I have always been impressed by this restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed my meals. We came with a group recently and had a reservation. It appeared they were not ready for us and had us wait at the bar for 45 minutes...for me personally that was fine, as I was ready for a cocktail. Our server made up for the wait with her knowledge of the dishes as well as he delightful attitude and humor. We ordered a bunch of appetizers and the calamari was my favorite. The size is also larger than many of the others. I ordered the petite filet and it was perfectly cooked and creative all in one. I would order this meal again! The atmoshere in here is very comfortable and modern and the prices are moderate to sometimes high, but for a special dinner out I would highly recommend.
(4)
Neal M.
I usually hold out on giving a 5 star review but Walters is what I'm looking for in a restaurant. The place is in a great location and is beautifully decorated. Very sleek design but still causual. The food here was great from beginning to end. We had the lamb sliders, beef carpaccio (delicious), lobster gnocchi, shrimp gnocchi, and the mussels. One plate after the next was great. People complain this place is to expensive but I disagree. You pay for quality and Walters delivers.
(5)
Jack M.
I went with a group for lunch today and found the menu had NO vegan of vegetarian options. Everything has meat or a meat product in it. How can a place ignore those of us who are trying to be healthy and health conscious. In addition the portions are tiny and the food expensive. Our group will not be going again.
(1)
Jim S.
Had lunch with friends at Walters. Most food was good. Service was ok. Two of us ordered crispy calamari. The calamari was not cooked enough and not crispy. Too bad and our waitress never asked if we were happy with the meal.
(2)
Cathleen M.
I made a reservation for a party of 8 for an after business meeting dinner at the recommendation of my client. The ambiance, service and food was excellent. This place by far surpassed my expectations. The calamari is a must have for an appetizer. The brussel sprout as well as the beet salad was perfectly prepared. For mains we had the ahi tuna, scallops, swordfish, haddock, petite filets and duck breast. For all of us to love our dishes is a rare find when going out with a big group. It really speaks to how well everything is prepared by the chefs here. If in Portland, do not miss out on trying this place. It is definitely good for going solo, on a date or for a large group.
(5)
Nichole A.
Love love love! My favorite restaurant. Every celebration that's where I go. The calamari is stupendous and I would eat 20 plates of it. Thank you for always being good and my fav spot in Portland!
(5)
Bela S.
We came in here just for dessert, but boy do we wish we had come for our meal too. Their entire menu seems to revolve, and is created by chefs rather than cooks. And prices are extremely reasonable considering the above. We went with the blueberry Guinness cheesecake along with the layered chocolate cake with mint ice cream. Alongside our desserts we had a cappuccino, and a decaf coffee. The chocolate cake was lovely. The filling and the top layer were flawless. The cake portion was a little on the dry side; it went well with the mint ice cream, though I'm still knocking a star for it being dry. The cheesecake was flawless, and just the right size. No issues there. The coffee was fine (hard to mess that up) and the cappuccino was nice and strong, and unsweetened. I can't stress enough that a cappuccino needs to be served unsweetened, but so many places (over)sweeten it for you! Not a thing I would change! The coffee also came with the cutest mini carafe/milk bottle filled with cream. Those were meant to be taken home, right (only kidding)? I forgot to mention they do have a dedicated pastry chef too, and at $7-9 per dessert that's a fantastic deal. Whether you come for a meal, dessert, or both, you are certain to like this place. The servers seem to do a good job recommending meals, and wine pairing as well. The couple next to us did just that and were very happy with their recommendations. We are coming back for sure. They're about an hour and a half away, but it's certainly worth it.
(4)
Denise B.
With all of the choices in Portland, I'm sorry but we will not be returning. We ate here on a Saturday night. Had a party of 6 and was able to get in for their first seating. The hostess and staff were very accommodating to make the table work for our party of 4 adults and 2 children. We started off with the burrata for an appetizer. It was actually pretty tasty. But that was probably the highlight of the meal. I had the lobster gnocchi while my husband had the salmon. Both dishes were cooked to our liking, but the flavor was just off for both. The lobster gnocchi was in a light broth and I'll give the chef credit for thinking outside of the box by serving gnocchi made out of carrots, but the flavors just did not come together and the broth really didn't allow the gnocchi to soak in any type of nice flavor. My husband's salmon was a nice sized portion, served over risotto and broccolini. Unfortunately, the sauce missed the mark here. It was too sweet and just did not tie the dish together. I really wanted to like this place because their dishes sounded inventive and the staff was so very nice and the reviews to this point seemed to be very positive but I'm wondering if these were done by friends and family members. I mean, you would fly specifically from Kansas just to eat here?!?! We skipped dessert. I just couldn't put myself through another disappointing course.
(2)
Dana H.
Don't miss out on the best pear martini's ever, wild mushroom gnocchi or lobster risotto! Walter does not disappoint.
(5)
Aaron P.
My wife and I went to Walter's for lunch to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary. I had the Hendricks Experience cocktail, which was fantastic, as well as a Japanese caesar salad and the burger. The salad was perfect, and the burger, which was Kobe beef, bacon, Boursin cheese, and caramelized onions, was the best I've ever had. In my life. My wife had the shaved brussels sprouts salad and the fish tacos, which she loved. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgable, and the atmosphere was austere but relaxing. We sat in the lounge area near the bar, and it was a real treat to kick back in their big comfy lounge chairs pulled up to our little table. They brought us some complimentary champagne for our anniversary, which was a lovely touch. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Lisa K.
Went to Walters with my boyfriend for our 4 year anniversary and everything was absolutely amazing. We ordered calamari and ravioli for appetizers and both were above average twists on the standard beginner plate. The duck plate also was killer. Marjorlaine for dessert was a little heavy but great to split with someone!
(5)
Holly S.
My boyfriend and I were in Portland for 2 nights in mid-July and Walter's made our trip. Boyfriend doesn't like seafood so we were looking for a good compromise restaurant. He loved his hanger steak and I had the lobster gnocchi, and IT WAS THE BEST GNOCCHI I'VE EVER HAD. I am fairly certain that they made it fresh when I ordered it, because it had a beautifully delicate consistency that went perfectly with the lobster. I've lived in NYC for a few years and have been living in Washington DC for four, and I can unequivocally say that Walter's is on par with the best of what those cities have to offer. The other reason Walter's gets 5 stars is the impeccable service. Our waiter was a Portland native, and he struck the perfect balance of making witty conversation without being too talkative. He told us some good places to visit and cracked some jokes with us. He also recommended both our dishes and our bottle of wine, all of which were excellent. Finally, every time we were low on water, he magically appeared to refill our glasses. Since we often order a bottle of wine when we go on date nights, we tend to drink lots of water and it's definitely noticed and appreciated when the service staff picks up on that. All in all, I'm glad we discovered this little gem, and I hope to return one day.
(5)
Kelly O.
Their lobster gnocchi was to die for (that butter-chile-balsamic reduction was divine, the gnocchi light and pillowy, and the lobster fresh and plentiful). Highly recommended. The ricotta cheesecake was also excellent, and the boy enjoyed his chicken. On the downside, I didn't really care for my cocktail (not well balanced nor well shaken), and the waitress admitted she forgot to put our entrees in and had to ask us again what we had ordered. However, she comped our dessert because of it, and I appreciated her honesty. Also, we didn't even realize we had been waiting, and weren't in a rush, so it didn't really bother us in the end. Perhaps a touch too expensive than it should be, but a solid dining experience nonetheless. When Fore Street and Street and Co are packed to the gills, Walter's makes a solid backup for a nice meal.
(4)
Lee S.
Stopped in for cocktails and was very pleased. Excellent caipirinha, nice classy ambience.
Lobster mac was the only thing I ordered. It was quite good.
(4)
Cynthia D.
Our group of two couples tried four different salads - caprese, peach, wedge, and strawberry rhubarb - all were excellent. Same with our entrees - the lemon chicken, duck, scallops, and haddock - each was superb. Only two different desserts were tried - the dark chocolate tart and the peach crostata - and there was nothing left on any of our plates. Service was excellent, meal was well paced, and our table was in a location quiet enough to talk among the four of us. Would definitely recommend and go back.
(5)
Tanya D.
It's a relatively small place. Maybe 15 tables. Plus a small lounge & bar area. The menu is very modern/organic. Not only did I not know what most items were; but I couldn't pronounce them (we've been to many high end restaurants (Ruth Chris's etc). The beet salad was EXCELLENT as was the Japanese ceasar salad. The ceasar had a touch of wasabi- added a nice kick. We both ordered the petite fillet. It was also excellent. They were ordered as medium. They were more rare. We didn't complain because we were fine with it. We didn't have dessert as we were planning on getting dessert later after a show at our hotel. They have a wonderfully unique way of doing salt & pepper shakers...they serve it in a mini bowl; together. Side by side. I actually liked it better than the traditional shaker style. They are usually sticky and gross and the pepper is always too full to get pepper out...you Unscrew the top and pepper everywhere. if you are looking for a high end meal I would recommend this. All dishes were between $28-35
(4)
William S.
Somewhat mixed experience for our party of three. Several dishes were excellent, including a brussels sprout slaw, and salmon and tuna entrees. But the ravioli appetizer had too much of a strongly flavored sauce, a new pork spring roll appetizer was pasty and bland, and the Asian-inspired seafood stew was also uninteresting. We like Walter's, though, and will certainly return. The bigger problem is with the servers who seem more professional at lunch than at dinner. Walter's is charging what the better Portland restaurants charge, but seems to lack polished waitstaff. We got the sense that our meal was more about the server than it was about us, and it made us feel less welcome than we would have preferred.
(3)
Chris E.
Good food but the dish was very small (especially for the $28 price tag). I ordered a shrimp dish and it was the size of most standard appetizers...maybe smaller. Nice spot for a drink, not the place to go if you're hungry.
(2)
Charlie T.
Some of the best service I have ever had in the city. Menu is creative and ingredients sourced locally (all they can). Fresh everything and extremely tasty. They create some really bold tastes which I always enjoy. The restaurant is a bit noisy when full (which, I believe is pretty much all the time but nothing serious. I believe this to be one of the best all around restaurants in Portland.
(5)
Jessica J.
Walter's is seriously delicious. We are from LA and are used to great food. We had a party of 10 and they accommodated us with a day's notice and a great table. The service was great but the food was amazing. Some of the family said that it was the best food of the trip. This was worth the 20 minute drive. Excellent!
(5)
Beth M.
This restaurant was amazing. It was recommended by a summer-Maine-r and he did not guide us wrong. First the menu was great - so many things I wanted to try! We finally narrowed it down and started with the calamari. I thought it would be a small portion since it was an appetizer, but it was quite a nice size. It had a jalapeno and basil sauce on it (the one complaint of the whole meal was that there were probably a few too many fresh jalapenos). We then decided to have a side dish as a kind of an app to share and went with the bok choy with adzuki beans and togarashi seasoning. This was a little small for two to share, but definitely would have been a great size for one as a side. Oh and they were delicious - I especially loved the use of adzuki beans in it! For entrees I decided to go with the scallops which were perfectly cooked and served alongside hummus samosas and sauteed spinach. The spinach had preserved lemon which gave an amazing light and fresh flavor. My husband had the shrimp that were seasoned with togarashi and served atop a cold wasabi noodle salad. The contrast of the hot and cold with the spice from the wasabi was fantastic. Our server was also excellent. This was probably one of the best meals I've ever had, and I want to return to Portland, if just for a meal at Walter's! Oh and as for pricing, we spent the same here as we did the preceding two nights at lesser restaurants...about $95 w/ tip. By far the best dinner in Maine!
(5)
Craig H.
First time quality dining, and well worth the wait. If they are offering the lamb don't pass it up. Salmon was expertly cooked and not overly seasoned. The wife and I will visit again.
(4)
Robb R.
I had good memories of Walters before they moved into this new location. First the bad, despite its obvious quirks (two level dining room, small space), I liked the feel of the old place better. The new spot is very nice, but feels a little too "Nice Hotel Restaurant" for my tastes. Now on to the food. I loved it again. I had an extremely tasty Brussel Sprouts salad with almost, raisens, a nice vinagreete, and bacon that accented the salad well without tasting like a bacon salad. For my main course, I had the braised Short Rib, which is a litle cliche, but also one of my favorite winter dishes. I liked this preparation a lot. The braise reduction was complex and had a nice subtle heat that kicked in slowly. The ribs were served on a nicely done basmatti rice and served with well prepared long beans. The meal hit the complex but tasty notes that I love. The bartender was friendly and professional and helpled me enjoy my meal. I will be back. Brussel sprout salad. short rib rice, long beans and tasty spicy sauce
(4)
Liam S.
