsveta S.
Excellent food! The service is also very good Their prices are a bit steep but it is totally worth it for the quality you get
(5)Shaina P.
Yes! Slate's Restaurant is back in full blown action after a year since it was lost in a devastating fire. Slate's is my (and countless other's) FAVORITE local dining establishment in the Augusta area. ATMOSPHERE I think the newly decorated space is an excellent revival of the old. Some interior brick was salvaged and restored, artwork from the old space was also salvaged and celebrated throughout. The new walls are brightly painted with colors of lime and cantaloupe, giving the space a lightened-up feel (a great depature from the all-brick interior). The seating space feels a little more roomy, but the artwork and character of Slate's has been suitably maintained (imagine naked mermaid/angels painted upon the walls). Slate's is about creating a feel-good atmosphere in an eclectic way for all to enjoy. FOOD Well, today I enjoyed brunch (Sunday starting at 10 AM). The menu flanked two sides of an 11x8.5 piece of paper. Prices ranged from 10-15 for brunch entrees consisting of smoked maine shrimps, omeletes, benedict, salmons, steaks, salads, and chef specials. Brunch is paired well with a tall Bloody Mary and potent coffee black. I ordered an omelete with arugula, roasted tomatoes, and cheddar that came with a side of garlic roasted potatoes and started off with a house salad. The dressing on the salad is indescribably delicious and the omelete couldn't have been more perfectly prepared (no brown spots!). My mother's smoked maine shrimp eggs benedict with a Bernaise sauce looked unbelievable and HUGE. Sauce was so delicious and again the eggs looked perfect. The dinner menu is a mystery to me since the restaurant revived, but if it's anything like the old, expect NEW entrees made with fresh local ingredients on a daily basis. EXPECT A QUEUE By the way, Slate's now takes reservations for parties of 6 or more. If your party is smaller, expect a lengthy queue (or arrive at opening time). But put your name on the list and hop over to Slate's Bakery for fresh baked breads, sweets, and refreshing drinks! Or perhaps try the new Joyce's across the street for a martini or wine.
(5)Tracey C.
The food here is amazing!! We stopped here for lunch on our way home from vacation. I ordered the chicken blueberry-barbecue wrap with fries. The flavor combination of the wrap (I think it was spinach), blueberry, and barbecue was unique and tasty. My husband had the blackened haddock with salad. The haddock was fresh, flavorful, and a generous portion. Also, the staff is friendly and the atmosphere has a cool vibe with lots of artwork to check out. We only wished we lived closer so we could come here again!!
(5)Nicole V.
Go for brunch and try the scrambled eggs with crab. The home fries that came on the side were very tasty. So far, what I have tried from the bakery is delicious and addicting! My favorites are the no bake cookies and the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies but I can't imagine not liking anything. The coffee is rich and reasonably priced and with the amazingly, gorgeous, awesome Becky working, how can you not start your day off with a smile.
(4)Andrew S.
I was back in Maine this past weekend, and made a pilgrimage to Slates on a busy Saturday night. It was my first time there since the fire. May I just say: thank goodness. Slates is back. It had been a while since I'd been there, and it was a bad fire, so I'm sure that details are different, but it felt like my old Slates. The same warmth. The same wry, distinctly Maine service. The same deliciousness. I'm pretty sure that Slates is my favorite restaurant anywhere, for a lot of reasons. Go and enjoy it. It is a treasure.
(5)Roberto B.
Excellent restaurant in Hallowell. Right accross from a cool antiques store...very nice walking area. Food was excellent, well prepared and well presented. Staff was very friendly and welcoming! The restaurant itself was full on nice details that make the experience that much better.
(4)Sarah M.
You can't live in the area (or drive through it) and not go to Slates. I really appreciate their emphasis on local foods, and it shows in the quality and flavor of their dishes. In an area full of greasy restaurants and chains, I guess it makes sense that their creative, modern menu doesn't appeal to everyone - but there's no arguing with their passion for food, or their investment in and support of the local community. The dining room (with frequent live music) is really nice for a date or dinner with friends, and they have plenty of space to accommodate larger parties as well.
(4)Angelina K.
We enjoyed a glass of wine, beer, & their smoked salmon/shrimp app. in the bar. Friendly service but slow kitchen. If ever we are in town again, will want to try their dinner menu...it looked delicious.
(3)Rosy R.
This is worth a stop when driving north.. Right off route 3 heading to MDI. Hadn't been in 20 years... SO happy to have re-found it. Now we will be regulars... Amazing food, great atmosphere.. Just wish we could have stayed and. Or had a 2 hour drive ahead of us. Blackend haddock, chic,Gorgonzola,onion crepe, amazing polenta. Home made ice cream..and oh.. The ,margarita..crisp clean and so good!
(5)Gerry M.
Best restaurant overall in Maine . My opinion...g
(5)Guy S.
Nice atmosphere, even for out of towners. Clever combinations on the menu, though the eggs Benedict could have been a little more done. Tasty bread baked on the premises.
(4)Greg O.
The food and service was outstanding. I ordered the turkey club sandwich and was very impressed to find out that every detail was perfect, especially the freshly-baked bread made in house. They used quality ingredients across the board. If I lived near Augusta, I'd go there all the time. With a friendly, local, and relaxed yet upscale atmosphere, it is the perfect stop if you're looking for great comfort food.
(5)Nick C.
Visiting from California for two months and traveling around the state during my stay, Slates is by far the best restaraunt in Maine in terms of atmosphere, food quality/presentation, and service! The warm bread and garlic olive oil is a great start. I recommend the haddock, flank steak and pork tenderloin as an entrée, and brie or crab cakes for an app. The carrots and mashed potates are great sides. The atmosphere is cozy, warm and puts off a bohemian/hippie vibe that can make you feel like you're somewhere other than Maine. Average meal w/o alocohol is around $25. Have eaten here twice and have more to discover on the menu!
(5)Margaret G.
Slates is a big favorite in this area, but I think a lot of that feeling is based on sentiment and not its current offerings. In the restaurant the lengthy menu ensures that there is considerable variation in the quality of the preparations. Overall I feel the food could use a more refined touch. This is especally true for the bakery which features overly large and heavy scones and muffins with too many ingredients. There is a tendency to offer cream based soups. The sandwiches often have cheese and/or raw onion. I just ate some tabbouleh with the predominating flavor of red onions. One thing I will say about Slates is that it is reliable. You can be sure of getting a decent meal if you bring guests and the bakery is open 7 days a week. It is also somewhat of a social center for the town, a contribution which should not be dismissed.
(2)Matt B.
I've lived just a few miles from Slates my whole life but I had only been there once before, way back in high school, when I had a painting in an exhibit there, and I'm not even sure I had anything to eat that time. My girlfriend took me there last Saturday during the annual Old Hallowell Day celebration. I was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, I was a little bit disappointed. I had some sort of swordfish dish which was a special that day. It came slathered in some sort of sauce that I think was a chipotle sour cream or something. It also had blueberries and bits of unidentified vegetables in the sauce. It really didn't work well. There was so much sauce, with such overwhelming flavor, that it overpowered the fish. When I order fish, I want to taste fish! It came with a green salad that was also underwhelming. The server was very, very pleasant and nice. I suspect she's been doing her job a long time because she was very good at it. My only complaint was that, when I asked about what sodas they had, she listed off Pepsi products and I ordered a root beer. I expected a Pepsi Corp. fountain root beer but she brought me an expensive Maine Root, organic root beer. I love those but they're expensive. She should have specified that the root beer was not among the Pepsi products. I felt like that was a little dishonest even though I love Maine Root products. Handicapped accessibility is much better than it used to be. The restaurant entrance is now on the side of the building and has no step. However, one must traverse a very bumpy stone and brick sidewalk to get to the entrance. It was okay but a little difficult for me. However, the restaurant itself is easy to navigate and my girlriend reports that the bathroom is accessible. I would try Slate's again, for sure. I liked my girlfriend's salmon entree when I tried it. The food all had definite potential. I just thought the oversauced swordfish was a disappointment. It gets such great reviews from other people, I must have just tried something that was an unfortunate miss that day.
(4)Joel S.
We stopped in for brunch. It was the Sunday of President's weekend, at noon. The restaurant staff was totally overwhelmed. The place was packed and there was a long wait for a table. Despite this, it took the staff a while to turn over tables that previous guests had vacated. Another busboy or two would have helped them a lot. We also noticed that things decompressed significantly after we were seated. Having said that, brunch was off the chart. I had a top 10 Bloody Mary. The blackened haddock was awesome. The turkey/asagio and crabmeat salad croissant sandwiches were excellent. All of these selections were accompanied by eggs and homefries or salad. The coffee was excellent. If I were to go back for brunch, I would go at 11:00 or 1:00. Maybe this was just a hiccup due to the holiday weekend.
(4)Dave W.
I gave this 5 stars for value and 4 stars on a universal 5-star scale for outstanding food and ambiance. So, this is as good as it gets for value. I had the salmon which was delicious and large portions. My GF had the Seafood variety in a Cuban Mojo over coconut rice which was also great($21 and $28, respectively). Service was excellent, thoughtful and prompt. Our waitress' husband was also the excellent live guitar music for the evening. The decor is trendy/unique/hippy a little bit, and that mixed well with the acoustic guitar and the old/quaint surroundings. I never order dessert but tonight I ordered some to share just because I didn't want to leave at the end of the meal! The people, the atmosphere, the acoustic music just made my evening special. Everything from the soups and breads to the desserts AND the ice cream were home made. I don't know when I've eaten where I thought every course was just really perfect and certainly a perfect value! Parking is available behind the restaurant as it on street parking. I had 7:30 reservations and was seated promptly. And the place was still 1/2 full when I left at 9;30, reluctantly. It was just too good an evening. The Yelp reviews are generally good but I didn't find Slate's at first, as it is categorized as $$, not the $$$ or $$$$ I was filtering for. I would put it in $$$ as between wine or appetizer and entre and dessert you'll be over $30. I'm someone who recognizes good food and good atmosphere, but I'm not in the habit of gushing over my evening. This time I am.
(5)Salamander J.
