Category: Reviews

Dispatch has published a review of the  new Union Bagel shop on Cumberland Ave,

Union Bagel offers a short menu of freshly made, organic bagels with a variety of cream cheeses to choose from. Choices included sesame, onion, salt and poppy but I went for the garlic bagel with olive cream cheese in hopes that nobody would want to talk closely with me for the remainder of the morning. Perfectly toasted with just the right amount of spread, the bagel was warm and soft inside with crispy garlic bits on the outside. Deeelish.

On a Roll has published a review of Bite into Maine,

Get to the roll!  Solid roll and great value. Currently we are eating hard shell offshore bugs fetching about 8 bucks a pound.  This should warrant a $16 dollar lobster roll in this beautiful setting.  My textbook roll was $13.95. We also had their grilled tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella sandwich for just south of 5 bucks- this was delicious and a bargain.

the Press Herald has published a bar review of David’s,

I have been to David’s for a couple of happy hours in my days working downtown. The restaurant, which has received many accolades, should also be applauded for its drink menu. The bar offers about a dozen specialty cocktails and martinis that go beyond the traditional drink.

and a review of Supreme Pita.

Bottom line: Supreme Pita is fine for what it is, especially for all those hungry college students. If you’re craving stellar Greek food, though, save your money for the Greek festival.

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Enio’s.

Delicious Italian-influenced entrees, salads, pastas and snacks that are uncomplicated, updated, nicely portioned and reasonably priced for the quality. Enio’s calls itself a small eatery, and it is. Due to the set-up of the dining area and the no-reservations policy, on busy nights, this restaurant is best for small parties, such as a couple dropping in from the neighborhood or a party of three or four who get the timing right.

Lauren Loves to Eat has published a review of J’s Oyster Bar.

Lobster Roll, $13.50: Very fair price for a beautiful overstuffed lobster roll complete with potato chips and a pickle spear. I prefer the fancier lobster roll from Eventide, but I did enjoy this more authentic and no-fuss tasting one as well. 

The Golden Dish has published a review of Artemisia Cafe.

Of the next three entrees mine was the most successful.  It was a ballotine of chicken that was delicately rolled around an herbed chicken mousse and served with quinoa, broccoli and olives atop sauce pevra, a Mediterranean preparation that’s basically a balsamic-based bread sauce.  It’s an elegant dish.

The Press Herald has published an Eat & Run review of Pie in the Sky,

I thought the slice of pepperoni was especially tasty. The pepperonis were diced into cubes as opposed to sliced, which made the pizza easy to eat on the run. Other ingredients included roasted red peppers, fresh basil, three cheeses and tomato sauce. It had a bit of a spicy kick to it, which probably came from the pepperonis, but not too much.

and a bar review of Joe’s Boathouse.

While the size of Joe’s bar limits the number of people who can sit there to about five or six, the restaurant offers outdoor seating that’s hard to beat. With summer fast approaching, it’s definitely a spot to put on your list to drink in the sun and watch as boats depart and dock.

Duckfat made it on to the US News Travel list of America’s Best French Fries.

The outcome of Duckfat’s double-dip preparation process is crispy exteriors and soft, fluffy innards, with duck fat creating an intense taste. You can sample these fries layered in one of eight signature sauces like truffle ketchup and Thai chili mayo. Or, you can turn this savory side into a full meal by ordering the poutine: delicious fries covered in cheese curd, house-made duck gravy, chives and a duck egg. 

The Blueberry Files has published a review of Outliers,

But I see this place as more of a ‘date night out’ kind of restaurant. The entrees we saw being carried through the dining room looked beautiful and made our mouths water. Whether you end up coming in for a full dinner or just stop by for nibbles and a local beer, check out Outliers and welcome them to the neighborhood.

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Ri-Ra.

RiRa does Irish-inspired pub fare extremely well. Traditionalists and meat lovers will enjoy the pub menu and community atmosphere. If the upstairs is open, try dining there for a less crowded experience. The stout-steamed mussels are amazing.

They’ve also published a set of four articles about restaurant inspections in Maine.

The Portland Phoenix has published a review Blue Rooster,

The rest of the menu, though, costs no more than the typical Portland sandwich (around $7) and tastes a good deal better. Many of the details are fantastic, like pickling the yellow tomatoes on the porcetta sandwich, which brings out its fruitiness (and its grapefruit color) even as it adds some sour. A sweet-salty pork belly, with a nice crispy edge, was stuffed with a spicy, juicy sausage. All the richness was cut by some sharpness arugula and the sour tomato. Thoughtful!

and The Golden Dish has published a review of Nosh.

One memorable sandwich that I had at lunch a while ago was something called Maine Shrimp Bah-Mi: fried shrimp on a house-made hoagie with foie gras pate, pickled cucumber, hot sauce and cilantro.  Only a culinary maverick could dream up this combination to stuff into a hoagie, the aftermath being you adjust your belt notch one less.

The Press Herald has published a review of Olive Cafe,

My lunch date went for the Mediterranean Plate ($9.99), which was a glorious array of hummus, falafel, tahini sauce, seasoned and fried cauliflower, house salad and fresh pita bread. She said it was plentiful and flavorful, and a heck of a bang for one’s buck. Suffice to say, neither one of us can wait to get back there.

and a bar review of Little Tap House.

I ended up ordering a beer not yet listed on the print menu from a new brewery out in Lyman: Funky Bow’s End of the Line Pale Ale on tap. Being in a new bar, I figured I’d try the new brew. The bartender even offered me a small glass with a sip or two to try before I committed to a pint. I was not one bit disappointed.

Lauren Loves to Eat has continued her Portland series with commentary on Standard Baking.