I went to Big Fish on three separate occasions last month. My parents took me for the first visit for lunch. I hadn't eaten there before based on what I had heard about the food three years ago when they first opened. The place is small and uniquely decorated with fishing nets and painted port holes on the walls. My parents had been bragging about the blueberry lemonade so much my Mother and I spent hours searching Rockland for the blueberry syrup to make it at home.
For my lunch I had a crab melt. There is nothing fancy about a crab melt, but crab meat is one of my favorites. Now when this crab melt arrived it engulfed almost the entire plate. It's shear size was intimidating. Not served on a typical piece of toast, this massive melt is served on garlic toast. This small alteration makes this meal irresistible.
The next time I visited this establishment I went with my husband, sister, and mother for dinner. My sister and I shared the mussels Napoli appetizer. Now I can't remember ever having had mussels before but they have always smelled and looked so good. This dish is served steamed over butter, garlic, and tomatoes. Besides the absence of a separate bowl for the shells it was a mouth watering experience. In fact, it was so good I made my husband take me there for a third visit so I can enjoy the entire pound of mussels myself as an entrée.
For my entrée during my second visit I enjoyed one of their specials Stuffed haddock with Brie Cheese. Now as delicious as this dish was it was not pretty to look at. It was a brown greasy mess. I love Brie cheese, however, the thick slices placed on top before broiling made the dish extremely greasy. I would recommend using a spreadable Brie cheese in this recipe next time without the rinds, and no broil after the cheese is placed on top. The heat from the dish is enough to melt the cheese especially the already soft spreadable kind.
All of the seafood was fresh and cooked perfectly. The prices were more than fair for the quality. I would recommend this establishment to anyone looking for good seafood.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/207/1461903/restaurant/Maine/Big-Fish-Cafe-Rockland
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Rustica -Rockland, ME
8/30/10
After finishing school shopping we decided to head out to grab a bite to eat. We stopped at Rustica on Main St. in Rockland. I was craving a salad to die for. Unsure what my 5 year old would eat we perused the menu in the window before stepping inside. Upon entering and being seated I was handed a children's menu with only four items on it. Now this had to be the most impressive children's menu ever. There were only four items but they were authentic Italian homemade cuisine, and not the typical kraft Mac N cheese or pasta with butter you would normally see on a children's menu. After being impressed my son chose the gourmet four cheese pizza. I found the entire menu appetizing, but I did find what I was looking for...the salad to die for. Baby Spinach Salad ~ Roasted pears, crispy bacon, blue cheese, toasted pecans and a champagne vinaigrette. My husband went for a heartier choice with the sausage and mushroom panini. We choose to split an appetizer of fried calamari hearing nothing but good things about it from previous guests of the establishment.
The calamari arrived with two sauces for dipping on the side, a standard marinara and an aioli. The plate was heaping with perfectly fried calamari and banana peppers. The first bite was delectable! The calamari was fresh, perfectly cooked, and extremely satisfying. My 5 year old son decided to try calamari for the first time and ate nearly the entire plate himself.
Next arrived the entrées... The four cheese pizza for my son took up the entire plate. The homemade crust was thin but not cardboard thin or dry. The blend of the four cheese added depth without grease, and my picky child ate half the pizza with no complaints. My husband ate only half of his panini, but it was not for any other reason than he simply could not eat anymore. The sausage had a nice spicy flavor, the cheese was not greasy, and it was cooked perfectly.
My salad arrived in a very large bowl. At first glance I thought there was no way I could eat the entire thing. After my first bite I let out an orgasmic moan, and half the restaurant turned to stare. I looked at my husband and giggled. He knew I had died and gone to heaven with this salad. The meld of the salty bacon, the tang of the blue cheese, mixed with the sweet pears in the warm champagne vinaigrette was so perfect to the palate. Not only was I in love at first bite, but I continued my love affair until I realized that I had eaten the entire thing and there was no more. Even after gorging myself on that huge meal I did not feel lethargic or remorseful afterwards.