Pretty good. 5 of us had dinner here and 4 of us enjoyed it. We all fish/seafood. One person had the tuna and wasn't too happy but I had the salmon, it was good. Crab cake starter was awesome. Everyone liked their drinks. Waitstaff was very good. Nice atmosphere. I would eat here again!
(4)
Tiffany N.
Walter's is Oh. So. Good. We stumbled upon this smallish restaurant after being turned off by an hour and a half wait from our original choice and were seated right away. First of all most people know by know that I love champagne. Walter's has a champagne cocktail that's made with blueberry juice and has the actual berries in it. I drank... well let's not talk numbers shall we? My champagne cocktails went ever so delightfully with my BLT salad which was made with butter and oak leaf lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, crispy pork belly, grilled brioche and a poached garlic and a spicy mustard dressing. They were a perfect pair for me because I love pork belly almost as much as champagne. Being in a seaside town I of course had to order seafood for my first dinner. I chose the salmon which was seared with Japanese 7 spice and served over crawfish forbidden rice, grilled escarole with wasabi aioli, sweet chile crema and ginger soy syrup. Holy Cheese and Rice, it was good! I also sampled some of the best swordfish I've had in a while and some pretty decent scallops as well from my dining companions. And then, since I believe no meal is complete without dessert I ordered another champagne cocktail to go with our shared Tres Leches and Blueberry Guinness Cheesecake. At the end of it all I had gained about 42 pounds and went home a happy, happy girlie.
(4)
Darren B.
The food was excellent, and it has a beautifully tasteful dining area for a social night out.
(4)
Lisa G.
The food at walter's is inspired! I do business in Maine and the best part is the possibility of a meal at walter's. I have tried on more the one occasion to recreate the brussel sprout salad with no luck. As a very critical CT/NY foodie I highly recommend this amazing restaurant.
(5)
Sandy W.
Stopped in for a late lunch, but before dinner. I was hesitant from ordering from a bar menu since to me "bar menu" means super greasy food. Ordered the Lobster Mac N' Cheese, Calamari, Chorizo, and Poutine, and all were very very good. The drinks were decently priced, and also good. I would absolutely go here again and try their dinner.
(5)
Joanie L.
Sat at the bar at Walter's, love the feel of the place. Just got a small plate of Thai meatballs that were very tasty. Too bad my first choice for dessert had run out but the sampler was pretty good. Nice service as things were winding down. Good choice of beer for my friend. My ginger cocktail was a little strong so we did some readjusting and it came out right. Menu looks great for a full meal.
(4)
Joe A.
Great atmosphere, service, and food! That about sums it up. Ordered the seared scallops and essentially went to food heaven for the duration of that meal. Our waitress was exceptional, knowledgeable, and very helpful. A little pricey but well worth the experience when you're in Portland.
(4)
Dave P.
Always fresh and always tasty.
(5)
Andrew F.
Upon returning from the better part of a week in Bay area, I met friends for a drink and to catch up. One of them booked us a table at Walter's for dinner at 8:15. I hadn't been here for about a year when I had lunch with a friend after the holidays. Walter's is a nice, contemporary, relatively quite (compared to some) restaurant with comfortable seating, a good wait staff, and an appealing menu. Specials for this day were halibut and swordfish "joined" with sides that I can't remember now. I zeroed in on the sirloin on the menu - was having a real hankering for beef - and had a spinach and pear salad to start off. Serving sizes were moderate and by that I mean appropriately sized (it's unlikely you'll be leaving with a take-home box). My dinner companions had the specials. Walter's is a comfortable place to accommodate good conversation and enjoy and excellent meal.
(4)
Julie T.
My husband and I had tried Walters a couple times in the past and we were not impressed....we decided after a year or two we would try it again....for lunch.... not excited. We found the menu boring and uninspired and the atmosphere a bit stuffy compared to many of the other options in Old Port. I will say we were seated right away and service was very good....just not a place I will return to.
(3)
Karina J.
Horrible experience with restaurant management tonight! Will not be going back to Walters.
(1)
Danielle M.
I am writing this review from a trip we took this past summer and I never got around to. I just had to find the time to let everyone know that this is a great dinner option in Portland. My husband and I have spent a few different weekends eating and drinking our way around Old Port and this is a favorite now! We made an 8pm reservation for a Friday night and were seated promptly. our server was friendly, attentive, and helpful. We started with the Dualing Spring Rolls and Romaine Stack and both were excellent. Husband had the haddock which was great and I had the Braised Short Ribs. They were delicious but I did think that the Patty Pan squash was too bitter for the dish. I never order dessert but I took one look at the menu and said " I must try the Flourless Chocolate Torte" and I am so glad I did. It had bruleed bananas and peanut butter gelato and they all tasted so good together. Our server was great about helping us find the perfect place to go out for drinks after! Go to Sonny's but eat at Walter's first!!
(5)
Andy s.
I had the crabcake app...and scallops. Both were fantastic. Service was great. I will be back for sure
(4)
Jarrett O.
Me and my wife were visiting from out of town and had a great night here. We had reservations and the hostess thankfully made sure to not sit us at an awkward table near the door and gave us a nice table. The decor was dark, but modern and inviting. The menu was interesting but not overly adventurous. We started with crab cakes and a brussel sprout salad, both of which were excellent. I got a moroccan style lamb dish that was tender and sweet/savory that I absolutely loved. My wife got a petit filet mignon that was perfectly done. We shared a flourless torte that was decadent. The service was top notch. Our server was great and timed the parts of our meal perfectly. We had a great experience at Walter's and raved about it the rest of the night.
(5)
Pete B.
The food was great. Timing on service could be improved. Overall, our party of six enjoyed this experience.
(4)
Suz L.
I was brought here by my attorney and was pleasantly surprised.
(4)
Jeffrey F.
We always loved this restaurant when it was on Exchange Street, and we were a little nervous about it moving into a new space. Too often we have seen a restaurant move into bigger space and change its mood and style. The new Walter's location has not made this mistake. The feel has not changed. The style is simply enhanced. The food is good as ever. We have always enjoyed the lettuce wraps. Chowder is very good for being so far North of Boston. The Arancini (rice balls) are fantastic, although my wife noted the sauce was a little more sweet than she would have liked.
(5)
Gina Z.
My absolute Favorite eatery. Great food and great venue!! Loving it since 1998!!
(5)
Jessi H.
I celebrate my birthday and my mom's birthday at Walter's every year! We always start with the crisy asian ravioli and cracklin' calamari. The best calamari we've eaten anywhere! The hanger steak was cooked to perfection. And the dessert... wow... so amazing. We will continue our birthday dinner tradition here!
(5)
Stomping S.
I have to admit, this place is excellent. I was looking for a local menu for my last meal, and this was not it, but I was pleasantly surprised regardless of the fact that the menu covered virtually every continent. I had the Sweet Potato & Corn Chowder followed by the Fish Tacos. These were some of the best fish tacos I've had; grilled not fried fish with light but very tasteful accompaniments. The chowder was exceptional as well. I was told by the concierge at our hotel that this was "the best lunch anywhere in Portland", and I think he might be right as long as you're willing to pay $10-20 plus tip. Recommended.
(5)
T S.
I was visiting Portland and came here for lunch around Christmastime. I ordered the Portland Square Burger, and my boyfriend got the Steak Bomb. The burger was probably one of the best burgers I've ever had - it combined some very flavourful ingredients (smoked bacon, onions, boursin) and the end result was delicious, and not overwhelming in flavour at all. The brioche bun the burger was served on was great as well, always a great alternative to the traditional bun, My boyfriend enjoyed his Steak Bomb, but we both agreed that the burger was the highlight. The prices are not high at all, and the restaurant is spacious and nice looking on the inside. If I am ever back in Portland, I would definitely come back here again.
(5)
Erin S.
Late dinner at Walters. Arrived at 7 and realized we were never going to get in - so made plans to come back at nine. We were promptly seated and between the two of us decided to split the special appetizer AND entree. We had a rabbit/pork cassoulet that was to die for. It melted in your mouth and was absolutely wonderful. We followed that with the salmon with orzo and quinoa which was perfectly cooked season and accompanied and I was in such a food heaven I did not even want dessert. (Obviously a travesty - as it was probably delicious.) Definitely a must-eat in Portland!
(5)
Steff D.
As a vegetarian I pride myself on being able to successfully navigate my way around any menu. Walter's was a major challenge for me as their menu (from a vegetarian stand-point) was extremely bleak. The ONLY option I had, outside of asking the chef to create something specifically for me, was a cheese-walnut-butternut squash pasta dish. It was delicious, but VERY VERY RICH. One of the richest things I've ever eaten. The textures of the nuts, cheese, and squash were perfectly balanced, but the richness was slightly overwhelming (as in: I could feel my arteries clogging while eating it). The atmosphere was slightly too stuffy for me, the other customers came off a little too snobby for me, but the wait staff? Boy, did I have fun with the wait staff. Our waiter had a great sense of humor, despite never saying a word. I appreciated that most of all. If you're a swanky-loving, non-vegetarian, with deep pockets - you're probably gonna love it here. For the rest of us: good pizza places are right up the street.
(3)
Katie B.
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants, I highly recommend the calamari and the ahi tuna. My family and I frequently visit Walters and the service is always fantastic, they have great drink menu and I love the classy but relaxing atmosphere.
(5)
Eric D.
This many good reviews because the place deserves it. Not sure about the one-off poor ratings. I eat here all of the time and have yet to get a bad meal. I even order the specials often, so it's not because I don't try new things. One guy wrote that it isn't the same since it sold to new owners in 2007. Evidently he didn't know the chef bought it. Haha! Unusual and creative combinations - if it sounds good, try it - you won't be dissappointed!
(5)
Gray W.
This is expensive (especially for Portant) but fabulous food. We were there for lunch as a party of 4 with my son being 12 and my mother being 75 and everyone plates were great. We will be back!
(5)
Michael D.
My friend and I had the braised short ribs, although the portion was small the preparation was excellent. I have eaten here several times and i feel its one of the best in Portland, Maine.
(4)
Sarah G.
It's hard to write this review, as even the memory of dining here is making me nauseous. I will revisit the pain because the yelp public deserves it. No one should go through the horrible experience my friends and I suffered through a few weeks ago, so I'll suck it up and share our story. When we arrived at Walter's, my three companions and I were at the point of starving where anything would taste good. I jumped on the bread basket (yay rosemary and oil!) and was greeted with cold, congealed grease and gooey bread. Next came the arugula salad, which must have offended the chef in some way, because s/he attacked it with an entire arsenal of dressing. What a crime. It's arugula, not iceberg lettuce! It has flavor of its own, but you would never have known that from this gloppy mess. Finally, the entrees. We had the vegetarian pasta, thai spaghetti and meatballs, ahi tuna, calamari and organic greens. You know you're in trouble when the fried calamari is the least greasy thing on the table. My husband ate some spaghetti and noticed his reflection in the bottom of the bowl - a huge vat of grease lay underneath the noodles. My own pasta was so slippery with oil that I had to stab it with a fork in order to get it into my mouth. Despite these atrocities, the cold, mealy pile of couscous that came with the tuna probably takes the prize of grossest thing on the table. Why didn't we leave? I really don't know. We were starving, and by this time it was 9:45 pm. Nothing is open in Portland at that time, and we are pretty adventurous with our palates, so we figured our stomachs could take a bit of a beating. WRONG! The four of us hobbled back up the hill to our hotel and groaned the whole way. I seriously contemplated seeing a shrink after eating this meal. Why would I force myself to eat so many disgusting dishes? Do I have low self esteem? Do we all hate ourselves? The pain lasted through noontime the next day, when we had banished the last memories of the terrible meal to the sewers of Portland. We agreed to never speak of this meal again, and it's only for you, curious diners, that I am breaking this vow of silence. Beware! Stay out! They murder food!
(1)
David C.
Food was boring. My beet salad had flavorless overcooked beets, a little lettuce and feta. The crispy Asian ravioli had almost nothing inside the ravioli and was drowned in a way-over-the-top sweet and goopy orange sauce. My wife's Japanese salad had no flavor. Atmosphere is so different from the old location, which had great food and was so much more comfortable.
(1)
Ron M.
Fabulous dinner at Walters. The next space has a clean, urban look. Each of us raved about the food- many good choices! Fish, steak, duck, etc. We noticed as we were leaving that they've opened an outside space in the back. Interesting new outdoor option to enjoy drinks with a sea breeze.
(5)
David L.
We flew all the way from Kansas to have dinner at Walter's (seriously). The atmosphere was active but not too noisy to prevent great conversation. Our server Seanna was right on target with recommendations of the lobster gnocchi and the lamb loin special. We saved room for the bread pudding dessert which put a nice finishing touch on a delightful evening. I recommend Walter's whenever you're near Portland.
(5)
Chris M.
