My husband and I came here to celebrate a belated anniversary while staying at the Inn. We dined here years ago and the quality of food and flavors were even more sensational. The chef is incredibly talented and has curated complex and balanced dishes, fresh, sour, salty, sweet, and fresh that electrify your taste buds.It was a beautiful fine dining experience, the service was exceptional and our dishes came out in perfect timing. A five star experience all around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marguerite Vichier-Guerre
My husband and I came here to celebrate a belated anniversary while staying at the Inn. We dined here years ago and the quality of food and flavors were even more sensational. The chef is incredibly talented and has curated complex and balanced dishes, fresh, sour, salty, sweet, and fresh that electrify your taste buds.It was a beautiful fine dining experience, the service was exceptional and our dishes came out in perfect timing. A five star experience all around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sherpa290333
Not the same quality or service, since their is a new chef! From the very start to finish a truly disappointing experience. We should have been warned when we saw the restaurant was only 1/4 full . We now know for a reason! To start, there was a twenty minute wait for a small portion of bread for the table (which one is charged extra for), in a practically empty restaurant. The lobster bisque soup was overpowered by tomato’s, the scallop appetizer was over salted, the main entree of duck was served cold (the meat, sauce and pear and carrots all cold). This dish was returned to the kitchen to be heated correctly. The dish was returned with half the amount of duck. Our guess is that when it was attempted to reheat it many pieces of the duck were then over cooked and no longer able to be served. Two of us were served while one of us had no food for 10 minutes, and she only ordered flatbread! The previously friendly server suddenly had a negative attitude towards our table, after having to ask for the food to be reheated. In reality the chef should have apologized to the guest instead of punishing the guest with half the portion. Unbelievable! The overall quality of the food and service is not the same as it was since their is a new chief, or in this case, new cook in the kitchen, and two untrained high school kids as servers. Sadly it added a sore note to our special occasion night out.
Emily Baer
I can't begin to describe how wonderful this place is in every way. The atmosphere is charming (soft lighting, beautiful historical details, roaring fire, french bistro and botanical accents), the service was perfectly attentive while never feeling rushed or watched over, and the food and drinks were fantastic. We enjoyed the 3 course tasting menu (which included warm foccacia bread, a mushroom amuse bouche, and pear palette cleanser). Everything was perfectly cooked, beautifully presented, and the flavors were both surprising and comforting at the same time. We especially enjoyed the potato soup, seared scallops, steak, and chocolate mousse. The cocktails were also interesting, complex yet really nicely balanced (we loved the new autumn cocktail). We can't wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
jonesyclan1234
This was our 1st trip to Camden, ME. We were greeted promptly at check in and escorted to our room (French Thyme). The room was beautifully appointed with a sitting room and fire place in the bedroom. Comfortable bed and cozy bedding. Breakfast, included in price, was buffet style, fresh, excellently prepared, and tasty. Location was perfect and centric to downtown Camden and close to waterfront. The Inn Manager (Laurie) was pleasant, gracious, and knowledgeable. We will be back.
ChuckD
We stayed at the Hartstone Inn for our honeymoon in 2006 and had a wonderful stay including our dining experience. We were hoping to repeat that experience and were very disappointed. We were the only diners for our reservation time of 7 pm on Friday which should have been a clue. Although our server was friendly, the service was very slow and inconsistent. We should have paced the meal ourselves. Both my wife's entree and mine were bland, tasteless and over-cooked. Her medium-rare filet looked and tasted more like well-done sirloin at best. The only real high point was the wine list which seems to have been carried over from the previous owners. Not recommended.
CliffordW
Electric Daisy was an outstanding experience. The service was outstanding, the food superb with new flavors, and ambience romantic. Can recommend this restaurant for a high quality food experience!
gdrvasc
This is a fixed price menu, three appetizer options and three main meal options. Tonight the main selections were duck, steak and fish. Be aware that your desired food may not be a choice. I can say though that what prepared was excellent all the way around. Our party had folks who ended up having everything and rave reviews all around. My duck was superb. Dessert options limited to three also. Staff very nice, young and attentive. Chef excellent. Negative reviews may have to do w limited choices, but I’d just suggest calling ahead of time to be sure what they’ve got will suit your tastes.
