Appetite Portland has published a brunch review of Havana South.
While the benes were pretty good, the highlight of the meal was the side — little fried potato nuggets spiced with ancho chile powder, cumin, cinnamon and paprika. Crisp and full of zest, they were a delight.
1840 Farm has published a review of the pizza at Micucci Grocery Company.
Five minutes can seem like a lifetime when you’re left to stand there staring at an empty stainless steel shelf smelling pizza this good. Once the slabs hit the window, you’ll notice that they come on simple, white paper plates. You can either box each slab up to take home or walk it back through the maze of grocery items to the cashier. Once you’ve paid for your slab, you can return to the back room and sit at one of the two patio tables and finally dig in with your plastic knife and fork. Welcome to pizza nirvana. Now you know the secret handshake.
1840 Farm has published a review of the pizza at Micucci Grocery Company.
Five minutes can seem like a lifetime when you’re left to stand there staring at an empty stainless steel shelf smelling pizza this good. Once the slabs hit the window, you’ll notice that they come on simple, white paper plates. You can either box each slab up to take home or walk it back through the maze of grocery items to the cashier. Once you’ve paid for your slab, you can return to the back room and sit at one of the two patio tables and finally dig in with your plastic knife and fork. Welcome to pizza nirvana. Now you know the secret handshake.
The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Havana South.
Havana South’s Latin take on dinner is a welcome innovation in Portland dining, and its seafood dishes in particular make a good choice for dinner.
The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Local Sprouts.
…So perhaps I should not have been surprised that the food at the Local Sprouts Café, worker-owned and democratically run by the Local Sprouts Cooperative, was so very good.
But I was surprised, and very pleasantly so. One gets nervous about group-think, and it is worrisome that the cooperative’s first decision was to call itself “local sprouts.” And perhaps the big, curving bird-themed earthen bench that dominates the dining room, as well as the dormitory-style couch occupying prime territory near the window, reflect iffy decision-making. But when it comes to food, Local Sprouts is making all the right calls — from ingredients, to preparation, to price.
WhaddaPita received 4 stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.
Whaddapita! is a dining spot where Greek meets West. Where gyros are ordered, eaten and enjoyed, though no one quite agrees on the correct pronunciation. And where a souvlaki pita can be washed down with a Moxie energy drink.
Vin et Grub has published a review of Local 188.
i decided to go on the more “lunch-like” route. i picked the local 1/2 lb burger, which is served on their in house baked bun, with lettuce, tomato, onion, and homefries. the burger was cooked medium well- just like i asked, and the meat was seasoned well, with a small amount of fresh herbs, and salt n pepa. my homefries did me quite well, the little pieces of onion and green pepper were delicious, and i was very happy. i do have to say, that this burger is one of the best in town- not to mention well priced.
Mitten Machen has published a review of the gluten-free/vegan pizza options at Portland Pie.
Of course, as a gluten-free vegan, I’m grateful anytime a restaurant provides me with more than an undressed garden salad. Portland Pie Co. doesn’t do gluten-free pizza as well as Flatbread Company, but it’s another option for gluten-free, dairy-free folks who want to enjoy a meal alongside omnivorous friends. Next time, I’ll probably skip the vegan cheese and spring for lots more veggie toppings.
The Bollard has published a review of Mousse Cafe and Bakeshop.
My daughter ordered the vanilla-scented challah French toast ($7.99) and kindly offered me a morsel no bigger than a book of matches. I greedily dunked it in maple syrup — yes, the real stuff, the kind that comes from trees — and immediately started pleading for a second bite. (I eventually got one, for the cost of a couple homefries.) Lightly crisp on the outside, moist and custardy on the inside, with just the slightest hint of vanilla, this was some of the best French toast I’ve had in ages.
The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Havana South.
While we did not leave Havana South raving about the dishes, beyond the lamb entrée, we nonetheless liked the place. Though things are not quite perfect, the spirit of the restaurant is right and you get the sense they take their food seriously and are going to work out the details. But as Obama is learning, patience can wear thin when there is a lot of money involved, and with most entrees over $25, Havana should keep that in mind. In the meantime, go with the existing strengths: hear the band on a Wednesday, be sure to chat with Ezra, and try the lamb.