Butter, cream, big-haried waitresses, hollandaise sauce and a bloody mary. Take 3 Pepcid AC before you go, cause you aint' gonna be able to shut your mouth here when the food starts rolling in. (That's just me - but I saw all kinds of fresh, yummy, butter free stuff too). Get teh red-hot Bloody Mary, lobster hollandaise sauce and fresh onion bagels. I swear there's a Jew hiding in this town somewhere. I'd go here for the high holidays if i could, but it so far from New York. My mouth is watering when i think of this, and the Pepcid AC is jiggling in my bottle. Hint: to top off an extra good meal, go next door to the spa and say hi to Nathan and ask him about his dog Morty and see if he has any Xanex! P.S. This place gets busy so send your kids to wait in line, and then have them call you. The Bakery is next door, and Jesus it's good. Mainehigh 5:
(5)Jackie W.
My birthday dinner at Slate's was so amazing it could only be truly enjoyed by chewing with my eyes closed. When I opened them and looked across the table, my husband was doing exactly the same thing. (I ate surf, he ate turf.) Don't close your eyes until after your order is on the table, though. You'll miss the artful arrangement of foods on the serving plate(s). The service for our entrees was on the slow side, which is why I'm knocking off a star. Fortunately, it wasn't an unreasonably long wait, and we weren't in a hurry. My advice is to either plan to go to the later movie showing or Slate's a little earlier in the evening.
(4)Jacob P.
I can't say enough nice things about this place. The bakery is top notch. The restaurant serves fresh local lovingly created food. The interior is beautiful after the renovation and the staff are professional and polite. They have one of the best burgers I have tried in the US.
(5)Downeast K.
Maybe I just hit this place at the wrong time of day, but we had lunch there yesterday and I didn't think it was anything worth writing home about. Servers were spread too thin. My father's silverware was dirty and the bread was kind of stale. All-in-all it was nothing to write home about and we won't be returning. I have to respectfully disagree with this Yelp listing that says Slates is a good place for kids. There's no kids menu! People with kids either have to share their meal with their children or they have to order full-size meals for their kids (which is expensive and way too much food!)
(2)Dave W.
I gave this 5 stars for value and 4 stars on a universal 5-star scale for outstanding food and ambiance. So, this is as good as it gets for value. I had the salmon which was delicious and large portions. My GF had the Seafood variety in a Cuban Mojo over coconut rice which was also great($21 and $28, respectively). Service was excellent, thoughtful and prompt. Our waitress' husband was also the excellent live guitar music for the evening. The decor is trendy/unique/hippy a little bit, and that mixed well with the acoustic guitar and the old/quaint surroundings. I never order dessert but tonight I ordered some to share just because I didn't want to leave at the end of the meal! The people, the atmosphere, the acoustic music just made my evening special. Everything from the soups and breads to the desserts AND the ice cream were home made. I don't know when I've eaten where I thought every course was just really perfect and certainly a perfect value! Parking is available behind the restaurant as it on street parking. I had 7:30 reservations and was seated promptly. And the place was still 1/2 full when I left at 9;30, reluctantly. It was just too good an evening. The Yelp reviews are generally good but I didn't find Slate's at first, as it is categorized as $$, not the $$$ or $$$$ I was filtering for. I would put it in $$$ as between wine or appetizer and entre and dessert you'll be over $30. I'm someone who recognizes good food and good atmosphere, but I'm not in the habit of gushing over my evening. This time I am.
(5)James S.
I started my night in Hallowell trying to get a meal at The Liberal Cup. Because it was Tuesday night Trivia and chaos, I never did get to eat there. So I walked down the street and popped into Slates. It's an eclectic place, a little bit of a hippy vibe going on. It was a little dark for my taste. The host (young kid) asked me if I wanted to sit at the bar. I saw the restaurant was only about half full so I asked if I could sit at a table. He first tried to give me a tall table with tall stools. I asked for a regular low table and he seemed a little put out with me. He gave me the worst table in the house, way in the back corner, by the bus station - I was being punished! The waitress was a very sweet woman who had a nice way about her. I started with a salad that was just very average. I also got some bread, that was also average. I was not impressed and was expecting just a very average meal. Then the magic happened! I had a baked haddock stuffed with lobster meat. It was out of this world - delicious. It was a well cooked piece of fish and generously stuffed with lobster. The sauce was rich and tasty. I had sides of carrots and smashed potatoes. The carrots may have seemed simple, but they were so good. I enjoyed my entire meal and cleaned my plate. Now I have been trying to be good and go with out dessert these days. But something told me that tonight I should try the dessert here. When I Maine I go with the blueberries. They taste nothing like the berries we get in Pennsylvania. They are smaller and are packed with blueberry flavor. So I got the pie and homemade ice cream. It was outrageous. The pie crust was perfect and flaky. It may have been one of the best pie crusts that I have ever eaten. Plus a nice big scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream. I learned Slates has their own bakery next door and they are know for their wonderful baked goods. The pie was very remembrable. I really enjoyed my meal here. It tasted homey and homemade. It was the right choice!
(5)Nicole V.
Go for brunch and try the scrambled eggs with crab. The home fries that came on the side were very tasty. So far, what I have tried from the bakery is delicious and addicting! My favorites are the no bake cookies and the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies but I can't imagine not liking anything. The coffee is rich and reasonably priced and with the amazingly, gorgeous, awesome Becky working, how can you not start your day off with a smile.
(4)Jacob P.
I can't say enough nice things about this place. The bakery is top notch. The restaurant serves fresh local lovingly created food. The interior is beautiful after the renovation and the staff are professional and polite. They have one of the best burgers I have tried in the US.
(5)Benjamin C.
Hit or miss. That is how I always thought of Slates over the years. Lately it seemed to be hits all around but last Monday we went there for dinner. We all had dropped jaws reading about the special Brazilian fish stew and ALL ordered one. It was $29 but we thought it would be worth it. It most certainly was not. We got smallish bowls of a few tiny mussles, tiny scallops, fragments of lobster in a just ok broth. I seriously doubt that anything was from Maine other than the lobster. The shrimp certainly were not and I would rather have frozen Maine shrimp than gulf or "fresh" Asian farmed toxic ones. Wow that was a real waste of money and now my impression is "miss."
(3)Salamander J.
Butter, cream, big-haried waitresses, hollandaise sauce and a bloody mary. Take 3 Pepcid AC before you go, cause you aint' gonna be able to shut your mouth here when the food starts rolling in. (That's just me - but I saw all kinds of fresh, yummy, butter free stuff too). Get teh red-hot Bloody Mary, lobster hollandaise sauce and fresh onion bagels. I swear there's a Jew hiding in this town somewhere. I'd go here for the high holidays if i could, but it so far from New York. My mouth is watering when i think of this, and the Pepcid AC is jiggling in my bottle. Hint: to top off an extra good meal, go next door to the spa and say hi to Nathan and ask him about his dog Morty and see if he has any Xanex! P.S. This place gets busy so send your kids to wait in line, and then have them call you. The Bakery is next door, and Jesus it's good. Mainehigh 5:
(5)J F.
I was treated to a dinner with friends at this restaurant last night. I loved the decor, but as warned it is very noisy. The food was average. My host ordered crab cakes that were small firm pucks of breadcrumbs, very little crabmeat to be found,and very tasteless. I rode red a seafood pesto dish that was just okay, more garlic than basil, but it was edible. We ordered white wins that arrived warm, our server, who,was wonderful, offered up a chilled wine cooler to cool off the wine, but that did not help. I cannot say I will be running back to this place as it was not as " great" as all the reviews have stated. Chef/ owner needs to up their game, or maybe they just don't care and will continue on packing the house serving mediocre food.
(3)Emily D.
The menu is fantastic; prices are very reasonable. Usually a wait, so make reservations or bring your patience - it's well worth the wait if you have the time. I think their menu is somewhat limited, but the options (and amount of locally sourced ingredients) are excellent. I recommend it for a nice leisurely and satisfying experience.
(4)Angela D.
I love Slates and my trips to Maine don't seem quite right when I don't get in there at least once for a delicious meal and a glass (honestly, bottle...) of my favorite wine with my friends and coworkers! The food is great - innovative and really, really tasty and you cannot go wrong with any of the bakery items. If you find yourself in this part of Maine - seek this place out. You will not be disappointed!
(4)Linda P.
Lovely lunch. Crab cakes and fish chowder were excellent
(5)Shaina P.
Yes! Slate's Restaurant is back in full blown action after a year since it was lost in a devastating fire. Slate's is my (and countless other's) FAVORITE local dining establishment in the Augusta area. ATMOSPHERE I think the newly decorated space is an excellent revival of the old. Some interior brick was salvaged and restored, artwork from the old space was also salvaged and celebrated throughout. The new walls are brightly painted with colors of lime and cantaloupe, giving the space a lightened-up feel (a great depature from the all-brick interior). The seating space feels a little more roomy, but the artwork and character of Slate's has been suitably maintained (imagine naked mermaid/angels painted upon the walls). Slate's is about creating a feel-good atmosphere in an eclectic way for all to enjoy. FOOD Well, today I enjoyed brunch (Sunday starting at 10 AM). The menu flanked two sides of an 11x8.5 piece of paper. Prices ranged from 10-15 for brunch entrees consisting of smoked maine shrimps, omeletes, benedict, salmons, steaks, salads, and chef specials. Brunch is paired well with a tall Bloody Mary and potent coffee black. I ordered an omelete with arugula, roasted tomatoes, and cheddar that came with a side of garlic roasted potatoes and started off with a house salad. The dressing on the salad is indescribably delicious and the omelete couldn't have been more perfectly prepared (no brown spots!). My mother's smoked maine shrimp eggs benedict with a Bernaise sauce looked unbelievable and HUGE. Sauce was so delicious and again the eggs looked perfect. The dinner menu is a mystery to me since the restaurant revived, but if it's anything like the old, expect NEW entrees made with fresh local ingredients on a daily basis. EXPECT A QUEUE By the way, Slate's now takes reservations for parties of 6 or more. If your party is smaller, expect a lengthy queue (or arrive at opening time). But put your name on the list and hop over to Slate's Bakery for fresh baked breads, sweets, and refreshing drinks! Or perhaps try the new Joyce's across the street for a martini or wine.
(5)Tracey C.
The food here is amazing!! We stopped here for lunch on our way home from vacation. I ordered the chicken blueberry-barbecue wrap with fries. The flavor combination of the wrap (I think it was spinach), blueberry, and barbecue was unique and tasty. My husband had the blackened haddock with salad. The haddock was fresh, flavorful, and a generous portion. Also, the staff is friendly and the atmosphere has a cool vibe with lots of artwork to check out. We only wished we lived closer so we could come here again!!
