Impastable Dream (CLOSED)
261 Shore Road, Ogunquit, ME 03907
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The Southern Maine coast has a number of excellent dining spots for lovers of seafood. This, of course, makes sense, as the mix of tourist towns and fishing villages in the region lends itself to the type of clam shacks and seafood restaurants that New England is known for. A few of the resort communities in the area, most notably Kennebunkport and Ogunquit, offer much more than seafood, however. Indeed, these two charming villages have everything from elegant dining spots to friendly little pubs to classic diners to romantic Italian restaurants. And one of the best restaurants in this last category is a true Ogunquit gem that few seem to know about. Perhaps it is the silly name, or maybe the fact that it is easy to miss while driving, but whatever the reason, The Impastable Dream isn't on the radar of too many diners. In this writer's opinion, though, it certainly should be, as the food and atmosphere make for a memorable experience.
The Impastable Dream used to reside in Kennebunkport, moving to its present location on Shore Road in the late 1990s. The restaurant doesn't really stand out from the road, though the house it resides in is rather attractive, especially inside. Cozy and romantic, the interior of The Impastable Dream offers an oasis from the often-bustling area. The main dining area has a decent amount of room, with additional seating in what feels like an enclosed porch area off to the side. The restaurant, which is about midway between the village center and Perkins Cove, is set off the road enough to give it a quiet, peaceful feel to it.
The menu at the Impastable Dream is fairly extensive, with such standbys as spaghetti and meatballs as well as shrimp scampi and eggplant parmigiana. The penne pesto is simply wonderful, with fresh, smooth pesto sauce mixing perfectly with a deliciously chewy pasta. The lobster ravioli is another fine dish as The Impastable Dream, as the combination of pasta, lobster, and cheese gets enhanced by a rich alfredo and newburg sauce. Appetizers include a delightful garlic bread as well as homemade soups, fresh salads, and baked artichoke hearts.
It might be difficult to take a place with the name "The Impastable Dream" seriously, but this is indeed a restaurant with some seriously good chow, and the charming atmosphere doesn't hurt the dining experience there, either. People who come to Southern Maine looking for fried clams might decide to look elsewhere, but lovers of Italian food may want to think about coming to this cozy little restaurant just off Route 1 in one of Maine's most interesting seaside villages.
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