Grill Room Review

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.

Review of Harbor, MDI & Willard Scoops

The Portland Phoenix has published a triple scoop review of Harbor Scoops, Mount Desert Island Ice Cream and Willard Scoops.

What explains the current craze for ice cream in Maine, which has resulted in several new businesses and recently overcame the nation’s President? Sure, it’s one of the hottest summers on record, and yes, ice cream is an affordable indulgence in a tough economy. But gazing upon the transfigured visage of a Mainer mid-lick, it is clear ice cream’s appeal lies deeper. As I have previously argued in these pages, desserts play to different parts of our psyche. Ice cream goes straight for the Id. In licking a cone, the unconquered infant within achieves regressive union with the milky sweetness.

Review of Harbor, MDI & Willard Scoops

The Portland Phoenix has published a triple scoop review of Harbor Scoops, Mount Desert Island Ice Cream and Willard Scoops.

What explains the current craze for ice cream in Maine, which has resulted in several new businesses and recently overcame the nation’s President? Sure, it’s one of the hottest summers on record, and yes, ice cream is an affordable indulgence in a tough economy. But gazing upon the transfigured visage of a Mainer mid-lick, it is clear ice cream’s appeal lies deeper. As I have previously argued in these pages, desserts play to different parts of our psyche. Ice cream goes straight for the Id. In licking a cone, the unconquered infant within achieves regressive union with the milky sweetness.

Top 10 Under $10, Beer Edition

Inspired by Broke 207’s list of cheap eats under $10, Brews & Books has put together a list of the best craft beers available for less than $8 a six pack.

After reading the list, I says to myself … “there should really be a list like this for beer!” A list of beer that doesn’t suck, and beer that isn’t super-expensive. Obviously, cost is relative (lots of people would call anything over five dollars for a six-pack outrageous), but I’m going to say that less than eight dollars for a bunch of really good beer is on the cheap end of the spectrum.

Maine Barbecue

Portland Food Coma has posted a survey of Maine barbecue. He visits a few Portland area options like Skinny Cart BBQ, Buck’s, Hot Suppa and Beale Street as well as some further afield.

Most people will tell you that there’s no such thing as good barbecue in Maine, and to get the real deal, one must head south. I will premise this post by saying that I’ve never been to the south, but the one thing I will do before I die is a true barbecue pilgrimage to all of the major capitals. This was my warm up.