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It used to be that on April 1 the phone lines would open for the summers reservations, but after the phone lines crashed, French turned to a more old-fashioned system last year: Prospective diners sent in a handwritten postcard, postmarked between the dates of April 1 and April 10, to be considered for a coveted seat at the table. Every day that the restaurant is open, she goes out to see what foods are available to her and bases that evening's courses on that. And Erin's persona also really elevates the experience.". A cat cafis coming to Rotterdam. You can count the buildings in Freedom on one hand: Theres a general store, a gas station, a post office, and the Lost Kitchen itself, in an 1834 mill building, perched over a stream. Who doesnt like an unexpected match? Rated 5 / 5. She was also readily available at the end of the night for a chat if you so desire. After the hectic 2017 year, French decided to ask people to send a postcard to be entered into a table lottery. The Remodelista editors provide a curated selection of product recommendations for your consideration. If you ever have a chance to eat here dont hesitate, go!!!! This probably doesn't tell tell you what you want to know about the food, but the food is only part of why you might want to go there. !More, Let me preface this by saying we live locally and are not wealthy folks, this dinner for just my wife and I cost more than our monthly mortgage - no that is not hyperbole or exaggeration. Luckily, if you aren't chosen or can't get seated on the date you'd like, a waiting list is available. Amenities: From. In only a few years, this has become one of the most difficult reservations to get. Want to stay connected? In it, you'll find 100 recipes to choose from that can give you a feel of what to expect when you finally make your reservation. Back to that kitchen balet. At first, she was in school to be a doctor before she dropped out and took time to raise her son. French received almost 20,000 postcards: They fill buckets in the small office beside the dining room. The BAR IS OPEN serving cocktails, wine, and beer only Friday and Saturday 12pm - 9pm and Sunday 11am - 3pm. "They put themselves into each one.. Miraculously, she never forgets my wife's quirky dietary restrictions, and presents her with a slightly modified meal to accomodate, and it's always as good, and some times better than the one she's serving to everyone else. * Indicates required field. That being said I feel we received a mealand experience that completely delivered - we left feeling that we got what we paid for and more. And I feel I got it.More, If you're lucky enough to be chosen by lottery, this is a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience. If you walked into The Lost Kitchen prior to the pandemic, you could instantly feel French's warmth greet you at the table. And I think, more importantly, that's what The Lost Kitchen is about - finding the joy in food. Get a . Dutton serves as executive producer of Frenchs television show. Landed a spot at the Lost Kitchen, and need a place to stay the night? The second call some little voice said "answerthis one" . This was worth every penny.More, I first learned of TLK the summer of last year, and immediately put it on my bucket list. While this period felt like it would never end, French emerged healthier and ready for her next restaurant. "The cards are like love letters," she says. You go, Erin and staff. Now Streaming. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 249k Followers, 540 Following, 755 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Erin French (@thelostkitchen) They truly treat the process like a lottery, picking cards at random, but it can't hurt to give yours some cute notes or creative art if only because it brings French so much joy. You guys are the best. If you run out you can go back to that store and buy more mid meal. serve 7 courses? Hotels, restaurants, and shops featured on Remodelista. This is the countrys most talked-about restaurant, but youll need to get a little lostand mail a love letterto find it. If I can get in, I'll go. planned out and so delicious. "They put themselves into each one. Everyone from the servers to Erin herself work tirelessly to ensure every guest has a perfect experience. She inspires me to keep pursuing my culinary career. See production, box office & company info Watch on HBO Max with subscription More watch options Add to Watchlist Photos Add photo Storyline A post shared by Erin French (@thelostkitchen). "I get the best produce," French said. Are you sure you want to delete this question? There is ample time between courses for conversation and enjoying the company. How many restaurants do you go to where you get no choices for a meal? When COVID-19 struck in March 2020, French decided to expand her restaurant, the Lost Kitchen in Freedom, Maine one of the countrys toughest dinner reservations to get, and the subject of a series on Discovery+ and build three private dining cabins on the grounds to accommodate small groups of diners. You never know what could happen (I did not expect to be called at all!) When French decided to open up The Lost Kitchen, she called on local female farmers from her area to help source the produce that ends up on the menu (via Food and Wine). Once at the table, guests uncork their selections and begin with several delectable pre-courses to the main menu: a bread and cheese platter, a delicious mini slider, and a palette cleansing herb sorbet . And tips I could take home. It's just a treat watching them go at it, and