Ancient Chinese legend tells of a fisherman who accidentally happens upon a mysterious grove of peach trees. Deep within, he finds a secret colony of villagers who have enjoyed lives of peace and abundance, isolated from the outside world for 600 years. The villagers invite the fisherman to meal after meal, plying him with the freshest of foods and finest of wines as they listen to tales of life outside their hidden settlement.
The fisherman eventually takes his leave, trekking back through the grove of peach trees to the world beyond. But though he leaves careful markers along the way, he can never find the peach-grove paradise again.
The fisherman eventually takes his leave, trekking back through the grove of peach trees to the world beyond. But though he leaves careful markers along the way, he can never find the peach-grove paradise again.
Services
It's time to cut the cord - ZaoZe Cafe & Market now has its own website (a work in progress), and a new online ordering system. We are located at 5 Abbey Rd, set back from the street with no sign (work in progress), sandwiched between the fish tanks in the basement, and the Canopy Farms greenhouse above.
Tao will open for inside and outside dining when we are fully staffed. In the meantime, we have extended our hours at ZaoZe Cafe & Market until 8pm Thursdays through Saturdays, and do take reservations for inside tables at the cafe. Outside tables are available, weather permitting.
Please keep in mind that ZaoZe is not Tao - although we will try and take care of you as best we can, we have no servers (so you must order at the counter but we will bring your order to you when ready), no bartender (no cocktails, beer/wine only).We are still trying to open Tao as soon as we can hire staff.
Please keep in mind that ZaoZe is not Tao - although we will try and take care of you as best we can, we have no servers (so you must order at the counter but we will bring your order to you when ready), no bartender (no cocktails, beer/wine only).We are still trying to open Tao as soon as we can hire staff.
Reviews (22)
Walter C.
Feb 25, 2021
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I'm shocked this isn't 5 stats across the board. I've eaten here too many times to count and never had a bad dish. I've brought countless people here ranging from adventurous eaters to picky eaters with raving reviews. The changing menu keeps it always fresh and intersting with several permanent favorite (pork buns!!!!) and recurring favorites keeping it grounded. Great bar offerings. Friendly staff. And Cara Stadler is a genius in her field. I've eaten in countless restaurants across the US and 4 continents. I've yet to find a restaurant that tops Tao Yuan. This
Ross Z.
Oct 16, 2020
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Benjamin McWilliams
Oct 11, 2020
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Incredible, authentic, delicious. This is a truly great place. I'd been craving these flavors since I got back from Asia and Tao Yuan delivers! Try something new off the menu, everything is great especially some of the things you may not have heard of before. Also the waitress who helped us was really really great.
J. Hm
Sep 10, 2020
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This is a review for the new Zao Ze Cafe lunch menu that this restaurant is doing now.
We spent almost 60 dollars for lunch because we wanted to taste everything that looked good. Overall I was disappointed.
Eighty Ate Slaw - This is the same dish I've had at their restaurant. Too much sesame oil and not enough acid. 2/5
You Tiao - This is basically half way between a churro and a breadstick. I also paid extra for the warm soy milk to dip it in. There was nothing wrong with it. It was just kind of bland. 3/5
Baked Pork Bun - I prefer the softer buns they served at the restaurant. These were
We spent almost 60 dollars for lunch because we wanted to taste everything that looked good. Overall I was disappointed.
Eighty Ate Slaw - This is the same dish I've had at their restaurant. Too much sesame oil and not enough acid. 2/5
You Tiao - This is basically half way between a churro and a breadstick. I also paid extra for the warm soy milk to dip it in. There was nothing wrong with it. It was just kind of bland. 3/5
Baked Pork Bun - I prefer the softer buns they served at the restaurant. These were
Jack D.
Aug 18, 2020
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Unbelievably delicious food. The summer pop up Zao Ze is a delightful and fun twist on the already legendary Tao Yuan. I was lucky to meet the team behind it all as I staged for a day. Truly inspiring group of talented people! They make the best of every ingredient they source. Every customer is treated with the same high level of respect and service.
George M.
