Shepherd’s Pie
18 Central St, Rockport, ME, 04856
Shepherd’s Pie Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Rockport for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Rockport for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Rockport for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
18 Central St
Rockport, ME, 04856 - Phone (207) 236-8500
- Website https://www.shepherdspierockport.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Rex M.
Best place on the mid-coast! Great service and the menu is solid. Cocktails are also fantastic. The open kitchen is welcoming and the vibe of the whole place is very cool. I've eaten there many times and I always leave thinking "yup, the is the spot!" The Duck PB & J is outta this world!
(4)Steve S.
We really enjoyed our meal here. It was apparent why they were nominated for a James Beard award in their first year. We tried a lot of different items on the menu and it was all exceptional. The only issue was the grilled fish we ordered - it was completely raw on the inside. Whoever was cooking the fish that night was not on their game. Rookie mistake. But someone whose not a rookie should have caught the mistake before it got to out table. The fish looked beautifully grilled/cooked, but as soon as we opened it up - well it was just plain raw. I can see this happening at a place not so high end, but it shouldn't happen at such a steller restaurant like this one.
(4)Min C.
This place has amazing food!! We were shocked at the diversity of the menu and flavors offered at this gem in this cozy Maine town. I guess we shouldn't have been surprised, as it was recommended to us by locals. We shared a pork belly sandwich, oysters, and clam tacos. The oysters had a nice spice to them, the tacos had great guacamole, and the sauce on the pork belly sandwich was super tasty... all unique but not over powering flavor. I would go back in a heartbeat!
(5)Lizzie F.
We ate here - partly on a hungry whim and partly because of yelp reviews - on vacation this week. It was a nice break from tourist fare, and had the feel of a neighborhood favorite. I had the maple old fashioned, spicy crispy parsnips, and the lime mussels. The mussels themselves were not the best I've had, but the sauce was a divine lime and cedar butter. My husband had the namesake shepard's pie. It was tasty and sophisticated. Overall, this was a solid, good meal. It wasn't "best ever" and it was a little pricey, but it was perfect for what we wanted. Also good: casual dress seemed fine - important for vacation packers.
(3)Emily G.
The boyfriend and I were vacationing in Northport Maine when friends of ours recommended Shephard's Pie. The atmosphere is a perfect combination of rustic and contemporary and you can get anything from pickled eggs and a 40oz of PBR to an organic cheeseburger and wood roast duck and pears. I had fried chicken and mac and cheese (locally grown chicken) and the bf had a pork belly sandwich and mashed potatoes. Both meals were a. super tasty and b. super large portions. I brought my chicken and mac and cheese home with me but the bf couldnt' resist finishing everything on his plate. The wait staff were very attentive and pleasant.
(4)David B.
There's no denying Shepherd's Pie is fun, lively, a place to meet and greet and throw air kisses around the room as if anyone is watching. The food is good too, simple bistro fare and a back table will not only get you away from the noisy crush up front but afford a great view of the Rockport harbor. But one thing sticks in my craw: how on earth can this joint not take reservations, how can it keep expecting patrons to show up and be told it'll be at least a half hour wait and why don't you stand around looking stupid or maybe walk around the village. There is a pretty public garden and the harbor below but what if it's raining or you've done this scene before. Listen up, bossman; your popular restaurant Francine Bistro in Camden takes reservations, have a conversation with yourself and extend the policy to Shepherd's Pie.
(3)Chuck Z.
I had a great meal with my mother last night, I was also pleased to see they sold PBR only in 40 oz bottle form, (Well done!) and being from the midwest was happy to order and finish the entire thing. I would have drank out of the bottle had I not been with my mother. Our server Nick was an absolute delight, very attentive and had answers to almost all of our questions. I love open kitchens and have worked in a few myself. The kitchen staff can interact with customers and the food they produced was great. I ordered the Hanger steak seasoned very well and the red wine vinaigrette really went well with it. We also ordered the Chicken wings and Heaven sauce, which was heavenly with a bit of a kick! My mother got the Chorizo with Red pepper mustard which she loved and I tried and couldn't agree more. Overall, we had a great experience and being on my vacation will attempt to go back before I leave. My applause to the entire staff. Great work.
(4)A P.
