The Lost Kitchen: Maine’s Exclusive Restaurant with Postcard-Only Reservations

In the tiny town of Freedom, Maine, The Lost Kitchen stands out—not only for its renowned farm-to-table menu but also for its unique reservation process. Owned by chef Erin French, this acclaimed restaurant only accepts reservations through handwritten postcards, a system attracting around 60,000 requests annually from hopeful diners worldwide. Located in an 1800s gristmill, The Lost Kitchen operates as a seasonal destination from May to October, with guests chosen through a lottery from the flood of postcards that pour in each April.

Erin French, author of Finding Freedom: A Cook’s Story; Remaking Life From Scratch, founded the restaurant in 2014 after overcoming personal struggles. The Lost Kitchen has since become a celebrated culinary destination, but French keeps the quaint, community-driven reservation process as a way to maintain a personal connection with her guests. Each postcard is preserved, creating a vibrant tapestry of memories from diners near and far.

Winning a reservation grants diners a five-hour, 14-course experience showcasing fresh, seasonal ingredients in a menu that changes nightly. Dishes range from locally sourced seafood to fresh summer produce, allowing guests to savor the diverse flavors of Maine. The restaurant’s reservation-by-postcard policy is an intentional break from modern booking systems, preserving an intimate, nostalgic feel.

For diners who dream of an evening at The Lost Kitchen, a postcard may be the only key to experiencing this coveted and truly unique dining experience, blending culinary creativity with the charm of old-fashioned communication.