The Frog and Turtle

I’ve had breakfast all over the world, five star hotels overlooking the Bay of Monaco — breakfast at the Ritz property in West Palm Beach — this is, without any exaggeration, the best omelette I’ve ever had. I got the GIF Benedict as an omelette and from the first bite of the hash browns to the last bite of the omelette I was in food ecstasy. Jesse our server at the bar and James the chef/​owner made this little, last minute stop on our way out of town a meal to truly remember.

Just experienced an amazing breakfast. I consider myself a quasi foodie so my standards are high. Jesse the bartender and James the owner/​chef exceeded our expectations with service & food. This place is worth a visit.

Loved I here. Could get a last minute reservation but it was great eating at the bar. Carefully crafted cocktails, a chacuterie and cheese plate with duck pâté, pork galee wrapped in house smoked pancetta„ mortadella inspired terrene, followed up with braised chicken crepes with spinich and brie and beef tournedos for hubby. Need I say more?

Went here last night for an anniversary dinner with family. Food was amazing! And they sent the celebrating couple home with a card after our meal. Thanks so much!

«Why would anyone ever eat anything besides breakfast foods?» — Leslie Knope
Brunch is my favorite meal in the world, but it’s difficult to enjoy in Maine because our brunch hours usually end at 1 or 2pm and there’s a wait no matter where you go. Which means the weekends are fraught with one of the hardest adulting decisions there is: do I sleep in or do I get up for bloodies?
That being said, I appreciate that The Frog & Turtle — whose space is very warm and inviting — takes reservations for brunch. WHY DON’T MORE PLACES DO THIS?! It allows me to get everything I want: the ability to sleep in AND get my breakfast foods on!
I came with a group of five people late on a Sunday afternoon (we made our reservation just hours before going, by the way) and had one of the best brunches I had had in a long time:
+ Bloody Mary ($ 8): YES! A place that does a bloody mary in a pint glass with a giant stalk of celery and some olives. Annnnnnnnnd… it’s a vegetarian friendly drink, too! Just be prepared to be slapped in the tongue with horseradish.
+ Omelets ($ 14): The omelets here come with four filling options. I went with goat cheese, roasted red pepper, and caramelized onions. It was DELICIOUS. They didn’t skimp on any of the ingredients, that’s for sure. Also, the home fries that came with it? Some of the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly crispy on the outside, and fluffy on the inside. I wonder if they’d be willing to just serve me a big bowl of those with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce?!
— English muffin: Unfortunately, my english muffin was very, very dry. I guess they forgot to butter it? I also wasn’t given any butter for it. Maybe I needed to ask specifically for this? Next time, I will and I’ll also see if they have any jam I could put on it — that would have elevated this meal even more!
— Donuts: They were out by the time we arrived. Super disappointing.
The service — while definitely friendly and super accommodating — was very slow. It took us ages to get refills on our coffee and we were never checked in on after our food was dropped off (no «how was your meal?» no «can I get you another drink?» — that’s lost business, because I definitely would have).
Regardless, I’m excited to add the F&T to my shortlist of brunch places in the immediate area!

Delicious! A cute pub bar that has live music and cute donut bar on Sunday mornings. Wednesday’s are wing nights and my favorite flavor is the «ninja» flavor. It’s spicy and has a similar spice with buffalo sauce. Yum.
The food service is excellent. Our waitress was fun and nice and she sold the menu so well that I just wanted to order everything! Most of their produce is from local market and it’s all cooked fresh. Delicious and I would definitely for more!

Dinner and drinks & apps. Why I have come here. I’d give it 4.5 stars but there is not the option. The food is very good — flavors and sauces and meats cooked just right. FLAVOR is the main ingredient in the foods. So well orchestrated. Not even sure whether to call it pub fare or what … but does that really matter? I’d like more variety in the sides, personally, and presentation is not Michelin quality, but … does that really matter? FLAVOR!
I’ve come here on various occasions for the drinks & appetizers and to listen to local music — which they offer on various nights of the week and a variety of styles and musicians. I’ve also come for dinner. This last evening my foodie buddy and I sat at the bar (partially to keep out of the draft since it was about 9 °F outside). The bartender was friendly and helpful. Offered us a great red wine of which neither of us had heard before: South African (see my photo) The Grinder Pinotage. (I will be searching for this in liquor stores for my at-​home collection!) It was rich, smooth, not sweet, and a perfect compliment for my duck dinner. We polished off 2 bottles that night.
There is not a great rush at this gastro-​pub. But my friend and I have traveled and enjoy the relaxed approach of Europe and South America where it can be 3 – 5 hours for dinner. This allows time for conversation and digestion. If one wishes to simply stuff themselves with food and go home, there are plenty of locales for that.
They used to offer some wonderful home-​created tinctures but they are no longer available. They were infused various spirits with a variety of herbs and spices. A bit sad they are gone.
Dessert — we splurged and got the Chocolate Teardrop of Happiness. I am not a chocoholic, but this creation offered enough variety of chocolates and textures to definitely make ME happy!
At the end of the evening, when most clients had gone home, the owner/​chef came out and chatted with us and then gave us a tour of the kitchen and pantry. Clean and the foods are local. Vegetables suited the season and were so fresh and hand picked. Details like these make a difference.
Parking can be a bit of a trick but so worth the effort.
We will be returning. and often.

