Category: Reviews

Initial Impressions of District Grille

| Posted in Reviews

Wines; Tasted! has published some initial impressions of the new District Grille.

The menu was, to me, a really interesting mix of Italian, American, unintimidating comfort food, and more creative exciting options.  It has lots of meat, lots of rich food, although there were at least three vegetarian options for the main course.  I was excited to see things like baked halloumi, mussels with creme fraiche, chicken wings with goat cheese dip for appetizers, along with a raw bar with oysters, littleneck clams, and king crab claws.

Review of Pizza Villa, Maine Brewer's Festival

| Posted in Reviews, Beer

Pizza Villa has received 5 stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald,

The chicken sub served as comfort food. I was chilled, and needed something warm and filling. The sub roll was toasted and chewy. The marinara sauce had a tangy bite, and the chicken was tender. I appreciated the stringy melted cheese and the fact that the roll held up to my devouring appetite. The sub didn’t fall apart on me. The chicken and sauce stayed inside the bun, intact. It was delicious.

Also in today’s paper is a What Ales You report on last weekend’s Maine Brewers Festival,

At the Dinner with the Brewers Friday night at the Wyndham Hotel in South Portland, Kai Adams of Sebago Brewing Co. said craft brews represent 20 percent of beer sales in Maine, compared to 4 percent of craft-beer sales nationally. In Florida, he said, they are celebrating the fact that the percentage of beer sales has recently doubled there, from 1 percent of the market to 2 percent.

Review of Pizza Villa, Maine Brewer’s Festival

| Posted in Reviews, Beer

Pizza Villa has received 5 stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald,

The chicken sub served as comfort food. I was chilled, and needed something warm and filling. The sub roll was toasted and chewy. The marinara sauce had a tangy bite, and the chicken was tender. I appreciated the stringy melted cheese and the fact that the roll held up to my devouring appetite. The sub didn’t fall apart on me. The chicken and sauce stayed inside the bun, intact. It was delicious.

Also in today’s paper is a What Ales You report on last weekend’s Maine Brewers Festival,

At the Dinner with the Brewers Friday night at the Wyndham Hotel in South Portland, Kai Adams of Sebago Brewing Co. said craft brews represent 20 percent of beer sales in Maine, compared to 4 percent of craft-beer sales nationally. In Florida, he said, they are celebrating the fact that the percentage of beer sales has recently doubled there, from 1 percent of the market to 2 percent.

Beer Selection at Trader Joe's

| Posted in Reviews

Brews and Books has published part 1 of review of the beer selection at Trader Joe’s.

The real difference between Trader Joe’s and the other shops in town is the selection of beers contract-brewed for the grocer. Brewed under the brand names Mission Street, Joesphs Brau, Trader José, Trader Joe’s Brewing and others, there are craft beers you can only get at Joe’s. Not only are these beers unique to the chain, but they are cheap by craft beer standards.

Beer Selection at Trader Joe’s

| Posted in Reviews

Brews and Books has published part 1 of review of the beer selection at Trader Joe’s.

The real difference between Trader Joe’s and the other shops in town is the selection of beers contract-brewed for the grocer. Brewed under the brand names Mission Street, Joesphs Brau, Trader José, Trader Joe’s Brewing and others, there are craft beers you can only get at Joe’s. Not only are these beers unique to the chain, but they are cheap by craft beer standards.

Review of Nosh

| Posted in Reviews

From Away has published a review of Nosh.

My complaint, then, seems to be this: When you craft sandwich options with such exaggerated, dizzying ingredients, you are setting certain expectations on the part of the diner. When a burger, perfectly serviceable on its own, also heaps on pork belly, and bacon, and foie gras, the expectation is that it will be the best hamburger you have ever had the pleasure of wrapping your lips around…Unfortunately, at Nosh, these expectations are never met.

Review of Local 188

| Posted in Reviews

The Bowdoin Orient has published a review of Local 188.

Can’t get into Fore Street? For a dinner in Portland, Local 188 offers a delicious and fun meal that takes you slightly off the beaten path. You might almost forget that you are in a city smaller than many colleges.

Local 188’s food is great and it’s atmosphere is even better. So, listen to me (and my mom) and check it out.

Review of Steve and Renee's Diner

| Posted in General News, Reviews, Events

Steve and Renee’s Diner received 4 stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.

As many diners do, you can order breakfast all day at Steve and Renee’s. I decided on a short stack (two slices) of French toast for $2.89 and a cinnamon bun for $1.39. I told my waitress that I thought I was ordering too much bread (and, as it turned out, I did), but it was all good – especially the cinnamon bun, which was served to me warm.

Also in today’s paper is an article about Linda Greenlaw’s season fishing for swordfish and a overview on the beercentric events taking place in and around Portland this weekend.

Review of Steve and Renee’s Diner

| Posted in General News, Reviews, Events

Steve and Renee’s Diner received 4 stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.

As many diners do, you can order breakfast all day at Steve and Renee’s. I decided on a short stack (two slices) of French toast for $2.89 and a cinnamon bun for $1.39. I told my waitress that I thought I was ordering too much bread (and, as it turned out, I did), but it was all good – especially the cinnamon bun, which was served to me warm.

Also in today’s paper is an article about Linda Greenlaw’s season fishing for swordfish and a overview on the beercentric events taking place in and around Portland this weekend.

Review of Yordprom & Mr. Sandwich

| Posted in Reviews

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of the lunch options at Mr. Sandwich & Mrs. Muffin and Yordprom Coffee.

Coworkers will eventually discover Yordprom’s small lunch menu, the highlight of which is a terrific Thai noodle salad served in a big bowl. The dark wheat noodles were soft but toothsome. Sesame clings to the noodles, strips of chicken breast, and lettuce. Nori adds some rich flavor, and a light citrus dressing holds it together. A ham sandwich, served on a huge flaky croissant, is big but light as air.