Found this restaurant on Tripadvisor and took a look at their web site. The good menu selection including venison burgers had me making a reservation for a October week day evening while we were in Bar Harbor. We arrived on time and were seated quickly after rearranging tables as the hostess mentioned they had a party of 10 just cancel. That’s when the trouble began. Almost 30 minutes went by without anyone coming to our table. I tried to catch the eye of every server that passed by as well as a guy who kept stocking the bar with no luck. I glared as some of them which usually works but not this time. Another party of 6 was seated at the table behind us and got service right away. Finally the hostess who seated us asked it we were OK. No, we weren’t. The person who was sent to serve us was the guy from the bar and he brought attitude with him. We put in our drink order. My husband got 1/2 glass of Pinchy Ale which they apologized about not having more and didn’t charge for it and a full glass of Bar Harbor Reel Ale, both of which he liked. I ordered iced tea, but it was never brought. Ordered Shrimp and Scallop Curry with Jasmine rice for my husband and a venison burger with gruyere cheese and caramelized onions with a side of Belgian-style duck fat fries. My husband said the curry had a good taste but was milder than he expected. My venison burger was cooked medium rare instead of medium as I had ordered. Skipped ordering dessert of coffee.
We decided to try them a second time for lunch a couple days later. We were one of the first to arrive for lunch and were seated on the patio, to enjoy the lovely fall weather. Hostess mentioned lunch is slow for them. We ordered clam chowder and Poutine with duck gravy and cheese curds. Both are wonderful. I also get a Brick oven pizza (like a flatbread) with fig, ricotta, gruyere and proscuitto. The blend of these ingredients works really well and I enjoyed it a lot. Service was much improved over our first visit.
To get to Blaze at 198 Main St, you have to walk up most of Main Street away from the harbor and shops. It’s just past the ivy covered Ivy Manor Inn. Make reservations for dinner and during the busy summer months. Go for the craft beers and the good food and hope the service has improved.
