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Portland, Maine | Dining at My Boyfriend’s Favorite Hidden Gem: Scales

This Thanksgiving, I accompanied my boyfriend (my "little cat" as I call him) back to his high school town to visit his host family (⁎⁍̴̛ᴗ⁍̴̛⁎). We arrived around 5 PM, but it was already pitch-black outside—you couldn’t see a thing! After a quick rest, we hurried out to find food. Portland has tons of viral "Instagram-famous" restaurants, but my boyfriend swears by this one. Who needs "viral" anyway? Taste is what matters most! 📍 Tucked-Away Dockside Spot: Tiny Entrance, Big Surprise Inside Scales is hidden away on a dock off Commercial St, with a tiny entrance—just a single door marked by a rusted metal sign that says "Scales." But step inside, and it’s a whole different world! The space is spacious and cozy, bustling with energy but never noisy. It feels warm and welcoming, like a little haven by the water ✨. 🍴 Must-Try Dishes: Tender Scallops & Spicy Seafood Stew Steal the Show Apps: Go for Mussels, Skip the Pricy Clams/Oysters Garlic Mussels 🦪: A total win! Huge portion for the price—plump mussels swimming in a fragrant garlic sauce. We scraped the bowl clean, no leftovers. Clams & Oysters: These were pretty expensive. They tasted good, but just a "try once" kind of thing—definitely not worth splurging on if you’re on a budget. Mains: Don’t Miss the Seared Scallops! Seared Scallops 🥩: OH MY GOD, these were life-changing! So tender they melted in my mouth. The sauce was creamy with a subtle kick of chili, and there were bits of what the server called "bacon" (but it wasn’t salty at all!) plus dried kale. Every bite had layers of flavor and texture—creamy, slightly spicy, crispy, and sweet from the scallops. 10/10, would order again in a heartbeat. Seafood Stew 🍲: I loved this too! Packed with all kinds of seafood—clams, mussels, shrimp, fish—perfect if you’re obsessed with shellfish. It had a zesty, spicy salsa flavor, which surprised me—who knew they do such good spicy dishes here? Warm and hearty, perfect for a cold Maine evening. Desserts: Oops, We Ordered the Wrong One (Learn from Our Mistake!) Frozen Custard: It’s like rich, creamy ice cream—smooth and sweet. Frappie: A thick, milky shake—refreshing if you’re full from savory food. Indian Pudding: We accidentally ordered this, and it was… interesting. Tasted a bit like brown sugar glutinous rice cake? The server said there’s another pudding on the menu that’s way better, but we didn’t catch the name. Pro tip: Ask for recommendations before picking! 💸 Price: A Bit Splurgy, But Worth It for Special Occasions For two people, the bill was around $180 including tip. If you skip the oysters, desserts, and drinks, you could probably keep it under $100. It’s not cheap, but for the quality and vibe, it’s totally worth it for a nice night out 😂. If you’re in Portland, Maine and tired of chasing " (viral)" spots, give Scales a try—it’s my boyfriend’s favorite for a reason. Good food, great atmosphere, and that cozy "hidden gem" feel? It checks all the boxes. #PortlandMaineEats #ScalesPortland #ThanksgivingDining #HiddenGemRestaurant #SeafoodLovers

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Camille Dubois
Camille Dubois
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Camille Dubois
Camille Dubois
3 months ago
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Portland, Maine | Dining at My Boyfriend’s Favorite Hidden Gem: Scales

This Thanksgiving, I accompanied my boyfriend (my "little cat" as I call him) back to his high school town to visit his host family (⁎⁍̴̛ᴗ⁍̴̛⁎). We arrived around 5 PM, but it was already pitch-black outside—you couldn’t see a thing! After a quick rest, we hurried out to find food. Portland has tons of viral "Instagram-famous" restaurants, but my boyfriend swears by this one. Who needs "viral" anyway? Taste is what matters most! 📍 Tucked-Away Dockside Spot: Tiny Entrance, Big Surprise Inside Scales is hidden away on a dock off Commercial St, with a tiny entrance—just a single door marked by a rusted metal sign that says "Scales." But step inside, and it’s a whole different world! The space is spacious and cozy, bustling with energy but never noisy. It feels warm and welcoming, like a little haven by the water ✨. 🍴 Must-Try Dishes: Tender Scallops & Spicy Seafood Stew Steal the Show Apps: Go for Mussels, Skip the Pricy Clams/Oysters Garlic Mussels 🦪: A total win! Huge portion for the price—plump mussels swimming in a fragrant garlic sauce. We scraped the bowl clean, no leftovers. Clams & Oysters: These were pretty expensive. They tasted good, but just a "try once" kind of thing—definitely not worth splurging on if you’re on a budget. Mains: Don’t Miss the Seared Scallops! Seared Scallops 🥩: OH MY GOD, these were life-changing! So tender they melted in my mouth. The sauce was creamy with a subtle kick of chili, and there were bits of what the server called "bacon" (but it wasn’t salty at all!) plus dried kale. Every bite had layers of flavor and texture—creamy, slightly spicy, crispy, and sweet from the scallops. 10/10, would order again in a heartbeat. Seafood Stew 🍲: I loved this too! Packed with all kinds of seafood—clams, mussels, shrimp, fish—perfect if you’re obsessed with shellfish. It had a zesty, spicy salsa flavor, which surprised me—who knew they do such good spicy dishes here? Warm and hearty, perfect for a cold Maine evening. Desserts: Oops, We Ordered the Wrong One (Learn from Our Mistake!) Frozen Custard: It’s like rich, creamy ice cream—smooth and sweet. Frappie: A thick, milky shake—refreshing if you’re full from savory food. Indian Pudding: We accidentally ordered this, and it was… interesting. Tasted a bit like brown sugar glutinous rice cake? The server said there’s another pudding on the menu that’s way better, but we didn’t catch the name. Pro tip: Ask for recommendations before picking! 💸 Price: A Bit Splurgy, But Worth It for Special Occasions For two people, the bill was around $180 including tip. If you skip the oysters, desserts, and drinks, you could probably keep it under $100. It’s not cheap, but for the quality and vibe, it’s totally worth it for a nice night out 😂. If you’re in Portland, Maine and tired of chasing " (viral)" spots, give Scales a try—it’s my boyfriend’s favorite for a reason. Good food, great atmosphere, and that cozy "hidden gem" feel? It checks all the boxes. #PortlandMaineEats #ScalesPortland #ThanksgivingDining #HiddenGemRestaurant #SeafoodLovers

Portland
Scales
ScalesScales