Really, just egregiously bad service. The food was okay, though not a great value (5 oysters out of the shell for $17). The service was highly distracting from food that otherwise would have been fine. However, we ate at the bar and witnessed a number of other guests trying to wave down the (not busy) bartender to get another glass of wine, place an order for food, etc.. One couple sat with the previous guest's dirty dishes in front of them for 10 minutes before even being acknowledged. I was pissed on their behalf. The timing was bizarre and arbitrary. We watched another group of guests at the bar arrive, order bottles of wine and food, receive food, eat, and pay by the time we received our first drink. We had to order water twice, and I am happy I asked for the check when my drink was still 3/4 full since it took so long to get it. One bartender was distractedly running back and forth, and the other avoided eye contact and seemed to ignore guests altogether while pretending to wash dishes. It didn't make sense! Really wanted to love this place that we heard was one of the area's best. But it just pissed us off and was a really bad value for what we received.
(1)Kathleen M.
Controlling waitress. Things will be done her way. I am allergic to garlic. A hard allergy. 99.9999% of the time I ask the kitchen to recommend something. But no, she is in charge. What do I want, chicken, run to kitchen, no you can't have that. Burger, run to kitchen, no you can't have that. Spinach, run to kitchen, no you can't have that. Oh God, just give me a plate of lettuce, with no dressing. Can you do that? Yes. One of the more interesting new restaurants in the Camden area and I am having plain lettuce because of a bossy waitress with attitude. I am certain that if she had just asked the chef to decide he (and it was a he, not a she) would have found something.
(2)Lar S.
Shepherd's Pie is a don't miss spot on the midcoast. Sure, it's a bit out of the way. Fine, there's not much else to do in Rockport (except look at the Andre the Seal statue), Okay, it's pricey. So what? This place is totally worth it. From the chicken liver mousse to the roasted oysters to the mac and cheese to the special drinks and great desserts, everything's top notch (only glitch: a not-too-engaging bartender). Don't forget to use the loo.
(5)Cindy P.
We would wait in line to eat here! Unique menu served with pleasure and sincerity, prepared fresh and expertly. A fun food experience. Can't wait to return.
(5)Vanessa V.
Best meal we've had in a long time. The brussel sprouts, wood grilled chicken, salad, and wings were all absolutely wonderful. Even though we had to wait hours for a table on a busy summer night, it was totally worth it and I'd do it again anytime.
(5)Jim P.
Had dinner here with another couple. Everyone enjoyed the food immensely. I had a scallop and pork shishkabob dinner that was to die for! Desserts (Strawber
(5)Chira V.
amazing service! and it had a duck pb+j burger, that was very tasty. this is a little slice of foodie on the coast. i wish i would have written my review sooner as i have forgetton the cocktail i had but it was also on point.
(4)Pam B.
We always look forward to having some of our best meals here.please,don't miss the grilled Halibut.We have NEVER EVER had it cooked this good.its lightly charred with strips of lemon as well as lemon segments,then covered with those wonderful fresh herbs.Crispy sage,thyme,anda bay leaf right on top.it was so good with a brown butter sauce.my husband had his with olive oil since he has to be heart healthy and said his was just as good.So ,take your choice.i also had mussels which were roasted with lime,butter, and cedar branches .also yummy.i only wish they would take reservations so I could eat later than 5:30pm.If you don't want to wait in line,you have to be here before 6:00 pm.
(5)T G.
When in Rome, get the Sheperd's Pie. Food was very good, service was fast, and the wait-person very attentive, but not pushy. The place is VERY loud so be prepared. Like most of Maine they dont take AMEX. No reservations wasnt a factor even on a busy Columbus Day weekend. Rumor has it the owner has a more upscale place up the road in Camden if your looking for something more formal, and where reservations are probally required.
(4)Brian F.
I am surprised by some of the negative reviews. My experience was nothing but a positive one. Shepherd's Pie was recommended by some folks in Maine who loved the french fries. We went but didn't try the fries. Instead, I had the chicken liver, which was incredible and indulgent. My wife tried the cheese plate, which was also very good and farm fresh. I also ordered a pork steak that was in a thai style sauce and my wife ordered the fish tacos. Both were very, very good and well prepared. The cocktails are creative and refreshing and the staff is ever-ready to offer recommendations to first-timers. We loved the food so much that we went back again the same week. We ordered too much food so we could try different things and we were it disappointed. We will definitely visit again.
(5)Caitlin L.