A Westbrook must go to establishment! Your life is not complete until you experience a Sunday brunch by the frog and turtle! The donuts are always Devine, the icy frog a brunch beverage you can’t have just one of, the prices are so reasonable you’d assume you were dreaming. Dinner is always great as well! Are you looking to host a party? Looks no further the spread the put out is wonderful, professional and dreamy.

Wish we loved the Frog and Turtle, but we didn’t.
This review is for brunch only. Cozy atmosphere and they were packed! Everyone was extremely friendly. They just didn’t seem to be able to handle that many people that smoothly.
Be prepared to WAIT. Even with a reservation, it took us awhile for the host to acknowledge us, the waitress to come over, the drinks to come, and above all, the food to get to the table. It clearly states on the menu that all items are scratch-​made and patience is necessary. I didn’t see a cup of coffee for the first 20 minutes we were there, which I think is a little extreme but some may consider it all to be part of the «sit-​back-​and-​relax» type brunch experience.
Coffee was very good by the way.
We ordered 3 donuts for the 2 of us. Must get the donuts! We split each of them and it was the perfect way to start brunch.
Salted pretzel was our favorite but very salty. Coconut fudge and a donut filled with chocolate pastry cream and topped with chocolate sprinkles were also oh-​so yummy. Perfectly fried and chocolatey.
I had the 2 eggs over easy and fruit with toast. Their toast is homemade wheat bread. I loved it! A big, thick slab coated in butter. The fruit was really just a couple strawberries on the plate, a tiny slice of watermelon and a few apple slices. Felt there should have been more. The eggs were also painfully underdone. I know over easy means yolks barely cooked but most of the whites followed suit making eating the eggs very mucus-​y and unappetizing. I didn’t want to send them back but we did send back our other dish which was the vegetarian eggs Benedict. Although delicious, we found a small, black hair in it. I don’t really feel knocking off stars for this is a necessity; it could happen anywhere and they were good about not charging us for it.
We also had a croissant which was inedible. I don’t even know how to describe it. It was downright gross.
Take-​away from this review:
1. You’re going to be there a long time
2. Get the donuts!
3. Order your eggs over medium if you don’t like raw whites
4. Do not order a croissant, go with the toast
5. Get the donuts!

OMG donuts.

If you’re looking for a quick in and out bite to eat, this may not be the best choice for that occasion. If you are looking for a stuffy, overpriced formal dining experience, this doesn’t quite hit the mark for that either.
If you enjoy great food made from scratch, locally sourced ingredients, delicious cocktails, live music, friendly staff, and good conversation; this would be a place for you.
The prices are reasonably. The quality is outstanding, and the atmosphere is fun and lively.
Treat yourself and enjoy a night out (or Sunday Brunch) at The Frog and Turtle.

This place is delicious, especially for brunch. For dinner, they have typical grub, but their take on fondu is creative and rich. The problem is, it’s far to pricey for what you get. We balk at our $ 80 bill when we ordered 1 appy, 2 dishes, and maybe 2 drinks. With the tip (because the service is always great) we leave there almost $ 100 poorer. It’s not that we aren’t willing to spend that kind of money. But when we are, we want something a little more fancy.

I have two words– lemon martini! Well I have more than that. This place is great! Great food, nice atmosphere. You really can’t go wrong with anything off the menu. I highly recommend there Sunday brunch. Freshly made doughnuts are too good to pass up.