somehow, once dinner is served, the entire kitchen is clean and swabbed down, ready for dessert. French's restaurant relies on its local, friendly charm to make diners feel at home in the close-knit dining space. While French loves transforming local ingredients into exquisite creations, she sees her role as that of a host, rather than a chef. It was above and beyond anything I couldve asked for or imagined. Our Friday guides to making each plant look its best in your garden. to the story that surrounds the owner to the story that surrounds the food and why THIS food is being served on THIS night to the story on how you got the reservation, it can all be a little exhausting. Her personal life has turned around as well. Like it never happened. Worst experience Ive ever had, this girl came from out of state and is trying to bring her wealth and wealthy freinds to a place in Maine I grew up in, tried to talk to her like ALL MAINERS DO and she was and isonly concerned in getting smiles and accolades for her cooking which was mediocre compared to any local Maine mother or granmother, all Maine business welcome locals support locals and look us in the eye, this is a sad disappointment and attempt to fit in here in Maine and I will certainly never ever go again or recommend this place simply because it doesnt belong or fit In geographically we care about you not your abilities food preparation or money More, Yes it takes a little effort to get to Freedom but it is so worth it. The two first met in an upscale kitchen equipment store in Belfast, Maine, called The Good Table where French worked at the time. People come from all over for a chance to sit down and have dinner at Erin's Lost Kitchen from May through September. More. My favorites were probably the cabbage salad (so mild you'd hardly know it was cabbage), spicy end-of-season gazpacho and to die for apple spice cake. Reservations open up in January. place at the table, but in the past two years, they have instituted a mail in lottery for seats, with very specific guidlines. It's always exciting to see whose card it was when you get to meet them and they come into our world.". It also reflects a friendship based on respect, mentorship and just plain affection. There is no other way to describe it. Currently, The Lost Kitchen's dining room is closed for the season. With every detail so thought out and quaint, from the female servers outfits (costumes) to the buying your byob downstairs from Mom(!?) Are you sure you want to delete this answer? (4) 2022 TV-G. Erin French followed her passion and opened a restaurant in her hometown of Freedom, Maine. French's immediate friendliness bestows a special kind of intimacy you may not find at another high-caliber restaurant, and at times, resembles dining at a loved one's home. You don't get a choice. My favorite dish of the night was a green garlic spring allium soup with smoked ricotta and Maine crab. So once you have secured the dinner reservation by winning the postcard lottery, now you'll need a place to stay. Your table seats at 6:00 PM and it's yours for the night. I highly recommend an autumn reservation. TV-G. French rebuilt, renovating an Airstream and serving pop-up dinners across Mainebefore she got word that the falling-down mill in Freedom had been saved and was in need of a tenant. All sharing the joy of creativity, and creating a peerless product. Everything just broke down.". You only have the meal in front of you. People visit from far and wide to taste her elegant but humble cooking style, using whatever produce is nearby and in season. The population is 722! If at any time you want to become a Subscriber and enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to all our content, just go to the My Account link and choose Subscribe. Pre-chosen menu. Site design by Your Marketing BFF. She started as a home cook and turned Freedom, a remote Maine town with only 719 residents, into a world-famous foodie destination. So, we feel exceedingly lucky to have landed a table for this past Saturday. We paid $25 for a gorgeous red. Miraculously, she never forgets my wife's quirky dietary restrictions, and presents her with a slightly modified meal to accomodate, and it's always as good, and some times better than the one she's serving to everyone else. Maine Home + Design. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. According to The Press Herald, a dinner at The Lost Kitchen isn't exactly cheap. Every dish was carefully crafted with such beautiful attention to detail. The flavors were unforgettable. She tapped into the same concept of creating a local, intimate experience and expanded her restaurant to include an online farmer's market where patrons can enjoy the same ingredients the restaurant typically uses (via Southern Living). How much does it cost to eat at The Lost Kitchen? After her world collapsed, thats when we became close, Osofsky says. The public reception to the restaurant was effusive, but privately Erin French was struggling. Do not allow the challenging reservation system and high price point deter you from the best dining experience you will ever have, The Lost Kitchen lived up to the hype and somehow exceeded our lofty expectations. For something that had the potential to be too rich, it wasn't. In an Instagram photo French shared of the table and chairs in the dining pod, she calls out the source: table and chairs by our friends @hammertownbarn because you keep asking., A post shared by Erin French (@thelostkitchen), In 2021, the cabins were remodeled as sleeping spaces. The cookbook serves me well at home with local ingredients. The