Let me start off by saying that my husband and I have eaten in a variety of fine dining establishments across the county. We have been going to kennebunkport for many years and have enjoyed many fine dining experiences here and have heard of this restaurant but also it being overpriced. Their recent groupon advertisement swayed us to try. From the moment we walked in we were made to feel like second class citizens. When we sat down and presented the groupon our waiter made it abundantly clear we were not welcome. The food was good but again we have had much better/rarer food with much better service. Regardless of what we ordered we were made to feel like a burden and we were not ordering enough. There is no need to be/actPretentious if the food was able to speak for itself and there are many other more Palatable options in the area. Ps dont offer groupons if you dont want to redeem them
(2)
Pam F.
I took my family for a special dinner at ON THE MARSH last night. My Mom and Dad had only been a couple of times and raved about it. Now they are living in assisted living and no longer drive and so I thought it would be nice to take back to the place they so enjoyed. I had never been, but for years would drive by and yearn to go in. I wish I had. Last evening was the single most wonderful dining experience I've had an a long, long time. It was elegant, yet comfortable. The wait staff was all very professional and so attentive. You felt like royalty. And it wasn't just our table, I could see the other patrons getting the same wonderful attention. They were pleasant and friendly. My parents are elderly, so patience was required and they were so good to them. The evening from start to finish was exquisite. I just LOVE the ambience. The Grounds are peaceful and restful. And let's not forget the FOOD. MY GOD, it was delicious. Funny thing is we all ordered the same thing - Seared Scallops. They were to die for. Melt in your mouth, and a pleasure for your tastebuds. EVERYTHING was magnificant. I WILL be back. THANK YOU.
(5)
Craig S.
Absolutely wonderful. Great place for a romantic dinner. Food was outstanding. Lovely atmosphere and superb service.
(5)
Catherine O.
Food was fabulous and the service was absolutely top notch. My only reason for less than 5 stars was the live piano music. For such a trendy place, his song book was wicked dated and seemed to cater to the over 60 crowd who love Broadway show tunes. It was painful. Ruined the ambience. Keep with whatever the modern music was that was on before he started, please. With Maine having such a hip music scene, someone out there should be available in the off season. A little light jazz maybe?
(4)
Ken S.
Looking at past reviews,it appears that a visit when there is a wedding is not a good idea. Maybe I'm lucky,but my wife and I have dined there about four times. And every time we had a great experience. Excellent food and service every time. In fact,on our recent trip,the bartender,Patrick,says: You have GOT to try the mussels. Well,they were fantastic. Maybe the best we have ever had.Our entrees were Arctic Char and I had the Lambshank. Both were excellent.My only complaint? No domestic beer; no Bud,Coors,or Miller.
(5)
Griffith G.
On The Marsh has been on our list of restaurants to try when we are in Maine for a while, but we could never get reservations. So for our recent trip, I planned early and made reservations well in advance. We walked through the beautiful gardens and into the comfortable dining room which has a relaxed look and feel. I was really looking forward to a quite, fine dining experience. However, I soon felt like I was back in my South End condo with my upstairs neighbor entertaining a large herd of elephants. It seems that this fine dining restaurant also hosts wedding receptions in a private space above the main dining room. In an old farm house, with wooden floors, this is a terrible idea! The chandelier above our table swayed back and forth and during some of the more energetic songs, the ceiling above our head could be seen bouncing and bowing under the weight of a rowdy group of wedding revelers. Ok, enough about the wedding party that we were not invited to. The waitress was pleasant and the staff did apologize for the noise, (although a round of drinks or dessert or something would have been a nice gesture.) I began to worry about our dining experience when I ordered a sidecar. "What's that?" the waitress asked. Ummm.... never mind, I'll stick with wine... Moments later the waitress asked if I wanted a Margarita made with Brandy... still going to stick with wine. The appetizers were very nice. I had the creton, and two others had a simple garden salad. The one item on the menu one of my friends was interested in (a mac and cheese) was unavailable and they were offering a pasta dish instead, which was ok... Three of us ordered seared scallops over lobster risotto. I over heard one of the waitresses mention that this is considered one of their signature dishes. The risotto was creamy, but could have been more flavorful and could have had a bit more lobster. I have also seen scallops seared better. Another in our party ordered the venison, which was served with some sort of olive mixture in a pastry shell. The pastry shell was over cooked. For a restaurant with a "fine dining" reputation, I was not impressed. Of course feeling like the ceiling was going to collapse from the future "So You Think You Can Dance" contestants did not help with over all experience, but I also felt the meal and the service was not up to the expectations of a fine dining restaurant. We left without trying dessert and went to a lovely bistro in Kennebunk.
(1)
Jason F.
We just had a quiet dinner here on Sunday night (off-season) and had a tremendous meal. The restaurant only had 5-6 tables full, and there was clearly only one server. However, the service was excellent and the food was perfect. We started with a tomato soup "small bite" which was delicious and creamy along with a little mozzarella stick. We moved on to the mussels which were prepared with a garlic white wine sauce. They sauce is delicate and creamy, without overpowering the mussels. My venison entree was cooked perfectly and was extremely tender, hard to accomplish with venison. It came with falafel and a side salad that were good enough for to make me wish they ran a little roadside falafel truck. We finished with a little gelato trio, which was wonderfully rich and my size (3 small servings). The food was creative and wonderfully executed, and the restaurant is a charming little house that feels conducive to long, cozy meals.
(5)
Linda M.
We returned to on the Marsh with my parents who had never been here. We had an amazing dinner - the butternut apple soup was delicious as was the sourdough bread. I had the pasta which was light and tasty. My husband had the veal chop and raved about it. My parents were so impressed with the food and the atmosphere. We had eaten at Earth the night before and were not impressed, so this was a nice way to finish our weekend.
(5)
Tero P.
Mouthwatering food with cozy service. The scallops and lobster risotto we had was outstanding. Somewhat pricy but well worth the price, no question. If you're in Kennebunkport, ME, you HAVE to visit this restaurant.
(5)
Denise E.
Best dinner of our 8 day trip to Maine. Exactly what we had been looking for - a white tablecloth, candlelit, old tavern setting. Gorgeous decor, hand hewn ceiling beams, plush upholstery and fine art over the bar and in the dining room. Started at the bar where Keith made great cocktails, shared the history of the building and gave us his advice on the menu. Ordered halibut and a fantastic potato-leek soup. Husband's oysters were flavorful as was the unique preparation of lobster - Mediterranean style with avocado, greens, cherry tomatoes and artichokes in a light vinaigrette. Wine list included our favorite French white burgundy. Clearly a place for a special night out.
(5)
Emily C.
We just had the most spectacular wedding at On the Marsh. The best part about getting married here as opposed to other venues in the area is that you have the feeling of complete privacy! The garden is beautiful, the decor is such that you don't need to provide much of your own, and the attention to detail is impeccable. Alexandra is an angel! She is the event coordinator and was extremely easy to work with! We had a magical wedding at this magical venue. I can't say enough good things about it!
(5)
Silvia V.
Attended a wedding at On The Marsh yesterday. This was my first time there. The landscape is beautiful, it's lush, serene and quiet. The restaurant is very rustic looking and it fits in perfectly with its surroundings. The food was excellent, they have great bread. My duck was a little overdone, I like duck to be cooked rare or medium rare. The service was great. I highly recommend this place for a wedding or a special occasion.
(4)
Steven C.
Had a wonderful dinner. Fish was great, and the oysters were some of the best ever. Will be back.
(4)
Lauren S.
If you want the best fine dining In Kennebunk this is the restaurant to go to. We tried to get in somewhere else but we used yelp to find On the Marsh. They won't let you order the bar menu in the restaurant . At first we were bummed but it was a happy accident. The wedge salad has dressing that you want to buy. I shared the veal chop and it was perfect. The mushroom side from the beef filet was perfect. I wish I had dessert but I was too full. I think we found our new special dining place. I need to mention the service matched the cuisine and the restaurant was stunning. All these years going to Maine and I can't believe I have missed this gem!
(4)
Greg P.
I have eaten here several times over the past years with good experiences and we decided to eat here last night. The menu changes daily here so the list of choices is small and it was made worse last night when one of the one of the entrees was sold out. The prices have always been higher than other local restaurants but I didn't recall them being this high. Most were over $40. I had the scallops and at $42 I expected more than 3 scallops. My son had the lobster salad - basically a salad with lobster on it- and did have the meat of a whole 1 1/4 lobster but again at $42 it was rather disappointing. I don't mind paying for good food but there needs to be better value than what you get here. The food was good but not good enough to justify these prices and quantities
(2)
Liz B.
Wonderful! They made our anniversary dinner extra special. Incredibly romantic (but not pretentious) atmosphere, impeccable service, and excellent food. Our entrees (seared scallops and the roast duck) were perfectly prepared. We found the restaurant to be quiet and intimate. We will definitely be back--either for formal dining or just to sit at the very comfortable bar for drinks and appetizers.
(4)
Amybeth H.
