Sunday River continues to strive to improve its dining and, although still no culinary capital, the options for good food are improving.

SUNDAY RIVER DINING PAGES

The Phoenix House (824-2222; $$$), opposite South Ridge Base Lodge, adds a significant contribution to that effort with truly fine dining in an expansive arts-and-crafts setting highlighted by floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the ski hill. It specializes in fresh pastas and handcut steaks, as well as a superb New Zealand rack of lamb. Create your own pasta dish from an extensive selection of pastas, sauces and ingredients ranging from pine nuts to Maine lobster. The restaurant is owned by former Sunday River owner Les Otten, and it's in his former slopeside home, so don't be surprised if he's dining at a nearby table. If your budget doesn't allow dining at these prices, try eating downstairs at The Well (824-2222; $–$$), where you'll find a pub menu that includes soups, salads, various stews and grill items including a tuna burger.

Legends (824-3500, ext. 5858; $$$), in the Summit Hotel, ranks next in the mountain’s fine-food realm. Shipyard BrewHaus Restaurant (824-5269; $$–$$$), in the White Cap Lodge, is run by the Portland-based brewery and serves an upscale pub menu that includes cedar-plank salmon, sesame tuna and lamb kabob. Warm up with some of the chili, made with Shipyard beer, or for dessert try the Stout Brownie Fudge Sundae. The restaurant also has a good kids' menu.

Foggy Goggle ($–$$), in the South Ridge base, is packed for lunch, with good reason. The Peak Lodge and Skiing Center ($–$$) at the summit of North Peak, is a popular lunch spot with a giant deck. In the Jordan Grand Hotel, Sliders ($$) is good for lunch, especially for deck dining on sunny spring days.

Opening in 2005 in the Fall Line Condominiums was Gringo Harry’s (824-4000, $$), which earned high marks from locals for its upscale Tex-Mex fare.

The Matterhorn/Great Grizzly American Steakhouse (824-6836) occupies a large, memento-filled barn on Sunday River’s access road. Skiing and climbing artifacts are everywhere, and the bar is constructed from 120 skis. It’s a great place to eat for all ages, and it serves everything from brick-oven-baked pizza and fresh pasta to steak (of course). Tues. through Friday and Sunday nights, you can even get your skis tuned while you eat. On weekend nights, there’s family entertainment; that switches to rock bands around 9:30 p.m. Go early to avoid waiting; this is one very popular spot, and it doesn’t take reservations.

At the base of the access road, the Moose’s Tale (824-3541; $–$$), in the Sunday River Brewing Company, serves okay pub grub and excellent on-premise-brewed ales.

BETHEL CHAMBER DINING PAGES

When it comes to fine dining, it’s a toss-up between Sudbury Inn (824-6558; $$–$$$$) and the  Bethel Inn (824-2175; $$–$$$, above) for best in the region, but the Sudbury usually gets the nod. It recently was recognized by Bon Appetit for Chef Peter Bodwell’s roast duckling with maple strup and wild blueberry glaze; the rack of lamb and cioppino are both excellent, too. Both inns have white-tablecloth dining rooms, but neither is pretentious; well-behaved children are welcome. Reservations are essential.

In Bethel, the Sudbury Inn (824-6558; $$–$$$) and the Bethel Inn (824-2175; $$–$$$, above) serve excellent food in refined dining rooms. Relaxed dining, equally good food and service and a kids’ menu have made chef-owned S.S.Milton (824-2589; $$-$$$) a local favorite.

Settle in for some “gentle dining,” at Cathy diCocco’s Cafe DiCocoa (824-5282; $–-$$). On Saturday nights, it serves authentic, multi-course, fixed price ethnic—usually Mediterranean--dinners; call to see what’s on the menu and for reservations. Just up the street is Cafe DiCocoa’s Marketplace ($), which makes a good breakfast or lunch choice and triples as a scratch bakery with fabulous sweets and gourmet food store with prepared meals. Delicious.

Another source for prepared foods to go, as well as natural and gourmet groceries and—get this—authentic barbecue, is the Good Food Store (824-3754).

The Jolly Drayman at the Briar Lea (877-311-1299 or 824-4714; $–$$) is an authentic English pub and restaurant—how authentic? The owners modeled it on one they had in England. Expect a good selection of brews on tap and single malts, and a jolly-good pub-style menu. Quite a bit larger and more lively is Suds Pub (824-6558, $--$$), downstairs in the Sudbury Inn. Go for family-style pub fare plus: pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, steaks and pizzas and 29 beers on tap, served in a family friendly atmosphere.

Even vegans have a choice in Bethel. Everything served at Taste of Eden (824-8939, $), in the Mountain View Mall, is made from scratch from whole foods. Everything’s terrific, and it’s all very inexpensive, but alas, it’s not open Fridays or Saturdays.

For fabulous, authentic Korean and Japanese food, as well as sushi, head to Cho-Sun  (824-7370; $$–$$$), found in a renovated Victorian house on Main Street. Definitely make reservations on weekends or holidays as this is one deservedly popular place. The small bar in the back is a nice, quiet place to unwind.

Cheap eats and hearty breakfasts keep Crossroads Diner & Deli (824-3673, $), at the intersection of Route 2 and Parkway, just outside downtown, hopping.

Although there’s a small grocery store on-mountain, it’s best to stock up on staples before arriving in Bethel. The Foodliner supermarket on Main Street is a good option for that, as well, and it has a surprisingly nice wine selection.

Dining Legend: $$$$–Entrees $30+; $$$–Entrees $20–$30; $$–$10–$20; $–less than $10