Damariscotta and area update
Bristol Mills. As of late May, Broad Arrow Farm (Bristol Mills) has pushed their re-opening to the 2027 season following their extensive renovations, but they are at the Boothbay (Thursday) and Damariscotta (Friday) farmers markets. Their plan had previously been to reopen this summer.
Round Pound. The Ro Pub is a new pub in Round Pond, near Round Pond Coffee (cute place staffed by college kids) and The Granite Hall Store (penny candy, gifts, ice cream). I have not been to the pub but it’s very popular judging by the cars parked nearby.
Damariscotta. Schooner Landing has reopened, as has The Shuck Station. I still have not made it to Bred in the Bone. I have been twice to Newcastle Publick House and will go again. Barn Door Café remains excellent (open 7 days, early close on Sunday), as is its sister breakfast/lunch sit-down restaurant, now renamed Sunnyside and open Friday-Monday. Larson’s Lunch Box is still a local fave. New place opened where the old Village Grill was, on Biscay Road beyond McDonalds; have not been. Round Top Ice Cream still has its game on. Rising Tide remains my favorite co-op in the mid-coast, welcoming to all, not just members. I love that their bread delivery schedule is front and center on their web page in case you are as obsessed with Night Moves bread as I am. The Damariscotta Hannaford is the largest in the area and generally very well-stocked.
Wiscasset. Water Street Kitchen, very nice space, water views, delightful and highly competent staff, excellent burger, excellent Caesar salad.
Waldoboro (old village center). Perch Café has been making scratch bagels and scones. Day Boat Café opened a scratch kitchen and gourmet grocery shop next door, serving lunch and offering interesting takeout including an excellent wee shepherd’s pie. Odd Alewives is no longer producing beer but they still have 12 Maine beers on tap and other beverages plus they are making their outstanding and unusual pizzas and serving ice cream. Waldoboro Inn and Ida’s Wine Bar reopen late May. Italian food on the weekend and Taco Tuesdays. Borealis Breads (on Route 1, kitty-corner from Moody’s Diner) has excellent breads and makes sandwiches, salads, soups and sweets which you can order online for pick-up.
Further afield, on the other side of Route 1 and a very pleasant drive away, are the Sheepscot General Store and Farm in Sheepscot (for sure call ahead for pizza), the A-1 Diner in Gardiner (Sunday brunch menu is very different from M-Sa menu and extremely good), and the Alna Store in Alna (multi-award winning, make reservations).