We went for the first time this past spring. I found the food to be just stunning. Amybeth Hurst, Portland, ME
(5)
Jen R.
went here in May. beautiful place, excellent food. romantic atmosphere. favorite dish was the cheese/meat plate appetizer - haven't had any other that comes close. the rest of the meal was great as was the service.
(5)
sunny n.
From start to finish, I was impressed...a place to remember...food was simply exquisite....romantic setting...tucked away from the hustle of downtown...so charming...so new england...some of the best scallops I have ever had...and the lobster risotto..u just cant go wrong...service was on the mark...and the piano bar...was soo soothing to top it all....I will definately be back....I highly recommend you make reservations.....and suggest arrive early...sit at the bar...enjoy the piano..soak in the atmosphere...and slide over to your table....and indulge...with ease..
(5)
Marko M.
Very nice menu with some untraditional choices. Prices in line with the better restaurants in the area Interior and exterior are very nice. small bar area for after dinner apertifs.
(4)
Jane E.
On the Marsh is just gorgeous. My husband and I have dined here - or I have eaten a meal at the bar solo - about a dozen times. The service is always excellent - it seems they take particular pride in their service - and the food is always good, though, I feel, somewhat overpriced. Eating (or just drinking) at the bar is fun because the other patrons are always friendly. I actually spent a birthday weekend in the Kennebunks last year - one day alone and one day with a friend. On my alone night, I went to OtM for a post-dinner cocktail and ended up chatting a bit with Denise Rubin, the owner, who is lovely. I reminded her of an evening, a few years earlier, when my husband, our 9 month old and I had dinner there. We actually phoned ahead to 2 other fine dining restaurants in the Kennebunks before calling OtM and were told that our baby would not be welcome. (Hey, it was our first nice night out in 9 months, give us a break.) On the Marsh welcomed all 3 of us. Toward the end of our meal, our baby became restless. Denise seemed to notice that I had spent a fair amount of the meal amusing Baby rather than relaxing and enjoying my meal. She came to our table with a big smile and entertained our son while I ate dessert. Who does that?! I was so appreciative and impressed! So last year, I reminded Denise of what had happened and explained that, 3 years later, here I was for a big weekend away - woo hoo! She thanked me for being a loyal customer, gave me a quick hug, and returned a few minutes later with a gift certificate for a future meal. Talk about customer service! I think we'll always be loyal to OtM. ETA: I chose "not sure" for "good for kids" because it definitely depends on the kids. My 2 older boys would love it here; my younger 3 would not.
(4)
Addy L.
Food was spectacular, service was even more so (I wish I could remember our servers name because she deserves an award for waiting on our large party), and the cocktails were delicious. The overall vibe was a bit stuffy, but what else do you expect from an uber expensive restaurant in Kennebunk. The entryway was a bit cheeky- was not into the fake bird sounds and bird cages dangling from the ceiling- I knew what they were going for, but it wasn't working for me. If I ever go back (as I was on holiday) I would opt to eat at the bar, which seemed very inviting and to have a bit more of a casual vibe.
(4)
Don W.
I must have hit them on a bad night. One problem with reading Yelp reviews before going to a new restaurant is that good reviews give me high expectations. As I write this, there are 7 other reviews for On The Marsh. Five are glowing, and the other two were written on almost the same day and complained about what was probably the same noisy party upstairs. Every restaurant will get one or two crank reviews so I disregarded them. I was encouraged and was looking forward to going there for my father-in-law's birthday. Given that it's a restaurant and the parking lot is going to be a main feature, the grounds are very nice and the walk from the car to the restaurant was only marred by the tacky looking bulbs that were in many of the light fixtures. No problem, I wasn't there for the light bulbs. We walked in as they were opening and had to wait a few minutes because they were still setting up. We looked around and there were award certificates everywhere. Billy Costa had given On The Marsh a "Platinum Plate". The Wine Spectator had given the restaurant an award every year up to 2006. I would soon be able to guess why there are no newer certificates. And like most regular Yelpers, I'm not a big believer in Billy Costa. They seated us after maybe 5 minutes, asked us what kind of water we wanted, and brought us the menus. The chairs were comfortable and the interior was maybe a little fussy, but not our of character with what they were trying to do. For appetizers, I got the Borscht and two others got demi salads. Two of us got the Scallop and Lobster risotto entree, one got the Lobster Succotash, and one got the Mahi-Mahi. I tried a little of everything. I ordered a glass of an Italian Pinot Grigio and it was way too sweet. If this was really an Italian Pinot Grigio, then I'll stick to ones from California. Our server brought us some freshly baked sourdough bread and it was delicious. I wouldn't have called it sourdough but it was excellent bread with an amazing crust. We were each given one slice and when we asked for more, we were each given another half a slice. It seemed petty and made me wonder where else they were pinching pennies, but the bread was so good that I might have made a meal out of it if they had put a loaf on the table. The appetizers were all exactly what we expected. My Scallop and Lobster Risotto had way more scallops than lobster. The scallops were seared well and tasted the way they should but the lobster was chewy. The risotto was tasty but the portion was small. For $36, I would have liked to see a bit more risotto and some better lobster. The vegetable that came with it was a Baby Toy Mui, which seems to be the same as Baby Bok Choy. It was tasty and cooked well, but the last few bites were gritty. The Lobster Succotash had plenty of fresh lobster but for me, the taste of succotash didn't really work with the lobster. The Mahi-Mahi was delicious and I found myself wishing that I had ordered it. The number of times in this paragraph I wrote that "xxx was good, but..." really describes my experience. Our server was very good. She knew the menu and was able to answer all of the questions. She was there when we needed her and wasn't there when we didn't. There was a piano player that started playing while we were eating and the room was really too small for the piano. Nothing against the pianist, but conversation was not possible while he was playing and I was wishing that he could somehow move into another room. So overall, most of the meals were good and almost everything was cooked right, but the vegetables really needed to be washed better. I'd need to spend a little more time with the wine list to say for sure, but my first experience was a let down. I'm going with 3 stars because there were too many little problems for me to get excited about the place but I can't really give it a negative review. I will say that for the money, there shouldn't have been any problems. I'd go back if someone else wanted to go, primarily because I keep thinking that all these other reviewers can't be wrong and someday I want to be able to call On The Marsh "exquisite" too. But if I was picking the restaurant, I'd pick something else.
(3)
JS M.
We've enjoyed this restaurant in the past but I think we will no longer be going there. The service was poor, our appetizer was 1/2 the size of the same appetizer on the table beside us - we were given blue chees - with nothing to put it on none of the usual toast - we had to ask for some. We were not given the chef's special (normally a taste tidbit brought out to tables while your dinner is being prepared), we had to ask for bread and water. When our dinner finally came out we voiced our displeasure. No one, not even the owner seemed to care. She came to hear our complaints, but did nothing to make us feel any better. She apparently doesn't need our business
(2)
Eliza C.
It's hard to encapsulate the atmosphere of On the Marsh without sounding cliche or over the top. The word "amazing" is to extravagant, because On the Marsh isn't an "over the top" place. On the Marsh, is simply and deliciously, lovely. It's one of those places where you walk in, and no matter what mood, feel comfortable, soothed and happy. Nestled in the Marsh between Kennebunkport and Biddeford, On the Marsh embodies what it means to be from New England. We had my father's 50th birthday party at On the Marsh during one of Maine's quintesential noreasters that dumped heavy snow, blanketing the entire town. We've been back every year since. On the Marsh resembles a well maintained New England cottage. Sprinkled with warm light, mahogany chairs and upholstery. There is a piano bar in the corner that usually echos thru the two floors. The menu is varied and the dishes are pristine. Gorgeously plated steaks, poultry and fish with light marinades and glazes perfectly balanced. I've had the beef wellington and salmon, which were both 5/5. And as if On the Marsh couldnt be more lovely, on new years eve, they give each diner a small lemon poppy cake to take home for the morning. On the Marsh hits every nail on the head and more, striking a balance between soothing comfort and delicious. Highly reccomended. Make reservations!
(5)
Jeffrey G.
Lobster BLT was really good and the meat and cheese plate was outstanding.
(4)
Judy P.
Beautiful restaurant, exceptionally well-prepared food, attentive service. I asked for a quiet table near the window and we were seated by the window overlooking the gardens. I had a delicious crab salad, my husband had the mussels - both were delicious, and a nice sized portion. My husband said they may have been the best or second best - tough to decide mussels ever (tossup with Vignoli's in Portland); he said the were "unbelievable". For entrees, I had the mushroom risotto with the seared scallops, and my husband ordered the buffalo steak, and chose the grilled asparagus and potatoes au gratin as his sides; we really enjoyed our meals :) We had been to this restaurant about ten years ago, I remembered it as an elegant restaurant, and a special evening (my husband took me for my birthday). I enjoyed our evening then, but don't recall the food being as wonderful as last night's. I've wanted to return for awhile. So glad we did. The only caveat - I did see the large function room upstairs, and I wouldn't like it if it had been in use and noisy as some have written - so. Would double check to make sure there was nothing scheduled next time (it was not in use last night).
(5)
Tom H.
Great experience. Fabulous entrees, appetizers and desserts. We went before the season started and the place was quiet and the service was great.
