Instead of all those terrific choices we ended up at the relatively-new Beach House Grill. We couldn’t have landed in a better spot for a quiet, classy, outdoor dinner.
You have to try out The Beach House Grill if you’re in the area but, be warned: It is a little pricey. Our entrées alone were upwards of $50. But, oh boy, was it worth the price.
I started with the side Beach House salad, which was greens, grape tomatoes, cukes and shaved red onion ($5.95). These usual suspects were made absolutely delish by the in-house made dressing that accompanied them.
Other salad offerings include a cobb salad ($11.95), to which you can add chicken, shrimp or lobster, Caesar hearts of romaine ($8.95) and a strawberry pecan salad ($10.95).
There are also several apps to pick from, including ahi ceviche ($11.95), Beach House mussels ($10.95), Maine jonas crab cake ($11.95) and crostini ($7.95).
We had a tough time choosing from the large menu of entrées, but, being in a beach town, we were both determined to have seafood. I was torn between the cioppino (clams, mussels, scallops, fish and chorizo in a tomato stew served with a tempura shrimp lollipop, $22.95) and the Beach House stuffed haddock ($24.95). I flipped a coin and ordered the haddock and was thrilled with my choice. The fish was stuffed with “decadent seafood stuffing” and finished with a lobster veloute and was melt-in-your -mouth good. It came with lemongrass basmati rice and tender ribbons of zucchini and summer squash. I didn’t leave a morsel on my plate.
Stacy went with the seared fennel dusted sea scallops ($28.95). After a few bites she declared it “The best meal I’ve ever eaten.” The scallops were huge, bursting with flavor, crispy on the edges and so tender inside. The meal also came with veggie ribbons and a lobster risotto cake.
Other entrée options include: pan seared or grilled yellowfin tuna, North Atlantic salmon, local monkfish and swordfish, for which you can choose from seven different sauces ($19.95-$26.95); pasta rigatoni with chicken or shrimp ($14-$18); mesquite smoked pork ribs ($21.95); peppercorn studded filet mignon ($31.95) and crispy roast Statler chicken ($19.95).
The Beach House Grill also has a bar menu, from which you can select small plates like grilled flatbread ($9.95), calamari ($9.95), marinated hot wings ($7.95), ribs, fries and a lobster roll. There are also salads, a raw bar, chowders and sandwiches. The two 50-inch HD TVs play Red Sox and Patriots games.
The Beach House Grill opened just last summer and, located right next to Bintliff’s, it has some tough competition. It has a leg up because of its elegant outdoor seating, which can accommodate 50 people and has heaters for those chilly evenings.
The wait staff was timely, efficient and knowledgeable about the menu and the hostess was incredibly friendly and full of information.
Unfortunately, we don’t get to Ogunquit often enough, but now we’ve found a place that’s well worth making a special trip.
— Karen Beaudoin