back to At the Table with LPC
Maine calls itself “Vacationland,” and the quaint (truly the only appropriate word) seaside town of Ogunquit is one of the prime reasons for the title. It may be the only town I have ever visited that manages to retain its charm and grace at the height of tourist season.
Oh yes, the food is pretty good too. Especially at M.C. Perkins Cove, a cliffside restaurant that offers the best views in Ogunquit, with a menu to match. My wife and I had the pleasure of dining at M.C. Perkins during a July trip, and it has been officially placed on our list of “must return to” places.
We started out on the outdoor rooftop dining area, which opens to simply spectacular views of the rocky coast and bluer-than-blue ocean. But a brisk wind soon drove us inside, where we managed to score a window table that provided the same vista without mussing our hair. During the entire meal our attention was divided between our plates and gazing out to sea. The sunset was worth waiting for, rivaled only by the multihued display I have witnessed at the Boathouse Restaurant in South Carolina.
Speaking of sea, that’s where our meals began their day. We started with a shared baby spinach salad, which was fresh and delicious. For an entrée I opted for the day’s catch on parchment, which turned out to be a perfectly prepared haddock filet. Jan tried the oysters from the raw bar, which she pronounced to be delightful, followed by the cod and clam roast, a house specialty that she very much enjoyed. We both tried the corn custard, which is a real “rib sticker” but quite tasty.
The staff was polite and professional, and definitely a cut above the “typical” summer help you find in a busy “summer” town. The prices were a bit higher than expected, but not outrageous given the season, and well worth the investment.
A great view with a meal to match puts M.C. Perkins Cove very high on my list of favorites.
M.C. Perkins Cove
111 Perkins Cove Road
Ogunquit, ME 03907
207.646.6263