Category: Reviews

The Golden Dish has published a review of Blue Spoon.

For a main course I chose what’s known as chicken under a brick and my partner had the seafood stew. My last encounter with this preparation occurred recently at the uninspiring Macaroni Grill. Needless to say the two interpretations are worlds apart. Blue Spoon’s take reveals beautifully seasoned and extremely moist white and dark meat served over a mass of seared Brussels sprouts with addictively delicious caramelized fingerlings. But the real prize is the resounding bacon and mustard sauce that elevates this dish to a higher realm indeed.

Joe Ricchio has written a review of Harmon’s Lunch for Maine magazine’s blog.

I don’t think I’m alone when I say that very few things satisfy the soul like a great burger, and Harmon’s Lunch has stood the test of time by consistently offering one of Maine’s best.

Who needs Happy Meal toys, anyway?

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Marcy’s.

The sausage at Marcy’s is a step up from the typical chewy diner links — you get something fatter, more tender, and less bluntly salty. The new owners have also upgraded the bacon, which is thicker and has a better mouthfeel. “Homefries” are really hashbrowns of the simple shredded potato variety — a big pile whose brief time on the grill imparts every possible potato texture — from soft and tender to hard and crisp. French toast is simply and nicely done, with a flavor more eggy than sweet. Either the French toast or big fluffy pancakes can be included with your egg breakfast to create a huge meal for less than seven bucks.

Eat Here. Go There. has published a review of Sonny’s.

Sonny’s turned out to be a great double-date night spot. The striking red brick walls are loaded with big, bold art, while the bold and colorful flavors were served up on bright white plates. The ambiance is superb, and the service is fantastic. This is an upscale establishment, but it doesn’t feel stuffy in the least. The wait staff is alternatively clad lending even more depth to the vibrant and eclectic atmosphere of the space. If you haven’t gone yet, GO! If you don’t like the food order another cocktail. If you don’t like the cocktails, you should probably just move out of the state.

The resident food bloggers at Down East and Maine magazine have coincidentally both published reviews of El Rayo Cantina today. Joe Ricchio writes for Maine that,

Though I rarely encounter deviled eggs that I don’t like, the Cantina’s version are pickled with hibiscus, giving them a brilliant magenta coloring and providing a nice amount of tangy acidity to compliment the rich, creamy yolks. These would pair up brilliantly with a glass of mellow Anejo tequila such as Don Julio 1942.

and reflecting on the same dish John Golden writes in his blog The Golden Dish,

I also loved the deviled eggs, colored from its pickling process in hibiscus. The lighting is low in the room, and the egg whites looked brownish, but in bright light one would have seen that it had red hues.

The Press Herald has published a bar review of Mesa Verde,

Located in Portland’s arts district, Mesa Verde would be easy to miss while walking down Congress Street because it blends into the block of buildings. But it’s the ideal place to swing by for happy hour or before a show at the State Theatre.

The Portland Phoenix has published a review contrasting sausage and beer options available The Thirsty Pig and Novare Res,

Overall the Thirsty Pig gets recession-era beer and sausage right. It’s a space for those truly in need of escape from life’s unpleasant realities. Novare Res, opened in pre-recession 2008, has a different feel.

and Breaking Bread with Joe & Kate has reviewed lunch at The Salt Exchange.

To sum it up: We loved our Valentine’s Day lunch date, the meal, the service and the overall experience we had at The Salt Exchange once again!  …And on Valentine’s Day, isn’t it all about the love?

Silly’s with a Twist has received 4½ stars from the review in today’s Maine Sunday Telegram.

From its roots as a walk-up counter wrap joint to its current incarnation as maybe the most unique casual dining experience in Greater Portland — most lately with an expansion into the building next door — the Kelleys have created something to be proud of. And it goes the other way too — we are proud of them.

Portland Magazine has published a review of Sabor Latino.

Everything here tastes as if you’re feasting in a private, welcoming home, so expectations may not be met if you arrive looking for ubiquitous Tex-Mex flavors. The Burrito Supreme ($6.99) is chock-full of tender chunks of beef, beans, cheese, and gorgeous guacamole. Wrapped in an exquisitely browned, light, and tasty flour tortilla, the Chicken Quesadilla ($9.50) lingers in your mind long after that first bite. The fresh cheese deepens the sensation, along with the tender chicken. The Salvadorian sour cream’s richness adds to the whole experience.

Joe Ricchio has written a dinner review of Hot Suppa for the Maine magazine blog.

The barbeque platter is the first entree to arrive, piled up with hickory-smoked pork ribs and pulled pork, as well as mesquite-smoked brisket. The meat immediately falls of the rib bones, and the best way I can describe the meltingly tender pulled pork and brisket is to call it “meat candy.” A plethora of sides include braised collard greens to aid digestion, tender sweet potato fries, and two wedges of crispy skillet corn bread, slathered with a liberal dollop of whipped butter melting down the sides.

And in his alter ego as the on-air personality for Food Coma TV, Joe has compiled a Valentine’s Day video of Portland “waiters and waitresses to shar[ing] their least favorite, experiences waiting on couples“.

The Press Herald has published reviews of Styxx,

I tried both my friend’s drinks, and the Spree did indeed taste like the candy, but the Grape Crush tasted more like grape Dimetapp to me than the soda. I think I’ve mentioned before that I’m not a huge fan of fruity drinks, so that skews my impression.

and Terra Cotta Pasta.

I chose the sweet potato-butternut squash ravioli, which came tossed with dried cranberries and candied nuts. There was a light covering of a white sauce, which I assume was probably their maple-cream sauce. If you haven’t tried this yet, you are missing something really delicious.