Porcelli's in Bar Harbor, Maine

Porcelli's is an Italian restaurant in Bar Harbor that leans into local seafood without abandoning tradition. The kitchen turns out risotto loaded with lobster and scallops, duck with a silky Marsala sauce, and pasta cooked al dente. It draws regulars and travelers alike, and the patio is the place to be on a nice evening.

• Seafood risotto packed with lobster tail, scallops, and mussels
• House-made pasta cooked properly; cacio pepe and bolognese done right
• Patio seating with people-watching in summer
• Staff like Kay and Jo know the menu and timing

Start with the Tomato Bisque or lentil soup (better with the cheese). The Seafood Risotto is the signature: a whole lobster tail, fat scallop, shrimp, clams, and mussels in creamy risotto. The Duck Marsala is tender and rich, though ask if they can spare extra potato puree. Try the vegan gnocchi if you're not eating meat. The beef dish with bone marrow and a wine sauce is where the kitchen shows off.

Inside it's cozy with Italian music in the background. The patio is the draw on warm nights, relaxed, good for people-watching, with enough space to not feel crowded.

The menu changes with availability, but expect house-made pasta, risottos built around Maine lobster and scallops, and Italian mains like osso bucco. The cooking is precise and the portions generous. It's not cheap, but the care shows in every plate.

Guests praise the execution of seafood risotto and the care taken with pasta, noting flavors that remind them of Italy. Service gets consistent praise for being attentive without hovering. One recent visitor called it "the closest to traditional osso bucco" they'd found. The vibe is unpretentious, and the prices feel fair given what lands on your plate.