A local chef recommended Shepherd's Pie to us in passing. And when a chef recommends someplace, you go! As a vegetarian, I'll admit that I was skeptical going in. The menu was short and a cursory review revealed no vegetarian main course options, which always irks me. I begrudgingly ordered the vegetarian plate, their token vegetarian option, which is made up of your choice of various side options. I prepared to be underwhelmed but quite the opposite happened. Each of the sides were simply made, clearly highlighting the available local seasonal produce, but bursting with flavor. The tasty cocktails and social bar scene were added bonuses. Easily one of the best meals I've ever had. Ps. Be sure to check out the view from the bathroom :)
(5)Nev H.
One of the best restaurants in Camden/Rockport area. The menu has recognizable dishes like shepherds pie and fish tacos, onion rings but always with a fashionable twist. Also has very inventive, fine dining type options too--something for everyone. Even my picky 5 year old devours the house mac and cheese--although having said that, this is not a "family" restaurant. Great house wines and wine list too. Hip, vibrant yet warm/inviting atmosphere, (if not a bit loud sometimes). Expect a wait after 6pm or so on most nights. Very fun to sit at bar or a table in the (more quiet) back and watch the open kitchen staff work their magic. Update...I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5...last few times I have been there the food has been consistently over salted and not as expertly prepared as in the past. And I am a salt fan...so this means it's really, really salty. Plus, they seem to have slowly but most definitely raised their prices. I understand this might have been a correction--but, if you are going to raise prices (and start to take reservations)--the food better stay on par or even be better--and I have not found that to be the case. I had to remove a star. Still a great spot though!! It's the hot spot! Order a Campari Margarita and take in all the preppy, hip local color.
(4)Joolz M.
The views from this lovely restaurant are almost as great as the food! The renovations of this former General Store complement its history and new use beautifully. The open kitchen keeps all guests entertained and mesmerized as they churn out beautifully crafted and tasty food. Most ingredients are seasonal and therefore fresh and delicious. I had small plates and the stand out was definitely the corn chowder and a wonderful green bean dish. The macaroni and cheese is tasty, but I've had better. Also, I suspect there is some sort of ham in it, so be sure to ask the waiter if you don't dine on swine. This is a small restaurant and they don't take reservations so arrive early UNLESS you have some free time to stand in line. We arrived slightly before 5pm and were third in line. (Call ahead to check the opening time to be sure.) *SIDENOTE--You won't want to leave the bathroom because the views are so gorgeous! Also, the view from the bathroom led me to discover that there is parking in the rear of the building, which is impossible to know unless you're a local.* I loved my meal here but have to say that it was slightly tarnished by my incredible meal the night before at Primo, which is pretty much impossible to beat, thus the four stars. Also, our food ended up taking forever due to a kitchen snafu, which I understand can invariably happen. Still, I had an unforgettable experience here. Whether you're a local or a tourist, be sure to check out this wonderful restaurant!!
(4)Megan C.
LOVE this place! Excellent special cocktails, great menu, beautiful room. Everything we had was outstanding. The Fried Chicken was incredible. My 3 kids (5, 7 & 10) even like this place. They like the chicken wings, the fried chicken, the chicken liver spread, the mussel special and the grilled bread. Excellent and friendly service. Check out the bathroom for one of the prettiest views in Maine and a sparkly surprise! Highly recommend!
(5)Kathleen F.
I LOVE SHEPHERDS PIE! Best place in and around town. They have extremely delicious cocktails and a great menu! The shepherds pie is to die for...as well as the crab ceviche, curry fries and white grits! If you want a spunky cocktail - the rosemary lemon drop is killer. Excellent service all the time and a more than friendly staff. The manager takes time to know his customers and that is something you don't find many places. The bar is great and the atmosphere makes you feel like you are in NYC. Dim lighting and hip folks.
(5)danielle g.
my man friend and i were in maine for 1.5 days and chose this as our 1 dinner. oh. my. god. we were so happy with our choice from the moment we walked in. so nice to not be stepping into a buoy, lobster claw, anchor decorated tourist trap! the place was dark and buzzin. we chose to sit at the bar and our bartender a lovely lady who had reccently moved back into the area could not have been any more pleasent! the food was great. just grreaat. we had the ceviche, fish tacos, and i had the skirt steak special. not to mention quite a few delicious cocktails. i would happily go back to maine just to eat at shepards pie!
(5)Chris C.
