Primo - RocklandMemorable mealEach course was a culinary triumph. Just enough food to satisfy not over stuff.Good to park where I could wander around the gardens to se the source of dinner.6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMPrimo has all the right ingredientsPrimo has all the right ingredients - great food, service- but most of all the feeling that everyone is welcome and that they enjoy what they do. WE had an excellent meal - sardines, oysters, a shared Sicilian pasta , and two great entrees. Certainly worth a return visit!6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMwonderful innovative cuisine,wonderful innovative cuisine, using fresh produce out of their garden. Primo always makes dining an eating experience from the moment you sit down until you leave (which incidentally usually is 2+ hours later) Unusual selections on the menu but they are always wonderful6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMTasting Bar = Best ExperienceThe restaurant on the whole has a ton of character. From downstairs which seems to be a bit quieter, more of a traditional experience to upstairs which is full of smaller dining areas and more of a "happening": We found ourselves arriving quite a bit early for our reservation and walked upstairs where there is open seating to grab a drink. It was the best thing that could have happened for us. We found a spot at the Tasting Bar (not the drinks, but where the chefs prepare tasting-specific menu) where no reservations are required. The wine list is spectacular for the area and the menu compliments it very well. Watching the chefs create our orders as we steadily put them created one of the best dining experiences I had ever had.6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMPrimo @ Primo!Excellent as always! Melissa Kelly is at it again, knocking out homeruns with her incredible food, wine and service. Like the seating @ the bar for dinner as well, without a res.
Had a wonderful dinner with my son, and his girlfriend for their high school graduation celebrations. They loved it :)6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMust Go!This was our second time at Primo and we had the same outstanding experience from service to food.
Upstairs area is great to get a special drink and some appetizers - we then went downstairs for dinner.
Enjoy!6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything is always amazingEverything is always amazing but you can't go wrong with their pork or veal. Also, make sure you get a cheese before desert, the cheeses are mind blowing.6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazingWe had extremely high expectation going in, and they didn't disappoint..amazing experience, can't wait to go back6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMPrimoA great experience! The food was amazing- fresh, delicious and wonderful presentation. The portions are on the smaller side - consider getting a salad or appetizer, too.
A really warm atmosphere - sophisticated, simple decoration, but with the cozy feeling of eating in somebody's home.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMFine diningA truly memorable and total eating experience! The passion for the food's freshness, taste, as well as the delightful presentation, and excellent service, was obvious throughout the entire evening. What a delicious, and fun evening we had there. The grounds and gardens are a feast for the eyes also. It is worth getting there a little early (if still daylight), in order to have a look around. It is all so authentic, and original. We are very lucky to have this place on the coast of Maine.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMImpecable service, great,Impecable service, great, well presented food, friendly and knowledgeable server.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMI was celebrating my 60thI was celebrating my 60th birthday with two friends. I had never been to Primo, but my friends recommended it, so we made reservations and enjoyed a wonderful sensation of delicious food. We each ordered a different salad and main course so we could taste each others dish. Everything was outstandingly presented, prepared and tasty. I definitely want to return.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent ExperienceOur experience at Primo was a wonderful romantic dinner for two... We have only enjoyed food at this level in Maine at only a handful of restaurants in Maine, but Primo is at the top of the list.6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMThe menu was filled with unusualThe menu was filled with unusual selections making maximum use of fresh local delicacies. We will definitely visit again next we are in Rockland.6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMLooking out the windowWhile the food was great, the service attentive, the view out of our window overlooking the perennial bed
was a little off-putting. After spending weeks weeding my own perennial garden, I was not happy to see weeds
in yours, especially dandelions. We were seated next to a table of three rather elderly people who seemed to
have a hearing problem and assumed everyone else did, so they were rather loud, especially one elderly lady
who get a lot more verbose after a martini. My husband and I were celebrating our 55th wedding anniversary so
we understand the problems of agine. We had visited The Good Life Center in the p.m., so I guess I was