miclyndor
Our first experience with the restaurant at the Hartstone in was in 2009. We were completely wowed. I thought about the macadamia nut soufflé we had for dessert for weeks, and finally emailed Chef Salmon and he generously shared the recipe, including scaling it down for the home cook. When we planned a trip to Maine again in 2012, I knew we had to dine again at the Hartstone Inn. The issue this time was that we were traveling with our 1 year old son. I emailed the Inn about, and was told it wouldn’t be a problem as they had a private room we could sit in. Dinner again was exceptional. Fast forward to September 2023. My husband and I had an opportunity to come to Camden again, and as soon as I knew we were coming, I made reservations again. After we arrived, I found out that Chef Salmon was no longer there. Our server didn’t even know who he was and said that the Inn had changed ownership several times since 2012. Okay, well we were still excited to be there. I asked our server about an item for the dessert course. At first, he tried to make up an answer, then admitted that he didn’t know, but he would find out. He didn’t find out until the dessert course was served and I had asked him again. My main course was a duck breast that was served with beet purée and endive. I was expecting the earthly flavors of the beets, but surprised to find it sweet and fruity. I inquired about it, and the server didn’t know, but went to check with the chef. He reported back that the beet purée was made with golden beets and cherries. There was nothing about the cherries on the menu, but that was certainly the dominant flavor in the dish. A palate cleanser was served before the main course, but the person who brought it didn’t say a word about what it was. We were never asked if we would like another drink. When the server brought us our check, he apologized that he had ignored us for most of the night. The food was okay, though not something I will still be thinking about in the weeks to come. This was absolutely not the fine dining experience we were expecting. That said, our server and all of the staff we encountered were very nice.
dangP3338FU
My wife and I were in town and looking for a nice place for dinner. A number of local restaurants did not have availability. We called the Hartstone, line was not picked up. About 30 min later we got a return call and they had availability. That made us think they were responsive, let's go. The Inn itself is beautiful and attractive. Entered and was not disappointed from that point on. Setting is somewhat formal with antiques and a quiet understated kind of elegance. When we saw the set menu, it was not what we were expecting and started to leave. With that Yaz (owner/maitre' d) came over and mentioned he would do whatever it took to make us comfortable and we would enjoy dinner. And he was so correct. The dinner was fabulous. We started with the baby lettuce salad. I'm not a big salad fan, this salad was perfect. Next course, pan-seared hanger steak. Again, was so good. The steak was sitting on a mild onion slice, cooked medium rate, with mushrooms and a special sauce. So tasty, just the way I like it. Finally, and maybe the best part, dessert - chocolate terrine. The best and richest, soft chocolate I've ever had. Dessert included amarena cherry, vanilla anglaise and crispy chocolate pearls. The combo was just so good! All the staff were polite, working as a team to make sure our dinner experience exceeded our expectations and it did. Again special thanks to Yaz for overseeing all of this and creating a perfect dinner experience we will always remember.
Two of the ONLY 3 options were spicy. I am allergic to all spicy foods. The other was steak, which I cannot eat. Chef offered to make my fish non spicy. He did not do that. It was still spicy. I couldn’t eat anything. I thought maybe they’d comp me for the meal, but no. It’s off my list. The service was great however.
SuzyC
We have had dinner here over the last few years. We know that there are new owners and have had dinner once there this season but tonight's dinner was very disappointing. The service was very slow - it took a 1/2 hour to get our cocktails. Our entrees were cold and the beef was very chewy - the sauce had a very funky flavor which I couldn't identify and we do know food. They were very nice but seemed a bit over their heads.
josh jewett
We had a quietly lovely dinner experience at Electric Daisy this past week. This is an unassuming little restaurant attached to a BnB that just absolutely surprised and delighted us. They serve a 3 course meal, along with amuse bouche and remiss en bouche. Nothing over the top, just lovely food prepared by a chef who belongs in a much larger city than our favorite little town in Maine.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
lynnie-george
My understanding is the hartstone has changed ownership and it is just not the same. It has lost its ambience and welcoming feel. The inn keeper is nice. But for the rental cost I will look to stay somewhere else.. previously the breakfasts were really good and not the continental feel it has now. Just no one around later in the day/early evening to ask questions… there is a phone number to call ….
Mark F
Very nice experience. I was a little hesitant because the menu on the web site really is not clear about the offering. They speak to a “curbside” menu and the tasting menu but the curbside menu was not available on the site. Then, our hotel did not even know about this place. Maybe thats more about the hotel. We were seated on time. Server quite nice but came to the table and asked if we wanted to drinks without even greeting us. I had to ask her name. Drinks were fine. We had the salad for first course; great dressing and crunchy lettuce. Bread service as well, home made focaccia. My wife had the bass and I had the duck, both excellent. They offer two inter-mezzos; a vegetable spoon and then sorbet. Portions were good and flavors excellent. Dessert was a pistachio sorbet with fig compote, also excellent. The $65 price fix is a fair price for what you get. I never really like a price fixed menu but I would go back. It was strange though that on a Friday night in August they were not full.
