Sammy's Deluxe — Restaurant in Rockland

Our group of 4 had a mixed experience at Sammy's. Perhaps we're to blame for our expectations, but it might be helpful to be better prepared to make sure this place matches your preferences.

First, some attributes that are not for everyone. The vibe is what I'll call funky-disheveled. Plastic table covers, empty wine bottles on the window ledge (deliberate, I hope), yard-sale lighting, and a ceiling fan/light combo from the bottom shelf of a big box store. This might be a curated aesthetic, but I couldn't really tell. It was an interesting vibe, but one which we older folks were not quite expecting. A real eclectic mix of patrons (in a positive way).

The music may have been a playlist or vinyl. We found the music (1960s jazz) to be distinctive and at just the right volume to not be distracting and allow conversation without having to raise a voice.

We were annoyed by the QR code menus. I hadn't seen that in quite a while. A table next to us had to have a large chalkboard brought over where they were struggling with cell phone flash lights to read what was written on the board. Oh well....

We might have gotten unlucky with the server who, while maintaining a pleasant demeanor, was confoundingly unhelpful. It seemed like we were speaking completely different languages. Perhaps we were partly to blame, but after each encounter, we all looked at each other with "what just happened?" expressions.

Despite (I think) telling us how to order so that our plates would be properly sequenced, they were not. I wish we had just been told that plates come out when prepared regardless of what you ordered, so don't wait for everyone else in your party to get their plates before you begin eating. Or don't expect the bread to come out until after you finish your first small plate. Or don't expect your oysters to come out until after you finish your mussels....

Our group of 4 all got the Mezcal Margaritas, which were very disappointing. Coarse salt on the rim, sour-dominated flavor profile, and no smokiness to the alcohol. Either too little mezcal, or we got a splash of tequila instead of mezcal. Since we all got the same drink, perhaps we were unlucky to have ordered the one disappointing cocktail.

OK, now let's get to the food. I thought it was excellent. The mussels were like a ceviche in a citrus, onion and cucumber marinade. I loved it. After a long confusing conversation, we got the brown bread and sourdough. Our server could not communicate the portion sizes when we ordered, but the bread order would properly satisfy two patrons.

The brown bread is excellent, slightly crispy/crunchy in texture (corn meal?), raisins, molasses.. wonderful. I would have eaten every bite put in front of me. Lightly sweet without being cloying. The sourdough was not what we were expecting. Thick slices of tight-crumb moist bread didn't have much hint of fermentation. It is from Brazen Baking in Rockport, and looked nothing like the photo on the online menu.

Get the melon and eel bisque, which was also really good... creative and a delight. The Little Gem salad was also praised. The dozen oysters were not as well chilled as I prefer, but were good.

The eggplant cutlet with trumpet mushrooms was reported to be excellent by my party, although at $32, seems priced high for this entree. My Sammy's Cheeseburger was everything it was described to be, and was very satisfying at an appropriate price point. The swordfish dish ($34) was reported to be very good. The busiati (pasta) dish was very disappointing, lacking flavor. The $27 price is wildly too high for what it is.

So our experience was mixed and could have been better. We wanted to like Sammy's much more than we actually did. But your experience may be vastly different than ours was if you get a different server and order the right things. Just set your expectations...

When our entree arrived almost 90 minutes after arriving, the person who brought it to our table said, “Sorry we’re not as fast as McDonalds.” I know this is a hard business and wish them great success, but sarcasm with customers doesn’t help to smooth over bottlenecks in the kitchen.

[The paragraph above was my full initial comment. It now needs updating after reading Sam’s response.]

I had left out other details on purpose, trying to keep it simple, but the gloves are off. We had a 645pm rez but showed up at 630pm, and were seating quickly (the only thing that happened quickly during our visit). After fumbling around with the QR code menu on our phones, we ordered drinks. When they arrived, one of them was not what we ordered, and the Negroni was meh even though it’s generally hard to screw up. We drank them anyway.

We ordered food and were told we didn’t have a choice on how your burger would be served, which is unconventional. A bit later (check your timestamp) one of the two apps showed up, the other one was MIA but we waited patiently even though we saw that same dish land on the table next to us (they weren’t even there when we ordered, but were legit VIPs, it’s a cruel world out there).

Our nice but overworked waitress disappeared so you brought over the entrees. We were expecting the app, but ok. That’s when my wife gave you the “serious inhumane attitude” — c’mon, dude!

Her entree was not cooked as described on the menu, maybe you ran out of pesto, and your namesake cheeseburger looked like nothing I had ever seen before, and not in a good way. I expected the promised “pinch of magic” but instead got an oozing mess next to a lonely pickle.

Two minutes later (I think but don’t hold me to it) and the food barely touched, we got our waitress’s attention and asked for the check. It included the missing smoked haddock. No big. I got up from the table and gave her my card to settle up and let her know “the haddock never arrived.” Her full response: “OK.” She took it off the check. We left without further discussion or comment.

In spite of all of this we left her 20% or so not because that’s so generous but because it’s a hard job and she should not have to pay a penalty for your mismanagement and customer relations skills.

Earlier today I had a chance to read some of the other reviews, and others have had much the same experience. Not everyone — you have a high avg rating, so you’re doing something right. But those like us who have not enjoyed the Sammy’s Treatment land on the receiving end of your retribution, such as your response to me earlier. You’re going to do what you’re going to do, and I get that you’re pissed, but maybe take some of the advice you give customers who ask for a modification of your cheeseburger and is stated on your menu: “Take a long hard look at yourself in...

Based on the NY Times review we had high hopes for Sammy’s Deluxe — the food itself was quite good, especially the smoked haddock and the chicken of the woods fettuccine alfredo. Unfortunately, the service was such a weird and negative experience that it overshadowed the meal.

From the start, things felt off. Although we were the first party seated, we were placed at a table next to the storeroom and bus station. When we asked to be moved to another empty table, we were told no — that seating was “very precise.” The table we requested sat empty for most of our meal.

The bigger problem came later. One of my dining companions ordered a margarita without realizing it was made with mezcal and orange juice. After one sip, he sent it back. My husband ordered the same drink and found it murky and bitter but kept his. When the bill arrived, we were still charged for the returned drink. A lengthy, uncomfortable argument followed in which our server insisted he had to pay for it, adding that “everyone loves that drink” and “hundreds of people have ordered it and no one’s complained.” Only after she spoke to the owner was the charge removed.

To me, this exchange spoke volumes. While the kitchen shows real talent, the front-of-house left us feeling unwelcome, almost as if guests who are not regulars are more of an inconvenience than a valued customers.

It's unfortunate that the Times highlighted a restaurant that doesn't seem to want the publicity as there are other wonderful restaurants in Rockland and Midcoast Maine that...