The Golden Dish has posted a list of his “best, most memorable dishes of 2013“.
But what impressed me was not only the new restaurants that came to us this year but the new or reliably excellent dishes that were created at these establishments old and new. Take a look at some stand-out dishes for 2013.
Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Zen Chinese Bistro,
So where does Zen stand in comparison to the rest of the Chinese food in the greater Portland area? It’s near the top. That’s not saying much, but it was good. The drink I had was superb. Our entrees were particularly delicious; however our apps could have been better. But make no mistake, the issues with the food were not huge and could be easily fixed if the desire is there to fix them.
and Living, Eating and Aging has reviewed Little Tap House.
So, what’s the verdict? The space is convenient, comfortable and friendly. The beer alone makes Little Tap House worthy of repeated visits. The food is a nice addition and, when it’s really good, it’s worth a trip for the food itself with a nice beer or two as an accompaniment. When the food is “just” good, it’s still worth a trip for a great place to have a beer and something nice to eat. My hope is that the food will become as consistent as the beer so TA, who is not interested in the beer, will regularly give me the thumbs up when I suggest Little Tap House.
Down East has reviewed Hugo’s.
The quail, crusted with flakes of dried bonito, sits beside a deviled quail egg and dollops of kimchi puree. That dish followed the lightly pickled local mackerel served with bits of matsutake-mushroom-flavored ice. It can all seem a bit precious, but a sense of whimsy in each dish deflates any of the stuffiness attributed with fine dining. An everything bialy with butter is served between courses of poussin (young chicken) and chawanmushi (Japanese egg custard). For dessert, a doughnut hole and bits of popcorn balance apple foam and caramel mousse…
Today’s Press Herald includes a bar review of Mathew’s,
Mathew’s Pub, advertised as “the oldest pub in Portland,” is as gritty as they come, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Pay nearly nothing for beer and even less for a pool table, and Mathew’s is not just the oldest bar in Portland but perhaps the cheapest. If it’s your first time venturing into Mathew’s, bring a friend or two.
The Brideway isn’t hip, it doesn’t offer any kind of funky fusion fare, and some could argue it could use some updating. But you know what? It’s also a respectable spot that is honest about what is has to offer. This wasn’t lost on me or my lunch date, and for that reason I’m glad it’s there and I am glad that it surely has a legion of longtime diners who keep the historic place in business.
and an article about SoMe Brewing.
Crystal Persuasion is in imperial pale ale made with 100 percent Crystal hops. Rowland said the recipe came about because his hop supplier offered him the hops, and he created first a regular pale ale – which will come on the menu at some point – and then the imperial version, which is 8 percent ABV. This was a nicely malty beer, with just enough hops bite to make it interesting.
Portland is on the list of the 75 “people, places and flavors that will shape the way you drink in 2014” assembled by Imbibe magazine’s for their January issue. Here’s an abridged excerpt of what they had to say about Portland,
Long a favorite vacation destination for East Coasters, Portland’s forward-thinking food scene was an early adopter of the farm-to-table (and sea-to-table) ethos…New brewers keep popping up, from powerhouses like Rising Tide in East Bayside to the ultra-cool Bunker Brewing…Excellent coffees are not hard to come by, but some of the most interesting can be found at Speckled Ax…[and] Tandem Coffee offers all the trappings, including pour-over cups prepared by friendly baristas. Setting a new standard for Portland cocktails is the Portland Hunt & Alpine Club, opened in September by Andrew Volk…True to its name, the bar has a distinct Nordic vibe defined by clean lines and a sparse coziness, and the menu is an ode to the beauty of cocktails, old and new.
The new issue of Imbibe should be appearing on newsstands in early January; the article is not yet online.
Petite Jacqueline has received 5 stars in today’s Maine Sunday Telegram review.
On a quiet evening earlier this month, the other diners at Petite Jacqueline may not have noticed the menu changes made by the restaurant’s newly hired chef, Paris-born Frederick Eliot. We knew the difference right away after one bite of our first course, a torchon of foie gras ($18), a preparation that set the stage for a remarkable meal to follow. There would also be many more extraordinary dinners on subsequent visits that were enjoyed immensely.
The Golden Dish has posted his initial impressions from a visit to the new Top of the East lounge and C2 restaurant, both located in the new Westin.
I had an excellent cocktail made by Josh, who was formerly the gatekeeper at Spread’s active lounge area and is doing a great job here. I also enjoyed a plate of smoked swordfish belly that was absolutely delicious. It was served with pickled radish, a red-pepper coulis and saffron aioli—all perfectly done. The rest of the menu offerings is a compelling list of small plates like panko-crusted goat cheese and assorted panini perfect to accompany wine or cocktails.
Drink Up and Get Happy has reviewed David’s.
Head to David’s to enjoy what Portland has to offer, hang out with friends and family, or warm up after shopping in all the great stores downtown. The fantastic specials on drinks and food paired with a great selection and atmosphere make it a happy hour to top most lists.
Thillist has named the Portland Hunt & Alpine Club to their list of the Best New Bars in America.
…the Scandinavian après-ski spot from Andrew and Briana Volk does the honorable thing, and cuts right to the booze — serving up crafted cocktails (Volk has been a bartender at choice spots across the country) — selected out of a large leather bound list that seems to have cherry picked Volk’s favorites from across the country (shout out to Tommy’s Margarita in SF!), alongside Nordic small plates served on wood planks.
The Golden Dish has reviewed Local 188.
It’s always true that when the boss is in the restaurant it runs better and everyone is happier for it. In this case, with Villani back at the stove you’re apt to get a very good meal.
I’m glad to reacquaint myself with Local 188. With so many new restaurants springing up in Portland all the time, it’s nice to go back to an old favorite, especially when it’s fresh and good.