Gross Confection Bar

Dessert restaurant · Portland

Gross Confection Bar

Dessert restaurant · Portland

3

172 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101

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Gross Confection Bar by null
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Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null
Gross Confection Bar by null

Highlights

Desserts & cocktails with creative twists, wine, beer & coffee  

Featured in Eater
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172 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101 Get directions

grossconfections.com
@grossconfectionbar

$20–30 · Menu

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Static Map

172 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101 Get directions

+1 207 956 7208
grossconfections.com
@grossconfectionbar

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Oct 13, 2025

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@eater

Here Are New England’s 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalists | Eater Boston

"Owner Brant Dadaleares is a semifinalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker in 2025, continuing the hot Portland pastry streak noted in the region's James Beard recognition." - Erika Adams

https://boston.eater.com/2025/1/22/24349392/james-beard-award-semifinalists-boston-2025
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@eater

New England Dining News, Updated Weekly - Eater Boston

"Gross Confection Bar will open the first week of January in Portland. Owner Brant Dadaleares puts dessert front and center, offering desserts for one, two, or four or more people, consisting of cakes, parfait, tarts, custard, and so much more. There will also be ice cream, chocolate and confections, and cheese, plus a selection of cocktails, wine, ports, and sherry." - Dana Hatic

https://boston.eater.com/2018/9/25/17901100/new-england-restaurant-news-fall-2018
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@eater

New Portland Cookie Cart Will Serve Giant Chicken and Waffles Macarons - Eater Boston

"Pastry chef Brant Dadaleares will open Gross Confection Bar (57 Exchange St.), a coffee shop and dessert bar, with pastries and coffee available in the mornings and desserts, cocktails, dessert wines, and digestifs in the evenings. The bar will seat 37." - Dana Hatic

https://boston.eater.com/2018/3/20/17143152/new-england-restaurant-news-spring-2018
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Selifa Lopes

Google
Liked the concept of this place that focuses solely on cocktails and desserts. ‘Gross Confection Mess’ was top-notch. Cocktails - False Spring and Very Demure were outstanding as well. Worth the price for the quality and creativity of desserts. Ambience and decor added so much to the experience. I am not a local, but would definitely make it a point to return anytime I am in the area.

C민아

Google
Honestly the best ice cream Ive had. Super friendly server too. We had the lemon verbena and honey thyme. As a big fan of ice cream, i found the taste and texture to both be very good. It was very smooth and flavorful, similar to gelato? Would highly recommend.

Hanah Roberts

Google
What a wonderful place for dessert lovers! With options for a full dessert, a small portion, and even a sample of three portions I wouldn’t be able to resist if I were a local. We chose The Triplet option and for our three choices of “the tastes” we picked the chocolate cake (my husbands favorite of the three), the honey lavender pots de creme (our least favorite), and the double chocolate cremeux (my favorite - though it’s super rich). I usually love lavender flavor and a less sweet dessert, but I ate it after I ate the SUPER RICH double chocolate cremeux it tasted bland so don’t do that lol otherwise you should definitely give this place a shot!

Miso Mouse

Google
A small cozy atmosphere for casual conversation and small desserts. Desserts were in each their own experience. The buttercake was the star of the lineup, with excellent contrast from the fruit compote and ice cream. Who knew parmesan would give such a nice saltiness? Panna cotta could benefit from coconut milk.

Monica Tran

Google
The desserts are so delicious! Perfect portion for a sweet tooth! The vanilla icecream was so rich. I got the false spring cocktail and it was pretty yummy. My partner got the milk stout and it was alright. I wished there were more dessert type of cocktails

Stephanie Patricia Garcia

Google
A restaurant that ONLY sells dessert for dinner? YES PLEASE. And, with locally sourced ingredients, sign me up! This is such a nice place to have an intimate date in. If you want something rich in that Maine Blueberry flavor without the extra calories, the Blueberry Sorbet is perfect before the main course. The Toasted Olive Oil cake with freeze dried raspberries and pistachio ice cream, every texture, flavor pairs well with one another so well that you'll be asking for seconds. As a Transgender woman, myself, seeing a queer-owned dessert shop thriving gives me hope and joy for the future. Please support this business! It's worth every bite. Delicious 😋

Matt M

Google
Over priced. $15 gets you a tiny small piece of cake that has been crumbled with a tiny scope of ice cream. It's good. But not enough to justify the price.

Mandy Black

Google
Cute place! The olive oil cake was amazing! The person who delivered our food was so nice, and the server was ok, but as we were sitting and chatting after we had dessert, another employee told us that we would have to leave soon because they needed the table "in 10 minutes". There were no people waiting on a table, and there were tables open. That rudeness ruined the experience.
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Maria M.

