Business Profiles
Jonathan's offers something special to residents, visitors alike
By C. Ayn Douglass
Jonathan's in Ogunquit offers something for everyone, from warm hospitality to top-notch entertainment to delicious food. Above, Jonathan West prepares to greet guests at his Bourne Lane restaurant.
Photo by C. Ayn Douglass
OGUNQUIT - Restaurateur Jonathan West, owner of Jonathan's on Bourne Lane, is deeply rooted in the village where he has spent his life.
Rooted in every sense of the word, as Jonathan's Fish and Steak House was formerly his family home before being redesigned into the warm, hospitable and visually appealing restaurant it has been since 1976.
And rooted in the sense that the artwork on the walls and sculpture in the gardens is the product of Maine - and primarily Ogunquit - artists.
The lamb used in the dishes on the menu is raised on West's farm and the vegetables come from West's garden starting in July and offered through October.
"I am a true native-born Ogunquit resident," West said. "I was born at the old York Hospital, the old wooden one, and grew up in the hotel industry. My grandfather owned the Colonial Inn on Shore Road and back then, hotel people did food. Up until the '70s, there weren't as many restaurants as there are now."
When the opportunity came up to buy the family home from his father, West jumped at the chance of turning the ranch-style home into a restaurant that has undergone several renovations over the years, adding dining rooms and a ballroom that can accommodate 200 guests.
West said with the variety of dining rooms, which range from seating for 15 up to 80, Jonathan's is a popular destination, not only for casual dining, but a place to hold special events such as weddings, rehearsal dinners and corporate meetings.
Jonathan's new chef of seven months is "a very creative guy," having recently arrived from New Orleans where he worked with Emeril and wrote new recipes every day, according to West.
"He's the most knowledgeable and best chef we've had in 30 years," West said.
Jonathan's just celebrated 30 years in business last week, West said, and has tweaked its menu to reflect more of the traditional menu items with some original twists.
The three-star restaurant - "We wouldn't want to be four-star; four-star is a bit too pretentious," West said - is specializing in steaks with homemade horseradish sauce, and a twin lobster special at $19.95.
"It's the coast of Maine. People expect lobster," West said.
The menu reflects imaginative and moderately priced local delicacies such as lobster ravioli, grilled hanger steak - described by West as the portion of the animal that the butcher used to cut for himself - vegetarian pasta made with fresh seasonal vegetables and an extensive list of starters ranging from homemade chowder to baked boursin-stuffed mushrooms. Be sure to try Jonathan's signature cocktail, an elderberry martini made with Maine Cold River vodka and elderberry nectar.
Jonathan's decor is a combination of whimsical and traditional. It's worth the trip just to see his collection of Charles Woodbury sketches he bought, as he said, at an "outrageous price of $200 for 40 sketches in Portsmouth back in the '80s." Many were done on the backs of menus.
A mural on the wall of one of the dining rooms was done by the late George Carpenter.
Jonathan's is open year-round and is offering a full list of entertainers during its summer concert series.
Next up during the July 7 weekend are comedian Bob Marley and acclaimed musician Livingston Taylor.
Reservations for a night out - perhaps even a post-Ogunquit Theater matinee dinner or evening dinner before the theater - may be made by calling 646-4777 or through the website at www.jonathansrestaurant.com.
Staff reporter C.Ayn Douglass can be reached at cayndouglass@yorkindependent.net
