I would like to formally report that the chef at The Crooked Pine is almost certainly operating a secret underground flavor laboratory disguised as a restaurant.
There is simply no other explanation.
I ordered the steak frites. My wife ordered the braised short ribs. What arrived at the table was not food. It was a carefully engineered emotional event. The steak didn’t just taste good — it kicked the door down, grabbed my taste buds, and yelled, “WE RIDE AT DAWN.” Perfectly cooked, ridiculously flavorful, and so tender I briefly considered writing it a thank-you letter. The frites? Crispy, golden, and clearly trained in the ancient arts of deliciousness.
Then came my wife’s braised short ribs… and that’s when things escalated into full-blown culinary wizardry. These short ribs were so tender they didn’t need a knife. I’m pretty sure they just politely surrendered. I literally only had one bite and my soul left my body, hovered above the table, and nodded in approval before returning like, “Yes. This is correct.”
At one point I stopped mid-chew, looked around, and genuinely wondered if the kitchen staff was back there chanting over a cauldron labeled “UNREASONABLE LEVELS OF FLAVOR.” Because my mouth did not simply enjoy the meal — it experienced a flavor detonation of historic proportions. I’m talking fireworks. Parade. Confetti cannons. National holiday-level excitement. Guy Fieri would nod in approval.
Now, let’s address portion sizes, because honesty matters. If you show up with the appetite of a lumberjack who just ran a marathon while fighting a bear, you may notice the portions are a bit smaller than some places. This is not a “leave in a food coma while questioning your life choices” establishment. HOWEVER — and this is critical — what it lacks in sheer volume, it replaces with flavor so powerful it should legally count as two meals emotionally.
For me? It was exactly the right amount. I left satisfied, happy, and able to walk like a normal human instead of being wheeled out in a gravy-induced trance.
The atmosphere is cozy, charming, and dangerously welcoming — the kind of place where you sit down for dinner and accidentally have a full spiritual awakening over steak frites. Warm vibes, great energy, and food so good it makes you suspicious of every other restaurant you’ve ever trusted.
Final verdict: The steak frites changed me as a person. The braised short ribs achieved enlightenment. My taste buds are still filing paperwork.
If this is witchcraft, I support it. If there’s a spell involved, it worked. If I suddenly start dreaming about that meal at random hours, I will not be surprised.
11/10. Would return immediately, willingly, and without hesitation to be flavor-enchanted again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Victoriousjone
When the owner is a staunch Magat and spews hatred in front of customers just trying to enjoy a meal…what a shithole
Brenda A Ennis
☃️🎄FABULOUS pre-parade lunch! Bloody Mary perfect, roasted beet/carrot salad with chicken outta sight!! My daughter had the Swiss mushroom burger incredible! See you in the SUMMER🕶️⛱️
Michaella Rau
Was looking for an allergy-friendly place to eat in Ogunquit, struck out a few times and then got connected to Jake at the Crooked Pine who talked me through the menu options that would be safe for my shellfish/fish/peanut/tree nut allergies and the precautions the kitchen takes. Everyone was made aware of my allergy and reiterated that my meal was cooked safely. I really appreciated the effort and reassurance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amie Gatterdam
This place was absolutely amazing! The staff were all so friendly and welcoming. I’d never even heard of sweet corn ravioli before, but it’s a must-try—it was incredible! The espresso martinis were some of the best I’ve ever had. Everything was excellent from start to finish. Don’t pass this place up!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicole Ziemba
Our favorite place in Ogunquit, Jim is the absolute best!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emily McPhail
Bartender upstairs was the best! Attentive, friendly, and made an amazing drink! Upstairs outdoor seating was great. Such a fun spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
justin becker
We just walked in, hoping for the best, and that’s we got. We got seafood and pasta and they were both fantastic. Service was great. Place was super cute. Feel like we got lucky getting a table without a reservation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ted Andrews
This place was awesome. Very cozy, excellent service, and the food was fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tim H
Great date night spot. Friendly staff, great food and drinks. A bit pricey, but you get what you pay for in my opinion!
