Scales — Restaurant in Portland

TL;DR: Overrated, overpriced, long wait time, loud, busy, small portions, dry, salty, and just overall terrible experience. Staff were friendly, but food was not it.

Went here without reservation and wait time was 1 hour and 30 mins. That's fine, it was busy and we didn't reserve, so that's on us. We ordered the crab fritters, pan roasted halibut, and the seared scallops.

The crab fritters came out first. For $15, we got three small crab balls that were mediocre at best. They were doughy and bland. Honestly, you could’ve served us frozen ones, and we wouldn’t have noticed the difference.

After the appetizer, we waited nearly 50 minutes for our entrées. Meanwhile, we saw other tables who arrived after us getting their food first. And to say it was worth the wait is something we could only dream of.

Let's start with the halibut, $44 for a 6 oz filet, small scraps of potatoes, and some nuts. It was dry, salty, and completely underwhelming. At that price, we expected something better than a badly cooked piece of fish.

Now the scallops, $42 for 6 scallops, bacon bits, half a bell pepper, and a mess of corn. It was way too salty, the scallops were actually moist, but the saltiness made it unbearable. Our waiter offered us a replacement, but we didn't want to wait any longer to eat.

We paid $109 total for food with a 15% tip because it wasn't really our waiter's fault. We barely touched half the food but took it to-go since we’d already spent so much. On our way to our car, we saw some homeless digging through the trash for food and gave it to them instead. Hopefully, they got more out of it than we did.

We went home, still hungry, and had some $2 ramen and some frozen chicken nuggets. That was a better meal by far and worth the price.

Maybe we caught this place on a bad night, but our experience didn’t live up to the hype or the glowing reviews. We'd caution anyone considering a visit. We came expecting quality for the price, but the food was not it....

Scales in Portland, Maine is ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!

If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Portland, Scales is an absolute must-visit! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance enveloped us in a warm, inviting atmosphere that perfectly complements the exquisite culinary journey that awaits.

Let’s talk about the food: the buttery and scrumptious Clover Rolls are a slice of heaven! They are so light and fluffy, each bite melts effortlessly in your mouth. Paired with a touch of butter, they are impossible to resist.

Now, onto the gnocchi—this is, hands down, the best gnocchi on the planet, PERIOD. Each piece is perfectly pillowy, with a delightful texture that dances on your palate. The Cod and sauce was bursting with flavor, making it a dish that my husband couldn't stop raving about. Seriously, he could have eaten that dish all night!

For seafood lovers, the tasty lobster is a revelation. Cooked to perfection, it was succulent and rich, showcasing the freshness that Portland is so famous for. Each bite was a reminder of why we love this coastal gem of a city.

And let’s not forget the cocktails! The drinks were perfectly crafted, offering a symphony of flavors that beautifully complemented the meal. Each cocktail was imaginative and refreshing, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to our dining experience.

The service at Scales was nothing short of superb. Our server was knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu. She made excellent recommendations that enhanced our experience; the staff worked as a team ensuring that we felt taken care of throughout the evening.

Overall, our visit to Scales was stellar! From the Clover Rolls to the gnocchi and expertly crafted cocktails, every aspect was remarkable. If you find yourself in Portland, ME, do yourself a favor and make a reservation at Scales—you won't regret it! I made our reservation a week in advance to get my coveted seating. This is a culinary gem that deserves all the accolades...

Was it REALLY. . . “All About The Sauce?” - I will share all as Scales was definitely the most recommend place mentioned to me while visiting Portland solo. What sauce am I talking about? Well. . . a photo that caught my eye on other reviews was the pan fried lobster, I thought it was a different approach than most others - and it was for sure. I nestled into the bar, ordered a classic local Maine beer and started in some clam chowder and the ambience grew on me. Shucking oysters next to me, it was energetic and busy for a Monday night. (Chowder was solid with a good ratio of potato to clam). I asked the bartender about the lobster dish. He was friendly and fantastic as he explained “it’s all about the sauce….and here’s why”. He explained how most places you get a steamed lobster and why their approach Is different. The sauce that simmers for so long with this and this and this and all the ingredients. Then we drizzle over a …. I cut him off before he could finish the story and “you can stop talking / just go ahead and bring that”.

The dish itself (photo) was indeed delicious with the lobster split down the middle and the “sauce” soaking into the meat on every angle. Fabulous indeed! They had an extra napkin at the ready and I needed it, you will too. Wish the lobster was a little bigger honestly, but at the time of writing lobster price are basically all time highs. (Believe it was $49 for a 1.5 pound).

It was also served with a nice thick bread and indeed EVERY LAST DROP of the sauce I did soak up with the bread. Fabulous. Therefore. . . YES. It is all about the sauce!

Finished off the meal with their homemade wild blueberry custard. Not overly or too sweet and a perfect way to finish the eve. (Photo)

Overall. Dining solo at the bar. Friendly staff as well as patrons at the bar, great energy and feel of a seafood joint on the water. I can see why it was the most...