We were up in Portland for a few days at the Higgins Beach Inn. Their restaurant "Shade"was excellent for breakfast (3 times)and for dinner (one time). I'd say close to perfection both for the food and the service staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The past recent few years has been a rocky road with frequent changes in management and chef The food was good a little salty difficult to request substitute with meal. etc Wait staff was incredible and lots of great customers from the neighborhood as it was the last night. I am hoping this wait staff returns and resturant manager Gail has been very helpful I am hopeful that next year will bring a variety of selections like mussels a nice dinner salad fish tacos etc. more selections would be a big lift Have a well deserved rest
Grace G.
Great food. We ordered the crab and corn fritters, Caesar salad, lobster linguine, and the day boat scallops (special). Staff and service was timely and pleasant. Drinks and wine were great as well. The bar seating was nice but loud. Next time I would sit outside in the screened in porch but it was still comfortable and friendly inside.
HappyCaper
We live very close to Shade and have dined there for breakfast several times. This was our first time in a long while to have dinner and how glad we are we did! The service was top notch, Heidi was great. The ambience was nice and we were blown away by the food. Our compliments to the Chef!
TedS
We chose standard seating. The lighting was poor in some areas so we asked for another table. The setting was lovely though at times a bit noisy as there was nothing to muffle sound and dinners were seated rather close together. That being said, the service was excellent and the food was delicious. I would definitely recommend this to another diner.
Scott Howard
I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that my wife and I have been visiting Higgins Beach for nearly a decade and had never visited Higgins Beach Inn or Shade. It's always been on our list but we were distracted by the beach or other area dining options. We had a late flight home yesterday so decided to have a late lunch/early dinner at Shade. We showed up right at 4pm and were immediately greeted and seated at one of the lovely tables in the covered outdoor area. As we walked through the indoor area we were impressed by the number seats in the bar area and quickly realized that this is a great low-key hangout for inn guests and locals.Heidi took care of us and did an impeccable job checking in often and suggesting menu options. We each started with a Shipwreck Punch which was perfect for a crystal-clear late summer day! At a somewhat steep $14 I wasn't sure what we were going to get but the cocktail was huge and so satisfying and lasted our entire meal.We shared two small plates and a main. The fish and chips was a 'small plate' but was a perfect portion. One larger filet and two smaller ones along with some beautiful fries. Breading was spot-on and the tartar sauce and malt vinegar on the side were perfect. We also tried the Maine crab and corn fritters that were divine. The pickle aioli was a beautiful accompaniment and the fritters were perfectly cooked. Our main was the blackened fish (haddock) sandwich which was light and flaky with just the right amount of seasoning (though I usually go a bit heavier on the blackening spice at home). Fresh toppings and a great bun rounded this out.All in all an excellent first experience at Shade. Great people here (especially Heidi!) and can't wait to make this a regular haunt on future trips 'home' to Higgins Beach!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Linda Brady
I must say I was shocked to hear I couldn’t ask for no blue cheese dressing or cheese on my wedge salad. I couldn’t believe it. I am a paying customer who wanted the wedge salad but was not permitted to sway from the blue cheese. I had to order something else because I’m allergic to blue cheese this is unacceptable in my
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Lynne Norris M.
Food was excellent. Lobster linguini. Drinks were so good. Dessert fabulous. Can't wait to eat there again. Waitress, January, was awesone
Jeff W.
Had a great team dinner here. Fun servers. Sat outside on the screened porch. Cocktails were interesting and delicious. Crab and corn fritters were excellent. Crunchy on the outside, crabby on the inside. I had the lobster scampi for dinner. Perfect size. Plenty of garlic flavor. Lots of lobster that was not overcooked. Perfect. Worth going out of the way to eat here.
Menu is great, we had bao buns which were so good, and the halibut was perfect. Don't forget desert - chocolate torte cake with caramel and ice cream! Our server was fun and did a great job.
PortlandPete
Service was slow. Our server seemed to have forgotten us and we had to wave her down to take our order. The dining room is boisterous but not so loud you can't talk. Food was good but not memorable. Poor beer and wine selection.
FLDiner
great to have such a nice dinner venue at Higgins Beach area. the specials were awesome options (scallops one night and asian ribs on another night). Our server Nancy took great care of us. plus the generous desserts were a memorable finale.
Kevyn Fowler
We had such a fun time at Shade, three of us went for dinner the night before Labor day.Our waiter Molly was very friendly and professional, making sure we knew the specials and bringing the apps and then the entrees at the perfect time. It so happens as long-time Higgins Beach summer season locals that we knew her from many years back.The food was excellent, we had onion rings and a dozen raw oysters. The onion rings were crispy and hot, the oysters perfectly served with no grit at all.We had the fish and chips, the battered shrimp special, and a blackened haddock sandwich. All were excellent and so fresh tasting. The fries that came with them were unreal crispy and tasty.I went for it and got the blueberry/blackberry crisp with vanilla ice cream and had to share a few spoonfuls with my dinner partners. It was delicious!Definitely a great place, casual, not too loud, excellent drinks, and very friendly staff.Thanks Molly for a wonderful evening.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Roger Stuart
The food was ok to good but the service was horrible. 7:00 reservation and seating for 6 people but we were not served until 9:00 when most the clients who arrived later were served and had finished eating. No apologies, no offer for any complimentary drinks etc.I would not return. It might be ok (not great) if no more than 4 in your group.Roger
Great brunch with friends.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Home Fries, Smoked Bacon
We were up in Portland for a few days at the Higgins Beach Inn. Their restaurant "Shade"was excellent for breakfast (3 times)and for dinner (one time). I'd say close to perfection both for the food and the service staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The past recent few years has been a rocky road with frequent changes in management and chef The food was good a little salty difficult to request substitute with meal. etc Wait staff was incredible and lots of great customers from the neighborhood as it was the last night. I am hoping this wait staff returns and resturant manager Gail has been very helpful I am hopeful that next year will bring a variety of selections like mussels a nice dinner salad fish tacos etc. more selections would be a big lift Have a well deserved rest
Great food. We ordered the crab and corn fritters, Caesar salad, lobster linguine, and the day boat scallops (special). Staff and service was timely and pleasant. Drinks and wine were great as well. The bar seating was nice but loud. Next time I would sit outside in the screened in porch but it was still comfortable and friendly inside.
