Category: Reviews

Portland Magazine has published a review of Piccolo,

Patrimonio ($24) features “Abruzzi style” pork sausages that simply melt in our mouths. Think an ever so lightly orange touch, with a subtle mix of herbs and no gristle. Alongside creamy polenta and fennel, this is a dish worth remembering and ordering again.

and the Press Herald has published a bar review of Zapoteca.

Zapoteca’s tequila menu, which features more than 60 varieties, will definitely impress. And the tequila flights – 12 different flight combinations to choose from – are three half-ounce glasses of special samplings, which include blanco, repossado & anejo, served with Zapoteca’s own tomatillo sangrita (a non-alcoholic shot meant to cleanse the palate).

Booze, Fish & Coffee have published a review of Miyake and Pai Men Miyake.

This week Bo and Brian deliver a double dose of Masa Miyake, to give you the scoop on the new menu items at both Miyake and Pai Men Miyake in Portland. For you home cooks, the boys share secrets of Japanese pantry items and also how to avoid the top three mistakes in cooking pork loin. And as for drinks this week, they sip sake and teach you how to craft a nifty beverage gift.

Eater National included the Portland Hunt & Alpine Club in their list of the 30 Hottest Cocktail Bars in America.

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Elsmere BBQ.

The results are quite good. The pulled pork has a touch of maple sweetness over a rich just-smoky flavor. The brisket has a peppery rub and earthy flavor that works especially well with the mustard-based barbecue sauce. The chicken was, unusually, the smokiest of the meats — utterly infused with the flavor of the wood. The danger of a long smoke without sauce is that things get a bit dry, and the chicken at Elsmere did lean a bit in that direction.

The Press Herald has published a bar review of Hot Suppa.

Hot Suppa has a surprisingly great happy hour scene. Who knew? Equipped with food and drink specials, it’d be easy to stay on a budget here.

Booze, Fish & Coffee has published a review of Piccolo.

Overall, great flavors, extremely well done. The service is impeccable, and the atmosphere welcoming. Thumbs up from us, definitely. Be sure to order the melanzane appetizer.

Map & Menu has published a review of Bresca and the Honey Bee.

We treated ourselves to a sampling of a few different things – apple and cranberry pie, peanut butter o’s, and a berry and almond boo cake (think pain perdu with seasonal toppings) – and quickly polished off the entire spread (I even ordered a pear tart for the road). We chased it all with Tandem coffee…If you’re in the area or looking for a delightfully Maine way to spend some time one weekend, make sure to swing by Bresca and the Honey Bee, you definitely won’t regret the decision.

The Blueberry Files has published a review of Urban Sugar.

The maple frosting piped on top of the hot donuts quickly started melting and mixing with the bacon jam – which I assumed was just like candied bacon or something. But a few bites revealed that the jam also contained onions, creating a sweet and savory mix. The hot crunchy donuts, cool maple frosting, and salty bacon all mixed together was pretty fantastic.

The Golden Dish reports that Frederick Eliot has left Spread to lead the kitchen at Petite Jacqueline.

A significant chef’s shuffle occurred this week–namely, that Frederick Eliot–Portland’s Frenchman chef–who dazzled diners from his kitchen at Spread has been whisked away to preside at Petite Jacqueline where he will commandeer the stove in true Gallic fashion.

Last week he also posted his choice for the top 3 restaurants in Portland.

My picks will not be a surprise to many of you. They are Five Fifty-Five, Back Bay Grill and Fore Street. The uber-superb Hugo’s should have been on the list but their menu is strictly prix fixe, without a la carte offerings; that wouldn’t fit into this plan.

The 207 Foodie has published a review of Little Tap House.

Although I’m a little bit late jumping on the bandwagon and their six month anniversary is right around the corner, Little Tap House is worth a try for food that is not at all pretentious, but instead local and fresh. Lovingly prepared, from the honey butter to the exquisite flavor combinations, I’m sure that your mouth will be happy.