š Food Review: Front & Main ā Waterville, Maine š 9 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901
Tucked away in downtown Waterville, Front & Main is serving up some seriously bold flavors and thoughtful presentations. Sometimes you have to leave the buzz of Portland to discover hidden culinary gems, and this spot proves it. The ambiance is elevated yet comfortableāwith beautiful seating and a cozy fireplace area that adds a warm, inviting touch. Letās dive into the food! š“
STARTERS & SMALL PLATES š§ Smoked Ricotta (V/GF) ā $18 This dish was... intriguing. It featured roasted asparagus, a ricotta whey emulsion, and an orange leek gremolata. Based on the menu, I expected it to be warmāespecially the asparagusābut it was served cold. āļø While the flavors worked surprisingly well together, the temperature threw me off. Honestly, a bit confusing but still tasty? A solid 7/10 for flavor, but presentation and temperature missed the mark.
MAINS š® Street Tacos (3) ā Pork Belly Special These were the highlight of the entire meal. No notes, no complaintsājust pure joy. š¤¤ Crispy, juicy pork belly with the perfect blend of spices, tucked into soft tortillas. Easily a 10/10, and Iād return just for these alone.
š„ Gambian Peanut Stew (GF/V+) ā $34 What a flavor bomb! š„ The mafe sauce was rich and spiced beautifully, and the lentils, carrots, plantains, and peas added heartiness. That said, some of the vegetables (especially the potatoes) were undercooked, and a few elements felt more raw than al dente. Still, I was so taken by the taste that Iād order it again in a heartbeat. 9/10, with room to perfect the texture.
š„ Potato Gnocchi (V) ā $29 Wow. These gnocchi were pillowy soft, served with pearl onions, asparagus, a pine nut & arugula pesto, and topped with pecorino. šæ The pesto sauce was vibrant and full of lifeāhands down one of the best gnocchi dishes Iāve had in Maine. A perfect 10/10!
š Roasted Chicken (GF) ā $32 This one fell a bit short. The curried cauliflower, mushrooms, and tikka masala flavors were great, but the chicken itself was dry and lacked the tenderness I hoped for. š With better execution on the protein, this dish could have been a standout. 7/10āgreat ideas, not fully realized.
DESSERTS š° Frozen Key Lime Pie (GF) ā $14 A beautiful blend of tart and sweet, topped with toasted meringue, pistachio crumble, and a blackberry sauce. Refreshing and indulgent at the same time. Loved it! š
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS āØ Front & Main brings a creative, globally-inspired menu to central Maine and executes it with a bold culinary voice. The ambiance is polished but relaxed, and the staff were friendly and attentive throughout our visit.
Food: 9/10 ā The flavors are incredible across the board, with a few execution missteps.
0 ā This is definitely on the upscale side for Waterville. Expect to spend.
Ambiance: 8/10 ā Sleek, elegant, and warmāespecially with that fireplace nook.
Would I come back? Absolutely. Those pork belly tacos and Gambian stew are calling my name. š„
Ashleigh Munoz
Typically Iām a big fan of front n main, but I went to have breakfast earlier and I thought the restaurant was closed where it was empty besides the server was sitting on a couch on a phone so I went to another diner nearby, but on the way back through town I noticed people leaving front n main as if they were open so I was a little confused.
Theresa
We found the service slow and noticed because of the way our table was placed, the wait staff was on their personal phones much of the time. The food was not outstanding unserve tap it but had an outstanding cost. I think a restaurant like this could do a lot better. The chairs squeaked and scratched on the slate floors, the outsides of the chairs were fabric and dirty from hands touching them. The legs of the chairs look like they had been abused from floor moppings. I think they could do a lot better all around. We went there but we will not be rushing back.
Jennifer Tanguay
Itās not very often I leave a review, but I have been sick since after having breakfast yesterday on Fatherās Day. I mentioned to the waitress I would like to have gluten free, she said they had GF bread. When my toast came out I questioned the waitress and asked again if it was gluten free, she said yes she was sure it was. Well Iāve been very sick since after eating there, and the hellish stomach pains all night. This is so awful I had to spend most of my day in the bathroom at work. Iāve been to front and main a few times and each time the food has declined, but to this point is just absolutely horrible!!! I will suffer for who knows how long as I havenāt been able to eat gluten for 15 years, this is the first time I can say a restaurant screwed up badly.
Joe Goldberg
This place was great. The food is quality and pleasing. If you're lucky enough to sit at the bar and meet Aaron, you will likely find his interactions intelligently engaging. I would not call this a cheaper place to eat; I would call it a price point that is fair in today's economy. The portions are generous compared to other similar eateries. I find this is a gem hidden in a relatively small town of Waterville Maine.
