Former Gourmet editor Ruth Reichl has recommended Browne Trading as part of her multi-day holiday gift guide.
Even if your friends live near a coast, if they don’t live in a large urban city they very likely lack access to first-rate seafood. That’s where Browne Trading Company comes in. Rod Mitchell has been supplying sustainably-sourced seafood to big deal chefs like Eric Ripert and Daniel Boulud for many years. But he also mail-orders his wonderful products to ordinary people.
For the latest episode of Booze, Fish & Coffee the guys share their views on Little Bigs, Portland & Rochester, and more.
This hot new bakery is worth the hype. This husband-and-wife baking team hails from Michigan, and their hand pies are delectable, with an amazing crust that’s both light and flavorful with buttery goodness, but not too thick, so you can actually taste the goodies inside. We dig the Vegetable Samosa and the Spicy Pork Pie, but we’ll have to return for the Texas Chili with Frito Crust (!) These guys also know their way around a donut — both pastry and cake varieties, which were outstanding.
Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed David’s Opus Ten.
You should go to David’s Opus Ten soon. Get ready for some great food and be adventurous. It’s worth it for the experience. Pick a special occasion, make a reservation, and try something new. You can thank me later.
The Old Pine Tree has published a review of Caiola’s.
It’s dangerous in this town to make a sweeping statement about something or some place being the best. It’s a sure fire way to create an uproar. But whatever. I’m going to take that risk.
Thrillist named Eventide in their list of the Best New Restaurants in America.
USA Today include Standard Baking in their list of America’s Best Bakeries.
Cinque Terre/Vignola is on the Appetite for Life list of Great Farm-to-Table Restaurants.
Maine Sunday Telegram restaurant critic John Golden has reviewed Empire Chinese Kitchen.
In a thoroughly lively venue for authentic Cantonese cooking (many dishes are old family recipes of the dim-sum and stir-fry chefs), don’t miss the pastrami egg rolls, Peking duck buns, steamed pork buns, honey-walnut shrimp and a menu of eight to 10 dim-sum preparations. Standout large plates include lobster longevity noodles, Spicy wok-fried jalapeno shrimp, sizzling teriyaki chicken, marinated fish fillet and nightly specials. Service is first-rate, and the wait staff is fluent in everything the kitchen produces.
A Falmouth couple, Susan Tremblay and Donald Miller, has written a letter to the editor in defense of Oscar’s New American (scroll to bottom of page) after the restaurant received 3 stars from the MST last week.
Drink Up and Get Happy has reviewed Sangillo’s,
When you’re looking for a small, no frills, down and dirty bar, Sangillo’s is your place. Billed as “Portland’s Friendliest Neighborhood Bar” Sangillo’s is a place for locals and others to meet and share a drink and a tune on the jukebox.
and The Golden Dish has put together an omnibus review of Hunt & Alpine, the Downtown Lounge and Gingko Blue.
The crawdaddy puffs were a delicious blend of crawfish, chile and cheddar stuffed into flour tortillas and fried. Served with a relish of avocado, corn and bacon, this was a winning dish.
Gingko Blue recently invited me to stop by and try out their New Orleans menu and I agree with TGD, the crawfish rolls are a real standout dish.
Booze, Fish & Coffee has reviewed Taco Trio.
THIS is the real deal. When you’re looking for authentic Mexican eats in Maine, this is the place: house-made corn tortillas, unbelievable salsas, and slow-cooked flavors like you wouldn’t believe. Our favorites were the pastor (pork in pineapple adobo sauce) and carnitas (seared pork). A close second: carne asada. Honorable mention: goat barbecue. Don’t forget to hit the salsa table.
Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Nosh.
Our meal was delicious. I was certain I was going to have a heart attack on the way out, but I knew it was going to be the happiest heart attack ever. Myocardial infarction aside, Nosh really knows their burgers and fries…
The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed Katahdin.
This is Portland’s premier pre-theater restaurant, where wood-oven-grilled and roasted fare is featured. Standout preparations include house-baked focaccia, butternut squash tart, steak frites, salmon, pork tenderloin and pasta. Desserts change but include wonderful home-made ice cream and a rich bread pudding. It’s also a popular destination for post-theater cocktails, supper and dessert.
Portland Magazine has reviewed Empire Chinese Kitchen.
Inspired, she brought us her ingenious Empire Eggrolls (“local beef pastrami, asparagus, cabbage, honey Dijon”), a wondrous solution for East Meets West. Who knew someone could invent a way to enjoy a fried pastrami sandwich without the guilt? (A sharp knife is provided so you can share…) The Honey Walnut Shrimp are mouth-watering, the Spinach Dumplings in steam baskets so fun and tasty we were already planning our next trip back.
The December issue also includes an article about holiday food traditions of Portland’s hyphenated American communities.