Whale's Rib Tavern at Pilgrim's Inn

Name: Whale's Rib Tavern at Pilgrim's Inn
Address: 20 Main St, Deer Isle, ME, United States, 04627
Telephone: (207) 348-5222
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.3

4.3

75 Reviews

$31 to $50

Seafood

Top tags:

Welcome to Pilgrim's Inn Dining Room & Whale's Rib Tavern! We take reservations for the Dining Room only where you will receive a high quality, top chef curated menu. Walk-ins are welcome for the Pub & Patio side which would be a separate unique and delicious menu. Reservations are for inside seating only. Outdoor dining is first come first serve for the Pub menu. Reservations fill up fast! So plan ahead. We look forward to serving you soon!

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sept 24, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Booked 7 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Seafood, American
Hours of Operation
Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Brunch Sun 11:00 am–1:30 pm Dinner Mon, Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–8:30 pm
Phone number
(207) 348-5222
Website
https://pilgrimsinn.com/dining
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Ryan McCaskey

Location
20 Main St, Deer Isle, ME 04627
Neighbourhood
Blue Hill
Parking Details
None
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Wine

Parker House RollsUS$7.00
Allium butter
ChowderUS$10.00
Little Neck clams, Parsley, orange, celery, Lobster butter
Local Farm GreensUS$11.00
Beets, Chevre, Pine nuts, Blueberry maple vinaigrette
Marinated Local CucumberUS$12.00
Radish, Red onion, Castelvetrano olive, Whipped ricotta and feta, Dill, Parsley, Chives
Smoked Cod ToastUS$15.00
Celery, capers, red onion, olive, grilled sourdough
Mushroom ToastUS$14.00
Wild mushrooms, frisce, farm egg, truffle, sherry, Tinder Hearth French batard
Curry MusselsUS$17.00
Ginger, Coconut Milk, Anise, Kaffir lime, Cilantro

Large Plates

Lobster "Puttanesca"US$34.00
Cavatappi, Garlic, Black Olive, Grape tomato, Basil, Capers, Calabrian chili
Roasted Duck BreastUS$26.00
Savory truffle bread pudding, Tokyo turnips, pickled mustard seeds, Blueberry truffle jus roti
Short RibUS$28.00
"Peas and carrots," Robuchon potatoes, Barolo jus, Chives
Isle au Haut ScallopsUS$30.00
Summer succotash, Poblano pepper, Snap peas, Bacon, Corn, Shiitakes
Local HalibutUS$28.00
Celery root "scalloped" potato, Cauliflower purée, Sauce Normande
CannelloniUS$25.00
Corn, Truffle, roasted leeks, whole grain mustard butter sauce

What 75 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3

4.3 based on recent ratings

4.3Food
4.3Service
4.4Ambience
4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Maine
Seafood
Northern Coast
Innovative
Northern Coast
Great for scenic views

