Mountain Social Kitchen & Bar with

Cody & Lina Gordon and Brian Weber

by Laurie Ann Knowles

Mountain Social on Main Street in Bethel is the newest installment in a family of restaurants operated by Brian Weber and Cody & Lina Gordon. Two of their three eating and drinking establishments are located in the popular tourist town of Bar Harbor, in Frenchman Bay on Mount Desert Island. Their first restaurant — Leary’s Landing Irish Pub — is a classic Irish pub featuring a large selection of whiskey, many beers on tap, fish & chips, shepherd’s pie, prime rib sandwiches, burgers and pub food galore. The trio’s second act was creating Project Social, which eschews entrées in favor of small-plates, giving guests the opportunity to delight in lots of different dishes in a social and collaborative setting. Small plates are often made to accompany matching alcoholic beverages, pairing up for a delightful gastronomic experience.

Modeled after Project Social, Mountain Social on Main Street offers seasonal craft cocktails, select wines and delicious small plates such as beef or lamb sliders, scallops and risotto, a rich lamb bolognese and savory duck tacos. The kale and brussels sprout salad is shaved, then piled high in a stack with toasted cashews, tuxedo sesame and a miso vinaigrette. The butternut squash coconut curry soup — a favorite of local fans — features sumac pepitas, toasted pumpkin seed oil and a snappy hot kick. Small plate recipes go back and forth between the two “Socials” as they share inspiration based on customer feedback. Intense, unique flavor combinations on small plates offer the chance for comparison between the sweetness of scallops and the richness of a puree, the freshness of a homemade bruschetta and the hardiness of an oxtail toast — delighting diners who seek out something more than the standard fare. Brian’s international touches from South America, Italy, Mexico, the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe generate a host of palate pleasing options.

Cody’s influence is felt mostly in the novel offerings on their cocktail menu, as well as the unique selection of fresh juices, herbs and summery delights. A ‘Midnight’ is made with blackberry and thyme infused reposado style tequila, finished with cointreau and lime. A ‘Pineapple Express’ has grilled pineapple infused mezcal, cayenne simple syrup and vanilla bean foam. ‘Strawberry Fields’ brings strawberry and basil infused gin, Domain de Canton and lemon to fantastic heights. And there are so many more. With all of these zesty detonations entertaining your flavor receptors Mountain Social creates an uncommon dining experience rounded out with fantastic service in a great location.

Lina Gordon, Cody’s wife, loves the Bethel area as much as she adores Bar Harbor. Lina grew up in Bulgaria and worked alongside the Black Sea during college, then came to Bar Harbor where she met Cody. Now Lina manages the bookkeeping, taxes, business ops, website and social media for all three businesses. Seventy employees keep their restaurants humming. With Kelly Glover as general manager and Mitchell Webster as kitchen manager here in Bethel, there are always friendly faces, professional service and a pleasing atmosphere.

As exciting as the opening of Mountain Social is for these innovative restaurateurs, it’s even better for their customers, as they delight in a constantly creative whirlwind of epicurean glee. Visit soon to enjoy some small plates and creative cocktails at the new Mountain Social on Main Street in Bethel.

Find Mountain Social Kitchen & Bar at 43 Main Street in Bethel. Call (207) 381-6354, visit them on Facebook at Mountain Social Kitchen & Bar, and email info@socialbethel.com