Damariscotta River Grill, the popular Midcoast restaurant known for its locally sourced food and award-winning wine selection, has been selected as a state winner of the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) distinguished “Restaurant Neighbor Award.”
Through its 11th annual “Restaurant Neighbor” awards, the NRA recognized restaurants around the nation (two in each state) whose teams consistently dedicate their time and resources and make a commitment to the betterment of the communities they call home.
Celebrated for its regional New England upscale comfort food and wine varietals, Damariscotta River Grill, owned and operated by husband-and-wife team, Chef Rick Hirsch and General Manager Jean Kerrigan, received the award in recognition of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness of local charities and support fundraisers throughout their Maine community.
“It has always been part of our mission to give back to our community,” Kerrigan said. “We have friends and supporters all over the state and feel it is our responsibility to give back through special projects and community efforts. We’re very honored to be recognized by the National Restaurant Association. The Restaurant Neighbor Award is just a reminder of how lucky we are to have the support of our community.”
Since the restaurant’s launch in 2003, the team at Damariscotta River Grill has been actively involved in helping host and organize a wide variety of special community outreach events.
In the last year, the Damariscotta River Grill has supported more than a dozen arts, youth and ecology charities that focus specifically on the needs of Midcoast Maine, including Healthy Kids!, The Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Lincoln County in Maine; and the Focus on Agriculture in Rural Maine Schools (F.A.R.M.S) project, which promotes farm-to-institution purchasing and educates students about good nutrition and the role local farms play in promoting healthy communities; as well as the Skidompha Library and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
In addition, the Grill also is well known for hosting the ongoing “Art at the Grill” series, which features the work of local area artists in Maine. Designed to support and display the creations of Midcoast artists, the series, which changes every six weeks, has featured more than 50 artists since it began three years ago.