Category: Reviews

Review of Katie Made and Big Claw Pilsner

| Posted in Reviews, Beer

The Press Herald has published a review of Katie Made.

While all three pulled at my heart — and stomach — strings, I went with the Cuban. Two words: Muy delicioso! Seriously. From the perfectly heated roll to the fresh pork and tangy mustard, I was in sandwich heaven. I forced myself not to devour it in a frantic feeding frenzy and enjoyed every morsel, pausing to recognize the individual merits of the pickles and the ham.

Also in today’s paper is an article about Big Claw Pilsner from Bull Jagger.

Lagers have a bad reputation in America, and Pilsners are the lagers most people think they know. Most watery, fizzy American beers pretend to be Pilsners.

Bull Jagger Brewing Co., which introduced its first beer in October, is working to redeem the reputation of lagers. Its Big Claw Pilsner — which appeared on store shelves last week — continues that effort.

Review of Pepperclub

| Posted in Reviews

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Pepperclub.

Find satisfying and globally inspired entrees of all sorts at Pepperclub, a good choice for vegetarians and gluten-sensitive individuals as well as couples or groups with a mix of eating styles. For the most part, the food — seafood, meat, vegetarian and vegan — is ample and interesting, with diverse flavors. The restaurant has a comfortable, bohemian vibe.

Review & Update on Vignola/Cinque Terre

| Posted in Reviews

The Golden Dish has published an update on the recent merger of Vignola & Cinque Terre and a review of the new entity.

Portland diners have not lost a restaurant in this merger. Instead we’ve gained from a pairing of equals that keeps this former twosome unified into one great dining venue, which I am not shy to proclaim offers the best Italian fare north of Boston.

Review of The Holy Donut

| Posted in Reviews

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of The Holy Donut.

The whole experience sort of pulls you one step out of the traditional simple experience of eating doughnuts, and it’s pretty pleasant out there. They manage to make their unusual flavors distinct, but subtle enough that the doughnut never turns into a sugary cartoon of the flavor it is supposed to represent. A sweet potato ginger had a sort of ambiguous spiciness, and the pomegranate a pleasant tang of fruit. The pistachio has plenty of nuts (allergic types, you’ve been warned). Only the lemon disappointed a bit — seeming a bit candied rather than genuinely sour.

Review of Local Sprouts

| Posted in Reviews

Edible Obsessions has published a review of Local Sprouts.

The staff was kind, patient and attentive amongst the organized chaos that we created at the counter and the weeds we threw the kitchen into.  They were more than helpful in asking if we needed anything while setting up and didn’t rush us out when we kept them past closing. They made us feel like every member of our group, even those of us who were there for the first time, was part of their cozy cooperative family. And it’s that vibe, but more so the food, that will bring us back again and again.

Stavros Pizzeria, Slainte, Allagash Cookbook, City Food Council

| Posted in General News, Reviews, Beer

Today’s Press Herald includes a review of Stavros Pizzeria,

I quickly fell in love with the Greek pizza, a veggie pie topped with feta cheese, Greek olives, fresh tomatoes, spinach, a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and the restaurant’s own “special sauce.”

a bar review of Slainte,

So when I opened the drink menu at Slainte Wine Bar & Lounge in Portland and saw offerings like Oatmeal Cookie, Crocodile and Monument Square, I knew this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill place.

an article about an upcoming cook book collaboration between Allagash and chef James Simkins,

James Simpkins, who spent some time in Portland as a chef with the now defunct Quimby Colony, worked last week in Rye, N.H., creating recipes to go with different beers from the Portland brewer.

“I thought and (Allagash founder) Rob Tod thought that we should not cook with the beer that much,” Simpkins said in a telephone interview. “There are only a handful of recipes out of the 50 in the book that use beer in the recipe.

and a report on plans to create a food policy committee.

The city is rolling in accolades for its foodie culture, but residents often feel left out of food policy discussions.

To help correct this problem, Mayor Michael Brennan is spearheading an effort to give residents and business owners a formal voice in food policy. By June, Brennan intends to present a proposal for the formation of a food policy committee that will address all food-related issues in the city.

Reviews of Caiola’s & Plush West End

| Posted in Reviews

Map & Menu has published a brunch review of Caiola’s,

It’s hard to beat a dinner at Caiola’s, in Portland’s West End, but for this morning meal junkie, the Sunday brunch just might do the trick. While a meal and live music on the back patio might be a great way to spend a warm summer evening, nothing wakes you up and warms you up on a drizzly, Maine spring morning quite like a plate of the Warm Lost Bread (more about that in a minute) or any other item on the menu for that matter.

and The Bollard has published a bar review of Plush West End.

The first cocktail I tried was the Prickly Pear Margarita, a deep red concoction with a Herradura Silver Tequila base and granulated sugar around the rim. It also contains Cointreau, prickly pear puree and a squeeze of fresh lime. The drink started thin, with the tequila riding the roof of my mouth and only the sugar to balance the agave. But as I pushed through, the Cointreau began to emerge, and by the last sip the lime found its place. Though all the flavors eventually arrived, the drink seemed too heavy on the tequila. A lighter pour would have helped the other flavors shine.

Maine Mag: Schulte & Herr and Portland Lunch Spots

| Posted in Reviews

The May issue of Maine magazine arrived in my mailbox this week. It includes a review of Schulte & Herr.

Despite the unassuming location and decor, the restaurant serves up some of the best food in Portland. The dining room, in a very short time, already feels lived in, comfortable and familiar, and the BYOB option only heightens the feeling of being welcomed into somebody’s home.

Also in the May issue is a survey of Portland lunch spots.

Neither article is online yet but you should be able to find a print copy at your local newsstand or bookstore.