Sharon Kitchens PR
kitchens.sharon@gmail.com
(207) 542-3723


DRG in the News:

Check out this video of Chef Rick preparing Pumpkin Creme Brulee on WCSH "207"

Read about Chef Rick Hirsch and his favorite night at the Damariscotta River Grill in Maine Ahead!

The Damariscotta River Grill has won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence Four Years in a Row. 

"The Portland Press Herald announces that the Damariscotta River Grillwill highlight female artists in "Painting Maine II"

The Portland Press Herald calls the Damariscotta River Grill's holiday "Art at the Grill" event a "Hot Ticket."

The Portland Press Herald recommends holiday shopping at the Damariscotta River Grill's "Art at the Grill" art and edible art show and sale.

Chef Rick Hirsh shares a holiday recipe with NBC's "207."

Chef Rick Hirsch shares holiday menu ideas with the Lincoln County News.

Chef Rick Hirsch shares his recipe for caramelized apple crepes with "Morning Menu" on ABC affiliate WMTW.

Tonia's Kitchen radio show talks with Chef Rick Hirsch about lobster strudel, a new dish at the Damariscotta River Grill.

Culinary Confessions hosts Kim and Don get some seafood recommendations from Chef Rick Hirsch.

On the Menu hosts Ann and Peter Haigh visit with Chef Rick Hirsch about oysters, special events, and his culinary inspiration.

Taste Worcester recommends a trip to Damariscotta River GrillBs spring Art at the Grill exhibit.

The Portland Press Herlad asks serious foodies about MotherBs Day gifts, and Chef Rick Hirsch weighs in.

Maine Food and Lifestyle's Plating Up Blog spotlights Chef Rick Hirsch's selection as Maine Chef of the Year.

Fodor's recommends a stop at midcoast Maine's Damariscotta River Grill: "Lobster risoto and Thai fish stew are popular entrees...Sunday brunch is delicious year-round."

NBC affiliate, WCSH, hosts Chef Rick Hirsch on "207." Hirsch helps viewers prepare for the holidays with the recipe for Damariscotta River Grill's Pumpkin Hazelnut Bisque.

Boston Herald editor, Kerry Bryne, finds a plethora of pumpkins at the Damariscotta River Grill and raves about Chef Rick Hirsch's seasonal offerings: "His menu features pumpkin ravioli, plenty of pumpkin sweets and his favorite pumpkin hazelnut bisque."

Sante Magazine explores the wonders of eastern oysters and includes insights from Damariscotta River Grill's Chef Rick Hirsch. "Hirsch recommends eating oysters with Champagne, although many dry white wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc pair well."

Boston Examiner enjoys an autumn evening at the Damariscotta River Grill and discovers Chef Rick Hirsch's fall delicacies: "Lobster cakes with corn sauce: not to be missed after a day of leaf peeping."

The New York Times recommends a stop for oysters at midcoast Maine's Damariscotta River Grill: "A great spot to taste half shells on ice, local fish and produce."

My Gourmet Connection recommends dinner at The Damariscotta River Grill to travelers. Read the article here >>

The Portland Press Herald announces wine and culinary awards earned by midcoast Maine's The Damariscotta River Grill.

Cape Cod Today visits Damariscotta River Grill and delivers raves: "...as original and appealing a menu as any in New England."

"Best Brunch in the Northeast" vote goes to Damariscotta River Grill.

New England Fine Living features Damariscotta River Grill in New England Getaways article.

WCSH Ch. 6's "207" features Damariscotta River Grill Chef Rick Hirsch preparing customer favorite Tempura Oysters with Sticky Rice Cakes and Passion Fruit Glaze.

Boston Magazine recommends the Damariscotta River Grill to travelers in "Summer Escapes!" feature.

The National Restaurant Association honors the team at Damariscotta River Grill with its 2008 Restaurant Neighbor Award. (March 2009)

Damariscotta River Grill's Lunch and Lecture Photography Series featured on Central Maine Radio. (February 2009) Listen here >>

Tonia's Kitchen Radio Show gets "the perfect fall recipe" for Damariscotta River Grill's seasonal Pumpkin Hazelnut Bisque. (December 2008) Listen here >>

Maine Today recommends gift membership to Damariscotta River Grill Wine Club's wine dinners as ideal present this holiday season. (November 2008)

Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors spotlights brunch at the Damariscotta River Grill in August issue. (August 2008)

"Oy Oysters!" in Port City Life features Damariscotta River Grill's delicious oysters. (July/August, 2008)

Nation's Restaurant News interviews Damariscotta River Grill's GM Jean Kerrigan on pay raise tips.