(5)Josh Z.
Great place, I love going here. It's a little gem outside of Augusta. Friendly staff, great atmosphere, excellent food. We make sure to stop when we are in town.
(5)Angie B.
I had many outstanding meals at Slates during my time in Maine. All of the seafood is incredibly fresh and plentiful. Service was always impeccable and the decor is really funky and fun. This is a must if you are in Augusta!
(5)Tsveta S.
Excellent food! The service is also very good Their prices are a bit steep but it is totally worth it for the quality you get
(5)Joel S.
We stopped in for brunch. It was the Sunday of President's weekend, at noon. The restaurant staff was totally overwhelmed. The place was packed and there was a long wait for a table. Despite this, it took the staff a while to turn over tables that previous guests had vacated. Another busboy or two would have helped them a lot. We also noticed that things decompressed significantly after we were seated. Having said that, brunch was off the chart. I had a top 10 Bloody Mary. The blackened haddock was awesome. The turkey/asagio and crabmeat salad croissant sandwiches were excellent. All of these selections were accompanied by eggs and homefries or salad. The coffee was excellent. If I were to go back for brunch, I would go at 11:00 or 1:00. Maybe this was just a hiccup due to the holiday weekend.
(4)MJ H.
Slate's lunch and dinner is fabulous if you're feeling a bit footloose and fancy, because even though it's casual, it's definitely not "run of the mill." Their dishes always have a unique "twist," which doesn't always fit what people are looking for. Their ginger-peach mimosas are deeee-lish, and their menu (which does change often) has some mouthwatering items. (my favorites are the crepes!) Be warned that some of their cakes turn out dry. I had the german chocolate cake twice, and it wasnt good at all. I'll never order it again. Breakfast is something you can skip if you want to save yourself the money. $15-20 for one person for breakfast is steep, and the breakfast is certainly good but nothing that will be "unforgettable."
(4)Greg O.
The food and service was outstanding. I ordered the turkey club sandwich and was very impressed to find out that every detail was perfect, especially the freshly-baked bread made in house. They used quality ingredients across the board. If I lived near Augusta, I'd go there all the time. With a friendly, local, and relaxed yet upscale atmosphere, it is the perfect stop if you're looking for great comfort food.
(5)Nick C.
Visiting from California for two months and traveling around the state during my stay, Slates is by far the best restaraunt in Maine in terms of atmosphere, food quality/presentation, and service! The warm bread and garlic olive oil is a great start. I recommend the haddock, flank steak and pork tenderloin as an entrée, and brie or crab cakes for an app. The carrots and mashed potates are great sides. The atmosphere is cozy, warm and puts off a bohemian/hippie vibe that can make you feel like you're somewhere other than Maine. Average meal w/o alocohol is around $25. Have eaten here twice and have more to discover on the menu!
(5)Tina M.
I'd give it a 3.5 if I could, because the food itself was pretty good, though a bit overpriced. My fiance's coffee tasted like it was sitting on the burner for a long time. The server was pleasant, but the service was really quite slow. We were just getting ready to complain when our food showed up, which is why I didn't rank it higher.
(3)Mike C.
Discovered this nice little gem by recommendation from my hotel's front desk, and boy was I glad I took their advice. Most things on their menu look great, but if you want to spend a little more, go for some of their specials and you won't be disappointed. As others have noted, you should probably make a reservation and expect to spend a little more than other places nearby. Oh yeah, and service was great!
(4)Chester O.
I don't understand why this place gets such great reviews. The food is ok but its overpriced. My family had breakfast there once and it was very expensive. I think people just go there for the name....
(2)Rachel G.
I stopped by today to meet a friend for brunch. I had great anxiety as I read over menu because there were so many things I wanted to try... they have several takes on benedict, so I decided to order the goat cheese, red onion, and basil version. It was DELICIOUS- lots and lots of goat cheese, and smothered in hollandaise. It was served with a small portion of home fries, I wish there had been more 'tates! My friend and I were trying to keep to a schedule, and we were a bit disappointed with the slow service. When I first arrived there were several employees lingering, so it was a bit confusing when it took so long for the waitress to take our cards... perhaps the other side of the restaurant was busier than we realized? Other than that, super experience.. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Tom C.
Great menu...lots of choices. Service and food well done. Very reasonably priced
(4)Matt B.
I've lived just a few miles from Slates my whole life but I had only been there once before, way back in high school, when I had a painting in an exhibit there, and I'm not even sure I had anything to eat that time. My girlfriend took me there last Saturday during the annual Old Hallowell Day celebration. I was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, I was a little bit disappointed. I had some sort of swordfish dish which was a special that day. It came slathered in some sort of sauce that I think was a chipotle sour cream or something. It also had blueberries and bits of unidentified vegetables in the sauce. It really didn't work well. There was so much sauce, with such overwhelming flavor, that it overpowered the fish. When I order fish, I want to taste fish! It came with a green salad that was also underwhelming. The server was very, very pleasant and nice. I suspect she's been doing her job a long time because she was very good at it. My only complaint was that, when I asked about what sodas they had, she listed off Pepsi products and I ordered a root beer. I expected a Pepsi Corp. fountain root beer but she brought me an expensive Maine Root, organic root beer. I love those but they're expensive. She should have specified that the root beer was not among the Pepsi products. I felt like that was a little dishonest even though I love Maine Root products. Handicapped accessibility is much better than it used to be. The restaurant entrance is now on the side of the building and has no step. However, one must traverse a very bumpy stone and brick sidewalk to get to the entrance. It was okay but a little difficult for me. However, the restaurant itself is easy to navigate and my girlriend reports that the bathroom is accessible. I would try Slate's again, for sure. I liked my girlfriend's salmon entree when I tried it. The food all had definite potential. I just thought the oversauced swordfish was a disappointment. It gets such great reviews from other people, I must have just tried something that was an unfortunate miss that day.
(4)Andrew S.
I was back in Maine this past weekend, and made a pilgrimage to Slates on a busy Saturday night. It was my first time there since the fire. May I just say: thank goodness. Slates is back. It had been a while since I'd been there, and it was a bad fire, so I'm sure that details are different, but it felt like my old Slates. The same warmth. The same wry, distinctly Maine service. The same deliciousness. I'm pretty sure that Slates is my favorite restaurant anywhere, for a lot of reasons. Go and enjoy it. It is a treasure.
(5)Roberto B.
Excellent restaurant in Hallowell. Right accross from a cool antiques store...very nice walking area. Food was excellent, well prepared and well presented. Staff was very friendly and welcoming! The restaurant itself was full on nice details that make the experience that much better.
(4)Ernest P.
Not a bad experience though a bit of a let down for the "fanciest place in town". Nice warm, cozy atmosphere though the funky painted tables, and pastel napkins were a bit tacky and dated (despite recent redo after fire). The bread was decent and tasty, as well as warm brie with smoked shrimp appetizer. a bit salty but a good way to get the taste buds warmed up. I made the mistake of getting the crabcakes, which were a bit smaller than say hockey pucks and full of breading, no crab to be seen. I had been told that this is simply how crabcakes are prepared outside MidAtlantic area but had to see for myself. ugh. My wife's burger looked delicious and juicy, topped with caramelized onions among other things. Crepes looked like the way to go, as well as our tablemates simply grilled pork tenderloin with choice of sauce. He did comment that the accompanying vegetables were bland and cold. All in all no culinary fireworks but a nice atmoshphere, reasonably priced "nice" restaurant, and live acoustic music during dinner was a welcome touch for a night on the town. some have commented that it makes the restaurant too loud though i enjoyed it. Finally, drinks were ok. I thoroughly enjoyed my Stella Artois in a perfectly shaped stella artois glass.
(3)Eli B.
Slate's is an institution in Maine dining. My parents used to drive from Waterville regularly for dinner in the '80s because it was the only decent place in the area. It only seemed fit that while I was in Maine for a week for the first time in 4 years that we stopped by for brunch. I think it must have been an off day, sadly. Both my mother and boyfriend enjoyed their eggs benedict (his steak benedict, hers normal eggs benedict), but it took probably half an hour to 45 minutes to get our food - enough for us to each drink about 4 cups of tea. I ordered the crab cakes which were small but tasty. The deal-breaker was the crab-shells in the crab cakes and egg shells in the egg. Unfortunately the taste of the food can't compensate for being put off your eggs and then trying to soldier through the rest of your breakfast, only to discover more unwanted crunchiness in your main course. The waitress comped us the crab cakes and I just can't in good conscience give Slate's anything less than 3 because it is an institution in mid-Maine dining, though I was incredibly disappointed...
(3)Tina D.
This is a diamond in the rough!! ... and I mean rough! When I think Augusta/Hallowell area, I do not think fancy restaurant. Oh boy, was I surprised. What first tipped me off was the fact that I saw people walking down Water St in suit jackets and dresses. I immediately needed to know where they were coming from, as I have not experienced anything "fancy" about this nature loving area. Nothing wrong with that, but trying to find a place for a Company Holiday party is difficult when your options are local bar or chain restaurant. The ambience here is very relaxed and chill, the décor is adorable, and the service was wonderful. The food and wine selection was expansive, and everything we ordered made our mouths water. The seafood stew got rave reviews! This would be an excellent place to take someone on a date or if you want to impress a client.
(4)Rosy R.
This is worth a stop when driving north.. Right off route 3 heading to MDI. Hadn't been in 20 years... SO happy to have re-found it. Now we will be regulars... Amazing food, great atmosphere.. Just wish we could have stayed and. Or had a 2 hour drive ahead of us. Blackend haddock, chic,Gorgonzola,onion crepe, amazing polenta. Home made ice cream..and oh.. The ,margarita..crisp clean and so good!
(5)Gerry M.
Best restaurant overall in Maine . My opinion...g
(5)Guy S.
Nice atmosphere, even for out of towners. Clever combinations on the menu, though the eggs Benedict could have been a little more done. Tasty bread baked on the premises.
(4)m h.
I had dinner at Slate tonight. The food wasn't bad. The wine list was ok if you like high alcohol "hot" (january vintage) american reds. The worse part was the owner, a self righteous, officious, unfriendly older lady who should channel her aggression to more constructive causes. She typifies the intolerant former hippie type that only gets crankier with age. I certainly won't return to be in the presence of such a buzz kill.
(1)Rob S.
