Hidden behind the trees, set back from the street, and announced only by a garish sign on the Medway Road, you wouldn't expect to find a treasure. But the teenager was gone for the weekend, and I was nagging the husband about taking me to dinner, and so it was that we ended up at Boatman's Bar & Grill.
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| The bar of Boatman's Bar & Grill. |
Having bought Unicorn Expeditions a couple of months ago, Three Rivers Whitewater, whose main facility is in the Forks, has brought its well-known restaurant, Boatman's Bar & Grill, to its "Penobscot Outpost" in Millinocket.
The restaurant is roomy and cozy at the same time, with a new backbar and cuprack. It has a pool table and a dart board, and there is room for perhaps 50 diners inside. Outside is a fenced-in yard with a couple of picnic tables, a fire pit for their nightly bonfires, and a Jacuzzi.
The waitress was friendly and fast, and we didn't have to wait long at all for our drinks or complementary hot rolls.
With names like "The Log Driver" (Italian sausage, marinara sauce, green peppers & onions on a sub roll with melted mozzarella cheese) and "Eddy" (chicken fingers and fries with honey mustard or BBQ dipping sauce), it was difficult to make a choice.
I must tell you that the hubby is rather picky about his steak. If one iota of pink remains in it, he loses his appetite.
Despite the fact that he always says, "well done. When you think it's burnt, cook it a little longer," most restaurants get it wrong.
Ever the optimist, he ordered the Surf & Turf and soup, and I ordered the Surf & Turf -- medium rare -- and salad. We ordered the "Big Mama" (nacho chips served with melted cheese, salsa, jalapenos and sour cream) appetizers.
The atmosphere was quite relaxed, and we watched a couple of teens play darts while we ate our nachos. The nachos were crisp and the salsa was snappy.
The entree arrived, and I am still amazed as I sit here and tell you that they got our order 100% correct! The steaks were charbroiled to perfection, and the mashed potatoes were savory.
The shrimp was not breaded, which dismayed my picky husband, but he decided to try one anyway and actually ended up eating all of his. It was sauteed in a garlic and butter and was exquisite.
Though we didn't drink any, they also have a full bar and even sell non-alcoholic O'Doul's.
I hate to gush about such things, but I must say that this is going to be one of my favorite restaurants.
They serve a full dinner every day from May 21 through September 18 with both dining and live music or karaoke Saturday nights all summer long.
Directions: Follow 11 & 157 west toward Millinocket. Continue through Medway and East Millinocket. The road to the camp is on the left, exactly 8 miles from I-95. After left continue 1.2 miles. Entrance is on the right. Phone number: 723-3200.
