Drinking Culture

| Posted in Distilling & Cocktails

An article in Sunday’s Boston Globe reports on “Maine’s new drinking culture”. John Myers, Hugo’s, Blue Spoon and the Urban Farm Fermentory are all mentioned. (via Edible Obsessions)

John Myers, a traditional saloonist and cocktail historian, tends bar at The Grill Room, a steakhouse with a wood-burning grill in the center of the Old Port here. Myers, looking like a Wild West gunslinger with his wool vest and bushy beard, stands in the lamplight – a sommelier of cocktails ready to shake or stir.

Review of Saeng Thai House

| Posted in Reviews

Saeng Thai House received 4 stars from a review in today’s Maine Sunday Telegram.

Saeng Thai House is an easily overlooked Portland treasure. The employees are friendly and knowledgeable, and their attention to the smallest details is impressive. Enjoy the food either in the cozy dining room or at home on your couch. If you are craving good-value, fresh-tasting Thai cuisine, start at Saeng Thai House. (And make sure to try the noodles. Barry White is optional.)

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

| Posted in Reviews

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

| Posted in Reviews

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

| Posted in Reviews

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

| Posted in People, Profiles

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

| Posted in Reviews

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.