Delvino's Grill and Pasta House in Belfast, Maine

A weird, hilarious, and delicious lunch!

Under the spell of a dazzling fall day, we embarked on a rescue mission from Camden to Belfast, determined to liberate a friend from the grips of an auto mechanic's waiting room. Our journey north was a riot thanks to traffic delays, but we finally landed at Delvinos for some lunch and libations. For some of us, it was familiar turf, while others were first-time adventurers!

We kicked things off by expertly snagging a couple of drinks and a no-frills cappuccino (straight-up, no flavors, no oat milk for the curious) from our multitasking bartender/waiter/host. We had a mountain of stuff to chat about, and the spinach and artichoke dip turned out to be the perfect trio-sized treat to get the convo rolling. It was creamy and delicious- we will certainly order it again! The drinks came with fabulous full lime wheels, fresh and fancy—a promising sign that the bar meant business!

The service was efficient, but oh, how do I put this— awkwardly quirky! The numerous awkward encounters while placing orders had us cracking up, finding the whole situation oddly hilarious.

For our entrees, we enjoyed the meatballs duo (which is no longer on the menu—you'll need to ask for it), the eggplant Parmesan, and the mushroom sacchetti. Delvino's is renowned for its Mushroom Sacchetti, a signature dish that features stuffed pasta accompanied by a rich, labor-intensive mushroom cream sauce. This dish receives high praise for its distinctive shape and flavor, making it a must-try for any Italian cuisine enthusiast. We simply had to sample it.

The clear standout, earning the title of “I’d drive to Belfast for this,” was undoubtedly the mushroom sacchetti. It featured fantastic fresh pasta paired with a delightful cream sauce and perfectly grilled chicken. Unfortunately, the eggplant Parmesan was somewhat disappointing, which we had anticipated. As for the meatballs, they were good and enjoyed, but ultimately left unfinished. It's rare to see a meatball return to the kitchen, indicating they were not particularly memorable.

For a delightful midday feast in Belfast, Delvinos is a yes from us! Just choose your dishes wisely and brace yourself for some quirky service flair!