Reviews of Hot Suppa & Bull Feeney’s

Drink Up and Get Happy have reviewed Bull Feeney’s.

While we were there our waiter was very helpful in answering any questions we had, recommending beers, and being attentive in general without hovering.  We perused the whiskey menu, reported to be the largest collection offered in the area, but ultimately chose to stick with the brews that evening.  We’ll save them for next time and with great service, great beers, and delicious bacon there will definitely be a next time!

The Golden Dish has reviewed Hot Suppa.

Or perhaps it’s an issue with Hot Suppa!’s kitchen, which could be doing better than it does. The food can be gutsy and at other times it misses.  Yet none of this keeps the crowds away, lining up  for weekend brunch or for lunch and dinner nearly every day of the week. 

Review of 158 Pickett Street

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Map & Menu has reviewed 158 Pickett Street Cafe.

There are more than enough options at 158 to satisfy any pizza enthusiast’s taste – like the standard cheese and sausage, or more creative flavors like the hot pink sauce, charred jalapenos, and cheese ‘Stinger’ – but regardless of your decision, everything we’ve heard and tasted has been fantastic.

Photo Credit: Map & Menu

2014 JBF Awards Semifinal Nominees

The semifinal list of nominees for this year’s James Beard Awards were released today. 7 Maine chefs and restaurants made the list:

  • Fore Street and Primo for Outstanding Restaurant
  • Rob Tod at Allagash for Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional
  • Cara Stadler at Tao Yuan for Rising Star
  • Brian Hill from Francine Bistro, Ravin Nakjaroen at Long Grain, and Masa Miyake from Miyake for Best Chef Northeast

The final list of nominees will be released March 18th, and the winners will be announced on May 2, 2014 at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City.

Review of C-Squared

Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed C-Squared.

Our meal came to about $110 with tip. It was a little pricey, but it was quite good and I was happy with the overall experience. I do think that this is a place that can survive in Portland and will have some success. Their menu offerings are excellent and their execution is solid. I would definitely go back and I suggest you check it out for yourself. C Squared served their food with love and made it a most delicious Valentine’s Day.

4 Star Review of The Salt Exchange

The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed The Salt Exchange.

This stylish downtown bistro offers very compelling fare done in the haute American style of contemporary classics. At lunch the varied menu offers such dishes as a fish taco, chicken club, and excellent char-grilled burger among the standouts. The dinner menu offers a very good dining experience with such fine preparations as pan-roasted salmon with bacon-lobster mashed potatoes; a butternut squash risotto with cranberries, braised chard and pickled shallots and plum-glazed duck breast. A must have with cocktails is the chef’s black pepper and truffle potato chips…

Reviews of Vinland and Hunt & Alpine

Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Vinland,

Do I recommend going to Vinland? Absolutely. It’s much closer than Finland which is what spell check tells me to call it, and it’s certainly more delicious. For what it’s worth, it might have also been the healthiest meal I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Now that’s extreme! While it isn’t inexpensive, I might still put it in “slightly more often than special occasion” status. Next time though, I’m definitely asking about the tasting menu. We saw people partaking in that monstrosity of awesomeness and the dessert looked like a mushroom forest. It was a work of art on a plate. More on that after I try it.

and Drink Up and Get Happy has reviewed the Portland Hunt & Alpine Club.

We really enjoyed our time at the Hunt and Alpine. While the prices are on the higher end for happy hour, the drinks are of excellent quality, often using what are considered top shelf ingredients. They are also very reasonable compared to other cocktail prices in Portland. Great service paired with a comfortable atmosphere, they are very affordable indeed! It’s a great place to visit with friends, take family, or even a date. It’s become a hot spot in Portland so if you do go, and we recommend you do, either get there early or plan to be patient. Trust us, it’s worth it!

Review of Hugo’s

The Blueberry Files has reviewed Hugo’s.

You can tell the food takes center stage at Hugo’s. This time of year, there’s room for you to sit the bar for just drinks, if you just want to sample their creative cocktails. Courses can also be ordered a la carte at $22 each. But if you can afford it (and our bill was $290 with tax and tip), Hugo’s is well worth the splurge. Everything was delicious, reimagined yet approachable.

Reviews of Daily Greens & Salvage BBQ

The Press Herald has reviewed Daily Greens,

When it came time for the weigh-in, my salad came to $7 and change, and I had enough moeny left from my 10 bucks to buy a blood orange San Pelligrino.

Fewer calories, less guilt, but still plenty of flavor.

Take that, winter.

and a bar review of Salvage BBQ.

Jay Villani’s third restaurant on the peninsula has brought superb barbecue to Portland. As a bar scene, it’s great – plenty of comfortable bar stools, three TVs, lots of local beer on tap and booze in shiny bourbon bottles. Settle in with a local microbew, order a barbecue pork sandwich and some hush puppies and you’ll be reminded of why Portland is such a special town.