75 Reviews

HJ
HerbJ
Greater Boston
2 reviews
vip
4.0
2 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall4food5service4ambience3
Third time we ate there this summer and the food has been consistently excellent. The Lobster "pot pie" is especially delicious!
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s
sandymlee
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding choice of appetizers/entrees creatively imagined and superbly prepared. Good selection of wines/beers/spirits. Servers pleasant and helpful and attentive. The rustic setting is charming and relaxing. The Whale’s Rib is a welcoming place catering to all budgets and tastes.
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DC
DebC
Denver
21 reviews
vip
3.0
21 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall3food2service4ambience4
Celebratory dinner and it was very disappointing. It started out great with a lovely waitress and great service. We ordered the mussels to share and it came with one little piece of toast. The broth was great but not enough bread to soak it up and enjoy it. The Flank Steak was one of most un-appetizing plates I've ever seen - totally charred and not a vegetable to be found. The Cod was good and so was the pasta. The Lobster "pot pie" was $40 and a terrible disappointment. It came cold and I left me still hungry. It had a tiny piece of pastry and a few carrots. The lobster was tender and sweet and there was enough of it but not enough of anything else. The "scoop" of icecream that came with dessert was barely more than a tablespoon. I don't mind paying for a good meal but this was extremely overpriced for the quality.
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RM
RachelM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was delicious- the lobster pot pie, cod, bread and wine. Dessert is worth saving some room for!
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DM
DonaldM
Atlanta Metro
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We are longtime summer residents of Deer Isle. We feel very fortunate to have restaurants of the quality of the Whale’s Rib on this small island.
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DJ
DeborahJ
Greater Boston
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 11, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience3
We were told the chef had 2 Michelin stars, so we had high expectations. My entree and desert were both disappointing. Four very small scallops on a plate were Luke warm and rubbery inside. My dessert was called a blueberry streusel, but was more like a blueberry soup with some crunch on the bottom. Sorry, but I can’t recommend this restaurant.
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DF
DianeF
Greater Boston
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 11, 2023
overall2food1service2ambience4
I’m sorry to write this review because I wanted to have a great meal here (had one at Acadia when the chef was there) - but geez: my food was cold. Lukewarm flank steak (what happened to a crisp outside/ medium rare interior)? The twin and puny side of potatoes were wrinkled and cool (sitting around way too long) and the wilted greens were cold and lacked any sparkle or surprise. Just dull cool greens. I rarely send food back but was insulted by this meal. Had a bowl of chowder instead - fabulous! So, step it up or loss that star. They only get in the way of true creativity, anyway! Sorry Whale Rib but when I ask your staff what maitake (sp?) is I would rather hear it’s a mushroom than a spice. Get smart. Dig in to your talent and curiosity. Love good food. You did once. Diane
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NA
NinaAr
Greater Boston
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
We had yet another fantastic meal with friends. The wait staff is wonderful, food fantastic and ambiance lovely. Flank steak was yummy and my favorite the cucumber salad hit the spot. (I usually have the scallops but decided to try the steak. )The ice cream with caramel popcorn is to die for. The Whale’s Rib never disappoints!!!
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RH
RussellH
Palm Springs
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great atmosphere. The service was first rate, and the food was superb. We are looking forward to the next dining experience at the Whale’s Rib!
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BM
BarbaraM
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on September 8, 2023
overall2food2service2ambience2
The building and gardens are lovely and there is a nice outdoor terrace. Inside it is clean and the atmosphere is pleasant. The bar looked spacious, but dining room felt somewhat crowded, a relatively small space with tables close together. Our salads were excellent and the wine was delicious, but we waited a long time for our entrees without any updates from the server and when our food arrived it was tepid. The plates were attractive, but portions were small. Four of us shared two desserts which were all right, but not outstanding. All in all, the evening did not live up to our expectations.
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DJ
DavidJ
Atlanta Metro
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 8, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience3
Lobster pot pie was one of the best lobster dishes I have ever had. Mussels were almost as good. Short menue but everything was creative, well executed and delicious. Not handicaps accessible otherwise a great place.
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CS
ChristinaS
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on September 7, 2023
overall3food2service2ambience3
My pasta dish was served cold. The waitress never came back to our table to ask if things were alright or I would have returned it to the kitchen. Since we never saw her again until our dinner was over I never got a 2nd glass of wine. Not a happy experience at all. The waitress did delete my pasta dish from the bill although I did offer to pay for it. She really had not been trained well, she was sweet but absent. My guest ordered the salmon and the presentation on a huge round plate was strange for the portion size which was quite small. No imaginative decoration for the emptiness of the plate.
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WH
WilliamH
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
The serving of salmon and 4 tiny pieces of vegetables was very small for the price of $28.00. I weigh 137 s f could have eaten twice the amount. So the price was way above the amount of the food. Value vs. price
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l
loriu
Greater Boston
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great brunch. Food was delicious although small menu. Good bloody Mary
1 person found this helpful
MR
MichaelR
Exclusive
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was excellent with a great presentation. Beautiful view as we ate. We were not rushed at all.
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a
andergaard
Greater Boston
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 1, 2023
overall2food2service3ambience2
Small portions. Overcooked fish. That about sums it up.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 1, 2023
overall3food2service5ambience5
Two orders of skirt steak were served cold. This mistake was corrected by reheating the remaining portions and re-serving the then warm and toughened steak. Nonetheless, serving staff were enthusiastic and pleasant.
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LN
LeNeuf
Greater Boston
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
An outstanding meal well served. The lobster pie is unique and delicious. Will definitely return.
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l
lovetoeat
Greater Boston
18 reviews
vip
3.0
18 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience3
The food was decent- but very small portions and slow service- location is beautiful
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JD
JosephD
San Francisco
17 reviews
vip
2.0
17 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2023
overall2food2service3ambience2
The Tavern was disappointing. Our meal for two with tip for $225 was not worth it. The dining room is very noisy due to poor sound insulation. The food was uninspiring and very small portions. My partner said her peach galette appeared to be a store bought pastry warmed up. Our salad was four tiny pieces of lettuce. The broccoli Rabe was undercooked. Our waitress was lovely. The wine was excellent. The setting is beautiful. The Tavern has great potential but is not currently realized.
