Reviews of the Old Port Sea Grill and Five Fifty-Five

From Away has published a review of the Old Port Sea Grill,

At The Old Port Sea Grill, small plates of super fresh seafood reign supreme. The entrees, though we only saw a very limited sampling, seemed uninspired, or maybe too inspired. Too many cooks, perhaps, trying to please too many lonely palates. But you could totally curate a meal from appetizers and such and be happy. I was. Contented, full, flushed and rosy as we left, thinking old Commercial Street is a lovely place to visit.

and the Bowdoin Orient has published a review of Five Fifty-Five.

If you enjoy a good meal, try and make the trip out to Portland; the restaurants are worth it and Five Fifty-Five should be at the top of your list.

Review of Schulte & Herr

Schulte & Herr received 5 stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.

We also ordered one of the most tempting things on the menu: Potato pancakes served with house-cured lox (cured with orange juice, sugar and salt), horseradish sauce, capers, radish and cornichons ($9).

My friend raved over the house-cured lox, which was plentiful on the plate and light on the tongue. The potato pancakes were crispy on the outside without being greasy or overdone, and soft and creamy inside. Paired with a bite of the salmon, a few bits of radish or capers and a smear of the horseradish sauce, these pancakes were a little bit of heaven.

Review of Fez

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Fez.

The menu at Fez actually says “Safari Restaurant” on the front, which perhaps presages a change in name to follow the change in emphasis. A safari is, literally, a long journey, and one gets the sense that this restaurant is still at the beginning of its own journey — in particular away from Moroccan and Mediterranean food and toward East Africa. In the meantime, this early, transitional Fez is worth trying even as they are still getting their legs. Right now it’s BYOB — a nice plus that you usually can only find at new restaurants in Portland. If you bring a bottle of wine and the right attitude, dinner at Fez can be like a safari — pleasing precisely because it is unusual and unpredictable.

Bakery on the Hill

The Portland Daily Sun has published a profile of the Bakery on the Hill and its owner Wolf Gonier.

When asked about the inevitable concerns that come with opening a new dining establishment, Gonier smiled and said, “We’re still feeling out our identity, but I am passionately proud of my cakes and pastries. I only use the very best chocolate, butter, cream and supplies. It may sound egotistical, but all I have to do is get the food in their mouths. I just need one chance. We love Portland and want to make everyone feel welcome.”

The Low Down: Head into Bakery on the Hill for freshly brewed coffee and a sample smattering of up to a dozen individually sized desserts, six to eight whole cakes, a dozen bars and/or cupcakes and seasonal offerings, all available daily.

Review of Zapoteca

Eat Here. Go There. has published a review of Zapoteca.

It was absolutely wonderful. The habanero sauce on top was quite spicy, but nothing a margarita or two couldn’t solve. The roasted pepper was cooked to perfection and I was seriously impressed with the quality of all the ingredients. I would definitely eat that dish again and would recommend it to anyone who has an obsession with relleno, because I have a semi-serious one and it was more than I even hoped it would be.

Review of Y-Limes Gourmet

Cupcakes! Cupcakes! Cupcakes! has published a review of Y-Lime’s Gourmet.

These cupcakes are a testament to the art of the cupcake. It was ridiculously delicious, in addition to being beautiful. Y-Limes is not kidding when they say that they are artisan bakery. I also would like to mention that the owner is really nice. I love it when someone who loves their product, what they do and are also just a genuinely nice person to interact with. Y-Limes Gourmet has become the front runner for the Portland cupcake scene; which is to say a lot, because the competition is becoming quite fierce.

This Week’s Events: UFF Workshops, Cookie Swap, Pig Butchering, Viva Lebowski, Beekeeping Classes

Wednesday — a hard cider workshop will be held at the Urban Farm Fermentory.

Thursday — an mead workshop will be held at the Urban Farm Fermentory, and The Great Lost Bear is showcasing Smuttynose Brewing.

Friday — there will be a wine tasting at the West End Deli.

Saturday — the 2nd Annual Viva Lebowski festival is taking place at Bayside Bowl.

Sunday — Rabelais is holding their 4th Annual Cookie Swap, Nate Brimmer from the Giant’s Belly Farm is teaching a pig butchering workshop at Local Sprouts, and the 20/20 wine charity event is scheduled to take place at Five Fifty-Five.

Beekeeping Classes — The Honey Exchange will be teaching a set of beekeeping classes January, February and March of next year. Visit thehoneyexchange.com for more details.

For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.

If you are holding a food event this week that’s not listed above, publicize it by adding it as a comment to this post.

Review of Zapoteca

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Zapoteca.

Zapoteca inherited a brick oven from the previous tenants, and they use it to good effect in their entrées — for example to roast four kinds of enchiladas. We tried a version filled with very tender white chicken and jack cheese. What we liked best about this dish is that they were not afraid to really bring the goopy sauce. In this case it was creamy tomatilla sauce that was a bit like a green-chili stroganoff.