I had the fresh baked haddock with fresh Maine crabmeat filling, but it was smothered in a creamy or cheesy concoction which wasn't described on the menu. It was a bit bland, but the bread and olive oil / pesto / garlic was excellent beforehand. It was expensive and I would've expected better from a far lesser cost place, but that was just one menu item.
(2)Abigail K.
I loved this place the moment I walked in. The decor, the friendly staff, the guitarist playing quietly, the menu - everything was just what I wanted. The bread and olive oil with - I'm not sure, mushrooms and garlic I think - were out of this world amazing. If I'd eaten just that I'd have given a 5 star review. The salad and balsamic dressing were delicious. The pasta with lobster was good but not great. I was told it would be a very light sauce, just a little olive oil, but it looked like a olive oil/butter soup with all the oil in the bottom of the bowl and dripping from everything. The pasta was fairly mushy with no real flavor or interesting texture. The lobster was yummy. For dessert I got the fruit pie and was really disappointed in it. I don't recommend it. It's a crumble top, not a real pie crust top, and the whole thing tasted (unlike everything else I ate for dinner) like something I'd buy in a store, not a home made dessert. Still, I loved this place and would go back, I'd just order a different main and dessert.
(4)Lori S.
1st time visitor and I will be back Interior brick and artwork line the walls. The walls are brightly painted with color giving the space a lightened-up feel The seating space feel roomy. Slate's is an eclectic way to enjoy your meal. Three of us got there at about 1130 on Saturday, we were seated within a few minutes. The special menu flanked two sides of paper. Prices ranged from 10-15, I had the crab cake eggs benedict, with homefries, I also had a strawberry Italian mimosa which was tasty. The eggs benedict was the best I have ever had. I would suggest poppin' into the bakery for a treat for after your meau
(5)Lauren M.
I returned to Slate's last week and my second experience was much better than my first. The bread was still delightful. The beer was great. I ordered the baked haddock with potatoes and squash, and, by the end of the meal, I was stuffed, but I wasn't going to leave food on my plate! The fish was perfectly cooked. As promised by the waitress, the pesto was incredible. Rarely when I travel do I feel like I'm getting a home-cooked meal, and this was definitely a treat! Note that this place gets very busy, even during the week. We had to wait about 20-30 minutes for a table of 4 at 6:30ish on a Monday night! However, the ambiance is very nice in the back room--much nicer than in the bar area.
(4)Jen F.
A little high priced but great food. This may be some of the freshest seafood you will get. The stuffed haddock with lobster or crab seems to be their most popular item. Everything here was good though, from the bread with olive oil to the nachos to their salads. The lobster pizza was another great item as well as the salmon. If you're really hungry, go for the seafood alfredo. My co-worker said it was the best pasta he's had in a long time and it was super rich and creamy. The peanut butter pie with ice cream was excellent. I'll have to try out the bakery next time I'm in town.
(4)MK G.
The perfect end-of-summer last stop before heading south for this tourist. Food, ambience, service and fellow customers all a treat. Oh, and the mussels. Sigh.
(4)Amybeth H.
Thanks for a great place! Amybeth Hurst, Portland, ME
(4)Krystin P.
I was disappointed after the Yelp reviews I read. I was looking for a cup of coffee and was disappointed to see the coffee was the Green Mountain brand that had been sitting in a coffee carafe. When I put it into my cup, the first thing I thought after feeling the cup/taking a sip was, "this needs to be much hotter." My boyfriend and I got a double fudge brownie, a chocolate macaroon, and a chocolate chip peanut butter cookie. The cookie was the best. I did not like the macaroon at all. The brownie tasted like there was an extra, unnecessary cup of sugar in it,. It was overly sweet, and therefore unenjoyable.
(2)TJ S.
First time here with my relatives. Great bohemian atmosphere and mellow acoustic string music in the background, coupled with seafood specials make this place worth my return visit. The menu selection seem to be all American dishes with good influence on Italian and French. Good selection of savory dishes, meat and seafood. I would be happy with any of the entree dishes but opted for the special of the day - seafood medleys (lobster, muscles, sea scallops) herb Provençal The service is relaxed pace but attentive and creative at times. That makes it interesting to watch the wait staff and patrons interactions. I thought the parking was a little tricky on the street but there is a free big parking lot behind the building.
(4)Greg F.
This place gets a ton of great press... maybe I ordered badly... maybe I was having an off day? I had a steak - over sauced, over cooked, under chosen. The wine selection was okay... The service was good. The space was pretty cramped and uncomfortable. Lot's of people still rave, so don't take my word alone.
(2)Michelle G.
This is just such a great meal...everything! We had fettuccine which was perfectly cooked and flavored and I had a Cajun burger that was also perfectly cooked! Great atmosphere....great food...homemade and specialty items that you can't find anywhere else. The dessert menu looked incredible too.
(5)Jackson M.
Half of "Today's Specials" were unavailable. Otherwise, the food and the atmosphere were enjoyable.
(4)Alex W.
You guys, it was bad. I've heard so many good things about this restaurant; I was excited to finally try it. The interior of the restaurant is so cozy and cute. Everyone was really friendly when we arrived and they sat us even though our entire party was incomplete. The wine was mediocre table wine. I had the flat iron steak with garlic fresh herb butter, kale, and quinoa. The steak came out cold with a heap of what looked like, I kid you not, a two tablespoon clump of butter. The kale tasted like it had been dry rubbed in salt, and the quinoa was somehow undercooked and burnt. For dessert I had the peanut butter fudge swirl pie and a brownie. The brownie was dry and stiff but the peanut butter fudge swirl pie was good and I would recommend it. Our service wasn't that great either. Friendly, but absent for most of the meal leaving our water glasses empty until we ordered dessert. Everyone else in my party had a similar experience with the food. As a long-time server myself, I'm a pretty easy guest and always tip 20% no matter what, but unless Slates is going to cut their prices in half to match the quality of their food, save your money and go to the Liberal Cup.
(2)Brian S.
Wow! The food was acceptable, the price was high, the atmosphere was horrible. Very loud, very slow service. Don't waste your time, there's better food in better restaurants.
(1)Brad L.
I am sad to say that what would originally have been a 5 star review has become a 3 star review. I have been a fan and patron of Slates since 1976. I know the website says 1979 but the actual business opened earlier that than that. For years whether I was living locally or coming in from away Slates has been a primary destination for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Slates didn't start as a dinner restaurant it was primarily Breakfast and Lunch - Brunch being the pinnacle for us at least. The huge choices of Benedicts, the fresh baked breads and a different brunch bread every week using seasonal fruits and more. A former favorite has been the smoked seafood with , well anything. Slates was ground breaking in it's approach to what kind of food to serve , how it was presented and the entire model for the way the business was run. It served both the general public, tourists and still maintained the local vibe. Everyone came in through the week for a meal or a drink at happy hour. Long before every vodka was flavored Slates was infusing vodkas - in fact it was one the first if not the first to create a pepper vodka. It started with again, ground breaking Monday night music and art opening events and special dinner nights. Now it seems to be primarily lunch and dinner. I miss being able to get breakfast any day of the week and brunch on both Saturday and Sunday. We were disappointed this year that Slates would not open on Old Hallowell day for Brunch. It has been a family tradition for 30 years and this year we had to make other plans. I imagine the food is still good but a place changes and it just doesn't feel the same. Sometimes it's more than just the food.
(3)Christina P.
This was the worst meal I have ever had. The only reason I stayed is because I was with good company. If you're looking for any semblance of customer service, turn around and go somewhere else. At $25 a plate, the service was unacceptable. Restaurant Impossible needs to come in and teach the owner how to keep her staff in order. The sass and attitude they spewed the entire night was atrocious. Our "server", if you can call someone so rude that, wasn't happy with us from the start. She needs to go in to another profession, one that includes no interaction with people. The duck wontons were too oily and the sauce was overwhelming. The flavor of duck was non existent. We have to wave someone down to get drink refills. Only to find out they ran out of Shipyard Pumpkin. Who runs out of beer? About an hour later, our "server" stops by to say that our dinner is coming out after the big party next to us. Well they get their food in five minutes. Half an hour after that, I wave someone down to check on our meal and she says it's coming right out. Two folks got duck, and the serving sizes were completely different. Shouldn't they have been the same size? One was dry and the other was over sauced. The pasta with sausage was bland. The "crab" crepes had more 90% artichoke and 10% crab. They should have called them artichoke crepes! When asked if we wanted dessert, I asked if it would take an hour to get that too because the "server" was rude the entire meal. She said to blame the slow meal on the kitchen and she was just the messenger. She didn't seem to realize that her lack of communication was more upsetting than the slow food. We asked to see a manager because we didn't want to deal with her any more. She came back and told us to go to the kitchen because she was working and could not come out. Are you kidding me? The owner should have come right out to talk to us. When we get back there, the two servers, who looked like nagging sisters, ganged up on us and told us that we were in the wrong! Seriously? The customer service there was non existent. And the owner had zero control of her staff. I will NEVER be back. Why would I pay money to be given attitude and suffer thru boring food? Save your money.
(1)Tonya B.
Brunch is the best here. Wide variety to choose from and the muffins are delicious. Getting in is uncomfortable. Long lines and this is the only place I have ever been where the host or hostess ignores you. Really? The restaurant needs training in customer service at the door. Too much a space to hold people waiting for tables- expansion needed.
(3)Bryce W.
100% lived up to expectations. The food was excellent (despite being a little pricey) and the atmosphere is really unique. I had a special (they all sounded so good I post a picture of the special menu) the Mint Julep Marinated Swordfish with Grilled Jumbo Shrimp and Mango Peach Papaya Purée. My sides were Roasted Carrots and Thai Slaw. I am pretty sure they dug the Carrots out of the ground minutes before they were so fresh and delicious. My only complaint would be the beer selection was limited but the wine list looks decent. I give the servers a four chili pepper rating. Stick with the restaurant, the bakery is just ok and crappy green mountain coffee.
(4)Sarah M.
You can't live in the area (or drive through it) and not go to Slates. I really appreciate their emphasis on local foods, and it shows in the quality and flavor of their dishes. In an area full of greasy restaurants and chains, I guess it makes sense that their creative, modern menu doesn't appeal to everyone - but there's no arguing with their passion for food, or their investment in and support of the local community. The dining room (with frequent live music) is really nice for a date or dinner with friends, and they have plenty of space to accommodate larger parties as well.
