Provender Kitchen in Ellsworth
When chef Daron Goldstein opened Provender Kitchen eight years ago, he wasn’t trying to reinvent the Maine restaurant scene. He simply wanted to create a place where locals and visitors alike could sit down and eat incredibly well. After years as an executive chef in Boston and formal training at Johnson & Wales, Goldstein moved to Maine with his wife, Joy, and eventually landed in Ellsworth. “This building kind of presented itself to us at the right time,” he says. “So we opened Provender. Here we are.”
Located in the heart of downtown, Provender Kitchen is anchored by two enduring menu items: the PKB Burger and the mussels. Everything else rotates frequently. “Nothing is safe,” says Goldstein with a laugh. “I change the menu all the time. Sometimes my staff just learns it, and I’m changing it again. But that’s what keeps it exciting.”
Summer is a particularly vibrant season at Provender. Their lobster roll, poached in gochujang butter and topped with yuzu aioli, has become a cult favorite. “People say they’ve never had anything like it,” Goldstein says. “I’ve had guests tell me they wish they found us before trying fifty others.” Local halibut, sourced when in season, also gets a fresh interpretation each summer.
While the food pulls from fine dining roots, the vibe is relaxed and welcoming. “We always wanted a place where everyone could feel at home, whether they’re in here for a burger or a lamb rack,” Goldstein says.
The bar program, developed by Joy, is equally considered. Craft cocktails feature homemade syrups, shrubs, and fat-washed spirits. “Everything is squeezed and prepped fresh daily,” he explains. “It’s a lot of work, but people really respond to it.” With eight to ten signature cocktails on each menu, Provender continues to earn praise for its drinks as much as its food.
Whether you’re a longtime local or just passing through Ellsworth, this is a place that rewards curiosity and a good appetite.
FAMOUS FOR:
The signature PKB burger and gochujang-buttered lobster roll. Guests return again and again for the creative flavors, scratch-made cocktails, and the relaxed, elevated experience at the heart of Ellsworth.
ADDRESS:
112 Main Street in Ellsworth, ME
WEBSITE:
eatprovender.com
photos: Peter Logue