(5)
Don W.
I must have hit them on a bad night. One problem with reading Yelp reviews before going to a new restaurant is that good reviews give me high expectations. As I write this, there are 7 other reviews for On The Marsh. Five are glowing, and the other two were written on almost the same day and complained about what was probably the same noisy party upstairs. Every restaurant will get one or two crank reviews so I disregarded them. I was encouraged and was looking forward to going there for my father-in-law's birthday. Given that it's a restaurant and the parking lot is going to be a main feature, the grounds are very nice and the walk from the car to the restaurant was only marred by the tacky looking bulbs that were in many of the light fixtures. No problem, I wasn't there for the light bulbs. We walked in as they were opening and had to wait a few minutes because they were still setting up. We looked around and there were award certificates everywhere. Billy Costa had given On The Marsh a "Platinum Plate". The Wine Spectator had given the restaurant an award every year up to 2006. I would soon be able to guess why there are no newer certificates. And like most regular Yelpers, I'm not a big believer in Billy Costa. They seated us after maybe 5 minutes, asked us what kind of water we wanted, and brought us the menus. The chairs were comfortable and the interior was maybe a little fussy, but not our of character with what they were trying to do. For appetizers, I got the Borscht and two others got demi salads. Two of us got the Scallop and Lobster risotto entree, one got the Lobster Succotash, and one got the Mahi-Mahi. I tried a little of everything. I ordered a glass of an Italian Pinot Grigio and it was way too sweet. If this was really an Italian Pinot Grigio, then I'll stick to ones from California. Our server brought us some freshly baked sourdough bread and it was delicious. I wouldn't have called it sourdough but it was excellent bread with an amazing crust. We were each given one slice and when we asked for more, we were each given another half a slice. It seemed petty and made me wonder where else they were pinching pennies, but the bread was so good that I might have made a meal out of it if they had put a loaf on the table. The appetizers were all exactly what we expected. My Scallop and Lobster Risotto had way more scallops than lobster. The scallops were seared well and tasted the way they should but the lobster was chewy. The risotto was tasty but the portion was small. For $36, I would have liked to see a bit more risotto and some better lobster. The vegetable that came with it was a Baby Toy Mui, which seems to be the same as Baby Bok Choy. It was tasty and cooked well, but the last few bites were gritty. The Lobster Succotash had plenty of fresh lobster but for me, the taste of succotash didn't really work with the lobster. The Mahi-Mahi was delicious and I found myself wishing that I had ordered it. The number of times in this paragraph I wrote that "xxx was good, but..." really describes my experience. Our server was very good. She knew the menu and was able to answer all of the questions. She was there when we needed her and wasn't there when we didn't. There was a piano player that started playing while we were eating and the room was really too small for the piano. Nothing against the pianist, but conversation was not possible while he was playing and I was wishing that he could somehow move into another room. So overall, most of the meals were good and almost everything was cooked right, but the vegetables really needed to be washed better. I'd need to spend a little more time with the wine list to say for sure, but my first experience was a let down. I'm going with 3 stars because there were too many little problems for me to get excited about the place but I can't really give it a negative review. I will say that for the money, there shouldn't have been any problems. I'd go back if someone else wanted to go, primarily because I keep thinking that all these other reviewers can't be wrong and someday I want to be able to call On The Marsh "exquisite" too. But if I was picking the restaurant, I'd pick something else.
(3)
Denise E.
Best dinner of our 8 day trip to Maine. Exactly what we had been looking for - a white tablecloth, candlelit, old tavern setting. Gorgeous decor, hand hewn ceiling beams, plush upholstery and fine art over the bar and in the dining room. Started at the bar where Keith made great cocktails, shared the history of the building and gave us his advice on the menu. Ordered halibut and a fantastic potato-leek soup. Husband's oysters were flavorful as was the unique preparation of lobster - Mediterranean style with avocado, greens, cherry tomatoes and artichokes in a light vinaigrette. Wine list included our favorite French white burgundy. Clearly a place for a special night out.
(5)
Emily C.
We just had the most spectacular wedding at On the Marsh. The best part about getting married here as opposed to other venues in the area is that you have the feeling of complete privacy! The garden is beautiful, the decor is such that you don't need to provide much of your own, and the attention to detail is impeccable. Alexandra is an angel! She is the event coordinator and was extremely easy to work with! We had a magical wedding at this magical venue. I can't say enough good things about it!
(5)
Silvia V.
Attended a wedding at On The Marsh yesterday. This was my first time there. The landscape is beautiful, it's lush, serene and quiet. The restaurant is very rustic looking and it fits in perfectly with its surroundings. The food was excellent, they have great bread. My duck was a little overdone, I like duck to be cooked rare or medium rare. The service was great. I highly recommend this place for a wedding or a special occasion.
(4)
Steven C.
Had a wonderful dinner. Fish was great, and the oysters were some of the best ever. Will be back.
(4)
Lauren S.
If you want the best fine dining In Kennebunk this is the restaurant to go to. We tried to get in somewhere else but we used yelp to find On the Marsh. They won't let you order the bar menu in the restaurant . At first we were bummed but it was a happy accident. The wedge salad has dressing that you want to buy. I shared the veal chop and it was perfect. The mushroom side from the beef filet was perfect. I wish I had dessert but I was too full. I think we found our new special dining place. I need to mention the service matched the cuisine and the restaurant was stunning. All these years going to Maine and I can't believe I have missed this gem!
(4)
Greg P.
I have eaten here several times over the past years with good experiences and we decided to eat here last night. The menu changes daily here so the list of choices is small and it was made worse last night when one of the one of the entrees was sold out. The prices have always been higher than other local restaurants but I didn't recall them being this high. Most were over $40. I had the scallops and at $42 I expected more than 3 scallops. My son had the lobster salad - basically a salad with lobster on it- and did have the meat of a whole 1 1/4 lobster but again at $42 it was rather disappointing. I don't mind paying for good food but there needs to be better value than what you get here. The food was good but not good enough to justify these prices and quantities
(2)
Liz B.
Wonderful! They made our anniversary dinner extra special. Incredibly romantic (but not pretentious) atmosphere, impeccable service, and excellent food. Our entrees (seared scallops and the roast duck) were perfectly prepared. We found the restaurant to be quiet and intimate. We will definitely be back--either for formal dining or just to sit at the very comfortable bar for drinks and appetizers.
(4)
Amybeth H.
We went for the first time this past spring. I found the food to be just stunning. Amybeth Hurst, Portland, ME
(5)
Jen R.
went here in May. beautiful place, excellent food. romantic atmosphere. favorite dish was the cheese/meat plate appetizer - haven't had any other that comes close. the rest of the meal was great as was the service.
(5)
sunny n.
From start to finish, I was impressed...a place to remember...food was simply exquisite....romantic setting...tucked away from the hustle of downtown...so charming...so new england...some of the best scallops I have ever had...and the lobster risotto..u just cant go wrong...service was on the mark...and the piano bar...was soo soothing to top it all....I will definately be back....I highly recommend you make reservations.....and suggest arrive early...sit at the bar...enjoy the piano..soak in the atmosphere...and slide over to your table....and indulge...with ease..
(5)
Marko M.
Very nice menu with some untraditional choices. Prices in line with the better restaurants in the area Interior and exterior are very nice. small bar area for after dinner apertifs.
(4)
Eliza C.
It's hard to encapsulate the atmosphere of On the Marsh without sounding cliche or over the top. The word "amazing" is to extravagant, because On the Marsh isn't an "over the top" place. On the Marsh, is simply and deliciously, lovely. It's one of those places where you walk in, and no matter what mood, feel comfortable, soothed and happy. Nestled in the Marsh between Kennebunkport and Biddeford, On the Marsh embodies what it means to be from New England. We had my father's 50th birthday party at On the Marsh during one of Maine's quintesential noreasters that dumped heavy snow, blanketing the entire town. We've been back every year since. On the Marsh resembles a well maintained New England cottage. Sprinkled with warm light, mahogany chairs and upholstery. There is a piano bar in the corner that usually echos thru the two floors. The menu is varied and the dishes are pristine. Gorgeously plated steaks, poultry and fish with light marinades and glazes perfectly balanced. I've had the beef wellington and salmon, which were both 5/5. And as if On the Marsh couldnt be more lovely, on new years eve, they give each diner a small lemon poppy cake to take home for the morning. On the Marsh hits every nail on the head and more, striking a balance between soothing comfort and delicious. Highly reccomended. Make reservations!
(5)
Jeffrey G.
Lobster BLT was really good and the meat and cheese plate was outstanding.
(4)
Judy P.
Beautiful restaurant, exceptionally well-prepared food, attentive service. I asked for a quiet table near the window and we were seated by the window overlooking the gardens. I had a delicious crab salad, my husband had the mussels - both were delicious, and a nice sized portion. My husband said they may have been the best or second best - tough to decide mussels ever (tossup with Vignoli's in Portland); he said the were "unbelievable". For entrees, I had the mushroom risotto with the seared scallops, and my husband ordered the buffalo steak, and chose the grilled asparagus and potatoes au gratin as his sides; we really enjoyed our meals :) We had been to this restaurant about ten years ago, I remembered it as an elegant restaurant, and a special evening (my husband took me for my birthday). I enjoyed our evening then, but don't recall the food being as wonderful as last night's. I've wanted to return for awhile. So glad we did. The only caveat - I did see the large function room upstairs, and I wouldn't like it if it had been in use and noisy as some have written - so. Would double check to make sure there was nothing scheduled next time (it was not in use last night).