(4)Ben E.
We brought a party of eight and everything was fantastic. The steak was probably the best judging by what others got - not that my pesto pasta with seafood was bad at all! This place has a very distinct feel to it unique to Maine.
(5)Hugh G.
Good restaurant in Augusta Maine. The salads were especially good. The Lobster Pasta was wonderful. I am enjoying a coffee next door in their bakery. Don't miss Hallowell if you come to Augusta!
(4)Margaret G.
Slates is a big favorite in this area, but I think a lot of that feeling is based on sentiment and not its current offerings. In the restaurant the lengthy menu ensures that there is considerable variation in the quality of the preparations. Overall I feel the food could use a more refined touch. This is especally true for the bakery which features overly large and heavy scones and muffins with too many ingredients. There is a tendency to offer cream based soups. The sandwiches often have cheese and/or raw onion. I just ate some tabbouleh with the predominating flavor of red onions. One thing I will say about Slates is that it is reliable. You can be sure of getting a decent meal if you bring guests and the bakery is open 7 days a week. It is also somewhat of a social center for the town, a contribution which should not be dismissed.
(2)Angelina K.
We enjoyed a glass of wine, beer, & their smoked salmon/shrimp app. in the bar. Friendly service but slow kitchen. If ever we are in town again, will want to try their dinner menu...it looked delicious.
(3)Janice S.
Wish I could say I loved it. music was great..service was great which that was never the case before but the food was..meh....crabcakes were nonexistent.. mired in sauce and soggy..hubbys fish was tiny and overcooked. Friends fish was drowned in pesto and inedible... brought the wrong wine twice to the friends...
(2)Beth H.
Amazing! Their seafood is incredibly fresh, and their steak is also delicious. I had their crab cakes to start and they were very good. Their pecan pie is also delicious, probably because they have a bakery next door. It was all wonderful. It has been family owned and operated for 30 years. The owner is the head chef. You will not be disappointed!
(5)Allan P.
We went to Slates for camp weekend so while I get the rush this created, we had a horrible experience. Everything took forever and many dishes were off the menu by 8PM. Not only that but I only found out the dishes were gone after I ordered and waited for a half hour. I will also add this is the second year in a row we went there (not my call) but will not go back. Food is mediocre at best, service lags and there is really nothing special about this place. Just below average bar food with bad service. Nuff said.
(1)Chantel C.
If you are an out of towner do not go here. They had a really hard time with my ID they were not going to serve me. My boyfriend and I joked saying wait till they see his Id (he's military). I even talked to the owner and she was rude, this town has really nothing we are passing through for the night and will never go back there again. TERRIBLE SERVICE, unknowlegable staff...
(1)Bethany M.
My favorite place for brunch--and I LOVE brunch. All of their assorted eggs benedict are superb, and their homefries are AWESOME. Homemade breads for toast, and unique specials--it's on my regular list of great places to go. Their Pepper Bloody Mary is my favorite in the area!
(5)Jackie W.
My birthday dinner at Slate's was so amazing it could only be truly enjoyed by chewing with my eyes closed. When I opened them and looked across the table, my husband was doing exactly the same thing. (I ate surf, he ate turf.) Don't close your eyes until after your order is on the table, though. You'll miss the artful arrangement of foods on the serving plate(s). The service for our entrees was on the slow side, which is why I'm knocking off a star. Fortunately, it wasn't an unreasonably long wait, and we weren't in a hurry. My advice is to either plan to go to the later movie showing or Slate's a little earlier in the evening.
(4)Justin F.
Slates is the finest restaurant in the greater Augusta area, hands down. Every time I am in Augusta I go to Slates. The food is actual culinary art and not just food. The wait staff is always pleasant. The hummus plate. I could write a long review about this place, but I don't have to...it's just plain ol' good here.
(5)Jeanne M.
Who dathunk there would be such a fun, funky, fabulous restaurant in what I thought was the middle of chain restaurant land in Augusta? Well, Sinead, the fabulous front desk person at the nearby Quality Inn (also 5-star worthy but we'll leave that for another review). , steered us over to Lovely Hallowell and told us there were many good dining options. Well, the six of us who were traveling for work at nearby camps were awfully glad we chose Slates. We were greeted with a big smile and a "Great, we'll have a table for you in two minutes" when we walked in to a very busy restaurant, sans reservations, at 7:00 pm on a Thursday. Richard,our gracious and funny server, seemed genuinely happy to see us and was efficient and helpful without being obtrusive. The food is yummy, four of us had salads from the vast salad options and the even more options as add-ons. II chose fresh lobster as an add-on. perfection! A couple of my colleagues were in the mood for Mexican had nachos and gazpacho which they said were top drawer. Good beer and wine selection. And my Aforementioned Mexican minded colleagues said the Margaritas were scrumptious. We topped dinner off with a brownie from the bakery which Richard suggested needed some ice cream, hot fudge sauce and nuts. He was right. Camp season is hard work for us and Slates is our new reward after a long, hot day at work.
(5)B M.
Ho hum food. Way overpriced..Bread too hard, coffee too old and dessert was stale. Salad was ok. as was the brie and grapes. Waitstaff snotty Although some of the food tasted ok going down, I was sick all night upon returning home. Maybe they turn the lights way down so you can't see how dirty the place is. Won't be back.
(1)Devon D.
This is a great place to go for a mean. The food is very good - can be a little on the pricey side - and they have some really interesting and fun drink specials. Their seafood alfredo is very tasty and packed with seafood. They have some of the best desserts you could ask for; I had the German Chocolate Cake and it was out of this world.
(4)Dave W.
I gave this 5 stars for value and 4 stars on a universal 5-star scale for outstanding food and ambiance. So, this is as good as it gets for value. I had the salmon which was delicious and large portions. My GF had the Seafood variety in a Cuban Mojo over coconut rice which was also great($21 and $28, respectively). Service was excellent, thoughtful and prompt. Our waitress' husband was also the excellent live guitar music for the evening. The decor is trendy/unique/hippy a little bit, and that mixed well with the acoustic guitar and the old/quaint surroundings. I never order dessert but tonight I ordered some to share just because I didn't want to leave at the end of the meal! The people, the atmosphere, the acoustic music just made my evening special. Everything from the soups and breads to the desserts AND the ice cream were home made. I don't know when I've eaten where I thought every course was just really perfect and certainly a perfect value! Parking is available behind the restaurant as it on street parking. I had 7:30 reservations and was seated promptly. And the place was still 1/2 full when I left at 9;30, reluctantly. It was just too good an evening. The Yelp reviews are generally good but I didn't find Slate's at first, as it is categorized as $$, not the $$$ or $$$$ I was filtering for. I would put it in $$$ as between wine or appetizer and entre and dessert you'll be over $30. I'm someone who recognizes good food and good atmosphere, but I'm not in the habit of gushing over my evening. This time I am.
(5)Salamander J.
Butter, cream, big-haried waitresses, hollandaise sauce and a bloody mary. Take 3 Pepcid AC before you go, cause you aint' gonna be able to shut your mouth here when the food starts rolling in. (That's just me - but I saw all kinds of fresh, yummy, butter free stuff too). Get teh red-hot Bloody Mary, lobster hollandaise sauce and fresh onion bagels. I swear there's a Jew hiding in this town somewhere. I'd go here for the high holidays if i could, but it so far from New York. My mouth is watering when i think of this, and the Pepcid AC is jiggling in my bottle. Hint: to top off an extra good meal, go next door to the spa and say hi to Nathan and ask him about his dog Morty and see if he has any Xanex! P.S. This place gets busy so send your kids to wait in line, and then have them call you. The Bakery is next door, and Jesus it's good. Mainehigh 5:
(5)Justin F.
Slates is the finest restaurant in the greater Augusta area, hands down. Every time I am in Augusta I go to Slates. The food is actual culinary art and not just food. The wait staff is always pleasant. The hummus plate. I could write a long review about this place, but I don't have to...it's just plain ol' good here.
(5)Mike C.
Discovered this nice little gem by recommendation from my hotel's front desk, and boy was I glad I took their advice. Most things on their menu look great, but if you want to spend a little more, go for some of their specials and you won't be disappointed. As others have noted, you should probably make a reservation and expect to spend a little more than other places nearby. Oh yeah, and service was great!
(4)Joel S.
We stopped in for brunch. It was the Sunday of President's weekend, at noon. The restaurant staff was totally overwhelmed. The place was packed and there was a long wait for a table. Despite this, it took the staff a while to turn over tables that previous guests had vacated. Another busboy or two would have helped them a lot. We also noticed that things decompressed significantly after we were seated. Having said that, brunch was off the chart. I had a top 10 Bloody Mary. The blackened haddock was awesome. The turkey/asagio and crabmeat salad croissant sandwiches were excellent. All of these selections were accompanied by eggs and homefries or salad. The coffee was excellent. If I were to go back for brunch, I would go at 11:00 or 1:00. Maybe this was just a hiccup due to the holiday weekend.
(4)MJ H.
Slate's lunch and dinner is fabulous if you're feeling a bit footloose and fancy, because even though it's casual, it's definitely not "run of the mill." Their dishes always have a unique "twist," which doesn't always fit what people are looking for. Their ginger-peach mimosas are deeee-lish, and their menu (which does change often) has some mouthwatering items. (my favorites are the crepes!) Be warned that some of their cakes turn out dry. I had the german chocolate cake twice, and it wasnt good at all. I'll never order it again. Breakfast is something you can skip if you want to save yourself the money. $15-20 for one person for breakfast is steep, and the breakfast is certainly good but nothing that will be "unforgettable."
(4)Greg O.
The food and service was outstanding. I ordered the turkey club sandwich and was very impressed to find out that every detail was perfect, especially the freshly-baked bread made in house. They used quality ingredients across the board. If I lived near Augusta, I'd go there all the time. With a friendly, local, and relaxed yet upscale atmosphere, it is the perfect stop if you're looking for great comfort food.
(5)TJ S.
First time here with my relatives. Great bohemian atmosphere and mellow acoustic string music in the background, coupled with seafood specials make this place worth my return visit. The menu selection seem to be all American dishes with good influence on Italian and French. Good selection of savory dishes, meat and seafood. I would be happy with any of the entree dishes but opted for the special of the day - seafood medleys (lobster, muscles, sea scallops) herb Provençal The service is relaxed pace but attentive and creative at times. That makes it interesting to watch the wait staff and patrons interactions. I thought the parking was a little tricky on the street but there is a free big parking lot behind the building.