Stopped by on a Saturday night in July at 830pm. Had no problem seating a table of four. Waitstaff was attentive, refilling water several times and bringing fresh cocktails/beers promptly. Rock crab ceviche with saltines was superb. I wanted to ask for an entree sized serving after sharing the appetizer with my group. Baby back ribs were cooked perfectly and had the most amazing rub (nutmeg, cinnamon, paprika, cayenne, etc), as opposed to bbq sauce. Side of Mac and Cheese was VERY rich, yet impossible to put down! Large portion would probably be an entree for most. Pork belly sandwich had been prepared perfectly; the pork melted in my mouth. Saw the duck hot dogs on the menu and didn't think much of it; when seeing them brought to another table I'd wished I ordered it, looked great. Nice space in renovated storefront, high ceilings, rustic wood tables, a few harbor view seats in the back. Open kitchen allows for some spectating during your meal. Can't wait to return!
(4)Lori S.
Disappointing...menu is ala crate and pricey. Not a lot of room, can hear everyone's conversation.
(2)Phoebe C.
Great find. We stumbled on this place and were not disappointed. It wasn't too loud despite other reviews although it was only a Monday night. Great selection of local brews and a tasty menu. I had a tough time deciding what to order. We went with the cedar mussels to start, which are not to be missed. Boyfriend went with the duck sandwich, which is a savory take on PB&J--I kid you not. It was wood fired grilled duck layered with jerk peanut butter, red onions, and spicy jelly on a toasted brioche. Our waiter called it a "pad thai" inspired sandwich. It was finger-licking, sticky goodness. It came with sagey awesome fries. I went with the chicken noodle soup infused with ginger, which had asian notes and a dark broth. Delicious. Went with the bread pudding for dessert and rolled out of there supremely happy.
(5)Nick F.
Best place I have been in the area. Travel monthly to Belfast and make the drive to eat here
(4)Miss Otis R.
loved the ambience of this place. tall ceilings, open kitchen, cool vibe. we started with a crispy potato cake cooked in duck fat and a lettuces, fennel and shallot-dressed salad. The potato cake seemed to utilize their salty, buttermilk potatoes. It was good, but a bit on the heavy side. The salad was a spring evening in a bowl - light, crisp, delicate hints of fennel, and adorned with one perfect radish, halved. For dinner my companion got the Pemiquid mussels. I don't eat mussels, but he said they were a revelation - large and plump but with a most delightful, soft texture. I won't tell you what he compared them to, as this is a family site. I got the local beef cheeseburger with purple mustard, and subbed out my fries for the buttermilk mashed potatoes. The burger was amazing, the mustard gave it such a high note (and this from a huge ketchup fan), and the spuds arrived with a lump of butter and a nice twist of fresh ground pepper. They were hot and tangy, a little on the salty side, but good. We finished up with the cardamon-spiced angel food cake and their version of key lime tart. I had the key lime and was glad I did. It was outstanding. Neither one of us was over the top with the angel food cake. would love to work my way through their innovative menu. and yes, great views from the bathroom.
(4)Sean R.
Well, we were so impressed with Francine's in Camden we were urged to go here as well. And that tip definitely paid off because we had another amazing meal. It seems that the quality of the food in Maine is much better than Boston now. The scallops with fried capers, kefir lime leaves and browned butter was one of the best scallop dishes I have ever had the pleasure to have. The chicken wings had a spicy sauce with a fermented, tangy taste--again, probably some of the best wings I've ever ingested. And the bartender was super cool (what's with these old, cool bartenders up here in Maine??? Maybe I should go back to bartending in 30 yrs and come back and work up here). The perfect location too--situated right on a cliff overlooking Rockport Harbor. The interior is very stark and woody--which I love. Not too bright, not too cheesy....let the food and the location be the focus. We're coming back here too.
(5)Gertie O.
Great interesting food. Definitely worth eating here! Casual bar environment but not loud-- more like a pub, cozy and inviting. Great creative dishes.
(4)Nicole K.