Yelp
Fantastic service...informative, friendly, efficient. Excellent cocktails...mocktails, and even warm mulled cider. Incredible dessert options! The dessert we ordered had 3 things...a sticky pudding, a pear and pomegranate sorbet and a tiny jar of hot mulled apple cider. It was all so good! The atmosphere is dark, warm, cozy and romantic. A great after dinner spot.
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Adrienne R.

Yelp
Oh wow! A dessert bar!? We couldn't figure out the name... but no matter. I can assure you, it was NOT gross. Came with 2 girlfriends after dinner and cocktails on Friday, 10/25/24. We sat at the bar where we had friendly service from the bartender. I had the Fall Fashioned cocktail, one friend had the espresso martini and the other had a chilled glass of port that was so good. I really enjoyed the fall fashioned. The smell of the orange peel at my first sip brought me joy. We knew we were each going to have a dessert to share and decided to go big with the Entourage Board - 4 desserts. We chose: Steamed pumpkin pudding with buttermilk ice cream - the ice cream was to die for. I am surprised by how much I liked it. The pudding was creamy and had the perfect crunch on top. I think this one was my favorite. Chocolate Torte with Hazelnut ice cream - the torte was RICH and smooth. The ice cream flavor was subtle and the perfect accompaniment. Warm Butter Brown Cake - the seasonal fruit was apples and they were baked into the cake. The vanilla bean ice cream topped with 30 month aged parmigiano regiano sounds weird, but it was dreamy. The way the salty cut the sweet, balanced it out and made this a favorite of ours. Gross Confection Mess - there was a lot to this one. It was really good, but of the 4 it was my least favorite. But to be fair the cake and pudding were just SO good! This was also rich, but the sprinkle of sea salt took it to the next level. The whole experience was lovey. The space is decorated so beautifully and with seasonal touches. I cannot wait to talk to my local about this spot and highly encourage them - and anyone else in the area - to check it out!
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Cal L.

Yelp
Do you guys do takeout? Kind of. Not over the phone, you have to come in and order. What kind of rule is that?! But, the Yelp photos looked so good that that's exactly what I did. I walked half a mile to the restaurant and placed my order for dessert takeout. And I just waited. And boy, did it pay off. All three of the desserts that we got we're delicious, and Jessica, the host, was so friendly and kind. Can't wait to come here in person, but for now just know that to go only exists if you go there in person, and they don't take orders over the phone. Thank you for the wonderful dessert. Just a side note: the layout of the restaurant is really weird. You basically have to see what looks like a logical entrance, and walk halfway around the block to get to the actual entrance. There are stairs, doors, it almost has the complexity of a speakeasy just to get in.
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Ann S.

Yelp
Never been to a dessert bar and glad I was able to check this place out! It wasn't that busy when arrived but it got really busy a while after I arrived. It's not clear looking at the menu but "the taste" section, according to my waiter, is 5-6 bites and "the set list" is a full dessert. In my opinion, the items under taste were no different than a regular sized dessert. I like that every dessert is in-house made. Because I love desserts, I ordered a triplet: 1) triple cheese cheesecake: 5/5 (Just full of yumminess! Rich, not overly sweet, and slightly tarty) 2) s'moramisu: 5/5 (Full of coffee flavors. I don't know what cookie was used but it's a bit sticky) 3) The Olive cake: 2.5/5 (the fruit sauce on the bottom is tarty. The ice cream is salty. The fruit cake on top was weird. I thought it was a very airy, light bread. I didn't understand what it was doing in the dish and wasn't needed. The rest does help in balancing the other two desserts I had but I would never order this again). My waiter was very nice and seemed to be a sweet soul. I would re-order the first two in a heartbeat! My favorite is the triple cheese cheesecake. I could eat a couple of them in one sitting if it's right in front of me I now want to find a dessert bar in other places! If I ever return to Portland, I will come back.
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Jeet G.

Yelp
If you're looking for a good dessert spot in Old Port, then this is your place to go. The smore/tiramisu dish was what a lot of people suggested but I was eyeing the these dishes below. Insanely delicious and nothing was too sweet. The service was super friendly and great at recommending which dish to get. The staff cared about feedback and what we thought of the desserts so they can have better recommendations for future customers. They were really great about filling up our waters and making us feel taken care of. We sat outside on a nice day which was such a great people/dog watching spot. Loved the ambiance of this and the people walking down Old Port streets. My only gripe with this place is how expensive one dessert is. It was about $17 for the cake I got but the quality and presentation value here is high so it may be justified. TLDR: really good dessert spot, may be a bit pricey though, and sitting outside is the move.
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Madison S.

