Festina Lente — Restaurant in Kittery

A welcomed change to the lineup of Kittery Foreside! The food and service here are terrific, the menu utilizes seasonal ingredients and is small so it is easy to navigate. The pacing of the food was fantastic, too.

I wanted to visit when they first opened but I have to say, the wait was worth it! My boyfriend and I tried their crudo, bread plate, cheese and meat board (buffalo's milk cheese and prosciutto d'parma), spaghetti and meatballs with red sauce, as well as gnocchi.

The crudo was divine. I never had something so light and refreshing before! We also agreed their red sauce is the best! I have made red sauce, I have grown up with it, it was a Sunday dinner staple of my Grammy's cookery, but this was so delicious and different from every other iteration.

This restuarant reminds me why I'm proud of my Italian roots and the simple yet delectable food is thoughtful and well presented. The prices are fair for the area, the most expensive item clocking in at 26 dollars. However, my gnocchi (19 dollars) was a hearty plate of perfectly crunchy kale with wonderful morsels of sweet sausage and pillowy clouds of goodness. There's even a fish option if your dining partner loves seafood.

I'm very excited to see this place grow and to return again. (I'm sure I will, in fact, I know it). And with each visit I look forward to finding my new favorite, to sample something outside of my comfort zone, and in some ways, return to my roots. Outside of 40 Paper in Camden, I haven't had such a transcended experience at an Italian restaurant.

There is a saying in Italy, I might be butchering it a little but here goes: chi mangia bene, viva bene. One who eats well, lives well. I can safely say that the meal I ate at Festina Lente lives up to...

I'm a former Dover, NH resident and Festina Lente was my go-to restaurant when I lived there. I started going there about a week after they opened after watching the renovate the space in the weeks before they opened. I have lived in Italy (Perugia, Umbria) for 4 years now and my impression of Festina Lente has gone from 5 stars to 100 stars since moving here. The food at Festina Lente is the most authentic Italian food I've eaten in the US. I would actually call it Umbrian or Tuscan. From the antipasto to the dolce, pure Italian. The wine is top notch and the service is always exceptional. I don't know Sam, the chef's, connection to Italy and weather he regularly visits here to taste Umbrian food, but his food is as good and as consistent as the best restaurants in Umbria. I live around real Italian food every day and I miss being able to eat at...

This is the very 1st time I’ve given a 1 out of 5 stars. My ravioli dish only had 5 raviolis, it was bland, no taste, $24. My family and I were on vacation and we all ordered an entree, 2 appetizers and wine. The other dishes were larger portions. When I told the owner she didn’t say she was sorry I was unhappy with the dish or said can I get you something else instead. She also didn’t pick up the dish and left it on the table the entire dinner. I even ordered another dish and she still charged me for the $24 ravioli. We also noticed her talking to her other employees about how I was unhappy with the ravioli. I eat out all the time and this is my 1st experience with a restaurant and owner who has very poor unfriendly service. This restaurant will not stay open if it continues to operate this way. I always give 4-5 star rating but not...