My husband and I came here to celebrate a belated anniversary while staying at the Inn. We dined here years ago and the quality of food and flavors were even more sensational. The chef is incredibly talented and has curated complex and balanced dishes, fresh, sour, salty, sweet, and fresh that electrify your taste buds.It was a beautiful fine dining experience, the service was exceptional and our dishes came out in perfect timing. A five star experience all around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I came here to celebrate a belated anniversary while staying at the Inn. We dined here years ago and the quality of food and flavors were even more sensational. The chef is incredibly talented and has curated complex and balanced dishes, fresh, sour, salty, sweet, and fresh that electrify your taste buds.It was a beautiful fine dining experience, the service was exceptional and our dishes came out in perfect timing. A five star experience all around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not the same quality or service, since their is a new chef! From the very start to finish a truly disappointing experience. We should have been warned when we saw the restaurant was only 1/4 full . We now know for a reason! To start, there was a twenty minute wait for a small portion of bread for the table (which one is charged extra for), in a practically empty restaurant. The lobster bisque soup was overpowered by tomato’s, the scallop appetizer was over salted, the main entree of duck was served cold (the meat, sauce and pear and carrots all cold). This dish was returned to the kitchen to be heated correctly. The dish was returned with half the amount of duck. Our guess is that when it was attempted to reheat it many pieces of the duck were then over cooked and no longer able to be served. Two of us were served while one of us had no food for 10 minutes, and she only ordered flatbread! The previously friendly server suddenly had a negative attitude towards our table, after having to ask for the food to be reheated. In reality the chef should have apologized to the guest instead of punishing the guest with half the portion. Unbelievable! The overall quality of the food and service is not the same as it was since their is a new chief, or in this case, new cook in the kitchen, and two untrained high school kids as servers. Sadly it added a sore note to our special occasion night out.
I can't begin to describe how wonderful this place is in every way. The atmosphere is charming (soft lighting, beautiful historical details, roaring fire, french bistro and botanical accents), the service was perfectly attentive while never feeling rushed or watched over, and the food and drinks were fantastic. We enjoyed the 3 course tasting menu (which included warm foccacia bread, a mushroom amuse bouche, and pear palette cleanser). Everything was perfectly cooked, beautifully presented, and the flavors were both surprising and comforting at the same time. We especially enjoyed the potato soup, seared scallops, steak, and chocolate mousse. The cocktails were also interesting, complex yet really nicely balanced (we loved the new autumn cocktail). We can't wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was our 1st trip to Camden, ME. We were greeted promptly at check in and escorted to our room (French Thyme). The room was beautifully appointed with a sitting room and fire place in the bedroom. Comfortable bed and cozy bedding. Breakfast, included in price, was buffet style, fresh, excellently prepared, and tasty. Location was perfect and centric to downtown Camden and close to waterfront. The Inn Manager (Laurie) was pleasant, gracious, and knowledgeable. We will be back.
We stayed at the Hartstone Inn for our honeymoon in 2006 and had a wonderful stay including our dining experience. We were hoping to repeat that experience and were very disappointed. We were the only diners for our reservation time of 7 pm on Friday which should have been a clue. Although our server was friendly, the service was very slow and inconsistent. We should have paced the meal ourselves. Both my wife's entree and mine were bland, tasteless and over-cooked. Her medium-rare filet looked and tasted more like well-done sirloin at best. The only real high point was the wine list which seems to have been carried over from the previous owners. Not recommended.
Electric Daisy was an outstanding experience. The service was outstanding, the food superb with new flavors, and ambience romantic. Can recommend this restaurant for a high quality food experience!
This is a fixed price menu, three appetizer options and three main meal options. Tonight the main selections were duck, steak and fish. Be aware that your desired food may not be a choice. I can say though that what prepared was excellent all the way around. Our party had folks who ended up having everything and rave reviews all around. My duck was superb. Dessert options limited to three also. Staff very nice, young and attentive. Chef excellent. Negative reviews may have to do w limited choices, but I’d just suggest calling ahead of time to be sure what they’ve got will suit your tastes.