Portland Magazine gets tips for sardine dishes from Damariscotta River Grill Chef Rick Hirsch.

Familiarity + Functionality: A Winning Restaurant Combo at the Damariscotta River Grill. My Foodservice News (January-February 2008) (PDF)

The science of a salty delight. The Maine Switch (October 23, 2007)

(click on press release title to view PDF)

October 13, 2010 - Damariscotta River Grill to Launch Winter "Art at The Grill" Exhibit with November 4th Artists' Reception.

September 14, 2010 - Artists' Reception To Launch Damariscotta River Grill's Fall "Art at The Grill" Exhibit.

August 4, 2010 - Damariscotta River Grill Earns Third Consecutive Wine Spectator "Award Of Excellence".

July 28, 2010 - Damariscotta River Grill Hosts Artists' Reception To Kick Off Late Summer "Art At The Grill" Exhibit.

June 16, 2010 - Damariscotta River Grill's "Art At The Grill" To Feature Nine Artists In "Painting Maine" Exhibit.

June 1, 2010 - Damariscotta River Grill to host special "Babette's Feast" movie screening and companion dinner event.

May 6, 2010 - Damariscotta River Grill's "Art at the Grill" exhibit to feature multi-generation family talent.

March 22, 2010 - Damariscotta River Grill to showcase talent of four local painters at restaurant's April 8 "Art at the Grill" Artists' Reception.

February 11, 2010 - Damariscotta River Grill's "Art At The Grill" Series to recognize talented teacher and students.

January 26, 2010 - Damariscotta River Grill's Chef/Owner Rick Hirsch named "Chef of the Year" by the Maine Restaurant Association.

January 4, 2010 - Damariscotta River Grill Announces First Exhibit in 2010 "Art At The Grill" Series.

November 16, 2009 - Damariscotta River Grill's "Art at the Grill" Series to Showcase Talent of Family and Friends in December/January Exhibit.

June 12, 2009 - Damariscotta River Grill Opens Monhegan Perspectives II Art Show With Public Reception Wednesday, June 24

February 2, 2009 - Damariscotta River Grill Announces Full Schedule of Winter Dinners, Shows and Events

January 13, 2009 - Damariscotta River Grill Welcomes Michael Honig, President of Honig Vineyard and Winery

January 5, 2009 - Damariscotta River Grill's Popular "Art at the Grill" Series Kicks off 2009 with a New Batch of Talented, Local Artists

November 24, 2008 - The Latest Installment of Damariscotta River Grill's "Art at the Grill" Series Features Therapeutic Art and Creative Jewelry from Local Artists

November 14, 2008 - Damariscotta River Grill Hosts Riedel Glassware and Wine Tasting for Final Wine Event of the Year

December, 2008 - Primo Holiday Gift Ideas from Maine: Food, Wine and Entertainment Ideas for Festive Gift-Giving

October 29, 2008 - Fourth Annual Harvest Dinner and Community Supper to Benefit Maine Schools Held at Damasriscotta River Grill

October 17, 2008 - Damariscotta River Grill Exhibits Local Artists' Jewelry, Watercolors, Pastels, and Tiles

August 26, 2008 - Damariscotta River Grill Earns National Restaurant Association's "Restaurant Neighbor Award"

August 1, 2008 - Damariscotta River Grill Earns Wine Spectator's "Award of Excellence" and Slot in Magazine's "Best Wine Lists of 2008" Feature

July 24, 2008 - Damariscotta River Grill's latest "Art at the Grill" series conveys Maine landscape through different forms

June 12, 2008 - Damariscotta River Grill Opens Monhegan Perspectives Show with Public Reception on June 26th

March 14, 2008 - Pirates Coming to Dinner at Damariscotta River Grill

March 7, 2008 - Damariscotta River Grill Wine. Club Welcomes Master Sommelier Ken Scrup

