Veranda at Balance Rock Inn
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Hours
Sun
3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Mon
3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Tue
3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Wed
3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Thu
3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Fri
3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat
3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
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Details
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PRICE RANGE
$40.00 – $75.00
CUISINES
Bar, Contemporary
Special Diets
Gluten free options
meals, features
Does this restaurant serve Bar / Pub food?
Details
About
The Veranda offers a stunning view of Frenchmans' Bay giving guests the perfect backdrop for a romantic dinner for two while experiencing fine dining in Bar Harbor. Offering old world charm with its' turn of the century architecture, visitors will be taken back to a past era of refinement and leisure. Our hand-crafted cocktails are a nod to the classics and our cuisine is as relevant as it is fresh. We offer indoor seating in addition to seating on our sundeck with fire pit. Guests are also welcome to join us in our Piano Room for live music and cocktails in the evenings.
PRICE RANGE
$40.00 – $75.00
CUISINES
Bar, Contemporary
Special Diets
Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner, Late Night, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Contribute
4.5
81 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
13
Average
8
Poor
8
Terrible
1
33139
Miami Beach30 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
Outstanding. Loved everything about The Veranda from the welcome, the magician bartenders creations, our server and his suggestions, the view, the cozy atmosphere even the tablecloths. Unusual and delicious preparations.Smoked carrots in leek sauce, duck, seaweed butter for rolls, everything excellent. Wine list a bit too expensive, but lots of extra treats from the chef. Expect to spend $100+ pp and have CC charged to reserve, but my birthday celebration there was beyond expectations and we are very experienced diners. Thank you…we have recommended it to everyone!
Written August 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John S
San Antonio202 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
Dinner at 7PM on a Friday and tables on patio or inside were available. Both options provide a wonderful view of the harbor. The four of us were seated by a wonderful, friendly, and engaging woman who made us feel welcome and special. Our waiter met us and drinks from the bar were as ordered with a wonderful selection of mixed drinks. He promised delicious Parker House rolls with smoked butter and delivered. We ordered and shared pate and grilled carrots and both were suburb. We then ordered scallops, duck, risotto, and bavette. All were prepared well, presented well, and delicious. We completed the two hour meal (our pace, no rushing) with three desserts that looked to good to eat and tasted better. This is a wonderful place for a special meal, but I would eat there frequently if I stayed longer in Bar Harbor.
Written June 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth Marie N
46 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
Server brings a complimentary amuse-bouche to tease your appetite. Meals are beautifully food-styled and delicious. The server and chef were very accommodating to my vegan diet. I was quite taken with the opportunity to select a complimentary hand-crafted chocolate after my meal. View of the ocean is spectacular.
Written June 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
familyonthego2014
Pittsburgh12 contributions
Jun 2023 • couples
Dinner at The Veranda was only ok. The view is great. Very pretentious and trying to be over the top. First of all, they have a dress code they do not enforce. We brought special clothes for this dinner because of their request for "casual elegant" to see most people wearing jeans and tennis shoes. Second, they were training a new server very loudly so we got to listen to this the whole time we were eating our very expensive dinner. Third, I wish some chef's would just stop smoking things. If you like smokey tasting food, then offer it and let people decide for themselves. The butter was smoked which ruined the taste of the bread so we didn't use it. At the end, they brought a sweet treat - a smoked macaron. Just what I wanted, smokey tasting dessert. I would not recommend this restaurant.
Written June 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex G
4 contributions
Aug 2021 • couples
This is a really nice restaurant. The food and wine were really good (bordering on excellent). The service was excellent. Our waiter did a great job and we got an excellent wine recommendation from the sommelier (their Italian wine list, while not exceedingly deep, had a lot of interesting wines).
Why the two star review then? We had an 8:30 reservation and they chased us out of there at 10:30 on the dot. It was super awkward. They started closing down at just after ten, and, by the time we were served dessert they had turned off the music and had cleaned every other table and were sort of standing around waiting for us to go. We got out dessert to go and left.
They explained that they have to shut down at 10 because otherwise the noise from the restaurant bothers the guests, which totally makes sense! But, then, why take an 8:30 reservation?
We spent around $500 on dinner for two (you could do it cheaper though). It would have been a great experience, and well worth it, if we could have finished!
So, we do recommend the place, but not if you like to eat a late dinner.