Excellent food, service, and ambiance.
Joined a colleague here for dinner while traveling, the first thing that struck me was easy bar-​to-​table service, no paying twice or hassle making the move. I enjoyed a bourbon smash while he had a local beer. The band playing was raucous and made our drinks better, even as we kvetched about work.
The mussel appetizer was wonderful. I love mussels and have eaten so many good ones while in Maine, usually in Portland’s Old Port district. These were perfectly cooked, meaty, and Mexican-​style. I am not sure I could’ve asked for much more from them, and I ate most of them while my companion enjoyed chili.
My main course was a perfect fresh pasta dish. The fettucine was clearly fresh and al dente with a wonderful summer sauce of fresh vegetables. My colleague enjoyed a flatbread, and even packed up leftovers from it and his chili.
The service throughout our time was exceptional, thoughtful. The waitress did not hurry us, but she was helpful and available as needed. She offered solid drink selections for our dinners and based on what we had already started.
I look forward to heading back to The Frog & Turtle again. I’d like to try more from their well-​planned menu.

Came here on a busy Friday. I had actually checked on Open Table throughout the day and it seemed like reservations were widely available for all time slots. I took this as a sign that I didn’t need to make a reservation… big mistake. We got there and the place was packed. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize that for at least 10 minutes, because no staff member made an effort to greet us at the door and tell us about their wait time and seating procedure. A couple in line ahead of us told us that we needed to check in with the hostess, and HER TABLE IS NOT NEAR THE DOOR.
Once we got our name on the list and was told that it would be at least a 45 minute wait, we walked the 2 ½ feet over to the bar to have a couple cocktails to kill time. It also took about 10 minutes of failed eye contact and hand gestures toward the bartender to grab two cocktail menus. While we were perusing the menu, a table opened up 35 minutes earlier than our quoted time, and we happily snapped it up. So what if it was three feet from the band, which was about to go on?
I like their menu; for a ‘gastropub’, it has a lot going on. As our excellent server informed us, you can either go down the small plates route or the entrée route. My friend and I debated getting charcuterie, wings, and a few other things, but in the end, we both settled on our own entrees and splitting an appetizer. They also have a great drink menu, which seems to highlight a few bourbon specialties. I ordered the bourbon smash ($ 12), and it was very good.
Appetizer:
At the recommendation of our server, we started with a fried avocado that was dressed with salsa and sour cream (?). The avocado itself was unseasoned and rather bland, but it worked perfectly with the salsa. I probably wouldn’t order it again but it was tasty.
Because our entrees were taking longer than expected to prepare, our server brought over a goat cheese salad of some kind to hold us over. THIS was much better than the avocado appetizer.
Dinner:
I ordered the Devil Burger on a recommendation from a friend ($ 15), and my friend ordered a chicken flatbread of some kind. I really can’t say I was impressed. It wasn’t bad, because at the end of the day it’s still a burger. But I would certainly say it falls toward the bottom of my consumed burger spectrum, despite having an olive sticking out of it, a layer of onion rings, and something called ‘ninja sauce’ giving it a spicy kick. Unimpressed, especially at $ 15. This is closer to a $ 8-​$ 10 burger (or less). The cut fries that came along with it, however, were very good.
The music certainly made up for my average meal. The 5-​piece band played a good mix of jazz, rock, and a few jammy/​funky tunes. I could see myself coming back just to see them.
Overall, a bit of a letdown based on everyone’s recommendations of this place. I think my opinion of this place could change if I ordered a different combination of food (you’re next, charcuterie and wings!), and so I’ll be back to give ‘em another chance.

Brunch yesterday at the Frog & Turtle in Westbrook.
Cool place, good vibes and excellent friendly service. We started with «appetizers» of homemade– made to order donuts… Boston cream (amazing), the John Candy… maple and bacon… speaks for itself! And Jason’s pretzel… caramel and salt… Pretty good.
My girl had the special… Salisbury steak Benedict… good and tasty, though missing hollandaise for some reason?
I had the vegetable florentine Benedict… very good, great home fries.
Also great coffee, always kept full cup (important) and the Bloody Mary reportedly was excellent.
Will pretty much be back, if just for donuts and coffee.

The food is delicious, but a bit pricey. It is considered a gastropub and is a unique experience. The atomsphere is romantic and lit beautifully. The explainations of the food and preperation are a bit over the top, but entertainig. «We went to the market and bought a pumpkin, we pureed it…» as the begining of how they made the pumpkin pie martini, which was flavorful but not well balanced, a bit strong. The waitress was attentive and had a vast knowledge of the menu. We started with poutine, which was ok. The gravy was thick but not much flavor. We ordered the buff jimmy and the tsunami flatbreads, which were both crisp and bursting with excellent flavor combos. It was a good expericne but not likely to be repeated

