Maine Dish

Honest Reviews by hungry Mainers

Two Mainers. Food. Drinks. Opinions. We are not professional food critics nor do we have culinary backgrounds. We are just two Mainers who enjoy dining around Maine. The restaurant does not know they are being reviewed.

“The Clambake is a unique restaurant where you choose from our large selection of fresh Maine seafood along with a great selection from our grill. After ordering your meal at our registers, you may choose a seat in any of our air-conditioned dining rooms; enjoy a cocktail or other beverage while your order is being prepared. When your order is ready, you may pick up your meal and enjoy the finest seafood you will ever taste! ”
– Clambake Restaurant, http://clambakerestaurant.com/

The clambake is an “interesting” hot spot on Pine Point Road in Scarborough, Maine. The facility is very spacious with two large dining rooms, a covered patio that overlooks the marsh, a function hall, full bar, large entry way for ordering and pick up windows to get your food.

The dining experience is entirely self-serve; order at a register, wait for your number to be called, pick your food up at a window, add your own condiments and empty your tray once you are finished. It felt like a mix between a high school cafeteria and Cabela’s. The food is served on paper plates and styrofoam containers and there are stuffed animals throughout the entire dining room.

The place is always packed. Why? I’m not totally sure. The food is nothing to rave about. It is overpriced fried and baked seafood. 

Overall, we would not make a strong recommendation to fellow “Mainer’s”, although, we can definitely see why it attracts tourist. We feel there are superior places in the area.

The Clambake offers a unique experience for tourist, but has some stiff competition in the local area.

Clambake Rating

Taste: 7/10
We ordered the fried shrimp and scallops platter. The seafood and fries both tasted frozen. In Maine, freshness is so important. Minus 3 points as the seafood and fries were not fresh.

Appearance: 7/10
The food was a mound of french fries, limited scallops and baby shrimp. There were no lemon garnish or attempt to impress. Minus 3 points since the food was served on styrofoam, plastic containers, and trays.

Ingredients: 8/10
We expected the fresh Maine seafood taste, but to be honest, it tasted frozen. We did attend earlier in the “summer season” so this may have been the reason. Minus 2 points due to a lack of freshness.

Complexity: 5/10
The menu did not offer any options that we would consider to be “complex”. It is mostly batter and fry. Minus 5 points due to a lack of complex food options.

Food Selections: 8/10
The menu was like most Maine seafood restaurants – a lot of fried food. It was easy to see and visualize as they mounted pictures of the plates on their walls. Minus 2 points due to a limited “healthy” selection.

Drink Selections: 8/10
The Clambake offers a full bar that wraps around into both dining areas. They have specialty drinks and a wide variety of beer and wine. Minus 2 points as there are limited seating around the bar and no televisions to watch the game.

Price to Value: 6/10
We spent nearly $40 on a shared platter, kids hotdog, and drink. This was without tipping. We felt it was very overpriced considering our meal was mostly french fries and only had 3-4 scallops. Minus 4 points as it was overpriced for the quantity and quality.

Customer Service: 9/10
There are no waitresses at the Clambake. You order from a register and pick up your food at the window. The two ladies we interacted with were very warm and friendly. Minus 1 point for self-served.

Facility: 10/10
The Clambake definitely has a beautiful facility. It is large, clean and offers a lot to see. Almost like a museum. 

Wow Factor: 9/10
The Clambake is a large facility with a lot of “wow” factor when you enter. There is a lot to look at and a lot of customers. Minus 1 point due to serving on styrofoam and trays (not so much “wow”).

Total: 77/100 C

The Maine Dish enjoyed our visit to the Clambake, although, you can get a better bang for your buck in the area!

Honest Reviews by hungry Mainers

Two Mainers. Food. Drinks. Opinions. We are not professional food critics nor do we have culinary backgrounds. We are just two Mainers who enjoy dining around Maine. The restaurant does not know they are being reviewed.

David’s KPT

The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel
21 Ocean Ave,
Kennebunkport, ME 04046

For Reservations:
David’s KPT: 207-967-8225
reservations@boathouseme.com

“Acclaimed Portland chef, David Turin, opened David’s KPT in spring of 2013, offering the creative, contemporary cuisine he’s known for. Menu items showcase native Maine ingredients with a tastefully creative flair. Featuring outdoor dining, a deck with one of the best waterfront views in town, two vibrant bars and Kennebunkport’s only Raw Bar, David’s KPT has quickly become a favorite Kennebunkport restaurant with locals and visitors alike.”
– David’s KPT, http://boathouseme.com/dining/

It was a beautiful day, sun gleaming off the Kennebunk River as boats swayed with the ocean waves. The town of Kennebunkport was busy with tourists and locals relishing in the weather. My wife and I set out for David’s KPT, a newer restaurant that opened in 2013, formerly known as, “the Landing”.

The restaurant is located inside the Boathouse Waterfront Hotel. As you enter, it is impossible to miss the brilliant contemporary design – I instantly felt like I was entering a luxury, upscale facility. The hostess took no time to welcome us and offer a selection of inside or outside seating.

Since the weather was gorgeous we chose an outside table on the deck. It overlooked the river with fishing boats coming in and out of the harbor. Absolutely breathtaking!

Our waitress was a younger girl named Krystal. She greeted us with a smile and was attentive to our questions. The lunch menu offered a wide variety of choices, such as; eight different salads, pizza, chowders, raw bar items, pasta, sandwiches and your traditional seafood options.

I ordered the Skewers of Shrimp and Scallops with a beer from the local Maine-based brewing company, Funky Bow (out of Lyman). My wife went with the Classic Burger and Fries. She asked the waitress to have the bartender surprise her with a “virgin” drink (yes, she’s pregnant).

While we waited, we enjoyed pieces of their homemade bread and for dessert, we indulged in a chocolate brownie with ice cream and Kahlua.

I ordered the Skewers of Shrimp and Scallops with a beer from the local Maine-based brewing company, Funky Bow (out of Lyman). My wife went with the Classic Burger and Fries. She asked the waitress to have the bartender surprise her with a “virgin” drink (yes, she’s pregnant).

While we waited, we enjoyed pieces of their homemade bread. For dessert, we indulged in a chocolate brownie with ice cream and Kahlua, called “Smoosh-in”.

The bill came to $50.76 and with a tip just over $60 dollars for an average of $30 per person. It doesn’t sound too bad for a dinner bill, although, we were ordering off from the lunch menu. Their dinner prices are about double for comparable items.

Overall, the experience was delightful.

What restaurant in Maine doesn’t carry Corona? You guessed it, David’s KPT. Disappointed, I searched the menu for a Maine brew and landed on the “So Folkin’ Hoppy IPA” by a company named Funky Bow/ Two sips, I feel in love!

This small brewery from Lyman, Maine serves one of the best beers my lips have tasted. I was so impressed that I started to do some research and hope to feature them on an upcoming edition.

Alittle about Funky Bow:
“Deep in the woods of Lyman you’ll find one of the most sought after breweries in Maine. A father and son team “done good” developing some of the tastiest beers around. We are constantly developing new single batch flavor combos but here is our staple beer line guaranteed to dance all over your taste buds!” – www.funkybowbeercompany.com