Let me just start off by saying how much I love Maine. Two summers ago I worked on Vinalhaven as a Chef and had one of the best experiences of my life. The people, the food, the ingredients. I have been wanting to go to Shepherd's Pie since then. I heard great things and finally the week of July 4th I went with a group of local friends. The cocktails were great! We sat at the bar and the service was great. Being a chef and having a lot of foodie friends we were ordering almost everything off of the menu. Some notes: Seasonal Pickles: very good, each item was pickled with a different brine and had its own distinct flavor. Smoked alewife Caesar Salad: best caesar salad ive ever had. The dressing had a great smoky flavor to it and it was not overpowering. Fried Green Tomatoes w/ a crab salad: I love fried green tomatoes but these were so disappointing. The tomatoes were hard. They should have been brined first. There was no flavor there. The crab salad was decent but would have been great if the tomatoes were done correctly. NOTE: Now this is where it all went wrong. It is an OPEN KITCHEN. I have worked in open kitchen before. The diners can SEE YOU and HEAR YOU. Chefs: you need to watch what you say. After ordering many things we decided to order the local cheeses. We asked our server what they were and she said she would ask the kitchen. The chef there proceeded to very loudly say "ARE YOU KIDDING ME. A CHEESE PLATE NOW!, I WANT TO GO HOME" It was 8:30. The place closes 9. Its cheese for gods sake. All you have to do is plate it. I am so sorry for the inconvenience. Your service finishes at 9! That is when my service is just picking up!. This turned me off. When our server returned I asked her for the check and told her that her that the "chef" (lacks professionalism) needs to watch what he says because I heard everything. He then proceeded to come over like a big macho misogynistic asshole and ask how everything was with a huge smirk on his face. I was disgusted and turned off completely. I wanted so very badly for this place to be good. It was just ok. It has the potential to be great. I don't know if I will ever go back. I still have a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)Mark K.
Fantastic food and drinks in a great setting
(5)Chris C.
We had the shepherds pie at Shepherds Pie on Halloween! Always a great time and a great meal, one of our favorite places in the Midcoast. Also love the chicken liver pate for an app, and the fried clam tacos!
(5)Beth R.
This restaurant was recommended by our hotel when staying in the area. Food was fantastic with a unique blend of flavors. I had the duck pb&j which was delicious. Portions are generous and cocktails were delicious. I had a roasted pineapple margarita which had the perfect mix of salty-roasted sweetness. Atmosphere was great with amazing views of the water or just enjoy watching the kitchen staff work their magic.
(5)Bob M.
Great spot in the harbor area. The menu is varied but very creative. Nick our waiter knew everything about the menu in great detail. The specials are excellent. I had the yellow tuna tartare. Very tasty. Definitely try the fried Brussels sprouts, they have a great flavor also. The dessert special was strawberry shortcake, on a massive biscuit. Also, our service was incredibly fast for a dinner.
(5)Danielle F.
Oh my friggin' goodness. This place is spectacular --- worth the hype and then some!! Walking in, you immediately notice how much atmosphere and character the place has. Adorned with a tin ceiling, there are a cluster of tables near the entrance and more in the back. There is a decent-sized bar, which is where we made our home for our dining and imbibing adventure. Initially, service at the bar was a bit slow, but once we had a chance to speak with the bartender and make him aware of our plans, we were in good shape. There was an interesting selection of beers from around the world including a Japanese ginger beer that the bartender said was spectacular. I didn't try it, as I stuck to wine, but found it to be a creative choice. Wines were a generous pour and reasonable in price. We started with two of the bar snacks: curried pickled eggs and chicken liver toast. The curried eggs were served cold and had an amazing taste to them. Combination of that sweet and tart vinegar paired with the curry taste. The chicken liver toast was excellent as well, and came with three dollops of sauces. Next, we tried the Rhode Island calamari, which had a tomato confit and kalamata olives. It was again a generous portion and was delicious. We also split the duck PB+J. It was seared duck that had been thinly sliced and accompanied with a spicy peanut butter and hot pepper jelly. For me, hands down the best of the night and one of the more creative dishes that I have had in a while. If you like duck, just order it. You will not be disappointed. Oh, and the fries that come with it are pretty awesome too. There were so many excellent choices on the menu, it was hard to decide on our selections. Makes me wish I lived closer to this place. Food is excellent, prices are awesome, and the service is good as well. Our bartender knew the menu well, and was able to make some very suitable suggestions over the course of the evening.
(5)Josh W.
The fried clam tacos are wonderful. Expertly cooked, beautifully presented, and amazingly delicious. They are a fresh take on two classic dishes. The perfect combination of Maine and Mexico. The atmosphere is modern and trendy. Great ambiance and music while not too loud. Overall a fantastic experience.
(5)Dmckj m.