Food excellent but this is an all evening event. Service is as slow as a restaurant in rural France. Crab cakes were fantastic - nice and spicy. Short ribs - exquisite. Never picked up a knife.
(4)
Emily B.
I brought my mom who was visiting from out of town during restaurant week. This is another restaurant I was dying to try but can't usually afford. First of all, I would go just for their cocktails... the pear martini was smooth, and the mochatini was as rich as any dessert out there. We both got the buttercup bisque with crab, a no-brainier for us, and we were not disappointed. I got cod, and was jealous of my mom's lobster tail the while time. It had almost an Asian flare (must have been ginger,) which was an unexpected and extremely delicious surprise. As usual, I enjoyed dessert. Probably shouldn't have mixed the chocolate cake/ coffee gelato with the mochatini, but that was my call!
(4)
Dennis U.
This is one of those restaurants where you pick up the menu and say, "I'll have one of everything"... Going there for lunch with friends I settled for the soup of the day and the calamari salad.. Both excellent chooses but I did have food envy for my companions meals. Meals are interestingly composed and nicely varied. I'll be back to try to work my way through that menu.
(4)
Andrew D.
I should have checked yelp, first. We rolled into Portland on a whim last Friday, having to take care of some errands and a last minute decision to meet up with some family/friends for a drink (or three). As the night wore on, dinner called and we took the suggestion of family to go to Walter's. We called ahead to make sure there was some availability, as we didn't have reservations. There was a table for two in the bar, which was quickly reserved for us. Upon arriving, I was surprised at the ambiance--higher-end than I expected, with a taste of hotel lobby. The bar area (where seated) was more of the same--equally formal, with low lounge-like chairs. Our server came after a few minutes and presented the menus (both Bar and Dinner), but never introduced himself. More than ten minutes later, he returned. This would be the second of three visits our waiter made. My wife ordered a glass of wine, myself a beer. For a beer town, there was a very poor selection of local beers. Bummer. My wife skipped an appetizer, but I couldn't help myself--calamari called (suggested by my family). I ordered the app from the dinner menu (Cracklin' Calamari) and was very pleased--crispy, dusted with a sweet spice blend, topped with (a bit too much of) an aioli (lemon flavor was faint). Fried jalapenos tossed among the rings and tentacles. Ace. Dinner came some 20 minutes later, my wife having ordered a pork special, myself from the bar menu (steak and cake). Wife's pork was bacony, distinctively pork--but almost too dry to be enjoyed. My filet stacked on top of crab cake had wonderful individual components but failed at a couple of things: namely, the crystal sauce soup that it was sitting in. Waay too much sauce, too strong of a flavor. That portion of the cake that didn't get saturated with the sauce was great--as was the filet's texture (the flavor was okay, not particularly memorable). We skipped dessert, as we were disappointed in the service and wanted to move on. Had to ask the nearby bar tender to finalize our check, having lost our nameless waiter to some other portion of the restaurant. For the money, head somewhere else. Wish I could get the crab-cake and calamari in a more Portland-like atmosphere, complete with local beer. But maybe I'm not the demographic they are seeking out . . .
(2)
N P.
Disappointing experience. Dinner on Saturday night. My friend ordered a lobster, and couldn't find hardly any lobster meat in his dish. I had the bistro burger and it was severely overpriced. Not coming back.
(3)
Thomas L.
I ordered the petit filets rare and they ACTUALLY SERVED IT TO ME RARE. So exquisite and their wine list is very considered as well. If I lived in Portland this would be a weekly haunt for me.
I'm not a usual 5 star kinda guy but best calamari I've had. Drinks were great and both of our dinners were amazing. The atmosphere and waitress were a perfect march so we will be back.
(5)
Lena B.
move over Boston hello Portland. wow, haven't had a meal this good in ages. food is seasonal, creative and fresh. service is superb. cocktails are tasty, strong, and reasonably priced. try the lobster gnocchi, forbidden shrimp, peaches salad, crispy Asian ravioli, and wash it down with a salty dog cocktail straight up. outstanding!
(5)
Yelena S.
My family frequents Walter's for special days, e.i., birthdays, anniversaries, etc. We've been here numerous times, usually it's great but every now and then it can be underwhelming. They don't have the espresso martini on the cocktail menu anymore (which is lame because it was delicious), but if my sister and I bat our eyelashes the bartender is usually up to the task of making us a couple custom martinis. We always get several appetizers and split them among everyone at the table. The Japanese Caesar (sweet, spicy, and crunchy), spring rolls, bang isle mussels, crispy Asian ravioli, and cracklin' calamari (sweet and spicy and my first pick) are some of our favorites. I like the huge cushy chairs by the windows, we try to score a spot at one of those if there aren't too many of us. The atmosphere is nice, not too over the top but casual enough. Sometimes I feel as though the portions here are just way too small for the $$, and if your wallet is feeling a little on the thinner side then this place is definitely not your friend. Like I said, we come here for only special occasions, never for casual dining. Walter's back in the day on Exchange St. was wonderful, the new place doesn't have the same vibe to it. But I'll be back for some delicious calamari!
(4)
Beatrice T.
I have dined here numerous times while in Portland. They have a good menu which is agreeable to most. My best friend always needs a chicken entree, which they always seems to have. There was once a chicken under a brick, which was quite good for something which doesn't sound very exciting. I have had duck, short ribs, and steak. Lobster mac is always a good option. All great. I have met here with friends for dinner, and with family as well. I have not dined here alone, but the bar is a comfortable dining space for anyone solo.
(4)
David Y.
Unfortunately this place was less than impressive after spending a weekend eating steamed lobster and mountains of fried seafood across different Maine wharves. It was almost unfair to compare the two but I also considered the restaurant's service which was ok but not outstanding compared to other fine dining establishments. One of the biggest disappointments was when 3 of the group including me ordered the Lobster gnocchi entree and they ran out (only had enough for 2 orders). How can any Maine restaurant run out of lobster?!?! Another bummer was when the lobster gnocchi did finally come out, there was BARELY any lobster in it. I was the one that sacrificed and opted for a different entree and so glad that I did. Seems like they had enough lobster meat for 1 more order but they did a poor job of stretching it into 2 orders. Just speculation but if it was true, shame on Walters! Anyway, we shouldn't of had such expectations since we came here because the wait time at the other restaurants was too long. Guess we deserved this since we didn't plan ahead. Woe, is me (us).
(2)
B M.
Food ok. Was closing up at 10 on weekend. What got me was after our snacks (ok at best and the dessert was overpriced and awful) Myself and some buddies left the restaurant the owner ran after us and asked why we had only left a $3 tip. None of us knew what she was talking about but went back inside to clear it up....turns out the waiter was confused...but still his math didn't add up from change we left from a 50....so I don't know what his problem was. Who chases down their customers after they leave the restaurant.??? Get some class. She apologized...but damage done. Wrongfully humiliated on the streets of Portland. Our big spender friend from Los Angeles was furious and will never drop his cash..nor will we at this place again. Much better options right up the street lady!!!!
(1)
Patrick L.
I really can't say enough about this place. My mom has a home in Kennebunkport and the family is in town for a bit. I took my mom there for dinner. It is my first time dining here. I have friends that tell me to try it. But I have held out. I always get a tad nervous trying a new place. Time is valuable to me as I am always at work or busy. So when I go out. I want a guaranteed good meal and a great time. What a home run this place was. Shawna our server took excellent care of us. She is a true asset to this restaurant. Every suggestion and comment was perfect. She was professional and made the night great. We started off with the ravioli app. Which I guess has been on the menu for decades. Get the ravioli. It's to die for. We each had salads. My wedge was awesome. And we both had entrees of the "forbidden shrimp" and the Ahi tuna. Both were some of the best we have had. My only issue and it wasn't with Walters was parking. You had to pre pay before you got validated. And it was cash only at this lot. Didn't make any sense to me. They give you cash back at the table? Kinda dumb. They should work out a better deal with that lot. And what's wrong with valet? Not many around here do that it looks like. Ca'mon hipster mainers-you too can have your car parked by someone. It's fun. Try it. My mom who has the summer home here and loves Maine said it is hands down her best meal in Maine. I would agree. Best meal in Maine. The atmosphere was wonderful. The wine was great. Food was outstanding. Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Susan L.
Have eaten lunch at Walters many times, but was lured to dinner during restaurant week by their menu. Wow, they really pulled out all the stops for this week. We had a wonderful dinner. For apps we had butternut soup, and the thai curry chicken in lettuce wrap. Both were delicious. For entrees we both had the roasted flounder, with charred shishito rice and baby toy mui. Flounder was fresh, moist and perfectly cooked. The "baby toy mui" tasted just like baby bok choy to me, and white part of it added a nice crunch to the dish. Oh, the desserts were sooo good. I had the salted caramel creme brulee with fresh berries (raspberry and blackberry) - the fruit was a wonderful compliment to the custard, and the caramelized crust had just the right about of crispness - fabulous! DH had the dark choc tart, which was likewise very good, but I liked my brulee much better (altho he disagreed, and was glad he chose the tart). We will definitely be back, I hope that brulee reappears on their regular menu.
(5)
D B.
My wife and I decided to see if we could get in for dinner last Saturday at the last minute. Fortunately for us there was a table in what looked to be an otherwise full house and we were seated almost immediately. Neither of us had been to Walter's since it moved a while back, and we were both quite pleased we decided to do so. Just about everything hit the spot from the bread through dessert. I started with a salad, I forget the name but it had bacon, blue cheese and arugula. I was happy to see a very nice looking salad delivered to the table that tasted as good as it looked. Nothing sucks more than ordering an $8-$10 salad and having a tiny plate of bland greens show up. That didn't happen at Walters. I ordered the filet which came as two small filets and included a side of lobster mac and cheese. Pleased to report that both of these items were delicious. My wife had Gnocchi with mushrooms and other tasty goodness. I would have been just as happy eating her dish. For desert I had the chocolate olive oil cake. I don't often get dessert, but tend to head for something chocolate when I do. The cake was not over powering, was moist and encased in a hard chocolate shell/frosting. My wife had gelato of some sort, but the flavor seems to have escaped my memory, but there wasn't any left when we walked out. Service was great throughout the meal.
(5)
Edward B.
Walter's has a nice decor; there is a restaurant section as well as a bar area, making it a good place for dinner parties, or small groups looking for drinks an appetizers. I had the "Hearts of Palm" and the Torchio pasta, both were very good, well presented, but the emphasis is on quality over quantity - don't think that you'll get a huge bowl of pasta as in other establishments. I would definitely return to try out some of their appetizers or main courses
(4)
Barry C.
We stopped in to check out the place and can only say that the snobby welcome we got was enough to have us walk right out. I looked at the wine list and saw very expensive wines - many over $100 - without a vintage year. How can a fine dining establishment put together a wine list without vintages and have the gall to charge someone 3-4 times retail for the wines? I expect this at a sports bar, not fine dining. When I asked the hotess about the wine list she said that the wines change rapidly so they can't keep it up to date. In the 21st century of word processing and laser printers, I find this excuse just plain lame. Portland has more than enough good places to go that I think I will forever give this one a miss.
(1)
Robert W.
Our go to top restaurant in Portland. Never fails R Whitney. Pownal Maine 4/24
(5)
Mike F.
Yet again, my wife and I had an outstanding meal at Walter's. We were greeted by a very friendly host, seated at the bar, and our table was ready long before our reservation time, even though it was busy. The food was artistically presented, perfectly prepared, and our server was friendly, funny, and struck the perfect balance between being there when we needed him and disappearing when we didn't. Walter's has never failed to impress us on every level.
(5)
Missy S.
Walters is an amazingly yummy place, every time I would be served, I would feel like there was a 'party on my plate' because they just garnish it so amazingly, it just makes you all that much more excited! You know what you are about to eat is going to be a true treat for your palate! They truly know that you eat with your eyes first, before you ever taste the food! And oh, their food is sooo fantastic! I have turned many people onto Walters over the years. My fave was always a chicken and creamy pasta dish, that is similar to the Milano. I do not see it on the current menu, but then again, there are so many yummy things on the menu. They keep up with the trends and are very relevant in the culinary world! And their waitstaff is always so sweet and fun! They definitely all have wonderful personalities, they love their jobs and it shows! This place has now been in business for 20 yrs, and I've been going there since 1993. Have never had a disappointing experience. I am sad that I no longer live close enough to just run in there whenever I feel like it!
(5)
Jeff C.