We had the worst meal and experience here last night 10/24/25 the reviews looked so good.The atmosphere was nice.The hostess was especially nice. Our waiter was not very talkative. We ordered our wine, which was fine. And then we ordered our food. First thing I noticed was there was no bread or crackers or something like most restaurants. I ordered the red snapper, and my wife ordered the short ribs which were chewy and I thought they left the other half in the kitchen.It was an extremely small portion, like the Red snapper. The red snapper was extremely thin and very small, which was thirty four dollars.And my wife's dish was thirty one dollars for that kind of money We thought the portions would be somewhat bigger. We were really hungry from shopping all day.And we wanted to get a good meal. The red snapper had good flavor but I believe I ate that in about four bites.My wife didn't even finish her meal.She said it was very chewy.Two glasses of wine and two meals is a hundred and eleven dollars. We went there hungry, and we left hungry. If you're looking for a bigger meal, don't go here.Don't waste your time and I wish the waiter was more talkative. He kind of acted like lurch from the adams family.Just no reaction and just very little conversation. This was our thirty seventh wedding anniversary and we left there, disappointed.We were hoping this restaurant was going to be one of the places we frequently go when we go to maine two or three times a year. I've heard of small portions and i've gone to restaurants with small plates which are fine.But these portions were very, very small.And not that good.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Zandi Brehmer
Amazing lobster pappardelle and tiramisu cheesecake that were to die for. Great wine selection. Lovely staff and and atmosphere. Excellent service, the best restaurant in Ogunquit! You won’t be disappointed. Run, don’t walk.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jodi Svenson
Dinner was terrific. Had the steak and husband had the mussels. Host lost our reservation, which we made the day prior, but they were able to get us in. Server struggled a bit with understanding us, but did fine. Overall we would definitely return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Sadie Fischesser
Delicious food and friendly service. A charming little place! The mushroom appetizers are not to be missed. A nice wine list and 1/2 off bubbly on Sundays is a treat.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Erica Epstein
Do not bring children here. They do not have highchairs or booster seats. Not a kid friendly place.
I would like to formally report that the chef at The Crooked Pine is almost certainly operating a secret underground flavor laboratory disguised as a restaurant.
There is simply no other explanation.
I ordered the steak frites. My wife ordered the braised short ribs. What arrived at the table was not food. It was a carefully engineered emotional event. The steak didn’t just taste good — it kicked the door down, grabbed my taste buds, and yelled, “WE RIDE AT DAWN.” Perfectly cooked, ridiculously flavorful, and so tender I briefly considered writing it a thank-you letter. The frites? Crispy, golden, and clearly trained in the ancient arts of deliciousness.
Then came my wife’s braised short ribs… and that’s when things escalated into full-blown culinary wizardry. These short ribs were so tender they didn’t need a knife. I’m pretty sure they just politely surrendered. I literally only had one bite and my soul left my body, hovered above the table, and nodded in approval before returning like, “Yes. This is correct.”
At one point I stopped mid-chew, looked around, and genuinely wondered if the kitchen staff was back there chanting over a cauldron labeled “UNREASONABLE LEVELS OF FLAVOR.” Because my mouth did not simply enjoy the meal — it experienced a flavor detonation of historic proportions. I’m talking fireworks. Parade. Confetti cannons. National holiday-level excitement. Guy Fieri would nod in approval.
Now, let’s address portion sizes, because honesty matters. If you show up with the appetite of a lumberjack who just ran a marathon while fighting a bear, you may notice the portions are a bit smaller than some places. This is not a “leave in a food coma while questioning your life choices” establishment. HOWEVER — and this is critical — what it lacks in sheer volume, it replaces with flavor so powerful it should legally count as two meals emotionally.
For me? It was exactly the right amount. I left satisfied, happy, and able to walk like a normal human instead of being wheeled out in a gravy-induced trance.
