White Barn Inn

White Barn Inn Restaurant (prix fixe), Kennebunk, ME., 6/18/25

~ hsnixon ~ Leave a comment
buildings – 37 Beach Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043-7614

The basic menu at the fine dining restaurant in White Barn Inn is a 4 course fixed price ($175 + tax, gratuity) one.  There are at least 6 choices for each of 4 courses, some with supplemental charges and optional wine pairings are available.   Since we’d done the 2 longer tastings the previous nights we thought this would be a way to try options we hadn’t gotten or to repeat some of our favorite selections.  The meal was a combination of both and included  the usual small extras we’d had every night.  Again we came early but this time were able to get seats at the bar to enjoy a martini before we started the meal and listen to a different pianist this night.  We had the same great server as last night and she was helpful in making sure nothing repeated that we didn’t want to and assured satisfaction with the experience.  Executive Chef Mary Dumont was not there any of the 3 nights we were.  According to one server she often comes in the morning to help prep and plan but doesn’t work dinner service, so we were dissappointed not to meet her and get her to meet Frankie.  However, it still is a place I’d recommend to anyone wanting a fine dining experience in the Kennebunk area. Continue reading →

White Barn Inn Restaurant(chef’s blind tasting), Kennebunk, ME.,6/17/25

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Inn building where you enter – 37 Beach Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043-7614

We arrrived early fo our second dinner at White Barn Inn Restaurant so we could enjoy a drink with the live piano music beforehand.  The bar stools had been reserved with people for dinner so we had a choice of some stuffed chairs or a seat at the piano, where we chose to enjoy a nice Negroni.  It was a lovely way to start the meal, which tonight was to be the 8 course blind chef’s tasting.    There is no printed menu but Executive Sous Chef Liam Gove was nice enough to email me a list of our courses to help with my write up.  I find this is often offered and about the half the time they actually do it but kudos to him for promptly following up.  My understanding from our server was that the tasting was adjusted since we had the lobster tasting the previous evening and they didn’t want to repeat any courses.  We also sat on a different side of the room which was much better for photos, less sun glare and more constant light from an overhead spot.  We didn’t ask about wine pairings as we chose to get our own bottle of wine each night.    Service was again first rate with the friendly staff anticipating every need and being quite helpful.  This was another meal I’d recommend you try, but the lobster was my favorite of the two. Continue reading →

White Barn Inn (lobster tasting), Kennebunk, ME., 6/16/25

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments
building – 37 Beach Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043-7614

White Barn Inn Restaurant, about 20 miles outside of Portland, Maine, offers New England cuisine year-round.    The Inn is around 45 years old and has a fine dining as well as a casual restaurant.  We chose the fine dining portion for our stay and were able to sample the 3 types of menus they offer.   The menus are presented in a re-modeled barn building, whereas the casual dining is in a more modern room.  The front of the 2-story room has a small bar with seats for about 6 (they can be reserved to eat from the casual restaurant’s menu) and a grand piano with an actual pianist playing every night.  The second story of the barn is filled with boxes, fake animals and other decorative items and in the back of the room is a large window that showcases lighted colorful blooming plants.  The double clothed tables are draped to the floor with a beige cloth that is topped with a shorter white one.  Service is 5-star and friendly, if you want interaction.  We started with the lobster tasting where portion control was spot on and the food was very good.  I would easily recommend this place when in the area and it’s even better when you can stay right there and walk to and from dinner. Continue reading →