Counter seats overlooking the kitchen and high-top tables are among the seating options at The Maker’s Galley. Photos by Angie Bryan
Shopping with a glass of wine in hand? Yes, please. You can do all that and more at The Maker’s Galley on Commercial Street (where Rosemont used to be), next to Brickyard Hollow.
The website for The Maker’s Galley, which opened last year, describes it as “an experiential retail space” that not only sells products by Maine artisans, but also features Maine-grown products in its menus. I’m guessing it’s been a huge hit with the cruise-ship passengers who annually descend on Portland, but it’s also well worth a stop for locals; my drinking companion and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
The first thing we noticed was how light and spacious it was. Fun and upbeat music was playing loud enough to recognize the song, but soft enough that we could have a conversation without straining. A friendly hostess greeted us immediately.
Seating options included three big wooden tables with a capacity of up to seven people each, two smaller high-top tables, and four seats at the big counter overlooking the kitchen area – perfect for watching executive chef Arianna Stefanilo in action or for taking one of its cooking classes. The fabric-covered chairs were comfortable, and we instantly felt at home as we looked around.
Fresh baked goods (made in house) were available at the checkout counter, a cooler contained grab-and-go salads and sandwiches perfect for a ferry ride or a picnic, and a retail area displayed items from Maine makers such as Sea Bags, SKORDO (spices), Bixby & Co (candy), Near & Native (jewelry and candles), Wood Wizard, and more.
Aside from Bloody Marys at Sunday Pajama Brunches, where you can get 5% off your food purchase until 2 p.m. if you show up in PJs, The Maker’s Galley sells only wine and beer, although it’s working on getting licenses for both liquor and live music.
The Maker’s Galley is on Commercial Street in Portland.
The day we were there, the wine list featured nine wines by the glass: one sparkling ($12), one rosé ($12 for 5 ounces, $19 for 8 ounces), three whites (an Alvarinho from Portugal, a Vermentino from Italy and a Chardonnay from California, ranging from $11 to $14 for 5 ounces and from $17 to $22 for 8 ounces), and four reds (a Cabernet Franc from France, a Cabernet Sauvignon from California, a Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc blend from Maine’s own Cellardoor, and a blueberry-infused wine from Maine’s Blue Lobster, $12 to $24). They had six local canned beers for $6 to $8.
My friend and I ordered a glass of the rosé and a glass of the prosecco. The beautiful glasses they arrived in made the moment feel more special. We had already eaten, so we didn’t order any food, but we had a lot of fun drooling over the menu, which included items like warm olives ($6), whipped feta with tomato jam and house bread ($12), and sauteed mushrooms with garlic and sherry ($10).
We weren’t there on a Sunday, but we took a peek at the Pajama Brunch menu and were excited to see a $14 Jet-Setter mimosa flight which included mango, pineapple and blood orange mimosas, as well as other treats ranging from a $6 cinnamon roll to a $16 strata made with onion, spinach, mushroom, cheese and bacon.
In a final delightful surprise, the bathroom (which had an adorable lobster wallpaper) was spotless, very large and actually smelled really good.
I’m pretty sure that’s the first time I’ve ever said that about a bathroom at a bar.
Retired diplomat Angie Bryan writes about Maine’s cocktail bars while making as many puns as her editor allows.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
