KANÙ in Old Town, Maine

Kanù is Bangor's answer to ambitious cooking. They're doing refined comfort food, from crab Benedict with yuzu hollandaise to duck a l'orange, and yes, those shakes that people come back for. The room draws locals marking anniversaries, small celebrations, and anyone ready to dress up a little. Reservations are smart.

• Crab Benedict's yuzu hollandaise and poached egg are executed right.
• Chicken and waffles with miso honey butter: borderline addictive.
• Shakes substantial enough to skip dessert or be dessert.
• Server staff remembers details and anticipates what you need.

Start with the crab cakes. Go for the chicken and waffles if you want familiar food dialed up, or the Crab Benedict if you're in the mood for precision. The seared salmon and duck a l'orange both show restraint and confidence. Risotto appears often in praise (and occasional salt notes), and the pizza punches above its category. Finish with a shake.

Peaceful, low-noise, and intentional. You can talk without raising your voice. The kitchen is visible from some seats, which adds a little theater.

The kitchen swings for the fences. Miso honey butter on chicken and waffles, scallop risotto (watch the salt), house-made meatballs, a pizza that earns its own fans. They're not afraid of technique, the poached eggs stay perfectly cooked, the seared salmon gets respect. It's seasonal, it's thought through, and it lands more often than not.

Guests talk about coming back. They mark anniversaries here, use gift cards on purpose, and mention the service by name, Adam earned repeat praise for recommendations and attention. One recent visitor called it "a stylish and sophisticated place to dine." People feel welcomed.