What is a gastro pub?” Gastronomy is the study of preparing and consuming food. A pub is a neighborhood spot for affordable food and good times. When you combine the two you get a neighborhood spot with a focus on food prepared from scratch with fresh ingredients.
"We had our wedding reception there a few years back. It is still a go-to for special occasions. Chef James is such a gem! He is personable and very talented! We know we will always leave happy."
Dined on 6/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, romantic, scenic view, special occasion
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"We were looking for a small restaurant with a large flavor! And we got exactly that!!! We got the atmosphere and the fabulous food we were looking for! The band was great! Our friends loved it too! Thanks Frog and Turtle!!!"
Dined on 6/14/2013
2013
Special Features: romantic, neighborhood gem
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"Have eaten at F&T on numerous occasions since it opened. While the food is still good, the menu has become very middle-of-the-road, with fewer interesting flavors/ingredients/dishes than in the past. One person's slaw was tasted by three of us, and we agreed that it tasted somehow "off" and was not edible. We pointed this out to the woman running front of the house, who took it away...and never returned to explain / offer a comp or at least apologize."
Dined on 6/08/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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"James and his staff know how to please people with food, drink, and service! From Erin our favorite waitress to Jess behind the bar there is none better out there. Thanks for a great birthday brunch."
Dined on 6/02/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Although the food was very good for brunch, we felt like we were packed sardines . Our table for three was near the serving buffet, and was not really comfortable. And the noise level was very loud as it is a small restaurant. It can make it hard to have a conversation."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for brunch
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"Had yet another wonderful time at F&T for brunch Mother's Day. Their homemade donuts are to die for and their eggs benedict were fantastic as well."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, great for brunch, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch, special occasion
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Review 12 for The Frog and Turtle
Overall rating
(Fair)2/5
MATT WAS GREAT
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/11/2013
Food
(Good)3/5
Service
(Outstanding)5/5
Ambiance
(Good)3/5
Noise Level
Moderate
"NOT ENOUGH SELECTION OR VEGETABLES AND THE PRICES WERE OUTRAGEOUS. THANKS FOR ALLOWING ME TO TELL YOU WHAT I THOUGHT OF OUR DINNER."
Dined on 5/11/2013
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"Overall good experience. Our waitress was new to the F & T and we could tell right away. We provided her with feedback and hopefully she will improve. The food and drink was good enough that the service could be overlooked this time."
Dined on 5/11/2013
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"Frog & Turtle has some of the best music in the Portland area. I saw the Tony Boffa group, but the ToneKings and JMB are also great. That with good food, fantastic service and good ambiance make for a very enjoyable and special evening."
Dined on 5/09/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"We had a good experience at the Frog & Turtle. The food was excellent but it was very slow, so be prepared to wait if you go for dinner. We also took my 5 year old and the menu selections for that age were limited but we expected that. Recommend for adults with time to kill on your evening out!"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"As always, the meals here are delicious! The salads were fresh and the mixed greens with avocado was exceptional. I had the chicken crepes, but substituted goat cheese for the Brie...pure comfort food! My husband had the chicken breast with crispy orricchiette, he said it was the best chicken and pasta he has ever had...and we eat out a lot!! My only concern throughout the meal was the incredibly slow service...we have eaten at this restaurant many times, and I realize that the food is made to order, but almost an hour until we got our entree seems over the top. It was not an unusually busy night, or so it seemed by the number of tables occupied. We will go back because we love the food, but only when we are prepared for a long night...."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"My wife had one of the specials, pan seared trout with chutney on a bed of jasmine rice. It was delicious. I had one of the other specials, duck cooked 2 ways. One way was sliced and the other way was roasted, served with spinach and a garlic sauce. This was also delicious. Our server was excellent. She knew everything on the dinner menu, the specials, the beer and wine list. Our appetizer took longer than we expected, but but worth the wait. They do tell you to expect a 30 minute or so wait for the entree. If we had something to complain about, it would be the noise level. Just a little too loud. Because of that, I would not call it fine dining, even though the food was."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Excellent food. I entertain there for business regularly and consistently have great meals, and service. They cook everything to order and do an outstanding job modifiying their receipes to make gluten free meals for me. I'm always excited to get things like seafood chowder (award winning) that are gluten free. They have a range of seating options from window booths, to "living room seating for casual eating, to tucked in areas that accommodate large groups."
