Any one who has visited Maine can tell you that the food is incredible. Not only is the seafood to die for, but, there is so much more available, and Bethel and Newry were no different. As I researched different restaurants in the area, I found myself blown away by the sheer amount of options available to me.
My first stop was the Mountain View At Trails End. Located at the foot of the mountain, Mountain View is a haven for skiers, snowboarders, and everyone else enjoying the winter weather. Seating was ample, providing plenty of options for patrons. High tops were scattered throughout the restaurant, some of which have ski maps of Sunday River made right into the tables. Seating at the bar, as well as standard tables, couches, and seating by a fire place can all be found as well. Televisions are also scattered around the restaurant, displaying a wide assortment of programming.
While it was pretty quite at when I was having lunch, it was clear that the Mountain View was so much more than just an eatery. The bar is well stocked, especially with beers from micro-brewery’s, as well an arcade to entertain guests while they waited for their food. Events are also held here, with a menu designed to cater to these events. According to their website, the Mountain View can host a wedding as well!
Matterhorn Ski Bar was my next “dining destination,” and I wasn’t disappointed. The restaurant was absolutely packed, but with two floors of seating available, a table is bound to open up soon. There was live music, but it wasn’t overpowering at all. I had no problem communicating with my server throughout my meal. Furthermore, their menu was sizable, with plenty of options including; burgers, pizza, and salads. Their drink menu was equally impressive, as they had an assortment of beers, red and white wines, and cocktails. If you have kids in tow, don’t despair, as there are kid friendly options available as well. The decorations were plenty of fun to look at as well, as the walls were adorned with various types of skis from years past.
While I had a pretty good idea where I was going for all my meals, I discovered Sunday River Brewing Company entirely by accident. Much like the other establishments I visited, Sunday River Brewing Company had high tops, booths, tables, and seats at the bar available for patrons. The atmosphere was definitely cozy, and the staff was friendly. The beer is brewed right on the premise, and while guest cannot enter the brewery, windows offer a view into the brewing process.
While Sunday River Brewing Company does carry some well-known beers, I could tell that this brewery has a lot of pride for their own beer. An entire section of their menu is dedicated to their beer, describing their flavor, the type of beer, color and finally the alcohol by volume. The food is phenomenal as well, with an assortment of pub food and pizza.
Dinner at the Funky Red Barn provided, dare I say it, a funky experience. While it was quiet when I arrived, it was clear that good times come easy here. The tables are sizable, providing opportunities for parties of all sizes to find a place to sit. Old sports equipment, license plates, and album covers adorned the walls, along with a full sized motorcycle hanging from the ceiling. Two pool tables are situated in the back of the restaurant, along with two dartboards. Live music and a dance floor are provided as well, if that sounds like your kind of fun
My last night in Bethel was spent at ChoSun, a Japanese and Korean restaurant. The décor was masterfully done. Japanese art peppered the walls, while the eatery looked to be a cross between a ski lodge, as well as a Japanese restaurant. As I had family with me on this particular night, we settled on the ChoSun Sushi Platter, which comes with 50 pieces of sushi, selected by the chef. It was a phenomenal sight to see, and it was delicious! While ChoSun is definitely a popular place to eat, it didn’t feel overcrowded or noisy. It was comfortable, and with the low lighting, a great place to eat. There’s even a bar where quests can have a drink as well. The website for ChoSun makes it a point to recommend that guests make a reservation, and after my meal there, I have to agree that is a great idea.
Having travelled extensively in Maine, it doesn’t surprise me that Bethel and Newry has some extraordinary places to eat. What amazes me is that I didn’t scratch the surface of restaurants in the area! I constantly found myself making note of all the other places to eat in the area. As always, if you want to know more about where I went, you can find the links here. For Mountain View at Trails End, the link is here, while Matterhorn Ski Bar can be found here. Subsequently, Sunday River Brewing Company ishere, while The Funky Red Barn can be found here, and Cho Sun is linked here. Just like my previous post, this posting is part of a series for my Bethel and Newry trip, so stay tuned, as there is more to come!
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