Category: Reviews

Today’s Press Herald includes a review of Gritty’s,

Wow. I just ate the best chicken sandwich of my life.

 Just had to say that right out of the gate while my taste buds are still high-fiving each other in the post-lunch afterglow. Now, where was I? Ah yes, lunch. Since I never seem to remember my carrot and celery sticks to snack on, come lunchtime, I’m typically ravenous and will knock you down should you try and block my access to food.

as well as a bar review of The Thirsty Pig and an article about the upcoming 2nd Annual Portland Brew Festival.

The event includes more than 30 brewers — some of whom will offer mead or cider instead of beer — and more than 75 different drinks, up by about 50 percent in both categories from last year. And while Sprague is offering 24 tickets for 2-ounce pours of beer, attendees are still going to have to make some choices as they wander through the building.

Flavors & More magazine has published an article on their culinary adventures in Portland. The article mentions Local 188, J’s Oyster Bar, Standard Baking, Portland Lobster Company, Two Fat Cats, Eve’s, and The Lobster Shack.

At first glance, Portland, Maine reminds me of a mini Portland Oregon – very few chain restaurants, mostly sustainable kitchens, authentic bakeries and trendy cafes, coffee bars and serious burger joints. Locally-grown ingredients preferred. Guests sit at high tops and couches and almost everyone is sipping local craft beers, a pride factor in this area of Maine.  And yes, the tradition of lobster joints is still abundant and a lesson in how to preserve an honored New England tradition of lunch on the pier.

In lieu of a restaurant review, in today’s Maine Sunday Telegram restaurant critic Nancy Heiser has decided to “highlight a few things that we’ve found particularly noteworthy around the state.”

The cannelloni at Caiola’s, the fried chicken at the East Ender, the “unfailingly gracious service” at Vignola/Cinque Terre, Back Bay Grill and the Sea Grass Bistro, the buttermilk panna cotta at Bresca, and the Red radishes sauteed in duck fat at Bar Lola were all called out in the article.

The Portland Daily Sun has published a survey of six Portland coffee shops: Hilltop, Crema, Arabica, CBD on Washington, Bard and Aurora Provisions.

Traveling, local or otherwise, is not always sunny. You don’t always want to spend quality time with your family at the beach or at the hotel pool. Sometimes you want a friendly place to read the paper and have a little downtime, alone. Portland coffeehouses meet the criteria for cozy, cool and neighborhoody, and here are six of my all-season favorites within shouting distance of downtown.

 

Delta’s in-flight magazine Sky has published some dining highlights for Portland and some more verbose commentary in the Portland Dining Guide. 158 Pickett Street Cafe, Becky’s, Boda, Duckfat, Emilitsa, Five Fifty-Five, Fore Street, Hugo’s, Miyake and Trattoria Athena in Brunswick all are included in the Dining Guide.

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

It definitely speaks to the quality of an experience when a brunch can be dragged out for three and a half hours, and no one seems to bat an eyelash or miss a beat. It’s also a very impressive feat to pull this off in one’s home, as there are bound to be countless elements that need to be improvised to simulate the feel of an actual restaurant and not simply a dinner party. If I weren’t so afraid that a hat would “f[*`#] up” my hair and I actually wore one, it would be off to the Pocket Brunch crew for a job very, very well done.

This month’s topic for the collaborative food blogging project was Second Chances. Everyone was challenged with revisiting an eatery that hadn’t exactly wowed them the first time around. We all have off days, that’s as true of restaurants as it is people, so it only seemed appropriate to give these restaurants a second chance and ourselves a second chance to like them.

As you’ll read below, the results were a partial success. Edible Obsessions was ably to cheerfully report that Grace has undergone a complete turnaround since it’s current chef took charge in the kitchen, Vrai-lean-uh and I, while not enamored with our repeat visits, could see something that people might enjoy, and unfortunately The Blueberry Files confirmed that, despite it’s popularity, Taco Escobarr is just not the place for her.

Edible Obsessions – Grace

We’ve been back a few times since then, eating and enjoying our way through Chef Sueltenfuss’ menu. For us, it’s no longer an overpriced, monolith of a restaurant whose food wouldn’t even pass in restaurants that charged one third of the price. For us, Grace is a new restaurant, completely different than the one I was disappointed with a few years ago. It’s one that we’re more than happy that we gave a second chance to. … read the full article

The Blueberry Files – Taco Escobar

If you’re in the mood for crunchy Tex Mex Taco Tuesday-esque food, go to Amigo’s, where at least you know what you’re in for. If you want good tacos, with interesting fillings and salsa, head across the bridge into South Portland to Taco Trio. … read the full article

Vrai-lean-uh – Sonny’s

All that said, if you’re just looking for a drink and appetizers, I would recommend Sonny’s. Their drinks are very good, the bar is lovely and very appealing. I just wouldn’t go for dinner.… Read the articles on read the full article

For my part in this month’s Second Chances series, I made a return visit to The Farmer’s Table. I’ve heard from a few friends who’s culinary sensibilities I trust that they had really enjoyed meals there. That hadn’t been my experience during the restaurant’s first year but I was open to find things had changed. Unfortunately, I can’t say that the return visit did much to change my perspective. The outdoor decks overlooking Commercial Street don’t have an equal and I enjoyed my wine quite a bit but the food didn’t live up to the view and with so many other excellent eating options in town it didn’t make it into my regular rotation.

Thanh Thanh 2 received 4 stars from the review in the Maine Sunday Telegram.

Although the building facade is not pretty, Thanh Thanh 2 merits a trip to busy Forest Avenue for its welcoming service and authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Each entree is layered with flavor and served in ample proportion for the price, and pho seekers will not be disappointed. Add a cup of fresh coconut juice ($3) to sip on the drive home, and Thanh Thanh 2 makes for excellent takeout.

Bite into Maine has made it onto the Gourmet Live list of Food Truck Favorites Coast to Coast.