Yelp
Yes, an all around yes. Staff is incredibly friendly the spot is intimate and quiet. This is a great spot for an after dinner cocktail and dessert - I highly recommend the warm brown butter cake.
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John L.

Yelp
While walking down Exchange Street my kids noticed some baking going on through the bottom windows and we had to stop in for a peek and a quick snack. The entrance we found was down a few steps on Middle Street and is shared with the Salt Cellar. They were pretty busy for being an underground spot. The inside was small, but well laid out and inviting with some local art on the brick walls and a fancy display case of ridiculous desserts. The kids devoured a couple of huge Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies $3.75 each and I had a cup of espresso $4. They had a clean bathroom located down the hall which was a savior when you're trying to find a pit stop in town for a young child. The rest of the desserts they had laid out looked extremely tasty. Show these guys some love and stop in for a quick treat and a jolt of caffeine while walking around Old Port!

Michelle G.

Yelp
Underwhelming desserts at a steep price. We didn't get any of the cocktails/drinks so I can't speak to that. We were just disappointed by the quality of the desserts which is supposed to be their specialty. Pretty mediocre.
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Anna S.

Yelp
This was my first time here and I'm not really sure if I enjoyed it. The dessert was very very good however for a tiny portion an and price threw me off a little. the drinks were average price and fairly good. I'll give it another shot and maybe it'll be a better experience.
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Perri V.

Yelp
I can't say enough good things about Gross Confections. I'm sad they don't do morning pastries anymore, since they were amazing, but dessert did not disappoint either. My wife and I got chocolate martinis, which were rich, boozy, and garnished with crunchy chocolate balls. Delicious. Our dessert of choice was the chocolate caramel torte, which blew me away. I can't describe how delicious it was, and the texture was perfection. Through all this, our waiter was amazing- attentive and made great recommendations. I absolutely will be back to try the rest of the menu!
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Ritti T.

Yelp
On our little Portland trip, I came here just for the espresso martinis. I'm not saying it's the best one I've had though! It is definitely strong but the balance of coffee and alcohol just wasn't there for me, the guy at the table next us had like 3 while we were there. Our waiter was well versed in the menu, felt like he was a memorized script but hey nothing wrong with that. Kept checking on us which was absolutely great. Getting seated on the other hand though, there was a large group of 8 people in a corner, 2 people a table away from them and we got seated right in the middle of the two parties. The entire place was basically empty and instead of separating us, put us all together which made me feel a little uncomfortable.
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Sinthia S.

Yelp
I SOLEMNLY SWEAR TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY DESSERT GODS... This place is the Holy Mecca of desserts and indulgence! I have to say, I came here with a group of friends and I was a bit under the influence, but out of all the things that happened that night, this dessert was an out of this world experience. I mean if you are an apple dessert fanatic or you just love dessert in general, PLEASE do yourself a favor and try this wondrous and unique dessert! At first the Parmesan cheese was a bit off-putting like I thought it didn't belong there when I read the menu. But when I tried this piece of patisserie art I fell in love, as if I was seeing the "Starry night" for the first time or something similar of admiration! May have been that my senses were hightened by unknown substances in my system, don't know, I could not confirm nor deny this. But the Parmesan tied this dessert all together into an orgasmic oblivion of pleasure. PLEASE EAT it! Unfortunately I couldn't have the pleasure of eating it more than once. But I think that's part of why I remember it so fondly. Try it! You will NOT regret it! As for the rest of the night, it was pretty much all a blur.
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Kendra W.

Yelp
Dessert bar with fancy desserts and large cocktail menu. Desserts are on the pricier side but everything is homemade, unique twists and quality ingredients. Server was enthusiastic and described every flavor when it was served. Unique concept restaurant. They have a takeaway bakery in the mornings through early afternoon or until sellout. Have not tried but would like to. Pretty ambiance on the inside. They also serve assorted dessert on a large 3ft wooden board so would be fun for group. We saw a family with 2 kids and their faces lit up when it came out.
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Teresa M.

Yelp
Visiting portland and looking for a spot near the old port shops that would had pasteries. Like pan au chocolat and croissant types. Wow i found it - i have no evidence of this but i'm 90-95% sure they are french trained - okay this isn't factual per se but my take 100% enjoyed and would return all the times
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Rhonda C.

Yelp
Speakeasy feel. Across the street from Post Office Plaza in Old Port. Street parking. EXCELLENT service. Oat milk cappuccino with cute little sugar in the raw cubes. PB & J dessert which was a very rich dessert with raspberry fig jam, lightly salted peanut butter mousse, peanut sablage (some kind of crunchy topping?) & chocolate sorbet!! The sorbet was super interesting to me because I had never seen that before and I am a big sorbet fan-especially because I cannot eat ice cream. Sorbet was a little rich for me, but I am not much of a chocolate fan. If you are into chocolate-you will love this. It also has raspberries, again not a big fan-but the jelly was delicious and won me over. It is a little pricey at $18, but we split it and honestly felt it was big enough to split 3 ways. It reminded me of a PB & J sandwich from my childhood-which is probably part of what they are going for? I love food that evokes memories. I highly recommend a visit.
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Danielle V.

