Located down the narrow, cobblestone road of Wharf Street, you’ll find Cinque Terre, a restaurant that serves traditional northern Italian cuisine. Their menu may seem a little daunting – especially when your eyes cross over the prices – but don’t be alarmed, their atmosphere and food are well worth the money.
This isn’t your typical Olive Garden. The chefs use only the freshest ingredients, many of which come from local Maine farms or from Italy. After graduating from culinary school, owner Lee Skawinski traveled through Italy learning all the tricks to seasonal Italian cooking. He still makes semi-frequent trips to Italy to meet with new food producers and some of this food makes its way to customers’ fresh dinners. If you order quail, don’t think you are going to get something similar to chicken breast; be prepared to get everything but the head of the bird. On my vist, the quail was gutted and filled with stuffing, and served with cheese filled dates.
Cinque Terre’s menu is set up in courses, but you don’t necessarily have to buy a six course meal. They will gladly serve you only one of the entrees.
The menu changes frequently depending on what is available to the kitchen. Even pasta recipes like fettuccini get redone every now and again. Lately, their fettucini is being served with mushrooms, spinach and basil, combined in perfect proportions to make for a delicious dish.
The portions at Cinque Terre are not huge, but perfectly sized considering how filling they are. Customers leave feeling full, but not overstuffed. Customers are also invited to enjoy one of their sweet Italian deserts. Their desserts, like the rest of their menu, change frequently, but they generally follow the same outline: a type of cake, either gelato or cream and then some type of fruit. For example, they combine a small chocolate fudge torte-an extremely rich and dense version of chocolate cake-with a scoop of gelato. Gelato is Italy’s version of ice cream, made with milk instead of cream. On top of the cake and gelato they place a few caramelized bananas, to create a delicious, albeit petite, dessert.
With its candlelit tables, dim lighting and dark, rustic tones, Cinque Terre has a unique atmosphere. It’s classy enough to get dressed up for, however, if a customer shows up in jeans and a t-shirt, Cinque Terre is relaxed enough that they will not be scoffed at. The staff is attentive, courteous, and willing to give a knowledgeable answer to any question you may have about the menu.
Admittedly, since most of their dishes run from $17.95 to $23.95, it is not a place that most college students are able to frequent, but it is a great place for a quiet anniversary dinner. Cinque Terre also quite clearly caters to adults, especially those who love a good wine. In other words, leave the kids at home.
Along with the prices, another downside to Cinque Terre is the lack of parking. Wharf Street is extremely narrow and there is no on street parking. However, it is located right in the middle of Fore and Commercial St, so it is a relatively short walk from available on-street parking.
Ladies, be forewarned, if you are not skilled in the art of walking in high heels, choose different shoes. Cinque Terre is located in that section of the Old Port where the actual road is made of old cobblestone. Snapping your ankle because your heel got caught between two of the stones will be a damper on your dining experience.
Overall, dining at Cinque Terre is a tasty and relaxing experience. Their atmosphere and unique dishes are well worth the money, but for college students, this might be a place to visit only on special occasions. If you do wish to visit Cinque Terre, be sure to make a reservation, especially on the weekends and during the summer months. They have become extremely popular with locals and tourists alike, so if you want to enjoy their authentic Italian cuisine be sure to call ahead