Maine Stay Inn ~ An Insider's Guide to Kennebunkport

If you're looking for lobstah or chowdah, you can get them heah.

Mabel's Lobster Claw, known to us locals as Mabel's (clever, huh?) has been serving fantastic seafood and lobster for nearly 50 years. In fact, Mabel's is where Janice and I ate on my first visit to Kennebunkport more than 25 years ago.

Mabel's is Kennebunkport's oldest seafood restaurant. Its relaxed atmosphere combined with its fresh and expertly prepared seafood make Mabel's a favorite of many of Kennebunkport's repeat visitors as well as the locals.

Choose to dine in the casual and comfortable dining room or, when the weather is right, sit on their outside patio and enjoy the evening and the people watching. Warning, while the outside patio is a very pleasant way to enjoy an evening, if the weather is humid and the air is still, the mosquitoes will be dining at Mabel's as well (and they eat for free).

Mabel's is definitely a favorite of President Bush (41) and his lovely wife, Barbara. Two of our guests had dinner next to them just last week. In addition to some pleasant conversation with the Bushes, they had their pictures taken with them as well. That will make a wonderful memory.

Janice and I were joined for dinner by two of our favorite guests, Pete and Miriam. Pete and Miriam both enjoyed a steamed lobster. The passion with which they consumed their meal spoke volumes.

Janice chose the Baked Stuffed Shrimp "the best in the country" according to the menu. While I will not reach across the table and sample someone elses meal, I am not shy about trying Janice's (remember, I am a professional food critic). It was fantastic. Nice jumbo, firm shrimp stuffed lightly with bread crumbs and chunks of lobster.

I had one of the evening's specials, the broiled swordfish. A generous portion of fresh swordfish cooked just the way I asked. I wasn't foolish enough to eat too much of my cole slaw although it was delicious. As a professional, I know enough to leave room for dessert. And, if it's dessert at Mabel's, it has to be the blueberry pie, the Maine blueberry pie, a la mode. What's the difference between blueberry pie and Maine blueberry pie? That's easy, the taste.

Mabel's is a wonderful choice for an enjoyable, casual seafood dinner.

The Maine Stay Inn often recommends Mabel's to our guests and we are happy to make your reservations.

Labels: Kennebunkport Restaurants