Been here now three times over three years. First time was 5 stars for both my wife and myself. Second time the cooks in charge were 'into' soy infusions and both of our plates were so intensely soy flavored (read: overly salty) that we couldn't even finish one of the two and yet were still hungry before leaving the table. We commented that the servers should explain that the two dishes were, to be kind, overwhelming and not at all compatible -- they expressed zero interest in our concerns. Bringing us to the third visit. Being one who believes that restaurants deserve a second chance, we returned this July. I ordered the pork chop, and my wife the chicken. My pork, ordered medium, came out cold (literally) in the middle. Putting on a game face I tried two bites. Seasoning was completely uninspired and tasteless and I felt as if I was cold cuts in an unheated Subway sandwich. I was fairly stunned that anyone would serve this to me. My wife's chicken came out over-seasoned, over cooked, small (ridiculously so) and, worst of all, dry. I had taken two bites and she one. We called over the waiter/bartender and complained about both dishes. As one who almost never sends back a plate I was chagrined to have the server explain that 'that's how it's served' to which I rejoined 'you don't serve pork chops cold!' Nothing was done, or offered to be done, about the chicken. Unreal. As one who eats out all over the world as incidental to my profession, I was taken aback by the apparent complete lack of concern by the server, the distinct message being sent being 'you don't know good food'. Bad food with a side of pretense. To her credit, my wife calmly and flatly said 'we'll pay for the drinks and we're leaving and not paying for the food'. As if to remedy the situation they brought back my same pork chop, now 'reheated'. I said 'you're kidding?'. A re-heated $34 pork chop? I laughed, got the bill, paid for the drinks. Any half-way intelligent manager would have spotted us the drinks, but the absolute lack of concern, and class, means we won't be back.
(1)Cg T.
I was treated to a surprising amount of GREAT places in the area and Shepherds Pie was one of them. The pickled selection for an app is a great start, followed by entrees that you can't go wrong with...and solid drinks straight through. I enjoyed the atmosphere with its low light and just enough conversation to make for good background noise.
(5)Kate S.
A year later & still excellent. Portland restaurants should take note of Shepherd's Pie's use of bold flavors. The heat, smoke & bright seasoning - and the above par, informed bar service - were welcomed surprises. This area of the MidCoast is killing it!
(5)Whitney C.
Hands down, the best sheperd's pie I have ever had in my life (which one would hope considering that's their name). I haven't had a dish here I haven't loved, and this is one of my favorite restaurants in the Camden/Rockport/Rockland area. The staff is really nice and knowledgable. The beer list is excellent, and predominantly features Maine brews. The deserts are to die for, and if you're having trouble choosing, always go with the bread pudding. I generally fell very put off by bread in pudding form, but theirs is fantastic! My uncle never passed up an opportunity to order some, and I never passed up an opportunity to steal a bite.
(5)Barry G.
Been here many times over the years. Our numerous visits have been enjoyable thanks to good food and equally good service. However, last night, our visit was spoiled by witnessing a moderately disturbing situation. Our dinner was very good as usual. We ordered bread pudding for dessert. There is an open kitchen. So most phases of meal preparation are visible. What caught my eye was a plate with a few pieces of bread pudding being put into a microwave. Okay, no big deal. You can't expect everything to be made fresh. But what really got me was watching the food preparer take the pudding in and out of the oven numerous times and feel it with bare hands. When he wasn't sure about it's readiness he asked another person who was working on the other side of the prep area to feel it. This person also did so with bare hands. I had observed this other individual garnishing plates with various items in advance of serving. In this day and age of food borne illnesses it would seem to me more sanitary practices should be in place. Gloves, hand-washing, sanitizer, etc. are all available. After watching this scenario I voiced my concerns with food handling to our server and cancelled the bread pudding. I did see her speak to the offending individual who hand been the garnisher. It didn't seem to be of concern. Don't think we'll be back. At least not until the procedures improve, But how will I know, right?
(3)Susan W.
LOVE this place! We always sit at the bar and no matter what we order, it's always fantastic. Last night we had oysters, mussels, collard greens, a burger, and the pork. One dish better than the next. Bartenders are fast and friendly. I had the cilantro martini and it was the best. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Niklas N.