(5)
JS M.
We've enjoyed this restaurant in the past but I think we will no longer be going there. The service was poor, our appetizer was 1/2 the size of the same appetizer on the table beside us - we were given blue chees - with nothing to put it on none of the usual toast - we had to ask for some. We were not given the chef's special (normally a taste tidbit brought out to tables while your dinner is being prepared), we had to ask for bread and water. When our dinner finally came out we voiced our displeasure. No one, not even the owner seemed to care. She came to hear our complaints, but did nothing to make us feel any better. She apparently doesn't need our business
(2)
Griffith G.
On The Marsh has been on our list of restaurants to try when we are in Maine for a while, but we could never get reservations. So for our recent trip, I planned early and made reservations well in advance. We walked through the beautiful gardens and into the comfortable dining room which has a relaxed look and feel. I was really looking forward to a quite, fine dining experience. However, I soon felt like I was back in my South End condo with my upstairs neighbor entertaining a large herd of elephants. It seems that this fine dining restaurant also hosts wedding receptions in a private space above the main dining room. In an old farm house, with wooden floors, this is a terrible idea! The chandelier above our table swayed back and forth and during some of the more energetic songs, the ceiling above our head could be seen bouncing and bowing under the weight of a rowdy group of wedding revelers. Ok, enough about the wedding party that we were not invited to. The waitress was pleasant and the staff did apologize for the noise, (although a round of drinks or dessert or something would have been a nice gesture.) I began to worry about our dining experience when I ordered a sidecar. "What's that?" the waitress asked. Ummm.... never mind, I'll stick with wine... Moments later the waitress asked if I wanted a Margarita made with Brandy... still going to stick with wine. The appetizers were very nice. I had the creton, and two others had a simple garden salad. The one item on the menu one of my friends was interested in (a mac and cheese) was unavailable and they were offering a pasta dish instead, which was ok... Three of us ordered seared scallops over lobster risotto. I over heard one of the waitresses mention that this is considered one of their signature dishes. The risotto was creamy, but could have been more flavorful and could have had a bit more lobster. I have also seen scallops seared better. Another in our party ordered the venison, which was served with some sort of olive mixture in a pastry shell. The pastry shell was over cooked. For a restaurant with a "fine dining" reputation, I was not impressed. Of course feeling like the ceiling was going to collapse from the future "So You Think You Can Dance" contestants did not help with over all experience, but I also felt the meal and the service was not up to the expectations of a fine dining restaurant. We left without trying dessert and went to a lovely bistro in Kennebunk.
(1)
Tom H.
Great experience. Fabulous entrees, appetizers and desserts. We went before the season started and the place was quiet and the service was great.
(5)
Allison C.
Let me start off by saying that my husband and I have eaten in a variety of fine dining establishments across the county. We have been going to kennebunkport for many years and have enjoyed many fine dining experiences here and have heard of this restaurant but also it being overpriced. Their recent groupon advertisement swayed us to try. From the moment we walked in we were made to feel like second class citizens. When we sat down and presented the groupon our waiter made it abundantly clear we were not welcome. The food was good but again we have had much better/rarer food with much better service. Regardless of what we ordered we were made to feel like a burden and we were not ordering enough. There is no need to be/actPretentious if the food was able to speak for itself and there are many other more Palatable options in the area. Ps dont offer groupons if you dont want to redeem them
(2)
Pam F.
I took my family for a special dinner at ON THE MARSH last night. My Mom and Dad had only been a couple of times and raved about it. Now they are living in assisted living and no longer drive and so I thought it would be nice to take back to the place they so enjoyed. I had never been, but for years would drive by and yearn to go in. I wish I had. Last evening was the single most wonderful dining experience I've had an a long, long time. It was elegant, yet comfortable. The wait staff was all very professional and so attentive. You felt like royalty. And it wasn't just our table, I could see the other patrons getting the same wonderful attention. They were pleasant and friendly. My parents are elderly, so patience was required and they were so good to them. The evening from start to finish was exquisite. I just LOVE the ambience. The Grounds are peaceful and restful. And let's not forget the FOOD. MY GOD, it was delicious. Funny thing is we all ordered the same thing - Seared Scallops. They were to die for. Melt in your mouth, and a pleasure for your tastebuds. EVERYTHING was magnificant. I WILL be back. THANK YOU.
(5)
Craig S.
Absolutely wonderful. Great place for a romantic dinner. Food was outstanding. Lovely atmosphere and superb service.
(5)
Jason F.
We just had a quiet dinner here on Sunday night (off-season) and had a tremendous meal. The restaurant only had 5-6 tables full, and there was clearly only one server. However, the service was excellent and the food was perfect. We started with a tomato soup "small bite" which was delicious and creamy along with a little mozzarella stick. We moved on to the mussels which were prepared with a garlic white wine sauce. They sauce is delicate and creamy, without overpowering the mussels. My venison entree was cooked perfectly and was extremely tender, hard to accomplish with venison. It came with falafel and a side salad that were good enough for to make me wish they ran a little roadside falafel truck. We finished with a little gelato trio, which was wonderfully rich and my size (3 small servings). The food was creative and wonderfully executed, and the restaurant is a charming little house that feels conducive to long, cozy meals.
(5)
Linda M.
We returned to on the Marsh with my parents who had never been here. We had an amazing dinner - the butternut apple soup was delicious as was the sourdough bread. I had the pasta which was light and tasty. My husband had the veal chop and raved about it. My parents were so impressed with the food and the atmosphere. We had eaten at Earth the night before and were not impressed, so this was a nice way to finish our weekend.
(5)
Tero P.
Mouthwatering food with cozy service. The scallops and lobster risotto we had was outstanding. Somewhat pricy but well worth the price, no question. If you're in Kennebunkport, ME, you HAVE to visit this restaurant.
(5)
Jane E.
On the Marsh is just gorgeous. My husband and I have dined here - or I have eaten a meal at the bar solo - about a dozen times. The service is always excellent - it seems they take particular pride in their service - and the food is always good, though, I feel, somewhat overpriced. Eating (or just drinking) at the bar is fun because the other patrons are always friendly. I actually spent a birthday weekend in the Kennebunks last year - one day alone and one day with a friend. On my alone night, I went to OtM for a post-dinner cocktail and ended up chatting a bit with Denise Rubin, the owner, who is lovely. I reminded her of an evening, a few years earlier, when my husband, our 9 month old and I had dinner there. We actually phoned ahead to 2 other fine dining restaurants in the Kennebunks before calling OtM and were told that our baby would not be welcome. (Hey, it was our first nice night out in 9 months, give us a break.) On the Marsh welcomed all 3 of us. Toward the end of our meal, our baby became restless. Denise seemed to notice that I had spent a fair amount of the meal amusing Baby rather than relaxing and enjoying my meal. She came to our table with a big smile and entertained our son while I ate dessert. Who does that?! I was so appreciative and impressed! So last year, I reminded Denise of what had happened and explained that, 3 years later, here I was for a big weekend away - woo hoo! She thanked me for being a loyal customer, gave me a quick hug, and returned a few minutes later with a gift certificate for a future meal. Talk about customer service! I think we'll always be loyal to OtM. ETA: I chose "not sure" for "good for kids" because it definitely depends on the kids. My 2 older boys would love it here; my younger 3 would not.
(4)
Addy L.
Food was spectacular, service was even more so (I wish I could remember our servers name because she deserves an award for waiting on our large party), and the cocktails were delicious. The overall vibe was a bit stuffy, but what else do you expect from an uber expensive restaurant in Kennebunk. The entryway was a bit cheeky- was not into the fake bird sounds and bird cages dangling from the ceiling- I knew what they were going for, but it wasn't working for me. If I ever go back (as I was on holiday) I would opt to eat at the bar, which seemed very inviting and to have a bit more of a casual vibe.
(4)
Catherine O.
Food was fabulous and the service was absolutely top notch. My only reason for less than 5 stars was the live piano music. For such a trendy place, his song book was wicked dated and seemed to cater to the over 60 crowd who love Broadway show tunes. It was painful. Ruined the ambience. Keep with whatever the modern music was that was on before he started, please. With Maine having such a hip music scene, someone out there should be available in the off season. A little light jazz maybe?
(4)
Ken S.
Looking at past reviews,it appears that a visit when there is a wedding is not a good idea. Maybe I'm lucky,but my wife and I have dined there about four times. And every time we had a great experience. Excellent food and service every time. In fact,on our recent trip,the bartender,Patrick,says: You have GOT to try the mussels. Well,they were fantastic. Maybe the best we have ever had.Our entrees were Arctic Char and I had the Lambshank. Both were excellent.My only complaint? No domestic beer; no Bud,Coors,or Miller.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Allison C.
