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Otto’s On The River.

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We discovered a new restaurant last week that is definitely going on our ‘must return’ list.

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Located in downtown Augusta, Maine’s capital… but nowhere near most attractive city.

There’s been a rejuvenation movement in the old section of town for the past few years. New businesses remodeling old buildings, fresh plantings… and most importantly, whimsically painted sturgeon.

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Otto’s was indeed by the river.

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And if it hadn’t been so hot we might have sat outside.

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This is a fun and quirky place.

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And though the main dining room was closed for lunch, we had no trouble bellying up to the bar.

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One fabulous summer sangria in…

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We were enjoying the vibe and chatting with the owner’s sister who was mixing drinks.

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Before long the owner came over with menus, and seeing that my husband was drinking beer… asked him if he wanted this little bit of ale that was just poured. They only have bottles and cans, nothing on tap… he said it was just the extra that would otherwise be tossed.

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Never one to turn down free beer, my spouse took a large swig… and almost threw up.

Turns out it was the olive juice the bartender was using for dirty martinis

Omg. I’m sorry… but I laughed.

I laughed hard.

The poor owner was beside himself apologizing and felt terrible. He was worried we’d leave a bad review and never come back.

To be continued…

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22 thoughts on “Otto’s On The River.”

  2. I’d stay away for two reasons: 1) if I bought a bottle or can of beer, I’d expect to get the whole thing, not have it poured into a too-small glass and the rest given to someone else; 2) if offered free beer and given olive juice instead, I’d be tempted to throw it back in the owner’s face. The apology should have been accompanied by picking up your check, since the offense came from the owner himself.

    So maybe you didn’t leave a bad review, and maybe you’ll go back, and maybe it makes no difference because I don’t plan to be in Maine soon…but I won’t go there. Not to mention that it is sacrilege to make something with white wine and call it sangria (since sangria comes from the root sangre, meaning blood). Maybe it’s tasty, but it’s not sangria.

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    1. I think the owner just thought it was beer and was trying to be nice. We laughed. Sh*t happens… I would never leave a bad review for that. And the food was excellent.
      As for the sangria, I don’t like red wine …only white. So they can call it whatever they want, it was delicious. Many places up here use white wine in the summer and that’s fine with me.
      👍

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  8. If there’s leftover beer, they should just top off the glass! No point in letting it go to waste.

    I laughed too at the olive juice, only because my dad had a similar thing happen to him as a child. He thought it was apple juice, not beer, but the result was the same…and it scarred him for life.

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