Pomelia — Restaurant in Brunswick

I dined at Pomelia for the first time tonight I pity anyone who doesn’t experience the joyful, vibrant, & delicious experience of dining here before they depart this Earth.

I am glad we live in a state without the death penalty, and I will do my absolute best to be a good man & citizen to serve Maine & the USA, support & defend our U.S. Constitution, but should I ever be seized by the enablers and cronies of an authoritarian cult of personality, find myself on death row at the hands of an oppressive regime—my friends and fellow citizens—I would ask for my last meal to be from Pomelia.

For it would be bliss and a gift to have the taste of this restaurant’s heaven on Earth on my lips for my final moments.

The staff transcends the mundane customer service of other places to make a guest feel you are an honored VIP, a long lost family member, or a dear friend returned from voyages in exotic lands.

“Welcome” is inadequate to describe the feeling one has been invited to a feast of Italian/Sicilian inspired delights.

Pomelia, occupies the sacred space of the former Scarlet Begonia’s restaurant, a cherished jewel in the crown of Brunswick eateries, run by the legendary Doug & Colleen, who after decades (thirty years) of their family running the establishment chose to retire, and handed the torch to Chelsea & Tony Bickford.

They have taken that torch to blaze a new trail to culinary, service, and ambiance excellence. A magnificient accomplishment to honor the legacy, and to become a bright new shining star among the Brunswick restaurant constellation, a very competitive restaurant environment.

I walked in the door in the company of a dear friend, not knowing a reservation was preferred and suggested. Chelsea, the owner, with a lovely sweater, on this chilly damp Maine mid-Spring evening, was manning the host station and was warm, kind, and gracious and found us seating at the bar with a minimal delay—profusely apologized for.

Leigh Anne, the tallest french horn playing (not at the time mind you) waitress I have ever experienced, was a charming delight, seating us and beginning the family-esque dining experience.

She was followed by the bartendress, Laurel, with the magical mystery moth tattoo, and exqusite body artwork and personal style and flair, and cheerful countenance, conjuring a delicious Sicilian Manhattan for my dining companion with an extra luxardo cherry, soaked in marasca cherry syrup.

Despite the bustling filled to capacity crowd, Laurel was fun and friendly with the barside banter, answering all of my ignorant questions about the menu, while simultaneously pouring and mixing a bevvy of beverages for the patrons.

Jason was her compatriot behind the bar, with tender caring dad energy, keeping it real and relatable, engaged us in conversation, and making expert recommendations (I was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver on Tuesday…sigh…and probably not the best idea to go out to an Italian restaurant under those circumstances, but he did thoughtfully offer the best calorie conscious choices), while waiting fornso many delectable competing dishes vying for our attention.

The atmosphere was a mix of urban chic and modern Italian charm. I hope the new American Pope Leo XIV visits and is blessed by the authentic Italian cuisine.

The food came in a timely fashion. Expertly and gently served in front of us. As pictured. the Meatballs and Caesar salad were perfection, a remarkable and balanced mix of flavorful and zesty. My vegetarian dining companion’s kale salad, and Sicilian cheese pizza, thicker than Roman pizza, with a tangy baked to perfection texture, it felt like it had come from some hole in the wall bistro on the side of a Palermo backstreet, an authentic Sicilian dining experience—deliziosa!

We were too stuffed for dessert, but the dessert menu looked amazing, (“leave the gun, take the cannoli”) and maybe we will come back sometime just for dessert.

Pomelia is an offer that can’t be refused, and do yourself a favor of enjoying the total experience. Grazie!...

July 30, 2025 - If you’re in the Brunswick area and hungry. . . We recommend newly opened Pomelia ( authentic Italian food)!

Note: Pomelia is Sicilian for a beautiful plumeria flower, ( yellow, red, ivory colors ) which signifies new beginning, love 💕, positive vibe ! ( check photo)

My wife & I joined friends for lunch at Pomelia today. There’s a lunch special that includes an appetizer or salad, entree, and dessert . . . for $25 ! Yea!

1st course at our table: (very good 😃)

Calamari Fritti, crispy squid, pepperoncini, red onion, herbs, horseradish aioli

Sicilian Panzanella ( salad) with fresh tomatoes, croutons, basil, red onion, pepperoncini , herb vinaigrette, ricotta salata

Garlicky Caesar , crisp romaine, pecorino, focaccia croutons, house dressing

2nd course at our table: (All delicious 😃👍🏼)

Sicilian Shrimp Risotto, with creamy saffron risotto, mascarpone, lemon, pea-pistachio gremolanta

Spicy Ragu di Salsiccia with house sausage, San Marzano tomatoes, fennel, pecorino, Orecchiette pasta, whipped mozzarella

Marsala Porcini, with wild mushroom fungicchini, pecorino, pistachio, herbs, casarecce pasta

Pasta alla Norma , with Sicilian eggplant, tomato sauce, fresh basil, ricotta salata, rigatoni mezzi

3rd course Desserts at our table:

Two Cannolis , with chilled ricotta, pistachio, squiggle of hot fudge 😃👍🏼

Torta Tenerina , warm Italian brownie/cake, espresso caramel, with fresh cream 😃👍🏼

Hazelnut Pasticcino, espresso siajed mini-cake ,Nutella, whipped cream mascarpone, almonds 😃👍🏼

( all homemade delicious desserts )

Our server Lindsay was quick, helpful with answers, and very friendly. She shared the Chef’s name . . . Tony Bickford !

I mentioned that I’d love to meet the Chef . . . he agreed to a photo! Come to find out, Chef Tony operated another good restaurant , The Village Bistro in Wiscasset!

Sadly the Village Bistro closed due to Covid.

We’re excited that Chef Tony is here in Brunswick, with his new Pomelia restaurant serving up authentic Italian...

Wow! What a joint.

I lived in the SF Bay Area for decades. There is crazy delicious Italian food there. Lots of it.

The food and experience at Pomelia is at or above any of those restaurants. Sorry, not sorry, SF. (I do still love you, though!)

As a former fancy private chef, I worked for many Bay Area families from very diverse backgrounds. I cooked a lot of high level global cuisine, especially lots of Indian food.

While the food at Pomelia is, of course, Italian, there is a technique that reminds me of Indian cuisine. Instead of overly relying on only sugar, fat, salt and cheese, this food is packed with herbs, spices and local ingredients and has delightful textures throughout. From the fluffy, herb speckled meatballs, to the ULTRA crispy chicken Parmesan, the pillow soft focaccia to the succulent salads, every dish we have tried has flavors and combinations that are sensational.

The staff is exceptional, they are “in on the fun”, confident and competent. There seems to be a positive culture, and that shows through.

Sure, it is busy. It should be busy. Do I wish that they would take over the entire wing of the building? Maybe. But, we always manage to grab two seats at the bar with little to no wait. But if we all keep writing these rave reviews, that may change. But, I gotta shout it out.

Huge kudos to you all. I am thrilled being “back home” in Maine. There is so much to love.

This restaurant is one of our absolute favorites of all time and has me saying, “there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home…”

See you...