This Charming Maine Restaurant Is Steps Away From A Little-Known Waterfall

Freedom is a town in Waldo County with a small population and a fantastic name. And while it's not where you'd go to enjoy great shopping or a lively nightlife, it is where you'll find some of the best food in Maine. Dining at The Lost Kitchen is a truly magical experience, especially since it's located mere steps from a peaceful waterfall.

The Lost Kitchen is located in 1834 mill building, perched over a stream next to a waterfall.

It's such a picturesque setting, it almost feels like a fairytale.

But this enchanting eatery wasn't always located here. In fact, The Lost Kitchen has quite a story.

Owner and chef Erin French was born and raised in Freedom, but she moved to California to go to medical school. But a unexpected pregnancy changed her plans, and at 21, she moved back to Freedom. There, she began baking and cooking, eventually starting an underground supper club at her home in Belfast.

Eventually, Erin's supper club became so popular, she and her then-husband opened a restaurant called The Lost Kitchen.

Unfortunately, Erin lost almost everything in a painful divorce. She moved back to Freedom with her son, bought a 1965 Airstream, and built a kitchen inside to do pop-up dinner parties. A friend eventually encouraged her to check out Freedom's old mill, which became The Lost Kitchen's new home.

Looking around, you'd never know the mill was in bad shape when Erin decided to invest in it.

The floors were covered in sawdust, a far cry from the cozy but elegant space you'll find today.

Believe it or not, Erin is entirely self-taught.

What's even more impressive is that she barely plans her menus in advance. Every day the restaurant is open, she checks to see which ingredients are available and creates her multi-course meals from there. The ink is still drying on the menus when the kitchen opens for the day.

The food here is absolutely phenomenal.

Despite its beautiful presentation, the cuisine is unpretentious. Erin creates meals using fresh, local ingredients.

The team at The Lost Kitchen is almost entirely female, and Erin considers them all personal friends.

She has also befriended every farmer in the area, and as a result, she gets the best produce in town.

As you can imagine, this place is insanely popular. In fact, it's referred to as the most sought after restaurant in Maine.

Reservations by phone got so overwhelming that Erin only accepts requests via notecard. And even though the 2019 season just began, you probably won't get in until 2020. But rest assured, it will be well worth it.

Address: 22 Mill Street, Freedom, ME, 04941

A meal at The Lost Kitchen is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it's definitely worth the wait. But if you'd like to try some of Erin French's recipes now, you can purchase a signed cook book. And in the meantime, here are some other great Maine restaurants to try.