One of Portland’s famous restaurant/breweries recently expanded to downtown Gorham. Sebago Brewing Company opened at its unique location on Nov. 21. Located in an old train station behind Hannaford Food and Drug, Sebago’s metropolitan-style atmosphere betrays its exterior with its stained wood walls and tables, large contemporary bar and high ceilings. The small oval dining area fits approximately eight tables and three large booths. The bar area is separated by large black beams and is surrounded with stools and several bar-height cocktail tables and chairs. The lighting is dim and the music is mostly blues and jazz. Though quite a bit smaller than their other two locations – one at the Maine Mall in South Portland and the other in the Old Port – I was happy to find the same good quality food and service, as well as a classy, upscale atmosphere.
Their large inventive menu consists of a variety of appetizers ranging in price from $5.99 to $8.99. We started off with my favorite, potato nachos ($6.79). This unique and delicious plate is large and satisfying. Waffle-cut potato slices are deep-fried and layered on a plate of tomatoes, scallions, jalapenos and lots of Monterey Jack. The cheese is melted and is evenly distributed throughout the pile of potatoes so it can be tasted in every bite, a definite plus! These are served with sides of sour cream and homemade salsa. The veggie quesadillas were our second choice and consisted of a wide range of vegetables ($5.99). zucchini, broccoli, mushrooms, onions, red peppers, scallions and tomatoes were stuffed between two warm tortillas and drenched in Monterey Jack. These mouth-watering masterpieces were cut into nine triangles. Other appetizers include veggie-stuffed potato skins, jumbo chicken wings and baked Brie.
Feeling quite full from our starters, we proceeded to share a meal and a salad. Choosing from the extended list of choices was difficult. Sebago offers a wide variety of entrees including chicken, seafood, pasta and steak ranging in prices from $5.99 to $17.99. An array of burger and sandwich options are also on the menu ($6.99-$8.79). The salad choices are plentiful as well, with options such as buffalo chicken, panzanella, fiesta chicken and warm spinach ($4.99-$7.99). We opted for the simple green salad that consisted of fresh field greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, croutons, shaved carrots and sliced onions. For dressing we chose their balsamic vinaigrette. The lettuce and vegetables were cold and crisp and the dressing was tart. A large was plenty for two ($4.99).
For our entree we chose the chicken and broccoli Alfredo from their pasta selections ($11.99). Penne pasta was tossed with pan-seared chicken and broccoli and a roasted garlic cream sauce. The sauce was thick and flavorful, the broccoli was fresh and the helping was plenty, I ended up taking a portion of it home for lunch the next day. This is a dish I will definitely have again. Other pasta entrees include wild mushroom ravioli with chicken, tortellini with white wine sauce, Greek-style pasta with lobster and seafood Alfredo.
And of course there is beer here at Sebago. While the brewing process starts at the company’s South Portland location, casks of beer are transported to Gorham where the process is completed. Their house brews include Northern Light Ale, Boat House Brown, Lake Trout Stout, Fryes Leap RPA and a winter seasonal called Slick Nick Winter Ale. They also offer a full bar that is opened daily until 1 a.m.
Throughout our meal our waitress was friendly and helpful. She was quite busy with the other tables that were beginning to fill up around us but seemed to keep on top of most everything. The staff and the cooks seem to have everything under control. If I didn’t know better I would have thought this place had been around for years.
Staff Writer Katie Gallagher can be contacted at: [email protected]