Dined on 04/09/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"The food was excellent. No one greeted us for a long time when we came in, which was awkward. Service was incredibly slow after we finished our meal. Waited a long time for the waitstaff to notice we were done, then a long time for the check, then a long time for waitstaff to bring it back. Kind of disappointed but I will probably go back for the great food."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2012
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"This restaurant tries too hard. The food is good but the service is spotty and without genuine interest.the wine list was not familiar at all and the prices were very high. If they get the service right this could be a gem. they just need to relax and enjoy themselves."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"This time it wasn't as good as usual. It was more the choices than it was the quality. I was disappointed that there specials were a little lacking. I got pork....it was overcooked and dry."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2009
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"The food and service are fantastic. Love the decor of the Frog and Turtle. Donuts at brunch are out of this world. We find the noise level to be a bit overwhelming at times. There is so much going on with the open kitchen, the bar and the tight space of the restaurant as well as the high metal ceiling that it is what it is. I do wish though that they would kill the music when the place fills up (not the live bands, of course)because it doesn't add anything but more clamor - a background din that simply causes people to speak a little louder."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2010
Special Features: great for brunch, kid-friendly, special occasion, hot spot
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"I live in Westbrook and have frequented The Frog and Turtle with family and friends. I had two clients from away and decided to bring them to F&T instead of going into Portland. They thoroughly enjoyed it as did I. I think they were worried a bit when we parked but once we got inside and settled that was erased. The staff was great and the recommendations by the waitress spot on, she was wonderful. My guests eat at places all over the east coast and thought F&T was outstanding. Thank you for a top notch dining experience. The only negative was the space was too loud as the acoustics are not good."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"A perfect evening with my lady. The band was excellent, seldom loud enough to hinder conversation. The seafood dishes we had were very tasty. We arrived about 10 minutes before our reservation time and after a short wait were seated. The service was great."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2013
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"This was our second visit to the Frog and Turtle and after our first, amazing, visit we were really excited! Unfortunately, the service took a very long time (we were there for three hours) and the food was just ok - my husbands seafood risotto was cold and we were out for his birthday dinner. Also, there was a band that night and they were very good but it was just so loud we had a hard time chatting with our friends who were sitting right across from us. We will definitely be back in the hopes of an experience like our first."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"The food was absolutely fabulous!!! Mussels were beyond yummy. We were seated in the bar area for dinner and the band was VERY loud. I would ask for a table further away next time."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
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"I like the Neighborhood Gem option. That defines this spot well. I really enjoy the Frog and Turtle. I think I am most impressed with their ability to make their own well 'everything'."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"The Frog and Turtle is one of our favorite places to enjoy a great dinner and bring out-of-town guests. It was a great dinner on Saturday night as well. Great wait staff and the drinks from the bar are really unique along with some of our favorite standards. Keep up the great work."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"A fun, relaxed atmosphere with very good food and a large selection for all palates! Enjoyed a delicious Margarita. There was no music this particular night, making it quiet and easy for conversation. Cozy atmosphere."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"The waitress made some poor choices. We were seated at 5:40 and did not receive any food, other than bread and butter until 6:50. It was so loud I could not speak in a normal voice and be heard - everyone was yelling - way too nosiey."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2012
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"Frog & Turtle is a high end pub. Given the 'pub' designation, I found the wait staff to be a bit too slow and stuffy for my liking. My husband enjoyed his steak salad, but my burger was a bit of a disappointment. The bun was burned and my onion rings were undercooked and inedible."
Dined on 03/05/2013
2012
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"Sunday brunch service slower than usual; when brought to the attention of the server that we had been waiting an hour (since seating time) for our meals, she contradicted us and said it had only been 40 mins according to our ticket. Food arrived a full hour after ticket time, no apology. Explanation was that all meals were cooked to order - I would hope so, but it was only Eggs Benedict and potatoes, how long does that have to take? Our party watched others seated after us eating 20 minutes before any food crossed our table. The server made us feel as though we were in the wrong and this sort of wait was par for the course. I have previously enjoyed excellent service - what's up Frog and Turtle?"
Dined on 03/03/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"I/we have eaten at the Frog quite a few times. Consistently good food and creative pairings. The burgers are some of the best I've ever eaten.I'm sure the owners know this, but the noise level is really distrubing. It's becoming a deal breaker and has to be addressed. For this visit, we waited for one hour to get our donut apps. Then another 25 minutes to get the food - two hours - not acceptable. The food was very good and ample. We had a great waitress - very attentive but you can drink just so much coffee. Kid friendly for our family with a 4 year old, but probably not for younger children who need to eat. Not everyone my party would go back because this unreasonable wait."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2013
Special Features: great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"The dining room was not full and the service was slooooooooowwwwwwww. We sat for 35 minutes waiting for our drink order and then she said she'd take our order and get the bread. The bread never came so when the first course came we asked the server,not our waitress, if we could have the bread. The helper brought the bread and the waitress never made mention of it. Even the check came slowly.
This was my favorite neighborhood place............ for the price, I need to rethink it."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2008
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"Great experience as always! The one request would be for live bands to tone it down just a little. It's a small venue and the amps/speakers are set to a much larger room."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"We go to the Frog and Turtle twice a year. The food is amazing and the atmosphere very relaxing! The prices are extremely high, so we do not frequent often."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2010
Special Features: great for brunch, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Service was very poor. The hosts was rude and told us to leave a few minutes after we finished eating. Couldn't finish our expensive wine! I won't go back because I was so rushed!"
Dined on 02/15/2013
2010
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"THIS WAS OUR FIRST VISIT TO THE FROG & TURTLE. I HAD MADE A RESERVATION ON-LINE - BUT OUR GREETING BY THE HOSTESS WAS NOT VERY FRIENDLY, THEN WE WERE SEATED AT A TABLE THAT WAS SOOOOO TINY BY THE WINDOW - WHICH WITH THE SIZE OF THE TABLE I WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE GLASS - SO IT WAS VERY COLD. OUR WAITRESS WAS EXCELLENT AND VERY FRIENDLY AND THE FOOD WAS QUITE GOOD. WOULD WE GO BACK? NOT REALLY SURE."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2013
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"The waitress we had was outstanding - she was fun, informative and accomodating! The food was excellent. Atmosphere was extremely relaxing. A wonderful night out with friends!"
Dined on 02/13/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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