Just like Holly M's review, I was not expecting truly fine cuisine in Portland Maine. The hotel recommended Walter's and based on the yelp reviews, we booked a dinner over Columbus weekend. What we found is a very big city style, multi level, restaurant that would be a big hit in New York or my home area of Orange County, CA. We started with the Indian flat bread which was good but not outstanding. My wife and I ordered specials for the entree. She had sea bass with a horseradish, herb cumin sauce and I had the halibut with brown butter celeriac puree with pumpkin and corn. Both were outstanding. The sauces were flavorful but subdued and didn't overwhelm the fish. Mine made the halibut fit perfectly for the fall season. Our waiter several times touted the apple pie cheesecake. We took the hint and he was spot on. A light cheesecake with a apple pie layer just above the sublime graham cracker crust with a hint of cinnamon and plated with a drizzling of caramel and creme fresh. Paired with a Moscato d'Asti, it was a wonderful way to finish a vacation to New England. Portland's Commercial street area has a lot to offer in bars and restaurants. Please make sure you find time for Walter's, you will be rewarded with a wonderful meal.
(4)
j v.
Walters was purchased a few years back and was never the same. My last three meals there I could not eat. This went from my favorite to the worst. I took my company here for our Christmas dinner. I did not eat my food. I then took my family here for another Christmas dinner as well as a lunch the week before. I could not eat my food (why use olives in everything?) As you can see I was the biggest fan of Walter's. Once the new owners bought it they changed many dishes. The once great calamari was changed to something so salty it was not edible.
(1)
Michelle H.
The food here was amazing! The Bison empanadas were sooooo good, and so spicy :) Crabcakes were good, raviolis, lobster mac-n-cheese, filet mignon, peanut butter gelato, ricotta cheesecake and even the bread is good. Def recommend eating here!
(4)
Mike S.
This restaurant has NEVER disappointed us!!! Recently visited them at their new location and was very impressed by their Winter 2010 menu. Old favorites from the previous location are preserved as well as some new fare. My wife and I started with the Asian ravioli and a caesar salad. The ravioli was outstanding but the salad was the only thing that we have ever ordered there that we found disappointing. While it was acceptable, compared to the other flavorful and creative items on the menu it just seemed flat and not particularly creative. Fortunately our entrees, the filets w/ lobster mac + cheese, and lobster pasta were outstanding. Our desserts, the creme brulee and guiness cheesecake (my hands down favorite) were outstanding. We were very surprised to read a negative review about this fine establishment from Sarah G. because our experience there on multiple occasions has consistently been outstanding both in terms of food and service. We always recommend this restaurant to family and friends. It seems obvious but I definitely would not take a small child here.
(5)
b W.
A very nice place. Everything we tried was very well presented and delicious. My wife had the Halibut, the tomato artichoke soup from the specials menu. I had the Milano w/ shrimp and the organic field salad - both off the house menu. Our meals were very good. Walters was the dinning standard we held other restaurants to for the rest of the weekend as we made our way up to Camden.
(4)
A. K.
Pretty place with lovely windows all around. The bartender is quite accommodating, and they have a nice selection of wines. The mushroom side was good--only had to add salt and pepper. The egg rolls were good but a small portion. My partner liked the chicken under a brick. I thought it was a bit dry until I covered it with the delicious feta it came with. The waitress was sweet, but they sides came a good 5-7 minutes after the main came. I loved the bread with the fresh pepper. Would I go back? Yes. But it was expensive for Portland because in order to be filled we need to order a side each plus the appetizer and the main.
(4)
Joshua R.
10$ calamari that will knock your socks off and make you question your religion!
(5)
Tom W.
Walter's was somewhat of a surprise. In this foodie town, Walter's is just a block off the main foodie area. Just offseason as well, we sat in the bar area, which was quiet, relaxing and comfortable. The specials were quite interesting and the menu too was filled with dishes of unusual combinations. The lobster and vanilla bean soup was excellent and the lobster special was also top notch. The duck too was cooked perfectly. My only complaint was that the food needed to be hotter. It was luke-warm at best - a shame since the flavors were complex and excellent - even at that temperature. Our fault to some extent for not sending it back to be heated, but it was still good as it was. Next time, back it goes if it's not heated through. Even with this issue, we'd go back for another round.
(3)
Joe R.
Loved this place. It was a perfect place to bring family after a busy holiday weekend. The food was reasonably priced ($12 ish) and really tasty. We had fish tacos, rachel, and tortilla soup. Everyone stated it was exactly what we were looking for. And the waitress was one of the better ones I have had in Portland. She knew how to read us. 2 things we all questioned. The atmosphere felt like a Marriott/Westin restaurant. No warmth what so ever. And the music. Horrible. It was elevator music to the tenth. All in all. One of the better lunches in Portland. I would think it would be perfect to have a business lunch there.
(3)
Troy L.
Went for dinner. Solid food, but I'm a staff guy.. The host was bored at best, odd at worst. Mostly odd. Our waiter was a bit awkward, but made up for it on occasion by being a jerk. Sorry, there's too much good food in this town to be dropping 3 figures and dealing with that. Also, I agree with the other reviews as per the wretched music and upscale hotel restaurant decor. Might be better on another go, but who has the time?
(3)
Sarah C.
This was my go to place for dates in college. Originally I went to Perfettos but we found that this place is just as good if not better. I loved that they incorporate alot of Maine seafood into their dishes and they don't dumb it down. If you have parents visiting you at Bowdoin then its a nice alternative to restaurants in Freeport.
(4)
Becca D.
Me and my mom were visiting Portland when we came across this place. Right before we ate here, we visited the Portland Museum of Art for almost two hours, and both found ourselves to be famished. Right when we arrived, we were offered outdoor seating (I don't get why it says there's no outdoor seating on Yelp) and were served drinks quickly. The seating is a bit odd (you wouldn't guess it's seating for a restaurant), but it works fine. My mom ordered a Cobb salad with grape dressing and shrimp. She loved the dressing especially (homemade?), and was quite pleased with the rest of the salad. I ordered the Village Greek Salad with grilled chicken breast and lemon vinaigrette dressing, and LOVED it. When it was first served to me, I didn't expect it to be as big and as pleasingly filling as it was. The feta cheese came on top of the salad in three large blocks, which I had to cut up and mix around the salad aggravatedly. I mean come on, who wants to eat huge chunks of cheese by themselves on a salad? The dressing was mild and not as zesty as I expected, but worked perfectly with the salad. The rest of the salad was perfectly satisfying. We will definitely be trying this place again soon, when we come back to Portland.
(4)
James C.
Great experience! And, no need to worry about street parking with a huge parking lot one half block away with validated parking. A party of six, we had the calamari starter which was light and unique! Broccoli salad and Japanese Caesar salad were terrific. Entrees: Salmon special, seafood stew, and halibut were extra special. Wine was a moderate $33 for a white chard. Shared deserts of caramel/chocolate cake and key lime pie were the best. Would we go back. YOU BET. Bon appetit!
(5)
Alex Y.
Best corn chowder we've ever head!
(5)
Peter B.
Walter's was eh. Visited Walter's while visiting Portland last week. Positives: Beer served in a chilled glass, swordfish and accompanying oyster mushrooms cooked to perfection. Areas for improvement: Decor felt like a Westin Hotel lobby, Host was odd, sworfish steak was about 1/2" thick, and vegetarian pasta was flavorless. When asked about the chef's specialties and to describe the items the chef takes particular pride in, server didn't have much to say - basically said "everything is good" - would have preferred more guidance, or an indication of what Walter's prides itself on. In the balance, good food but definitely not worth the price.
(3)
R S.
First time at Walter's tonight for restaurant week. We both had the asian raviolis for starters and they were so delicious. Three LARGE raviolis in a warming, slightly hot sauce (I dont do spicy and I loved this so it really wasnt overwhelming). For an entree I had the lobster three ways: grilled tail, knuckle fritters, and bisque. My favorite of the trio was definitely the grilled tail (normally I find tail meat too tough but this was tasty). The bisque was a little alcoholic tasting. He had the steak frites. It was a simple dish; the steak was cooked perfectly and the chipotle ketchup brought the heat (apparently... I did not eat it). For dessert, I had the chocolate souffle tort which was ungodly rich and chocolatey with a small scoop of peanut butter gelato, tasty but I didnt eat the whole thing b/c it's so rich. He had some kind of ice cream cookie sandwich and called it "ill conceived" because the cookies were very dense and the gelato between the cookies made them kind of slippery as it melted quickly. The server and busers were great - timely, polite, friendly and the atmosphere was cozy. All in all we really enjoyed it and I'd say the highlight was the raviolis.
(4)
Liem L.
i've been back 4 times now and have to say the food is very very good. it has become one of my favorite places in town.
(5)
Jessica S.
Everything was pretty good as I have expected... But the scallops were just way too too too salty to a point that I just couldn't eat it. We were in a hurry so I didn't have time to get a new plate/explain to them that their scallops are uneatable. I would go again but never ever order scallops unless you want to overdose on salt.
(2)
Michal R.
awesome awesome awesome. do not miss this spot if you go to Portland, Maine. the menu is very special. the braised short rib might be the best I have ever ever ever ever ever eaten. I have referred friends/coworkers here since and none have been disappointed. the place seems small. maybe there was an upstairs??? regardless, it was intimate but comfortable. It is a perfect spot for a romantic night, a small group or dining a lone. the service was nice and attentive. I can't wait to go back....in four weeks...my next visit to Portland, ME. I may eat here every night.
(5)
Ryan C.
If we are going to go out for a special dinner, we go here. The food and service are always excellent, it took me a while to realize just how good it was. Very creative menu for vegetarians - I usually go with one of the seafood dishes, the crab griddled haddock was excellent, so are the mussels. They will usually have a couple of really creative specials up on the wall as well.
(5)
Chris B.
My wife and I had a really nice meal here. My entree was outstanding with giant, perfectly cooked scallops and well chosen accompaniments to garnish the dish.Beth's risotto cake and wild mushroom ragu 'bowl' was also very tasty. Our two sides, bok choy with adzuki beans, and another of assorted cooked beets, were delicately seasoned which allowed the veggies to shine. Service, including our phone inquiry, our greeting at the door, the 'bus' help, and our waitress, Kilah, was cheerful and efficient. The only qualm I had with the meal was that I thought that there could have been a bit more romaine on the ceasar. That's an issue for me because I'm a "big eater". However, by the time we finished our entrees and sides we were content with no 'room' for dessert (which we often do enjoy). The room was a bit loud but, what restaurant isn't during peak hours? maybe one with lousy food or 'grandpa/ma' ambiance? More than one other reviewer has panned the decor as having a sort of a generic hotel lobby appearance; they make a valid argument but, given the site the planners had to work with, a glass cube, I think they did O.K. . I say that if there is a hotel serving food like this in their lobby I want to know about it and I pray the exercise room is on the same level. The cost, before tipping, for 1 salad, 2 entrees, 2 sides, 1 beer, 1 cocktail, 2 glasses of wine with tax was about $95-100.
(5)
Erik S.
Walter's was good food but overpriced and a bit cramped. I had the halibut special with a lobster based sauce and crepes. Each part of the dish was quite good individually, but it didn't quite all go together. I also felt cramped the whole time I was there. The service was good, but for $80 I could get amazing food with amazing service at Jardiniere in SF, and this isn't that good. In a town that has tons of food, I will try other places before I come back here.
(4)
Holly M.
Portland Maine is not where I would go to eat gourmet avante garde foods. It just isn't. Walters has changed my mind considerably. When I walked up, I initially thought it was a pizza place. It has tiled white walls and has an open airy feel to it. Some of the tables are wood, and some are marble. Very cool and monochromatic. The simple open atmosphere was quite nice and relaxing though it seemed a bit noisy on the first floor. We decided to sit upstairs. Servers that led us upstairs to our table were super sweet and polite. I was happily surprised when I opened the menu and wine list to find them both quite extensive and varied. The menu curry infused lobster bake, oxtail appetizers, and steamed mussels with onion. I marveled at the menu descriptions and enjoyed our wine selection. Service was very good from start to finish and I would definitely come back again.
(5)
Glen R.
Had a fantastic dinner at their new location, which will surely be a hit in the Portland food scene. Everything was wonderful from the atmosphere to the service and the food. I highly suggest the lamb lollypops.
(5)
Sanford F.
We ate there the other night. It was terrific! Not real expensive, but very good.
(4)
laila k.
Best food in Portland, many choices always good, been there six times this summer and every time was great. Excellent service and lovely atmosphere.
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 : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Karen R.
I have always been impressed by this restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed my meals. We came with a group recently and had a reservation. It appeared they were not ready for us and had us wait at the bar for 45 minutes...for me personally that was fine, as I was ready for a cocktail. Our server made up for the wait with her knowledge of the dishes as well as he delightful attitude and humor. We ordered a bunch of appetizers and the calamari was my favorite. The size is also larger than many of the others. I ordered the petite filet and it was perfectly cooked and creative all in one. I would order this meal again! The atmoshere in here is very comfortable and modern and the prices are moderate to sometimes high, but for a special dinner out I would highly recommend.
