Category: Reviews

From Away has published a review of Pai Men Miyake.

We had attentive, friendly service, fine sake and beer, and the kinds of starters that get in your head and nibble at your brain until you return for another taste, all served in an exciting, energized setting . Ultimately, though, the ramen (like Radiohead, films by the Cohen brothers, and the television show Deadwood) is something I can only admire intellectually, rather than actually enjoy with my whole heart. I can appreciate the talent, thoughtfulness, skill, and technique that went into creating them; I just don’t much feel like eating them.

Portland Bar Guide has published a review of Siano’s Old Port.

You can come into Siano’s, enjoy some good food and not worry about it being a rowdy Old Port bar. Meet a friend, grab the guys or bring the whole family. They are already proving to be a local favorite for those who want to watch the game in a relaxed atmosphere, among friends, with wallet friendly deals.

The Blueberry Files has published a brunch review of  Havana South.

We had a lovely time at Havana, but unfortunately, the food wasn’t good enough to make us want to return for a meal any time soon. Again, I guess we’ll stick to drinks at the bar.

Little Seoul received 3½ stars from the Taste & Tell review in the Maine Sunday Telegram.

The Korean stir-fry is spicy and delicious at Little Seoul, while presentable Yaki Udon and sushi and maki await those who love that best of all.

Portland Food Coma has posted a dinner review of Hot Suppa.

One of my favorite spots for breakfast and lunch, Hot Suppa, has started doing dinner service Tuesday through Saturday. Normally I give a new concept at least a couple of months before I try it, but I didn’t think that they would have any problem transitioning at all, and I was right.

The Portland Phoenix “convened a panel to sample a variety of the store’s cheap red wines, along with some of their representative frozen appetizers.”

None of this wine was much worse than what you might get from Hannaford for twice the price. The snacks were good for getting a bit of grease in the stomach between sips. Potato pancakes had street-vendor-latke simplicity with no discernable herbs. Lemongrass rolls had distinct and pleasant gingery flavor, and pastries topped with ham and a creamy bland cheese were not bad when piping hot. Mini chicken tacos were stiff and unacceptably tasteless.

The Portland Phoenix “convened a panel to sample a variety of the store’s cheap red wines, along with some of their representative frozen appetizers.”

None of this wine was much worse than what you might get from Hannaford for twice the price. The snacks were good for getting a bit of grease in the stomach between sips. Potato pancakes had street-vendor-latke simplicity with no discernable herbs. Lemongrass rolls had distinct and pleasant gingery flavor, and pastries topped with ham and a creamy bland cheese were not bad when piping hot. Mini chicken tacos were stiff and unacceptably tasteless.

Portland Magazine has published a review of Little Seoul.

Exciting, perfectly located Little Seoul doesn’t just offer one kind of kimchi. To my way of thinking, that would be not-so-deep kimchi. Instead, they offer no fewer than six variations on the 3,000-year-old traditional Korean side dish–each an entirely different explosion to the senses. One of them, the fermented cucumber, is so sneaky, vinegary, and strangely cooling it’s the culinary equivalent of having your office chair spun around halfway by someone surprising you.

Portland Bar Guide has published a review of Katahdin.

So, you’ve had drink, relaxed and now the aroma of the open kitchen is beckoning you. Try the chilled oysters ($14) from the raw bar or go warm and enjoy the steamed mussels ($12.) How good does a salad with grilled asparagus, baked goat cheese and balsamic sound right now? For dinner, treat yourself to a grilled marinated hanger steak with a tomato corn salad ($22) or the roasted flounder ($20.)