(4)Greg F.
This place gets a ton of great press... maybe I ordered badly... maybe I was having an off day? I had a steak - over sauced, over cooked, under chosen. The wine selection was okay... The service was good. The space was pretty cramped and uncomfortable. Lot's of people still rave, so don't take my word alone.
(2)Michelle G.
This is just such a great meal...everything! We had fettuccine which was perfectly cooked and flavored and I had a Cajun burger that was also perfectly cooked! Great atmosphere....great food...homemade and specialty items that you can't find anywhere else. The dessert menu looked incredible too.
(5)Alex W.
You guys, it was bad. I've heard so many good things about this restaurant; I was excited to finally try it. The interior of the restaurant is so cozy and cute. Everyone was really friendly when we arrived and they sat us even though our entire party was incomplete. The wine was mediocre table wine. I had the flat iron steak with garlic fresh herb butter, kale, and quinoa. The steak came out cold with a heap of what looked like, I kid you not, a two tablespoon clump of butter. The kale tasted like it had been dry rubbed in salt, and the quinoa was somehow undercooked and burnt. For dessert I had the peanut butter fudge swirl pie and a brownie. The brownie was dry and stiff but the peanut butter fudge swirl pie was good and I would recommend it. Our service wasn't that great either. Friendly, but absent for most of the meal leaving our water glasses empty until we ordered dessert. Everyone else in my party had a similar experience with the food. As a long-time server myself, I'm a pretty easy guest and always tip 20% no matter what, but unless Slates is going to cut their prices in half to match the quality of their food, save your money and go to the Liberal Cup.
(2)Jackson M.
Half of "Today's Specials" were unavailable. Otherwise, the food and the atmosphere were enjoyable.
(4)Brian S.
Wow! The food was acceptable, the price was high, the atmosphere was horrible. Very loud, very slow service. Don't waste your time, there's better food in better restaurants.
(1)Brad L.
I am sad to say that what would originally have been a 5 star review has become a 3 star review. I have been a fan and patron of Slates since 1976. I know the website says 1979 but the actual business opened earlier that than that. For years whether I was living locally or coming in from away Slates has been a primary destination for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Slates didn't start as a dinner restaurant it was primarily Breakfast and Lunch - Brunch being the pinnacle for us at least. The huge choices of Benedicts, the fresh baked breads and a different brunch bread every week using seasonal fruits and more. A former favorite has been the smoked seafood with , well anything. Slates was ground breaking in it's approach to what kind of food to serve , how it was presented and the entire model for the way the business was run. It served both the general public, tourists and still maintained the local vibe. Everyone came in through the week for a meal or a drink at happy hour. Long before every vodka was flavored Slates was infusing vodkas - in fact it was one the first if not the first to create a pepper vodka. It started with again, ground breaking Monday night music and art opening events and special dinner nights. Now it seems to be primarily lunch and dinner. I miss being able to get breakfast any day of the week and brunch on both Saturday and Sunday. We were disappointed this year that Slates would not open on Old Hallowell day for Brunch. It has been a family tradition for 30 years and this year we had to make other plans. I imagine the food is still good but a place changes and it just doesn't feel the same. Sometimes it's more than just the food.
(3)Christina P.
This was the worst meal I have ever had. The only reason I stayed is because I was with good company. If you're looking for any semblance of customer service, turn around and go somewhere else. At $25 a plate, the service was unacceptable. Restaurant Impossible needs to come in and teach the owner how to keep her staff in order. The sass and attitude they spewed the entire night was atrocious. Our "server", if you can call someone so rude that, wasn't happy with us from the start. She needs to go in to another profession, one that includes no interaction with people. The duck wontons were too oily and the sauce was overwhelming. The flavor of duck was non existent. We have to wave someone down to get drink refills. Only to find out they ran out of Shipyard Pumpkin. Who runs out of beer? About an hour later, our "server" stops by to say that our dinner is coming out after the big party next to us. Well they get their food in five minutes. Half an hour after that, I wave someone down to check on our meal and she says it's coming right out. Two folks got duck, and the serving sizes were completely different. Shouldn't they have been the same size? One was dry and the other was over sauced. The pasta with sausage was bland. The "crab" crepes had more 90% artichoke and 10% crab. They should have called them artichoke crepes! When asked if we wanted dessert, I asked if it would take an hour to get that too because the "server" was rude the entire meal. She said to blame the slow meal on the kitchen and she was just the messenger. She didn't seem to realize that her lack of communication was more upsetting than the slow food. We asked to see a manager because we didn't want to deal with her any more. She came back and told us to go to the kitchen because she was working and could not come out. Are you kidding me? The owner should have come right out to talk to us. When we get back there, the two servers, who looked like nagging sisters, ganged up on us and told us that we were in the wrong! Seriously? The customer service there was non existent. And the owner had zero control of her staff. I will NEVER be back. Why would I pay money to be given attitude and suffer thru boring food? Save your money.
(1)Tonya B.
Brunch is the best here. Wide variety to choose from and the muffins are delicious. Getting in is uncomfortable. Long lines and this is the only place I have ever been where the host or hostess ignores you. Really? The restaurant needs training in customer service at the door. Too much a space to hold people waiting for tables- expansion needed.
(3)Jen F.
A little high priced but great food. This may be some of the freshest seafood you will get. The stuffed haddock with lobster or crab seems to be their most popular item. Everything here was good though, from the bread with olive oil to the nachos to their salads. The lobster pizza was another great item as well as the salmon. If you're really hungry, go for the seafood alfredo. My co-worker said it was the best pasta he's had in a long time and it was super rich and creamy. The peanut butter pie with ice cream was excellent. I'll have to try out the bakery next time I'm in town.
(4)MK G.
The perfect end-of-summer last stop before heading south for this tourist. Food, ambience, service and fellow customers all a treat. Oh, and the mussels. Sigh.
(4)Heidi B.
Easter brunch: we made reservations and was seated promptly on time. The food was very good, love the homemade breads. Coffee and drinks were wonderful. With all of this, I'm not going back. Here's why. Our table was dirty, not just a few crumbs, but dried liquid on the table. What I thought was part of the table (they are decorated with paint... very colorful) came partially off under my thumb nail. The menu I looked at was riddled with coffee and food stains. My water glass had an impression of someone's lip. Nasty. My daughter had a mimosa, she had red lipstick on the lip of the glass. (She wasn't wearing lipstick.) We brought everything to our waiter's attention, he took care of everything. Adam was excellent. I'm not sure what's happening at Slate's, but we won't return. Unclean doesn't work for me.
(1)Bryce W.
100% lived up to expectations. The food was excellent (despite being a little pricey) and the atmosphere is really unique. I had a special (they all sounded so good I post a picture of the special menu) the Mint Julep Marinated Swordfish with Grilled Jumbo Shrimp and Mango Peach Papaya Purée. My sides were Roasted Carrots and Thai Slaw. I am pretty sure they dug the Carrots out of the ground minutes before they were so fresh and delicious. My only complaint would be the beer selection was limited but the wine list looks decent. I give the servers a four chili pepper rating. Stick with the restaurant, the bakery is just ok and crappy green mountain coffee.
(4)Lori S.
1st time visitor and I will be back Interior brick and artwork line the walls. The walls are brightly painted with color giving the space a lightened-up feel The seating space feel roomy. Slate's is an eclectic way to enjoy your meal. Three of us got there at about 1130 on Saturday, we were seated within a few minutes. The special menu flanked two sides of paper. Prices ranged from 10-15, I had the crab cake eggs benedict, with homefries, I also had a strawberry Italian mimosa which was tasty. The eggs benedict was the best I have ever had. I would suggest poppin' into the bakery for a treat for after your meau
(5)Lauren M.
I returned to Slate's last week and my second experience was much better than my first. The bread was still delightful. The beer was great. I ordered the baked haddock with potatoes and squash, and, by the end of the meal, I was stuffed, but I wasn't going to leave food on my plate! The fish was perfectly cooked. As promised by the waitress, the pesto was incredible. Rarely when I travel do I feel like I'm getting a home-cooked meal, and this was definitely a treat! Note that this place gets very busy, even during the week. We had to wait about 20-30 minutes for a table of 4 at 6:30ish on a Monday night! However, the ambiance is very nice in the back room--much nicer than in the bar area.
(4)Amybeth H.
Thanks for a great place! Amybeth Hurst, Portland, ME
(4)Krystin P.
I was disappointed after the Yelp reviews I read. I was looking for a cup of coffee and was disappointed to see the coffee was the Green Mountain brand that had been sitting in a coffee carafe. When I put it into my cup, the first thing I thought after feeling the cup/taking a sip was, "this needs to be much hotter." My boyfriend and I got a double fudge brownie, a chocolate macaroon, and a chocolate chip peanut butter cookie. The cookie was the best. I did not like the macaroon at all. The brownie tasted like there was an extra, unnecessary cup of sugar in it,. It was overly sweet, and therefore unenjoyable.
(2)Downeast K.
Maybe I just hit this place at the wrong time of day, but we had lunch there yesterday and I didn't think it was anything worth writing home about. Servers were spread too thin. My father's silverware was dirty and the bread was kind of stale. All-in-all it was nothing to write home about and we won't be returning. I have to respectfully disagree with this Yelp listing that says Slates is a good place for kids. There's no kids menu! People with kids either have to share their meal with their children or they have to order full-size meals for their kids (which is expensive and way too much food!)
(2)Janice S.
Wish I could say I loved it. music was great..service was great which that was never the case before but the food was..meh....crabcakes were nonexistent.. mired in sauce and soggy..hubbys fish was tiny and overcooked. Friends fish was drowned in pesto and inedible... brought the wrong wine twice to the friends...
(2)Beth H.
Amazing! Their seafood is incredibly fresh, and their steak is also delicious. I had their crab cakes to start and they were very good. Their pecan pie is also delicious, probably because they have a bakery next door. It was all wonderful. It has been family owned and operated for 30 years. The owner is the head chef. You will not be disappointed!
(5)Allan P.
We went to Slates for camp weekend so while I get the rush this created, we had a horrible experience. Everything took forever and many dishes were off the menu by 8PM. Not only that but I only found out the dishes were gone after I ordered and waited for a half hour. I will also add this is the second year in a row we went there (not my call) but will not go back. Food is mediocre at best, service lags and there is really nothing special about this place. Just below average bar food with bad service. Nuff said.