(4)Neal M.
I usually hold out on giving a 5 star review but Walters is what I'm looking for in a restaurant. The place is in a great location and is beautifully decorated. Very sleek design but still causual. The food here was great from beginning to end. We had the lamb sliders, beef carpaccio (delicious), lobster gnocchi, shrimp gnocchi, and the mussels. One plate after the next was great. People complain this place is to expensive but I disagree. You pay for quality and Walters delivers.
(5)Jack M.
I went with a group for lunch today and found the menu had NO vegan of vegetarian options. Everything has meat or a meat product in it. How can a place ignore those of us who are trying to be healthy and health conscious. In addition the portions are tiny and the food expensive. Our group will not be going again.
(1)Jim S.
Had lunch with friends at Walters. Most food was good. Service was ok. Two of us ordered crispy calamari. The calamari was not cooked enough and not crispy. Too bad and our waitress never asked if we were happy with the meal.
(2)Cathleen M.
I made a reservation for a party of 8 for an after business meeting dinner at the recommendation of my client. The ambiance, service and food was excellent. This place by far surpassed my expectations. The calamari is a must have for an appetizer. The brussel sprout as well as the beet salad was perfectly prepared. For mains we had the ahi tuna, scallops, swordfish, haddock, petite filets and duck breast. For all of us to love our dishes is a rare find when going out with a big group. It really speaks to how well everything is prepared by the chefs here. If in Portland, do not miss out on trying this place. It is definitely good for going solo, on a date or for a large group.
(5)Nichole A.
Love love love! My favorite restaurant. Every celebration that's where I go. The calamari is stupendous and I would eat 20 plates of it. Thank you for always being good and my fav spot in Portland!
(5)Bela S.
We came in here just for dessert, but boy do we wish we had come for our meal too. Their entire menu seems to revolve, and is created by chefs rather than cooks. And prices are extremely reasonable considering the above. We went with the blueberry Guinness cheesecake along with the layered chocolate cake with mint ice cream. Alongside our desserts we had a cappuccino, and a decaf coffee. The chocolate cake was lovely. The filling and the top layer were flawless. The cake portion was a little on the dry side; it went well with the mint ice cream, though I'm still knocking a star for it being dry. The cheesecake was flawless, and just the right size. No issues there. The coffee was fine (hard to mess that up) and the cappuccino was nice and strong, and unsweetened. I can't stress enough that a cappuccino needs to be served unsweetened, but so many places (over)sweeten it for you! Not a thing I would change! The coffee also came with the cutest mini carafe/milk bottle filled with cream. Those were meant to be taken home, right (only kidding)? I forgot to mention they do have a dedicated pastry chef too, and at $7-9 per dessert that's a fantastic deal. Whether you come for a meal, dessert, or both, you are certain to like this place. The servers seem to do a good job recommending meals, and wine pairing as well. The couple next to us did just that and were very happy with their recommendations. We are coming back for sure. They're about an hour and a half away, but it's certainly worth it.
(4)Denise B.
With all of the choices in Portland, I'm sorry but we will not be returning. We ate here on a Saturday night. Had a party of 6 and was able to get in for their first seating. The hostess and staff were very accommodating to make the table work for our party of 4 adults and 2 children. We started off with the burrata for an appetizer. It was actually pretty tasty. But that was probably the highlight of the meal. I had the lobster gnocchi while my husband had the salmon. Both dishes were cooked to our liking, but the flavor was just off for both. The lobster gnocchi was in a light broth and I'll give the chef credit for thinking outside of the box by serving gnocchi made out of carrots, but the flavors just did not come together and the broth really didn't allow the gnocchi to soak in any type of nice flavor. My husband's salmon was a nice sized portion, served over risotto and broccolini. Unfortunately, the sauce missed the mark here. It was too sweet and just did not tie the dish together. I really wanted to like this place because their dishes sounded inventive and the staff was so very nice and the reviews to this point seemed to be very positive but I'm wondering if these were done by friends and family members. I mean, you would fly specifically from Kansas just to eat here?!?! We skipped dessert. I just couldn't put myself through another disappointing course.
(2)Dana H.
Don't miss out on the best pear martini's ever, wild mushroom gnocchi or lobster risotto! Walter does not disappoint.
(5)Aaron P.
My wife and I went to Walter's for lunch to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary. I had the Hendricks Experience cocktail, which was fantastic, as well as a Japanese caesar salad and the burger. The salad was perfect, and the burger, which was Kobe beef, bacon, Boursin cheese, and caramelized onions, was the best I've ever had. In my life. My wife had the shaved brussels sprouts salad and the fish tacos, which she loved. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgable, and the atmosphere was austere but relaxing. We sat in the lounge area near the bar, and it was a real treat to kick back in their big comfy lounge chairs pulled up to our little table. They brought us some complimentary champagne for our anniversary, which was a lovely touch. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Lisa K.
Went to Walters with my boyfriend for our 4 year anniversary and everything was absolutely amazing. We ordered calamari and ravioli for appetizers and both were above average twists on the standard beginner plate. The duck plate also was killer. Marjorlaine for dessert was a little heavy but great to split with someone!
(5)Holly S.
My boyfriend and I were in Portland for 2 nights in mid-July and Walter's made our trip. Boyfriend doesn't like seafood so we were looking for a good compromise restaurant. He loved his hanger steak and I had the lobster gnocchi, and IT WAS THE BEST GNOCCHI I'VE EVER HAD. I am fairly certain that they made it fresh when I ordered it, because it had a beautifully delicate consistency that went perfectly with the lobster. I've lived in NYC for a few years and have been living in Washington DC for four, and I can unequivocally say that Walter's is on par with the best of what those cities have to offer. The other reason Walter's gets 5 stars is the impeccable service. Our waiter was a Portland native, and he struck the perfect balance of making witty conversation without being too talkative. He told us some good places to visit and cracked some jokes with us. He also recommended both our dishes and our bottle of wine, all of which were excellent. Finally, every time we were low on water, he magically appeared to refill our glasses. Since we often order a bottle of wine when we go on date nights, we tend to drink lots of water and it's definitely noticed and appreciated when the service staff picks up on that. All in all, I'm glad we discovered this little gem, and I hope to return one day.
(5)Kelly O.
Their lobster gnocchi was to die for (that butter-chile-balsamic reduction was divine, the gnocchi light and pillowy, and the lobster fresh and plentiful). Highly recommended. The ricotta cheesecake was also excellent, and the boy enjoyed his chicken. On the downside, I didn't really care for my cocktail (not well balanced nor well shaken), and the waitress admitted she forgot to put our entrees in and had to ask us again what we had ordered. However, she comped our dessert because of it, and I appreciated her honesty. Also, we didn't even realize we had been waiting, and weren't in a rush, so it didn't really bother us in the end. Perhaps a touch too expensive than it should be, but a solid dining experience nonetheless. When Fore Street and Street and Co are packed to the gills, Walter's makes a solid backup for a nice meal.
(4)Lee S.
Stopped in for cocktails and was very pleased. Excellent caipirinha, nice classy ambience.
(4)Joseph P.
Walter's caught our eye due to the unique menu offering. Entering the restaurant, we loved the dark wood and subdued lighting. Floor to ceiling windows afforded a nice view of people strolling outside. A very interesting drink menu, reminded me of Drink located in Southie in Boston. Lots of traditional offerings such as a Sazerac (which I ordered) was mixed perfectly. Primarily seafood with an Asian flair, some of the appetizers and entrees really nailed it in flavors. The Crispy Asian Ravioli with lemongrass chicken, spinach, peppers and gingered sweet chile butter were very complex and all the flavors worked perfectly. The Forbidden Shrimp with emperors black rice, Chinese sausage, edamame, shimejis and bulgogi bbq were so out of this world. All the flavors combined were truly an explosion in my mouth. Fabulous. My wife had Swordfish which was lowland spiced, with fried green tomatoes, cracked wheat salad and chili lime aioli. She didn't speak through the entire entrée. And that's saying something. Our server was friendly, efficient and unhurried. Lots of energy and people simply enjoying each others company, generated a celebratory atmosphere. Just a very fun evening with my wife and good friends.
(5)m y.
Lobster mac was the only thing I ordered. It was quite good.
(4)Cynthia D.
Our group of two couples tried four different salads - caprese, peach, wedge, and strawberry rhubarb - all were excellent. Same with our entrees - the lemon chicken, duck, scallops, and haddock - each was superb. Only two different desserts were tried - the dark chocolate tart and the peach crostata - and there was nothing left on any of our plates. Service was excellent, meal was well paced, and our table was in a location quiet enough to talk among the four of us. Would definitely recommend and go back.
(5)Tanya D.
It's a relatively small place. Maybe 15 tables. Plus a small lounge & bar area. The menu is very modern/organic. Not only did I not know what most items were; but I couldn't pronounce them (we've been to many high end restaurants (Ruth Chris's etc). The beet salad was EXCELLENT as was the Japanese ceasar salad. The ceasar had a touch of wasabi- added a nice kick. We both ordered the petite fillet. It was also excellent. They were ordered as medium. They were more rare. We didn't complain because we were fine with it. We didn't have dessert as we were planning on getting dessert later after a show at our hotel. They have a wonderfully unique way of doing salt & pepper shakers...they serve it in a mini bowl; together. Side by side. I actually liked it better than the traditional shaker style. They are usually sticky and gross and the pepper is always too full to get pepper out...you Unscrew the top and pepper everywhere. if you are looking for a high end meal I would recommend this. All dishes were between $28-35
(4)William S.
Somewhat mixed experience for our party of three. Several dishes were excellent, including a brussels sprout slaw, and salmon and tuna entrees. But the ravioli appetizer had too much of a strongly flavored sauce, a new pork spring roll appetizer was pasty and bland, and the Asian-inspired seafood stew was also uninteresting. We like Walter's, though, and will certainly return. The bigger problem is with the servers who seem more professional at lunch than at dinner. Walter's is charging what the better Portland restaurants charge, but seems to lack polished waitstaff. We got the sense that our meal was more about the server than it was about us, and it made us feel less welcome than we would have preferred.
(3)Chris E.
Good food but the dish was very small (especially for the $28 price tag). I ordered a shrimp dish and it was the size of most standard appetizers...maybe smaller. Nice spot for a drink, not the place to go if you're hungry.
(2)Charlie T.
Some of the best service I have ever had in the city. Menu is creative and ingredients sourced locally (all they can). Fresh everything and extremely tasty. They create some really bold tastes which I always enjoy. The restaurant is a bit noisy when full (which, I believe is pretty much all the time but nothing serious. I believe this to be one of the best all around restaurants in Portland.
(5)Jessica J.
Walter's is seriously delicious. We are from LA and are used to great food. We had a party of 10 and they accommodated us with a day's notice and a great table. The service was great but the food was amazing. Some of the family said that it was the best food of the trip. This was worth the 20 minute drive. Excellent!
(5)Beth M.
This restaurant was amazing. It was recommended by a summer-Maine-r and he did not guide us wrong. First the menu was great - so many things I wanted to try! We finally narrowed it down and started with the calamari. I thought it would be a small portion since it was an appetizer, but it was quite a nice size. It had a jalapeno and basil sauce on it (the one complaint of the whole meal was that there were probably a few too many fresh jalapenos). We then decided to have a side dish as a kind of an app to share and went with the bok choy with adzuki beans and togarashi seasoning. This was a little small for two to share, but definitely would have been a great size for one as a side. Oh and they were delicious - I especially loved the use of adzuki beans in it! For entrees I decided to go with the scallops which were perfectly cooked and served alongside hummus samosas and sauteed spinach. The spinach had preserved lemon which gave an amazing light and fresh flavor. My husband had the shrimp that were seasoned with togarashi and served atop a cold wasabi noodle salad. The contrast of the hot and cold with the spice from the wasabi was fantastic. Our server was also excellent. This was probably one of the best meals I've ever had, and I want to return to Portland, if just for a meal at Walter's! Oh and as for pricing, we spent the same here as we did the preceding two nights at lesser restaurants...about $95 w/ tip. By far the best dinner in Maine!
(5)Craig H.
First time quality dining, and well worth the wait. If they are offering the lamb don't pass it up. Salmon was expertly cooked and not overly seasoned. The wife and I will visit again.
(4)Robb R.
