Urban Element

Yes!!!!! Loved this place. Industrial rustic decor, farm/ocean to table fare. Hidden gem attached to a garden center with bar and outdoor seating. Server was super friendly and educated about the menu. It was apparent that she had tried and liked several menu items herself (I am all for suggestions). Fried clam app with exceptionally unique tartar sauce a must. Quinoa salad was so perfect! Pink Tourmaline cocktail was fantastic! Looking forward to returning to try the wings, brussel sprouts and whatever fresh special they dream up.

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE !!! Awesome patio w/ fireplace. AMAZING FOOD. Moved up from portland and this is our new favorite place! Waitress Eliza & Lo were great ! Im picky about food temps and all food came out hot ! Try the wings with the smokey ranch sauce !! My husbands short ribs were impressive - such big portions ! You will not be disappointed !

My husband and I ate here on a Thursday night. Have to say, everything was great--and I'm picky! I had a hamburger (cooked just right) and house-pickled beets--the best I've EVER had. My husband had a reuben, which was very good. The pear martini was quite tasty, and when I wanted it a tad sweeter the waitress brought a little more simple syrup. We split the lemon strawberry cake for dessert--spectacular! Do note, however, the place could get very noisy when every table is full-there's not many soft surfaces. (I wish more restaurants would think of that.) BTW, the service was excellent.

April 21, 2021 . . . Urban Element Restaurant is Topsham’s ( Maine) best eating establishment! Located on Rt. 196 heading west out of town, owners Gary & Mackenzie Howard offer a solid 4.7 quality dining experience! Yes, they also own the Urban Element Garden Center next door. Makes sense when operating a “farm to table”restaurant since 2018. Our neighbor, Diane treated my wife & I to dinner at her favorite restaurant on a steady Wednesday night. A pleasant hostess (Lauren) greeted us at the door, and confirmed our reservation. (as we return to normal from Covid, reservations are a good idea) The restaurant staff were all masked, and tables were spaced 6 feet apart, folks at the bar seemed to know one another. Our server, Sara quickly greeted us, offered menus, and explained drink options. Took me a few minutes to investigate the plethora of craft beers, and local Maine brews on the menu, WOW ! My choice, a brown ale from Thresher’s Brewing was very good! Urban Element offers meals prepared with fresh food, often organically grown at local farms that practice “sustainable farming”. We shared their fantastic Fried Clams appetizer, made with homemade Tatar & Cocktail sauces on the side. I started with their Haddock Chowder soup, shredded size pieces of fish, in a light creamy broth with potatoes, perfect consistency (2nd place to the Dolphin Restaurant’s large fish chunks). Our neighbor enjoyed a good size Cobb Salad entree. Bisson & Sons Farm supplied the ground beef in my medium cooked ( a bit over cooked, but fine) Urban Element Burger with tomatoes, lettuce, and Swiss cheese on a brioche bun. My wife loved her Cajun Fried Swordfish special with sweet potato fries, with side salad! We didn’t have room for Chef Mary’s homemade desserts! Next time note to self . . . “Save room “! The 4.7 rating highlights excellent food, courteous service . . . Thank you for a very good meal , Chef Randy! For that PERFECT score, maybe as I sip my craft beer we look out to see a mountain scene or boats passing slowly ? ************************************ Quick Guide: Organic & Sustainable Farming Organic - Healthy way to grow crops & produce meats & dairy *No synthetic pesticides, or herbicides *No synthetic fertilizers *No antibiotics *No genetic engineering *No growth hormones Sustainable Farming - Better management of our farms to reduce harmful effects to our planet and resources *Use rotating & diverse crops *Integrated pest management *Integrating livestock & crops *Use crop covers to prevent soil erosion *Use riparian buffers, and prairie strips Movie Note: I recommend a 2018 film, “The Biggest Little Farm “ True story of John & Molly Chester that buy 200 acres of horrible land, but transform it into a working sustainable farm! Excellent!

(No scenic views - views are of the parking lot and street) Parking is plentiful and the restaurant is right off route 196/Lewiston Road. Reservations are recommended for weekends but luckily we were sat within minutes (we arrived around 5:30pm). Sara was our waitress - what a sweet, cheerful and lovely face! Ordered a Pilsner that was not hoppy, was light, crisp and went well with the burger I ordered. Husband ordered ribs that were filling, meat was falling off the bones, great in flavor, honey citrus glaze made his taste buds sing. I love meat... this time I went out of my comfort zone and ordered a veggie burger. This burger was moist, thick, didn't crumble, portion was large enough for two and it was surprisingly filling. Had barely enough room for dessert... carrot cake. This carrot cake was sensational! Dense and packed with flavors that a carrot cake should have. It was sprinkled with toasted coconut and had two wonderful layers of thick cream cheese frosting. Had no raisins or walnuts, a plus. I cannot complain ~ must stop by and experience this hidden gem!

The food was absolutely incredible from the appetizer to the entree to the desert WOW. I haven’t had a meal this good in years. Special thanks to the wait staff for being so attentative and recommending her favorites! The manager came over to check on our meals as well which was a really nice touch. Cozy place and you can tell the employees like their jobs!!!! I will be back soon.