Diner Reviews

Hearing what our diners think of our restaurant is so important to us! Below are a few emails and notes we have been sent!

~After spending 5days in Bar Harbor (and having nice meals) we came to Blue Hill. We are at your restaurant and it was by far the best food we have had in Maine. From the bread at the beginning to the delicious dessert everything was fabulous! Our waitress couldn't have been better. Thanks for a wonderful evening.

Michael and Bette

New Braunfels, TX

~Excellent meal- best in our two weeks in the US! Also very good beer brewed here at the pub.

Richard and Margaret (owners of "The Swan with Two Nicks" pub)

Little Bollington, Altrincham, Cheshire, UK

~From one restaurant to another "C'est magnifique" Enjoyed absolutley everything! Thank you!

Christine (La Boheme Restaurant)

Waterford, Ireland

~Dear Friends, for such we feel you to be (Or at least extended family). We send the warmest gratitude to you and your staff for a lovely, restorative summer season of civillized dining pleasure following the Sunday concert at Kneisel Hall. The two events (for such is an Arborvine experience) make up our entire summer vacation we feel. So civilized. Sigh. Such Pampering. Double Sigh. Respectful and warm thanks to you all. We treasure excellence.

Charles and Diane

~I loved this place, unpretentious but refined, and the food is a picture of competence and creativity. The Bagaduce River oysters were remarkable on the half shell, I had six but could have eaten twenty six. The food is complemented by the best of service. A tip of the hat to Arborvine, a picture of culinary excellence.

~Located in a lovely old Maine house, updated only where necessary for restaurant purposes, Arborvine is the kind of reliable, upscale restaurant that you don't find very often these days. The food is good, locovore fare, fresh, not over-sauced and yet thoughtfully and interestingly prepared in a European/American style, the setting is in a pleasant garden on the main street of picturesque Blue Hill. The other day, as a little side note to their always reliable halibut, I was given a tiny pair of turnips which had been poached in some stock -- the best turnips I've ever had. The menu changes depending on what fish is fresh and what vegetables are available, while certain reliable favorites provide the basic infrastructure of the evening's offerings. Desserts are unfortunately irresistible -- the lemon dessert is unparalleled, and their way with fruit crisps is delightful. The management team has been together (e.g., married, parents/kids) for decades, one member of the wait staff has been with them for something like 30 years, and others have similarly long histories with them. Somehow they manage to keep good humored and appear to be unpressured even when significant numbers of customers appear at once. Not to be missed if you're in the area!