Portland Lobster Company received 4 stars from the Eat & Run column in today’s Press Herald.
Fried dinners — including fish and chips, fried haddock and fried clams — run $10 to $14, and lobster dinners are priced to market. They’re also well out of the budget for an Eat & Run. But for folks who aren’t financially restricted by dining review guidelines, the lobster here won’t disappoint.
Free Food Boston recently was in town and has published reviews of Tony’s,
The blueberry and the cruller were both fun and intensely sweet from the glaze. The nice thing about the molasses donut is that the more robust flavor from the molasses provides a solid base and contrast for the sweet glaze. It is less of a sugar bomb than some of the other varieties. Tony’s Donuts has firmly earned itself a spot amongst my Portland favorites. I fully intend to get a molasses donut, or six, on my future trips to Portland.
and of Duckfat,
The fries were golden yellow, some a crispier golden brown, piping hot and salty. The crunchy fried outside gives way to a sliver of warm potato inside. There’s no distinct taste from the duck, at least not that I could detect. The truffle ketchup was sweet and tangy, with a rich and earthy truffle flavor. As a big fan of ketchup, I worried that the small jar would not be sufficient for the cone, but the fries were so good, I ended up eating many of them on their own. But the ketchup was certainly a welcome addition.
Another food site from away, Tasting Table, highlighted Miyake, Browne Trading, Glidden Point Oyster Company and Chebeague Island Inn in one of their daily travel destination emails.
From Away has published a review of Fit to Eat.
We’ll definitely be visiting “Fit to Eat” again to sample some of their other offerings, particularly their homemade soups and their breakfast sandwiches, available until 11:00 AM. We like the space, we like the reasonably-priced local art on the walls, and, to use a term that makes me gag, we liked the “vibe.” Owner Mike Mastronardi is a soft-spoken guy who bakes his own bread, mixes his own sauces, uses local ingredients, and spends more time thinking about sandwiches than we do, and there’s a lot to respect in that.
Vin et Grub has published a review of Nosh.
Nosh proves not to be my cup of tea, but for the foodies out there who love truffle oil, pork belly, pate, and the sort, Nosh should be on your list of places to go upon your arrival in Portland. Jason Lorring, the owner of Nosh, is rumored to be opening up a taqueria across the street! I hope he gets over his affair with the ostentatious ingredients and instead opt for a more traditional route with his taqueria! If he goes down that path, I know that I will certainly enjoy the tacos he puts on his menu!!
The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Aroma.
But Aroma is doing great things with sauces as well, often by using their spices with restraint. The dark, thin saag, for example, is modestly spiced, which highlights the bitter flavor of the spinach and the lamb. The big pieces of meat were as tender, juicy, and richly flavored as the best lamb chops. The spices in the navaratan koorma were similarly mild. The creamy sauce had just a hint of nutty flavor, and among the mix of vegetables the cauliflower and green beans were the most assertive.
Slice has published a review of the Sicilian Slab at Micucci’s.
The crust is surprisingly light, striated, and almost cakey with a pleasant chew—qualities that Lanzalotta attributes to thoroughly hydrating the dough (about 90 percent), using high-quality ingredients (King Arthur Bread Flour, SAF yeast, grey sea salt, water, and a particularly floral Portuguese olive oil), and letting the dough rise five times over the course of its three-hour fermentation. By the time it’s ready for baking, the jiggle-y five-pound mass has risen a bit and formed a thin skin that keeps it from sticking.
The Golden Dish has published a review of Petite Jaqueline.
Of the main courses, I’ve tried the roast chicken, boeuf bourguignon, and fluke meuniere which were all first rate. The braised beef seemed to luxuriate in its deep, rich, dark brown sauce; and the chicken was perfectly delicious—crisp skin, very flavorful ( a local bird), and oozing all the goodness of its natural juices.
The 2011 issue of the Opinionated About Dining restaurant guide has included several Portland restaurants in its list of top dining destinations in America. Miyake, Hugo’s and Fore Street were all listed in the Highly Recommended category, as was Suzuki Sushi Bar in Rockland. Both Aurora Provisions and Duckfat were recognized in the guide’s list of the Top 25 Inexpensive Dining destinations in the US. (via Rabelais)
Mister Meatball has posted his list of the best restaurants on the peninsula.
The Blueberry Files has published a review of Petite Jacqueline.
Petit Jacqueline focuses on French classics- without a twist, just straight-up. I heard someone describe the menu as entry level culinary school ‘French Cooking 101,’ which, to me, is not a detraction. In Portland, there are very few ‘classics’ in the new restaurant category- everyone is reaching for something new. But Steve and Michelle Correy (of five-fifty five) are turning out classics that are simple and good, and can be unexpected if you (like me) are not too familiar with well-executed French classics.
The Golden Dish has published a review of The Salt Exchange.
I won’t keep you in suspense.. The food is exceptional. Small-plate madness aside, the fare at the Salt Exchange is not as strictly diminutive as other trendy strongholds. Only five courses are offered: Small Bites, Soups, Cold Plates, Hot Plates, plus a dessert list.
Yet there is the option, if one must, to eat lightly and less expensively by ordering, for instance, two cold plates, a few Bites, and a sweet.
But who wants to give an inventive menu short shrift?
From Away has published a review of The SoPo.
The entire experience ended up being fairly underwhelming. “Maine ‘Q” was what was advertised, and it’s what we got. It certainly wasn’t the worst barbecue from recent memory, served by an energetic, caring staff, in a family-friendly setting. But as Jillian and I sat in the car afterward, digesting silently, we knew we wouldn’t ever feel the urge to come back.
The Press Herald has published a review of Spartan Grill and Coffee.
I opted for the falafel sandwich ($6.25) in a grilled pita with a tahinni sauce, lettuce, tomatoes and onions. But the stars of this sandwich are the plump, golden-fried falafel nuggets made with ground chickpeas and spices. Just a little crunchy on the outside, warm and creamy on the inside. They satisfy several different cravings all at the same time.