While the focus of Southern Maine on the Cheap is primarily about stretching your dollar, occasionally we write about finding value for your dollar, even when the price tag is more expensive. For example, we recently wrote about a visit to the Terrace at the the Cliff House, which, while not super cheap, was a great value given the location. We have taken to calling these features Southern Main on the Splurge.
Today, I am writing abut Chez Rosa, the only restaurant that we have experienced in Kennebunkport that truly rivals the finest restaurants that we visited when we lived in Manhattan. Again, this meal was not inexpensive. With tip, dinner for four exceeded $400. It included appetizers, entrees, a bottle of wine and dessert. I had the French onion soup followed by steak. I don’t eat red meat much anymore, but this strip loin reminded me of what I am missing. It was cooked to a perfect medium and was so tender that I didn’t really need the steak knife that came with it.
Leah had an heirloom tomato salad with peaches, cucumber and feta followed by Maine lobster au vent, a de-shelled half lobster served with fresh vegetables over a pastry crust. Our guests also had the lobster and appetizers. For dessert, each couple split the pot de creme, which was essentially a rich chocolate mousse.
The service a Chez Rosa is top-notch. The meal isn’t rushed. We were there for about two hours. If you are on a budget, you are not going to visit Chez Rosa regularly. However, occasionally something emerges and you want a special experience, perhaps a graduation or important anniversary. When these events do arise and you are looking to spend more, you want to make sure that the experience is worth the large bill. If your visit to Chez Rosa is anything like ours, you will leave feeling like your splurge was well worth it.
Upcoming events in the area
Here are some events going on in the Kennebunks and Arundel in the next seven days.