Location: The Knox Mill, Camden; 43 Mechanic Street
Hours: Monday through Saturday 5 to 10 P.M.
Contact: 207-230-0111
The Basics: Josh Hixson, co-owner of the Sage Market in Rockland (and now also in Camden on the other side of the falls in the Knox Mill), has brought the goods he sells at his market to the plate in his latest venture as owner and head chef of Camden’s newest wine bar. It’s modern Italian fare — from bruschetta to carbonara to short ribs— all priced under $20. There’s a great wine list and some unique beers as well. By the way, the name is Italian for patent, and if you look around the room you’ll see replicated sketches of interesting kitchen inventions.
Range: It’s a great place to just get a bite, like a bowl of Potato Leek soup, at the bar. Or you can have a full dinner and indulge in a handful of meat dishes offered. The food doesn’t deviate much from its Italian influences, but the menu does offer first, second, and third course plates. My waitress said for now the menu would be changing every month.
Best Bite: I haven’t been enough times (they opened on May 2nd) to determine what the best thing on the menu is (though the carbonara with guanciale could be a contender), but I most appreciated the wine pairings written on the menu for each dish. Though the wait staff could be a bit more educated about these offerings, a service element that I’m sure will change with time, both of the wines I sampled went well with my dishes.
Perk: Location, location, location. I can’t think of a place I’d rather eat in Camden than on the porch of this restaurant at the lovely high wicker tables. The inside is looking chic, too, and even if it’s chilly outside, there are lots of windows looking out to the falls.
Pitfall: It’s very new. I’ll be going back often with the hopes that they work out opening week/month kinks. For example, when I dined last night no dessert menu was available. But kindly they wrote out what might be on such a menu when it does, in fact, arrive: Bosc Pear galette, ripe strawberries with Gorgonzola cheese and aged vinegar, and a nightly take on cookies and milk. That’s one of many reasons to return soon.
Posted on Thursday, May 8, 2008 in Permalink

Reader Comments:
Bosc pear galette? Wow.