Let me start off by saying that my husband and I have eaten in a variety of fine dining establishments across the county. We have been going to kennebunkport for many years and have enjoyed many fine dining experiences here and have heard of this restaurant but also it being overpriced. Their recent groupon advertisement swayed us to try. From the moment we walked in we were made to feel like second class citizens. When we sat down and presented the groupon our waiter made it abundantly clear we were not welcome. The food was good but again we have had much better/rarer food with much better service. Regardless of what we ordered we were made to feel like a burden and we were not ordering enough. There is no need to be/actPretentious if the food was able to speak for itself and there are many other more Palatable options in the area. Ps dont offer groupons if you dont want to redeem them
(2)Pam F.
I took my family for a special dinner at ON THE MARSH last night. My Mom and Dad had only been a couple of times and raved about it. Now they are living in assisted living and no longer drive and so I thought it would be nice to take back to the place they so enjoyed. I had never been, but for years would drive by and yearn to go in. I wish I had. Last evening was the single most wonderful dining experience I've had an a long, long time. It was elegant, yet comfortable. The wait staff was all very professional and so attentive. You felt like royalty. And it wasn't just our table, I could see the other patrons getting the same wonderful attention. They were pleasant and friendly. My parents are elderly, so patience was required and they were so good to them. The evening from start to finish was exquisite. I just LOVE the ambience. The Grounds are peaceful and restful. And let's not forget the FOOD. MY GOD, it was delicious. Funny thing is we all ordered the same thing - Seared Scallops. They were to die for. Melt in your mouth, and a pleasure for your tastebuds. EVERYTHING was magnificant. I WILL be back. THANK YOU.
(5)Craig S.
Absolutely wonderful. Great place for a romantic dinner. Food was outstanding. Lovely atmosphere and superb service.
(5)Catherine O.
Food was fabulous and the service was absolutely top notch. My only reason for less than 5 stars was the live piano music. For such a trendy place, his song book was wicked dated and seemed to cater to the over 60 crowd who love Broadway show tunes. It was painful. Ruined the ambience. Keep with whatever the modern music was that was on before he started, please. With Maine having such a hip music scene, someone out there should be available in the off season. A little light jazz maybe?
(4)Ken S.
Looking at past reviews,it appears that a visit when there is a wedding is not a good idea. Maybe I'm lucky,but my wife and I have dined there about four times. And every time we had a great experience. Excellent food and service every time. In fact,on our recent trip,the bartender,Patrick,says: You have GOT to try the mussels. Well,they were fantastic. Maybe the best we have ever had.Our entrees were Arctic Char and I had the Lambshank. Both were excellent.My only complaint? No domestic beer; no Bud,Coors,or Miller.
(5)Griffith G.
On The Marsh has been on our list of restaurants to try when we are in Maine for a while, but we could never get reservations. So for our recent trip, I planned early and made reservations well in advance. We walked through the beautiful gardens and into the comfortable dining room which has a relaxed look and feel. I was really looking forward to a quite, fine dining experience. However, I soon felt like I was back in my South End condo with my upstairs neighbor entertaining a large herd of elephants. It seems that this fine dining restaurant also hosts wedding receptions in a private space above the main dining room. In an old farm house, with wooden floors, this is a terrible idea! The chandelier above our table swayed back and forth and during some of the more energetic songs, the ceiling above our head could be seen bouncing and bowing under the weight of a rowdy group of wedding revelers. Ok, enough about the wedding party that we were not invited to. The waitress was pleasant and the staff did apologize for the noise, (although a round of drinks or dessert or something would have been a nice gesture.) I began to worry about our dining experience when I ordered a sidecar. "What's that?" the waitress asked. Ummm.... never mind, I'll stick with wine... Moments later the waitress asked if I wanted a Margarita made with Brandy... still going to stick with wine. The appetizers were very nice. I had the creton, and two others had a simple garden salad. The one item on the menu one of my friends was interested in (a mac and cheese) was unavailable and they were offering a pasta dish instead, which was ok... Three of us ordered seared scallops over lobster risotto. I over heard one of the waitresses mention that this is considered one of their signature dishes. The risotto was creamy, but could have been more flavorful and could have had a bit more lobster. I have also seen scallops seared better. Another in our party ordered the venison, which was served with some sort of olive mixture in a pastry shell. The pastry shell was over cooked. For a restaurant with a "fine dining" reputation, I was not impressed. Of course feeling like the ceiling was going to collapse from the future "So You Think You Can Dance" contestants did not help with over all experience, but I also felt the meal and the service was not up to the expectations of a fine dining restaurant. We left without trying dessert and went to a lovely bistro in Kennebunk.
(1)Jason F.
We just had a quiet dinner here on Sunday night (off-season) and had a tremendous meal. The restaurant only had 5-6 tables full, and there was clearly only one server. However, the service was excellent and the food was perfect. We started with a tomato soup "small bite" which was delicious and creamy along with a little mozzarella stick. We moved on to the mussels which were prepared with a garlic white wine sauce. They sauce is delicate and creamy, without overpowering the mussels. My venison entree was cooked perfectly and was extremely tender, hard to accomplish with venison. It came with falafel and a side salad that were good enough for to make me wish they ran a little roadside falafel truck. We finished with a little gelato trio, which was wonderfully rich and my size (3 small servings). The food was creative and wonderfully executed, and the restaurant is a charming little house that feels conducive to long, cozy meals.
(5)Linda M.
We returned to on the Marsh with my parents who had never been here. We had an amazing dinner - the butternut apple soup was delicious as was the sourdough bread. I had the pasta which was light and tasty. My husband had the veal chop and raved about it. My parents were so impressed with the food and the atmosphere. We had eaten at Earth the night before and were not impressed, so this was a nice way to finish our weekend.
(5)Tero P.
Mouthwatering food with cozy service. The scallops and lobster risotto we had was outstanding. Somewhat pricy but well worth the price, no question. If you're in Kennebunkport, ME, you HAVE to visit this restaurant.
(5)Denise E.
Best dinner of our 8 day trip to Maine. Exactly what we had been looking for - a white tablecloth, candlelit, old tavern setting. Gorgeous decor, hand hewn ceiling beams, plush upholstery and fine art over the bar and in the dining room. Started at the bar where Keith made great cocktails, shared the history of the building and gave us his advice on the menu. Ordered halibut and a fantastic potato-leek soup. Husband's oysters were flavorful as was the unique preparation of lobster - Mediterranean style with avocado, greens, cherry tomatoes and artichokes in a light vinaigrette. Wine list included our favorite French white burgundy. Clearly a place for a special night out.
(5)Emily C.
We just had the most spectacular wedding at On the Marsh. The best part about getting married here as opposed to other venues in the area is that you have the feeling of complete privacy! The garden is beautiful, the decor is such that you don't need to provide much of your own, and the attention to detail is impeccable. Alexandra is an angel! She is the event coordinator and was extremely easy to work with! We had a magical wedding at this magical venue. I can't say enough good things about it!
(5)Silvia V.
Attended a wedding at On The Marsh yesterday. This was my first time there. The landscape is beautiful, it's lush, serene and quiet. The restaurant is very rustic looking and it fits in perfectly with its surroundings. The food was excellent, they have great bread. My duck was a little overdone, I like duck to be cooked rare or medium rare. The service was great. I highly recommend this place for a wedding or a special occasion.
(4)Steven C.
Had a wonderful dinner. Fish was great, and the oysters were some of the best ever. Will be back.
(4)Lauren S.
If you want the best fine dining In Kennebunk this is the restaurant to go to. We tried to get in somewhere else but we used yelp to find On the Marsh. They won't let you order the bar menu in the restaurant . At first we were bummed but it was a happy accident. The wedge salad has dressing that you want to buy. I shared the veal chop and it was perfect. The mushroom side from the beef filet was perfect. I wish I had dessert but I was too full. I think we found our new special dining place. I need to mention the service matched the cuisine and the restaurant was stunning. All these years going to Maine and I can't believe I have missed this gem!
(4)Greg P.
I have eaten here several times over the past years with good experiences and we decided to eat here last night. The menu changes daily here so the list of choices is small and it was made worse last night when one of the one of the entrees was sold out. The prices have always been higher than other local restaurants but I didn't recall them being this high. Most were over $40. I had the scallops and at $42 I expected more than 3 scallops. My son had the lobster salad - basically a salad with lobster on it- and did have the meat of a whole 1 1/4 lobster but again at $42 it was rather disappointing. I don't mind paying for good food but there needs to be better value than what you get here. The food was good but not good enough to justify these prices and quantities
(2)Liz B.
Wonderful! They made our anniversary dinner extra special. Incredibly romantic (but not pretentious) atmosphere, impeccable service, and excellent food. Our entrees (seared scallops and the roast duck) were perfectly prepared. We found the restaurant to be quiet and intimate. We will definitely be back--either for formal dining or just to sit at the very comfortable bar for drinks and appetizers.
(4)Amybeth H.
