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Address and Contact Information
Address: 18 Central St, Rockport, ME 04856
Phone: (207) 466-9055
Website: http://www.18central.com/
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18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill
18Central%C2%A9Merriam024.jpg. OYSTER BAR & GRILL ROCKPORT, MAINE. Locally Sourced × Crafted with Love. 18Central©Merriam014.jpg. Hours & Take Out. ***. * …
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18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill ; Details. . 96% recommend (341 Reviews). . $$. . Open now. . 18 Central Street, Rockport, ME, United States, 04856 ; Links. .
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2325 Followers, 551 Following, 337 Posts – 18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill (@18centraloysterbar) on Instagram: ““The beauty of 18Central is that the food …
Reviews
Jonathan Woodall
Sometimes it IS better to just FADE AWAY, once BURNED OUT
We visited 18 Central for the first time in June 2021 when staying in Camden, ME.
Please be advised that the following comments are our opinion based on our visit to 18 Central. We HOPE your experience will be stellar…you might choose to read the LOW ratings and see if there is a trend over time; perhaps there has been a change in owner, management and/or staff..or all of these??
When we planned a return trip to MDI, we wanted to revisit 18 Central for another dose of harbor front beauty, small, sweet mussels prepared in cast iron and attentive service. Even to the point of driving 1.75 hrs EACH WAY to and from Mt Desert Island solely for the meal with a view.
When I called a hour before opening, 30 days in advance, to make a reservation and going STRAIGHT TO VMAIL, I should have stopped there and then. Instead, I left a vmail and after 3 more attempts to reach a live person, I finally did secure a reservation at 5:15 p on a SAT nite in mid-September with Ruby. I thought, well… the hard part is over. HUGH MISTAKE on my part.
The next signs to just accept that 18 Central was not the same and just go to one of several other stellar spots on the water in the Camden, Rockland and Rockport area presented upon arrival at 5p, posted opening time for our 5:15p reservation, that day. We, along with 10 or so other folks, experienced the little power trip on opening “promptly” at 5:08p with the front door closed and local folks sharing to que up in an adjacent hallway.
Once surviving this little obstacle course, we are seated. The harbor view remained amazing, in our opinion, the absolute best part of the evening.
To be fair, our cocktails were generous and served cold as well. Thank you!
Our server never introduced herself. The process and resulting experience this visit was much different than the first….likely for several reasons. Our server would only take a FULL order (i.e., appetizers and entrees) before proceeding….”Chef’s Rules”; a great way to ensure fewer walk-outs after apps. Dishes are presented by another team member and taken away by yet another. Our server NEVER inquired about how we liked, or were we enjoying, our food.
The mussels, this time, were the size of NZ Green Lipped (i.e., laaarrrge) … not our favorite, with little seasoning.
My wife ordered the “Bluefin Tuna Special” …. another mistake but with a pattern developing here … buy low(er) quality seafood and charge a premium price. Jane eats A LOT OF FISH; Bluefin is one of her favorites. This dish was essentially inedible, filled with sinew and with poor texture. A team member came to clear out entree plates, only inquiring “Are you done?”even with a plate of fish still present.
At this point, Jane asks to speak to our server. Once she came over, Jane showed her the sinew-filled tuna and shared her experience with a high grade of Bluefin is that it should be like butter and NOT filled with sinew.
The ONLY response from our server was ” I will tell the chef”. We waited for her to come back with a response … CRICKETS.
Her next move was to come to present our bill. Jane looks at her and waits … nada. So she inquires; the reply is ” the Owner says that this can happen with fish”; NO APOLOGY AND NO ACCOMMODATION.
We agree, this outcome certainly will happen when you begin with marginal quality ingredients.
Just to illustrate a point, the very next nite, we dined at a lovely spot in Bar Harbor. Jane again ordered the local Bluefin, which was BEAUTIFUL AND LIKE BUTTER…NO trace of sinew and at essentially the same price. Attached are two pics…you can easily tell which is which.
If you are in the Rockport, Rockland or Camden, do your party a HUGH FAVOR; avoid this place and consider the commute to and from Basserie Le Brun instead.
Too bad!
… moreWe visited 18 Central for the first time in June 2021 when staying in Camden, ME.
Please be advised that the following comments are our opinion based on our visit to 18 Central. We HOPE your experience will be stellar…you might choose to read the LOW ratings and see if there is a trend over time; perhaps there has been a change in owner, management and/or staff..or all of these??
When we planned a return trip to MDI, we wanted to revisit 18 Central for another dose of harbor front beauty, small, sweet mussels prepared in cast iron and attentive service. Even to the point of driving 1.75 hrs EACH WAY to and from Mt Desert Island solely for the meal with a view.
