Review of Crooked Mile Cafe

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Map & Menu has published a review of The Crooked Mile Cafe.

In cliche food blogger parlance, it was love at first bite. Serving up a variety of sandwiches, wraps, soups, and salads from their blackboard wall menus, and always with one or two tasty daily specials, The Crooked Mile is typically easy enough to pick out, just by the line of people out its front door.

Photograph courtesy of Map & Menu.

Review of Sonny’s

What’s the Soup has published a review of Sonny’s.

We were brought the two soups of the night, a vegetarian Harira, a Moroccan style chickpea stew and…The chickpea stew was outstanding! It had layer upon layer of flavor. The base of the soup is onions, tomatoes, and garlic brightened up with golden raisins, apricots, sweet potato, red lentils, and coconut milk. It gets spiced with cumin, paprika, and coriander and cardamom that lends a perfume essence to the stew.

Reviews of The Front Room, Sweet Marguerites and Vignola/Cinque Terre

Eat Maine has published a review of The Front Room.

I came looking for a comforting meal, and the Front Room delivered. The service adds to the experience, and I leave happy and full. Now I know where to go for French onion soup and other cold weather comfort food. The Front Room provides friendly, genuine service and a warm, hearty meal. Surprisingly, I’m looking forward to a few more winter storms.

Map & Menu has published a review of Sweet Marguerites.

I decided to make a morning out of it by bringing along a couple of magazines to read while sipping my cup of hot chocolate. Having tried the salted caramel last time, I decided to go with the traditional chocolate. Both variations are deliciously creamy & rich enough that you want to slowly savor your cup. I’m honestly not sure of a better pick-me-up for a dreary winter day!

The Golden Dish has published a review of Vignola/Cinque Terre.

What more can I say other than Vignola Cinque Terre remains a superb dining venue in Portland, a tour de force that deserves, without reservation, all the accolades that one can muster.

Review of Local 188

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Local 188.

Local 188’s menu is thoughtful, balanced and keyed in to the unique desires of Portland foodie types — and has been true to this concept since 1999. Its hipster reputation is not a mandate, just a nod to the area’s upwardly mobile young culture. The restaurant serves excellent food in a gallery atmosphere that features work by local artists. With this mix of art and cuisine, it is a terrific neighborhood spot for a drink, a snack or a full-on dinner date. Meat-free options are plentiful.

Review of Zen Chinese Bistro

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Zen Chinese Bistro.

Zen the concept is not about transcendence, but rather about deepening the quality of our worldly presence. Zen the Chinese Bistro is not exactly transcendent, but it does enhance the quality of Chinese cuisine in Portland. The menu does not veer far from the beaten path of Americanized-Chinese, but it executes those classic dishes well, with fresh ingredients. That is enough to put Zen among the upper tier of Chinese restaurants in town.