Amanda Kochirka
My husband and I dined here for dinner one night while visiting the area after finding it on Google. We walked in around 7:30 pm without a reservation and were seated immediately. Our server, Max, was friendly and attentive. We started with the birria taco appetizer (the street taco feature that evening), which were very tasty (just a little greasy but not bad). I had the Caesar salad and a side of mac and cheese, which were both great. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the potato chip topping was wonderfully crispy and salty. The salad was just a hair under dressed, but I'd rather that than over dressed and the flavor of the dressing was fantastic. My husband had the burger, which was juicy and delicious, but the real star were the pickles they served with it - SO good! We actually asked for another side of them because we ate the ones that came with the burger before he even started eating the actual burger. The fries it came with weren't as crispy as he would have liked, but they were ok. Dessert was the real star of the meal, we shared the bananas foster budino and OMG. It was so insanely delicious. I'd go back just for the dessert!
Adam Farr
The food and drinks were quite good. Menu options were somewhat limited but they seem to focus on quality over quantity. Our server was prompt and attentive but not overbearing. She offered good knowledge of the food and bar items. The restaurant and bar were moderately busy and yet the noise level was fine. We were able to carry on a conversation without raising our voices or struggling to hear each other. The menu prices lean towards the high end ($35-$55 entrees). Lots of parking available across Front street which means a short walk to the restaurant.
Ruth
Bar and food service excellent; drinks, food and wine well crafted and presented. Server found us 2 cushions for backs of chairs-kudos to her!
The atmosphere was very nice. We were seated in the bar area. People we bringing their well behaved dogs in to sit with them and that was nice to see. Comfortable and good food. The service was slow to get an order placed. But after received food pomptly.
A lovely spot to have dinner in downtown Waterville. Drink were creative and dinner was spot on.
Clyne
Food declining in quality for the extreme price. Fried chicken not near as good as used to be. Food and dessert take too long after order is placed. No bang for the buck.
Robert
I was underwhelmed this time out with Front & Main. The food was nothing special and the service mediocre. Not worth the $150 bill for two. Used to be much better.
Kathryn
Favorite place for brunch! Ployes are amazing. Mac and cheese is an indulgence. Fresh salads are great.
John
Service was slow. Wait staff is inexperienced and need training that is at level for the price of food and beverages. If you are asking a premium $$$ then service needs to be commiserated with that. Example cocktails should be served together, not drinks delivered one at a time 5min apart. The quality of the food was good but we were there for 2.5 hours to complete our evening. It was very noisy and cold and difficult to hold a conversation.
š Food Review: Front & Main ā Waterville, Maine
š 9 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901
Tucked away in downtown Waterville, Front & Main is serving up some seriously bold flavors and thoughtful presentations. Sometimes you have to leave the buzz of Portland to discover hidden culinary gems, and this spot proves it. The ambiance is elevated yet comfortableāwith beautiful seating and a cozy fireplace area that adds a warm, inviting touch. Letās dive into the food! š“
STARTERS & SMALL PLATES
š§ Smoked Ricotta (V/GF) ā $18
This dish was... intriguing. It featured roasted asparagus, a ricotta whey emulsion, and an orange leek gremolata. Based on the menu, I expected it to be warmāespecially the asparagusābut it was served cold. āļø While the flavors worked surprisingly well together, the temperature threw me off. Honestly, a bit confusing but still tasty? A solid 7/10 for flavor, but presentation and temperature missed the mark.
MAINS
š® Street Tacos (3) ā Pork Belly Special
These were the highlight of the entire meal. No notes, no complaintsājust pure joy. š¤¤ Crispy, juicy pork belly with the perfect blend of spices, tucked into soft tortillas. Easily a 10/10, and Iād return just for these alone.
š„ Gambian Peanut Stew (GF/V+) ā $34
What a flavor bomb! š„ The mafe sauce was rich and spiced beautifully, and the lentils, carrots, plantains, and peas added heartiness. That said, some of the vegetables (especially the potatoes) were undercooked, and a few elements felt more raw than al dente. Still, I was so taken by the taste that Iād order it again in a heartbeat. 9/10, with room to perfect the texture.
š„ Potato Gnocchi (V) ā $29
Wow. These gnocchi were pillowy soft, served with pearl onions, asparagus, a pine nut & arugula pesto, and topped with pecorino. šæ The pesto sauce was vibrant and full of lifeāhands down one of the best gnocchi dishes Iāve had in Maine. A perfect 10/10!
š Roasted Chicken (GF) ā $32
This one fell a bit short. The curried cauliflower, mushrooms, and tikka masala flavors were great, but the chicken itself was dry and lacked the tenderness I hoped for. š With better execution on the protein, this dish could have been a standout. 7/10āgreat ideas, not fully realized.
DESSERTS
š° Frozen Key Lime Pie (GF) ā $14
A beautiful blend of tart and sweet, topped with toasted meringue, pistachio crumble, and a blackberry sauce. Refreshing and indulgent at the same time. Loved it! š
š Bananas Foster Budino (V/GF) ā $14
This was my favorite dessert of the night. A velvety banana custard, brĆ»lĆ©ed on top with vanilla wafers and chantilly creamālike crĆØme brĆ»lĆ©e meets banana pudding, and I was obsessed. š Both desserts easily earned 10/10.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
āØ Front & Main brings a creative, globally-inspired menu to central Maine and executes it with a bold culinary voice. The ambiance is polished but relaxed, and the staff were friendly and attentive throughout our visit.
