Last year was such a success, the organizers of the Maine Restaurant Week 2009 are bringing the program back in 2010 and expanding its reach to include fixed price lunches ($15.10) as well as dinners ($20.10, $30.10, or $40.10).
However, with discount prices of Maine Restaurant Week still over the horizon in March it’s worth taking a look a what pricing specials, seasonal and otherwise, are available right now:

• Bar Lola – 5-course prix-fixe menu, Wednesday-Saturday, $36, optional wine pairings are an additional $24.
• Bonobo – slice and soup or salad for $6.50, get all three for $9, lunch Wednesday – Saturday.
• Emilitsa – wine and meze pairings, Monday – Thursday, 5-7 pm, $5 for wine, $7 for mezes. Starts January 11.
• Evangeline – 3-course prix fixe menu on Monday nights, $25-30.
• Hugo’s – 3-course (first course, main course and dessert), Tuesday-Thursday, $35.
• Duckfat – 3 courses, choice of soup or salad, panini specials & dessert, $15. Mondays – Thursdays, 5pm to 9pm; Monday – Saturday 11am to 9pm; Sunday 11am to 6pm.
• Five Fifty-Five – raw oysters $1.55 each & drink specials, Thursdays.
• Pom’s Thai Taste – $1 sushi, Monday & Tuesday.
• The Salt Exchange – Cioppino fish stew and green salad, Tuesday 5:30 – 9:00 pm, $20.10; $5 add on for a glass of Pinot Noir or a bottle of Anchor Steam. Starts January 19.

If you prefer you discount calories in a more liquid form take a look at the happy hour specials listed at Portland Taps.
Anything missing from the list? Post a comment and share what you know.

Last year was such a success, the organizers of the Maine Restaurant Week 2009 are bringing the program back in 2010 and expanding its reach to include fixed price lunches ($15.10) as well as dinners ($20.10, $30.10, or $40.10).

However, with discount prices of Maine Restaurant Week still over the horizon in March it’s worth taking a look a what pricing specials, seasonal and otherwise, are available right now:

• Bar Lola – 5-course prix-fixe menu, Wednesday-Saturday, $36, optional wine pairings are an additional $24.
• Bonobo – slice and soup or salad for $6.50, get all three for $9, lunch Wednesday – Saturday.
• Emilitsa – wine and meze pairings, Monday – Thursday, 5-7 pm, $5 for wine, $7 for mezes. Starts January 11.
• Evangeline – 3-course prix fixe menu on Monday nights, $25-30.
• Hugo’s – 3-course (first course, main course and dessert), Tuesday-Thursday, $35.
• Duckfat – 3 courses, choice of soup or salad, panini specials & dessert, $15. Mondays – Thursdays, 5pm to 9pm; Monday – Saturday 11am to 9pm; Sunday 11am to 6pm.
• Five Fifty-Five – raw oysters $1.55 each & drink specials, Thursdays.
• Pom’s Thai Taste – $1 sushi, Monday & Tuesday.
• The Salt Exchange – Cioppino fish stew and green salad, Tuesday 5:30 – 9:00 pm, $20.10; $5 add on for a glass of Pinot Noir or a bottle of Anchor Steam. Starts January 19.

If you prefer you discount calories in a more liquid form take a look at the happy hour specials listed at Portland Taps.

Anything missing from the list? Post a comment and share what you know.

According to an article in today’s Press Herald, a group of 22 current and former employees at Harding Lee Smith restaurants have written a letter in his defense. See the article for the full text of the letter.

Bob Murphy, a bartender at The Front Room, said he came up with the idea for the letter in support of Smith because he wanted the public to know that he and other employees feel Smith has treated them fairly.

Murphy said he worries that publicity about the lawsuit could hurt business at Smith’s restaurants, thus affecting employees, who earn much of their income through tips.