Category: Reviews

Portland Food Heads has reviewed a recent meal at Evangeline where he had the clabber-fed whole roast chicken.

The family-style, Sunday dinner feel of this meal was exactly what I had been hoping for, and, at this point, I wasn’t sure things could get much better.

That is, until I took a bite of the chicken. I’ll spare everyone the wasted time and say that this was flat out the best chicken I’ve ever had in my entire life. I probably roast about 20-30 birds a year, and never have I tasted a chicken with such buttery, “chickeny” flesh.

The clabber-fed roast chicken is now available at Evangeline provided you call ahead and give them 24 hour advance notice.

The Blueberry Files has reviewed a meal at Five Fifty-Five.

The service and atmosphere here were nice; our server was reserved, but attentive (I like me a sassy server), and I enjoyed the space’s warm coppery light. But we probably won’t be adding 555 to our ‘short list’ of frequented restaurants as I wasn’t blown away for the price point.

Papaya King has received 3 stars from the Eat & Run column in today’s Press Herald.

The Portland Papaya King serves something called the “Sausage of Mass Destruction,” which is a thick sausage topped with chili, sauerkraut, peppers and cheese for $4.75. I was expecting it to be uncomfortably spicy because of the in-your-face name but found the seasoning just right. You can order this without worry that you’ll have to call the fire department.

The best thing about Papaya King is that it’s open well past midnight, providing a late-night option for hungry Old Port denizens and for folks like me who sometimes find themselves in those weird circumstances where you’re out really late and want a bite to eat.

Travel’s with Hilary has put together her list of her favorite lobster shacks in the state.

When I eat lobster, I take no prisoners. All that’s identifiable in the carnage left behind are the eyes, antennae, swimmeretes (those feathery appendages on the underside of the body), and dismembered carcass. Finished, I’m literally dripping in lobster juice and goo.

The only place for such a messy operation is a classic lobster shack, a sometimes rough-and-tumble operation that’s usually within sight and scent of the ocean.

Portland Food Heads has published a review of lunch at North Star Music Cafe.

As I said, don’t come to the North Star Cafe looking for a life-changing culinary epiphany. But if you’re in the area and are looking for a relaxing place to chill with a cup of coffee and sandwich, don’t hesitate to give it a try.

Erik Desjarlais, the chef/owner of Evangeline, has published a review on his blog of Kon Asian Bistro.

The food began to arrive. Spicy Tuna tartare, with fried tempura batter that was crumbled in to a tasty, crunchy little pile. Yes, a pile of tempura crumble. (mind you all, I know absolutely nothing about asian cooking AT ALL…krista explained what it was.) We devoured the whole thing. The tuna was just spicy enough, and the three sauces were perfect. (???????????perfect????????) Was I buzzed from my Sapphire and Tonic? I looked over and saw that I was only half finished, so no. The dish was GOOD. (I still can’t believe I am writing this.) I ate what was left of the pile of crumbled batter.

Type A Diversions writes about her thoughts on a 10-course tasting menu in this review of Evangeline.

Erik will soon combine efforts with his talented wife, Krista with the launch of 12 Seats. After our Tasting Menu, I can only imagine the level of delight the collaboration will bring their 12 lucky guests. If you cannot wait until the first dinner on October 25th (almost sold out), Evangeline offers the Tasting Menu with 24 hours notice. I recommend going on a quiet night, as we did, such as a Tuesday or Wednesday, for a relaxed evening of well executed French inspired cuisine.

Portland Food Coma has published a review of Kon Asian Bistro.

Halfway through all of this Dietz decides to officially send me spiraling into an abyss of drunken insanity by ordering a scorpion bowl. This enormous bowl of liquor tasted like exactly that, sucked through a foot long straw. Dietz also declared that we needed to drink the puddle of Bacardi 151 used to set the drink on fire – which didn’t help my cause either. I tried to convince him to snort it, but to no avail.

Portland Food Heads has published a review of The Salt Exchange.

I am not looking to paint a nightmarish picture of The Salt Exchange; there is clearly a lot of talent in the kitchen and the owners seem to have their hearts in the right places. What I’m trying to say is that there are two problems that will keep me from coming back until they are remedied. One is the service, as no one should ever have to wait an hour for their first, 3-bite course to arrive…The second issue is portion size. I am no stranger to “small plates,” “tapas” or whatever the hell you want to call them. The Salt Exchange just happens to take this concept a little too far…