torn between epicurean delight - and a little bit of guilt. Wine list pricey for pensioners!6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat spot for dinnerMy wife and I had an amazing dinner at primo. Food was ver well prepared and the presentation was excellent. The restaurant is in an old renovated home which gives a nice feel to the place. Would eat here again.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMSimply the best!We had heard the accolades and Primo lived up to all the hype. Fantastic service; delicious and creative foods.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMExpectations were Exceeded!After a 2 yr wait, finally made it to Maine. Staff were all top notch. Delectable goodies started with the amuse bouche of a housemade duck liver pate. The soft shell crab appetizer was soft, flavorful and perfectly cooked...and we have learned that living on the Chesapeake. The only item we had that wasn't truly over the top was a monk cheek appetizer that was slightly bland and a little tough. Everything else was perfectly executed. The pasta special with duck and fiddlehead ferns, the wild Alaskan king salmon with the quinoa cake and citrus and the pork saltimbocca with Madeira jus were all phenomenal. While we shared a lovely light dessert with crepes and berries, a lovely couple by us shared their Zeppole...I'm still dreaming about it!5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMFinally! It's May!And Primo has re-opened for the season! Superb foie gras, "two ways", for my appe. It was a nasty evening in Maine for late May so we went for a really good California Merlot. I had the veal and my wife went straight for the polenta dinner. And we closer with a very good cheese plate dominated by Vermont's best, really! We've already made new reservations for Mid-June.5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstandingCame here for our first wedding anniversary - outstanding experience. Incredible food, incredible service, all-around a truly wonderful experience. It is expensive, but worth the price tag. Plus, I put a note on our reservation that it was our anniversary, and everyone gave us their well wishes and they brought out a small complimentary dessert :)5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMPrimo RocksWe are never disappointed here - absolutely my favorite restaurant on the east coast. Try zeppies with vanilla ice cream for a wicked good treat.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent, as alwaysI've been dining at Primo since it opened and I am never disappointed. Delicious food and drinks and great service. Don't forget to walk around the farm! Fantastic.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMA new favoriteIf coming to Maine do dine at Primo. This restaurant is worth a drive from Portland or even Bar Harbor just for the evening. The food and service were amazing- the menu has dazzling options but everything my party ordered were from the amazing specials our waitress offered which were too scrumptious sounding to pass up. Also, the gardens are open and they welcome you to walk in them- we got to see the pigs and chickens that they raise right there, along with a cook rushing out to the garden to cut some fresh herbs needed for a recipe- not something you see at just any restaurant.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMexcellent food
interestingexcellent food
interesting choices on the menu (interesting good - not interesting "Well I tried it and I'm never eating that again")
sit in the upstairs bar if possible, then you are able to order off both the bar and the regular menu.
Desserts were shamefully indulgent and spectacular.
It's the kind of place I wish I had in Los Angeles, because I would eat there every week.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMNot as special as we expectedToo crowded and busy for this caliber of dinning. Overly casual crowd detracts from a special occasion. Service was less than attentive, staff seemed to have too much to attend to and not really familiar with the menu.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMperhaps the best ever?Service, ambience, quality and quantity of food 5 star. Good beer list, good wine list. Total tab – 6 drinks, 4 apps, 2 salads, 2 entrees, 2 latte’s, 3 cheeses…$219.
From the minute we walked in till we left we were captivated. Just about perfect. Rosemary almonds, sausage stuffed olives, fried fiddlehead ferns, kale and cashew salads, pork belly/pretzel and pickle appetizer, backyard chicken, smoked duck ravioli, good bread - just enough to appreciate but not destroy your appetite, 3 cheeses, Belgian chocolate cake for dessert. Best overall restaurant experience i've ever had.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMFancy Food FarmhouseWe visited on a Friday night. The atmosphere was lively and most of the tables were filled. Our waiter really made our evening fun in light of such fancy entrees. We chose to be downstairs, but the hostess gave sweetly gave us a tour of the whole place. They have a new counter service area upstairs. Unfortunately it was pouring rain, or we would have enjoyed a stroll around the gardens and farm. There were many choices on the menu, and everything was prepared well. We were able to try some items we haven't before such as deep-fried soft-shell crab, fiddlehead asparagus soup, dorade, and boar steak. Don't miss the desserts, and dress nicely.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMWow! were we impressed!My wife and I had driven by numerous times, so we decided to try it last minute for the first time this Memorial weekend.
Wow! were we impressed!
Prompt, courteous, friendly service greeted us from the door to ordering our amazing food. We have been to fine restaurants all over the world, and this by far met the very top of them.
The food was spectacular. The choice of complementary flavors in all selections were excellent. Knowing that our food came from carefully chosen local natural sources enhanced our dinner. The plate presentations with in house garnishing were beautiful.
We were so satisfied with our experience and look forward to our return. Many Thanks!5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMMultiple choices, excellent food.We ate in the Fine Dining area of Primo and the service was excellent.The food very well prepared and served. I tried WIld Boar for the first time and it was tasty and tender. My husband had the Porterhouse Pork chop and it was extremely tender and savory. We were told there is another area for a more relaxed meal upstairs, giving you the choice of the an another type of dining experience.
