Francine Bistro

Francine Bistro on Chestnut Street in Camden, Maine, brings the spirit of a classic Parisian neighborhood bistro to the mid-coast, executing traditional French preparations with precision and sourcing core ingredients from Maine's surrounding farms and waters. Chef Brian Hill opened Francine as a deliberate tribute to the simple, honest cooking of Paris's bistros, and the result stands among the most technically faithful French restaurants in Maine. The steak frites — beef sourced from local Maine farms, seared to the requested temperature and served with thin twice-cooked frites and a sauce whose recipe has not changed since opening — have become the dish most imitated in the region. The bouillabaisse draws on available Maine shellfish and fin fish for a broth with Provençal character, finished with housemade rouille and toasted baguette. A charcuterie board assembled from housemade terrines and cured preparations demonstrates the kitchen's full-spectrum approach to French tradition. Tarte tatin, made with local apples in autumn, is the dessert that best captures the kitchen's seasonal intelligence. The dining room is compact, with checked linen and a candlelit warmth that encourages slow dining. Reservations are required; Camden is in high demand in summer, and the small dining room fills quickly on any given weekend evening from June through September.