Category: 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.

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.

Instant Portland has published a review of Pie in the Sky.

Of course, what’s on top of the pizza is as important as the crust, and in this area Pizza in the Sky does not fall short either. We picked up a split pizza – basic peperoni on one side (to satisfy the five year old) and Bacon Mushroom Chevre on the other (to satisfy the dad). Both sides were piled high with toppings

As a second act to last month’s chowder reviews, the O-Rama group has put their focus in April on reviewing some of the better soup options in town.

Eat Here, Go There – Aroma

Mulligatawny is a curry-flavored lentil soup. The soup at Aroma has a rich green color and is a really nice blend of spicy and salty. Everyone tasted it and agreed—it was a clear winner. I would definitely order this again. It was well-balanced and the kick after you swallow only added to the depth of its flavors.… read the full article

Edible Obsessions – Schulte & Herr

I can tell you, without doubt or hesitation, that it tastes as good as it looks. You may not have a tendency to crave a warm soup on an equally warm day, but this may have you thinking a bit different. The broth, with all of its chunky, meaty goodness, is surprisingly light in both texture and flavor and a far cry from the cold weather gruel one mentally associates with Borscht.… read the full article

Instant Portland – Kamasouptra

soup isn’t just fall and winter food. Sure, a nice bowl of soup can warm you from your nose to your toes on a blustery day, but one of the joys of visiting Kamasouptra is that their menu changes daily. Whatever the weather outside, they offer a flavor of soup to satisfy your hunger and also (if I may be so bold) feed your soul. As the name implies, they love soup, and their love shows in their final product.… read the full article

The Blueberry Files – Thanh Thanh 2

Too frequently, soup at a restaurant is over salted to make up for a lack of complex flavors, and it’s rare that you find a soup that makes you stop and wonder how they got so much flavor into one spoonful. But this pho, with its layered base of stock, variety of ingredients, and hearty flavor is a soup that is beyond my culinary grasp and kept me guessing between slurps. … read the full article

Vrai-lean-uh – Duckfat

And their tomato fennel drizzled with basic oil is fantastic. It is the soup that makes me disappointed when I make tomato soups, because they are never as good. The roasted fennel flavor is clear but not overpowering and matches the tomato perfectly. It is wonderful. You should order it.… read the full article

As for my recommendations I’d suggest you give the soup at Cobblestones a try. I had the Beef and Barley a few months ago and have been making regular trips back to sample their menu ever since.

Map & Menu has published a review of Paciarino.

There are a few Italian-inspired restaurants in Portland that we’ll always love, but we both agreed that the food at Paciarino just felt more Italian than that of any other restaurant in town. The ingredients are simple, wholesome, and fresh, which, in my mind, only further supports Paciarino’s authentic Italian cuisine and motto: ‘Eat well… live long.’