I had good memories of Walters before they moved into this new location. First the bad, despite its obvious quirks (two level dining room, small space), I liked the feel of the old place better. The new spot is very nice, but feels a little too "Nice Hotel Restaurant" for my tastes. Now on to the food. I loved it again. I had an extremely tasty Brussel Sprouts salad with almost, raisens, a nice vinagreete, and bacon that accented the salad well without tasting like a bacon salad. For my main course, I had the braised Short Rib, which is a litle cliche, but also one of my favorite winter dishes. I liked this preparation a lot. The braise reduction was complex and had a nice subtle heat that kicked in slowly. The ribs were served on a nicely done basmatti rice and served with well prepared long beans. The meal hit the complex but tasty notes that I love. The bartender was friendly and professional and helpled me enjoy my meal. I will be back. Brussel sprout salad. short rib rice, long beans and tasty spicy sauce
(4)Liam S.
Pretty good. 5 of us had dinner here and 4 of us enjoyed it. We all fish/seafood. One person had the tuna and wasn't too happy but I had the salmon, it was good. Crab cake starter was awesome. Everyone liked their drinks. Waitstaff was very good. Nice atmosphere. I would eat here again!
(4)Tiffany N.
Walter's is Oh. So. Good. We stumbled upon this smallish restaurant after being turned off by an hour and a half wait from our original choice and were seated right away. First of all most people know by know that I love champagne. Walter's has a champagne cocktail that's made with blueberry juice and has the actual berries in it. I drank... well let's not talk numbers shall we? My champagne cocktails went ever so delightfully with my BLT salad which was made with butter and oak leaf lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, crispy pork belly, grilled brioche and a poached garlic and a spicy mustard dressing. They were a perfect pair for me because I love pork belly almost as much as champagne. Being in a seaside town I of course had to order seafood for my first dinner. I chose the salmon which was seared with Japanese 7 spice and served over crawfish forbidden rice, grilled escarole with wasabi aioli, sweet chile crema and ginger soy syrup. Holy Cheese and Rice, it was good! I also sampled some of the best swordfish I've had in a while and some pretty decent scallops as well from my dining companions. And then, since I believe no meal is complete without dessert I ordered another champagne cocktail to go with our shared Tres Leches and Blueberry Guinness Cheesecake. At the end of it all I had gained about 42 pounds and went home a happy, happy girlie.
(4)Darren B.
The food was excellent, and it has a beautifully tasteful dining area for a social night out.
(4)Lisa G.
The food at walter's is inspired! I do business in Maine and the best part is the possibility of a meal at walter's. I have tried on more the one occasion to recreate the brussel sprout salad with no luck. As a very critical CT/NY foodie I highly recommend this amazing restaurant.
(5)Sandy W.
Stopped in for a late lunch, but before dinner. I was hesitant from ordering from a bar menu since to me "bar menu" means super greasy food. Ordered the Lobster Mac N' Cheese, Calamari, Chorizo, and Poutine, and all were very very good. The drinks were decently priced, and also good. I would absolutely go here again and try their dinner.
(5)Joanie L.
Sat at the bar at Walter's, love the feel of the place. Just got a small plate of Thai meatballs that were very tasty. Too bad my first choice for dessert had run out but the sampler was pretty good. Nice service as things were winding down. Good choice of beer for my friend. My ginger cocktail was a little strong so we did some readjusting and it came out right. Menu looks great for a full meal.
(4)Joe A.
Great atmosphere, service, and food! That about sums it up. Ordered the seared scallops and essentially went to food heaven for the duration of that meal. Our waitress was exceptional, knowledgeable, and very helpful. A little pricey but well worth the experience when you're in Portland.
(4)Dave P.
Always fresh and always tasty.
(5)Andrew F.
Upon returning from the better part of a week in Bay area, I met friends for a drink and to catch up. One of them booked us a table at Walter's for dinner at 8:15. I hadn't been here for about a year when I had lunch with a friend after the holidays. Walter's is a nice, contemporary, relatively quite (compared to some) restaurant with comfortable seating, a good wait staff, and an appealing menu. Specials for this day were halibut and swordfish "joined" with sides that I can't remember now. I zeroed in on the sirloin on the menu - was having a real hankering for beef - and had a spinach and pear salad to start off. Serving sizes were moderate and by that I mean appropriately sized (it's unlikely you'll be leaving with a take-home box). My dinner companions had the specials. Walter's is a comfortable place to accommodate good conversation and enjoy and excellent meal.
(4)Julie T.
My husband and I had tried Walters a couple times in the past and we were not impressed....we decided after a year or two we would try it again....for lunch.... not excited. We found the menu boring and uninspired and the atmosphere a bit stuffy compared to many of the other options in Old Port. I will say we were seated right away and service was very good....just not a place I will return to.
(3)Karina J.
Horrible experience with restaurant management tonight! Will not be going back to Walters.
(1)Danielle M.
I am writing this review from a trip we took this past summer and I never got around to. I just had to find the time to let everyone know that this is a great dinner option in Portland. My husband and I have spent a few different weekends eating and drinking our way around Old Port and this is a favorite now! We made an 8pm reservation for a Friday night and were seated promptly. our server was friendly, attentive, and helpful. We started with the Dualing Spring Rolls and Romaine Stack and both were excellent. Husband had the haddock which was great and I had the Braised Short Ribs. They were delicious but I did think that the Patty Pan squash was too bitter for the dish. I never order dessert but I took one look at the menu and said " I must try the Flourless Chocolate Torte" and I am so glad I did. It had bruleed bananas and peanut butter gelato and they all tasted so good together. Our server was great about helping us find the perfect place to go out for drinks after! Go to Sonny's but eat at Walter's first!!
(5)Andy s.
I had the crabcake app...and scallops. Both were fantastic. Service was great. I will be back for sure
(4)Jarrett O.
Me and my wife were visiting from out of town and had a great night here. We had reservations and the hostess thankfully made sure to not sit us at an awkward table near the door and gave us a nice table. The decor was dark, but modern and inviting. The menu was interesting but not overly adventurous. We started with crab cakes and a brussel sprout salad, both of which were excellent. I got a moroccan style lamb dish that was tender and sweet/savory that I absolutely loved. My wife got a petit filet mignon that was perfectly done. We shared a flourless torte that was decadent. The service was top notch. Our server was great and timed the parts of our meal perfectly. We had a great experience at Walter's and raved about it the rest of the night.
(5)Pete B.
The food was great. Timing on service could be improved. Overall, our party of six enjoyed this experience.
(4)Suz L.
I was brought here by my attorney and was pleasantly surprised.
(4)Jeffrey F.
We always loved this restaurant when it was on Exchange Street, and we were a little nervous about it moving into a new space. Too often we have seen a restaurant move into bigger space and change its mood and style. The new Walter's location has not made this mistake. The feel has not changed. The style is simply enhanced. The food is good as ever. We have always enjoyed the lettuce wraps. Chowder is very good for being so far North of Boston. The Arancini (rice balls) are fantastic, although my wife noted the sauce was a little more sweet than she would have liked.
(5)Gina Z.
My absolute Favorite eatery. Great food and great venue!! Loving it since 1998!!
(5)Jessi H.
I celebrate my birthday and my mom's birthday at Walter's every year! We always start with the crisy asian ravioli and cracklin' calamari. The best calamari we've eaten anywhere! The hanger steak was cooked to perfection. And the dessert... wow... so amazing. We will continue our birthday dinner tradition here!
(5)Stomping S.
I have to admit, this place is excellent. I was looking for a local menu for my last meal, and this was not it, but I was pleasantly surprised regardless of the fact that the menu covered virtually every continent. I had the Sweet Potato & Corn Chowder followed by the Fish Tacos. These were some of the best fish tacos I've had; grilled not fried fish with light but very tasteful accompaniments. The chowder was exceptional as well. I was told by the concierge at our hotel that this was "the best lunch anywhere in Portland", and I think he might be right as long as you're willing to pay $10-20 plus tip. Recommended.
(5)T S.
I was visiting Portland and came here for lunch around Christmastime. I ordered the Portland Square Burger, and my boyfriend got the Steak Bomb. The burger was probably one of the best burgers I've ever had - it combined some very flavourful ingredients (smoked bacon, onions, boursin) and the end result was delicious, and not overwhelming in flavour at all. The brioche bun the burger was served on was great as well, always a great alternative to the traditional bun, My boyfriend enjoyed his Steak Bomb, but we both agreed that the burger was the highlight. The prices are not high at all, and the restaurant is spacious and nice looking on the inside. If I am ever back in Portland, I would definitely come back here again.
(5)Erin S.
Late dinner at Walters. Arrived at 7 and realized we were never going to get in - so made plans to come back at nine. We were promptly seated and between the two of us decided to split the special appetizer AND entree. We had a rabbit/pork cassoulet that was to die for. It melted in your mouth and was absolutely wonderful. We followed that with the salmon with orzo and quinoa which was perfectly cooked season and accompanied and I was in such a food heaven I did not even want dessert. (Obviously a travesty - as it was probably delicious.) Definitely a must-eat in Portland!
(5)Steff D.
As a vegetarian I pride myself on being able to successfully navigate my way around any menu. Walter's was a major challenge for me as their menu (from a vegetarian stand-point) was extremely bleak. The ONLY option I had, outside of asking the chef to create something specifically for me, was a cheese-walnut-butternut squash pasta dish. It was delicious, but VERY VERY RICH. One of the richest things I've ever eaten. The textures of the nuts, cheese, and squash were perfectly balanced, but the richness was slightly overwhelming (as in: I could feel my arteries clogging while eating it). The atmosphere was slightly too stuffy for me, the other customers came off a little too snobby for me, but the wait staff? Boy, did I have fun with the wait staff. Our waiter had a great sense of humor, despite never saying a word. I appreciated that most of all. If you're a swanky-loving, non-vegetarian, with deep pockets - you're probably gonna love it here. For the rest of us: good pizza places are right up the street.
(3)Katie B.
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants, I highly recommend the calamari and the ahi tuna. My family and I frequently visit Walters and the service is always fantastic, they have great drink menu and I love the classy but relaxing atmosphere.
(5)Eric D.
This many good reviews because the place deserves it. Not sure about the one-off poor ratings. I eat here all of the time and have yet to get a bad meal. I even order the specials often, so it's not because I don't try new things. One guy wrote that it isn't the same since it sold to new owners in 2007. Evidently he didn't know the chef bought it. Haha! Unusual and creative combinations - if it sounds good, try it - you won't be dissappointed!
(5)Gray W.
This is expensive (especially for Portant) but fabulous food. We were there for lunch as a party of 4 with my son being 12 and my mother being 75 and everyone plates were great. We will be back!
(5)Michael D.
My friend and I had the braised short ribs, although the portion was small the preparation was excellent. I have eaten here several times and i feel its one of the best in Portland, Maine.
(4)Sarah G.
It's hard to write this review, as even the memory of dining here is making me nauseous. I will revisit the pain because the yelp public deserves it. No one should go through the horrible experience my friends and I suffered through a few weeks ago, so I'll suck it up and share our story. When we arrived at Walter's, my three companions and I were at the point of starving where anything would taste good. I jumped on the bread basket (yay rosemary and oil!) and was greeted with cold, congealed grease and gooey bread. Next came the arugula salad, which must have offended the chef in some way, because s/he attacked it with an entire arsenal of dressing. What a crime. It's arugula, not iceberg lettuce! It has flavor of its own, but you would never have known that from this gloppy mess. Finally, the entrees. We had the vegetarian pasta, thai spaghetti and meatballs, ahi tuna, calamari and organic greens. You know you're in trouble when the fried calamari is the least greasy thing on the table. My husband ate some spaghetti and noticed his reflection in the bottom of the bowl - a huge vat of grease lay underneath the noodles. My own pasta was so slippery with oil that I had to stab it with a fork in order to get it into my mouth. Despite these atrocities, the cold, mealy pile of couscous that came with the tuna probably takes the prize of grossest thing on the table. Why didn't we leave? I really don't know. We were starving, and by this time it was 9:45 pm. Nothing is open in Portland at that time, and we are pretty adventurous with our palates, so we figured our stomachs could take a bit of a beating. WRONG! The four of us hobbled back up the hill to our hotel and groaned the whole way. I seriously contemplated seeing a shrink after eating this meal. Why would I force myself to eat so many disgusting dishes? Do I have low self esteem? Do we all hate ourselves? The pain lasted through noontime the next day, when we had banished the last memories of the terrible meal to the sewers of Portland. We agreed to never speak of this meal again, and it's only for you, curious diners, that I am breaking this vow of silence. Beware! Stay out! They murder food!
(1)David C.
Food was boring. My beet salad had flavorless overcooked beets, a little lettuce and feta. The crispy Asian ravioli had almost nothing inside the ravioli and was drowned in a way-over-the-top sweet and goopy orange sauce. My wife's Japanese salad had no flavor. Atmosphere is so different from the old location, which had great food and was so much more comfortable.
(1)Ron M.
Fabulous dinner at Walters. The next space has a clean, urban look. Each of us raved about the food- many good choices! Fish, steak, duck, etc. We noticed as we were leaving that they've opened an outside space in the back. Interesting new outdoor option to enjoy drinks with a sea breeze.
