Beautiful atmosphere, variety on menu, some different takes on things (like smoked jalapeno aioli)
Tom, great. Food outstanding again. Love valet parking. Less people, more chill, everyone friendlier.
The food was amazing! The oysters were super fresh and very delicious. The drinks were great, even though it was hard to get a pre dinner drink, having 3 servers and bartenders walk by, make eye contact with us and kept going. They included a birthday candle on one of the desserts which was perfect for the occasion! Will definitely be going back.
Very fresh and well prepared seafood. Excellent service. A real treat!
We had heard mixed reviews but wanted to try Scales. Sad to say the lemon sole was drenched in too much brown butter and turned to mush in my mouth. Another of our group had same experience. Another person’s North Pacific cod was also soaked in too much butter. Brussels sprouts and duck confit side was very good.
As an artist I immediately liked the high ceilings and the fish on display in the ice it was a special place and meal and more than met my expectations
very good..traditional fare but such elegance and high quality. Loved the molasses bread.
I just expected more. The hype surrounding Scales did not match my experience. For the price, the food was lackluster and my cocktail was actually awful. The service was good and our waitress was nice, but busy and couldn't give us enough attention. I don't think I'll be back.
Loved it for my birthday dinner. Oysters, FABULOUS! Companions all loved their meals. One of many great Portland seafood dining spots. We older folks may like a little less noise, but understand that noise means 'buzz' or whatever. Great time!
Food was very good but the wait staff was not very attentive or responsive. I would try it again as the food was quite good and hope that the service would improve.
Dined on a quiet Sunday night in early April and were seated by the window overlooking pier. Hake special of the evening was delicious and looked so pretty when served I couldn't wait to dive in. Arctic char cooked to perfection, too, and also very appealing from the way it was presented. Saved enough room to share banana frozen custard dessert which we had seen go by to several other tables while we were eating. Very nice first time dining experience.
We had an amazing meal here on Sunday evening. Food and drinks were outstanding, already planning our next trip back!
We were visiting Portland for the weekend for an event and decided to book a dinner reservation for Scales. You can't go wrong with this place! The food and drinks were amazing and it was nice to be on the water. Seafood seems to be their specialty but their steak and burger were great too. Only hiccup was that we were early for our reservation and sat in the bar area but the hosts did not seem to know whether we were waiting to be seated or not, We were the first ones there for a 5pm seating, but others were seated before us while figuring out if we were waiting. It was resolved quickly though and we had a great time. Not really kid-friendly, but both our kids loved it. My son said it was the best dinner he had ever had. I have to agree it was up there. Definitely recommend!
We come from out of town and always make Scales one of our dinners. John is an excellent server. Attentive, but not hovering. He convinced me to try the carrot cake even though it has parsnips in it! It was as good as promised. I always get the fish & Chips; never disappoints. My companion tried the Dover Sole special and it was also very good. Our cocktails were perfect.
The food was amazing and the service was impeccable!
Clam chowder and steamed lobster were great, but the fish and chips were bland and the batter overwhelmed the fish. Great location, good service, but food disappointed.
Excellent service and very well prepared fresh fish and seafood.
We always enjoy Scales. Once again we had an excellent meal with great service.
Great service and food. It is on the expensive side.
Dining at Scales is always a treat, My fiance & I had dinner on a Wednesday evening, but based on the amount of diners you would expect that it was a weekend. You first walk past the kitchen line where you can see the brigade preparing food for hungry visitors. A large raw-bar & lounge area wraps around the near-side of the building, and windows line the far-side, providing a great view of the harbor & neighboring wharfs.
The service was quick, upscale, yet casual - the food was seasoned well, cooked to perfection, and an appropriate portion size. Anytime that main courses are valued over $30 in Portland I am a bit skeptical, but these dishes definitely delivered. Will be back.
Really good food and service. Feels like a more casual Fore Street, but not less expensive.
Had the same dish back in July, this time, not enough fish, fish was not marinated in the sauce enough. Very separate tasting from the sauce. Waiter was amazing. Very personable.
Birthday. Halibut is the very best anywhere! My wife loves the sole.
Although food was excellent it was Surprisingly expensive - fish dishes $38-40
Mixed reviews from our family of three. Loved the raw oysters, the halibut special, the octopus app, and the tomato basil soup with smoked mussels. But the smoked bluefish pate was a disappointment -- had the texture and taste of canned tuna. Also disappointing was the "chopped salad with iceberg and romaine". It wasn't very green - there was a lot of the light yellow core from both lettuces and a dressing that was thin and acidic, not "creamy" like menu described. Only ate two bites and was surprised that waiter took it away without asking why it was uneaten. Service in general was attentive but not warm.
Great food, wonderful ambience, take your friends "from away"!
Only suggestion: Try not to rush your diners so much, we pay a premium
to dine here!
We’ve been to Scales many times and were thoroughly disappointed with our last experience. The service was sub-par, ordering a drink was almost impossible; my husband ordered the halibut special and it was raw in the middle. Overall it was completely underwhelming and below average.
Had a great time with a group of friends. Some of our party was late, but the staff was very accommodating despite our tardiness. Tasty wine, a wide variety of amazing appetizers, including the mussels which were the best mussels I've ever had, oysters, bread, ceviche. I had the scallops and it was a great choice. The waitstaff was extremely professional and accommodating. We had a great time.
Good quality food, competent servers, attractive setting and interior, dynamic atmosphere, nice mix of age groups. As with so many restaurants you do feel pushed along a bit although it's being done in an unobtrusive way.
Fabulous place. Great food great service and have dinner here in every visit to portland
This is (imo) the most consistent positive experience in dining in Portland. From the courtesy valet, to the wonderful, pleasant hosts/hostesses, the pleasant, knowledgeable waitstaff and the phenomenal, consistent food.
We had three meals, the burger was greasy and was undercooked. The other two meals were excellent .
Our waitress was very good and did a wonderful job.
Great space great food
Winter happy hour with $1 oysters and clams were awesome! Main meal was wonderful also- not inexpensive but well worth it. Thoroughly enjoyed it and went back again the next night for more oysters!
Fantastic as always
We have been consistently impressed with the casual but special, intimate but spacious, simple yet creative food prep juxtapositions. We have enjoyed mainly coming as a larger group or family, but the space is equally appealing for a range it seems. The service and staff are excellent. Valet parking a nice luxury in such a crowded premium parking area where one can easily get a ticket!
Perfect all around! We loved the layout, the view of the kitchen & my goodness the food was outstanding from the rolls to the fish!
Great seafood. Waitstaff was very accommodating and made good suggestions based on our questions. I especially enjoyed my scallops which they made without the cream sauce for me. Would definitely go again We were there early and it was getting loud as we left, so I'd go earlier vs. later.
The food and service were outstanding. The restaurant is well managed and provides customers with a wonderful culinary experience. I would strongly recommend this restaurant to people who enjoy excellent food and attentive but unobtrusive service.
The food fantastic, the service, we had Tom, OUTSTANDING. The one down side, the space is big and open. not a cozy space.