Yelp
Cool, trendy dessert bar. They have apps and lots of amazing, different desserts. It has brick walls, and a small bar and lots of tables. The service was great and had some good suggestions. They have some different desserts even one with parm cheese on it's they also have processco on tap which is great!
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Darya S.

Yelp
We were in the mood for a very light dinner and some dessert, so we sought out Gross Confection Bar. It is underground and dimly lit with a super sexy vibe, but they happily welcomed us with our toddler. We got the two charcuterie boards to fill us up, and it was a solid idea. Lots of delicious meat and cheese to try. The desserts, clearly homemade, were delicious. I couldn't decide which one I liked more. They were both so inventive and the perfect portion so that we wouldn't feel gross afterwards. I adored the bean mousse on the semifredo! It's a unique bar and I would recommend stopping here after dinner for light bites. Meat and cheese charcuterie boards Honey semifredo Creme brulee The bling ring (yuzu, honey, peach, and orange nonalcoholic drink)
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Fazil A.

Yelp
I came here on a recommendation from a friend of mine. I was very hesitant because of the name. I know that it's kind of a sarcastic play on words, but still, I was kind of associating the word subconsciously I almost didn't go. When I walked in, it's kind of a funny place to get to because you have to go almost to the basement, which gave me weird vibes also. But once I walked in the smell was so enticing. They have the typical things that most bakery places would have so I scanned over the goods to see if anything jumped out at me. There were a couple things that I figured they probably did better than your average local bakery. But the one thing that just grab me and wouldn't let go with the buttermilk biscuit with cured butter and plum jam. I turned into a carnal beast with this. I could not control myself. It was so good. Probably one of the top three pastries I've ever had in my entire life. I can't recommend this place enough. Forget about the name and forget about the weird journey inside, get yourself a f-----g pastry.
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Tara B.

Yelp
A somewhat odd experience. We got the blueberry cake which somehow had pears or peaches also in them? This was not listed on the menu which is concerning as someone could potentially be allergic to either fruit. Chocolate tort was somehow salty? However the blueberry pavlova was quite good. Have to give the servers kudos for seating and serving us an hour within their closing time. Not jumping at the chance to go back, but not necessarily writing it off for good.
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Caroline L.

Yelp
Oh yes. Just... yes. We stopped here for dessert after dinner somewhere else and we weren't even hungry but we have been wanting to try this place so we went anyway. So glad we did! We tried three desserts between 4 of us: the chocolate peanut butter torte (which was tiny but rich), the profiterole sundae (oh god I shoved it all in my face and don't regret it at all), and the hot and cold 'smore. We loved all them and can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu! Service was great too.
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Katie H.

Yelp
Apart from its terrible name, this bakery is quietly putting out some really awesome baked goods in easy walking distance from the Old Port and doesn't nearly get as much love as the Holy Donut or Standard Baking Co. The selection is more limited, but they've really upped their bakery game over the years to great effect. I had an outstanding berry shortbread on one visit that my husband and I devoured in an instant. On another, I had a delicious and enormous financier that all my friends couldn't stop taking bites of. Their pastries are consistently unique and creative creations you wouldn't find elsewhere. I also love that they have tables and free water now in case you want to enjoy your baked goods inside. The workers are super friendly too. Love this place!
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Ana G.

Yelp
I was so excited to try this new place and unfortunately it was not all the hype. I tried the Brown Butter cake and it was just gross. The waitress saw that we left the whole dessert and didn't bother to ask if we wanted something else.
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Alison M.

Yelp
Looking for some place to celebrate or to just enjoy such delectable confectionery, this is thee place to go. Been a fan since they opened and visit frequently to their bakery. Celebrated my birthday recently and enjoyed half the menu lol! Sooo good! Service was excellent and very knowledgeable about the menu options. What is your favorite Gross confectionery?
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Liz G.

Yelp
We were seated right when we got there. I had the chocolate martini and my daughter had the apple crisp crème brûlée. Both were very yummy, the apple crisp crème brûlée was the best part! Our waitress was very nice, quick and attentive.
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Roxana G.