(1)Chantel C.
If you are an out of towner do not go here. They had a really hard time with my ID they were not going to serve me. My boyfriend and I joked saying wait till they see his Id (he's military). I even talked to the owner and she was rude, this town has really nothing we are passing through for the night and will never go back there again. TERRIBLE SERVICE, unknowlegable staff...
(1)Bethany M.
My favorite place for brunch--and I LOVE brunch. All of their assorted eggs benedict are superb, and their homefries are AWESOME. Homemade breads for toast, and unique specials--it's on my regular list of great places to go. Their Pepper Bloody Mary is my favorite in the area!
(5)Jeanne M.
Who dathunk there would be such a fun, funky, fabulous restaurant in what I thought was the middle of chain restaurant land in Augusta? Well, Sinead, the fabulous front desk person at the nearby Quality Inn (also 5-star worthy but we'll leave that for another review). , steered us over to Lovely Hallowell and told us there were many good dining options. Well, the six of us who were traveling for work at nearby camps were awfully glad we chose Slates. We were greeted with a big smile and a "Great, we'll have a table for you in two minutes" when we walked in to a very busy restaurant, sans reservations, at 7:00 pm on a Thursday. Richard,our gracious and funny server, seemed genuinely happy to see us and was efficient and helpful without being obtrusive. The food is yummy, four of us had salads from the vast salad options and the even more options as add-ons. II chose fresh lobster as an add-on. perfection! A couple of my colleagues were in the mood for Mexican had nachos and gazpacho which they said were top drawer. Good beer and wine selection. And my Aforementioned Mexican minded colleagues said the Margaritas were scrumptious. We topped dinner off with a brownie from the bakery which Richard suggested needed some ice cream, hot fudge sauce and nuts. He was right. Camp season is hard work for us and Slates is our new reward after a long, hot day at work.
(5)B M.
Ho hum food. Way overpriced..Bread too hard, coffee too old and dessert was stale. Salad was ok. as was the brie and grapes. Waitstaff snotty Although some of the food tasted ok going down, I was sick all night upon returning home. Maybe they turn the lights way down so you can't see how dirty the place is. Won't be back.
(1)Andrew S.
I was back in Maine this past weekend, and made a pilgrimage to Slates on a busy Saturday night. It was my first time there since the fire. May I just say: thank goodness. Slates is back. It had been a while since I'd been there, and it was a bad fire, so I'm sure that details are different, but it felt like my old Slates. The same warmth. The same wry, distinctly Maine service. The same deliciousness. I'm pretty sure that Slates is my favorite restaurant anywhere, for a lot of reasons. Go and enjoy it. It is a treasure.
(5)Roberto B.
Excellent restaurant in Hallowell. Right accross from a cool antiques store...very nice walking area. Food was excellent, well prepared and well presented. Staff was very friendly and welcoming! The restaurant itself was full on nice details that make the experience that much better.
(4)James S.
I started my night in Hallowell trying to get a meal at The Liberal Cup. Because it was Tuesday night Trivia and chaos, I never did get to eat there. So I walked down the street and popped into Slates. It's an eclectic place, a little bit of a hippy vibe going on. It was a little dark for my taste. The host (young kid) asked me if I wanted to sit at the bar. I saw the restaurant was only about half full so I asked if I could sit at a table. He first tried to give me a tall table with tall stools. I asked for a regular low table and he seemed a little put out with me. He gave me the worst table in the house, way in the back corner, by the bus station - I was being punished! The waitress was a very sweet woman who had a nice way about her. I started with a salad that was just very average. I also got some bread, that was also average. I was not impressed and was expecting just a very average meal. Then the magic happened! I had a baked haddock stuffed with lobster meat. It was out of this world - delicious. It was a well cooked piece of fish and generously stuffed with lobster. The sauce was rich and tasty. I had sides of carrots and smashed potatoes. The carrots may have seemed simple, but they were so good. I enjoyed my entire meal and cleaned my plate. Now I have been trying to be good and go with out dessert these days. But something told me that tonight I should try the dessert here. When I Maine I go with the blueberries. They taste nothing like the berries we get in Pennsylvania. They are smaller and are packed with blueberry flavor. So I got the pie and homemade ice cream. It was outrageous. The pie crust was perfect and flaky. It may have been one of the best pie crusts that I have ever eaten. Plus a nice big scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream. I learned Slates has their own bakery next door and they are know for their wonderful baked goods. The pie was very remembrable. I really enjoyed my meal here. It tasted homey and homemade. It was the right choice!
(5)Devon D.
This is a great place to go for a mean. The food is very good - can be a little on the pricey side - and they have some really interesting and fun drink specials. Their seafood alfredo is very tasty and packed with seafood. They have some of the best desserts you could ask for; I had the German Chocolate Cake and it was out of this world.
(4)Jacob P.
I can't say enough nice things about this place. The bakery is top notch. The restaurant serves fresh local lovingly created food. The interior is beautiful after the renovation and the staff are professional and polite. They have one of the best burgers I have tried in the US.
(5)Jackie W.
My birthday dinner at Slate's was so amazing it could only be truly enjoyed by chewing with my eyes closed. When I opened them and looked across the table, my husband was doing exactly the same thing. (I ate surf, he ate turf.) Don't close your eyes until after your order is on the table, though. You'll miss the artful arrangement of foods on the serving plate(s). The service for our entrees was on the slow side, which is why I'm knocking off a star. Fortunately, it wasn't an unreasonably long wait, and we weren't in a hurry. My advice is to either plan to go to the later movie showing or Slate's a little earlier in the evening.
(4)Shaina P.
Yes! Slate's Restaurant is back in full blown action after a year since it was lost in a devastating fire. Slate's is my (and countless other's) FAVORITE local dining establishment in the Augusta area. ATMOSPHERE I think the newly decorated space is an excellent revival of the old. Some interior brick was salvaged and restored, artwork from the old space was also salvaged and celebrated throughout. The new walls are brightly painted with colors of lime and cantaloupe, giving the space a lightened-up feel (a great depature from the all-brick interior). The seating space feels a little more roomy, but the artwork and character of Slate's has been suitably maintained (imagine naked mermaid/angels painted upon the walls). Slate's is about creating a feel-good atmosphere in an eclectic way for all to enjoy. FOOD Well, today I enjoyed brunch (Sunday starting at 10 AM). The menu flanked two sides of an 11x8.5 piece of paper. Prices ranged from 10-15 for brunch entrees consisting of smoked maine shrimps, omeletes, benedict, salmons, steaks, salads, and chef specials. Brunch is paired well with a tall Bloody Mary and potent coffee black. I ordered an omelete with arugula, roasted tomatoes, and cheddar that came with a side of garlic roasted potatoes and started off with a house salad. The dressing on the salad is indescribably delicious and the omelete couldn't have been more perfectly prepared (no brown spots!). My mother's smoked maine shrimp eggs benedict with a Bernaise sauce looked unbelievable and HUGE. Sauce was so delicious and again the eggs looked perfect. The dinner menu is a mystery to me since the restaurant revived, but if it's anything like the old, expect NEW entrees made with fresh local ingredients on a daily basis. EXPECT A QUEUE By the way, Slate's now takes reservations for parties of 6 or more. If your party is smaller, expect a lengthy queue (or arrive at opening time). But put your name on the list and hop over to Slate's Bakery for fresh baked breads, sweets, and refreshing drinks! Or perhaps try the new Joyce's across the street for a martini or wine.
(5)Tracey C.
The food here is amazing!! We stopped here for lunch on our way home from vacation. I ordered the chicken blueberry-barbecue wrap with fries. The flavor combination of the wrap (I think it was spinach), blueberry, and barbecue was unique and tasty. My husband had the blackened haddock with salad. The haddock was fresh, flavorful, and a generous portion. Also, the staff is friendly and the atmosphere has a cool vibe with lots of artwork to check out. We only wished we lived closer so we could come here again!!
(5)Nicole V.
Go for brunch and try the scrambled eggs with crab. The home fries that came on the side were very tasty. So far, what I have tried from the bakery is delicious and addicting! My favorites are the no bake cookies and the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies but I can't imagine not liking anything. The coffee is rich and reasonably priced and with the amazingly, gorgeous, awesome Becky working, how can you not start your day off with a smile.
(4)Benjamin C.
Hit or miss. That is how I always thought of Slates over the years. Lately it seemed to be hits all around but last Monday we went there for dinner. We all had dropped jaws reading about the special Brazilian fish stew and ALL ordered one. It was $29 but we thought it would be worth it. It most certainly was not. We got smallish bowls of a few tiny mussles, tiny scallops, fragments of lobster in a just ok broth. I seriously doubt that anything was from Maine other than the lobster. The shrimp certainly were not and I would rather have frozen Maine shrimp than gulf or "fresh" Asian farmed toxic ones. Wow that was a real waste of money and now my impression is "miss."
(3)Josh Z.
Great place, I love going here. It's a little gem outside of Augusta. Friendly staff, great atmosphere, excellent food. We make sure to stop when we are in town.
(5)Angie B.
I had many outstanding meals at Slates during my time in Maine. All of the seafood is incredibly fresh and plentiful. Service was always impeccable and the decor is really funky and fun. This is a must if you are in Augusta!
(5)Tsveta S.
Excellent food! The service is also very good Their prices are a bit steep but it is totally worth it for the quality you get
(5)J F.
I was treated to a dinner with friends at this restaurant last night. I loved the decor, but as warned it is very noisy. The food was average. My host ordered crab cakes that were small firm pucks of breadcrumbs, very little crabmeat to be found,and very tasteless. I rode red a seafood pesto dish that was just okay, more garlic than basil, but it was edible. We ordered white wins that arrived warm, our server, who,was wonderful, offered up a chilled wine cooler to cool off the wine, but that did not help. I cannot say I will be running back to this place as it was not as " great" as all the reviews have stated. Chef/ owner needs to up their game, or maybe they just don't care and will continue on packing the house serving mediocre food.
(3)Emily D.
The menu is fantastic; prices are very reasonable. Usually a wait, so make reservations or bring your patience - it's well worth the wait if you have the time. I think their menu is somewhat limited, but the options (and amount of locally sourced ingredients) are excellent. I recommend it for a nice leisurely and satisfying experience.
(4)Angela D.