We live very close to Shade and have dined there for breakfast several times. This was our first time in a long while to have dinner and how glad we are we did! The service was top notch, Heidi was great. The ambience was nice and we were blown away by the food. Our compliments to the Chef!
We chose standard seating. The lighting was poor in some areas so we asked for another table. The setting was lovely though at times a bit noisy as there was nothing to muffle sound and dinners were seated rather close together. That being said, the service was excellent and the food was delicious. I would definitely recommend this to another diner.
I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that my wife and I have been visiting Higgins Beach for nearly a decade and had never visited Higgins Beach Inn or Shade. It's always been on our list but we were distracted by the beach or other area dining options. We had a late flight home yesterday so decided to have a late lunch/early dinner at Shade. We showed up right at 4pm and were immediately greeted and seated at one of the lovely tables in the covered outdoor area. As we walked through the indoor area we were impressed by the number seats in the bar area and quickly realized that this is a great low-key hangout for inn guests and locals.Heidi took care of us and did an impeccable job checking in often and suggesting menu options. We each started with a Shipwreck Punch which was perfect for a crystal-clear late summer day! At a somewhat steep $14 I wasn't sure what we were going to get but the cocktail was huge and so satisfying and lasted our entire meal.We shared two small plates and a main. The fish and chips was a 'small plate' but was a perfect portion. One larger filet and two smaller ones along with some beautiful fries. Breading was spot-on and the tartar sauce and malt vinegar on the side were perfect. We also tried the Maine crab and corn fritters that were divine. The pickle aioli was a beautiful accompaniment and the fritters were perfectly cooked. Our main was the blackened fish (haddock) sandwich which was light and flaky with just the right amount of seasoning (though I usually go a bit heavier on the blackening spice at home). Fresh toppings and a great bun rounded this out.All in all an excellent first experience at Shade. Great people here (especially Heidi!) and can't wait to make this a regular haunt on future trips 'home' to Higgins Beach!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I must say I was shocked to hear I couldn’t ask for no blue cheese dressing or cheese on my wedge salad. I couldn’t believe it. I am a paying customer who wanted the wedge salad but was not permitted to sway from the blue cheese. I had to order something else because I’m allergic to blue cheese this is unacceptable in my
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Food was excellent. Lobster linguini. Drinks were so good. Dessert fabulous. Can't wait to eat there again. Waitress, January, was awesone
Had a great team dinner here. Fun servers. Sat outside on the screened porch. Cocktails were interesting and delicious. Crab and corn fritters were excellent. Crunchy on the outside, crabby on the inside. I had the lobster scampi for dinner. Perfect size. Plenty of garlic flavor. Lots of lobster that was not overcooked. Perfect. Worth going out of the way to eat here.
Restaurantji Recommends
Menu is great, we had bao buns which were so good, and the halibut was perfect. Don't forget desert - chocolate torte cake with caramel and ice cream! Our server was fun and did a great job.
Service was slow. Our server seemed to have forgotten us and we had to wave her down to take our order. The dining room is boisterous but not so loud you can't talk. Food was good but not memorable. Poor beer and wine selection.
great to have such a nice dinner venue at Higgins Beach area. the specials were awesome options (scallops one night and asian ribs on another night). Our server Nancy took great care of us. plus the generous desserts were a memorable finale.
We had such a fun time at Shade, three of us went for dinner the night before Labor day.Our waiter Molly was very friendly and professional, making sure we knew the specials and bringing the apps and then the entrees at the perfect time. It so happens as long-time Higgins Beach summer season locals that we knew her from many years back.The food was excellent, we had onion rings and a dozen raw oysters. The onion rings were crispy and hot, the oysters perfectly served with no grit at all.We had the fish and chips, the battered shrimp special, and a blackened haddock sandwich. All were excellent and so fresh tasting. The fries that came with them were unreal crispy and tasty.I went for it and got the blueberry/blackberry crisp with vanilla ice cream and had to share a few spoonfuls with my dinner partners. It was delicious!Definitely a great place, casual, not too loud, excellent drinks, and very friendly staff.Thanks Molly for a wonderful evening.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was ok to good but the service was horrible. 7:00 reservation and seating for 6 people but we were not served until 9:00 when most the clients who arrived later were served and had finished eating. No apologies, no offer for any complimentary drinks etc.I would not return. It might be ok (not great) if no more than 4 in your group.Roger
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1