Yelp
Overall: cozy ambiance, it's excellent for a date night but also a fancy group hangout. Pricy, but everything is delicious. Price: I personally think the drinks and the desserts are delicious but not good value. The portions are small, but everything is so beautifully presented it *almost* but not quite makes up for it for me personally. What *is* a good value though? Their mystery grab bags! This is something they only start selling at 5pm. Most of the bags they put on a food waste app, where people reserve to pick up. Sometimes, though, they still have some bags left over! If you're hungry and more into baked goods than drinks or desserts, this is the way. Food: jalapeño scallion cheddar biscuit, coconut macarroon, herb goat cheese and jam on an everything scone are especially delicious! Service: hit or miss, but overall good. We had one server who did not want to be there, but the ambiance and the food was so great we didn't mind. Our other two servers were beyond excellent Value: for me, personally, only a good value if you get a mystery grab bag. If you value ambiance and presentation, though, you'll like this place.
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Alex R.

Yelp
Before I write anything else, let me state this: This place has the best sorbet I've ever tasted...ever...anywhere in the world. They call it "kalamansi"**! The server could only explain it as "passion fruit mixed w other fruits". Having tasted it, there is no way she could've convincingly said what it tasted like. Imagine a spoonful of the citrus smell that puffs when you push your finger into the bottom of a tangerine to peel it. But, imagine that melting onto your tongue w a balanced sweetness. I propose that Gross sell this sorbet to surrounding restaurants the way local coffee roasters have their coffee featured on local menus. More people need to taste this!!! Many "nice" or "fancy" restaurants seem to offer dessert as an afterthought. Gross inverts the concept & skips dinner altogether branding themselves as a "Confection Bar". And they nail the concept! We tried the "espresso, orange, cardamom" & the "apple crisp profiterole", plus the flannel crush cocktail & the chocolate martini cocktail. I'd strongly recommend the "espresso, orange, cardamom" (a dish so good they named it w just ingredients)- I think this dish captures what Gross is going for. It's decisively dessert but presented like something out of Netflix's Chef Table. "Elevated" is cliché, but appropriate. The flavors paired perfectly, without becoming cloying or heavy. And if you enjoy texture, this plate has so much going on. A 1st instinct would be to hit up a "dessert restaurant" after dinner elsewhere. Skip that. Treat this place as it's own destination, not an afterthought. Treat it like a bar or like you're "going out for a treat". If you show up here on a full stomach, you'll rob yourself of an opportunity. And treating it like a bar seems fit for purpose. The cocktails were expertly mixed. And, even w the confection moniker, the ambience here is more West Elm than Willy Wonka. Taking full advantage of their basement location, this place seems to have all the space on that floor (a rarity at almost any restaurant in the area). It's a simple concept that's difficult to pull off as successfully as they do. I don't really get the name, though. Maybe it's ironic or I'm missing something - bc there was nothing "gross" about this place. And that mix of surprise & intrigue makes me wish I lived in Portland so I could see Gross develop. ** I have since looked up Kalamansi & learned it is its own fruit cultivated in the Philippines & native to Southeast Asia. Not sure if actual kalamansi is used in the recipe for this sorbet. But, I know something new now & that makes me like this place even more.
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Wendy N.

Yelp
This is a must stop in Portland, ME. Desserts, cocktails, coffee - what else could you want?! Brilliant idea. Comfortable, good vibes, nice, LGBTQ+ friendly environment, warm and cozy. Shout out to our server Shannon O. for being a damn delight. We had 3 items: Chocolate Peppermint Cremeux (the gingerbread micro cake was freaking amazing on it), peanut butter cup profiterole (the pb mousse was outstanding) and the maple crème brûlée. The first two were spectacular, liked the maple crème but wasn't as smooth as a typical vanilla custard. These are top notch desserts!
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Joanna R.

Yelp
We have only gotten take out via "Too Good to Go" and yes, they deserve 5 stars based on our experience. The staff is always prompt and friendly. We are always greeted warmly even though we are getting takeout. They are helpful and willing to answer any questions you may have about their food. Every biscuit, cookie, scone, pastry have been perfect!!! My favorite is the savory "everything" style biscuit with cheese and apricot - WOW - amazing flavor dimensions that satisfy, my desire for savory/sweet/crunch and chew. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT. Their cookies. AMAZING - when I have been lucky enough to get a cookie in my Too Good to Go order, I don't share it. :) I do want to order a proper breakfast sandwich to go at some point. I highly recommend Gross Confection Bar if you are in the area. Please try them, I don' think you will be disappointed if anything on the menu appeals to you. I hope they stay in business for a long long time!
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Greg L.

Yelp
Portland's best desert destination- so many rich delicious choices - get the entourage board (4 items) only if in a large group or if you want to immediately go into a food coma
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Ben E.