I love Slates and my trips to Maine don't seem quite right when I don't get in there at least once for a delicious meal and a glass (honestly, bottle...) of my favorite wine with my friends and coworkers! The food is great - innovative and really, really tasty and you cannot go wrong with any of the bakery items. If you find yourself in this part of Maine - seek this place out. You will not be disappointed!
(4)Linda P.
Lovely lunch. Crab cakes and fish chowder were excellent
(5)Nick C.
Visiting from California for two months and traveling around the state during my stay, Slates is by far the best restaraunt in Maine in terms of atmosphere, food quality/presentation, and service! The warm bread and garlic olive oil is a great start. I recommend the haddock, flank steak and pork tenderloin as an entrée, and brie or crab cakes for an app. The carrots and mashed potates are great sides. The atmosphere is cozy, warm and puts off a bohemian/hippie vibe that can make you feel like you're somewhere other than Maine. Average meal w/o alocohol is around $25. Have eaten here twice and have more to discover on the menu!
(5)Tina M.
I'd give it a 3.5 if I could, because the food itself was pretty good, though a bit overpriced. My fiance's coffee tasted like it was sitting on the burner for a long time. The server was pleasant, but the service was really quite slow. We were just getting ready to complain when our food showed up, which is why I didn't rank it higher.
(3)Rachel G.
I stopped by today to meet a friend for brunch. I had great anxiety as I read over menu because there were so many things I wanted to try... they have several takes on benedict, so I decided to order the goat cheese, red onion, and basil version. It was DELICIOUS- lots and lots of goat cheese, and smothered in hollandaise. It was served with a small portion of home fries, I wish there had been more 'tates! My friend and I were trying to keep to a schedule, and we were a bit disappointed with the slow service. When I first arrived there were several employees lingering, so it was a bit confusing when it took so long for the waitress to take our cards... perhaps the other side of the restaurant was busier than we realized? Other than that, super experience.. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Chester O.
I don't understand why this place gets such great reviews. The food is ok but its overpriced. My family had breakfast there once and it was very expensive. I think people just go there for the name....
(2)Tom C.
Great menu...lots of choices. Service and food well done. Very reasonably priced
(4)Matt B.
I've lived just a few miles from Slates my whole life but I had only been there once before, way back in high school, when I had a painting in an exhibit there, and I'm not even sure I had anything to eat that time. My girlfriend took me there last Saturday during the annual Old Hallowell Day celebration. I was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, I was a little bit disappointed. I had some sort of swordfish dish which was a special that day. It came slathered in some sort of sauce that I think was a chipotle sour cream or something. It also had blueberries and bits of unidentified vegetables in the sauce. It really didn't work well. There was so much sauce, with such overwhelming flavor, that it overpowered the fish. When I order fish, I want to taste fish! It came with a green salad that was also underwhelming. The server was very, very pleasant and nice. I suspect she's been doing her job a long time because she was very good at it. My only complaint was that, when I asked about what sodas they had, she listed off Pepsi products and I ordered a root beer. I expected a Pepsi Corp. fountain root beer but she brought me an expensive Maine Root, organic root beer. I love those but they're expensive. She should have specified that the root beer was not among the Pepsi products. I felt like that was a little dishonest even though I love Maine Root products. Handicapped accessibility is much better than it used to be. The restaurant entrance is now on the side of the building and has no step. However, one must traverse a very bumpy stone and brick sidewalk to get to the entrance. It was okay but a little difficult for me. However, the restaurant itself is easy to navigate and my girlriend reports that the bathroom is accessible. I would try Slate's again, for sure. I liked my girlfriend's salmon entree when I tried it. The food all had definite potential. I just thought the oversauced swordfish was a disappointment. It gets such great reviews from other people, I must have just tried something that was an unfortunate miss that day.
(4)Sarah M.
You can't live in the area (or drive through it) and not go to Slates. I really appreciate their emphasis on local foods, and it shows in the quality and flavor of their dishes. In an area full of greasy restaurants and chains, I guess it makes sense that their creative, modern menu doesn't appeal to everyone - but there's no arguing with their passion for food, or their investment in and support of the local community. The dining room (with frequent live music) is really nice for a date or dinner with friends, and they have plenty of space to accommodate larger parties as well.
(4)Ben E.
We brought a party of eight and everything was fantastic. The steak was probably the best judging by what others got - not that my pesto pasta with seafood was bad at all! This place has a very distinct feel to it unique to Maine.
(5)Hugh G.
Good restaurant in Augusta Maine. The salads were especially good. The Lobster Pasta was wonderful. I am enjoying a coffee next door in their bakery. Don't miss Hallowell if you come to Augusta!
(4)Margaret G.
Slates is a big favorite in this area, but I think a lot of that feeling is based on sentiment and not its current offerings. In the restaurant the lengthy menu ensures that there is considerable variation in the quality of the preparations. Overall I feel the food could use a more refined touch. This is especally true for the bakery which features overly large and heavy scones and muffins with too many ingredients. There is a tendency to offer cream based soups. The sandwiches often have cheese and/or raw onion. I just ate some tabbouleh with the predominating flavor of red onions. One thing I will say about Slates is that it is reliable. You can be sure of getting a decent meal if you bring guests and the bakery is open 7 days a week. It is also somewhat of a social center for the town, a contribution which should not be dismissed.
(2)Angelina K.
We enjoyed a glass of wine, beer, & their smoked salmon/shrimp app. in the bar. Friendly service but slow kitchen. If ever we are in town again, will want to try their dinner menu...it looked delicious.
(3)Rosy R.
This is worth a stop when driving north.. Right off route 3 heading to MDI. Hadn't been in 20 years... SO happy to have re-found it. Now we will be regulars... Amazing food, great atmosphere.. Just wish we could have stayed and. Or had a 2 hour drive ahead of us. Blackend haddock, chic,Gorgonzola,onion crepe, amazing polenta. Home made ice cream..and oh.. The ,margarita..crisp clean and so good!
(5)Gerry M.
Best restaurant overall in Maine . My opinion...g
(5)Guy S.
Nice atmosphere, even for out of towners. Clever combinations on the menu, though the eggs Benedict could have been a little more done. Tasty bread baked on the premises.
(4)Ernest P.
Not a bad experience though a bit of a let down for the "fanciest place in town". Nice warm, cozy atmosphere though the funky painted tables, and pastel napkins were a bit tacky and dated (despite recent redo after fire). The bread was decent and tasty, as well as warm brie with smoked shrimp appetizer. a bit salty but a good way to get the taste buds warmed up. I made the mistake of getting the crabcakes, which were a bit smaller than say hockey pucks and full of breading, no crab to be seen. I had been told that this is simply how crabcakes are prepared outside MidAtlantic area but had to see for myself. ugh. My wife's burger looked delicious and juicy, topped with caramelized onions among other things. Crepes looked like the way to go, as well as our tablemates simply grilled pork tenderloin with choice of sauce. He did comment that the accompanying vegetables were bland and cold. All in all no culinary fireworks but a nice atmoshphere, reasonably priced "nice" restaurant, and live acoustic music during dinner was a welcome touch for a night on the town. some have commented that it makes the restaurant too loud though i enjoyed it. Finally, drinks were ok. I thoroughly enjoyed my Stella Artois in a perfectly shaped stella artois glass.
(3)Eli B.
Slate's is an institution in Maine dining. My parents used to drive from Waterville regularly for dinner in the '80s because it was the only decent place in the area. It only seemed fit that while I was in Maine for a week for the first time in 4 years that we stopped by for brunch. I think it must have been an off day, sadly. Both my mother and boyfriend enjoyed their eggs benedict (his steak benedict, hers normal eggs benedict), but it took probably half an hour to 45 minutes to get our food - enough for us to each drink about 4 cups of tea. I ordered the crab cakes which were small but tasty. The deal-breaker was the crab-shells in the crab cakes and egg shells in the egg. Unfortunately the taste of the food can't compensate for being put off your eggs and then trying to soldier through the rest of your breakfast, only to discover more unwanted crunchiness in your main course. The waitress comped us the crab cakes and I just can't in good conscience give Slate's anything less than 3 because it is an institution in mid-Maine dining, though I was incredibly disappointed...
(3)Tina D.
This is a diamond in the rough!! ... and I mean rough! When I think Augusta/Hallowell area, I do not think fancy restaurant. Oh boy, was I surprised. What first tipped me off was the fact that I saw people walking down Water St in suit jackets and dresses. I immediately needed to know where they were coming from, as I have not experienced anything "fancy" about this nature loving area. Nothing wrong with that, but trying to find a place for a Company Holiday party is difficult when your options are local bar or chain restaurant. The ambience here is very relaxed and chill, the décor is adorable, and the service was wonderful. The food and wine selection was expansive, and everything we ordered made our mouths water. The seafood stew got rave reviews! This would be an excellent place to take someone on a date or if you want to impress a client.
(4)m h.
I had dinner at Slate tonight. The food wasn't bad. The wine list was ok if you like high alcohol "hot" (january vintage) american reds. The worse part was the owner, a self righteous, officious, unfriendly older lady who should channel her aggression to more constructive causes. She typifies the intolerant former hippie type that only gets crankier with age. I certainly won't return to be in the presence of such a buzz kill.
(1)Rob S.
I had the fresh baked haddock with fresh Maine crabmeat filling, but it was smothered in a creamy or cheesy concoction which wasn't described on the menu. It was a bit bland, but the bread and olive oil / pesto / garlic was excellent beforehand. It was expensive and I would've expected better from a far lesser cost place, but that was just one menu item.
(2)Abigail K.
I loved this place the moment I walked in. The decor, the friendly staff, the guitarist playing quietly, the menu - everything was just what I wanted. The bread and olive oil with - I'm not sure, mushrooms and garlic I think - were out of this world amazing. If I'd eaten just that I'd have given a 5 star review. The salad and balsamic dressing were delicious. The pasta with lobster was good but not great. I was told it would be a very light sauce, just a little olive oil, but it looked like a olive oil/butter soup with all the oil in the bottom of the bowl and dripping from everything. The pasta was fairly mushy with no real flavor or interesting texture. The lobster was yummy. For dessert I got the fruit pie and was really disappointed in it. I don't recommend it. It's a crumble top, not a real pie crust top, and the whole thing tasted (unlike everything else I ate for dinner) like something I'd buy in a store, not a home made dessert. Still, I loved this place and would go back, I'd just order a different main and dessert.
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