Our first experience with the restaurant at the Hartstone in was in 2009. We were completely wowed. I thought about the macadamia nut soufflé we had for dessert for weeks, and finally emailed Chef Salmon and he generously shared the recipe, including scaling it down for the home cook. When we planned a trip to Maine again in 2012, I knew we had to dine again at the Hartstone Inn. The issue this time was that we were traveling with our 1 year old son. I emailed the Inn about, and was told it wouldn’t be a problem as they had a private room we could sit in. Dinner again was exceptional. Fast forward to September 2023. My husband and I had an opportunity to come to Camden again, and as soon as I knew we were coming, I made reservations again. After we arrived, I found out that Chef Salmon was no longer there. Our server didn’t even know who he was and said that the Inn had changed ownership several times since 2012. Okay, well we were still excited to be there. I asked our server about an item for the dessert course. At first, he tried to make up an answer, then admitted that he didn’t know, but he would find out. He didn’t find out until the dessert course was served and I had asked him again. My main course was a duck breast that was served with beet purée and endive. I was expecting the earthly flavors of the beets, but surprised to find it sweet and fruity. I inquired about it, and the server didn’t know, but went to check with the chef. He reported back that the beet purée was made with golden beets and cherries. There was nothing about the cherries on the menu, but that was certainly the dominant flavor in the dish. A palate cleanser was served before the main course, but the person who brought it didn’t say a word about what it was. We were never asked if we would like another drink. When the server brought us our check, he apologized that he had ignored us for most of the night. The food was okay, though not something I will still be thinking about in the weeks to come. This was absolutely not the fine dining experience we were expecting. That said, our server and all of the staff we encountered were very nice.
My wife and I were in town and looking for a nice place for dinner. A number of local restaurants did not have availability. We called the Hartstone, line was not picked up. About 30 min later we got a return call and they had availability. That made us think they were responsive, let's go. The Inn itself is beautiful and attractive. Entered and was not disappointed from that point on. Setting is somewhat formal with antiques and a quiet understated kind of elegance. When we saw the set menu, it was not what we were expecting and started to leave. With that Yaz (owner/maitre' d) came over and mentioned he would do whatever it took to make us comfortable and we would enjoy dinner. And he was so correct. The dinner was fabulous. We started with the baby lettuce salad. I'm not a big salad fan, this salad was perfect. Next course, pan-seared hanger steak. Again, was so good. The steak was sitting on a mild onion slice, cooked medium rate, with mushrooms and a special sauce. So tasty, just the way I like it. Finally, and maybe the best part, dessert - chocolate terrine. The best and richest, soft chocolate I've ever had. Dessert included amarena cherry, vanilla anglaise and crispy chocolate pearls. The combo was just so good! All the staff were polite, working as a team to make sure our dinner experience exceeded our expectations and it did. Again special thanks to Yaz for overseeing all of this and creating a perfect dinner experience we will always remember.
Restaurantji Recommends
Two of the ONLY 3 options were spicy. I am allergic to all spicy foods. The other was steak, which I cannot eat. Chef offered to make my fish non spicy. He did not do that. It was still spicy. I couldn’t eat anything. I thought maybe they’d comp me for the meal, but no. It’s off my list. The service was great however.
We have had dinner here over the last few years. We know that there are new owners and have had dinner once there this season but tonight's dinner was very disappointing. The service was very slow - it took a 1/2 hour to get our cocktails. Our entrees were cold and the beef was very chewy - the sauce had a very funky flavor which I couldn't identify and we do know food. They were very nice but seemed a bit over their heads.
We had a quietly lovely dinner experience at Electric Daisy this past week. This is an unassuming little restaurant attached to a BnB that just absolutely surprised and delighted us. They serve a 3 course meal, along with amuse bouche and remiss en bouche. Nothing over the top, just lovely food prepared by a chef who belongs in a much larger city than our favorite little town in Maine.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
My understanding is the hartstone has changed ownership and it is just not the same. It has lost its ambience and welcoming feel. The inn keeper is nice. But for the rental cost I will look to stay somewhere else.. previously the breakfasts were really good and not the continental feel it has now. Just no one around later in the day/early evening to ask questions… there is a phone number to call ….
Very nice experience. I was a little hesitant because the menu on the web site really is not clear about the offering. They speak to a “curbside” menu and the tasting menu but the curbside menu was not available on the site. Then, our hotel did not even know about this place. Maybe thats more about the hotel. We were seated on time. Server quite nice but came to the table and asked if we wanted to drinks without even greeting us. I had to ask her name. Drinks were fine. We had the salad for first course; great dressing and crunchy lettuce. Bread service as well, home made focaccia. My wife had the bass and I had the duck, both excellent. They offer two inter-mezzos; a vegetable spoon and then sorbet. Portions were good and flavors excellent. Dessert was a pistachio sorbet with fig compote, also excellent. The $65 price fix is a fair price for what you get. I never really like a price fixed menu but I would go back. It was strange though that on a Friday night in August they were not full.