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexander B
Summit3 contributions
Aug 2022 • none
First of all, we agree with the many platitudes regarding the intimate setting and wonderful views out onto Frenchman Bay from the Veranda Restaurant at Balance Rock Inn. Also, this is not a review of the quality of the food here, but an important notice to anyone who has food allergies. Please be forewarned that this chef has the most stringent policy we have ever experienced regarding patrons with food allergies. For those who check out their website before making a reservation, they do state that "we can accommodate most dietary restrictions with advanced notice". Also, if you use their website to make a reservation, they do note: "We require 24-hour advance notice of any dietary restrictions or allergies so we are able to make special accommodations". All of this is fair and mostly reasonable as the restaurant's prerogative. My wife is allergic to all forms of shell fish and usually notes this when making dinner reservations either online (OpenTable) or via telephone directly with a restaurant. For this particular August dinner, she had forgotten to make that note when speaking with the restaurant several months in advance when she called to make our dinner reservation as well as room reservation in the Inn, where we have stayed on and off over the past 14 years. On the evening of our dinner and once seated at our table having given our dinner orders, where my wife ordered the trout entree, she told our waiter about her shell fish allergy. The hostess came over to our table several minutes later and informed us that the chef could not guarantee that the trout dish would not be contaminated by shell fish. We were surprised at that, but accepting and she changed her order to a beef entree. The hostess came back several minutes later and informed us that the chef could not guarantee that the beef entree, or for that matter, any of their entrees, would not have come into contact with some part of shell fish. We have traveled extensively, both domestically and internationally and dined in many fine restaurants. This is the first time that we have ever encountered a chef who is so paranoid about his inability to separate shell fish from other prepared food in his kitchen, to claim that it is possible that everything on his menu could be somehow contaminated with shell fish! Shocked at this extreme declaration, we realized that our hoped-for nice dinner at The Veranda Restaurant was not going to materialize and we decided to leave and find another restaurant that would be able accommodate patrons with food allergies, without providing advanced notice, (FYI: most restaurants). We also canceled our dinner reservation at The Terrace Restaurant scheduled for three days later. It is a shame that this chef is so insecure about how he and his staff prepare food in their kitchen that he is so absolutely intolerant about being able to deal with patrons with food allergies, without being told in advance. The food may be very good but this experience left a bad impression and we most likely will not return, even with advanced notice of a food allergy. So please be forewarned and act accordingly...
Written January 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alessandro G
22 contributions
Jul 2022 • none
had dinner here for the second time in a few years. The first time three years ago was very good. This time it was an utter disappointment. The risotto was pitiful. Service was modest, with kind but poorly trained waiters who did not even know the food they were serving. The only plus remains the location.
Written August 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SGS
Rockville9 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
I took my husband there for a birthday dinner. The atmosphere, ambiance and service were all very good. Menu prices were not published online. The bread was excellent. The water smelled odd in my water glass. I don't know if the detergent or water source was at fault. The meal started with a complimentary 1/2" cube of a liver sausage. I had the cornish hen for $42 and my husband had scallops which were basically $10+ each. My husband drank 1/2 a glass of wine and then noted an insect floating in it. When this was pointed out to the waiter, he said that the wine is sweet and fruit flies sometimes do this. Really? He did not adjust the bill until prompted to do so. You win some and lose some...this was a great disappointment.
Written October 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
templeton1969
Fairhaven49 contributions
Sep 2021 • couples
My wife and I were excited to eat at the Veranda, but left disappointed. The ambience was wonderful and the wait staff were fine but given the cost, the food needed to be much better. The Amuse Bouche was a nice touch but I was expecting the fried cheese puff to be hot. It wasn’t. The best item of the night was the bread. Their version of the Parker roll was very nice so kudos there. My wife got the cucumber salad and I got a mushroom appetizer to start. I then got the duck for dinner and wife got scallops. In general, it is style over substance. The food is technically well prepared but lacks flavor and cohesiveness. And if you are paying $50 an entree, there is an expectation that the components on the plate will be in harmony as opposed to simply visually pleasing. They weren’t. And even my wife’s seared scallops weren’t well seared. Lastly, I ordered a glass of Pinot noir (only one was on menu) and our waiter said there were two offerings snd suggested one that was not on wine list. It was fine but it was $27 for a glass of wine (as I learned when I got the bill). That would be $100 per bottle and this wine was not at that price. We really wanted to like it but if you charge a price that signifies you are the best meal in town, it is wise to have food that meets those expectations.
Written September 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
douglas h
53 contributions
Sep 2024 • family
The Veranda is a very attractive venue in the Balanced Rock Inn.
The service was very proper and attentive.
