Aragosta at Goose Cove — Restaurant in Deer Isle

Catfished

I want to preface this by saying this review is for the dining experience at Aragosta and is no reflection of our wonderful stay at Aragosta at Goose Cove.

After following Aragosta online for the last few years, I knew I needed to make the trek up to Deer Isle myself. Some friends and I planned a road trip from Pennsylvania for the purpose of enjoying the tasting menu. Upon booking a cabin on the property, I went to make our dinner reservations. To my dismay, I could not seem to find anything available for any of their experiences. I assumed they were fully booked, as I know they have recently received a lot of press, so when I managed to find a reservation for Sunday’s al la carte menu, I snagged it. Seeing that every dish they post online is stunning, the sample tasting menu is to die for, and the website states that the a la carte dining experience is where they workshop dishes for the purpose of their tasting menu, I felt confident that we would still have a fantastic meal.

Unfortunately this was not the case. Once we were seated in the restaurant we found out that the reason we could not get a tasting menu reservation was not because they were fully booked, but rather because they are closed on weekends and only offer tasting menu Monday-Thursday. This seemed rather strange considering they are effectively a “hotel” and a destination very much off the beaten path. When we were handed our menus concern set in—it was a far cry from what we had anticipated. There were only 7 options, two of which were unavailable (the oysters and dessert), and to our surprise all 3 entree offerings were tacos. A far cry from the a la carte options I had seem them post online which included scallops, venison carpaccio, and crab dumplings.

We were disappointed by the fact that they had no oysters, as they often post about their oyster farming operation. The lack of oysters tied right into the lack of education about where their food came from. As a locavore, I was eager to hear all about their sourcing, as they often boast about their local, seasonal, property-grown, and foraged ingredients. However, our server never once brushed on this information or even gave us the slightest background about the restaurant or property.

Now, back to the food. The first two dishes—Salmon Crudo and Boquerones— were good. Nothing overly creative but they tasted good and harkened back to dishes I had seen them post online. Next was the clam chowder, which contained no perceivable clams and had the mouthfeel of water. There was a blasé corn salad that lacked creativity or excitement, but what really did it for us were the tacos. With their avocado crema squiggle, accompanied by a pile of wet lettuce with 2 slices of pickled onion. The meat felt like something a mid-western mom would make in a crock pot for her kids on Taco Tuesday. There is really no other way to explain it, then that it felt like the walk-in was empty and they were trying to cobble a meal together out of the last remaining items they found hidden in the back.

To be a destination restaurant but provide a schedule that pigeon holes people into booking on a Sunday where only a la carte is available makes no sense. To pretend that your a la carte option is of the same caliber as your tasting experience is incredibly disingenuous. Our server told that they are essentially a wedding venue throughout the summer, which is why the restaurant is closed on the weekends and tasting is only available weekdays. Though you’d have no way of knowing this when making your reservations to stay on the property. Unfortunately since the experience, I have read several reviews from other people who traveled great distances, feeling as lucky as I did to snag a Sunday res, only to be completely disappointed in the what awaited them. All I can say is that I am grateful our dining experience included cloth napkins and...

My husband and I chose to elope at Aragosta after falling in love with it during a deep-dive Instagram search. We knew it was something special but, our expectations were exceeded!

From our very first conversation, Heather, Aragosta’s incredible events manager, made us feel seen, heard, and completely taken care of. Her warmth, attention to detail, and genuine love for what she does made the entire planning process joyful and stress-free. I loved working with her so much that I actually miss her now!

The venue itself is truly one-of-a-kind. Nestled in a beautiful setting with cozy cabins on site, it allowed our guests to relax and fully enjoy the weekend without having to drive. The atmosphere felt intimate, natural, and effortlessly beautiful.

The food was unreal. The guests and I felt spoiled all weekend! Our menu was tailored around what was in season and built around what my husband and I love. Every dish felt intentional and delicious, like a love letter through food.

What really set Aragosta apart, though, was the people. The owner was welcoming and kind, the entire staff was delightful, and the bar team? They did the worm on the dance floor. It doesn’t get better than that!

Our wedding wasn’t cookie cutter, it was so unique! It even rained and we embraced it, and it became part of the magic. If you’re dreaming of a venue that’s beautiful, personal, and full of heart, Aragosta is it! Highly recommend! We can't wait to come back next year to celebrate our one year...

I actually stayed an extra day in maine to dine at this restaurant after reading all the reviews.

Service: Not greeted upon entry but once seated the staff were attentive. My expectations were not high given a national labor shortage. The spacing of courses were out of line, too fast in the beginning, then slow and then fast again. Despite a reservation a month in advance we were sat at a communal table and initially offered the least ideal seat in the restaurant. It appears that other tables are “reserved” for more frequent or perhaps more important summer visitors.

Food: I’m sorry to say but average at best. Overly complicated dishes, with competing ingredients that overwhelm the palate. The only dish that stood out to me were the braised leeks. Some dishes contained overcooked or burnt members. Upon making my wine selection, I was asked if I wanted to talk to the Somm. I declined, however he came anyway with a bottle not of my choosing. As is to say that I have no idea how to choose wine. I even received a lesson on how to know where wine comes from. All of which made me chuckle on the inside given that I’ve traveled to many regions in France and Italy specifically for wine.

Ambiance: Beautiful restaurant and location by far. No complaints here. All design elements were well appointed.

Overall, I wouldn’t return. I’ve dined at Michelin’s, holes in walls and dining series. This is a place to go if you want to experience pretense with fine ambiance not actual...