Thames Landing — Restaurant in Portland

I sat with this one for a while because I really wanted to like it more than I did. But in the end, Thames Landing just isn't for me. I can see the appeal for tourists -- the waterfront location is undeniably great -- but in a city full of incredible food and drink spots, you have to put in more effort than this. It feels like they're leaning way too hard on their location and letting everything else slide.

We went on a Friday evening with a reservation, and from the start, things felt a little off. The staff seemed flustered even though the place wasn't that busy. The space itself was... not it. Sterile, borderline corporate. It was hard to tell what vibe they were even going for. If there hadn't been a lobster frame on the wall, I wouldn't have guessed we were in Maine. Even getting to the bathroom felt like walking through an office building; genuinely confusing and like walking through a maze.

As for the food, it was mostly disappointing. The cod croquettes and deviled eggs were good, and probably the best part of our dinner, though the eggs were wildly overpriced for what amounted to one and a half eggs. The duck confit salad was really bad. It came served on a plate (even though the server said it was supposed to come in a bowl), which made it impossible to mix. It had random chunks of what tasted like canned cranberry sauce and barely any duck. No dressing, either. Just... not good. The description simply did not match what I ended up getting. My partner's burger was better, but still not worth the $20 price tag. Fries were meh. Cocktails were the one bright spot -- actually well made and fairly priced. If we go back, it'll be for drinks. That said, they served the vermouth over crushed ice, which immediately diluted the flavor... rookie mistake.

And that kind of brings me to the biggest issue: the disconnect between what the restaurant seems to think it is and what it actually delivers. Prices suggest a polished, elevated experience. But everything else -- the service, the ambiance, the execution -- says otherwise. Our server was sweet and clearly trying, but very inexperienced. She didn't know what a Negroni was, or what vermouth was, and seemed unsure about most things. At the end of the night, she brought our check while we were still eating, which felt rushed. I paid on my phone and let her know, and she said nothing... but two blocks away, the manager came running after us saying it hadn't gone through. Thankfully I had the receipt to show her we had actually paid, and she was kind about it, but it was uncomfortable and unnecessary. A quick double check from the server would've saved everyone some awkwardness.

I don't think Thames Landing is totally hopeless -- there's potential here, especially with that location -- but there's a lot of work to be done. For now, it's not somewhere I'd recommend, especially if...

We recently hosted a 20-person family dinner at Thames Landing, and it was absolutely wonderful from start to finish. The owner was incredibly responsive and helpful throughout the planning process, making it so easy to coordinate timing and menu options for our group.

The menu had something for everyone, from kids to adults, and everything we ordered was delicious and beautifully presented. The wait staff was exceptional—friendly, attentive, and on top of every detail. The owner was also present during our dinner and made sure we had everything we needed, which made the whole experience feel even more personal and well-cared for.

There were plenty of parking options around the restaurant, but they also offered valet parking which was great from our group which had a mix of older attendees and those with younger children.

The restaurant also has a view of Casco Bay, which was perfect for a backdrop for some outdoor family pictures!

If you're looking for a place to host a group dinner or just want a great meal with excellent service, I can't recommend Thames Landing enough. We'll...

Been wanting to try it for months......couldn't get a table at Scales or Fore St, so last night was my chance.

Quiet night overall....ton of mussels with an ever so slightly overpowering mustard/garlic "sauce" ...focaccia was burnt.

Slab of ribs was huge, drenched in sauce, but a little chewy (ribs are tough to cover w/Terlingua a few blocks away).

Haddock Almondine was served hot off the oven, batter was interesting, almost too thick, but they got away with it. Sauce was a bit heavy, but again, they got away with it. Haddock itself was great. Tasty dish.

Not sure why, but I want these guys to make it. The location is great. The outdoor patio is very cool...the owners seem to be trying...

Pro Tip: a comment was made that the restaurants down the street "aren't our competition"......when you're empty, and they're sold out, it may be time to take hubris off the menu and sub a side of humility. I'd love to see you packed on a quiet night like some of the big boys.....hope you...