Barava Review

The Portland Phoenix has reviewed Barava, the new Somali restaurant that opened on Congress street early last month.

The entrées, while perfectly fine, could not live up to the opening. The kabaab, “broiled with complementing addition in the tandoor” as the menu said, was a bit drier as an entrée then it seemed in the basket. But is came with a creamy, spicy, lemony hummus, and a spectacular thick African flatbread called muufo baravani.

Rosemont Market Review

Tasting in Tongues has published a review of Rosemont Market and Bakery.

The Rosemont Market & Bakery has a neighborhood feel with a world-class selection run by an expert and friendly staff.  Their focus is on local foods – produce, meats, dairy, eggs, and specialty products.  All 3 locations feature artisanal breads and pastries made at their Brighton Avenue location.  Their wine selection is way above par – extensive, unique and inexpensive.

Where to Eat Now '09

img008Down East has published the ’09 edition of their annual Where to Eat Now feature. The  magazine compiled the favorite eating spots of  18 chefs, food writers and other eating experts into a timely guide of where to eat now. A number of Portland area restaurants made the cut this year: Susan’s Fish and Chips, Fore Street, Bonobo, Thanh Thanh II, North Star, Haggarty’s, Bar Lola, Bresca, Five Fifty-Five, Paciarino, Vaughan Street Variety, The Grill Room, Novare Res, Top of the East, Una.

The Farmer's Table Review

The Portland Phoenix has reviewed The Farmer’s Table.

But while the Farmer’s Table gets its name a bit wrong, it gets many things right. There is clearly talent in the kitchen, and care goes into the ingredients and the preparation…Most importantly, the Farmer’s Table is the first restaurant in this part of town to feature this sort of food at the sort of price-points for both food and wine that make Caiola’s, the Blue Spoon, and the Front Room popular.

Sapporo Review

Type A Diversions has reviewed Sapporo.

All-in-all, we had a perfectly adequate sushi lunch at Sapporo, in line with my expectation. I have yet to be “wowed” by Sapporo on any of my visits. Bottom line: If you’re in Portland and in the mood for sushi, there are better sushi options than Sapporo.

Bar of Chocolate Cafe Review

The Bar of Chocolate Cafe has received 3 stars from the Taste & Tell column in today’s Maine Sunday Telegram.

The Cuban panini ($8) was encased in a well-browned oblong white roll, which wrapped up thin prosciutto and tender slices of house-roasted pork, melted cheddar and Swiss cheese and sour sliced pickle with a mustard sauce made of ground mustard, hot sauce and a lighter mustard. “It’s pretty spicy because it does have some red chilies,” Martin said.