Yelp
I have walked by this place so, so many times without the slightest inclination to stop in. That doesn't mean I thought it had a bad reputation or anything; it's just that I don't drink much and personally my sweet tooth always seems satisfied with something low-brow from the gas station... But let me tell you- I wish I had stopped in sooner and I will certainly be back sooner rather than later!! We were there on a Saturday night after dinner time and they were pretty busy. They have tables with umbrellas setup outside, and that was where we opted to sit. Good people watching. We could see the inside from the window and it looked nice but I can't say much about the interior aside from that. My friend and I started out with some hot tea and our other friend had a stout beer from Barreled Souls (lovely little brewery in Saco that you should checkout if you haven't already). Nothing of particular note here but the tea was served with the bag so you could steep it to your own liking which was nice. The stars of the show were, of course, the confections. It is a dessert bar, after all. After bouncing around between the key like panna cotta and the vanilla lemon creme brûlée, I opted for the brûlée. Hands down one of the best desserts I have ever had the pleasure of eating. The top was perfectly charred without even a trace of burnt sugar but with enough structure to give that nice characteristic crack when you go to take the first spoonful. The custard itself had a nice vanilla flavor that was rich and smooth and had the slightest hint of citrus/lemon/acidity tucked in there, too. The raspberries on top were a nice touch but the salted plums were really, really interesting to pair with this dessert. I want this again ASAP. And then my friend got a piece of the chocolate cake with the chocolate pop rocks (yes, really!!). I took a picture of it and I'll look at the menu real quick before I post this so I can appropriately refer to its name. The bite I had was really good but that was all that I had. She seemed to really enjoy it, though, and she doesn't have much of a sweet tooth. I will be back here the next time I'm craving an excellent dessert.
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Barbara A.

Yelp
This is an idea that is sorely missing in major cities. I have been here many times and have always had a good experience. My best friend and I went on a mini mom's weekend. We had dinner earlier in the evening and walked around Old Port. We found that we needed something sweet and a drink. We walked over to this location and were lucky enough not to have to wait. I like being able to share desserts. This is a great concept, and I wish I could find something like this closer to home.
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Anne S.

Yelp
I'm not even really all that into sweets, but I've been to the excellent bakery in the morning and I just love the concept of a niche bar like this, so it was time to give it a try! I took two friends and we proceeded to have the most decadent dinner--yes, we'll just call it "dinner," because we started with the cheese and charcuterie board (savory! and actually we ordered two of them because delicious). We then had a gaggle of insanely sexy and delicious desserts: a lavender panna cotta with a feather-light crisp on top that involved matcha; this thing called the "gross confection mess," which is a fudge cake basically having sex with a bunch of other candy and chocolate and high-end meringue; a crème brûlée but based on a s'more; a pavlova with gorgeous creme/summer fruits/sorbet; something else . . . chocolatey . . . nuts . . . By this time, along with cocktails/Prosecco/wine accompanying each round, I was very, very happily losing my mind from sugar so I can't quite remember the last one, but anyhow: these are all amazing and gorgeously presented. And just a fun experience all around: friendly wait staff and a relaxed vibe (we sat outside). We'll definitely be back!
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Bill Z.

Yelp
I'm just going to say right now, I think the name deals with the fact that you'd enjoy ordering 144 items here (get it?). I had not known about Gross Confection until Boston friends, who knew I'd be in Portland, recommended it. I owe them big time. It's an enjoyable place to visit. The space is rustic and comfortable, and while there I was serenaded by music from acts such as David Bowie, Velvet Underground, Soft Cell and The Cure. Besides their homemade desserts, you can also get charcuterie, cocktails, wines, sherry, and digestifs. If you come early, they have their equivalent of a Happy Hour, where a selection of their small plates confections are half price. That led me to their espresso chai latte mousse accompanied by a porch swing cocktail. Service was as good as their desserts. We were checked on frequently. When your desserts arrive, you get a "backstory" explaining everything that went into the creation of each one. It was also fun to watch the giant dessert boards with the assortments being delivered to other tables and hearing all the "Oohs!" and "Aahs!" from the excited patrons. I wonder how many local restaurants lose out on their own dessert sales because this place exists?
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Gavin L.

Yelp
We stopped here while celebrating our anniversary. The desserts were great, our waiter was fantastic and helped us make choices. We would definitely be back if we lived in the area! Highly recommend!
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Carla Jayne R.

Yelp
After a meal out, we decided to treat ourselves to dessert at Gross Confection Bar. We ordered a coffee and a tea. We also ordered two desserts : an apple crisp creme brûlée and a chocolate coconut cremeux which consisted of pieces of chocolate cake, passion fruit gel, coconut rum cream, coconut cluster, toasted coconut. I love coconut. The brûlée tasted Just like its description: roasted apples, oat crumble topping on top of a creamy custard. Both desserts were delicious and reasonably portioned. We left very full, of course, but not uncomfortable. It was truly a treat and in consideration of our waistlines we probably will only go again on special occasions. If you have a sweet tooth give it a try!
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Lourdes E.