A wonderful place to celebrate a special event or to just enjoy fine dining. A word to the wise though it is pricey.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMA Great Dining ExperienceWe've been here several times, and Primo never disappoints.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWOWThis is one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. It's not what I would expect to find in an area like Rockland, me butit's worth a long trip to get here.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMthe BESTThat was the BEST meal I've eaten in a long, long time. I will dream of the saltimbocca and banana cream 'pie'. Everything was top-notch and the staff's professionalism (and smiles) made the evening that much more enjoyable. We'll be back. Soon!5/19/2013 12:00:00 AM35th wedding anniversaryMy husband and I had never been to Primo's, but decided to go based on multiple recommendations, to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. It was wonderful. If we had known a little more about the place, we would have arrived earlier to have time to walk around the gardens and also to have a cocktail upstairs in the great bar area. The food was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. The service was impeccable. We will definitely be back.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was great, the staffThe food was great, the staff knowledgeable, but it took 2 1/4 hours for our meal. Too long in our opinion. It was busy for sure but that is no excuse. I would still go back, and the next time hope things moved along a little faster.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food, wait staffExcellent food, wait staff was amazing! My out of town girl friends were very impressed with the entire evening! Thank you all!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMMake a reservation to experience!After reading online reviews and a recommendation from a local B&B, my husband and I knew we had to experience for ourselves. We were intrigued by learning that the restaurant is sited on 7 acres of farm land where the owner grows and supplies their own food. The dishes all had a unique twist/pairing. Our dishes were fresh and scrumptious! We enjoyed an after dinner drink during reverse happy hour in the tavern which has a great ambiance and friendly bartender.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMWhen You DreamPrimo is just a perfect place to dine. Everything about it is great, including an interesting menu, prepared and served just as you'd imagine it in your mind if you were making up a perfect dining experience.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMPrimo is always a great diningPrimo is always a great dining choice. However, tonight the service was less than stellar. We waited a long time for a bar order to be filled. The waiter was distracted by another party next to us and we had to signal him to clear our plates and provide a dessert menu. Not what I expect from this restaurant! The food on the other hand continues to be outstanding!5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMspectacular!!everyone says that they do farm to table at their restaurants...but Melissa Kelly does it well!!!From first to last bite every flavor flowed with the next. make sure to try the octopus!! we will try to come as many times as we can!5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMRocking in RocklandPRIMO is primo! A great food experience. Everything we ordered was excellent and creative.
And then we learned that the restaurant is open late. They have a specials in the bar beginning at 9 pm. Where in Maine does any fine restaurant stay open late??5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMNever a better meal!This was only my second time at Primo, but it won't be my last! Great service, wonderful atmosphere and the absolutely best food! The chef's recent "Best Chef Northeast" award was very well-deserved and tells you all you need to know about this fantastic restaurant. If you've been here, go again! If not, go!5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMPrimo SupprimoAn outstanding mid-coast Maine find. Fully lived up to chef's reputation. Provides diners with unusual choice of quiet dining downstairs and vibrant bar dining upstairs.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding Food!This was our second time at Primo and the food is wonderful. The restaurant is clean and nicely decorated and the gardens are lovely to look at while dining. We found there were lots of regulars, so people do come back. The food just can't be beat and the desserts are scrumptious.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMExquisite!I had read about Primo and Chef Melissa Kelly which is why my friend and I booked the weekend in Rockland (a gem!). So, we had high expectations for our dining experience before we arrived at the beautiful Victorian house surrounded by gardens. All of them were surpassed by the end of the evening. From the warm welcome when we arrived to the attentive but not cloying service at table to the spectacular food, it was an impressive evening. We are already planning a return visit next year!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMterrific as usualPrimo has never failed to be extraordinary dining, and we have been coming close to thirteen years. It has been a culinary adventure watching Melissa and Price mature and expand. They have created a gem which they polish nightly. This was opening weekend, and the only complaint was the pace was too slow. We spent nearly 3 hours, with another couple. A little long for us, but in European terms, the usual all evening dinner. We love coming here, and are never disappointed. Now that Primo has won the James Beard award, I am sure the wait for a reservation will be even longer! But do wait. It is well worth it....5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways my favorite restaurant.Wanted to make it opening night and everything was once again outstanding. Congrats to Melissa for her second James Breard award!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMOpening night 2013We hit the opening by chance and were impressed with the smooth running of the entire 3 hours we spent enjoying the food and service. My wife went with something new/2 somethings old in the oyster stew appetizer, the saltimbocca main and the budino cake dessert - all of which she enjoyed immensely because of the good taste and texture contrasts and the presentation. Similarly for my wild garlic pasta, wild boar main and rhubarb crostata abetted by an apt wine recommended by our waiter. The inclusion of items from the surrounding gardens - from the honey in the cocktail to many items on the plates and in the preparations - adds great flavor and texture to the experience.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMthe best restaurant in MaineHands down. The flavors, the freshness, the pride, ambiance, and just everything. The best!!9/30/2012 12:00:00 AMMelissa Kelly has a Maine Gem...It was more than worth it. Extraordinary "farm to table" experience that you can't pass up......... enough said7/26/2012 12:00:00 AM