The Dolphin Restaurant

    

I took this picture today just before dining at one of my family's favorite summer season restaurants in Maine.  You can live in Maine your whole life and still not know about the Dolphin Marina and Restaurant located in South Harpswell on the mid-coast.  This local gem is a seasonal restaurant open from May 1st-Oct 31st and has one of the best reasons to drive 20 minutes to no-where I can think of.  Located about 20 minutes south of Brunswick, the drive itself is half the fun as the road weaves through rolling farmland, coastal marshes, and seaside villages.  Views of red barns, lobster shacks, and Casco Bay islands will alert your senses to the fact that you are on your way to someplace special.  The final prize reveals itself on the final leg of your journey when you round the edges of a salty marsh on the left and view Mt. Washington, NH (located about 100 miles to the northeast) on your right.  Then you pull into the parking lot of the Dolphin and are rewarded by a 180 degree view of Casco Bay and Potts Harbor (picture above).  

By now you're probably starving which is a great thing because the food you're about to eat is fantastic.  No matter what you order, it's bound to have a very non-tourist flavor...and it certainly doesn't have a tourist price!  Many of the items on the menu come with the standard Maine Blueberry Muffin.  And trust me - this is no ordinary blueberry muffin.  It's an "OMG I can't believe that comes with my meal and maybe I won't need my meal now" kind of muffin!  Coated in cinnamon sugar and loaded with sweet Maine blueberries, this gem almost steals the show!  If you're smart and you ordered a fish chowder or lobster stew, you'll feel like you've died and gone to heaven.  Most places give you some broth with a little fish - not the Dolphin.  A whole Maine lobster is hidden (or not) in your bowl of stew so much so that you may feel inclined to eat it with a fork!  The fish chowder does not disappoint either and will leave you opting out of the typical crackers (there's not enough room in the bowl!!!).  The lobster roll here is better than average as well - lobster portions far outweigh most of other restaurants' and include tail meat in addition to claw meat.  

One disclaimer: don't come here for ambiance.  The management clearly benefits from their ocean side location but spends their money on food preparation, not decor.  You might find that the average customer is on the older side and looks local.  They are.  But that's what makes this place so special.  No frills, just great food and ultra-friendly service.  If you come here more than once you're slapped with the "regular" label and conversation is bound to follow.  Enjoy the journey!