Fine Dining at Natalie's

Fine dining options can be few and far between in the midcoast area, but fear not! For there is always Natalie's. If you are looking for an excuse to sport your best blazer or highest pair of heels (which I know you are) Natalie's will always rise to the occasion and give you that flare of European sophistication that you may have been lacking. While the magnificent deck view of Camden Harbor is classic Maine, the interior deco leans toward a more cosmopolitan vibe that suggests a setting somewhere on the other side of the Atlantic.

The menu subtly blends classic upscale cuisine (and by that I mean French) with local flavors and ingredients. The menu also tends to reflect what is seasonally appropriate. During these summer months the restaurant offers delicacies such as a Chilled Cucumber Gazpacho ($15) and Salmon Tartar, served with herbs fresh from the restaurant garden ($17). The Roasted Duck, served with an nontraditional mushroom risotto, offers a superb fusion of textures and flavors that will leave the customer appropriately full but begging for more.

Whether it is to accompany a meal or just to sit at the bar, Natalie's offers one of the wider ranges of quality cocktail selections in town. Traditional drinks such as a Cosmopolitan or Martini are impeccably made, but we would suggest branching out into some of the restaurant's more inventive creations. We suggest the Havana Bubble - a fruity yet not oppressively sweet concoction that left two of these reviewers ordering an unexpected second round.

Finally, the restaurant offers a unique "Tasting Menu," that allows the customer to try a variety of smaller portioned options. While we cannot promise that this choice makes it any easier to budget a meal, it is certainly a fun way to try a plethora of culinary oeuvres that will certainly leave all 10,000 of your taste buds satisfied (Yes, I looked it up, humans have 10,000 taste buds with which to enjoy delicious meals such as this).

Personal Favorites:

Jane's pick: Roasted Duck with mushroom risotto, cherry marmalade and celery leaves

Abby's pick: Scottish Salmon, pepper crusted with heirloom tomato ragout, white balsamic vinegar and a bean salad

Emma's pick: Lobster Bisque accompanied by a lobster claw tempura and seasoned with seaweed salt

Our Ratings (1-5):

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Natalie's serves dinner every evening from 5:30 - 9:30pm. Reservations are recommended. The bar is open from 5:00pm till midnight. ($$$)

Natalie's Restaurant at The Camden Harbor Inn

83 Bayview St.

Camden, ME. 04843

207-236-4200