Category: Reviews

Need advice on where to eat out today? Social Cureats may have the answer for you. The site has created a list of Portland restaurant recommendations, each tied to a specific Myers-Briggs personality type. For those that don’t know their INTJ from an ESFP the blog links to a site where you can do a self evaluation.

The Mastermind (INTJ)
You’re wicked innovative and enjoy formulating strategies to solve problems.  You have seriously high standards, both for yourself and for others, and you’re not interested in dealing with people who you don’t see as your intellectual equal.  You are, however,  interested in constantly improving yourself and learning more about everything, and you like in-depth rather than superficial involvement with things.  Your Portland restaurant would have to be 555.  Go for the $60 tasting menu, which changes daily, and let your taste buds and neurons be tantalized as you analyze the bizarre and delicious flavor combinations, and muse over how the mousse, foam or gel on your plate was created.

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Tandoor.

Tandoor is not haute cuisine, nor is it fusion of the month. Are there other Indian restaurants using ingredients with more subtle, layered flavors and more delicate preparations? For sure. But Tandoor delivers what it promises, and has done so for years: No-frills, consistent, tasty comfort standards in a fun space. I hope it continues to do so for many years to come.

Portland Magazine has published a review of Schulte & Herr.

We tip Saturday night on end with sips of  the Gerwurtztraminer we couldn’t resist bringing (for now, it is BYOB here, with a full bar under consideration). The wine’s light citrus flavors  complement our appetizers: Zwiebelkuchen–a caramelized onion and gruyère tart ($5), and smoked trout ($7). More like a quiche in texture, with an amazing custard-like filling, the tart is a knockout. The trout’s flavors hit a perfect harmony with accompanying arugula, tiny slivers of radish, crisp pickled beets, and potato slices, flavorfully dressed.

Dispatch has published a review of Petite Jacqueline,

All in all, Petite Jacqueline had a great atmosphere; the lighting was romantic enough, but not too much (I didn’t get the sense that someone was going to pop out of the corner and propose to me). The staff was very friendly, willing to help—and let’s not forget they were dressed the part in their matching, striped Francophile shirts. The wine choice was perfect, and the food even more so. I would absolutely recommend Petite Jacqueline to anyone and on any night of the week.

The Blueberry Files has published a review of a happy hour visit to Hot Suppa, and the article includes details from a follow-on visit to Otto’s new bar on opening night,

The poutine was the star of the show, with crispy fries that yielded to a potato moosh under the hearty gravy and stringy cheese curds. I could have eaten another plate of this, although I would have regretted it, since it was very rich. 

The Golden Dish has published a review of Pai Men Miyake.

Though we enjoyed our dinner it was hardly restorative at $150 for two. Our waitress might have warned that such a repetitive tasting menu for two was just too many skewers of meat without enough variety.  The appetizers were more interesting and satisfying.  And a few a la carte selections from the yakitori list fortified by the wealth of small courses would have given us the brilliance of Masa’s cooking that we hoped to have.

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Gather.

CNN has included Duckfat on their list of the Best French fries in the U.S.

When it comes to delivering the perfect fry, it’s all in the name at this Portland sandwich shop. The locally sourced potatoes are twice fried in a healthy coating of duck fat that results in a crunchy exterior but leaves each fry’s interior fresh and tender. They’re then served in paper cones with a handful of specially made dips like smoked mussel mayo and chopped egg and caper mayo. Being close to Canada, Duckfat also offers its own version of poutine, topping those same crispy fries with a heaping of local cheese curd and house-made duck gravy.

WLBZ checked in with chef/owner Rob Evans to get his reaction.

For additional commentary and reporting see Culture Shock.

The Golden Dish has gone in search of the best hash in Portland.

I love good corned beef hash and eggs with all the fixings. So, several weeks ago I set out to see which Portland restaurant makes the best version of this classic American breakfast and brunch staple.

Food Coma has published a review of the November Pocket Brunch.

So that must be what keeps the critical mass of Pocket Brunch growing, the desire to experience a one day only performance by a group of cooks, dishing out material straight from the heart. This is something no mere restaurant could ever offer, either to its customers or the men and women that work the line.

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Gather.

Surround yourself with warmth, energy, company and very good food at Gather, whose purpose is to offer healthy, locally sourced and deliciously prepared food so that people of all ages and many incomes can partake. The restaurant succeeds admirably. You may not gush, but you’ll certainly enjoy.

The Golden Dish has published a review of Hot Suppa.

Places like Hot Suppa serve the kind of food that I go for in a big way: hearty down-home fare that when it’s done with care and cunning can be a soul-satisfying experience. But when the pageantry of such comfort grub goes awry, the allure is short-lived.

In other words, I’ve had two lackluster meals at Hot Suppa recently when my expectations were set so high.