Critic Offers Cheers for Dudley's Refresher, Jeers for Old Port Sea Grill

Castine seafood shack Dudley's Refresher, new this year from the owners of nearby El El Frijoles, recently left a positive impression on Press Herald critic James Schwartz. He awarded three and a half stars for the "stunning surroundings, local ingredients and a few stand-out dishes," including the poutine, the curried lobster roll, and the "Proper Chippy" with mushy peas and skin-on fries.

Get there soon if you want a taste of the locally-sourced goodness, though, as Dudley's is struggling to staff through September 6 before closing for the season. Chef Kara van Emmerik has already started her winter job, according to a Facebook post, and other school-age employees are dropping like flies due to the late arrival of Labor Day this year.

Portland's Old Port Sea Grill left a different kind of impression on Schwartz, who could only find two stars in his Dine Out Maine review, calling "much of the food here...bland, overcooked and underwhelming." Dinner lowlights included a $29 "overcooked" flounder that "was a real letdown," "tasteless" crab cakes, and seared scallops that "tasted overcooked and unpleasantly salty." He recommended stopping in for lunch instead and sticking with simple options like the fish sandwich or burger. At least the large group-friendly place fares slightly better on Yelp, where it has three and a half stars.