Category: 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.

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.

Eat Here. Go There. has published a review of El Rayo Cantina.

I’m really looking forward to going back and trying even more things on their menu. And with as many specialty cocktails as they have this could become the regular girl’s night spot.

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.

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.

The Golden Dish has published a review of Flatbread.

The crust, which is not ultra thin, reveals a level of complex texture and robust flavor that I haven’t had elsewhere. The rich crust is fluffy and airy with just enough crispness to satisfy thin-crust pundits.

Map & Menu has published a review of Gorgeous Gelato.

There was one span of time in the last month or so that I happened to find myself at Gorgeous four times in the course of eight days. In fact, we’ve been twice since taking the photos for this post! After each visit, I’m always reminded why I make a point to stop in for a cup nearly each time I find myself in the Old Port – it is, hands down, the most delicious and authentic gelato I’ve tasted since leaving Italy six years ago. Organic, fresh ingredients, natural flavors – what’s not to love?

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Al Huda.

The long coastline of Somalia is at the root of its culture’s many complexities. It is also the source of the strange and wonderful variety of its cuisine. It is a style too rarely on offer in its full splendor here in Maine, which has benefited from an influx of Somali immigrants, and many Somali markets, but few lasting Somali restaurants. The new Al Huda on Morrill’s Corner, next to the Banadir Halal Market, has the potential to change that. This is mostly thanks to its expert preparation of a nice variety of Somali dishes, but also because of the warmth of the welcome one receives there.