When I called a hour before opening, 30 days in advance, to make a reservation and going STRAIGHT TO VMAIL, I should have stopped there and then. Instead, I left a vmail and after 3 more attempts to reach a live person, I finally did secure a reservation at 5:15 p on a SAT nite in mid-September with Ruby. I thought, well… the hard part is over. HUGH MISTAKE on my part.
The next signs to just accept that 18 Central was not the same and just go to one of several other stellar spots on the water in the Camden, Rockland and Rockport area presented upon arrival at 5p, posted opening time for our 5:15p reservation, that day. We, along with 10 or so other folks, experienced the little power trip on opening “promptly” at 5:08p with the front door closed and local folks sharing to que up in an adjacent hallway.
Once surviving this little obstacle course, we are seated. The harbor view remained amazing, in our opinion, the absolute best part of the evening.
To be fair, our cocktails were generous and served cold as well. Thank you!
Our server never introduced herself. The process and resulting experience this visit was much different than the first….likely for several reasons. Our server would only take a FULL order (i.e., appetizers and entrees) before proceeding….”Chef’s Rules”; a great way to ensure fewer walk-outs after apps. Dishes are presented by another team member and taken away by yet another. Our server NEVER inquired about how we liked, or were we enjoying, our food.
The mussels, this time, were the size of NZ Green Lipped (i.e., laaarrrge) … not our favorite, with little seasoning.
My wife ordered the “Bluefin Tuna Special” …. another mistake but with a pattern developing here … buy low(er) quality seafood and charge a premium price. Jane eats A LOT OF FISH; Bluefin is one of her favorites. This dish was essentially inedible, filled with sinew and with poor texture. A team member came to clear out entree plates, only inquiring “Are you done?”even with a plate of fish still present.
At this point, Jane asks to speak to our server. Once she came over, Jane showed her the sinew-filled tuna and shared her experience with a high grade of Bluefin is that it should be like butter and NOT filled with sinew.
The ONLY response from our server was ” I will tell the chef”. We waited for her to come back with a response … CRICKETS.
Her next move was to come to present our bill. Jane looks at her and waits … nada. So she inquires; the reply is ” the Owner says that this can happen with fish”; NO APOLOGY AND NO ACCOMMODATION.
We agree, this outcome certainly will happen when you begin with marginal quality ingredients.
Just to illustrate a point, the very next nite, we dined at a lovely spot in Bar Harbor. Jane again ordered the local Bluefin, which was BEAUTIFUL AND LIKE BUTTER…NO trace of sinew and at essentially the same price. Attached are two pics…you can easily tell which is which.
If you are in the Rockport, Rockland or Camden, do your party a HUGH FAVOR; avoid this place and consider the commute to and from Basserie Le Brun instead.
Too bad!
Effie Morway
We were there on a night they were short staffed so service was tough but the food and drinks were spectacular. Incredible oysters (though sold out of a few by 6pm on a Saturday night) and apps. The star of the night though was the mussels! Huge and plump and incredible flavor. Will be dreaming of them for a while…
… moreAmy Dunlea
We had reservations at 7:30pm on a Sunday night in mid May. We were seated at our chosen bar seats right away. Our server Jessica was really busy, but took very good care of us and was very bubbly. We started with the drinks Small Craft Advisory and Kilnwooder. Both were excellent.
For dinner we shared the Finnan & Fingerlings salad and the mussels. The salad was fresh, but we were a little disappointed that we only had three little potato slivers. Also, the croutons were so large that they were hard to eat. The flavors were on point though. The mussels were terrible. They were so mushy that they disintegrated in our mouths. We couldn’t eat them. Jessica happily removed them from our bill. The star of the night was the special: Fiddleheads in garlic and butter. Wow, it was one of the best dishes we ate on our trip. For dessert we had the Bread Pudding. It was excellent.
I would recommend this place if you are in the area.
… moreFor dinner we shared the Finnan & Fingerlings salad and the mussels. The salad was fresh, but we were a little disappointed that we only had three little potato slivers. Also, the croutons were so large that they were hard to eat. The flavors were on point though. The mussels were terrible. They were so mushy that they disintegrated in our mouths. We couldn’t eat them. Jessica happily removed them from our bill. The star of the night was the special: Fiddleheads in garlic and butter. Wow, it was one of the best dishes we ate on our trip. For dessert we had the Bread Pudding. It was excellent.
I would recommend this place if you are in the area.
chuck
We dined here with our son and daughter in law. What a fabulous time. The service is quick and fun, atmosphere quaint and relaxing and the food was amazing. We had burgers, scallops, a couple bottles of wine, muscles, poutine and collards. We highly recommend all but the collards, they lacked seasoning and tasted odd. I can’t judge by one dish so overall the restaurants amazing. We’ll definitely make this a regular dining option.