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JO
JOHNB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
You will enjoy everything on this limited menu. Do not be in a rush to savour this fare. The service is slow fir a reason. It’s just that great.
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m
mickville
New York Area
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Delicious lobster pot pie and chowder. Excellent service. Would return to try their outdoor dining in a beautiful setting.
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GG
GraceG
San Francisco
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on August 27, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience5
Ambiance, food, yes brilliant food, make Whale's Rib a starred restaurant that we will return to soon. Service was very acceptable but could benefit from a bit of professionalism. For example, servers might want to ask if diners enjoyed their food. My only request would be for menu items of a la carte "sides." For example, rice, potatoes, a seasonal vegetable to round out the OTW (out of this world) entrees.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on August 26, 2023
overall1food2service1ambience3
Beware: If you make a reservation on the website (via open table), it automatically seats you in the dining room. Even though they offer other options such as the tavern and seating on the deck (which we hoped for since it was a beautiful summer night when we arrived), don’t ask the hostess to change it. You will be given a patronizing lecture and guilt-tripped into sitting in the dining because they "had to turn people away, and it wasn't fair for all the people who were trying to get a table." (Never mind that this is completely illogical; even if we sat outside, we'd still be paying for a meal!) 1 hour after being seated, there were only 3 tables placed; I am not sure how that equates to "turning people away." Next, our server was rather condescending. The server rolled her eyes at the drink order (mostly non-alcoholic) and asked one of our companions, “Are you SURE you want a Shirley Temple?” For the food order, my wife asked to have the salad dressing on the side (not an unusual request). When the salad arrived, the server said it had a little dressing on it, but if my wife was unhappy the kitchen would redo it. Not wanting to be unpleasant, my wife accepted it. But why not just serve the dressing on the side and let the customer decide how much to put on? Then, for the main course, my wife asked for the steak tips to be well done and apologized in advance for the request, knowing that most chefs find that offensive. (Especially a chef who worked at a restaurant that received a Michelin star.) The server paused but acknowledged the request. When the food arrived, my wife's steak tips were medium rare, the same as another person at our table. My wife asked to send it back, and after 20+ minutes and asking the server about where her meal was, the server replied: “we’re waiting for it to be cooked” in a condescending tone. If it was cooked as requested, it could have been avoided.
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AG
AliG
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on August 25, 2023
overall3food4service2ambience3
The quality and presentation of the food was excellent. The portions of the main dishes were ridiculously small and exceptionally expensive given the amount of food served. This is not the restaurant to go to if you’re hungry. The waitstaff service was lacking (e.g, no one refilled our water glasses until asked, at times we felt forgotten by the waitstaff) and it felt like it should have been exceptional at that price point. The flavors, sauces, and creativity in the cuisine were outstanding. Even so, I would not go back and left feeling disappointed.
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JW
JulieW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food. Cod toast was sooo good! Decent bourbon options as well. Great value when compared to CT dining.
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TW
ThomasW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely evening, food was delicious, and the ambience was great, not too noisy, but convivial. Service spot on.
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LR
LindaR
New York Area
17 reviews
vip
3.0
17 reviews
Dined on August 20, 2023
overall3food2service2ambience4
Lovely setting and waitstaff sufficiently attentive. Salmon was good but scallop main course was a joke for the price of $36 - consisting of four small scallops and two small pieces of cauliflower. Plate was 3/4ths empty! Chef really needs to rethink his rendition of this dish. All he had to do was add a little vegetable or starch. Otherwise it looked like something was missing.
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CS
CharlesS
Baltimore
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food and service. Dining room a bit noisy but not unpleasant
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DD
DoubleD
Greater Boston
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The Salmon dinner was very good. The Peach Galette was quite good.
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R
Reggie
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very interesting menu in an appealing setting. Food is outstanding and consistent use of local ingredients
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PD
PollyDK
New York Area
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience4
Cheerful, competent service in a comfortable, scenic setting.
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MG
MaryG
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing brunch, so happy to have a place on the island for Sunday brunch! And we love Cristina, our server. Just love that space! We frequent it for happy hour, dinner and brunch when we are here! Owner is a great host too!
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SR
SammamishRick
Seattle
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food here is awesome. I had the tomato soup with crab, and then the lobster "pot pie." The lobster was a deconstructed pot pie with a round of puff pastry perched on the lobster tail, surrounded by roasted veggies and then topped with a delicious lobster bisque. I had to ask for a spoon because I wasn't going to let any of it go to waste!
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S
Scarby515
New York Area
20 reviews
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on August 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food, diverse menu, good and friendly service in a beautiful setting. Portions are a tad small but a lovely experience nonetheless.
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R
Rick
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our evening meal was wonderful, as my wife & I enjoyed seafood that exceeded our expectations. We topped it off with desserts which were delicious. Overall, the diners all were in good spirits and why not - the food was fairly priced and the ambience just right. We’ll be back.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lobster pie was excellent so good we wanted to go back while on vacation.
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L
Luke
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on August 4, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
We enjoyed three small plates and a blueberry desert. Tomato bisque, the best, beet salad fantastic, and mussels very tender, desert delicious! Reasonably priced. Highly recommended dining experience!
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L
Louise
Seattle
29 reviews
vip
5.0
29 reviews
Dined on July 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Simply wonderful. Always a highlight of our time in Maine. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. Our server was friendly and took good care of us. Thank you for a great evening.
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s
shotoguy
Dallas
28 reviews
vip
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on July 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderfully prepared courses served with courtesy in a very calming atmosphere.
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FAQs

