Category: Reviews

Chubby Werewolf has posted a review of the White Cap Grille.

Luckily my #5 burger was much better than the soup. Big and juicy, and accompanied by enough french fries to build a small house with, it looked quite good. Lifting off the top bun, I could see that the kitchen had not skimped on any of the toppings. A layer of melted swiss cheese covered much of the patty, providing a gooey canvas for a robust offering of sautéed mushrooms and onions. At the top of the heap sat two strips of thick-cut bacon. As I cut my dense burger patty in half, I was delighted to see that it was perfectly cooked, with just the right amount of pink inside. That said, I did find that the meat—while wonderfully succulent—was a little bit underseasoned, though the bacon (and a little help from my salt shaker) helped to remedy that.

Little Lad’s received 3½ stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.

The place’s speciality is a vegetarian/vegan buffet, where you can get your fill of soup, bread, vegetables and entrees for just $4.99. And because it’s a ready-to-eat buffet, it’s also an extremely quick place for lunch.

The Examiner has published a review of East End Cupcakes.

But please, don’t just take the baker’s (or this reporter’s) word for it…taste these tesori (treasures!) and find out for yourself. You’ll be hooked. First time at the shop? Try the Chocolate with Salted Caramel Frosting…you will be transported.  Which cupcakes have the Italian Buttercream frosting? If in doubt, you could always ask the nice lady behind the counter, right? Otherwise, if you’re the shy type, the Italian Buttercream is the default frosting (except for the Red Velvet and the Smore’s varieties) for the baker.

Down East has published a review of Petite Jacqueline.

And then there’s the food, which ranges from deceptively simple dishes featuring one star ingredient to classic French preparations including escargots, terrine of foie gras, charcuterie, coq au vin, and moules frites. If your French is rusty, you may need help deciphering a few menu items. Fortunately, Petite Jacqueline’s friendly, knowledgeable servers — wearing the long white aprons of their Parisian counterparts — are happy to provide translation services for those unaware that, say, poireaux is a delicately flavored pool of braised leeks draped in vinaigrette. The wait staff is also up to speed on the heavily French wine list, which includes both house wines by the carafe and an extensive list by the glass and bottle.

Dine in Portland has published reviews of Havana South,

Overall, Havana South is a descent choice on a warm night; with large doors and ample patio space it feels vibrant.  The food is far from aggressively seasoned, which makes it a safe bet for any palate.  The bill, and the end of my lonesome night, was steep but manageable.   It’s not a weekly destination, or even a monthly, but every now and then Havana South will keep me coming back.

and Pho Hanoi.

I tried to compare my view of Pho Hanoi with others online before writing, and was seriously puzzled by less than favorable reviews of this restaurant.  To my knowledge, there is no Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Portland to even make a comparison to.  Pho Hanoi’s dishes are well priced, reasonable portions, and full of flavor.   Best of all, because they are balanced and fresh, there is nothing to feel guilty about.  Admittedly, I’ve felt so “not-guilty” that I’ve made two trips in one day.

Flavor & Zest has published a review of the White Cap Grille.

For a restaurant in Maine, it has the obligatory seafood options (baked Haddock and pan-roasted Salmon) as well as steak dishes, a Chicken confit entrée and a pasta dish. It doesn’t push the bounds of ingredients or try any complex recipes, but holds its own to the various pubs and American-style restaurants in Portland. It has a nice ambiance and versatility, with reasonable prices (lunch for a three with a round of drinks came to around $55) as well as a cocktail menu and bar for a comfortable stop on a night out on the town, although perhaps not the destination.

Food Republic has published their top 10 list of Portland restaurants,

Inevitably when I spot a headline about eating in Portland I click on the link, eager to see which of my favorite restaurants made the cut, only to find that the article is not about Portland, Maine, but rather Portland, Oregon. I’m sure the Oregon Portland is terrific (I’ve never been), but in my book, nothing beats the food scene in New England’s Portland. Let the rivalry begin.

The Exchange Street Cafe received 3½ stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.

Overall, this little cafe is a really nice addition to the Old Port, where it can be tough to get any kind of decent lunch for $10 or less these days. It’s nice to have a place that serves good food at reasonable prices that isn’t some kind of chain. I’ll be back to try the arancini, the panzerotti and more of those amazing meatballs.

If you haven’t tried this little cafe yet, it’s definitely worth a visit. And you can top off your meal with one of their homemade cannolis.

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of The Well in Cape Elizabeth.

Leaving the Well, you have not been burdened with a lesson regarding how one should eat. Instead, you have just had a very pleasant meal in beautiful surroundings, for a reasonable amount of money. If you leave the Well at dusk, just as the bugs descend, you can shoot down to Higgins Beach and watch the sky get orange and the ocean turn purple and inky. There is no lesson there either. The view is, like your meal at the Well, just profoundly pleasant.

The Bollard has published a bar review of Boda.

When I’m at Boda’s bar, I start most evenings with a Thai Basil Tom Collins ($9). It’s a visually attractive drink with a soft, opaque, yellow-green hue, served in a stemless martini glass with bits of the muddled basil dancing throughout. The flavor is nice and round. It fills your palette and leaves a hint of sweetness on your lips…