food was unlike anything Ive ever had before. Come with an appetite and an open mind because no dinner is the same French creates a new menu each day after seeing what foods are fresh that morning. The Lost Kitchen S2 Trailer. Erin and her staff go above and beyond, the entire time. Nothing else like it that I know of. 7 doughnut shops to try in the Hudson Valley, A craft beer lovers weekend guide to the northern Catskills, Legendary hot dog stand celebrates its 90th year in business, The ultimate guide to ice cream stands in the Hudson Valley. We had a cold heirloom tomato soup with cilantro, a delectable cabbage salad, melt-in-your-mouth swordfish, and a spicy-sweet, scrumptious apple cake. "Reservations got out of control. We really appreciate that. Inside the Gaines' New Channel, Got Cable? This same style of hospitality extends to the restaurant's workflow French actively strives to break from stereotypes about the high-pressure attitudes found in kitchens, and tries to develop a welcoming environment for staff and diners alike. Located about halfway between Augusta and Bangor, the town of Freedom is accessible only by car a scenic trip through lush woods and rolling farmlands. 3.5 hours passed quickly. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Meanwhile, French's six-episode TV series, "The Lost Kitchen," premiered on Magnolia Network on Jan. 6. The restaurant will reopen spring 2023! "They put themselves into each one. We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. Saturday was the second night of the new season, and Erin's mom said their first night went flawlessly, as did our evening. If you're chosen, someone will call you to arrange a date and time that works for your group (so lookout for a 207 area code!). Our Monday digest of helpful ideas and inspiration to improve your dream kitchen or bath. I'm beyond grateful I was able to meet Chef Erin, eat at her restaurant, and know her story. Words cannot fully capture the special touches, the ambience and the food.More, I had the serendipitous luck to get an unexpected reservation at The Lost Kitchen this summer and to experience, once again, a dinner fit for the Gods. this one" . (The Lost Restaurant will be opening 2022 reservations for the cabins in January. The dinner consisted of numerous small courses, each subsequent item being better than the last. Her appearances made a lasting impression on French. In 2013, chef Erin French lost almost everything. She moved in and fitted everything herself, sourcing vintage appliances from old farmhouses, building the dining tables by hand, and scouring antiques stores for tableware. Where to stay when visiting The Lost Kitchen. Can a vegan person get a good meal at this restaurant? The seafood hater even tried an oyster and the crab sammie. If you run out you can go back to that store and buy more mid meal. While home viewers can't enjoy the full channel until January 2022, some of the content has already dropped on other platforms, including Erin French's "The Lost Kitchen" (via Amazon Prime Video). 2. The chef/owner stood up before the room and explained each of her dishes, reasons why she chose each dish, and the background of the ingredients for each. The kitchen crew, all women, act as a cooperative movement, with each bringing their own unique talent to the plate both literally and figuratively. In 2014, she leased a restored 1834 gristmill in Freedom and opened the second Lost Kitchen with a nearly all-female staff, with the one exception being a male dishwasher. The Lost Kitchen is housed in this restored 19th century mill. Even the salad exceeded expectations - deep fried capers in lieu of crouton piled onto fresh, beautiful, locally grown greens. With restrictions easing, French now plans to take cozy to whole new levels by constructing cabins around her restaurant so patrons who travel massive distances to eat at The Lost Kitchen (which only takes reservations by postcard) can spend the night. Never miss a fabulous garden or ideas on how to design your own. You go, Erin and staff. It's the Lost Kitchen, of course it's AMAZING. Consider this a glimpse. You guys are the best.More, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Each time I have dined there, friends and family, even strangers ask me, is it better than last time, or similar comments. "The food was 100% all I dreamed of. I always feel like I'm returning to the home of a good and valued friend each time we enter these halls. this being its sixth season), the overall experience was positive. Erin's doing a great thing for the town and living a passionate, powerful life to boot! Something as simple as butter is as easily memorable as a main course of halibut. Maine the way life should be ", At the time of the People article, Erin had gotten 70,000 postcards from hopeful guests and hadn't thrown any of them away. We had a cold heirloom tomato soup with cilantro, a delectable cabbage salad, melt-in-your-mouth swordfish, and a spicy-sweet, scrumptious apple cake. I want to curl up and live there.. From start to finish, every course was well put together. Trust us, yes it is worth it. These same relationships have resulted in French scoring ducks, salad greens, and many other local ingredients to form a menu that draws on the flavors of Maine. In an interview with People, Erin said that no two nights are the same. This is one of two mill stones that were recovered next to the historic mill. She inspires me to keep pursuing my culinary career. A fixed-price meal is $195, and that's before drinks or tips. Erin told the publication that having people send postcards instead of