We went for the first time this past spring. I found the food to be just stunning. Amybeth Hurst, Portland, ME
(5)Jen R.
went here in May. beautiful place, excellent food. romantic atmosphere. favorite dish was the cheese/meat plate appetizer - haven't had any other that comes close. the rest of the meal was great as was the service.
(5)sunny n.
From start to finish, I was impressed...a place to remember...food was simply exquisite....romantic setting...tucked away from the hustle of downtown...so charming...so new england...some of the best scallops I have ever had...and the lobster risotto..u just cant go wrong...service was on the mark...and the piano bar...was soo soothing to top it all....I will definately be back....I highly recommend you make reservations.....and suggest arrive early...sit at the bar...enjoy the piano..soak in the atmosphere...and slide over to your table....and indulge...with ease..
(5)Marko M.
Very nice menu with some untraditional choices. Prices in line with the better restaurants in the area Interior and exterior are very nice. small bar area for after dinner apertifs.
(4)Jane E.
On the Marsh is just gorgeous. My husband and I have dined here - or I have eaten a meal at the bar solo - about a dozen times. The service is always excellent - it seems they take particular pride in their service - and the food is always good, though, I feel, somewhat overpriced. Eating (or just drinking) at the bar is fun because the other patrons are always friendly. I actually spent a birthday weekend in the Kennebunks last year - one day alone and one day with a friend. On my alone night, I went to OtM for a post-dinner cocktail and ended up chatting a bit with Denise Rubin, the owner, who is lovely. I reminded her of an evening, a few years earlier, when my husband, our 9 month old and I had dinner there. We actually phoned ahead to 2 other fine dining restaurants in the Kennebunks before calling OtM and were told that our baby would not be welcome. (Hey, it was our first nice night out in 9 months, give us a break.) On the Marsh welcomed all 3 of us. Toward the end of our meal, our baby became restless. Denise seemed to notice that I had spent a fair amount of the meal amusing Baby rather than relaxing and enjoying my meal. She came to our table with a big smile and entertained our son while I ate dessert. Who does that?! I was so appreciative and impressed! So last year, I reminded Denise of what had happened and explained that, 3 years later, here I was for a big weekend away - woo hoo! She thanked me for being a loyal customer, gave me a quick hug, and returned a few minutes later with a gift certificate for a future meal. Talk about customer service! I think we'll always be loyal to OtM. ETA: I chose "not sure" for "good for kids" because it definitely depends on the kids. My 2 older boys would love it here; my younger 3 would not.
(4)Addy L.
Food was spectacular, service was even more so (I wish I could remember our servers name because she deserves an award for waiting on our large party), and the cocktails were delicious. The overall vibe was a bit stuffy, but what else do you expect from an uber expensive restaurant in Kennebunk. The entryway was a bit cheeky- was not into the fake bird sounds and bird cages dangling from the ceiling- I knew what they were going for, but it wasn't working for me. If I ever go back (as I was on holiday) I would opt to eat at the bar, which seemed very inviting and to have a bit more of a casual vibe.
(4)Don W.
I must have hit them on a bad night. One problem with reading Yelp reviews before going to a new restaurant is that good reviews give me high expectations. As I write this, there are 7 other reviews for On The Marsh. Five are glowing, and the other two were written on almost the same day and complained about what was probably the same noisy party upstairs. Every restaurant will get one or two crank reviews so I disregarded them. I was encouraged and was looking forward to going there for my father-in-law's birthday. Given that it's a restaurant and the parking lot is going to be a main feature, the grounds are very nice and the walk from the car to the restaurant was only marred by the tacky looking bulbs that were in many of the light fixtures. No problem, I wasn't there for the light bulbs. We walked in as they were opening and had to wait a few minutes because they were still setting up. We looked around and there were award certificates everywhere. Billy Costa had given On The Marsh a "Platinum Plate". The Wine Spectator had given the restaurant an award every year up to 2006. I would soon be able to guess why there are no newer certificates. And like most regular Yelpers, I'm not a big believer in Billy Costa. They seated us after maybe 5 minutes, asked us what kind of water we wanted, and brought us the menus. The chairs were comfortable and the interior was maybe a little fussy, but not our of character with what they were trying to do. For appetizers, I got the Borscht and two others got demi salads. Two of us got the Scallop and Lobster risotto entree, one got the Lobster Succotash, and one got the Mahi-Mahi. I tried a little of everything. I ordered a glass of an Italian Pinot Grigio and it was way too sweet. If this was really an Italian Pinot Grigio, then I'll stick to ones from California. Our server brought us some freshly baked sourdough bread and it was delicious. I wouldn't have called it sourdough but it was excellent bread with an amazing crust. We were each given one slice and when we asked for more, we were each given another half a slice. It seemed petty and made me wonder where else they were pinching pennies, but the bread was so good that I might have made a meal out of it if they had put a loaf on the table. The appetizers were all exactly what we expected. My Scallop and Lobster Risotto had way more scallops than lobster. The scallops were seared well and tasted the way they should but the lobster was chewy. The risotto was tasty but the portion was small. For $36, I would have liked to see a bit more risotto and some better lobster. The vegetable that came with it was a Baby Toy Mui, which seems to be the same as Baby Bok Choy. It was tasty and cooked well, but the last few bites were gritty. The Lobster Succotash had plenty of fresh lobster but for me, the taste of succotash didn't really work with the lobster. The Mahi-Mahi was delicious and I found myself wishing that I had ordered it. The number of times in this paragraph I wrote that "xxx was good, but..." really describes my experience. Our server was very good. She knew the menu and was able to answer all of the questions. She was there when we needed her and wasn't there when we didn't. There was a piano player that started playing while we were eating and the room was really too small for the piano. Nothing against the pianist, but conversation was not possible while he was playing and I was wishing that he could somehow move into another room. So overall, most of the meals were good and almost everything was cooked right, but the vegetables really needed to be washed better. I'd need to spend a little more time with the wine list to say for sure, but my first experience was a let down. I'm going with 3 stars because there were too many little problems for me to get excited about the place but I can't really give it a negative review. I will say that for the money, there shouldn't have been any problems. I'd go back if someone else wanted to go, primarily because I keep thinking that all these other reviewers can't be wrong and someday I want to be able to call On The Marsh "exquisite" too. But if I was picking the restaurant, I'd pick something else.
(3)JS M.
We've enjoyed this restaurant in the past but I think we will no longer be going there. The service was poor, our appetizer was 1/2 the size of the same appetizer on the table beside us - we were given blue chees - with nothing to put it on none of the usual toast - we had to ask for some. We were not given the chef's special (normally a taste tidbit brought out to tables while your dinner is being prepared), we had to ask for bread and water. When our dinner finally came out we voiced our displeasure. No one, not even the owner seemed to care. She came to hear our complaints, but did nothing to make us feel any better. She apparently doesn't need our business
(2)Eliza C.
It's hard to encapsulate the atmosphere of On the Marsh without sounding cliche or over the top. The word "amazing" is to extravagant, because On the Marsh isn't an "over the top" place. On the Marsh, is simply and deliciously, lovely. It's one of those places where you walk in, and no matter what mood, feel comfortable, soothed and happy. Nestled in the Marsh between Kennebunkport and Biddeford, On the Marsh embodies what it means to be from New England. We had my father's 50th birthday party at On the Marsh during one of Maine's quintesential noreasters that dumped heavy snow, blanketing the entire town. We've been back every year since. On the Marsh resembles a well maintained New England cottage. Sprinkled with warm light, mahogany chairs and upholstery. There is a piano bar in the corner that usually echos thru the two floors. The menu is varied and the dishes are pristine. Gorgeously plated steaks, poultry and fish with light marinades and glazes perfectly balanced. I've had the beef wellington and salmon, which were both 5/5. And as if On the Marsh couldnt be more lovely, on new years eve, they give each diner a small lemon poppy cake to take home for the morning. On the Marsh hits every nail on the head and more, striking a balance between soothing comfort and delicious. Highly reccomended. Make reservations!
(5)Jeffrey G.
Lobster BLT was really good and the meat and cheese plate was outstanding.
(4)Judy P.
Beautiful restaurant, exceptionally well-prepared food, attentive service. I asked for a quiet table near the window and we were seated by the window overlooking the gardens. I had a delicious crab salad, my husband had the mussels - both were delicious, and a nice sized portion. My husband said they may have been the best or second best - tough to decide mussels ever (tossup with Vignoli's in Portland); he said the were "unbelievable". For entrees, I had the mushroom risotto with the seared scallops, and my husband ordered the buffalo steak, and chose the grilled asparagus and potatoes au gratin as his sides; we really enjoyed our meals :) We had been to this restaurant about ten years ago, I remembered it as an elegant restaurant, and a special evening (my husband took me for my birthday). I enjoyed our evening then, but don't recall the food being as wonderful as last night's. I've wanted to return for awhile. So glad we did. The only caveat - I did see the large function room upstairs, and I wouldn't like it if it had been in use and noisy as some have written - so. Would double check to make sure there was nothing scheduled next time (it was not in use last night).
(5)Tom H.
Great experience. Fabulous entrees, appetizers and desserts. We went before the season started and the place was quiet and the service was great.
