Scales Restaurant

Our second, and last, dinner in Portland, ME was at Scales. It was within walking distance of the hotel, accessible, along the water, and we were able to get a reservation.

Our table wasn't ready when we arrived, so we waited in this area, near the large scale.

And near potential dinner. Lots of fish and lobster on ice/in tanks, waiting to be chosen.

The main dining area has huge windows that let in a lot of light. Sadly, we we were not seated in this area but instead up a few stairs in the bar area. I was a little sad because I would have preferred being near a bright window with a view of boats/water to in a bar area against a half wall blocking my view of the windows and main dining area.

Beverages: wine, a chardonnay for me and rose for SP.

Here's what we ate:

This is not on the online menu so I have to try to remember what it was. It's been over a month since our trip so my memories/details are a little fuzzy. I think it was heirloom tomatoes with feta (? goat cheese?) and herbs (basil? mint?). I remember it being really tasty.

When we were there, I think this was a special - ? Online it is Smoked Bluefish Paté (pine nuts, olives, capers, green garlic, toast). I think that description is a little different than what we had because I would not have ordered it if I had known it contained green garlic. I am not much of a fish person, but I do really like smoked bluefish pate ever since I first tried it years ago at the Grand Concourse. This was yummy.

We also shared Crab Fritters (peekytoe crab, tartar sauce, radishes). Yum. Crispy exterior, crabby, creamy interior, tangy sauce.

A hint to our dinners.

For the first time ever, I ordered a whole lobster for dinner. Steamed Maine Lobster (cornbread, coleslaw, drawn butter).

SP ordered the same. I was intimidated. But SP is a good husband. He cracked my lobster for me and fished out all the meat then did the same for his lobster. For his troubles, I gave him my cornbread, which he loves.

The lobsters were yummy. I'm not sure I'd order a whole lobster again. It's a lot of work, and messy (for SP!). Sadly, Scales didn't have a lazy man's lobster kind of dish, which is what I ordered on my previous trips to Maine.

Surprisingly, we had room to share a chocolate dessert. I have no idea what it was, no memory at all, other than not a brownie and not a lava cake. It was tasty and just the right size for what we wanted.

We also both ordered coffee.

We both liked Scales a lot. Everyone was friendly and helpful from the hostess/greeters to our server to people who cleared plates/brought food. Our server was terrific and took time to answer my questions. The food was yummy. We'd go back.