Category: Reviews

The Portland Phoenix has reviewed Eve’s at the Garden.

The bar snacks recreate the spirit of the courtyard itself: each is a rarefied take on a people’s favorite. New chef Earl Morse, formerly of the White Barn Inn, has created funny little variations on classic casual food like sliders, tacos, crab-cakes, wings, and lobster rolls. They are really cute to look at — maybe they are even a touch too precious — but it was hard to hold that against a bar snack.

The vegetarian food blog Diet for a Small City has posted a review of Paciarino.

Much to my pleasure, the menu contained plenty of meatless options—and by options, I don’t mean that I chose the one vegetarian appetizer and the one vegetarian entree available—I mean, I actually had to make a decision. Fellow vegetarians know how disappointing it can be when a menu chooses your meal for you.

Portland Magazine has published a review of The Inn on Peaks Island.

If the grub weren’t so delicious at the Inn on Peaks Island, there’d be reason enough (beyond the rave reports of our island friends, who consider the pub here a regional treasure) to visit for the journey alone: The Casco Bay ferries dish up a refreshing 20-minute visual appetizer as you watch the Portland city skyline turn purple and pink behind lighthouses, Fort Gorges, Little Diamond and House Islands, and the twinkles of a visiting cruise liner or two.

This week’s article from Margo Mallar in the Portland Daily Sun mixes Budhist one-liners: “What did the Buddhist say to the Hot Dog Vendor? (Make me one with everything)” and Dali Lama references with a visit to Papaya King on Dana Street.

Papou’s Kitchen has received 4 stars from the Eat & Run column in today’s Press Herald.

The gyro is a white pita (from Micucci’s) stuffed with a meat mixture of seasoned beef and lamb that turns vertically on an electric spit. As the meat cooks, Zoulamis shaves off thin slices.

It’s a weird contraption that looks something like Spam on a spit, but the meat is flavorful, hot and delicious. Most of all, it’s incredibly tender, much moreso than the strips of grilled meat that are found in most gyros.

Type A Diversions has published a review of her lunch at The Salt Exchange.

We were still quite hungry when we finished our four small plates and decided to share the Orange Blossom Poached Rhubarb for dessert. Lemon custard was topped with a meringue cookie and surrounded by tart rhubarb and sweet orange sections. The dish was light and the flavor combination worked well together.

The Maine Switch has reviewed El Rayo Taqueria.

My husband, Adam, who’s been hitting up this spot on a regular basis for lunch, ordered the pollo burrito ($6.25) with citrus and cumin marinated chicken. He says the burrito, with beans, rice, Monterey Jack, crema fresca, guacamole and salsa, is one of the best he’s ever had.

El Rayo started serving dinner this past weekend.

Mitten Machen has reviewed Silly’s from a vegan perspective.

While vegans can’t eat everything on the menu, Silly’s has more than enough to keep us entertained and well-fed. Silly’s earns a triumphant four on the chickpea scale!

The Portland Bar Guide has published a review of The Porthole.

Why do I love the Porthole so much? I don’t even know if I can put it into words. Located on 20 Custom Wharf St., it’s slightly off the beaten path. That helps. Inside, it’s slightly eclectic, giving the eye something to do other than people watch. Ten seats at the bar and ten large tables throughout the inside of the restaurant, there is plenty of room to eat if it’s cold outside. If not, head right out to the deck and find a picnic table.