Whale's Rib Tavern at Pilgrim's Inn is rated 4.3 stars by 75 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sept 24, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Booked 7 times today

Google Map for Whale's Rib Tavern at Pilgrim's Inn

20 Main St, Deer Isle, ME 04627

Additional information

Neighbourhood
Blue Hill
Hours of Operation
Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Brunch Sun 11:00 am–1:30 pm Dinner Mon, Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–8:30 pm
Cuisines
Seafood, American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress Code
Business Casual
Parking Details
None
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Ryan McCaskey
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Wine

Website
https://pilgrimsinn.com/dining
Phone number
(207) 348-5222

Whale's Rib Tavern at Pilgrim's Inn

Make a reservation

Additional information

Menu

Small Plates

Parker House RollsUS$7.00

ChowderUS$10.00

Local Farm GreensUS$11.00

Marinated Local CucumberUS$12.00

Smoked Cod ToastUS$15.00

Mushroom ToastUS$14.00

Curry MusselsUS$17.00

Large Plates

Lobster "Puttanesca"US$34.00

Roasted Duck BreastUS$26.00

Short RibUS$28.00

Isle au Haut ScallopsUS$30.00

Local HalibutUS$28.00

CannelloniUS$25.00

What 75 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

How is Whale's Rib Tavern at Pilgrim's Inn restaurant rated?

Is Whale's Rib Tavern at Pilgrim's Inn currently accepting bookings?

Make a reservation

Additional information