Category: Reviews

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

In recent years Hugo’s has introduced both a bar menu and an à la carte dinner menu, which have made the restaurant more accessible to locals. But this winter they are offering a midweek tasting menu that is not be missed: $42 for six courses. That is half the regular price; a third of what you would pay for a comparable meal in New York; and about equal to an appetizer, an entrée, and a split dessert at any upscale restaurant in Portland. For most incomes dinner out at a formal restaurant is a rare treat and a splurge. Right now Hugo’s midweek menu offers the most splurgy satisfaction for your money.

Vrai-lean-uh has posted an endorsement of Freeport Knife Company’s knife sharpening service,

I really highly, highly recommend Freeport Knife Co. They’re on Route 1 on the way to LL Bean, near Pet Pantry. I was expecting to go in and get some grief about the state of my cutlery, kind of like when the haircutter picks up and drops strands of my hair and says, “So, when was your last haircut?” But no! They were totally nice and they sharpened my knives in an hour for $2 a piece and the store is really fantastic.

Appetite Portland has published a review of Little Seoul,

Korean-Style Pumpkin Soup
At first slurp, I was shocked by its sweetness – remarking to Adam, “this belongs on the dessert menu.” But subsequent spoonfuls revealed a coarse and nutty creaminess reminiscent of roasted sunchoke. Thickened with rice flour, it’s more dense porridge than soup – both richer and more toothsome than in other culinary traditions.

Bayside Bowl received 3½ stars from this week’s Taste & Tell review in the Maine Sunday Telegram.

They are on their game in the kitchen at Bayside Bowl, with impressive pastry, juicy mushrooms and devastating desserts, while the few disappointments seem to reveal considered experiments rather than any carelessness.

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of the dinner service at Hot Suppa.

While the boudin sausage came in the shape of three perfect snowballs, our other appetizer of fried green tomatoes came as three golden pucks. The slight sourness of the al-dente tomatoes worked well with the light crispy breading. Again, the flavors were pleasant enough that we barely took advantage of the mild remoulade that came alongside. The real star of this appetizer, however, was the pile of cool little bay scallops. The deep smoky flavor worked well with the squishy scallops’ natural sweetness.

The Portland Bar Guide column in today’s paper is a review of the Old Port Sea Grill,

Whereas most bars run happy hour specials exclusively during the work week, this lounge offers its two hours of happiness seven days a week, from 4 to 6 p.m. The winter happy hour is an easy choice with $3 draft beers, $4 wines by the glass, and tasty treats featuring what the Old Port Sea Grill is best known for — the raw bar. Pay $3 for two oysters on the half-shell, and $5 for P.E.I. mussels with white wine, garlic, butter and tomatoes. Yum.

The new issue of Down East includes an article on where to find some of the best comfort food in the state. The Merry Table, The Porthole, Hot Suppa, Gritty’s, Nosh, Boda and Standard Baking were all mentioned.

How do you define comfort food? Is it a bowl of your mother’s fish chowder Or a warm doughnut dusted with powdered sugar? Comfort food is as individual as every Mainer — and as specific as our state itself. Herewith, a comforting collection of Down East meals for all times of the day.

Whole Living, Whole Life, has published a review of East Ender.

Anyway, what I am trying to say here is that you should definitely try out The East Ender in Portland, Maine for something new and wonderful. Whether you are going all out with a delicious (and great value) meal or just grabbing a cocktail, it is a delicious, lively, and wonderful establishment!

Edible Obsessions has published a review of Pai Men Miyake.

For as much as my friend raved about this dish and as much I raved about the dish while we were eating it, I know anything I were to write about the flavors that were there would do it absolutely no justice. It is, without question, the most remarkable sweet and sour sauce I have ever had in my entire life. In fact, I would like a teleporter to take me back to every time I had something labeled with ‘sweet and sour sauce’ just so that I can smack my former self and say to me, as I dump the nuclear red sauce on the floor, “Lies! This IS NOT sweet and sour sauce. Don’t eat their lies! The future will show you a true sweet and sour sauce!!”

The Golden Dish has published a combined review of District,

The restaurant is a combination dining emporium hangout. I’ll go there when I’m in the mood for a very decent dinner in a fun, casual setting. Entrees tend to be over $20, a price point perhaps too high to qualify as absolutely moderate. Their hamburger, however, may rate as one of the best in Portland.

and the East Ender.

The East Ender is seriously casual but offers serious cooking in convivial surroundings. If ever the eastern waterfront gets fully developed as a residential neighborhood, the East Ender would certainly live up to its name.