February 22, 2008 - Damariscotta River Grill to Host "Taste the World" Dinner on February 28

January 14, 2008 - Damariscotta River Grill Announces Full Slate of Exciting January Events

October 26, 2007 - Damariscotta River Grill to Host "Third Annual Harvest Dinner"

October 12, 2007 - Damariscotta River Grill Wine Club to Feature "Best of Class" Spann Vineyards at 4-Course Wine Dinner

September 5, 2007 - Work of Area Artists Showcased at Damariscotta River Grill

August 30, 2007 - Damariscotta River Grill Sponsors Community Supper to Benefit FARMS Project

June 22, 2007 - Anchor Inn Restaurant, Sister Restaurant to Damariscotta River Grill, to Celebrate July 4th with Traditional Maine BBQ

May 31, 2007 - Damariscotta River Grill to Hold Special "Babettes's Feast" Movie Screening and Companion Dinner Event

May 17, 2007 - Damariscotta River Grill Wine Club to Host Australian Wine Delegation at May 17th Wine Tasting Event

The owners of the Anchor Inn now own Damariscotta River Grill, and their classics from that Round Pond summer standby can be enjoyed in the dead of winter, in the downtown of this charming town...Seafood dishes here are cooked with skill. Italian Seafood Stew ($16.53) is a classic of the Anchor Inn, as the menu proclaims, and also a favorite of diners in the know, that I hit on by the happy accident of liking the stuff.

There is lots of good wine, and rich desserts to finish the meal...savor the oysters on a half shell. Fresh from the Damariscotta River, where they grow just 10 miles from Main Street, these plump lovelies can transport oyster lovers to bliss...My River Grill oysters ($10) were beautifully cooked, tender and hot and delicious, a dish that hails from another era, and tastes good all over again...My dinner, the Italian Seafood Stew ($16.53) came in a big bowl full of mussel shells, scallops, shrimp and fish. Its garlicky broth tasted fresh, and the Maine shrimp were not overcooked, a feat the kitchen can be proud of.

– Nancy English
The Portland Press Herald

Attentive service and above-average food make the Damariscotta River Grill a favorite for locals and visitors alike. The varied menu ranges from latkes (Jewish potato pancakes) to sandwiches and seafood, all freshly prepared and reasonably priced. Unusual sauces and creative presentation add interest to traditional menu selections. The atmosphere is pleasant, and tables are well spaced for privacy. We have never been disappointed at the Grill.

– TripAdvisor.com

What a sweet, no-nonsense, romantic restaurant! I realize those adjectives don't really go together, but I’ve never seen a place like this before. The vibe is upscale but not pretentious...What on earth was that sophisticated, amazing bread basket doing out here in the boonies? It included apparently housemade breadsticks and great fluffy Italian peasant bread (some of the best I've ever had...soft but chewy, with beautifully crunchy crust), and came with top-drawer olive oil for dipping. I've rarely seen this level of quality in top Manhattan spots!

The cider wasn't just great and fresh; it was interesting. Someone had shown artistry in blending the apple varieties. The oysters - local Pemaquids - were sublime. Even the best oyster bars in big cities are only an echo of oysters such as these. Bread pudding was stately and thoughtful without being presumptuous or precious. It wasn't just slammingly delicious. It had class. Perfect oysters, perfect dessert, perfect bread, perfect breadsticks, perfect olive oil, perfect ambiance, perfect service (friendly, genuine, professional).

– Jim Leff
Chow.com

94 out of 100
Official Score for Chef Rich Hirsch's Damariscotta River Grill
FoodPundit.com

Hours:
Open Tuesday - Sunday

(closed Monday):
Lunch 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
with a delightful brunch on
Sunday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Dinner
Sunday & Tuesday - Thursday

5:00 - 8:30 p.m.
(Fri. & Sat.) 5 - 9:30 p.m.

Bar Menu (Fri. & Sat.)
until 9:30 p.m.

*DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND*
Tuesday-Sunday, every day, we are open for HAPPY HOUR at
The Bar Upstairs from 3 - 6 p.m.

On Friday and Saturday nights, The Bar Upstairs stays open
until 9:30 p.m.

Sunday Brunch 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.