The atmosphere is cozy, charming, and dangerously welcoming — the kind of place where you sit down for dinner and accidentally have a full spiritual awakening over steak frites. Warm vibes, great energy, and food so good it makes you suspicious of every other restaurant you’ve ever trusted.
Final verdict:
The steak frites changed me as a person.
The braised short ribs achieved enlightenment.
My taste buds are still filing paperwork.
If this is witchcraft, I support it. If there’s a spell involved, it worked. If I suddenly start dreaming about that meal at random hours, I will not be surprised.
11/10. Would return immediately, willingly, and without hesitation to be flavor-enchanted again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
When the owner is a staunch Magat and spews hatred in front of customers just trying to enjoy a meal…what a shithole
☃️🎄FABULOUS pre-parade lunch! Bloody Mary perfect, roasted beet/carrot salad with chicken outta sight!! My daughter had the Swiss mushroom burger incredible! See you in the SUMMER🕶️⛱️
Was looking for an allergy-friendly place to eat in Ogunquit, struck out a few times and then got connected to Jake at the Crooked Pine who talked me through the menu options that would be safe for my shellfish/fish/peanut/tree nut allergies and the precautions the kitchen takes. Everyone was made aware of my allergy and reiterated that my meal was cooked safely. I really appreciated the effort and reassurance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place was absolutely amazing! The staff were all so friendly and welcoming. I’d never even heard of sweet corn ravioli before, but it’s a must-try—it was incredible! The espresso martinis were some of the best I’ve ever had. Everything was excellent from start to finish. Don’t pass this place up!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our favorite place in Ogunquit, Jim is the absolute best!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bartender upstairs was the best! Attentive, friendly, and made an amazing drink! Upstairs outdoor seating was great. Such a fun spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We just walked in, hoping for the best, and that’s we got. We got seafood and pasta and they were both fantastic. Service was great. Place was super cute. Feel like we got lucky getting a table without a reservation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place was awesome. Very cozy, excellent service, and the food was fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great date night spot. Friendly staff, great food and drinks. A bit pricey, but you get what you pay for in my opinion!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
We had the worst meal and experience here last night 10/24/25 the reviews looked so good.The atmosphere was nice.The hostess was especially nice. Our waiter was not very talkative. We ordered our wine, which was fine.
And then we ordered our food. First thing I noticed was there was no bread or crackers or something like most restaurants. I ordered the red snapper, and my wife ordered the short ribs which were chewy and I thought they left the other half in the kitchen.It was an extremely small portion, like the Red snapper. The red snapper was extremely thin and very small, which was thirty four dollars.And my wife's dish was thirty one dollars for that kind of money We thought the portions would be somewhat bigger. We were really hungry from shopping all day.And we wanted to get a good meal. The red snapper had good flavor but I believe I ate that in about four bites.My wife didn't even finish her meal.She said it was very chewy.Two glasses of wine and two meals is a hundred and eleven dollars. We went there hungry, and we left hungry. If you're looking for a bigger meal, don't go here.Don't waste your time and I wish the waiter was more talkative. He kind of acted like lurch from the adams family.Just no reaction and just very little conversation. This was our thirty seventh wedding anniversary and we left there, disappointed.We were hoping this restaurant was going to be one of the places we frequently go when we go to maine two or three times a year. I've heard of small portions and i've gone to restaurants with small plates which are fine.But these portions were very, very small.And not that good.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Amazing lobster pappardelle and tiramisu cheesecake that were to die for. Great wine selection. Lovely staff and and atmosphere. Excellent service, the best restaurant in Ogunquit! You won’t be disappointed. Run, don’t walk.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dinner was terrific. Had the steak and husband had the mussels. Host lost our reservation, which we made the day prior, but they were able to get us in. Server struggled a bit with understanding us, but did fine. Overall we would definitely return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Delicious food and friendly service. A charming little place! The mushroom appetizers are not to be missed. A nice wine list and 1/2 off bubbly on Sundays is a treat.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Do not bring children here. They do not have highchairs or booster seats. Not a kid friendly place.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
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