Front & Main in Waterville, Maine

Front & Main cooks ambitious, globally-inspired food in a small Waterville dining room. You'll find locals and visitors drawn by housemade pasta, braised meats, and a whiskey program that punches above the town's weight. Brunch is solid, dinner is where the kitchen really shows what it can do.

• Pork belly tacos that rival much bigger cities.
• Pillowy potato gnocchi with vibrant pesto.
• Thoughtful whiskey list and knowledgeable bartenders.
• Braised short rib and global flavors in Waterville.

Start with oysters or the smoked ricotta if it's on the menu. The three pork belly tacos are worth a solo trip. Potato gnocchi with pearl onions and arugula pesto is one of Maine's better pasta dishes. If you're here for dinner, try the braised short rib with celeriac or the Gambian peanut stew. For dessert, the bananas foster budino (velvety, brûléed, loaded) beats most puddings you'll find.

Elegant without being fussy. Fireplace, good seating, bar-friendly. You can actually hear yourself talk.

The kitchen swings for the fences. You'll see tacos next to a Gambian peanut stew, roasted chicken with tikka masala, and gnocchi dressed in pine nut pesto. Execution isn't always flawless, but when it lands, it lands hard. Come hungry and ready to take chances.

Guests rave about the pork belly tacos and gnocchi as standouts. One recent visitor called the bananas foster budino their favorite dessert of the night. Service at the bar shines, though dinner-side attention can be spotty. The whiskey selection surprises visitors for a town this size.