The Bollard has published a review of the lobster takeout at Three Sons,
There’s nothing quaint about Three Sons. You can get fancier fare in a more stylish setting almost anywhere else in town, but there’s nowhere more affordable and authentic.
Category: Reviews
Boston Food Bloggers
Summer is tourist season in Maine, food bloggers from away that make a trip to our state often write about their eating adventures.
Recently two Boston area food bloggers, Delicious Dishing and A Slice of Earthly Delight, have been posting write ups on their eating experiences in Portland at: Bar of Chocolate Cafe, Boda, Brian Boru, District, Duckfat, The Corner Room, The Lobster Shack, and Walter’s.
Eating Recommendations for a Long Weekend
From Away has published a 3-day eating itinerary for Portland in response to request from one of their readers,
It got us thinking about what we would do if we were limited to eating every single meal out, during a long weekend visiting Portland. We’re going to assume just four things: That you have access to a car (because frankly, we’re not sure how you would get from the bridge in Kittery to Portland without one), that you’ve got plenty of time to get from one restaurant to the next, that you want to stick close to Portland (though this limits your lobster roll options somewhat), and finally, that you have a very healthy appetite.
Review of the Exchange Street Cafe
The Portland Maine Gazette has published a review of the Exchange Street Cafe.
Our impression is that the owners have managed to capture the ambiance and essence of a good little North End Italian style eatery, and coupled it with Portland’s culinary sense and style.
Review of Zapoteca
From Away has published a review of Zapoteca.
The inevitable success of Zapoteca spells the end of careless, cartoonish, bottomless-margarita kid-friendly Mexican cuisine in Maine. Each dish we tried included an unexpectedly sophisticated, delicious surprise, whether it was in the use of additional ingredients, or in the different way those ingredients were assembled and presented. Ultimately, where Zapoteca succeeds most completely is in its dedication to authentic ingredients, with clever twists and spins that don’t take each dish outside the realm of what it essentially is.
Review of The Wine Bar/Taco Bar
The Bollard has published a review of The Wine Bar in its guise as an afternoon summertime taco bar.
Comfy and cool, sophisticated yet unpretentious, The Wine Bar has been a refuge from the bachelorette madness of Wharf Street for many years. Earlier this summer, the nocturnal lounge began opening most weekdays for cheap lunch, providing refuge from the factory-burger madness of Five Guys. Tuesday through Friday afternoons, The Wine Bar effectively becomes The Taco Bar.
Review of Petite Jacqueline
The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Petite Jacqueline.
A salad with cod and hake was terrific. The smokiness of the fish infused the whole dish and gave it a slightly Scandinavian feel. The light dressing added a dash of tarragon without overwhelming the greens. A dish of soft braised leeks eschewed the usual hint of mustard for a dash of oil and dusting of red French peppers that reminded us of paprika.
First Review of Zapoteca
The Golden Dish has published a review of Zapoteca.
For the enchiladas we had the pork, which is roasted in the oven and made with caramelized onions and a mild tomato habanera sauce. It was gorgeously flavorful as were the chicken enchilada with a richly ethereal mole poblano sauce and a stuffed poblano chile with mushrooms, and very assertive herb flavors.
Review of Petite Jacqueline
Appetite Portland has published a review of Petite Jacqueline.
Granted, it’s no Au Pied du Cochon (Montreal) or Au Vieux Comptior (Paris) – two places embroiled in my brain and heart (not to mention my thighs) for all-time top French dishes (guinea hen liver mousse and sweet breads with morels, asparagus and a river of cream – respectively).
But, I’m just delighted to have a solid French bistro in Portland. One that makes a tasty Nicoise Salad, an appealing Steak Frites and a lovely Fluke Meuniere.
Strawberry O-Rama
For the July edition of our collaborative food writing project the group is publishing a celebration of Maine native strawberries. Strawberries are still widely available in Portland at the Farmers Market and other locations like Rosemont. If one of the wonderful recipes below isn’t to your liking then take CW‘s advice and pick up a strawberry pie from Blackbird Baking, or just eat them raw with a little heavy cream (my dessert tonight) or give the smoothies they’re making at the Farmers Market a try. Regardless of AP has to say, don’t let the season pass you by.
Appetite Portland – Anti-Strawberry “Preference”
I grew up with a strawberry-loving mom. She would just shake her head and say, “well, more for me then” while popping a plump red berry in her mouth. It’s not that I hate strawberries. To quote my never-admit-to-not-liking-anything, farm-raised Dad, “I just really don’t prefer them.”… read the full article
Chubby Werewolf – Review of Memere’s Strawberry Pie
The generously sized strawberry pie—like so many of the desserts I’ve tried from the Blackbird Baking Company of Maine—is a unique and memorable experience. For starters, it is just stunning to look at. Deep red berries sit in stark contrast to the ring of golden crust that encases them. The top of the pie is dotted with huge, whole strawberries, their tiny seeds visible through the thick red glaze, reminding you that you are, in fact, about to eat a dish made with fresh, flavorful ingredients.… read the full review
Edible Obsessions – Spring Panna Cotta w/Strawberry Balsamic Jam
In the land known for blueberries, for me, it is the strawberry that has come to represent summer in Maine. I think this is due to the fact that their appearance at the Farmers Markets signals the true beginning of the local produce season. The single hue of greens is finally broken by the brilliant pop of red berries at nearly every stall.… read the full article
From Away – Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Kebabs
The use of wooden barbecue skewers isn’t limited to cooking sad little dried-out chunks of beef and pepper; they can also be used to make simple, delicious grilled desserts. And you don’t even have to pre-soak the wooden skewers, because they are on the grill for such a short amount of time. Our grilled “Strawberry Shortcake” kebabs completely change the character of the classic Summertime dish.… read the full article
Vrai-lean-uh – Memories of (not)Picking Strawberries
So when A. suggest that this month’s O-Rama posts be focused on strawberries I had the wherewithal to reject my gut inclination to go picking strawberries. In theory, I want to pick strawberries. In real life, I want to do leisure activities that do not require me to labor in unrelenting sun, stooped to the ground with sunscreen dripping into my eyes for extended periods of time. Instead, I did what people who want to pick strawberries in theory but not in practice these days do. I went to the farmer’s market.… read the full article | hulling strawberries
And Portland fashion/food blogger also couldn’t resist the pull of Maine strawberries in prime season and has also posted a piece about going strawberry picking at Maxwell’s Farm in Cape Elizabeth.
Be sure to check Vrai-lean-uh’s blog later when she’ll be publishing the results of an interview with David Buchanan about his work at Origins Fruit to bring back the Marshall Strawberry.