Category: Reviews

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.

Rebecca Crump from Ezra Pound Cake has posted a list of her 8 favorite things to eat in Maine.

We toured farms and bakeries, talked to chefs and seafood industry experts, and I had some of the best meals of my life. (Thanks, Sharon!) So, if someone asks you to come to Maine, say yes, kiss them on the mouth, and dig into some of these delicious things:

Rebecca was in Maine this Summer as part of a food blogger tour arranged by Delicious Musings.

Eat Maine has published the first review of Gather.

I finish the meal feeling comforted and full, and I know that this is more than just a new restaurant—it’s a place for friends and families to share a meal, a conversation, a bottle of wine. It’s the place to go for a homemade meal when you have no time to cook. It’s a place to congregate after a sporting event, a school board meeting, and a long day at the office. With a seasonal, locally focused menu, I know I’ll be back with my friends and family to experience this sense of community again and again.