reviewed by Diane Hudson – SummerGuide 2002
Built in 1855, just five minutes from Bath along the Georgetown Peninsula, Robinhood Free Meetinghouse began as a town hall, chapel, (UK) library and since 1995 has continued to draw crowds as one of the top restaurants in Maine.
Starting with a delectable Crab Bisque, delicately seasoned with fresh tarragon and thyme and a lentil soup elegantly flavored with smoked duck sausage and a mixture of herbs, we dove into a crisp, refreshing salad of endive and smoked salmon mousse, witli roasted shallot vinaigrette ($8).
Next, we sampled from one of the best pastry concoctions we’ve ever had. Imagine a puffpastrv filled with an incredible combination of button, shitake, oyster, and Portabella mushrooms magically mingled with leeks, garlic, cream, and cracked pepper ($8). And how could we not try the Kreatopitas, delicate phyllo pastry filled with ground lamb, feta, onion, and fresh herbs with a mushroom Marsala Glace de Viande ($7.50)
Upon learning from our server that Chef Gagne makes his own sausages (and is in the process of building a smoker on the site), we had to try the Little Andouille Biscuits Con Qucso Sauce ($7.50). A perfect blend of texture and flavor, the spicy, smoked sausage permeates the light cheese sauce and warm, flaky biscuits. You can eat this dish and take it with you, as the marvelous cream cheese biscuits are available frozen in convenient packages, oven-ready for the home version of your own Robinhood experience ($6 per dozen, 72 layers).
With the offerings at Robinhood being the most eclectic and inviting we remember seeing (from Cajun to Asian with a solid Cordun Bleu throughout), we counted our blessings and proceeded with a superbly marinated lamb.
Grilled exactly as we like, tlie meat’s flavors were well complemented with grilled- g, maple sweet potatoes, crisp green beans, and colorful tomato mint relish ($22). We shared the lamb along with tournedos, lean tenderloin, grilled and drizzled lightly i with Bcarnaise and crispy garlic sauces, served with tasty roasted potatoes and a t fresh garden vegetable ($23). Our wine accompaniment was perfect; a Blackstone Cabernet Sauvignon ($24) selected from a list that reflects, like everything here, contemplation in choice and generosity in pricing.
There’s always room for something like an orange creme brulee ($7) and raspberries with Creme Anglaise and Grand Marnier ($7). We made quick work of the wonderful big bowl of brulee, and the abundance of sweet berries with their wondrous dressing made for the perfect ending to what we hope will be an oft-repeated tour.
Robinhood free Meetinghouse, 210 Robinhood Road, Georgetown. (207) 371-2424. Reservations www.robinhood-meetinghouse.com
0 Comments