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Where is the Harbor Café?
The Harbor Café, located on Deer Isle in Maine in the heart of Stonington Village, sits just off the water on the edge of the island. This cute little café offers picturesque views and friendly staff. It’s the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat while you’re enjoying your time on the Island.
Brandee and I had just arrived in Stonington and were starving. We decided to have lunch here based on the note our host left for us about places she recommends in the area. When we left Augusta that morning, we had decided we were going to overspend our daily budget, $75 per day (combined), and indulge in a meal of Maine lobster. November is well after peak season for travelers in the area, so the island didn’t have many visitors.
The Atmosphere
We arrived at the restaurant for lunch, somewhere around 2:00 PM, to find the restaurant had a small handful of patrons, but sat mostly empty. It makes sense for a mid-afternoon stop during slow season. It’s also exactly the type of place that I seek to experience when I’m traveling. If I described it as a mom and pop shop, because that’s what it is, the picture that you get in your head is likely spot on.
We seated ourselves at a booth with a terrific view of the harbor. This way, we could enjoy watching the water, the boats, and the birds while interacting with the prompt and friendly staff. The restaurant had large windows that offered an unobstructed view from our booth.
The Menu
The menu had decent variety, and much to our delight, included the sought after lobster dishes that we had been waiting for all day. We both decided to have the lobster roll, although they did have a full lobster meal on the menu. It was lunch time and after looking over the menu it was the perfect compromise. Still lobster, but a lighter fare option. This was I was still spunky and full of energy for the rest of the day, instead of weighted down with a dinner meal.
The Food
Our food arrived and the roll that the lobster came on was lightly grilled and had just the right amount of crisp to it. The lobster was tender and sweet with a hint of buttery flavor. Our meal came with a bag of chips on the side. The bag of chips was nice for a pick up and take with you option if you don’t want to finish your plate at meal time.
And let’s talk about dessert! We were finishing up our meal when the waitress walked by with a dessert that I decided I couldn’t live without. I love a good dessert and this was a head-turning presentation. It was a strawberry rhubarb crisp topped with a layer of whipped cream and ice cream on the side. OMG. Love at first bite. It was a big enough portion to share, delicious, and worth every calorie!
All in all, I’d say if you are looking for a local dining experience, this stop gets an A in my book.
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