The Golden Dish has shared some initial impressions of Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room.
The prices at Harding’s fourth “room” are reasonable, the ambiance enticingly cool and the kitchen is making a compelling statement already. While the restaurant may still be going through a modest spurt of growing pains, it should emerge like the other rooms in Smith’s dining empire: reliably excellent fare that’s served in a stylish setting to a discerning dining public.
Peter Peter Portland Eater has published a review of The Grill Room,
Regardless of your financial situation, you’ll definitely want to go to The Grill Room for the wood-grilled brie. The brie was out-of-this-world delicious and was only $9 by itself. It is very much worth that. Double your bill by having a signature drink and you’ll have an outstanding start to a great night without spending all your dough. If you’ve got more cash to spend and are looking for a special treat, they’ll serve you up a multiple course, tasty meal that will leave you happy and full.
and the Press Herald has published a bar review of Vignola/Cinque Terre.
The expression “you get what you pay for” rings true for Vignola Cinque Terre — but in a good way. Yes, it’s more upscale, and maybe the typical cheaper beer options or happy hour deals aren’t available, but the extra dollars will be spent on service, atmosphere and overall attention to ingredients and detail.
Dispatch has published a review of Wannawaf.
We had the Cheeky Monkey, to which we added peanut butter, and had ourselves a bit of a dessert meltdown. It was amazing. I’m not normally into sweets (I say, as I wreck a package of Wild Berry Skittles), but this was totally worth the sugar buzz.
The Golden Dish has published a review of Bresca and the Honey Bee.
If you’re looking for that little slice of heaven (the way life used to be?) — and exceptional food — then head over to the shores of the sweetest little bathing hole called Outlet Beach where the inimitable Bresca and the Honey Bee has set up shop.
The 207 Foodie has posted reviews of Vignola,
If you’re looking for fresh pasta, with ingredients served straight from the farm (some of the farms used: Olivia’s Garden, Stone Heart Farms, Grand View Farms, among many more) then Vignola is the place to try. I intend to come back for the cheese page, and the Prosecco! Also, come in for their brunch, available Saturdays and Sundays!
and of Pai Men Miyake.
I only wish I had ordered something a little bit more filling. I ordered a Soba dish, with chicken dumplings, egg cured in miso, seaweed and noodles. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy my dish, because I did. I’ve never had a noodle dish quite like it. Obviously Miyake is all about being unique. And perhaps I’d be more satisfied if I tried Miyake on Fore Street, both owned by Chef Masa Miyake.
Sheldoyle has stepped up publication of restaurant photos and mini-commentary on her Flickr dining diary. Recent posts include Black Cat Coffee, The Well and Gather.
The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Outliers.
Outliers Eatery is as good as Portland’s dining scene gets. The atmosphere balances modern austerity with welcoming charm; the location is neighborhood-y with a harbor view. Parking is easy, the staff is professional and charming, and the food is thoughtfully prepared with a balance of freestyle and control. The menu winks at diners with literary sensibilities, but never dips into obnoxiousness.
Peter Peter Portland Eater has published a review of Zapoteca,
Overall, the meal – really a pre-dinner warm-up – was a huge redemption for Zapoteca. The so-so meal I remembered from there became a distant memory and I had a renewed sense of what Zapoteca was all about. The service was very good, the food was much improved, and the atmosphere was fun and inviting.
and The Golden Dish has published a review of In’finiti.
By 8:30 the placed started filling up. It was unclear if people were coming in for drinks or dinner. Either way, In’Finiti is hitting all the right notes ringing in excellent food served in a dramatic space that should be eagerly filled with an adventurous dining public.
Bon Appétit has selected Eventide Oyster Company as one of the 50 Best New Restaurants in America.
In a state where lobster is king, Eventide’s dedication to the oyster is a bold move. The menu lists around 20 different varieties displayed in a massive hunk of Maine granite on the bar. All are offered raw with creative “accouterment” like kim chee ice. There is lobster here too, only Eventide’s lobster roll comes in a Chinese bun and is offered with not just mayo, but a brown butter vinaigrette or hollandaise. The spare, bright dining room relies on the bar around the perimeter, but two picnic tables in the back can accommodate those who’d rather slurp sitting down.
On August 14th, Bon Appétit will be releasing their list of the top 10 as well as their selection for the overall best new restaurant in America.
Eat Maine has published a review of the Small Axe food truck,
…food trucks have been popping up everywhere, offering finger-friendly bites like pizza cones and cup cakes. But in the midst of all this casual fare, Small Axe is serving up something pretty special. Helmed by two of Portland’s top chefs, this truck is making restaurant worthy food available in the middle of a parking lot. Craving a quick bowl of fish curry? Small Axe can make that happen.
The Blueberry Files has published a review of Wannawaf.
So Wannawaf seems to be more for the “stop in with the kids for the afternoon and buy a round of ice cream; get it served over a waffle if you wanna be silly” set. I am not in that set and I don’t know if that will be enough to sustain them in Portland. Time will tell, I guess.
and Peter Peter Portland Eater has published a review of Novare Res.
There’s hardly a better place in Portland to try new libations than Novare Res. With well over a hundred beers, Novare Res is a beer garden for the casual beer enthusiast all the way to the most serious of beer connoisseurs.
Foodie Journey has published a review of the lobster rolls at Red’s, Bite into Maine and Eventide.
My favorite? It’s a tie between Bite Into Maine and Eventide. But I wouldn’t turn down Red’s. It all comes down to the type of lobster roll and experience[sic]