Good luck. I'll be waiting to hear a report. Many of us will be living vicariously through you tonight.

I'll do my best.

john i have herd many fgood thinsg about arrows', please tell u s what you think when you get back, will you post they're menu on your site so tthat we can see what they half to offer?

Arrows is the most revered restaurant in Maine? Did the White Barn Inn close?

I've heard that Arrows is overrated, so you'll have to let us know what you think. We went to White Barn Inn over the weekend and had the best meal (and service) of our lives. Definitely try them when you have the chance and compare the two for us.

IMHO, the only one who would say that Arrows is overrated is someone who begrudges spending $140 for ONE for the most elegant, incredible dining experience of one's life!! We just went there Sunday night and it was THE MOST incredible dining experience of our lives, all 11 of us agreed!!!

I went to the White Barn Inn some years ago and had a wonderful meal. Though I wasn't crazy about all the pomp and circumstance that swirled around each dish

Question. Is this meal expensed? If so, I want to become a Press Herald blogger.

$140 for ONE? I've eaten at great places all over the world, and even I might begrudge that amount for Arrows.

At SOME point the price begins to adversely affect your dining experience doesn't it?

I'm John's editor and I can say that John's meals are NOT expensed. He goes where he chooses and when he chooses. His blog is his diary of those experiences. For what it's worth, I've never been to Arrows and am eagerly awaiting his report.

Ebeneezer -- you misunderstood. The poster was saying it was one of the best meals, not $140 for one person. :)

$140 FOR one FOR the most elegant....

I don't think I misunderstood, unless the poster made an error, in which case the misunderstanding started on THEIR end.

For me, personally, if we're just talking about the food, and not the environment or all the other factors, I'll take Fore Street for a meal over any other restaurant I've been to in Maine, and I've been to Arrows (several years ago) and the White Barn Inn (ditto). The latter restaurants succeeded in wooing me with atmosphere and service and the bells and whistles, but if we're talking quality of the meal over and over again I'll go to Fore Street whenever I can.

I seem to be outnumbered on the Fore Street experience. I've been twice and found the wait long -- with or without reservations -- and the service snooty, although it appeared to me that regulars or people otherwise known to the staff are treated with more friendliness. The food is fine, but if I am paying big money for this kind of dinner out (a few times a year for me), I want the whole thing: food, service atmosphere, etc. Like Ruth Reichl says, part of the dining experience at a fancy expensive restaurant is feeling like you're rich and pampered, if only for a night. Fore Street gives me one of the three (food). Next time I go out with a full wallet, I'm heading for Cinque Terre or Back Bay Grill, where I know I get more of the full experience I crave. Or maybe I'll try 555, Bandol or even Arrows and see what I get.

Great comments. I too wish that us bloggers could earn so that I could go out more and try more of John's recommendations. I await his Arrows comments with interest.
We took a VERY dear friend there for an important birthday. My husband felt that having to wait while each item on the plate was described in loving detail, and that for each plate for a party of 5, was trying! But then he did pick up the tab.
I was impressed with the food presentation, taste and service, and really enjoyed the experience. I later described this as dining theatre, as opposed to dinner theater.
From the moment we arrived, having got lost, lousy directions from Arrows phone person, we did have a wonderful experience. I love the fact that there is so much good food in Maine, just wish I could afford it on a more regular basis. But maybe then one gets jaded. Are you jaded, John?
I think the secret is that one has to be comfortable with a big tab otherwise that spoils the experience.
Wouldn't it be great if all these comments were available at the restaurants in question? I do hope they are reading John's comments so that Fore St. is more welcoming to Scott etc.