Jul 26, 2020
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I thought a quick update with pics was needed since their new temporary rebranding as ZaoZe Café outdoors is most excellent. The varied asian street food dinners are not only unique and delicious but quite affordable for this normally expensive restaurant. $35 gets you three courses with enough food. Every week it's a different asian focus. Service is great as always and as far as parking lots go this one is surrounded by wildflower gardens and had a powerful cool breeze both weekends we were there in the high 80s! Very comfy.
Angelica Veitch
Feb 01, 2020
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If this was the only restaurant I could eat at for the rest of my life, I would be perfectly happy. I love the food, the space, the people. They really care about giving people the best dining experience and they are good at it. The beet yuzu martini is to die for, best cocktails I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a few.
Gabrielle D.
Oct 02, 2019
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While the food was good and the service was okay, the layout of the restaurant (specifically the location of our table) is crammed and unfortunate. Waitresses flew by our table coming from the kitchen almost running into my husband constantly. I was uncomfortable watching each time they rolled through and were inches from hitting him with what they were carrying or their body. We dined here the night before our wedding, spent a ton and felt the portions were very small. I get that it's tapas but they suggest 3-4 plates per person at $8-$16 per plate. I did enjoy the beet cocktail I got.
Jessa Mitchell
Sep 24, 2019
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Nice place that has good food. I would say that it is a little pricey and not a good place to bring children. The food selection is not a lot. Most everything is shareable so keep that in mind when you order. They recommend 3 to four dishes but i think when we went, we ordered more than enough. 5 of us ordered about 3 to 4 each.
Teg Griffiths
Sep 05, 2019
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Struggled with whether to give 4 or 5 stars. Came here for Valentines and wasn't aware that it was a fixed menu. Not a problem for me as I eat just about anything. My wife however does not do seafood and is gluten and dairy free. They accommodated most so a plus there. The food was in my opinion, fantastic, it was a tasting menu and each dish was flavorful.
The reason for the four was the confusion with so many different people waiting on the table and having to explain things many times over. I also don't enjoy having someone check in on me every five minutes to see if everything was OK. A tad
The reason for the four was the confusion with so many different people waiting on the table and having to explain things many times over. I also don't enjoy having someone check in on me every five minutes to see if everything was OK. A tad
Barbara T.
Sep 02, 2019
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This is one of the best restaurants we eat at, anywhere! And we're from New York City and up in Maine a few months during the summer. Chef Cara Stadler is so creative, and her palate is superb. Every time we come here, there are different items on the menu, new flavors, surprising tastes. The service is superb also, and we love the bartender, Jeff. Can't say enough about this wonderful Asian fusion restaurant.
Snick S.
Sep 02, 2019
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Colin Lindley
Jun 16, 2019
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4 of us went in on a Saturday night and had a dinner to remember!! We all decided to go for the chef selection and I’m glad we did. Two of us had never eaten at Tao before and wasn’t familiar with the dishes. Over the course of the 20 different plates we had, there was only one I didn’t care for but that only had to do with the fact that I don’t like radishes. The drinks were perfect, the staff was knowledgeable, friendly and on top of everything. If your looking for a really nice night out, go here!
Minkkwan W.
Nov 05, 2018
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Drove in for a nice dinner in Brunswick from Portland. Great place for dinner if you're planning a shopping day in Freeport and then head a little further to Tao Yuan afterwards.
We had reservations for 7pm dinner on a Saturday night. Much needed as the restaurant seating is limited and would hate to drive out that far and be unable to be seated.
Host and wait staff were courteous and prompt, excellent service! We were given the option of choosing our meal a la carte from the menu or opt for the Chef's Tasting Menu (about 15 courses including dessert) for $68 per person. If opting for
We had reservations for 7pm dinner on a Saturday night. Much needed as the restaurant seating is limited and would hate to drive out that far and be unable to be seated.
Host and wait staff were courteous and prompt, excellent service! We were given the option of choosing our meal a la carte from the menu or opt for the Chef's Tasting Menu (about 15 courses including dessert) for $68 per person. If opting for
Yen P.
