Cafe Rowan — Restaurant in Portland

Super dank lobster roll (and the lobster is prepared in the most humane way instead of boiled alive like some places do), yummy French toast, & oh that dungeons crab Benedict!!! Lobster and French toast and crab oh my! to update our review from a year ago:

Rowan Cafe:

We love the cafe for their lobster rolls and everything they make. We watched their promotion of a prefix menu for dinner for a spendy evening. For our 2023 anniversary/winter holiday gift to ourselves we went. A bit of a fuss as they had more arrive than planned which was an interesting thought experiment. The courses reminded me of Uptown Billiards, if you remember when they had a seasonal and locally prepared prefix menu back in the earlier 2000’s it cost around $20, over time this of course changed. We left inebriated and full with happy new memories. Rowan cafe put together a beautiful pear, squash and gorgonzola tart for the first course. My child-scientist-foodie-nerd-brain wants to learn how to make this thing of beauty. They must have heard us say I’ll have 5 more jokingly because they brought us another plate and it was divine. The wines were well paired. The pinot noir I want to be best friends with. The beef Wellington! Holy wow that beef Wellington. I’ve never had one, only seen it on the British baking shows and usually someone cries on that episode trying to make one. We know there are a few things you shouldn’t do to it. Well the things they did to this Beef Wellington were very naughty indeed thanks to chef skills. Wow. I want to groundhogs day this experience. Oh then there was the sticky toffee pudding. Again I’m so thankful this was my first experience of these dishes, they were heaven. This night of food tasting actually gave me pause that humanity is worth something. You can taste the passion for good food here. It’s exquisite. As I said to the owner, this food turns the dooms day clock back. For reals you’ll wanna try it.

Although not part of the meal they do sell these fantastic hot sauces that we adore. I do not like hot sauce traditionally because it’s just hot (usually barely hot) with vinegar, very boring. I prefer to throw raw chilis in my food while cooking, chopped seeds and all instead. However, their hot sauces are hot with taste! Imagine that *(rolls eyes at everyone and their mother for their ‘spicy’ vinegar garbage) Hot honey mustard where the flavors they boast, you actually taste. Fuckin’ finally! The curry hot sauce is so yum, not the spiciest, but it allows you to taste the ingredients rather than imagine them. They make um in small batches so it’s fun to try new ones, but I’m finding myself mourning the potential of the hot honey mustard as only a taste memory. I greatly appreciated that they didn’t frown too hard on my putting hot honey mustard on saffron noodles with Dungeness crab, it was sooooo good. We picked up the peaches n scream, they said it was hot. I’m looking forward to finding out.

Obviously we love Rowan cafe. It’s difficult to find good food made by folks who have a passion for it. We find this at Rowan cafe even after they’ve been open for a little while (a rarity these days). Often once a place gets a food hold in the market they kinda slide down on the quality because money is why! This place makes me think, if we didn’t have to be reliant on the almighty $ what other outstanding things could come to be. Or maybe it’s the $ driving the vehicle. Suppose that’s a different rant. Anyway you won’t regret checkin...

Cafe Rowan - A Brunch Experience Like No Other

MAINE LOBSTER FANS THIS PLACE IS FOR YOU!!

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Cafe Rowan for brunch, and I can confidently say it was one of the most memorable dining experiences I’ve ever had. From the moment we walked through the door, we were greeted by a warm and welcoming atmosphere that set the tone for what would be an exceptional meal.

This was my first time trying grits, and I couldn’t have chosen a better introduction to this classic dish. The Maine lobster and grits served at Cafe Rowan were nothing short of extraordinary. The grits were creamy, rich, and perfectly seasoned, providing the ideal canvas for the tender, succulent lobster that topped the dish. Each bite was a perfect balance of flavors and textures that left me savoring every moment. I’ve had many meals in my life, but this one truly stood out as one of the best.

But the food was only part of what made our experience so special. The staff at Cafe Rowan went above and beyond to ensure our visit was perfect. They greeted us with genuine smiles and immediately inquired if it was our first time dining with them. Upon learning that it was, they enthusiastically recommended dishes and specials that would give us the full Cafe Rowan experience. Their passion for the food and the care they took in guiding us through the menu was truly remarkable. It felt like we were being treated as old friends, not just customers.

The ambiance of Cafe Rowan is equally worth mentioning. The cozy yet stylish decor made us feel right at home while still giving off a vibe of sophistication. Whether you’re seated by the windows enjoying the natural light or nestled in a corner booth, the atmosphere is perfect for a relaxed, leisurely brunch.

We will definitely be returning to Cafe Rowan for brunch, and I can’t wait to explore more of their menu. If you’re looking for a place that offers not just incredible food, but an experience filled with warmth and hospitality, look no further than Cafe Rowan. This place is a gem, and I’m so grateful to have...

RATING : 4.5

Came by for some brunch and this place did not disappoint. Not only was the presentation nice but the taste was also great.

We started off with some drinks, Chai was nice and had a good level of spice. The Mocha was how i like it, not super sweet and had a good balance.

We then got ourselves the banana foster french toast, the chatham burrito and the crab eggs benedict.

Starting with the banana foster french toast, this one has to be one of my favorite in and around the area. Great mix of flavors without feeling super dense and heavy like how i find most french toast plates to be in other places. Definitely get this if you’re feeling sweet or just generally like french toast.

The Dungeness Crab Egg Benedict was also amazing, wish it came with more crab but overall a great plate with lots of wonderful flavor. Great for crab lovers and K absolutely loved this plate.

The stand out for me was the Chatham burrito. For $15 you get not only a good sized breakfast burrito but it’s also stuffed to the brim. I loved the house made sauce that it came with and the flavors were immaculate. If you like breakfast burritos you definitely need to give this a try.

Service was friendly but i didn’t love the semi self serve system that they have. I don’t mind it that much but having to order at the counter and the bus your own table felt a bit odd with the quality that you’re paying for. I ended up spending $70 with tip which is a decent amount for two although we did get a little extra food cause we wanted to try more things.

Overall i’d say this place is definitely worth the visit and has become one of our favorite...