Category: Reviews

The Golden Dish has reviewed Marcy’s.

As soon as I saw the blackboard breakfast/brunch item of smoked pork chops in red-eye gravy with baked beans, eggs and toast I had to have it.  Wow if that wasn’t greasy spoon heaven! 

The Golden Dish has reviewed Zapoteca.

The food is very good at Zapoteca but still misses that oomph of inimitable Mexican sabor.  Maybe it’s geography  at play or the need to have an able sous chef in the kitchen cooking while Bard globe trots to learn new techniques.

Drink Up and Get Happy has published a bar review of Local 188.

We were pleasantly surprised to discover that Local runs happy hour, which they call Tapas Time, Monday – Friday from 4-6pm!  They feature $3 Allagash White, House wine selections for $4 per glass or $16 per bottle and $5 Frescas, made in house with infused vodkas.  While the specials list may be small, it does have something for everyone for great prices.

The Press Herald has reviewed Casa Fiesta.

Casa Fiesta in Portland is a kitschy, corporate Mexican restaurant on Forest Avenue that has surprisingly good margaritas, free house-made chips and salsa and excellent service. Don’t knock it until you try it. This might be your next go-to Mexican restaurant.

The Bollard has published a breakfast review LFK,

So while I may come back to LFK some evening for a burger and a beer, I probably won’t return for brunch. In a city like Portland, there are just too many other places serving brunch I do love.

and a review of JP’s Bistro.

The dishes are executed without any particular finesse. Sourcing local, ethical or organic ingredients doesn’t seem to be important at JP’s. And a mediocre meal doesn’t cut it when the tab for two approaches $100. That said, plenty of folks don’t share my qualms. If you decide to check out JP’s, make sure you make reservations — the place gets packed.

The Frog & Turtle recently was named by AAA as one of the 70 best comfort food restaurants in the country.

The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed Samuel’s.

The quintessential neighborhood bar and grill, Samuel’s is a popular watering hole and casual restaurant serving very decent no-frills pub fare with a super-friendly vibe. They’re famous for the chicken wings and rightly so. Pizzas are good, as are a list of daily lunch and dinner specials. Don’t miss, for instance, the chicken tostada with chili verde – a half-foot-high pile of chips, dips and chicken.

Drink Up and Get Happy has reviewed Zen Chinese Bistro,

Staff were friendly and attentive to our group, joking with us and patiently explaining what each specialty drink was.  It was a great night filled with everything that happy hour should be, delicious beverages, tasty food, and great friends.

and The Golden Dish has revisited and re-reviewed Salvage BBQ.

On the whole, I liked Salvage a lot.  Some of my comments  reflect personal preference perhaps, but the place is great, the ribs were terrific and most everything else was good enough. And for about $20 you can’t beat the price.

Booze, Fish & Coffee has reviewed Central Provisions.

Aside from the forethought about design and flow, we also really, really liked the food. Chef Chris Gould brings some familiar classics, and reimagines them by adding a single unconventional but brilliant ingredient, such as the nutty brussels sprouts with pecorino and pine nuts, but also with a hint of horseradish. The bread and butter is truly transcendent, both for the creamy, slightly salty butter and the genius inclusion of a raw farm egg on the plate. The porchetta board includes not only slices of swine heaven in the porchetta, but also sunchokes, soft rolls, and a tangy apple-dijon mustard sauce that made the dish sing.