Me and my gf had the cheeseburger and the duck pb&j. Two simple, but well-cooked and satisfying meals. Still, we left the place almost as quick as we could. Our waiter, Nick, was real nice to us, but in general service still felt well below average and we didn't feel welcome. We ordered re-fills halfway through our meals, but got them when we're done. We asked for the check and had to wait for it for quite a while; in the meantime our waiter spoke at length to other guests (which at that time didn't make sense). Tables around us weren't cleaned or taken care of for 15 minutes after customers left, which made a sloppy impression. Overall, they felt understaffed and we felt unappreciated.
(2)Jason C.
Been here 2 times, good each time, got to get the 'duck' one of the best duck's i have had and really like it, cool old building in the very small town which looks out over the cove, has a bar and can eat there is you would like to , ok these are the items we have tryed, chicken liver toast, flank steak, duck, fish, frie's, shoe string onion's , mac/cheese, grits goat cheese, also brussels sprouts which are great, one of the many good place's to eat in maine
(4)Michael O.
A Rockport treasure. A short walk from one of Maine's prettiest harbors. This place opened in spring 2010. Situated in an old building on Central St. it has warm comfortable feel about it. Sitting at the bar allowed an overview of the kitchen and bar activities and it is clean and impressive efficiency. The menu has some interesting and delicious entres. Tonight I had the grilled fish of the day. It was halibut and it was superb. My traveling companion had the flank steak with porcini gravy. It was also highly rated. The menu is strictly a la carte and we added the buttermilk mashed potatoes with the fish, and a risotto with the steak. I was a little disappointed with the just warm potatoes but not enough to complain. However, my rating dropped a star because of them. There is a delicious White Fox Ale on draft. Other beer choices are bottles or cans. They also have a nice reasonably priced wine selection and some very interesting cocktails. The staff were inviting and friendly. I will return and plan on saving room for a cannoli.
(4)Turbo Smurf X.
Last summer this place was the hotspot in the Rockland, Rockport and Camden area. By hot I mean, superb food, great decor, good service and something new for the t.buds. This summer, not so much. I don't know why but this place does not take reservations. This is an experience restaurant operations team/owner set up, so they should know how to handle whatever comes along with reservations issues, but you can't get one and it''s annoying. We had a burger and subbed out the fries for rings. Burger was cooked right, nicely presented and tasty but very salty and over spiced. The ceaser salad is a partial head of lettuce, cheese, and an ocean of sauce. Instead of anchovies, they use a local fish so it gives an interesting taste, but if you use the phrase dressing, this dish was dressed for winter not summer. The fries were good and tasty. We sat near the kitchen and it was fun watching the show of the three chefs preparing their dishes. Maybe this is sophomore slump, maybe the novelty has worn off, mabye the owner is over stretched with his other ventures, but there is some tarnish on this gem from last year.
(3)Lindsay B.
We went here because it came highly recommended by our bed & breakfast owner. It was very busy but cozy. We ended up sitting at the bar due to how busy they were. The bartender, Dennis, was very friendly and knowledgeable. The lobster and crab ceviche was very good, as was the berries for dessert. It seems like everyone who goes to Shepards Pie loves it and says it's worth the wait. There were a tonof locals there as well which says a lot in a tourist town.
(4)James S.
In my opinion Rockport is one of the prettiest little harbors in Maine. Quaint, picturesque, just what you think Maine should be. Years ago the only fine dining in Rockport was right on the water, a little seafood place. Sadly coming back years later, that little seafood place is gone. Rockport does not have a lot of fine dining. There are a lot of good lunch spots off Highway 1, but nothing in the old town. So even though my little seafood place was gone I did see a new hot spot on Central Street - Shepherds Pie. Shepherd's Pie is in the old grocery store in Rockport. I love that the walls are filled with turn of the century photos of when this space was Rockport only grocery store. If you look close at these photographs you can see the space has not changed a lot and you can imagine the space way back then. The first thing you notice is the bar. It's lively and fun, a lot of locals hanging out over the summer. I would love to come back and just hang at the bar, have a cocktail and some bar bites. The kitchen is open and is busy with the line moving out food. There is a nice vibe to this place the minute you walk in. We were given one of the front tables with a view of the street. Good for people watching, but the primo spots are the back tables with a million dollar view of the small harbor and open kitchen. I started out with a cocktail. I had a Maker's Mark with maple syrup. It was good, but not something I would want to order all the time. Our waitress was friendly, but not very organized. She kind of projected an error of chaos to her. The other server who brought our food, was just in a foul mood. She would not smile and kind of threw down the food and ran off. The service here was not great. I had some local fresh oysters to start with. They were outstanding and the presentation was really nice. We also had some fresh local radishes as an appetizer. It was an odd plate, radish and saltine crackers with butter. I was not sure why the steep price or $4.00 for this item, who serves saltines and butter in a nice restaurant? Okay it was locally grown and tasted good, but just an odd little menu item. My daughter had a wonderful cheese plate. It had two kinds of local cheeses from the area. When we asked the server what each was, she did not know and had to go back to the kitchen to ask. I like a good restaurant where the servers know their food! She never came with the answer so we had no idea what the cheeses were or where they were from! I had halibut. Again, it was fresh from the area waters. It wasn't pretty, but it tasted fresh and it was cooked perfect. Service was very hit and miss. The food was enjoyable, local and good. The vibe and decor were great. It may not be my top pick for the area, but if you are spending a few days in the area I would put it on my list. It's worth a try. One side note. The bathrooms here have the best views of any bathroom that I have ever been in. The bathroom is in the back and has large windows that over look this scenic bay. The view from the john is AMAZING. Even if you don't have to use the toilet, I urge you to go wash your hands, just for the view!