Aug 27, 2018
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My boyfriend and I had a late dinner at Tao Yuan our first night in Maine. It's a cozy restaurant in a house. The decor is modern but simple. By the time we sat down the place was completely packed. This was a saturday, we called ahead to make sure there wasn't a wait, I suggest reservations. Our waitress was a little forgetful, but overall pretty nice and efficient enough.
Since it's a tapas place, we got several dishes. Our dinner consisted of the asian slaw, steamed shao mai, house dumplings (I believe the flavor of the day was kungpao chicken), roast pork buns, a duck dish
Since it's a tapas place, we got several dishes. Our dinner consisted of the asian slaw, steamed shao mai, house dumplings (I believe the flavor of the day was kungpao chicken), roast pork buns, a duck dish
Matthew Carroll
Aug 27, 2018
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This place is truly amazing! We've been three times and every time we order the "Chef's Tasting" 15 small plate courses that are well worth the cost ($68 per person)of the experience! Oysters, Dim Sum, Dessert, and more all brought to your table by the chef who prepared it! I admit we didn't care for the presentation of the dessert on our first visit. It was a chocolate cake in log like form, and well it looked like.....you get the picture. It still tasted out of this world, and I will not say that it detracted from our enjoyment of the meal in any way. Their original take on different cocktails
Sarah S.
Jun 24, 2018
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Definitely the best cocktails we have found nearby.
Each cocktail is well balanced and evolves on your palate.
We have eaten dinner several times. Our service has always been spectacular. Servers are knowledgeable, helpful, attentive and timely.
We are always happy with the food. The Asian slaw is a favorite, but perhaps the dumplings are my favorite. Th flavor combinations always surprise me when I hear them and delight me when I try them.
The lamb was a highlight of two of our dinners ( we tried something new the last time). It was almost buttery in texture and had a great flavor.
We will
Each cocktail is well balanced and evolves on your palate.
We have eaten dinner several times. Our service has always been spectacular. Servers are knowledgeable, helpful, attentive and timely.
We are always happy with the food. The Asian slaw is a favorite, but perhaps the dumplings are my favorite. Th flavor combinations always surprise me when I hear them and delight me when I try them.
The lamb was a highlight of two of our dinners ( we tried something new the last time). It was almost buttery in texture and had a great flavor.
We will
M. J.
Jun 11, 2018
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Man, oh man, this place. I can't get over what a great experience Tao Yuan's chef's tasting menu is. Visited on a Wednesday evening. We had a 13 course meal for under $50!! Staff treated us like VIPs. Every dish was absolutely phenomenal. The food just keeps on coming! Two hours of foodie paradise. It's worth a trip to Maine just for a chance to visit Tao Yuan. If Michelin reviewed Maine this place would earn at least one star. Keep up the amazing work!!!!!
Antonio Cecchi
Jun 04, 2018
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Jess R.
May 15, 2018
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I wish I could say I was impressed, but eh...
I have an aversion to shellfish, and usually that is not too hard to work around. That was not really the case here. I was lucky enough to be with a vegetarian so I piece together my meal from those options.
Ok, maybe I am just bitter....they were all out of the goat cheese appetizer that I had read about on Yelp and was looking forward to all week.
Would I go back...only if to try the goat cheese
I have an aversion to shellfish, and usually that is not too hard to work around. That was not really the case here. I was lucky enough to be with a vegetarian so I piece together my meal from those options.
Ok, maybe I am just bitter....they were all out of the goat cheese appetizer that I had read about on Yelp and was looking forward to all week.
Would I go back...only if to try the goat cheese
Elisabeth S.
Nov 19, 2017
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I'm pretty sure Maine doesn't fully understand what it has here. But that's ok, because it keeps the experience real. It would be so easy for the whole enterprise to feel pretentious...it's actually really, really fun, especially if you're paying attention. The crew is sweet and attentive, and rather than wanting to get drunk with them at the end of the night, you sort of want to tuck them into bed and say "sweet dreams" - after, you hope, they get to eat some of the lovely food they've been bringing you. They are that nice and lack that much attitude.
I
I
Mark Post
Oct 21, 2017
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