Saucy, warm, satisfying.

November 2019

By Colin W. Sargent

Stroll Marginal Way—do you dare? Now, treat yourself to a night at Roberto’s Restaurant, 200 Shore Road. You deserve it. It’s classic North End Boston meets the seagulls and drama of breezy Ogunquit. Awnings, paintings (hey, we’re in an art colony), hardwood floors. Lucky there’s valet parking—this place is packed.

Our guide for this adventure is a bottle of Valpolicella—Secco-Bertani Valpantena Ripasso, 2012 ($40)—with fresh Tuscan Garlic Bread ($5.50) and olive oil. After devouring the Vegetable Mediterranean Stack ($11), zesty with “wilted spinach, grilled eggplant, portabella, roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella, grilled zucchini, and basil oil,” we dip into the Cioppino ($35)—“Maine lobster meat, shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams, fish, in marinara broth over linguini.” Mmm! The Eggplant Parmigiana served with pasta ($21) is a great way to satisfy a traveler on a chilly fall night. Total for a romantic dinner for two is $161, including tip. Did I mention we’re in a hurry? Zipping up a side road, we could easily make it to a seasonal show at Ogunquit Playhouse with time to spare. We’ve driven past Roberto’s many times without realizing how easy the parking is out back or how fun the experience is. It may not be the new place on the street—it’s been in business for over 30 years. But if you dare to tilt Maine sideways and see Ogunquit with a fresh eye, who knows what new experiences await? We dare. 

Roberto’s, 200 Shore Road, Ogunquit. Sun.–Fri. 5 p.m.–9 p.m., Sat. 5 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Reservations recommended. 646-8130.