Category: Reviews

Bon Appetit calls the meal prepared by Aurora Provision’s Leslie Oster the standout dinner at the Kennebunk Festival.

But it was the cooked dishes that proved chef Oster’s skill. Anyone can give you fresh-from-the-dirt produce and you’ll love it, but Oster followed through, sending out nice seared duck and, later, a slab of pork belly (equally fatty, salty, and sweet) that was as good as I’ve had in a long time. The farm-to-table conceit was cute, but it wasn’t just a stunt. This was a real meal. I can’t wait to see what she (and everyone else) does next year.

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Little Tap House.

The burger is a good one, the bun a soft sweet brioche with a good dark crust. The juicy burger, ground in-house, had been loosely packed just to that right spot where it holds together but does not get too dense. The terrific Maine potato fries seemed double-fried, and come with a choice of sauces — both in the style now familiar from Duckfat. An entrée of roast chicken was juicy and herby, with a just-crisp skin. The accompanying mashed potatoes and snap peas were quite good, unmarred by a compulsion to jazz up their classic appeal.

The Blueberry Files has published a review of Dishcrawl and the food the group had at The Porthole, The Thirsty Pig, Blue Rooster and The Salt Exchange.

I enjoyed my experience, and heard from a lot of participants that they were in places they’d never been or never would have thought to try. So Mary is accomplishing the mission of Dishcrawls to connect locals with new restaurants. These tours are aimed at locals, with Dishcrawls being offered more frequently in the winter when the restaurants aren’t as busy.

More Broke 207 has published a bar review of Forest Gardens.

When our food arrived, it arrived unadorned on paper plates, exactly like a $2 grilled cheese should.  With all the fennel infused, grass fed, handcrafted, small farm, artisanal food that Portland is so famous for… sometimes it’s just nice to have a grilled cheese on crappy white bread hiding under a mountain of deep fried onions.

The Golden Dish has published reviews of The Well,

The pasta choice that evening was potato gnocchi made with Norland potatoes (Jason’s favorite) and served with spinach, roasted parsnips, carrots, braised radishes and tomato puree. It was a beautiful looking dish.

as well as the Saltwater Grille and Sea Glass Restaurant.

I opted for the Maine haddock, a delicious piece of fish with a Parmesan crust and served over a creamy mash of Yukon gold potatoes. The accompanying string beans were cooked al dente, though the kitchen might have opted for local, seasonal asparagus, which would have been more appropriate.

Food & Wine included Bite into Maine on their list of America’s Best Lobster Rolls.

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a brunch review of Artemisia Cafe.

If salmon hash ($10.50) is on the menu, order it. One of many hash selections, this version includes roasted salmon with a Dijon sauce, sautéed onions, capers and dill creme fraiche. Two eggs any style are included in the order, and the salmon combination of flaky filet and fried potato make for a tasty variation on a familiar standard. Dill is fresh and not overpowering, and the creme fraiche on potatoes tasted lovely.

Edible Obsessions has published a review of Artemisia Cafe.

With it’s quiet location and quality food, Artemesia Cafe is poised to make a name for itself outside of the weekend brunch crowd with Chef Guy Frenette, and his wife, Heather, at the helm during the evening hours. It’s one of those quaint, near extinct spots in Portland, that make you feel at home.