Category: Reviews

Portland magazine has published a review of the Chebeague Island Inn.

I chose the duck, a dish I find to be amateurishly prepared in most restaurants. Rowe’s version turned out to be a professional slam dunk. Tender, glossy, and almost silky, the pan-seared Long Island duck breast ($32), ordered medium rare, practically melted in my mouth. The caramel-brown breast rested on a fluffy bed of nutty black rice and rich duck reduction sauce, with bright green spears of al dente asparagus draped over top.

A New York Times travel article plugs several of our city’s restaurants, bars and markets: Bayside Bowl, Caiola’s, El Rayo, Farmer’s Table, Grace, Kamasouptra, Local Sprouts, Maine Mead Works, Novare Res, Peanut Butter and Jelly Time, Rosemont Market, Scratch Baking and Sonny’s.

PORTLAND, Me., is known for three L’s: lobster, lighthouses and L. L. Bean (O.K., make that four L’s). Here’s another: local. In recent years, this city on the coast of Maine has welcomed a wave of locavore restaurants, urban farms and galleries that feature local artists. Abandoned brick warehouses are being repurposed as eco-friendly boutiques. In the main square, a 19th-century building has been refashioned into a farmers’ market. And everywhere you look, this once-sleepy industrial town is showing signs of rejuvenation — usually by keeping things local.

For commentary on the piece from the New York Times read the article that appeared in the Portland Daily Sun.

From Away has published a lunch review of Ohno! Cafe.

The food was good: simple, homey and filling. The shop/restaurant is adorable. The guy who took my order sang to himself while filling a giant grinder with coffee beans, and the grill guy was quiet and pleasantly Mobyish, albeit with fewer qualms about meat. A few other customers rang in an out, I read the Phoenix and assorted flyers posted, and felt at home right away at the Oh No Cafe.

pArts has published a review of Miyake.

When I placed my order, Joe Ricchio – waitron extraordinaire – recommended instead the five course omakase tasting menu, adding “trust me.” I know Joe so trust was not an issue and I promptly changed my order. I’m glad I did (thanks, Joe!) At 50 bucks this is quite simply one of the best deals in town for fine dining – and it doesn’t get much finer than this – anywhere.

From Away has published a review of The Grill Room.

Certainly there were other items that intrigued. The warm ricotta appetizer and bacon and egg salad could be worth revisiting. It was with a sad sigh I exited, stuffed and unsatisfied. It wasn’t cheap either. Two rounds of cocktails did augment the bill, but still. I must say, I was disappointed. The chef, Harding Lee Smith, seems very pleased with himself, plastered all over his restaurants websites. I hope last night’s dinner would not be considered up to his standards, as our group concensus was that our experience at The Grill Room deserved a solid 7.

Haraseeket Lunch & Lobster received 4 stars from the Taste & Tell review in the Maine Sunday Telegram.

Dine on lobsters or any fresh seafood unloaded that day next to the wharf at Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster Co. for a wonderful summer meal.

Haraseeket Lunch & Lobster received 4 stars from the Taste & Tell review in the Maine Sunday Telegram.

Dine on lobsters or any fresh seafood unloaded that day next to the wharf at Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster Co. for a wonderful summer meal.

The Blueberry Files has published a review of Binga’s Stadium.

So, TV and beer? Yes. Food? Wings? Hell no. Pass! I bet they can fry french fries alright (not the sweet potato fries- those are breaded and gross), so maybe a plate of fries is as far as I’d go. But after a few beers and the drunk munchies kick in, we’ll see how long my no food at the Stadium rule lasts.