(5)Don W.
I must have hit them on a bad night. One problem with reading Yelp reviews before going to a new restaurant is that good reviews give me high expectations. As I write this, there are 7 other reviews for On The Marsh. Five are glowing, and the other two were written on almost the same day and complained about what was probably the same noisy party upstairs. Every restaurant will get one or two crank reviews so I disregarded them. I was encouraged and was looking forward to going there for my father-in-law's birthday. Given that it's a restaurant and the parking lot is going to be a main feature, the grounds are very nice and the walk from the car to the restaurant was only marred by the tacky looking bulbs that were in many of the light fixtures. No problem, I wasn't there for the light bulbs. We walked in as they were opening and had to wait a few minutes because they were still setting up. We looked around and there were award certificates everywhere. Billy Costa had given On The Marsh a "Platinum Plate". The Wine Spectator had given the restaurant an award every year up to 2006. I would soon be able to guess why there are no newer certificates. And like most regular Yelpers, I'm not a big believer in Billy Costa. They seated us after maybe 5 minutes, asked us what kind of water we wanted, and brought us the menus. The chairs were comfortable and the interior was maybe a little fussy, but not our of character with what they were trying to do. For appetizers, I got the Borscht and two others got demi salads. Two of us got the Scallop and Lobster risotto entree, one got the Lobster Succotash, and one got the Mahi-Mahi. I tried a little of everything. I ordered a glass of an Italian Pinot Grigio and it was way too sweet. If this was really an Italian Pinot Grigio, then I'll stick to ones from California. Our server brought us some freshly baked sourdough bread and it was delicious. I wouldn't have called it sourdough but it was excellent bread with an amazing crust. We were each given one slice and when we asked for more, we were each given another half a slice. It seemed petty and made me wonder where else they were pinching pennies, but the bread was so good that I might have made a meal out of it if they had put a loaf on the table. The appetizers were all exactly what we expected. My Scallop and Lobster Risotto had way more scallops than lobster. The scallops were seared well and tasted the way they should but the lobster was chewy. The risotto was tasty but the portion was small. For $36, I would have liked to see a bit more risotto and some better lobster. The vegetable that came with it was a Baby Toy Mui, which seems to be the same as Baby Bok Choy. It was tasty and cooked well, but the last few bites were gritty. The Lobster Succotash had plenty of fresh lobster but for me, the taste of succotash didn't really work with the lobster. The Mahi-Mahi was delicious and I found myself wishing that I had ordered it. The number of times in this paragraph I wrote that "xxx was good, but..." really describes my experience. Our server was very good. She knew the menu and was able to answer all of the questions. She was there when we needed her and wasn't there when we didn't. There was a piano player that started playing while we were eating and the room was really too small for the piano. Nothing against the pianist, but conversation was not possible while he was playing and I was wishing that he could somehow move into another room. So overall, most of the meals were good and almost everything was cooked right, but the vegetables really needed to be washed better. I'd need to spend a little more time with the wine list to say for sure, but my first experience was a let down. I'm going with 3 stars because there were too many little problems for me to get excited about the place but I can't really give it a negative review. I will say that for the money, there shouldn't have been any problems. I'd go back if someone else wanted to go, primarily because I keep thinking that all these other reviewers can't be wrong and someday I want to be able to call On The Marsh "exquisite" too. But if I was picking the restaurant, I'd pick something else.
(3)Denise E.
Best dinner of our 8 day trip to Maine. Exactly what we had been looking for - a white tablecloth, candlelit, old tavern setting. Gorgeous decor, hand hewn ceiling beams, plush upholstery and fine art over the bar and in the dining room. Started at the bar where Keith made great cocktails, shared the history of the building and gave us his advice on the menu. Ordered halibut and a fantastic potato-leek soup. Husband's oysters were flavorful as was the unique preparation of lobster - Mediterranean style with avocado, greens, cherry tomatoes and artichokes in a light vinaigrette. Wine list included our favorite French white burgundy. Clearly a place for a special night out.
(5)Emily C.
We just had the most spectacular wedding at On the Marsh. The best part about getting married here as opposed to other venues in the area is that you have the feeling of complete privacy! The garden is beautiful, the decor is such that you don't need to provide much of your own, and the attention to detail is impeccable. Alexandra is an angel! She is the event coordinator and was extremely easy to work with! We had a magical wedding at this magical venue. I can't say enough good things about it!
(5)Silvia V.
Attended a wedding at On The Marsh yesterday. This was my first time there. The landscape is beautiful, it's lush, serene and quiet. The restaurant is very rustic looking and it fits in perfectly with its surroundings. The food was excellent, they have great bread. My duck was a little overdone, I like duck to be cooked rare or medium rare. The service was great. I highly recommend this place for a wedding or a special occasion.
(4)Steven C.
Had a wonderful dinner. Fish was great, and the oysters were some of the best ever. Will be back.
(4)Lauren S.
If you want the best fine dining In Kennebunk this is the restaurant to go to. We tried to get in somewhere else but we used yelp to find On the Marsh. They won't let you order the bar menu in the restaurant . At first we were bummed but it was a happy accident. The wedge salad has dressing that you want to buy. I shared the veal chop and it was perfect. The mushroom side from the beef filet was perfect. I wish I had dessert but I was too full. I think we found our new special dining place. I need to mention the service matched the cuisine and the restaurant was stunning. All these years going to Maine and I can't believe I have missed this gem!
(4)Greg P.
I have eaten here several times over the past years with good experiences and we decided to eat here last night. The menu changes daily here so the list of choices is small and it was made worse last night when one of the one of the entrees was sold out. The prices have always been higher than other local restaurants but I didn't recall them being this high. Most were over $40. I had the scallops and at $42 I expected more than 3 scallops. My son had the lobster salad - basically a salad with lobster on it- and did have the meat of a whole 1 1/4 lobster but again at $42 it was rather disappointing. I don't mind paying for good food but there needs to be better value than what you get here. The food was good but not good enough to justify these prices and quantities
(2)Liz B.
Wonderful! They made our anniversary dinner extra special. Incredibly romantic (but not pretentious) atmosphere, impeccable service, and excellent food. Our entrees (seared scallops and the roast duck) were perfectly prepared. We found the restaurant to be quiet and intimate. We will definitely be back--either for formal dining or just to sit at the very comfortable bar for drinks and appetizers.
(4)Amybeth H.
We went for the first time this past spring. I found the food to be just stunning. Amybeth Hurst, Portland, ME
(5)Jen R.
went here in May. beautiful place, excellent food. romantic atmosphere. favorite dish was the cheese/meat plate appetizer - haven't had any other that comes close. the rest of the meal was great as was the service.
(5)sunny n.
From start to finish, I was impressed...a place to remember...food was simply exquisite....romantic setting...tucked away from the hustle of downtown...so charming...so new england...some of the best scallops I have ever had...and the lobster risotto..u just cant go wrong...service was on the mark...and the piano bar...was soo soothing to top it all....I will definately be back....I highly recommend you make reservations.....and suggest arrive early...sit at the bar...enjoy the piano..soak in the atmosphere...and slide over to your table....and indulge...with ease..
(5)Marko M.
Very nice menu with some untraditional choices. Prices in line with the better restaurants in the area Interior and exterior are very nice. small bar area for after dinner apertifs.
(4)Eliza C.
It's hard to encapsulate the atmosphere of On the Marsh without sounding cliche or over the top. The word "amazing" is to extravagant, because On the Marsh isn't an "over the top" place. On the Marsh, is simply and deliciously, lovely. It's one of those places where you walk in, and no matter what mood, feel comfortable, soothed and happy. Nestled in the Marsh between Kennebunkport and Biddeford, On the Marsh embodies what it means to be from New England. We had my father's 50th birthday party at On the Marsh during one of Maine's quintesential noreasters that dumped heavy snow, blanketing the entire town. We've been back every year since. On the Marsh resembles a well maintained New England cottage. Sprinkled with warm light, mahogany chairs and upholstery. There is a piano bar in the corner that usually echos thru the two floors. The menu is varied and the dishes are pristine. Gorgeously plated steaks, poultry and fish with light marinades and glazes perfectly balanced. I've had the beef wellington and salmon, which were both 5/5. And as if On the Marsh couldnt be more lovely, on new years eve, they give each diner a small lemon poppy cake to take home for the morning. On the Marsh hits every nail on the head and more, striking a balance between soothing comfort and delicious. Highly reccomended. Make reservations!
(5)Jeffrey G.
Lobster BLT was really good and the meat and cheese plate was outstanding.
(4)Judy P.
Beautiful restaurant, exceptionally well-prepared food, attentive service. I asked for a quiet table near the window and we were seated by the window overlooking the gardens. I had a delicious crab salad, my husband had the mussels - both were delicious, and a nice sized portion. My husband said they may have been the best or second best - tough to decide mussels ever (tossup with Vignoli's in Portland); he said the were "unbelievable". For entrees, I had the mushroom risotto with the seared scallops, and my husband ordered the buffalo steak, and chose the grilled asparagus and potatoes au gratin as his sides; we really enjoyed our meals :) We had been to this restaurant about ten years ago, I remembered it as an elegant restaurant, and a special evening (my husband took me for my birthday). I enjoyed our evening then, but don't recall the food being as wonderful as last night's. I've wanted to return for awhile. So glad we did. The only caveat - I did see the large function room upstairs, and I wouldn't like it if it had been in use and noisy as some have written - so. Would double check to make sure there was nothing scheduled next time (it was not in use last night).