Food: 9/10 ā The flavors are incredible across the board, with a few execution missteps.
0 ā This is definitely on the upscale side for Waterville. Expect to spend.
Ambiance: 8/10 ā Sleek, elegant, and warmāespecially with that fireplace nook.
Would I come back? Absolutely. Those pork belly tacos and Gambian stew are calling my name. š„
Typically Iām a big fan of front n main, but I went to have breakfast earlier and I thought the restaurant was closed where it was empty besides the server was sitting on a couch on a phone so I went to another diner nearby, but on the way back through town I noticed people leaving front n main as if they were open so I was a little confused.
We found the service slow and noticed because of the way our table was placed, the wait staff was on their personal phones much of the time. The food was not outstanding unserve tap it but had an outstanding cost. I think a restaurant like this could do a lot better. The chairs squeaked and scratched on the slate floors, the outsides of the chairs were fabric and dirty from hands touching them. The legs of the chairs look like they had been abused from floor moppings. I think they could do a lot better all around. We went there but we will not be rushing back.
Itās not very often I leave a review, but I have been sick since after having breakfast yesterday on Fatherās Day. I mentioned to the waitress I would like to have gluten free, she said they had GF bread. When my toast came out I questioned the waitress and asked again if it was gluten free, she said yes she was sure it was. Well Iāve been very sick since after eating there, and the hellish stomach pains all night. This is so awful I had to spend most of my day in the bathroom at work. Iāve been to front and main a few times and each time the food has declined, but to this point is just absolutely horrible!!! I will suffer for who knows how long as I havenāt been able to eat gluten for 15 years, this is the first time I can say a restaurant screwed up badly.
This place was great. The food is quality and pleasing. If you're lucky enough to sit at the bar and meet Aaron, you will likely find his interactions intelligently engaging. I would not call this a cheaper place to eat; I would call it a price point that is fair in today's economy. The portions are generous compared to other similar eateries. I find this is a gem hidden in a relatively small town of Waterville Maine.
My husband and I dined here for dinner one night while visiting the area after finding it on Google. We walked in around 7:30 pm without a reservation and were seated immediately. Our server, Max, was friendly and attentive. We started with the birria taco appetizer (the street taco feature that evening), which were very tasty (just a little greasy but not bad). I had the Caesar salad and a side of mac and cheese, which were both great. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the potato chip topping was wonderfully crispy and salty. The salad was just a hair under dressed, but I'd rather that than over dressed and the flavor of the dressing was fantastic. My husband had the burger, which was juicy and delicious, but the real star were the pickles they served with it - SO good! We actually asked for another side of them because we ate the ones that came with the burger before he even started eating the actual burger. The fries it came with weren't as crispy as he would have liked, but they were ok. Dessert was the real star of the meal, we shared the bananas foster budino and OMG. It was so insanely delicious. I'd go back just for the dessert!
The food and drinks were quite good. Menu options were somewhat limited but they seem to focus on quality over quantity. Our server was prompt and attentive but not overbearing. She offered good knowledge of the food and bar items. The restaurant and bar were moderately busy and yet the noise level was fine. We were able to carry on a conversation without raising our voices or struggling to hear each other. The menu prices lean towards the high end ($35-$55 entrees). Lots of parking available across Front street which means a short walk to the restaurant.
Bar and food service excellent; drinks, food and wine well crafted and presented. Server found us 2 cushions for backs of chairs-kudos to her!
Nice meal but not into the current menu. Service was Excellent. The chairs were Uncomfortable! The sautƩed mushrooms were good but the pate, which came with it, was very bitter. Cocktails were good! Will be back!
The atmosphere was very nice. We were seated in the bar area. People we bringing their well behaved dogs in to sit with them and that was nice to see. Comfortable and good food. The service was slow to get an order placed. But after received food pomptly.
Restaurantji Recommends
A lovely spot to have dinner in downtown Waterville. Drink were creative and dinner was spot on.
Food declining in quality for the extreme price. Fried chicken not near as good as used to be. Food and dessert take too long after order is placed. No bang for the buck.
I was underwhelmed this time out with Front & Main. The food was nothing special and the service mediocre. Not worth the $150 bill for two. Used to be much better.
Favorite place for brunch! Ployes are amazing. Mac and cheese is an indulgence. Fresh salads are great.
Service was slow. Wait staff is inexperienced and need training that is at level for the price of food and beverages. If you are asking a premium $$$ then service needs to be commiserated with that. Example cocktails should be served together, not drinks delivered one at a time 5min apart. The quality of the food was good but we were there for 2.5 hours to complete our evening. It was very noisy and cold and difficult to hold a conversation.
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