… moreJeffrey Cowgill
We had reservations for a party of three. After we got past the line we were directed to the back patio for drinks and a fantastic view before being seated inside. We had barely sipped on our drinks when our table was ready. Service was attentive and honest about time it took to prepare some dishes. So dont go here for a quick meal. Plan for some time to relax and enjoy. The craft cocktails are delicious. Appetizers and entrees are well presented and tasted great.
Definitely recommend making reservations. I believe even the bar seats are booked in advance.
I’ll definitely be going back!
Urban Cowgill
August 2023
… moreDefinitely recommend making reservations. I believe even the bar seats are booked in advance.
I’ll definitely be going back!
Urban Cowgill
August 2023
Ian Brooks
Ive been here 3 times, the food is absolutely phenomenal with great wine and cocktail selections. Have to dock a star for timing though, every time I’ve come here some aspect of the meal has been heavily delayed. The first time it was one party member’ entire entre that came out way late. Second time it was wine that took so long to come we had finished the food before it arrived. This time one of our appetizers came 10min after the other and I had to wait to start my steak because once again we were waiting on wine. I’ll still come back, food’s great, but it would be awesome to see them step this part of their game up!
… moreAlyssa Schoettle
My family & I had a great time at 18 central! The service was amazing as was the atmosphere was cozy. For food two of us ordered the hanger steak & when it’s cooked properly it’s a great choice. However both of us had issues with temperature. For seafood options my table loved the Sweet Lucy Oysters & enjoyed the scallops as well. The best dish however was the Duck which was cooked & flavored perfectly. Other things to note include reasonable wine prices, seasonal cocktails, and beautiful views of Rockport Harbor.
… morePerks Advisor
I enjoyed some delightful oysters and a local brew. My timing must have been just right because I was able to walk right in but there was a line by the time I finished. The oysters were flavorful and you can choose from them from various locations.
Server staff were busy but pleasant and I did not feel rushed. I was inside but the patio just outside was very enticing. My sense is that coming here in the summer takes some proper scheduling but is worth the visit. Very enjoyable experience overall.
… moreServer staff were busy but pleasant and I did not feel rushed. I was inside but the patio just outside was very enticing. My sense is that coming here in the summer takes some proper scheduling but is worth the visit. Very enjoyable experience overall.
Chad Bell
Really enjoyed our trip to 18 Central last night. Started off with an Autumn Smash which was refreshing fall bourbon cocktail. I backed that drink up with a Kilnwooder which was also outstanding.
Our table started with some shrp cocktail and oysters. All were well received and very tasty.
Foe entrees the orders were. Hanger steak…halibut…swordfish and the burger.
Hanger steak was a but underwhelming as I thought the seasoning was a bit light and the resd wine sauce lacked the real depth of flavor I had hoped to find. It was cooked as ordered. The frites were some of the best I’ve ever had. They have a slightly well done cook on them that brings out the best in the potatoes.
The swordfish was the star of the show. Many of us had never had swordfish before and were blown away by the preparation. Where the Hanger steak lacked I’m flavor..the Swordfish had no issues with this. The corn ans sweet peppers on the plate were also very good.
The halibut was also excellent. The chili peppers packed an unexpected punch which lingered. Id advise small bites of the peppers. The cook on the fish was outstanding and the squash it was served on top of was just OK.
The burger was also tasty and cooked as ordered with a good seasoning and overall texture.
Overall I would give this a recommended rating. We really enjoyed the meal and there is a nice view to boot.
… moreOur table started with some shrp cocktail and oysters. All were well received and very tasty.
Foe entrees the orders were. Hanger steak…halibut…swordfish and the burger.
Hanger steak was a but underwhelming as I thought the seasoning was a bit light and the resd wine sauce lacked the real depth of flavor I had hoped to find. It was cooked as ordered. The frites were some of the best I’ve ever had. They have a slightly well done cook on them that brings out the best in the potatoes.
The swordfish was the star of the show. Many of us had never had swordfish before and were blown away by the preparation. Where the Hanger steak lacked I’m flavor..the Swordfish had no issues with this. The corn ans sweet peppers on the plate were also very good.
The halibut was also excellent. The chili peppers packed an unexpected punch which lingered. Id advise small bites of the peppers. The cook on the fish was outstanding and the squash it was served on top of was just OK.
The burger was also tasty and cooked as ordered with a good seasoning and overall texture.
Overall I would give this a recommended rating. We really enjoyed the meal and there is a nice view to boot.
jared
Best oysters I have ever had and quality cocktails. Our mains were very decent as well, I really liked how they showcased chantrelles, morels, and other mushrooms in each dish. The bed of creamed corn my scallops were served on was absolutely fantastic, and all of their breads hit the spot!
It was pricey though, $4 oysters and entrees around $40 but you get what you pay for in terms of quality and service. Was happy to see the drinks weren’t crazy expensive.
… moreIt was pricey though, $4 oysters and entrees around $40 but you get what you pay for in terms of quality and service. Was happy to see the drinks weren’t crazy expensive.