Category: Reviews

Map & Menu has posted a photo-infused review of Grace,

Our drinks, the Revelation and the Afterglow, were deliciously prepared and aptly named, and our first courses of Butternut Squash Ravioli for myself and a Bourbon Soaked Pear Salad for Meredith were seasonal and delicious. The puns are too easy for this post, so I’ll let it suffice to say that our entrees, my Giannone Farms Chicken and her Sweet Potato Pierogi, were simply divine.

the Bangor Daily News has published a review of Pai Men Miyake,

The relaxed atmosphere and affordable, top-notch food found at Pai Men Miyake has made it my go-to dinner spot in Portland. Ramen is one of the world’s great comfort foods, and fortunately, there’s a place to find it here in Maine.

and out of town blogger To Markt To Markt has posted a review of Bresca as well as commentary about Duckfat, Scratch, Rosemont and others.

The farm-fresh ingredients were celebrated on each dish: their flavors, shapes, and colors were enhanced and combined in a way that demonstrated the chef’s appreciation for their naturalness. The plates themselves were beautiful. Each and every component exemplified the owner’s unassuming tastes and her unabashed love and passion for her small but meaningful contribution to Portland’s restaurant scene, obviously appreciated by diners from near and far.

Photo Credit: Map & Menu

Food Coma has published a review of the latest edition of Pocket Brunch. The event took place earlier this month at Broadturn Farm.

Shortly after, the “pre-meal” snacks begin to appear, starting with beet red velvet muffins, frosted with goat cheese and topped with candied walnuts. These are probably some of the best muffins I’ve tasted in a very long time, with the cake itself being ultra-moist and perfectly complimented by the tangy frosting. Next are the apple cider donuts that I had been clamoring for, each filled with a dollop of candied apples. Lastly, as is tradition, we are presented with brimming chalices of “pocket bacon,” which in this case tastes as if it may have been lightly candied also. Someone once referred to this as “Like dog treats, but for adults,” and I would be hard-pressed to argue.

Tickets for the November edition of Pocket Brunch are now on sale. The event will feature French Canadian fare produced in collaboration with guest chef Nate Nadeau.

Food Coma has published the results of the 4th Annual Pumpkin  Beer Tasting.

Because we are masochists, and it’s very important to understand your enemy, we put ourselves through this tasting ordeal each year. This time we have managed to up the number of “offerings” to a whopping twenty five, after trudging our way through what we perceived to be an excruciating sixteen last year. As a special gift to the group, I have eliminated both the ill-fated “aged pumpkin” and “blueberry” categories for good.

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Dobra Tea and Homegrown Herb & Tea.

…But Portland has lucked into two very good teahouses, which soothe in very different ways: Dobra bringing international ritual to Maine, and Homegrown’s one-of-a-kind spirit very much living up to its name.

Feed the Monster has published a review of Hugo’s.

Renowned as the best Portland has to offer, Hugo’s is the spot to experience exquisite degustation menus of six or eight courses of locally sourced and nearly one hundred percent organic ingredients along with wonderful boutique wine pairings.

Serious Eats has published a review of Bard Coffee.

The baristas on staff were more than happy to geek out with me about brewing styles (“We live for this stuff, this is what we do.”), and are committed, enthusiastic professionals. Bard proudly hosts monthly latte-art competitions to benefit Coffee Kids, and is one of a few small-but-mighty coffee companies encouraging improvements in the local bean scene by leaps and bounds. Despite (or perhaps because of?) its cafe being directly across the street from a Starbucks, Bard has become a community staple in Portland’s historic district—a testament to the coffee as well as to the people behind it.

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Kushiya Benkay.

For a softly lit date night that’s a bit different, a wee-hours snack or a protein-lover’s lunch that won’t break the bank, Kushiya Benkay’s menu is tough to beat. Built on the reputation and strength of Portland sushi standard bearer Benkay, this newest niche endeavor is a terrific addition to the local dining roster.

 

Washington Post editor Joe Yonan has written about a visit to Portland eating and drinking at  Micucci’s, Urban Farm Fermentory, Eventide and Bresca.

Maybe there’s something in the sea air that gets to you, that fills you with Maine pride. I’ve heard more than one Mainer say with confidence that Portland’s food scene is better than Boston’s, for instance, and I’ve always (politely) scoffed. But I’ve been in the state for the better part of a year, and I’m starting to see their point. If nothing else, I think of it this way: If little Portland were plunked down in the middle of Boston, it would be a food lover’s destination. And I’d head there for dinner — or lunch, or pre-dinner oysters, or mid-morning pastries, or a macchiato — anytime.

Yonan has been spending a year in Maine and is occasionally blogging about on his website.