Yelp
Fantastic bakery! The folks are super nice. The bakery cafe is cozy, warm, and plays nice music. Their croissants are the best. They close when they sell out. Get there when you can!
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Rahul R.

Yelp
Not much to say about this place. The dessert pictured below was one of, if not the best, dessert we've ever had. The concept of a sit down dessert place + bar is an option I could have only dreamed for! So many varied options and each was dynamic in its own way (texture, taste, appearance). To die for... We had a banana bread-like cocktail shaken by the creator herself. So friggen' good. Didn't expect to land such a good bunch of bites like this one gave us.
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Monique F.

Yelp
Nothing "gross" in this place.. when we first walked into the place it smelt like Martha Stewart magazine. The woman behind the bar was toasting cinnamon for a creation that they were making. I had homemade hot chocolate will the homemade marshmallow on top one of the best hot chocolate if ever had in my life!! I also ordered the brown sugar-cider panna cotta This desert had so much flavor and texture it was just to die for. The flavors were just on point you could tell that everything was freshly made. When I ever go back up to Portland I will definitely be visiting this place. My co-workers also ordered a couple different deserts and they were just in love with.
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Dianne A.

Yelp
My first visit was a happy visit. We enjoyed Espresso Martinis and PB&J, not the sandwich. The chocolate pudding cake was wonderful although I would have preferred a little more gooey. My only suggestion would be, for a party as large as ours, 8, let the group know the tip is included. Our server ended up with a great tip.
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Michelle O.

Yelp
One of the most unique places I have ever been too! A bar that is all about Dessert!! It was romantic, we were celebrating our anniversary and this was an amazing way to end our evening . Everything was delicious from The Panna cotta to to the gross confection mess! Nothing was over sweet everything was perfectly balanced between sweet and salty and savory! Loved every bite!!!

Gurneet K.

Yelp
It has great menu for both desserts and coffee Very chic and nice ambiance spot Great hospitality and welcoming staff. Worth the visit if you have a sweet tooth and care for good coffee and dessert
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Caleb M.

Yelp
Are you looking for the perfect end to a date night? Are you looking for tasty desserts paired with great cocktails? Then look no further and plan a trip to Gross. Enjoy the date night/candle lit ambiance inside or if warm enough outside enjoy a great time on their patio. Me and my fiancé have been 3-5 times and the drinks and desserts have never disappointed. The only negative is sometimes based off size the cocktails and desserts can be viewed as expensive but if you go in expecting that then no issue. Also the quality of both of these are why the prices are what they are. You can tell how much time and attention they put in to food and drinks. Service has always been welcoming and friendly. No better spot for an end cap of your night than coming here and getting a cocktail and dessert. It seems as though both change quite frequently though which can be a shame when your favorite disappears.
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Melissa W.

Yelp
If signature desserts from Michelin-rated restaurants broke free to escape their ostentatious environments and hang out somewhere with a down-to-earth vibe, that place would be Gross Confection Bar. Skip dinner and treat yourself to a dessert flight. You'll want to sample several of these delicious, gorgeously-plated masterpieces. If you can't finish them, they will carefully place them in separate to-go containers, so you can continue your dessert love fest. The desserts are creative perfection. The textures, the remarkable flavors, even the edible garnishes show the chef's attention to details. From the light-as-air delicately-flavored banana mousse, to the (wow, is that really) goat cheese cheesecake, you'll want to savor every bite. The bartender was friendly, attentive, and helpful. And she told me how the owner fusses over everything in the menu. This includes working with a local artisan coffee roaster to create a bold blend worthy of these desserts. I bought a bag of coffee beans and the owner personally walked it out to me. He even offered to grind it so I could get the best results at home. This place is amazing! .
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Pippa J.

Yelp
Review for bakery only: Absolutely worth a visit to this oddly named gem of a bakery. If the cool setting in a former bank vault building, great service and exceptional baked delights don't draw you I don't know what will. They seem to have a little something for every palette from sweet to savory with at least two gluten-free options. The everything scone with goat cheese and peach is out of this world! It is unlike anything your tastebuds have likely ever encountered. The gf plum almond financier is a tastebud soirée! This is the spot for a morning latte and heavenly baked goods served up with friendly service. NB: they don't take cash, have confusing entrance and a weird name. I get the inside joke but everyone we have told about Gross has required more explaining than should be required. But, with deliciousness like this, the name is a small hurdle.
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Maureen G.

