Category: Reviews

Bill Addison, Eater’s roving national restaurant critic, has posted an article about his recent visit to Portland.

Given its favor as a vacation destination, it’s widely known that the town has an astounding breadth of quality restaurants. And the options only keep growing broader and better. It is Maine’s largest city, though the population of the town proper only numbers around 67,000. In my 16 months of near-constant travel for Eater, I’ve yet to encounter a U.S. metropolis of its modest size where I eat more superbly.

The article provides tasting notes and observations on: Central Provisions, Chez Okapi, Emilitsa, Eventide, Fore Street, Hugo’s, Miyake, Palace Diner, Rabelais, Tempo Dulu and The Honey Paw.

The Press Herald has published a bar review of the East Ender,

Brought to you by the owners of the former SmallAxe Food Truck, East Ender is a two-story casual eatery in the eponymous neighborhood of Portland. Fit with two full bars, one upstairs and one downstairs, this is the kind of place where you can find a little bit of everything – a quiet drink with a friend, enough space upstairs to meet a group, or a romantic evening out in a cozy corner. The cocktail list is new for the season and is cleverly crafted with care. Several local brews, as well as Miller High Life, are available on draft. Mocktail menu, and sodas by the bottle and gun.

The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed Evo.

Roasted cauliflower ($8) is a lacy revelation. (Unlikely, yes, but you’ll just have to believe me.) The tiny florets are delicate and moist, with caramelized brown edges and the merest hint of salt. That deep, sesame flavor you taste with each forkful comes from a few drops of tahini sauce drizzled over the plate, and there’s an intense sweetness from a dab of what turns out to be pureed raisins that Ginn uses to balance the dish. We’re bowled over.

The Golden Dish has reviewed The Treehouse.

Fast forward to 2015, nothing has changed at the Treehouse, nee The Cafe.  It’s still the same second-floor rabbit warren of rooms that’s it’s always been, with Christmas lights  wrapped around bouquets of dried leaves.  Nor is the menu much different.  Yet, it has a fiercely loyal following who flock to its chambers nightly for  elaborate plates of big portions moderately priced…

The Press Herald has reviewed Terlingua.

Terlingua is a small BBQ restaurant in Portland featuring smoked meats and Latin American fare. There are eight rotating local taps, a new cocktail menu featuring Southwestern- and Mexican-style drinks, and a nightly deal on rotating bottles of wine for $25. This is an ideal neighborhood hangout for drinks and/or dinner.

The Portland Phoenix has reviewed Union.

The entrees have similar virtues. You know a fancy restaurant is really exploring comfort food when it has turkey and pot roast on the menu. The later was quite good, with a generous serving of tender meat surrounded by jus soaked root vegetables. A bit of truffle and fresh horseradish animated the rich flavors. A risotto dish was served a great al-dente, with fat slices of grilled pear scattered about. It had some blue cheese, but it was mild enough that it did not overwhelm the nutty flavor of a walnut pesto dolloped in the middle of the dish.

The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed Isa.

The atmosphere and the service at Isa are decidedly relaxed and informal. Based on the number of friends who seem to be meeting up after work, it’s already become a popular place for a drink. And with modest-sized portions that are reasonably priced, it’s also a fine choice for a laid-back supper. So start at the bar. Bask in the buzz. And savor the braise. This is a bistro that works.

Drink Up and Get Happy has reviewed Maps Cafe.

The tea comes served with proper tea cups and accompaniments on a cute tray to your table. With your tea steeping in a separate pot. Given that one of the owners is British, we know that these teas are served up right. They also come with a little biscuit to dunk if you are so inclined. The teas were delicious and a great compliment to the sweetness of the cake, which was decadent without being too heavy. Cakes are made in house and flavors rotate frequently.

The review also reports that Maps is “offering homemade fruit purees to be added to your beers” and shares that the weissebier and strawberry puree combo was “really tasty” adding a “subtle fruit flavor that didn’t overwhelm the beer itself”.

The Golden Dish has posted a first look review of Roustabout.

Other main courses that we enjoyed were a very respectable lobster with spaghetti, crushed red pepper and bread crumbs.  The pasta was perfectly cooked and lobster in the shell was splashed judiciously in a lusty tomato sauce.  A faultless dish.

The Bollard has reviews Bogusha’s,

The food was good, hearty fare, and paired well with the porter. The placki ziemniaczane ($7.50) are fried potato pancakes, soft as pillows inside and about as flavorful. A little salt and a dollop of sour cream liven them up. We also had the Polish Platter ($14.50), a sampling of specialties from the Old Country.

and The Sinful Kitchen.

It’s just that kind of thoughtful, personal service that makes this place special. Yes, the prices are a bit on the high side, and there are certainly other places in town where you’ll find food that’s just as good, or even better. But if your diet is restricted for any reason, you’re unlikely to find a better brunch or more accommodating, friendly staff than those awaiting you at The Sinful Kitchen.