(5)David L.
We flew all the way from Kansas to have dinner at Walter's (seriously). The atmosphere was active but not too noisy to prevent great conversation. Our server Seanna was right on target with recommendations of the lobster gnocchi and the lamb loin special. We saved room for the bread pudding dessert which put a nice finishing touch on a delightful evening. I recommend Walter's whenever you're near Portland.
(5)Chris M.
Food excellent but this is an all evening event. Service is as slow as a restaurant in rural France. Crab cakes were fantastic - nice and spicy. Short ribs - exquisite. Never picked up a knife.
(4)Emily B.
I brought my mom who was visiting from out of town during restaurant week. This is another restaurant I was dying to try but can't usually afford. First of all, I would go just for their cocktails... the pear martini was smooth, and the mochatini was as rich as any dessert out there. We both got the buttercup bisque with crab, a no-brainier for us, and we were not disappointed. I got cod, and was jealous of my mom's lobster tail the while time. It had almost an Asian flare (must have been ginger,) which was an unexpected and extremely delicious surprise. As usual, I enjoyed dessert. Probably shouldn't have mixed the chocolate cake/ coffee gelato with the mochatini, but that was my call!
(4)Dennis U.
This is one of those restaurants where you pick up the menu and say, "I'll have one of everything"... Going there for lunch with friends I settled for the soup of the day and the calamari salad.. Both excellent chooses but I did have food envy for my companions meals. Meals are interestingly composed and nicely varied. I'll be back to try to work my way through that menu.
(4)Andrew D.
I should have checked yelp, first. We rolled into Portland on a whim last Friday, having to take care of some errands and a last minute decision to meet up with some family/friends for a drink (or three). As the night wore on, dinner called and we took the suggestion of family to go to Walter's. We called ahead to make sure there was some availability, as we didn't have reservations. There was a table for two in the bar, which was quickly reserved for us. Upon arriving, I was surprised at the ambiance--higher-end than I expected, with a taste of hotel lobby. The bar area (where seated) was more of the same--equally formal, with low lounge-like chairs. Our server came after a few minutes and presented the menus (both Bar and Dinner), but never introduced himself. More than ten minutes later, he returned. This would be the second of three visits our waiter made. My wife ordered a glass of wine, myself a beer. For a beer town, there was a very poor selection of local beers. Bummer. My wife skipped an appetizer, but I couldn't help myself--calamari called (suggested by my family). I ordered the app from the dinner menu (Cracklin' Calamari) and was very pleased--crispy, dusted with a sweet spice blend, topped with (a bit too much of) an aioli (lemon flavor was faint). Fried jalapenos tossed among the rings and tentacles. Ace. Dinner came some 20 minutes later, my wife having ordered a pork special, myself from the bar menu (steak and cake). Wife's pork was bacony, distinctively pork--but almost too dry to be enjoyed. My filet stacked on top of crab cake had wonderful individual components but failed at a couple of things: namely, the crystal sauce soup that it was sitting in. Waay too much sauce, too strong of a flavor. That portion of the cake that didn't get saturated with the sauce was great--as was the filet's texture (the flavor was okay, not particularly memorable). We skipped dessert, as we were disappointed in the service and wanted to move on. Had to ask the nearby bar tender to finalize our check, having lost our nameless waiter to some other portion of the restaurant. For the money, head somewhere else. Wish I could get the crab-cake and calamari in a more Portland-like atmosphere, complete with local beer. But maybe I'm not the demographic they are seeking out . . .
(2)N P.
Disappointing experience. Dinner on Saturday night. My friend ordered a lobster, and couldn't find hardly any lobster meat in his dish. I had the bistro burger and it was severely overpriced. Not coming back.
(3)Thomas L.
I ordered the petit filets rare and they ACTUALLY SERVED IT TO ME RARE. So exquisite and their wine list is very considered as well. If I lived in Portland this would be a weekly haunt for me.
(5)John S.
Expensive food check and expensive drinks check, mediocre quality check, but fine services and décor, 3 stars it is.
(3)Michael B.
I'm not a usual 5 star kinda guy but best calamari I've had. Drinks were great and both of our dinners were amazing. The atmosphere and waitress were a perfect march so we will be back.
(5)Lena B.
move over Boston hello Portland. wow, haven't had a meal this good in ages. food is seasonal, creative and fresh. service is superb. cocktails are tasty, strong, and reasonably priced. try the lobster gnocchi, forbidden shrimp, peaches salad, crispy Asian ravioli, and wash it down with a salty dog cocktail straight up. outstanding!
(5)Yelena S.
My family frequents Walter's for special days, e.i., birthdays, anniversaries, etc. We've been here numerous times, usually it's great but every now and then it can be underwhelming. They don't have the espresso martini on the cocktail menu anymore (which is lame because it was delicious), but if my sister and I bat our eyelashes the bartender is usually up to the task of making us a couple custom martinis. We always get several appetizers and split them among everyone at the table. The Japanese Caesar (sweet, spicy, and crunchy), spring rolls, bang isle mussels, crispy Asian ravioli, and cracklin' calamari (sweet and spicy and my first pick) are some of our favorites. I like the huge cushy chairs by the windows, we try to score a spot at one of those if there aren't too many of us. The atmosphere is nice, not too over the top but casual enough. Sometimes I feel as though the portions here are just way too small for the $$, and if your wallet is feeling a little on the thinner side then this place is definitely not your friend. Like I said, we come here for only special occasions, never for casual dining. Walter's back in the day on Exchange St. was wonderful, the new place doesn't have the same vibe to it. But I'll be back for some delicious calamari!
(4)Beatrice T.
I have dined here numerous times while in Portland. They have a good menu which is agreeable to most. My best friend always needs a chicken entree, which they always seems to have. There was once a chicken under a brick, which was quite good for something which doesn't sound very exciting. I have had duck, short ribs, and steak. Lobster mac is always a good option. All great. I have met here with friends for dinner, and with family as well. I have not dined here alone, but the bar is a comfortable dining space for anyone solo.
(4)David Y.
Unfortunately this place was less than impressive after spending a weekend eating steamed lobster and mountains of fried seafood across different Maine wharves. It was almost unfair to compare the two but I also considered the restaurant's service which was ok but not outstanding compared to other fine dining establishments. One of the biggest disappointments was when 3 of the group including me ordered the Lobster gnocchi entree and they ran out (only had enough for 2 orders). How can any Maine restaurant run out of lobster?!?! Another bummer was when the lobster gnocchi did finally come out, there was BARELY any lobster in it. I was the one that sacrificed and opted for a different entree and so glad that I did. Seems like they had enough lobster meat for 1 more order but they did a poor job of stretching it into 2 orders. Just speculation but if it was true, shame on Walters! Anyway, we shouldn't of had such expectations since we came here because the wait time at the other restaurants was too long. Guess we deserved this since we didn't plan ahead. Woe, is me (us).
(2)B M.
Food ok. Was closing up at 10 on weekend. What got me was after our snacks (ok at best and the dessert was overpriced and awful) Myself and some buddies left the restaurant the owner ran after us and asked why we had only left a $3 tip. None of us knew what she was talking about but went back inside to clear it up....turns out the waiter was confused...but still his math didn't add up from change we left from a 50....so I don't know what his problem was. Who chases down their customers after they leave the restaurant.??? Get some class. She apologized...but damage done. Wrongfully humiliated on the streets of Portland. Our big spender friend from Los Angeles was furious and will never drop his cash..nor will we at this place again. Much better options right up the street lady!!!!
(1)Patrick L.
I really can't say enough about this place. My mom has a home in Kennebunkport and the family is in town for a bit. I took my mom there for dinner. It is my first time dining here. I have friends that tell me to try it. But I have held out. I always get a tad nervous trying a new place. Time is valuable to me as I am always at work or busy. So when I go out. I want a guaranteed good meal and a great time. What a home run this place was. Shawna our server took excellent care of us. She is a true asset to this restaurant. Every suggestion and comment was perfect. She was professional and made the night great. We started off with the ravioli app. Which I guess has been on the menu for decades. Get the ravioli. It's to die for. We each had salads. My wedge was awesome. And we both had entrees of the "forbidden shrimp" and the Ahi tuna. Both were some of the best we have had. My only issue and it wasn't with Walters was parking. You had to pre pay before you got validated. And it was cash only at this lot. Didn't make any sense to me. They give you cash back at the table? Kinda dumb. They should work out a better deal with that lot. And what's wrong with valet? Not many around here do that it looks like. Ca'mon hipster mainers-you too can have your car parked by someone. It's fun. Try it. My mom who has the summer home here and loves Maine said it is hands down her best meal in Maine. I would agree. Best meal in Maine. The atmosphere was wonderful. The wine was great. Food was outstanding. Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)Susan L.
Have eaten lunch at Walters many times, but was lured to dinner during restaurant week by their menu. Wow, they really pulled out all the stops for this week. We had a wonderful dinner. For apps we had butternut soup, and the thai curry chicken in lettuce wrap. Both were delicious. For entrees we both had the roasted flounder, with charred shishito rice and baby toy mui. Flounder was fresh, moist and perfectly cooked. The "baby toy mui" tasted just like baby bok choy to me, and white part of it added a nice crunch to the dish. Oh, the desserts were sooo good. I had the salted caramel creme brulee with fresh berries (raspberry and blackberry) - the fruit was a wonderful compliment to the custard, and the caramelized crust had just the right about of crispness - fabulous! DH had the dark choc tart, which was likewise very good, but I liked my brulee much better (altho he disagreed, and was glad he chose the tart). We will definitely be back, I hope that brulee reappears on their regular menu.
(5)D B.
My wife and I decided to see if we could get in for dinner last Saturday at the last minute. Fortunately for us there was a table in what looked to be an otherwise full house and we were seated almost immediately. Neither of us had been to Walter's since it moved a while back, and we were both quite pleased we decided to do so. Just about everything hit the spot from the bread through dessert. I started with a salad, I forget the name but it had bacon, blue cheese and arugula. I was happy to see a very nice looking salad delivered to the table that tasted as good as it looked. Nothing sucks more than ordering an $8-$10 salad and having a tiny plate of bland greens show up. That didn't happen at Walters. I ordered the filet which came as two small filets and included a side of lobster mac and cheese. Pleased to report that both of these items were delicious. My wife had Gnocchi with mushrooms and other tasty goodness. I would have been just as happy eating her dish. For desert I had the chocolate olive oil cake. I don't often get dessert, but tend to head for something chocolate when I do. The cake was not over powering, was moist and encased in a hard chocolate shell/frosting. My wife had gelato of some sort, but the flavor seems to have escaped my memory, but there wasn't any left when we walked out. Service was great throughout the meal.
(5)Edward B.
Walter's has a nice decor; there is a restaurant section as well as a bar area, making it a good place for dinner parties, or small groups looking for drinks an appetizers. I had the "Hearts of Palm" and the Torchio pasta, both were very good, well presented, but the emphasis is on quality over quantity - don't think that you'll get a huge bowl of pasta as in other establishments. I would definitely return to try out some of their appetizers or main courses
(4)Barry C.
We stopped in to check out the place and can only say that the snobby welcome we got was enough to have us walk right out. I looked at the wine list and saw very expensive wines - many over $100 - without a vintage year. How can a fine dining establishment put together a wine list without vintages and have the gall to charge someone 3-4 times retail for the wines? I expect this at a sports bar, not fine dining. When I asked the hotess about the wine list she said that the wines change rapidly so they can't keep it up to date. In the 21st century of word processing and laser printers, I find this excuse just plain lame. Portland has more than enough good places to go that I think I will forever give this one a miss.
(1)Robert W.
Our go to top restaurant in Portland. Never fails R Whitney. Pownal Maine 4/24
(5)Mike F.
Yet again, my wife and I had an outstanding meal at Walter's. We were greeted by a very friendly host, seated at the bar, and our table was ready long before our reservation time, even though it was busy. The food was artistically presented, perfectly prepared, and our server was friendly, funny, and struck the perfect balance between being there when we needed him and disappearing when we didn't. Walter's has never failed to impress us on every level.
(5)Missy S.
Walters is an amazingly yummy place, every time I would be served, I would feel like there was a 'party on my plate' because they just garnish it so amazingly, it just makes you all that much more excited! You know what you are about to eat is going to be a true treat for your palate! They truly know that you eat with your eyes first, before you ever taste the food! And oh, their food is sooo fantastic! I have turned many people onto Walters over the years. My fave was always a chicken and creamy pasta dish, that is similar to the Milano. I do not see it on the current menu, but then again, there are so many yummy things on the menu. They keep up with the trends and are very relevant in the culinary world! And their waitstaff is always so sweet and fun! They definitely all have wonderful personalities, they love their jobs and it shows! This place has now been in business for 20 yrs, and I've been going there since 1993. Have never had a disappointing experience. I am sad that I no longer live close enough to just run in there whenever I feel like it!
