Edible Obsessions has posted a review of Cobblestones.
Perfectly peppered and tender Pastrami was definitely the star, cut thick and piled generously on the rye. And, c’mon, who in their right mind DOESN’T like Marbled Rye? If that’s you, then you’re no friend of mine. The onions were a bit of a throw away for me, though they did add a nice sweetness against the biting whole grain mustard.
Vin et Grub has posted a review of last month’s Rocky IV Estonian wine dinner at Bresca.
A decadent softened quails egg topped with American caviar was a nice and cool way to start off the evening. Despite the cold serving temperature and it’s slight conflict with the texture of the quail’s egg, I was more than pleased with the dish as a whole. The caviar added the right amount of saltiness and the potato countered that flavor with it’s smokey flavor. The creamed ruby chard was the highlight of the dish in my opinion- beautifully soft, slightly warmed, and borderline ambrosial, I couldn’t have imagined a better way to prepare chard.
Saeng Thai House received 4 stars from a review in today’s Maine Sunday Telegram.
Saeng Thai House is an easily overlooked Portland treasure. The employees are friendly and knowledgeable, and their attention to the smallest details is impressive. Enjoy the food either in the cozy dining room or at home on your couch. If you are craving good-value, fresh-tasting Thai cuisine, start at Saeng Thai House. (And make sure to try the noodles. Barry White is optional.)
From Away has published a review of the Old Port Sea Grill,
At The Old Port Sea Grill, small plates of super fresh seafood reign supreme. The entrees, though we only saw a very limited sampling, seemed uninspired, or maybe too inspired. Too many cooks, perhaps, trying to please too many lonely palates. But you could totally curate a meal from appetizers and such and be happy. I was. Contented, full, flushed and rosy as we left, thinking old Commercial Street is a lovely place to visit.
and the Bowdoin Orient has published a review of Five Fifty-Five.
If you enjoy a good meal, try and make the trip out to Portland; the restaurants are worth it and Five Fifty-Five should be at the top of your list.
Schulte & Herr received 5 stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.
We also ordered one of the most tempting things on the menu: Potato pancakes served with house-cured lox (cured with orange juice, sugar and salt), horseradish sauce, capers, radish and cornichons ($9).
My friend raved over the house-cured lox, which was plentiful on the plate and light on the tongue. The potato pancakes were crispy on the outside without being greasy or overdone, and soft and creamy inside. Paired with a bite of the salmon, a few bits of radish or capers and a smear of the horseradish sauce, these pancakes were a little bit of heaven.
The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Fez.
The menu at Fez actually says “Safari Restaurant” on the front, which perhaps presages a change in name to follow the change in emphasis. A safari is, literally, a long journey, and one gets the sense that this restaurant is still at the beginning of its own journey — in particular away from Moroccan and Mediterranean food and toward East Africa. In the meantime, this early, transitional Fez is worth trying even as they are still getting their legs. Right now it’s BYOB — a nice plus that you usually can only find at new restaurants in Portland. If you bring a bottle of wine and the right attitude, dinner at Fez can be like a safari — pleasing precisely because it is unusual and unpredictable.
Eat Here. Go There. has published a review of Zapoteca.
It was absolutely wonderful. The habanero sauce on top was quite spicy, but nothing a margarita or two couldn’t solve. The roasted pepper was cooked to perfection and I was seriously impressed with the quality of all the ingredients. I would definitely eat that dish again and would recommend it to anyone who has an obsession with relleno, because I have a semi-serious one and it was more than I even hoped it would be.
Cupcakes! Cupcakes! Cupcakes! has published a review of Y-Lime’s Gourmet.
These cupcakes are a testament to the art of the cupcake. It was ridiculously delicious, in addition to being beautiful. Y-Limes is not kidding when they say that they are artisan bakery. I also would like to mention that the owner is really nice. I love it when someone who loves their product, what they do and are also just a genuinely nice person to interact with. Y-Limes Gourmet has become the front runner for the Portland cupcake scene; which is to say a lot, because the competition is becoming quite fierce.
The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Zapoteca.
Zapoteca inherited a brick oven from the previous tenants, and they use it to good effect in their entrées — for example to roast four kinds of enchiladas. We tried a version filled with very tender white chicken and jack cheese. What we liked best about this dish is that they were not afraid to really bring the goopy sauce. In this case it was creamy tomatilla sauce that was a bit like a green-chili stroganoff.
Eat Here. Go There. has published a review of Veranda Noodle Bar.
Overall, I think this is an excellent restaurant. I have never had a bad meal here and constantly tell people that they need to try it. So, now I’ll tell you, if you haven’t been you need to go now. Veranda is the pho king in Portland.