Edible Obsessions has published a review of Kamasouptra.
I opted for the cup above, always loving the classic combination. With it barely being above 45 degrees out, I wanted to literally dive into the soup. It was beautifully done as a tomato bisque with a more than generous amount of cheese(Parm? Cheddar? Gouda??) throughout. But, my god… the bread. A simple roll, piping hot out of the oven to mop up all the wonderful goodness of the soup was served alongside and I couldn’t have been happier.
Edible Obsessions has published her first impressions of Figa.
My hats off to wonderful execution by the front and back of the house. And the warmest of wishes to Chef Farrington for finally being able to open her doors. The wait, though I’m sure it didn’t feel like it for her, has been worth it.
From Away has published a review of the Amato’s Italian sandwich,
It’s a little lowbrow. It certainly barely qualifies as “Italian” food. It also happens to be stunningly, mysteriously delicious; several factors greater than the sum of its parts, in spite of individual components that you would turn your nose up at. For the second day in a row, I bought a “large,” intending to eat half for lunch today, and half tomorrow. Instead, I didn’t even make it to the table, inhaling the whole sandwich while standing over the sink.
From Away has published a review of the Amato’s Italian sandwich,
It’s a little lowbrow. It certainly barely qualifies as “Italian” food. It also happens to be stunningly, mysteriously delicious; several factors greater than the sum of its parts, in spite of individual components that you would turn your nose up at. For the second day in a row, I bought a “large,” intending to eat half for lunch today, and half tomorrow. Instead, I didn’t even make it to the table, inhaling the whole sandwich while standing over the sink.
Food for Thought has posted a review of Havana South. Author John Golden writes of the restaurant that “they haven’t hit their stride yet–promises unfulfilled” but wraps up with “[s]till I’m glad the restaurant is here, and I’ll go often enough if they let me in after these comments. I’m a huge fan of Latin American cooking and cherish it when it’s done well.”
Appetite Portland has published a review of Ribollita,
Little about Ribollita is – on the face of it – buzz-worthy. Simple décor. A strange, cramped layout. And yet, this tiny Portland staple of Italian authenticity warms my heart like Aunt Vera’s hug. From the bubbly hostess with the can-do attitude, to the reasonably priced wine, to the menu full of unpronounceable noodles, Ribollita simply charms.
The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Saigon,
Saigon serves a nice, if not transcendent, version of the classic Vietnamese pho soup. The broth struck the right balance between rich and light, with hints of long-stewed ginger and scallion. The bowl was full of tender rice noodles and big pieces of white chicken meat. Mixing in a bit of lime, and leaves of mint and Asian basil, introduced fresh and sharp flavors. A brothless vermicelli dish was less successful but pretty good. We wished for more of the fresh vegetal crunch of carrots, cucumbers, and sprouts, and thicker pieces of the dark charred beef. The shrimp was too chewy and the fish sauce that held the dish together was a touch sweet and cloying. A fried noodle dish was exactly like a good lo mein.
Both Wines; Tasted! and The Blueberry Files has posted their first impressions from the opening night at Figa.
The November/December issue of Maine magazine includes an eating guide to Westbrook and a profile of James & Andre Tranchemontagne, the pair of brothers who run The Frog & Turtle and The French Press Eatery. The articles aren’t online yet but you can pick up a free copy off the Maine magazine rack at Bard Coffee on Middle Street.
Aunt Dee’s Cafe and Ice Cream Shoppe received 3½ stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.
The pot roast was tender; the potatoes thick and creamy. The star of the meal, however, was the buttercup squash from the owners’ garden. It was served on the side in a small bowl and was simple and delicious, with a little melted butter swimming on top.
Aunt Dee’s Cafe and Ice Cream Shoppe received 3½ stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.
The pot roast was tender; the potatoes thick and creamy. The star of the meal, however, was the buttercup squash from the owners’ garden. It was served on the side in a small bowl and was simple and delicious, with a little melted butter swimming on top.
The new issue of Down East magazine includes a review of The Salt Exchange,
As for the food itself: In a word, it’s stunning — well conceived, delicately balanced, and impeccably presented. Maine lobster salad with crème fraiche, cucumber, and greens is so delicately seasoned as to be a bit bland on first bite. But with successive nibbles the flavors reveal themselves, the slight tang of the crème fraiche creating a perfect complement to the lobster’s richness.
and an article about the 1855 Portland Rum Riot,
Men loitered in the square with an air of impatience. A cache of liquor had been seized in the basement of City Hall, Racklyffe was told. The rumor circulating that day was that the liquor belonged to Portland’s mayor, Neal Dow, the “Father of Prohibition” himself.