First, I should confess, I’m pretty much a regular here. But, that speaks to how great this place is — great food and service! I’m generally here for happy hour, but this morning I met a friend for brunch. We sat at the bar, as I almost always do. The bartender, Jesse, is friendly, fun, and provides top notch service. In addition, he makes amazing and creative drinks. I trust him enough to just make me whatever he feels like. I’ve never been disappointed. This morning, I went with a delicious Icy Frog — an adult iced coffee. Very rich, but perfect on a Sunday morning. Tip: if you enjoy cribbage, ask for a board. They have several behind the bar.
Anyway, back to brunch. This was my second time visiting for brunch. This time I was smart enough to try one of their famous donuts. My friend and I split a John Candy — maple and bacon donut. Fresh out of the fryer with real maple syrup drizzled on it and sprinkled with bacon. It’s better than it sounds.
For my actual breakfast, I went with one of the specials which was Eggs Benedict but served with meatloaf in place of the ham. Very flavorful and a generous portion. I was not able to finish it as it was served with a small salad of tossed greens lightly dressed and perfect home fries.
Great start to my Sunday!

First off, what in the world is a gastropub? According to Wiki (the best aka worst site ever to cite), the term was coined as recently as 1991 by the owners of a pub in London who were redefining the standard pub fare by placing a higher emphasis on higher end food. So is this a gastropub? ABSOLUTELY. But keep in mind that you could also call it glorified pub fare… okay that’s a little too harsh.
I was excited for dinner, and their adorable Christmas decorations definitely helped up my spirits! Here’s what I tried, after the 30+ minute necessary wait due to everything being made from scratch after being ordered:
— Fried Calamari appetizer: Lightly battered and tossed in a creamy lime dressing, this was definitely my top choice of the two apps we ordered. I’m not used to my calamari being coated in sauce, but the crispness remained!
— PEI Mussels: Not my favorite. The menu says steamed w/​garlic, tasso, and fresh herbs in a cajun-​style sauce. We had someone at our table who doesn’t eat pork, so we had no tasso (kind of like a smoked ham). The mussels were teeeeeeny tiny, and nearly half our shells were empty! Very disappointing.
— Roasted Salmon: I LOVE salmon, I love it even more when it’s made better than my impromptu cooking sessions at home. This wasn’t it. The salmon came roasted on top of coconut rice and charred watercress, with an orange brown sugar soy glaze. Of the whole dish, I suppose the salmon was the highlight, I ordered it cooked medium, and that part was spot on. The skin started off crisp, but sitting on top of coconut rice tends to make things mushy! The rice was really fluffy, so much so that I didn’t quite taste the coconut. It seemed like everything was served on top of watercress, this bunch was a tad too bitter (and I usually like bitter too…), and finally, the glaze was SUPER SALTY! Finally, I can’t forget the heaping handfuls of fried things on top of the salmon. While fun and pretty, there was just so much!
— Chocolate Teardrop of Happiness: Our waitress described this as heaven for chocolate-​lovers. While it’s very pretty, the choco/​raspberry combo just isn’t for me, the other chocolate-​lovers at my table did love it though!
— Waffles w/​Caramelized Apples: One thing I have to say about both desserts: beautiful presentation! Despite drowning in vanilla ice cream & caramel sauce, the waffle was amazingly crisp! I only had a bite, but I wish all waffles came like this.
Overall, yes this is definitely a solid place to dine out. While it’s not something I’d imagine when I see the word «gastro-​», it’s SO much more than your average pub. The ambience and service were both great, with the exception of the water pouring. I was no thirstier than normal, but how hard is it to get a refill? I also had a chunk of something weird in my water, so that was a little disturbing. Gratuity is 20% for parties of 6+.

Stopped in here on Friday night for a light dinner with my husband. Easy parking right behind the restaurant was an early sign of good things to come. The live music was in full swing when we arrived and the band of the night was The Cozmik Zombies, who were rocking out a tight set of blues and folk. The music could be quite loud, so do be forewarned of that.
We were seated near the windows, conveniently not in full-​on blow-​out-​your-​eardrums territory and ordered some beers and the cheese and meat plate to share. Next time I may go for a bourbon flight, but it wasn’t that kind of evening. The portions were pretty small, but everything on the plate was absolutely delicious. Next we split some calamari, which again exceeded expectations. They were very lightly fried with a citrusy sauce. Finally we split the seasonal parfait for dessert.
All things considered, the food here is above and beyond what I expected at this venue. The service was also great throughout — attentive without being annoying — and the owner even came over at the end to see how we enjoyed everything. We’ll definitely be back again if we find ourselves out in Westbrook.