Yelp
We were looking for the perfect ending to our day and saw Gross Confection Bar on Yelp. What could possibly be wrong with an establishment that serves desserts and cocktails, not to mention an array of coffee and teas? The answer: absolutely nothing! The entire experience was wonderful. The hostess was energetic and friendly to the point I want to mention it. And our waitress Shannon, was friendly, outgoing and attentive. She may have a been a month in to her new job, but we certainly would not have known that given the wonderful job she did explaining the desserts to us as they arrived at our table. The only challenge we had was choosing from their menu of devilishly delicious desserts, but as you will see below, we managed to choose. My wife ordered the chocolate and berry cremeux, which was PERFECTLY balanced. Per their menu it is: raspberry / black raspberry / chocolate micro cake / vanilla whipped cream / cocoa nib nougatine. Aka a melding of heavenly flavors that delight and linger upon your palette. My spoon kept wandering to her dish! If her dessert was heaven, mine was a cloud higher. I ordered the dulce de leche mousse. Banana cake / peanut butter / candied peanuts / chocolate ice cream. My wife's spoon was wandering as well and I don't blame her. This is arguably one of the best, if not the best, dessert I or my wife have ever had. The first bite won me as I pulled in a little of each ingredient and experienced the perfect blend of the flavors. The peanut butter mousse was perfectly flavored; there was just enough chocolate ice cream; the banana cake was sectioned into pieces which kept it from being heavy, and the candied peanuts on top were simply scrumptious. When Shannon presented us with the menus, she mentioned that everything was made fresh and that was obvious. Either one of these desserts could have easily been overwhelmed by the ingredients, but they weren't and that was in-part because they were of high quality and because this place is exceedingly skilled. Best of all we didn't walk away feeling we had something heavy or overly sweet, just something totally delicious and satisfying. Not to fear, if you need something to balance the sweets, they also have options for cheeses and charcuterie, together or separate. They state on Yelp that the items and prices listed may not be up to date and we found that to be true. Do be sure to check their website for their current offerings. When we return to Portland, we will definitely come here again to try some of their heavenly creations..
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Janet F.

Yelp
Even if you aren't a fan of sweets, you need to come here. We came here after dinner for something a lil sweet and comforting. Our server who we didn't catch his name, but it's the guy with the skull/ snake tattoo behind his left arm was so incredibly sweet and welcoming! We got the jasmine tea (so beautifully fragrant) Hot chocolate 10/10 run and get this. Even if u don't want dessert, get it because it is the best thing I have had in my life! Sticky toffee pudding 8/10. Creamy rice pudding and crunchy granola. With a warm cardamon cake. The setting is great, it's a really warm and inviting place with nice music. Would come back again when I visit from California

Brent S.

Yelp
Desserts and drinks were amazing, server was very friendly and accomodating. We sat down and orederd about $150 worth of drinks and desserts between four people. The desserts took almost 45 minutes to come out and server apologized twice to us for it taking so long. Finally got our desserts and enjoyed them with friends who were visiting from out of town. We hadn't even finished up our food and the server dropped the check saying "no hurry at all, whenever you are ready". We paid pretty quickly and were finishing up our drinks for probably 20 minutes or so when a person who I assume was the host came over and point blank asked us to leave as they "had a very deep wait". I have worked in the service industry most of my life and have never, nor would I ever tell someone to leave. I'm uncertain why our desserts took almost an hour to come out, but then unapologetically telling us to get out because other people were waiting felt very rude. We happened to walk back by about 10 minutes later on our way to our car and the table was still unoccupied. I am very aware of how restaurants need to turn the tables and waiters make money by turning tables, but we hadn't really been there that long after finishing everything considering it took so long for our dessert to come out. I always try to be courteous and considerate of closing times and the servers abiity to make money by turning tables, but pretty much point blank being asked to leave was insulting.
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Kushal D.

Yelp
This place is so cute and the desserts look amazing! The place has a romantic and upscale vibe. The desserts all looked amazing, as did the drinks. We had been eating all day (because how can you not in Portland?!) so we weren't super hungry. We ordered the Mess and coffees. The dessert was delicious and each component complemented each other well. It was rich so I'm glad we split the piece. Their charcuterie board and dessert boards look AMAZING! But they are huge and would require a few people. We were immediately able to get a seat at 715 on Saturday night and service was great. Definitely worth the try, but it was a bit pricey. You pay for great quality though!
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Manasa A.

Yelp
Great concept.Just desserts and drinks. The bakery was closed by the time we got there. We tried one larger dessert and one small one.The sweetcorn icecream in the dessert was divine. The pineapple upside down cake was yummy. The smaller one was good.The espresso tuille was perfect. Nothing to rave about the service .It was decent.