This was probable the best meal I have had out to eat in the longest time. The menu is simple and appealing to any taste. I would recommend Rustica to any and every one. I guarantee that Chef Ramsey could not find a single thing wrong with this establishment!
http://knox.villagesoup.com/business/el/Rustica-Cucina-Italiana/206098
After finishing school shopping we decided to head out to grab a bite to eat. We stopped at Rustica on Main St. in Rockland. I was craving a salad to die for. Unsure what my 5 year old would eat we perused the menu in the window before stepping inside. Upon entering and being seated I was handed a children's menu with only four items on it. Now this had to be the most impressive children's menu ever. There were only four items but they were authentic Italian homemade cuisine, and not the typical kraft Mac N cheese or pasta with butter you would normally see on a children's menu. After being impressed my son chose the gourmet four cheese pizza. I found the entire menu appetizing, but I did find what I was looking for...the salad to die for. Baby Spinach Salad ~ Roasted pears, crispy bacon, blue cheese, toasted pecans and a champagne vinaigrette. My husband went for a heartier choice with the sausage and mushroom panini. We choose to split an appetizer of fried calamari hearing nothing but good things about it from previous guests of the establishment.
The calamari arrived with two sauces for dipping on the side, a standard marinara and an aioli. The plate was heaping with perfectly fried calamari and banana peppers. The first bite was delectable! The calamari was fresh, perfectly cooked, and extremely satisfying. My 5 year old son decided to try calamari for the first time and ate nearly the entire plate himself.
Next arrived the entrées... The four cheese pizza for my son took up the entire plate. The homemade crust was thin but not cardboard thin or dry. The blend of the four cheese added depth without grease, and my picky child ate half the pizza with no complaints. My husband ate only half of his panini, but it was not for any other reason than he simply could not eat anymore. The sausage had a nice spicy flavor, the cheese was not greasy, and it was cooked perfectly.
My salad arrived in a very large bowl. At first glance I thought there was no way I could eat the entire thing. After my first bite I let out an orgasmic moan, and half the restaurant turned to stare. I looked at my husband and giggled. He knew I had died and gone to heaven with this salad. The meld of the salty bacon, the tang of the blue cheese, mixed with the sweet pears in the warm champagne vinaigrette was so perfect to the palate. Not only was I in love at first bite, but I continued my love affair until I realized that I had eaten the entire thing and there was no more. Even after gorging myself on that huge meal I did not feel lethargic or remorseful afterwards.
This was probable the best meal I have had out to eat in the longest time. The menu is simple and appealing to any taste. I would recommend Rustica to any and every one. I guarantee that Chef Ramsey could not find a single thing wrong with this establishment!
http://knox.villagesoup.com/business/el/Rustica-Cucina-Italiana/206098
Amalfi-Rockland, ME
9/1/10
I have said many times that I would never eat at Amalfi since working there over a decade ago. The owner who has no respect for people who he thinks are beneath him, and his general disposition are nauseating. However, I tried to put my personal feelings aside and enjoy a pleasant evening. Surprised by the size and beauty of the new location, I was very hopeful for a delicious meal. I was even surprised by the fact that they now had a children's menu. After being seated on the beautiful outside patio we were quickly greeted by our server with water. I have noticed that most restaurant's no longer offer water anymore. Since this was an especially hot day it was an even more pleasant surprise. Looking through the kid's menu I was slightly mortified at the Applebee's styled food, but thought, it's a kids menu what else will kids eat: Burger, corn dog, grilled cheese, chicken fingers, and of course pasta.
After perusing the menu I quickly found the appetizer I came looking for, Kefta, and decided on the Paella for an entrée'. My husband, being allergic to shellfish, had a rather difficult time finding something he could eat on the menu and decided to go with soup and an appetizer, fish chowder and fried calamari. My appetizer and My son's grilled cheese arrived first at my request. The Kefta was in a red sauce with hot pepper rings. I had remembered it plain served with the yogurt sauce but that was over 10 years ago. The meatballs were rather mushy and fell apart as a tried to cut into them. The sauce they came in had only one spice that I could taste, chili powder. It wasn't too hot to eat but other than the heat was lacking in flavor. The grilled cheese and fries, however, were fresh cooked and perfectly.
Next came the main entrée for myself and my husband. The paella was served with Maine shrimp that were cooked separately and placed on top of the dish with out the sauce. The sauce was heavy tomato again overloaded with Cumin amongst the rice. Not a hint of Saffron in the entire dish. The Chorizo was store bought Gaspar's brand that is lacking by nature in flavor and quality, that was overcooked and mushy. The chicken was overcooked to the point that it was tough and stringy, and the shrimp placed on top had a gritty texture as to indicate that they were frozen, and hence not cooked with the rest of the dish. The oddest addition to the plate were edamame beans that were hard and completely out of place.The entire dish left a lot to be desired, and at $26 was a total waste of my money. The only redeeming quality were the 2 scallops that were fresh and cooked perfectly ,in the dish, and the mussels that were on top.
