Jonathan’s in Ogunquit, Maine

Jonathan’s in Ogunquit, Maine is a fantastic family friendly restaurant.  There is a 600 gallon fish tank in the middle of the main dining area to keep the kids amused while you enjoy a delicious meal. They also have beautiful gardens outside and concerts going on indoors on multiple days of the week to keep the entire family entertained.  The food is fresh, and choices range from seafood dishes to steak or pasta.  Jonathan’s caters to a variety of dietary restrictions too, so anyone can come in and enjoy a wonderful meal.  They have an entire gluten free menu, which is very hard to find. Many of the dishes can be made into gluten free versions- all you need to do is let your waiter or waitress know what you’d like.

You can start out your meal with a silky delicious lobster bisque, oysters, boursin stuffed mushrooms, or a classic salad.  Maybe they will have the pan seared scallops special, which is fresh tender diver scallops, served with mustard green fritters for some crutch and carrot ginger sauce.  For an entree you will have to decide between items on the regular or specials menu, both will have you drooling by the time you choose.  They have a juicy chicken piccata or prosciutto stuffed chicken if you are in the mood for poultry, tender grilled ribeye and sirloin steaks if you would prefer beef.  They even offer a vegetarian option with fried eggplant, spinach, and goat cheese with potato gnocchi. Of course, there is a children’s menu with choices that all kids enjoy, and they even have crayons to color the menu with.

But, of course, since you are in Maine you might want to go with one of their mouthwatering seafood dishes.  There are plenty to choose from; basil crusted halibut, fried clams, seafood pasta, baked stuffed haddock, or lobster.  The list goes on, but my favorite was the caramelized salmon.  A beautiful fresh salmon steak with a slightly sweet caramelized crust cooked to perfection, served over a lemon buerre blanc with balsamic and toasted almonds for a little nutty flavor.

If you are a dessert person, you will be pleasantly surprised with your options.  Jonathan’s has set the bar high, and keeps it there for the sweetest part of the evening.  Whether you are looking for creme brulee, carrot cake, or a brownie sundae, you will be able to find something for your sweet tooth.  I really enjoyed the apple crisp. Fresh apples with cinnamon and spices baked in an individual dish with just the right amount of crumble on top, served with a homemade mocha ice-cream.  The food tastes gourmet, but is served in good size portions in a family friendly, relaxed atmosphere and doesn’t break the back. Jonathan’s offers an array of beer specials as well, all local breweries, these craft beers are on tap and rotated from time to time. With their extensive wine and cocktail list you can always find the perfect compliments to your meal.

Jonathan’s can be visited for a variety of occasions.  Their 3,000 square foot ballroom with full bar, stage, dance floor, restrooms, and banquet kitchen make it an ideal place for planning any event.  Add in the pleasant, friendly service you receive from the staff the moment you walk in the door and whether you are booking for a wedding, fundraiser, birthday, or business event, you can be assured that you and all your guests will have the best experience possible.