(3)Suzanne M.
As a previous reviewer said, I, too, wanted to place to be as good as it seemed and as a local magazine had said it was. And most of the food we did order was very good, very fresh. But it was waaaaay too expensive for what it was. I have lived in and very close to NYC all my life, and have gone to truly great and very expensive restaurants, and I'm okay occasionally treating myself to pricey food, but it has to be super special. For instance, the "grilled bread and butter" appetizer was like what a kid would turn out trying to toast bread in the toaster oven for the first time--dry, uninteresting. We ordered because our kids were starving. They tend to be bread fiends, and they took one bite and quit. Worse, they don't put prices (that I could find) on their online menu. This felt very--affected. Even fancy restaurants list their prices on the menu, guys! I think the gimmick of the "tasting" menu doesn't work here. They plop down a plate of fried chicken, and it feels like it deserves to come with SOMETHING else, even though you've also ordered the quite-good beet salad, so you do have that. Idea: How about making that "grilled bread" complimentary? And I know this sounds a quibble, but we were given what my daughter calls "sink water" on the table--with no ice. It tasted horrible. and it was warm. and it was a hot day. also, no iced tea? or something else cold and refreshing that's not also going to run up your too-high-already bill? The owner was sweet, but verged on hovering, and made a show out of the fact that, being from the NY area, we didn't have the "accent." He went on to insinuate we must be upper class Ivy League types, like people he knew in college from Connecticut...I guess I wouldn't have noticed or cared if he'd been trying to run a crab shack, but it's supposed to be a Farm to Market upscale place. It just seemed like an odd observation, alienating of the very people it might be trying to please.
(2)Brian G.
Great meal at the bar: cold beets with hummus and sesame, clam tacos (really solid), chorizo w/ hot peppers and chick peas, Swiss chard, and some great beans. Nice fernet cocktail (kind of like a hanky panky - could have used sweetness), and a well-recommended zin with the chorizo. Liked the atmosphere, the crowd, and the service. a bit pricey - particularly the sides ($7 for sautéed chard), but worth a visit for sure.
(4)Susan M.
Beautiful space. Great food. Great service. Music was SO LOUD as to be unbearable. We had to get the food to go as a result. This is not a nightclub in NYC, folks! Volume is controlled by owner and he even turned it UP when we were headed out the door. Otherwise, nice place!
(4)Howard B.
Everything was just plain terrible, except for the mussels which were spoiled and made us both sick. The signature BBQ chicken was so salty I couldn't eat it. The brussel sprouts were overcooked, and the sweet potatoes were way to sweet and sticky. On the plus side, Jim the manager was very compassionate and comped the entire meal. So maybe just a bad night, because the ambience is otherwise very nice.
(1)Molly A.
I have eaten here twice and both times I could not resist the Shepard's pie made with lamb. It is yummy. The sauce (gravy) had good herb flavor. I would have added wine. I had the beet salad and that was very good. And the dessert was awesome. The second time I went, it was kind of crowded so I sat at the bar which was fine. This is good quality food from local farms. You can tell by the freshness and the flavor. And of course the seafood is local. I wish there were more places like this all over the country. Why bother spending the money in corporate owned chains with factory produced food?
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