My husband started with the fish chowder. He ate about 3 bites and set it aside. When I asked what was wrong he turned up his nose and said it's all cream, very heavy, and the only flavor I can taste is salt. I shrugged based on the quality of my meal and he moved onto his calamari and so did I. It looked perfectly cooked and the pepper rings were fried as well. The entire portion was covered in the Chipotle aioli as opposed to being served on the side. All three of us dug in as being one of our favorite dishes. Not one of us was impressed. The calamari was frozen not fresh. I tasted no Chipotle in the aioli, and it was like chewing on a piece of rubber.
The only thing more aggravating that the food was a tourist walking the boardwalk who stopped directly in front of us to talk on his cell phone. Every time he would look over and see we were not paying attention to his very important deal making he would talk even LOUDER.
I have said many times that I would never eat at Amalfi since working there over a decade ago. The owner who has no respect for people who he thinks are beneath him, and his general disposition are nauseating. However, I tried to put my personal feelings aside and enjoy a pleasant evening. Surprised by the size and beauty of the new location, I was very hopeful for a delicious meal. I was even surprised by the fact that they now had a children's menu. After being seated on the beautiful outside patio we were quickly greeted by our server with water. I have noticed that most restaurant's no longer offer water anymore. Since this was an especially hot day it was an even more pleasant surprise. Looking through the kid's menu I was slightly mortified at the Applebee's styled food, but thought, it's a kids menu what else will kids eat: Burger, corn dog, grilled cheese, chicken fingers, and of course pasta.
After perusing the menu I quickly found the appetizer I came looking for, Kefta, and decided on the Paella for an entrée'. My husband, being allergic to shellfish, had a rather difficult time finding something he could eat on the menu and decided to go with soup and an appetizer, fish chowder and fried calamari. My appetizer and My son's grilled cheese arrived first at my request. The Kefta was in a red sauce with hot pepper rings. I had remembered it plain served with the yogurt sauce but that was over 10 years ago. The meatballs were rather mushy and fell apart as a tried to cut into them. The sauce they came in had only one spice that I could taste, chili powder. It wasn't too hot to eat but other than the heat was lacking in flavor. The grilled cheese and fries, however, were fresh cooked and perfectly.
Next came the main entrée for myself and my husband. The paella was served with Maine shrimp that were cooked separately and placed on top of the dish with out the sauce. The sauce was heavy tomato again overloaded with Cumin amongst the rice. Not a hint of Saffron in the entire dish. The Chorizo was store bought Gaspar's brand that is lacking by nature in flavor and quality, that was overcooked and mushy. The chicken was overcooked to the point that it was tough and stringy, and the shrimp placed on top had a gritty texture as to indicate that they were frozen, and hence not cooked with the rest of the dish. The oddest addition to the plate were edamame beans that were hard and completely out of place.The entire dish left a lot to be desired, and at $26 was a total waste of my money. The only redeeming quality were the 2 scallops that were fresh and cooked perfectly ,in the dish, and the mussels that were on top.
My husband started with the fish chowder. He ate about 3 bites and set it aside. When I asked what was wrong he turned up his nose and said it's all cream, very heavy, and the only flavor I can taste is salt. I shrugged based on the quality of my meal and he moved onto his calamari and so did I. It looked perfectly cooked and the pepper rings were fried as well. The entire portion was covered in the Chipotle aioli as opposed to being served on the side. All three of us dug in as being one of our favorite dishes. Not one of us was impressed. The calamari was frozen not fresh. I tasted no Chipotle in the aioli, and it was like chewing on a piece of rubber.
The only thing more aggravating that the food was a tourist walking the boardwalk who stopped directly in front of us to talk on his cell phone. Every time he would look over and see we were not paying attention to his very important deal making he would talk even LOUDER.
After this experience I go back to my original credo to NEVER eat at Amalfi. The food was over priced for the quality, and will haunt me with heartburn all night. You may be able to pull off frozen seafood to the tourists who visit the Maine coast Dave, but not to this native Maine girl who knows her food.
http://www.amalfionthewater.com/
http://www.amalfionthewater.com/
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