(5)Jeff C.
Just like Holly M's review, I was not expecting truly fine cuisine in Portland Maine. The hotel recommended Walter's and based on the yelp reviews, we booked a dinner over Columbus weekend. What we found is a very big city style, multi level, restaurant that would be a big hit in New York or my home area of Orange County, CA. We started with the Indian flat bread which was good but not outstanding. My wife and I ordered specials for the entree. She had sea bass with a horseradish, herb cumin sauce and I had the halibut with brown butter celeriac puree with pumpkin and corn. Both were outstanding. The sauces were flavorful but subdued and didn't overwhelm the fish. Mine made the halibut fit perfectly for the fall season. Our waiter several times touted the apple pie cheesecake. We took the hint and he was spot on. A light cheesecake with a apple pie layer just above the sublime graham cracker crust with a hint of cinnamon and plated with a drizzling of caramel and creme fresh. Paired with a Moscato d'Asti, it was a wonderful way to finish a vacation to New England. Portland's Commercial street area has a lot to offer in bars and restaurants. Please make sure you find time for Walter's, you will be rewarded with a wonderful meal.
(4)j v.
Walters was purchased a few years back and was never the same. My last three meals there I could not eat. This went from my favorite to the worst. I took my company here for our Christmas dinner. I did not eat my food. I then took my family here for another Christmas dinner as well as a lunch the week before. I could not eat my food (why use olives in everything?) As you can see I was the biggest fan of Walter's. Once the new owners bought it they changed many dishes. The once great calamari was changed to something so salty it was not edible.
(1)Michelle H.
The food here was amazing! The Bison empanadas were sooooo good, and so spicy :) Crabcakes were good, raviolis, lobster mac-n-cheese, filet mignon, peanut butter gelato, ricotta cheesecake and even the bread is good. Def recommend eating here!
(4)Mike S.
This restaurant has NEVER disappointed us!!! Recently visited them at their new location and was very impressed by their Winter 2010 menu. Old favorites from the previous location are preserved as well as some new fare. My wife and I started with the Asian ravioli and a caesar salad. The ravioli was outstanding but the salad was the only thing that we have ever ordered there that we found disappointing. While it was acceptable, compared to the other flavorful and creative items on the menu it just seemed flat and not particularly creative. Fortunately our entrees, the filets w/ lobster mac + cheese, and lobster pasta were outstanding. Our desserts, the creme brulee and guiness cheesecake (my hands down favorite) were outstanding. We were very surprised to read a negative review about this fine establishment from Sarah G. because our experience there on multiple occasions has consistently been outstanding both in terms of food and service. We always recommend this restaurant to family and friends. It seems obvious but I definitely would not take a small child here.
(5)b W.
A very nice place. Everything we tried was very well presented and delicious. My wife had the Halibut, the tomato artichoke soup from the specials menu. I had the Milano w/ shrimp and the organic field salad - both off the house menu. Our meals were very good. Walters was the dinning standard we held other restaurants to for the rest of the weekend as we made our way up to Camden.
(4)A. K.
Pretty place with lovely windows all around. The bartender is quite accommodating, and they have a nice selection of wines. The mushroom side was good--only had to add salt and pepper. The egg rolls were good but a small portion. My partner liked the chicken under a brick. I thought it was a bit dry until I covered it with the delicious feta it came with. The waitress was sweet, but they sides came a good 5-7 minutes after the main came. I loved the bread with the fresh pepper. Would I go back? Yes. But it was expensive for Portland because in order to be filled we need to order a side each plus the appetizer and the main.
(4)Joshua R.
10$ calamari that will knock your socks off and make you question your religion!
(5)Tom W.
Walter's was somewhat of a surprise. In this foodie town, Walter's is just a block off the main foodie area. Just offseason as well, we sat in the bar area, which was quiet, relaxing and comfortable. The specials were quite interesting and the menu too was filled with dishes of unusual combinations. The lobster and vanilla bean soup was excellent and the lobster special was also top notch. The duck too was cooked perfectly. My only complaint was that the food needed to be hotter. It was luke-warm at best - a shame since the flavors were complex and excellent - even at that temperature. Our fault to some extent for not sending it back to be heated, but it was still good as it was. Next time, back it goes if it's not heated through. Even with this issue, we'd go back for another round.
(3)Joe R.
Loved this place. It was a perfect place to bring family after a busy holiday weekend. The food was reasonably priced ($12 ish) and really tasty. We had fish tacos, rachel, and tortilla soup. Everyone stated it was exactly what we were looking for. And the waitress was one of the better ones I have had in Portland. She knew how to read us. 2 things we all questioned. The atmosphere felt like a Marriott/Westin restaurant. No warmth what so ever. And the music. Horrible. It was elevator music to the tenth. All in all. One of the better lunches in Portland. I would think it would be perfect to have a business lunch there.
(3)Troy L.
Went for dinner. Solid food, but I'm a staff guy.. The host was bored at best, odd at worst. Mostly odd. Our waiter was a bit awkward, but made up for it on occasion by being a jerk. Sorry, there's too much good food in this town to be dropping 3 figures and dealing with that. Also, I agree with the other reviews as per the wretched music and upscale hotel restaurant decor. Might be better on another go, but who has the time?
(3)Sarah C.
This was my go to place for dates in college. Originally I went to Perfettos but we found that this place is just as good if not better. I loved that they incorporate alot of Maine seafood into their dishes and they don't dumb it down. If you have parents visiting you at Bowdoin then its a nice alternative to restaurants in Freeport.
(4)Becca D.
Me and my mom were visiting Portland when we came across this place. Right before we ate here, we visited the Portland Museum of Art for almost two hours, and both found ourselves to be famished. Right when we arrived, we were offered outdoor seating (I don't get why it says there's no outdoor seating on Yelp) and were served drinks quickly. The seating is a bit odd (you wouldn't guess it's seating for a restaurant), but it works fine. My mom ordered a Cobb salad with grape dressing and shrimp. She loved the dressing especially (homemade?), and was quite pleased with the rest of the salad. I ordered the Village Greek Salad with grilled chicken breast and lemon vinaigrette dressing, and LOVED it. When it was first served to me, I didn't expect it to be as big and as pleasingly filling as it was. The feta cheese came on top of the salad in three large blocks, which I had to cut up and mix around the salad aggravatedly. I mean come on, who wants to eat huge chunks of cheese by themselves on a salad? The dressing was mild and not as zesty as I expected, but worked perfectly with the salad. The rest of the salad was perfectly satisfying. We will definitely be trying this place again soon, when we come back to Portland.
(4)James C.
Great experience! And, no need to worry about street parking with a huge parking lot one half block away with validated parking. A party of six, we had the calamari starter which was light and unique! Broccoli salad and Japanese Caesar salad were terrific. Entrees: Salmon special, seafood stew, and halibut were extra special. Wine was a moderate $33 for a white chard. Shared deserts of caramel/chocolate cake and key lime pie were the best. Would we go back. YOU BET. Bon appetit!
(5)Alex Y.
Best corn chowder we've ever head!
(5)Peter B.
Walter's was eh. Visited Walter's while visiting Portland last week. Positives: Beer served in a chilled glass, swordfish and accompanying oyster mushrooms cooked to perfection. Areas for improvement: Decor felt like a Westin Hotel lobby, Host was odd, sworfish steak was about 1/2" thick, and vegetarian pasta was flavorless. When asked about the chef's specialties and to describe the items the chef takes particular pride in, server didn't have much to say - basically said "everything is good" - would have preferred more guidance, or an indication of what Walter's prides itself on. In the balance, good food but definitely not worth the price.
(3)R S.
First time at Walter's tonight for restaurant week. We both had the asian raviolis for starters and they were so delicious. Three LARGE raviolis in a warming, slightly hot sauce (I dont do spicy and I loved this so it really wasnt overwhelming). For an entree I had the lobster three ways: grilled tail, knuckle fritters, and bisque. My favorite of the trio was definitely the grilled tail (normally I find tail meat too tough but this was tasty). The bisque was a little alcoholic tasting. He had the steak frites. It was a simple dish; the steak was cooked perfectly and the chipotle ketchup brought the heat (apparently... I did not eat it). For dessert, I had the chocolate souffle tort which was ungodly rich and chocolatey with a small scoop of peanut butter gelato, tasty but I didnt eat the whole thing b/c it's so rich. He had some kind of ice cream cookie sandwich and called it "ill conceived" because the cookies were very dense and the gelato between the cookies made them kind of slippery as it melted quickly. The server and busers were great - timely, polite, friendly and the atmosphere was cozy. All in all we really enjoyed it and I'd say the highlight was the raviolis.
(4)Liem L.
i've been back 4 times now and have to say the food is very very good. it has become one of my favorite places in town.
(5)Jessica S.
Everything was pretty good as I have expected... But the scallops were just way too too too salty to a point that I just couldn't eat it. We were in a hurry so I didn't have time to get a new plate/explain to them that their scallops are uneatable. I would go again but never ever order scallops unless you want to overdose on salt.
(2)Michal R.
awesome awesome awesome. do not miss this spot if you go to Portland, Maine. the menu is very special. the braised short rib might be the best I have ever ever ever ever ever eaten. I have referred friends/coworkers here since and none have been disappointed. the place seems small. maybe there was an upstairs??? regardless, it was intimate but comfortable. It is a perfect spot for a romantic night, a small group or dining a lone. the service was nice and attentive. I can't wait to go back....in four weeks...my next visit to Portland, ME. I may eat here every night.
(5)Ryan C.
If we are going to go out for a special dinner, we go here. The food and service are always excellent, it took me a while to realize just how good it was. Very creative menu for vegetarians - I usually go with one of the seafood dishes, the crab griddled haddock was excellent, so are the mussels. They will usually have a couple of really creative specials up on the wall as well.
(5)Chris B.
My wife and I had a really nice meal here. My entree was outstanding with giant, perfectly cooked scallops and well chosen accompaniments to garnish the dish.Beth's risotto cake and wild mushroom ragu 'bowl' was also very tasty. Our two sides, bok choy with adzuki beans, and another of assorted cooked beets, were delicately seasoned which allowed the veggies to shine. Service, including our phone inquiry, our greeting at the door, the 'bus' help, and our waitress, Kilah, was cheerful and efficient. The only qualm I had with the meal was that I thought that there could have been a bit more romaine on the ceasar. That's an issue for me because I'm a "big eater". However, by the time we finished our entrees and sides we were content with no 'room' for dessert (which we often do enjoy). The room was a bit loud but, what restaurant isn't during peak hours? maybe one with lousy food or 'grandpa/ma' ambiance? More than one other reviewer has panned the decor as having a sort of a generic hotel lobby appearance; they make a valid argument but, given the site the planners had to work with, a glass cube, I think they did O.K. . I say that if there is a hotel serving food like this in their lobby I want to know about it and I pray the exercise room is on the same level. The cost, before tipping, for 1 salad, 2 entrees, 2 sides, 1 beer, 1 cocktail, 2 glasses of wine with tax was about $95-100.
(5)Erik S.
Walter's was good food but overpriced and a bit cramped. I had the halibut special with a lobster based sauce and crepes. Each part of the dish was quite good individually, but it didn't quite all go together. I also felt cramped the whole time I was there. The service was good, but for $80 I could get amazing food with amazing service at Jardiniere in SF, and this isn't that good. In a town that has tons of food, I will try other places before I come back here.
(4)Holly M.
Portland Maine is not where I would go to eat gourmet avante garde foods. It just isn't. Walters has changed my mind considerably. When I walked up, I initially thought it was a pizza place. It has tiled white walls and has an open airy feel to it. Some of the tables are wood, and some are marble. Very cool and monochromatic. The simple open atmosphere was quite nice and relaxing though it seemed a bit noisy on the first floor. We decided to sit upstairs. Servers that led us upstairs to our table were super sweet and polite. I was happily surprised when I opened the menu and wine list to find them both quite extensive and varied. The menu curry infused lobster bake, oxtail appetizers, and steamed mussels with onion. I marveled at the menu descriptions and enjoyed our wine selection. Service was very good from start to finish and I would definitely come back again.
(5)Glen R.
Had a fantastic dinner at their new location, which will surely be a hit in the Portland food scene. Everything was wonderful from the atmosphere to the service and the food. I highly suggest the lamb lollypops.
(5)Sanford F.
We ate there the other night. It was terrific! Not real expensive, but very good.
(4)laila k.
Best food in Portland, many choices always good, been there six times this summer and every time was great. Excellent service and lovely atmosphere.
(5)