Slate's — Restaurant in Hallowell

Oct. 15 & Nov. 13, 2021 . . . In search of a very good dining experience in Hallowell, Slate’s is the place ! Top quality farm to table food, good service (Thank you, Camilla!), and main street view, with a solid 4.85 rating! I understand why Chef/Owner Wendy Larson relocated to the Yellow House , next to their old location due to a fire in 2007. Their current restaurant has a 2nd floor dining room with a small bar. I loved the many individualistic paintings on the walls & tables! Gives the customer a “Parisian feel” among the colorfully bold paintings ( see photos)!

My wife & I with our friends praised the appetizers, entrees, and desserts on both visits to Slate’s! Whether the warm Brie cheese, or Bacon scallion w/potatoes soup, or fresh salads, or Stuffed Haddock w/crabmeat, or Seared Salmon, or Beef Tenderloin w/garlic potatoes and roasted beets, or Black Magic Cake, or Amaretto Cake. . . all very GOOD! I look forward to the Christmas lights decorating Hallowell’s store fronts in the coming weeks, when we return !

I read that Chef Larson opened this “bistro” in 1979 with a partner. Slate’s is no Bistro, but a very good restaurant along with Slate’s Bakery, which is open 7 days a week. They also serve clients 7 days a week (Sunday Brunch from 9am - 3:30pm), with live music on the 1st floor. This is Hallowell’s top shelf restaurant! Would be nice if the Chef had abit larger kitchen, ( behind 1st floor bar) with an extra chef to continue a smooth service so Larson might come around to say “ hi” to some of her customers! Oh well, she seems to love her work! Thank you, for a wonderful meal Chef!

Fun Food Facts *

Bistro . . . Russian soldiers in Napoleonic War in Europe stop in small places for food, yell “Bwystra” meaning quick service ! Small bistros sprung up in 1800’s France, selling soups, stews, simple foods.

Cafe . . . Also French for coffee, derived from Turkish word “Kahve”. Small 17th & 18th places where coffee served with breads, croissants, later salads, sandwiches, soups, etc.

Tavern . . . Originally Latin/Roman word “Tabernae” refers to inn or shop that offers food, drink, and room for those travelers on road.

Canteen . . . British word, used in India for an establishment adjacent to workplace that offers food & drink to employees.

Cabaret . . . French word of establishment that offers music, dancing, theatre entertainment, with food & alcohol.

Cafeteria. . . Latin American Spanish (1800’s) word for coffee shop. Establishments that offers self- service line with many...

Needed a cheesecake for my hubby's birthday tonight. Recommended by colleagues to check out Slates Bakery. Called in just before 9, spoke with Shelby. Asked if they had any cheesecake, need one to serve 6. “we don't have any large ones, they need 24 hours to set, but we do have a small rhubarb, I can put it on the side for you" I then asked if they had any other cakes, I rather have too much cake than not enough. She listed them off, she also asked the baker what she was planning on making today. Baker replied. "midnight chocolate" Shelby described it as a favorite for those that like dark chocolate. It's a dark chocolate cake with chocolate frosting without the bitterness of dark chocolate. Perfect, I'd like to put it on hold as well, when do you close?, "we close at 6". Around 5pm, I picked up the cakes, Geneviève was friendly, great energy and smile. Allowing me to take pictures as I like to share them on here. Now just need to taste the cakes. ;) Update. Hubby and friends LOVED the rhubarb cheesecake (plain cheesecake with rhubarb jam toppingl!) Chocolate cake was great as well. If you love chocolate, you have to try their midnight chocolate cake! Thank you Slates Bakery!Shelby and Genevieve were awesome. I had a great experience with...

Really well prepared meal well worth the price. We visited on a very busy Tuesday fall night for an early dinner. The restaurant is funky, comfortable, and relaxed, with friendly servers and really good food. We ordered non-alcoholic sparkling strawberry lemonade drinks that were really nice. The complimentary bread starter came with olive oil with a strong hit of roasted garlic. Our entrees included a seafood special (salmon, haddock, shrimp, and mussels) served over arugula herbed risotto. The fish was very fresh and the risotto was well prepared. The dish was very good, with bold favors from lots of Parmesan and garlic. Maybe the chef is showing a theme here, although it may be a little too much bold for some. We also had the Cajun spiced Tacos with chicken that were nicely cooked and very tasty. Service was prompt, the food was served hot, and the portions were generous. The only hiccup of the evening was that a large party came in after us that took a lot of attention so we had to wait quite a bit to get our check. But that wasn’t the server’s fault, and she apologized sincerely, so we didn’t hold that against them too much. Prices were appropriate given the quality of the food and the service, so I wouldn’t hesitate to...