Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City
Most people think about food in Maine and they rightly think of lobster rolls, wild blueberries, and whoopie pies. One thing that doesn’t always come to mind is diner food.
But anybody who has spent time in Maine knows that diners here are as important and ubiquitous as they are in New Jersey.
And every time we have visited Maine for the last several years, we have tried to eat at the infamous Palace Diner. It’s an old train car in the sleepy (but slowly awaking) town of Biddeford (not too far from Portland).
The 15-seat diner (with bar seats only) has been a diner in this town since the 1920’s to serve workers from the nearby mills. The diner has changed ownership many times over the decades, but mostly recently gained the most fame yet thanks to new young owners Greg Mitchell and Chad Conley, who took over in 2014.
Their fine dining chops, hipster vibe, and commitment to old fashioned breakfast food has earned them a huge audience.
In fact, we have tried (and failed) to visit this place over two previous visits to Maine. Granted at the time we were traveling with a baby and high chairs would definitely not fit in the tiny train car. But the waits were out of control even if we felt like holding the baby in our laps.
This time, our son can sit at the breakfast bar on his own, and so we turned our noses at social distancing and came by for a really incredible breakfast.
A caramelized grapefruit whetted our palates with a fresh pink bitter fruit foiled by a crunchy warm brûlée topping. The special omelette was expertly cooked with two types of cheese and a handful of spinach. Even better was the side of thick fried potatoes perfectly seasoned.
However, my son chose the best dish of the morning with a stack of buttermilk flapjacks. The large pancakes were perfectly browned and lusciously soft inside. Notes of lemon and tangy buttermilk were subtle but pleasantly played with the aromas of butter and batter.
Maple syrup was available (and of course, used) but not necessary, if I’m being honest.
I’m thrilled we finally got to try the spectacular food that is coming out of this new version of an old time classic. And while other visitors are stuffing lobster into their eggs benedict, we got another taste of authentic and delicious Maine. Price: $14
| PALACE DINER |
| 18 Franklin Street (between Main Street and Federal Street), Biddeford, Maine (207) 284-0015 |
| palacedinerme.com |
