Category: Reviews

Food writer Brian Duff from the Portland Phoenix makes it to Pho Hanoi, Pai Men Miyake, Petite Jaqueline and Top Thai to sample some of the cuisine that he hadn’t had the chance to try yet in 2011.

So that is a sample of dishes almost missed. So much of life often comes down to the right words at the right time. It’s a relief that eating out in Portland is so forgiving. The best dishes of the last year will be around for a while, and whether word gets around slowly or quickly, good food, and drink, will out.

Brea Lu has received 4½ stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.

Despite the cheery disposition of the place, what impressed me most was the dedication to breakfast-food excellence. I like sunny-side up eggs. And I know it’s not easy to get them perfect – yolks full of juice, not overcooked, whites cooked just enough, not runny and not burned. Every time I’ve gotten them at Brea Lu, my sunny-side up eggs have been perfect.

Also in today’s paper is a write up of Shipyard’s Applehead Ale which is due to be released later this month.

The Golden Dish has published a review of Five Fifty-Five.

After a long overdue visit to Five Fifty-Five I’m happy to report that nothing has really changed since my last dinner there. The food is as spectacular as it was at the restaurant’s initial trail-blazing restaurant debut in 2003. In fact,Five Fifty-Five gets better with age. That wisdom of experience and expertise continue to shine upon chef and co-proprietor Steve Corry and his extremely able kitchen crew.

Gogi received 3½ stars from the review in today’s Maine Sunday Telegram.

So, Gogi is meat. Or not, depending upon your preference.

Go to Gogi for the novelty of Korean tacos. The service is friendly, the vibe is casual, and the Arts District locale is ripe for conversation fodder.

Most importantly, the food is a unique and delicious “fusion” of Korean flavor and Mexican style.

Vrai-lean-uh has posted a review of Pai Men Miyake.

I went tonight and branched out and didn’t order the brussels sprouts, which was big for me because I order them basically every time I go. When they first opened, I was iffy on the ramens, but Dave got a pork and chicken ramen tonight and it was just fantastic. FANTASTIC.

Eat Here. Go There. has published a review of brunch at The Corner Room.

If you are an adventurous eater, don’t forget to order the black pudding. While the Corner Room didn’t have an overwhelming ‘wow’ factor for brunch (I prefer their dinner much more), I really liked some of the items we had. The theme just seemed a little lost, if you have an Italian inspired restaurant one would think the brunch would be more Italian inspired… but I digress. While I will probably eat here in again in the future there are many other brunch spots I would rather try before coming here again.

The Bollard has published a brunch review of Sonny’s.

All in all, Sonny’s served up an excellent brunch. We found the atmosphere more comfortable than its sibling restaurant’s — even when all the tables filled up, we could still carry on a conversation. Villani has put together some interesting flavors you won’t find on many, if any, other brunch menus in town. We may not become regulars here either, but for a change of pace Sonny’s is definitely worth a visit.

The Blueberry Files has published a review of Taco Escobarr.

Sigh.  I’m thinking, on one hand, it’s not *that* bad, and if you write a strongly worded review, you may come to regret it for many reasons.  Maybe I’m just crabby because it’s raining heavily, I didn’t bring lunch (or a raincoat), I’m wearing cute flats and tights, and I parked alllll the way in the back of the lot.

None of these things, however, excuse the greasy, declining taco experiences I’ve had at Taco Escobarr.

The Thirsty Pig received 5 stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.

The kudos are well deserved. By the time I finished my meal and headed back out into the cold, I couldn’t figure out why this place wasn’t packed with people taking a break from their Christmas shopping.

The simple menu features a dozen choices of sausages, hot dogs and other fare, plus whatever specials are on for the night. The night I stopped by, it was a $5 bowl of chili made with all of the restaurant’s sausages — just in case you can’t make up your mind.