Category: Reviews

Three Sheets Manufacturing has put together a set of recommendations selected from among the more established cocktail destinations in town.

I’m often asked where to go for a great cocktail in Portland, or where I go for drinks. I realize that the answer is increasingly varied depending on the fix I’m after. We thought it would be a good exercise to start cataloging those locations and what to get while you’re there. So, to start, Portland Comfort Classics… The places that I’ve had on my radar for at least a few years for whatever it is they do well.

They plan on posting another set recommendations that highlight best bets among the newer spots in town.

The Golden Dish has published the first review of Enio’s, the new Italian restaurant in Willard’s Square.

Greater Portland is seeing many new—and good—restaurants open, instantly crowded and popular. Enio’s, however, is a long-term keeper, one which should not be missed.

Serious Eats has published a review of Duckfat which focused on the newer items on the menu.

That’s not to say fried food is all the Old Port cafe offers, but it’s what they take most seriously and what they’ve always done best. Lately, however, the menu’s grown, attracting patrons looking for both guilty and (relatively) guiltless pleasures alike. I went in for the latter.

Samuel’s, Ruski’s, The Dogfish Cafe and Duckfat all made Dispatch magazine’s short list of the best grilled cheese sandwiches in town.

On crappy days like today, nothing hits the spot like some delicious tomato soup, paired with the easiest, cheesiest sammy of all time: the Grilled Cheese sandwich. Straight-up, I’m salivating just thinking about how good that sounds. So I put together a round up of the best places to get a grilled cheese in Portland, so that you can satisfy your craving for an all-American afternoon snack.

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Kushiya Benkay.

But just as it is common for a Japanese family to engage in a Buddhist ritual in the morning and a Shinto ritual in the afternoon, and not worry about conflicting doctrines in the least, Kushiya Benkay manages to engage in a bit of trendiness and a bit of silliness, without becoming trendy or silly. In fact at Kushiya Benkay the essentials of Japanese dining — warm service, a handsome space, and simple cuisine — blend together modestly and seamlessly.

Wines; Tasted! has published a review of In’finiti.

Infiniti raises the bar and you should check it out.  Check it out before this summer when the patio opens and it will get really crazy.  Plus they’re open for lunch all afternoon so you have the opportunity to get in there before it gets busy and appreciate the space.  They’ve built themselves some big shoes and are now going to have to figure out how to fill them, but so far it’s promising and I’m expecting impressive things.

Map & Menu has published a review of Gather.

Throughout our meal, we couldn’t help talking about how amazing a place like Gather would be in our own neighborhood and how clearly envious we were that Yarmouth gets to play home to this tasty gem. I’m already looking forward to our next meal at Gather, and all of the exclamation marks I’ll be able to use on the subsequent review!

Photo Credit: Map & Menu

The USM Free Press has published a Top 5 Vegan Must Eats list for Portland. Silly’s, Green Elephant, Local Sprouts, Little Lad’s and Kamasouptra all made the cut.

Maine magazine has posted online their review of David’s Opus Ten which appeared in the April issue.

My faith in [chef David] Turin has been justified time and time again, with every bite leaving me in excited anticipation of what may be coming next. The meal is an incredible sensory experience, with Turin’s bold signature flavors becoming even more intense in smaller preparations.

The Bollard has published a bar review of Spread.

My first impression of Spread came via their website, which claims the restaurant is founded on “a simple idea … [p]roviding a bustling, cozy, inviting eating space with great energy built around beautiful art and ambiance.” This makes it sound like Spread is a small, intimate place, not the sort of establishment one would expect in the sprawling area it occupies at 100 Commercial St. Surprisingly, they manage to live up to those claims.

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of David’s Opus Ten.

For a special occasion or for diners who have a few hours to savor and linger, this concept piece of a restaurant within a restaurant flexes its way (rightly so) into Portland’s fine dining scene. Owner David Turin and chef Bo Byrne get the details right, and there is much to love in this tucked-away spot.