Category: Reviews

Bon Appétit has included one of my local favorites, the Loaded Biscuit at Tandem, in their list of the Best Restaurant Desserts of 2015.

The Press Herald has reviewed Bramhall,

But the biggest surprise is the look. Clean and rustic, dark but attractively lit with dozens of candles and antique Edison wall sconces, Bramhall makes you feel like you’ve just entered a secret club.

and also reviewed Portland Patisserie.

But when I opened this sandwich, it looked like someone had ladled a heaping spoonful of onion soup with lots of caramelized onion and melted Gruyere cheese onto the bread.

It was a wet sandwich, but the wonderful crusty baguette held the moisture nicely. My sandwich also came with a little cup of onion soup broth, so I could dunk the sandwich for even more moist flavor.

The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed the Sea Glass restaurant in Cape Elizabeth.

Located just off the lobby of Inn by the Sea, the popular hotel in Cape Elizabeth, Sea Glass is a small, quiet restaurant with a spectacular view and a healthful menu introduced by the newly appointed executive chef Steve Sicinski. (He worked previously at two acclaimed spa resorts, and the menu features a good selection of gluten-free and vegetarian options.) Cooking can be inconsistent here, so follow the staff’s suggestions and try succulent lamb meatballs to start (served with a cool and creamy yogurt dressing, they’re deeply satisfying) or a bowl of ruby-red summer gazpacho…

After a 5-year hiatus, The Bollard has published the results of the 4th edition of their local smoked sausage review.

From 2007 to 2010, this was an almost-annual competition in which links from local butcher shops and markets vied for top honors in three categories: Hot Italian, Sweet (or Mild) Italian, and Wildcard. After a five-year hiatus prompted by my move out of state, the Showdown returned last month with some new competitors alongside seasoned veterans, as well as a couple new tasters to assist the usual officiating crew

The Press Herald has reviewed Joy’s Crepe Cafe.

And the Mr. Crabby itself? Once it came out of the kitchen, I didn’t really care anymore about the price. It was simple and delicious. The crabmeat comes from The Fishermen’s Net next door, and it’s mixed with just a little Japanese mayonnaise – enough to hold it together and add some flavor, but not enough to overwhelm the taste of the crab. The crabmeat was fresh, bright and left me wanting more.

I was very impressed with the crepes, which were ultra thin and the perfect texture. I could bite right through them easily, but they held together well. I would definitely order the Mr. Crabby again.

The Blueberry Files has reviewed Boone’s.

When the boyfriend suggested Boone’s for his mom’s birthday dinner, my first response was, no way. Then I thought, ugh, don’t be such a B, give it a shot. It’s a nice restaurant on the water, and I wanted to have an open mind about the food there. I called and made a reservation for a Monday night – I asked to sit outside, but they don’t make reservations for the outside decks. So we crossed our fingers and went.

If you want to be all TL;DR about it, the takeaway is that the food is fine, the service was not so fine, and I was unfortunately not impressed despite trying to find a silver lining.

Bon Appétit has included both East Ender and Tandem Coffee + Bakery in their list of 50 nominees for this year’s best new restaurants.

Every year, we announce the Bon Appétit Hot 10, our list of America’s Best New Restaurants. And it all starts with these 50 nominees. Over the last several months, Andrew Knowlton and Julia Kramer criss-crossed the country seeking out the truly original, innovative, and unexpected cooking taking place right now. These are the spots that killed it this year. The restaurants range from a quintessential French bistro to a place that serves pretty much only hummus, an eclectic brewpub to a vodka-soaked Russian joint. The one thing they have in common is this: flat-out deliciousness. Which ones of these 50 nominees will earn a spot in the Hot 10? Check back August 18 to find out.

The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed The Honey Paw.

A chef once told me that restaurants are a lot like relatives. There are those you visit frequently and always enjoy, a few you see only on special occasions, and several you tolerate. If you’re lucky, though, there are one or two you want to know better. Sure, they have a few quirks, but they’re bright, creative, known for their good taste, and filled with such energy that you look forward to your next encounter…The Honey Paw is that last kind of restaurant.

The Press Herald has published a bar review of Crooners & Cocktails.

A classy joint with a major throwback vibe to the 50s and 60s era of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, Crooners & Cocktails offers classic cocktails, beer on draft, a great happy hour, and a full dinner menu.

Central Provisions (30), Eventide (32) and Caiola’s (97) have made it on to the Opinionated About Dining Fresh List.

The FRESH List celebrates the 100 best American restaurants that feature; F – Farm-to-Table cuisine; R – Regional American Cuisine; E – Ethnic Cuisine; S – Sustainable Ingredients; served with American-style H – Hospitality.

The list is a response to readers who regularly ask for dining advice about where they can find reasonably priced restaurants that offer an interesting take on American regional and ethnic cooking. It’s the perfect list to use to help plan your summer vacations.