In a sprawling Victorian house a mile from downtown sits Primo, widely considered to be one of Maine's best restaurants. Awarded chef Melissa Kelly has reached celebrity status for her creative ways with New England ingredients. Try the scallops atop local wild leek and fiddlehead ferns, or farm-raised chicken with ricotta gnudi (dumplings). The menu, truly a farm-to-table ode, changes daily.
The atmosphere is unpretentious farmhouse chic. Reservations are a must at the downstairs parlor room, but much of upstairs is for walk-in guests and offers a less formal 'counter menu' of small plates, pizza, charcuterie and cheese.