Alsace Restaurant — Restaurant in Union

An oyster isn't something that is particularly beautiful to look at but, open it up and you might just find a lusterous pearl. I must have driven past Alsace Restaurant a dozen times looking for it until I realized that it had landed in a bit of a non-descript building on Heald Highway (Rt 17). I believe it was once a sandwich shop but now.........now it is that beaming pearl of a French/German restaurant that will put Union the map for foodies like my wife and I and our friends from Keene. I live 30 minutes away but across from us were two couples a full hour and half away and, like us, they literally gushed as each course was delivered. We had found our pearl! Let's be clear, there are many outsanding restaurants within a 40 mile radius. Relatively new on the block, Alsace is clearly getting ready to ride that crest of restaurants that have difficult-to-get reservations even a week ahead. The two owners, Fabrace and Jennifer Roux come from a successful restaurant ownership career and landed here in Union Maine upon the insistance of their 15 year old son. What they have created is nothing short of spectacular. It's not pretentious; you don't need a tux or gown. Business casual will be fine. Just be respectful to the owners and their food. You'll be seated in the comfortable dining room on very comfortable seats and before you know it, Jennifer will be introducing the menu and announcing any specials. Ladies and Gentlemen, let me tell you that you are in for a treat as you browse this French/German fanfare of just heavenly prepared and presented selections. Cocktails are also expertly created using local spirits if you wish and we did order them and were very pleased. I could spend a lot more time describing each fork-full of goodness but I'll let four photos of four dishes along with current menu speak for themselves. Oh! Almost forgot to tell you that at Alsace, Truffles were served!! I have been searching for them high and low for YEARS throughout three states high-end dining without success. Chef Fabrice, however, delivered some spectacular White truffles from his contacts at Urbani. They announced themselves on each of the dishes they graced. If you have not had "real", authentic truffles, now is your chance before their short season is over!. Now for some photos:

1. Halibut 2) Classic Cassoulet 3)Braised Sort Ribs 4) One of the Bowden's Egg Farm Deviled Egg w/Truffle! 5) Menu. Understand that this is a moving target. I included it so that you got and idea of just how terrific the selection was. Also, fyi, a Flambee is similar to a 12" thin crust pizza elevated to the highest level. As I type this 24 hours since our visit, I'm already planning on our next visit to explore more of the shared plates and those flambees with a great glass of recommended wine. If you decided to go, and I hope you do, tell Jennifer that...

Greg and I went for the first time last evening for dinner. The decor is amazing. Very comfortable seating, the staff is friendly, very helpful, the dishes are to die for. They have things on the menu you don't find anywhere else... Duck confit, short ribs, pork schnitzel... Definitely a five-star dining experience. I had the haddock and it was perfection! Greg had the jager pork schnitzel and he loved it. There was no need for dessert when you finished the meal. It's pricey but it's worth every penny.... It's best to make a reservation to get a seat. We did not know until we got there,but we were sat down at bar for dinner any way They do NOT have breakfast.. they do brunch and dinner.... Highly recommend if you want a quiet place or a romantic place to celebrate an anniversary this is the...

Yet another wonderful addition to Midcoast Maine’s fantastic restaurants.

We visited Alsace the week they opened, and the whole dinner experience was perfect. The chef is French, and prepared French-German appetizers and entrees which were fantastic! I had the onion soup, which was maybe, the best, and I order onion soup whenever offered.

Don’t be deterred by the outside, as Alsace took over an old diner, they have done an amazing transformation on the inside, worthy of any special anniversaries or celebrations, yet comfortable enough to sit at the bar and enjoy one of their specialty drinks. My husband had an old fashion, he was very impressed.

I think this restaurant may put Union on the map as a...