The food was very well-presented. The problem for us was that the chef seemed more intent on the elegance of the presentation than on its taste. Every course from the starter through the main course to the dessert strived more refinement than for taste. The result was the was the least-enjoyed meal during a 3-day visit to the Maine Coast.
Written September 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VirginiaJolly
12 contributions
Sep 2021 • none
Our dinner at the Veranda Bar was truly excellent! In addition to being delicious, the food was lovely to look at, and we were also treated to a delicious amuse bouche and a small sweet on a spoon at the end of the meal. Yes, of course, it was expensive, but every meal we had in Bar Harbor was expensive, so no complaints there.
The only "problem" we experienced was a lukewarm bottle of the white wine we had ordered. We had to ask for it to be chilled down more, and then we had to ask for it to be immersed in ice to chill more quickly. But with known problems because of COVID in the hospitality industry, this is easily overlooked.
Written October 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The4Gs2014
East Lyme153 contributions
Sep 2021 • none
This restaurant does things right! The service is excellent and did not suffer one bit from what many restaurants are struggling with due to a lack of staff. We were seated immediately on arrival, never felt rushed, and felt the waitress paced things exactly right. She also knew the menu very well and could answer detailed questions about everything. This is a really adventurous menu with a nordic twist, which we just loved. we also appreciated that their wine list included many nice half-bottle choices, which is rare. If you are looking for a fine dining experience and an unusual menu, you will be very pleased you chose The Veranda.
Written September 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thomama4
72 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
We didn't have a great start here (we arrived a little early for our reservation and could not find anyone at the hostess stand, nor get anyone to help us for quite a while; when we did, the dining room wasn't yet open so they sent us to the bar where the bartender barely deigned to serve us), but it got much better once we were seated. Our waiter was excellent and the food was superb. We had rabbit confit appetizers, the duck (maybe the best duck I've ever had), scallops, cremeux and a cheese plate (huge). It was all divine.
Written October 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor. Ali
Cape Town230 contributions
Jul 2021 • none
My husband and I went here for our anniversary.
Being greeted by an extremely well dressed hostess with a very pleasant and welcoming demeanor, gave the restaurant a special feel. e sat outside on the verandah as it was so pretty and the view of the sea and garden stunning. As it was a little chilly I was offered a blanket. The food is locally sourced and to some degree nouveau cuisine. However, I was pleasantly surprised as to how full we were once the plates were finished. The food lived up to its standard and to have a conversation as to what the chef de Cuisine could do for me as a vegetarian was extremely delightful. The wine (for which my husband chose the place) was superb. To finish it all off a menu was printed with our name of it with the courses for that evening giving the meal a special touch. I would highly recommend this restaurant and to sit out on the verandah, where there is more space and better views.
Written July 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
directorfantasies
Tampa1268 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
We had dined here when staying at the Balance Rock Inn in 2018, so are familiar with the quality of the food and dining experience. Love that they often have game on the menu and their creative approach produces amazing flavors. When we planned for our 25th wedding anniversary we ran into limitations due to the pandemic as to what restaurants were open in Bar Harbor in 2020 and our first choice that we had dined at for our anniversaries on past visits was closed. Veranda was a great choice for our special dinner. Upon being seated at our reserved table, I saw that the printed menu referred to our anniversary and were brought two glasses of Prosecco. The Amuse Bouche was a hit with this pumpkin lover - grilled pumpkin & mashed pumpkin. Appetizers consisted of Reindeer Blood Sausage "Bolognese" with endive and pear selected by my husband while I enjoyed Quail Cipollini with mustard sauce. So much flavor in this tiny bird. We selected entrees of Roast Cod with little potatos & kale with grain mustard and leek powder and Venison Chop with polenta and a tiny roasted crab apple. The venison was tender & perfectly cooked medium-rare. The polenta however was cubes which were a little disappointing as I prefer creamy style. The bread was a house made Clover roll that reminded me of the ones my mother made. This roll was taken to another level with truffle dust & sea salt butter. For dessert, I had Gingerbread with Vanilla Ice Cream made in house. I am a gingerbread fanatic but this was not as good as some I have had other places - it had pears baked in it which I don't care for & came as a slice from a loaf. The caramel sauce and creamy ice cream saved it. There were bits of roasted sorghum accent (like tiny pieces of popcorn) for interesting texture. Service as always was wonderful and well paced. One of our servers was from Machias where I had lived when I was growing up, so it was good to reminisce. I recommend Veranda for special & romantic occasion dining.
Written August 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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