calling in to make a reservation has made the process more personal. The flavors were bright and creative, the courses were incredible and inspired our foodie group to new heights. The close proximity to food and the warm feelings surrounding it had a major impact on the chef. Erin French and her amazing female staff provided a culinary experience unmatched by any place in America, forher menu selections delighted the eye and taste buds alike. The whole vibe was pretty special and electric, everyone could feel it. Sign In. 15K views, 604 likes, 265 loves, 63 comments, 42 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from The Lost Kitchen: Cabins #2 and #3 are coming along. And it's truly a balet. It is. The flavors were unforgettable. The entire experience was absolutely perfect in every way. No turnover. They got wind that we were traveling to Boston, after dinner ended. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Her straightforward approach eschews the intricate techniques of fine dining in lieu of a comforting meal that feels like home. The chef/owner stood up before the room and explained each of her dishes, reasons why she chose each dish, and the background of the ingredients for each. A fixed-price meal is $195, and that's before drinks or tips. This cabin features an open living room / kitchen concept. French liked the Ethnicraft line for their bedroom furniture, too, and worked with Osofsky and her daughter Dana to pick out the beds and nightstands. Back in 2018, Chip and Joanna Gaines announced plans to produce a new TV channel called the Magnolia Network (via House Beautiful). And it's always with a smile, like it's no big thing. Is it worth the price and the process of the lottery? In fact, there's a new one every night. Nothing else like it that I know of.More, If you are wondering, is it really worth the donation and the postcard lottery, let us assure you it absolutely is. From start to finish, every course was well put together. After completing her treatment program, French had to fight through a lengthy divorce process, including maintaining custody of her child, and eventually restarted by opening up a second run of supper clubs out of a vintage airstream trailer. Growing up, French spent her days after school in her family's diner (via People). A week after returning to Maine, still in a fragile state, French traveled to New York and cooked dinner at the James Beard Foundation, the celebrated culinary arts organization. Just watch her work that line some time, and you will see. Not only did it beat expectation but it far exceeded them," says Katie Peter, a Mainer who visited the Lost Kitchen in September with her sister and cousins. How many allow you 4 hours andserve 7 courses? That's the only way to make a reservation. Having lived all over the country renovating or building homes, she enjoys the large and small details of making a house a home. What does that matter, if you are totally blown away every time? Its helmed by a self-taught chef, Erin French, a Freedom native who spent her teenage years working at the local diner. Erin's doing a great thing for the town and living a passionate, powerful life to boot!More, We went there for our anniversary. Your table seats at 6:00 PM and it's yours for the night. It's helmed by a self-taught chef, Erin French, a Freedom native who spent her teenage years working at the local diner. If you ever have a chance to eat here dont hesitate, go!!!!! I know I won't be disappointed. Also pleased to see the loyalty flowing in both directions. The restaurant is beautiful, the food is beautiful, and the kitchen shines with a glow of true love and passion. I've known others who have become jaded. They came up with mood boards and fabrics., The mutual admiration society continues. "We were really in danger of losing the restaurant," says. We were lucky enough to get a reservation just as TLK was reopening its inside space after COVID restrictions. She receives more than 20,000 cards a year, making it one of the hardest-to-book restaurants in the country. If this is your first time logging in since Nov. 5, you need to reset your password. The meal - I hesitate to even try and describe what we ate, I could not possibly do the food justice with a description. And I fully believe, knowing the principals, that the lottery is well run, and very fair. Finding the happiness in well prepared and thoughtful dishes. and experience that completely delivered - we left feeling that we got what we paid for and more. Chip and Joanna Gainess Magnolia Network Just Took Over the Former DIY Network. Sign up below to receive updates. And what is "better", anyway? Your member profile is powered by memberstack, The House that Craigslist Built: A Bare-Bones Farmhouse in Midcoast Maine, On Our Radar: 4 Up-and-Coming Ceramicists to Watch in Maine, Into the Wild: Evangeline Linens in Portland, Maine, The Lost Kitchen: Recipes and a Good Life Found in Freedom, Maine, Access to all posts published in the past year, Access 10 archived posts (older than one year) per month on each site, Use of our internal bookmark tool, so you can save products, posts, and other pages for quick reference, Access to our community bulletin board so you can ask and answer design-related questions, Unlimited access to the Product Catalogs, Design Travel sources, and Architect & Designer Directory listings, Choose from our ten newsletters to keep up with the latest on the sites, Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts, Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99, Receive any of the newsletters, including the the full-text daily Remodelista and Gardenista newsletters. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Thank you Erin and crew for your efforts and passion, it is truly appreciated.More, I sent in the postcard in April and heard nothing. In colder climates, a southern exposure for the family room and kitchen is idea. Check out the post here! "My friend will text me a photo of a cauliflower in her field, and I'll say, 'Bring me 12 of those.'". Who are we and why are we making Kinorium. Delivered Saturdays. You can feel the love and joy in all they do and its underpriced at $200 pp. And at the bottom of Hammertowns About Us page, French appears in an uncaptioned photo smiling and cooking, moving into the future with a little help from her friends. The highlights were the absolute best piece of fish (halibut) any of us had ever had, perfect oysters, a slider prepared over a fire pit, and a creative take on borscht. Might we suggest the guest bedrooms at High Ridge Farm, a 20-minute drive. Remodeling and renovation tips and ideas for projects big and small. We have dined with the Lost Kitchen family a few times in the past, and feel we got the luck of the draw to have been seated at the table at the end of the cooking line, with a full exposition of what is taking place on the line. Then the courses of the fixed menu begin, with Erin French choreographing the finishing touch of each course with balletic precision: a fresh seasonal soup poured over a medley of fruits and cheeses, a picturesque and delicious salad, the entre which is determined by whatever fish or meat is the freshest that day, and the grand finale of a very memorable dessert from Erins repertoire. Throughout the meal, the lucky patrons celebrate their good fortune of this magical and sensory epicurean experience in a cozy mill embellished with seasonal flowers bather in the warm glow of candlelight. Those chosen will be called to book their reservation. "I love caring for people," French told People. What can I say about the rest of our night? Come October 1 I got a phone call. The Lost Horizons Family Campground 16325 Co Rd. Every ingredient was clean and present, every bite was a new moment of discovering bits and bobs of different flavors. In looking at the others photos, I have to say we really scored as ours looked better than most of them!Unfortunately I was too busy enjoying the courses to take photos, but I do have to say it was the first time ever I liked oysters! And since it's seasonal, it's only open six months out of the year. Later, when French converted the cabins into overnight guest sleeping quarters, she again worked with Hammertown to create a rustic, contemporary look. Frenchs rise continues. The meal - I hesitate to even try and describe what we ate, I could not possibly do the food justice with a description. Today. @sharonsant, Its March 1stso naturally, I have summer on, Our first real snow storm of the season, but I sti, How to set a nature-inspired spring table, Step-by-Step Guide to Art Mode on Samsung Frame TV. So a refined production kitchen is by it's very nature, efficient when the whole crew in on the same page, and this one always is. I might not even call it a restaurant. I feel were getting to know these people as we see their cards," says French. If anything, she is warmer and more confident, accepting the good fortune and good karma in stride, making her stronger and more comfortable in her skin. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. We were overjoyed to see the return of a Lost Kitchen alumnus, Mia. It was above and beyond anything I couldve asked for or imagined. In April 2017, the phones at Erin French's Maine restaurant, the Lost Kitchen, wouldn't stop ringing. joy and fun this group of talented people are having doing their presentation for the guest of the night. A little spring decor using this sweet little nest, Our @solostove Bonfire 2.0 arrived just in time fo, This post has to do with travel and inspiration! So, Erin sent us with some coffee and treats to go. And the setting was well worth the drive. I was once asked to critique a huge, well equipped kitchen at a fancy French vineyard resort. Yes being a Mainer I insist on good value for the money. I know that my perspective has changed for the better! The setting is beautiful and the dining experience rustic but elegant. Seasons 1 and 2 of The Lost Kitchen are now airing on the Magnolia Network. Erin French's Restaurant The Lost Kitchen Is Accepting Postcards for ReservationsAll the Details, Fire-Safety Tips for the Holidays: How to Decorate, Celebrate and Avoid Tragedy, Tabitha Brown Fan Girls Over Patti LaBelle and Reveals the Sign She Gave Her When Her Mom Was Sick, Air Fryers: What They Are and How They Work, Chip and Joanna Gaines' 'Silos Baking Competition' Will Air on Sunday: 'Dream Come True', The 7 Best Nonstick Cookware Sets of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, Erin French and 'the Magic of the 'Lost Kitchen' ' Returns for Season 2 Watch the Trailer, James Corden Banned from Popular NYC Restaurant as Owner Calls Him 'Most Abusive Customer', The 7 Best Pizza Ovens of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, Hot Spots! Distractify is a registered trademark. I hesitate to use the word "magical" because I don't want to heighten someone else's expectation, but there was some magic happening in the kitchen. Considering we enjoyed a 4+ hour experience and some rarely offered plates, the value was more than fair. My favorites were probably the cabbage salad (so mild you'd hardly know it was cabbage), spicy end-of-season gazpacho and to die for apple spice cake.