(5)JS M.
We've enjoyed this restaurant in the past but I think we will no longer be going there. The service was poor, our appetizer was 1/2 the size of the same appetizer on the table beside us - we were given blue chees - with nothing to put it on none of the usual toast - we had to ask for some. We were not given the chef's special (normally a taste tidbit brought out to tables while your dinner is being prepared), we had to ask for bread and water. When our dinner finally came out we voiced our displeasure. No one, not even the owner seemed to care. She came to hear our complaints, but did nothing to make us feel any better. She apparently doesn't need our business
(2)Griffith G.
On The Marsh has been on our list of restaurants to try when we are in Maine for a while, but we could never get reservations. So for our recent trip, I planned early and made reservations well in advance. We walked through the beautiful gardens and into the comfortable dining room which has a relaxed look and feel. I was really looking forward to a quite, fine dining experience. However, I soon felt like I was back in my South End condo with my upstairs neighbor entertaining a large herd of elephants. It seems that this fine dining restaurant also hosts wedding receptions in a private space above the main dining room. In an old farm house, with wooden floors, this is a terrible idea! The chandelier above our table swayed back and forth and during some of the more energetic songs, the ceiling above our head could be seen bouncing and bowing under the weight of a rowdy group of wedding revelers. Ok, enough about the wedding party that we were not invited to. The waitress was pleasant and the staff did apologize for the noise, (although a round of drinks or dessert or something would have been a nice gesture.) I began to worry about our dining experience when I ordered a sidecar. "What's that?" the waitress asked. Ummm.... never mind, I'll stick with wine... Moments later the waitress asked if I wanted a Margarita made with Brandy... still going to stick with wine. The appetizers were very nice. I had the creton, and two others had a simple garden salad. The one item on the menu one of my friends was interested in (a mac and cheese) was unavailable and they were offering a pasta dish instead, which was ok... Three of us ordered seared scallops over lobster risotto. I over heard one of the waitresses mention that this is considered one of their signature dishes. The risotto was creamy, but could have been more flavorful and could have had a bit more lobster. I have also seen scallops seared better. Another in our party ordered the venison, which was served with some sort of olive mixture in a pastry shell. The pastry shell was over cooked. For a restaurant with a "fine dining" reputation, I was not impressed. Of course feeling like the ceiling was going to collapse from the future "So You Think You Can Dance" contestants did not help with over all experience, but I also felt the meal and the service was not up to the expectations of a fine dining restaurant. We left without trying dessert and went to a lovely bistro in Kennebunk.
(1)Tom H.
Great experience. Fabulous entrees, appetizers and desserts. We went before the season started and the place was quiet and the service was great.
(5)Allison C.
Let me start off by saying that my husband and I have eaten in a variety of fine dining establishments across the county. We have been going to kennebunkport for many years and have enjoyed many fine dining experiences here and have heard of this restaurant but also it being overpriced. Their recent groupon advertisement swayed us to try. From the moment we walked in we were made to feel like second class citizens. When we sat down and presented the groupon our waiter made it abundantly clear we were not welcome. The food was good but again we have had much better/rarer food with much better service. Regardless of what we ordered we were made to feel like a burden and we were not ordering enough. There is no need to be/actPretentious if the food was able to speak for itself and there are many other more Palatable options in the area. Ps dont offer groupons if you dont want to redeem them
(2)Pam F.
I took my family for a special dinner at ON THE MARSH last night. My Mom and Dad had only been a couple of times and raved about it. Now they are living in assisted living and no longer drive and so I thought it would be nice to take back to the place they so enjoyed. I had never been, but for years would drive by and yearn to go in. I wish I had. Last evening was the single most wonderful dining experience I've had an a long, long time. It was elegant, yet comfortable. The wait staff was all very professional and so attentive. You felt like royalty. And it wasn't just our table, I could see the other patrons getting the same wonderful attention. They were pleasant and friendly. My parents are elderly, so patience was required and they were so good to them. The evening from start to finish was exquisite. I just LOVE the ambience. The Grounds are peaceful and restful. And let's not forget the FOOD. MY GOD, it was delicious. Funny thing is we all ordered the same thing - Seared Scallops. They were to die for. Melt in your mouth, and a pleasure for your tastebuds. EVERYTHING was magnificant. I WILL be back. THANK YOU.
(5)Craig S.
Absolutely wonderful. Great place for a romantic dinner. Food was outstanding. Lovely atmosphere and superb service.
(5)Jason F.
We just had a quiet dinner here on Sunday night (off-season) and had a tremendous meal. The restaurant only had 5-6 tables full, and there was clearly only one server. However, the service was excellent and the food was perfect. We started with a tomato soup "small bite" which was delicious and creamy along with a little mozzarella stick. We moved on to the mussels which were prepared with a garlic white wine sauce. They sauce is delicate and creamy, without overpowering the mussels. My venison entree was cooked perfectly and was extremely tender, hard to accomplish with venison. It came with falafel and a side salad that were good enough for to make me wish they ran a little roadside falafel truck. We finished with a little gelato trio, which was wonderfully rich and my size (3 small servings). The food was creative and wonderfully executed, and the restaurant is a charming little house that feels conducive to long, cozy meals.
(5)Linda M.
We returned to on the Marsh with my parents who had never been here. We had an amazing dinner - the butternut apple soup was delicious as was the sourdough bread. I had the pasta which was light and tasty. My husband had the veal chop and raved about it. My parents were so impressed with the food and the atmosphere. We had eaten at Earth the night before and were not impressed, so this was a nice way to finish our weekend.
(5)Tero P.
Mouthwatering food with cozy service. The scallops and lobster risotto we had was outstanding. Somewhat pricy but well worth the price, no question. If you're in Kennebunkport, ME, you HAVE to visit this restaurant.
(5)Jane E.
On the Marsh is just gorgeous. My husband and I have dined here - or I have eaten a meal at the bar solo - about a dozen times. The service is always excellent - it seems they take particular pride in their service - and the food is always good, though, I feel, somewhat overpriced. Eating (or just drinking) at the bar is fun because the other patrons are always friendly. I actually spent a birthday weekend in the Kennebunks last year - one day alone and one day with a friend. On my alone night, I went to OtM for a post-dinner cocktail and ended up chatting a bit with Denise Rubin, the owner, who is lovely. I reminded her of an evening, a few years earlier, when my husband, our 9 month old and I had dinner there. We actually phoned ahead to 2 other fine dining restaurants in the Kennebunks before calling OtM and were told that our baby would not be welcome. (Hey, it was our first nice night out in 9 months, give us a break.) On the Marsh welcomed all 3 of us. Toward the end of our meal, our baby became restless. Denise seemed to notice that I had spent a fair amount of the meal amusing Baby rather than relaxing and enjoying my meal. She came to our table with a big smile and entertained our son while I ate dessert. Who does that?! I was so appreciative and impressed! So last year, I reminded Denise of what had happened and explained that, 3 years later, here I was for a big weekend away - woo hoo! She thanked me for being a loyal customer, gave me a quick hug, and returned a few minutes later with a gift certificate for a future meal. Talk about customer service! I think we'll always be loyal to OtM. ETA: I chose "not sure" for "good for kids" because it definitely depends on the kids. My 2 older boys would love it here; my younger 3 would not.
(4)Addy L.
Food was spectacular, service was even more so (I wish I could remember our servers name because she deserves an award for waiting on our large party), and the cocktails were delicious. The overall vibe was a bit stuffy, but what else do you expect from an uber expensive restaurant in Kennebunk. The entryway was a bit cheeky- was not into the fake bird sounds and bird cages dangling from the ceiling- I knew what they were going for, but it wasn't working for me. If I ever go back (as I was on holiday) I would opt to eat at the bar, which seemed very inviting and to have a bit more of a casual vibe.
(4)Catherine O.
Food was fabulous and the service was absolutely top notch. My only reason for less than 5 stars was the live piano music. For such a trendy place, his song book was wicked dated and seemed to cater to the over 60 crowd who love Broadway show tunes. It was painful. Ruined the ambience. Keep with whatever the modern music was that was on before he started, please. With Maine having such a hip music scene, someone out there should be available in the off season. A little light jazz maybe?
(4)Ken S.
Looking at past reviews,it appears that a visit when there is a wedding is not a good idea. Maybe I'm lucky,but my wife and I have dined there about four times. And every time we had a great experience. Excellent food and service every time. In fact,on our recent trip,the bartender,Patrick,says: You have GOT to try the mussels. Well,they were fantastic. Maybe the best we have ever had.Our entrees were Arctic Char and I had the Lambshank. Both were excellent.My only complaint? No domestic beer; no Bud,Coors,or Miller.
(5)