Category: Reviews

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.

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.

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.

Broke 207 has posted her list of the 10 best things to eat in Portland for under $10 dollars.

in honor of this historic decision, i have decided to list my top ten things in town that are worth eating for under $10. not necessarily full meals, and definitely not always high end, but goddamn delicious and easily accessible.   i will probably be calling on this list fairly often over the next few weeks, so help a girl out, and gimme some more recommendations.

pArts has published a review of Nosh.

You’re going to love or hate this place – I don’t see much of an in between. Me? I love it. Nosh may have what has become my favorite sandwich in Maine: The Pig Belly Reuben. The pork belly was slow cooked and had “Sunday afternoon comfort food” written all over it.

The Chebeague Island Inn received 3½ stars from the Taste & Tell Review in the Maine Sunday Telegram.

During the hottest time of the summer you want to escape the heat, even if only for dinner. A meal at an oceanside inn like the Chebeague Island Inn, presiding over the western side of the island and offering good dinners and a fabulous view, is just the ticket.

The Blueberry Files has published a review of Bubble Maineia Dessert & Noodle Bar penned by one of her room mates.

In the hope of finding a good noodle shop in this town, I tried Bubble Maineia Dessert & Noodle Bar (15 Temple Street, Portland). Sadly, my lunch was a Lo Mein Letdown, a Porky Pity, and a Bok Choy Bummer- all at the same time.

The Blueberry Files has published a review of Bubble Maineia Dessert & Noodle Bar penned by one of her room mates.

In the hope of finding a good noodle shop in this town, I tried Bubble Maineia Dessert & Noodle Bar (15 Temple Street, Portland). Sadly, my lunch was a Lo Mein Letdown, a Porky Pity, and a Bok Choy Bummer- all at the same time.

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Otto.

A pizzeria should offer some simple pleasures that have been lost in our era’s obsession with gourmet this and that. The bobos can head to Bonobo for wood-fired delicacies and a restaurant atmosphere. The experience at Otto has more of a working-class(ic) appeal. At Otto you stand in line in a cramped shop, and watch young people sweat in front of big ovens. In the summer months most customers grab a $3 slice and join the pleasantly disorganized gathering of eaters out front. Not everyone is lucky enough to grab one of the few stools or the little red tables scattered out front, so they perch on the curb, or fold their slice and eat standing up. It’s the most appealingly informal and haphazard display of eating in the city.