Category: Reviews

Eat Maine has published a review of The Front Room.

I came looking for a comforting meal, and the Front Room delivered. The service adds to the experience, and I leave happy and full. Now I know where to go for French onion soup and other cold weather comfort food. The Front Room provides friendly, genuine service and a warm, hearty meal. Surprisingly, I’m looking forward to a few more winter storms.

Map & Menu has published a review of Sweet Marguerites.

I decided to make a morning out of it by bringing along a couple of magazines to read while sipping my cup of hot chocolate. Having tried the salted caramel last time, I decided to go with the traditional chocolate. Both variations are deliciously creamy & rich enough that you want to slowly savor your cup. I’m honestly not sure of a better pick-me-up for a dreary winter day!

The Golden Dish has published a review of Vignola/Cinque Terre.

What more can I say other than Vignola Cinque Terre remains a superb dining venue in Portland, a tour de force that deserves, without reservation, all the accolades that one can muster.

The Press Herald has published a bar review of Mama’s Crow Bar,

The bar itself only serves beer — American craft beer, to be exact. There are six brews on tap and a slew of bottles available.

and a review of Vespucci’s.

While the market itself is shabby in its appearance, I would rate the counter food as above average to excellent.

Map & Menu has published a review of Schulte & Herr.

Right as the noon rush hit the restaurant, Meredith and I were paying our bill and putting on our coats, but now we’re faced with another problem – we’ve added yet another restaurant to chose from on our Portland go-to list. Such a tasty tragedy!

Edible Obsessions has published a review of Sea Dog Brewing.

If their bare minimum attention to the quality of their breakfast, which they serve daily, is any indication, the only draw to actually darken the door of Sea Dog Brewing may be for a pint and their multiple big screen TV’s in the bar area. Just eat before hand.

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Local 188.

Local 188’s menu is thoughtful, balanced and keyed in to the unique desires of Portland foodie types — and has been true to this concept since 1999. Its hipster reputation is not a mandate, just a nod to the area’s upwardly mobile young culture. The restaurant serves excellent food in a gallery atmosphere that features work by local artists. With this mix of art and cuisine, it is a terrific neighborhood spot for a drink, a snack or a full-on dinner date. Meat-free options are plentiful.

Tandem Coffee and Speckled Ax were included on the Eater National list of the hottest new coffee shop in the US that launched in the past 12 months.

Map & Menu has published a review of The Cheese Iron in Scarborough.

I’d highly recommend making the trip out to The Cheese Iron. If work doesn’t allow you to make it for lunch on a weekday, make the trip on a Saturday, and justify it by adding some dinner wine and cheese – if the meal doesn’t justify itself.

Photo courtesy of Map & Menu.

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Zen Chinese Bistro.

Zen the concept is not about transcendence, but rather about deepening the quality of our worldly presence. Zen the Chinese Bistro is not exactly transcendent, but it does enhance the quality of Chinese cuisine in Portland. The menu does not veer far from the beaten path of Americanized-Chinese, but it executes those classic dishes well, with fresh ingredients. That is enough to put Zen among the upper tier of Chinese restaurants in town.

The Press Herald has published a review of Three Buoys.

Let me get the location comments out of the way, and I truly say this with respect. The corner of Cumberland and Washington avenues in Portland is not where I expected to find a wonderful haven — a diamond in the rough, if you will — of delicious dining. But guess what? That’s exactly what I found, and shame on me for having that attitude in the first place.

Map & Menu has published a review of Tandem Coffee.

And then, a little over a week ago, I saw the light – literally and figuratively – from a barstool in a small, well lit coffee shop in Portland’s East Bayside neighborhood. At Tandem Coffee Roasters, owners Will and Kathleen Pratt have set up something special. Taking years of passion and experience in the realm of all things coffee (and some pretty handy carpentry and vision), they’ve turned a small building into an excellent coffee haven, roasting in-house, and serving from the clean, minimal cafe in the next room.

Photo courtesy of Map & Menu.