SaltPig's Profile
One dinner in Portland, ME: Bresca vs. Street & Co?
I would say go for it at Duckfat for lunch. The poutine is amazing and the truffled ketchup for the fries is the best. Bresca is very good but agree with the comments by MaineMal. May also want to try 555, you won't go wrong there.
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Bresca
111 Middle Street, Portland, ME 04101
Camden, ME - one great dinner?
Totally concur with Primo. Melissa Kelly does some amazing stuff there. Have had a "decent" meal @ Natalies, but nothing to write home about. If you want a good meal at a good price with a great wine list try Brevetto in the Knox Mill in Camden.
Ginger Beer in Maine- Stewarts, Goslings or Barritts
Ok, following a great trip to Bermuda for my 40th a couple of years ago, I have become addicted to Dark -n- Stormy's. I have been able to get Stewarts Ginger Beer (IMHO the most spicy) at the Hannafords, but now I find out that Dr. Pepper (the current owners) have discontinued it! The Bastages!
Anyway I like Maine Root, but I can't seem to find anything that rivals the spiciness of Stewarts. I have heard that Goslings is marketing their own thru Polar, but have yet to see any available.
Ok Chowhounds, any recomendations or locations?
Please don't suggest Reeds as I think it tastes like a weird syrup.
The SaltPig
Rockland ,Maine Summer 2009
I concur with In Good Company, Primo is always excellent but higher priced than most in the area. Cafe Miranda is consistent, but with over 150 menu items every night it can be a little overwhelming. Lilly Bistro has had good local reviews. I went right after they opened and will give them the benefit of the doubt, they have now had a year an I need to go back. Venture a little further north to Camden and check out Brevetto Kitchen and Wine bar. Chef/owner is a friend and he does a good job. Excellent Italian wine selection. Reservations are needed most places during the summer but we have good luck showing up ~ 8PM. For some reason Mainers are early eaters. There is also Billy's Tavern in Thomaston (just south of Rockland) great pub food, killer atmosphere and they pour a great Guinness! have fun!
In NYC with little time to browse the boards.
Wife and I (I am a chef and she a major foodie), are going to be "Near" NYC enough to eat there Sunday and Monday of next week....looking for great food, name and fashion do not mean a thing, just want the best food. Unheard of, new, refurbed, new chef, not found out yet places are what we are after. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
North Conway Dinner
Just to throw a wrench at Moat Mountian, had a very forgetttable meal there on Saturday night, the place was not all that busy (no wait for a party of 7)but the service was horrible, waitress acted like she was just waiting to punch out ( and we are a very fun and generous group to serve), the food wasn't horrible but we had a much better lunch at the Muddy Moose. The beer was good, but all in all we will not return!
Restaurants Camden Maine Area
You may also want to check out Brevetto Kitchen and Wine Bar. Nice Italian bistro style food, great wine list, most by glass or quartino. Tell em Tom from Nobleboro sent ya!
Duckfat: a sign in the window, "best french fries on earth. Serious"
Ok, I have to preface this in that I haven't been to DuckFat since July, but just to come to their defense. I have never had table service there for ordering. You order at the counter and they bring it to your table. Whilst there last July with my wife and out of town foodie friend, we basically ordered one of everything on the menu. Yes I am serious.
It was hands down some of the best casual, ducky food I have eaten and I eat around the world.
The truffled ketchup is amazing.
As far as being busy, we went early and had no trouble, I will have to return to compare.
Don't be deterred!
Goat Meat - Portland, ME
The folks at the website above have good product. I have a couple of boer goats that I am raising for meat and will have more as soon as I get a female. I have heard that the goat suppliers in Maine cannot keep up with the demand.
Enjoy it if you find it!
Need Quick Response Re: Cambridge Eats
Ok, just got back to Maine. Had a fab dinner at Rendezevous. During July they are offering their Sunday Prix Fixe menu everyday. App, Main Course and Dessert for $38~~Not bad and it looked like their menu was the same as normal. Did a quick Calc and if you chose the most expensive item for each category you would have spent $49 so not a bad deal.
Anyway I had the charcuterie of the week ($9) with 3 different homemade pate/terrines, some cured meat and a pile of heavenly lardon. Also served with cornichon, mustard and a marvelous candied fig.
Main course was Braised pork and veal meatballs with toasted orecchiette,
tuscan kale and piave cheese ($24) - this was absolutely delicious. The server told me it was the last night for the dish for a few months so I got lucky. For desert I had Polenta pound cake with fresh berries and rosemary ice cream ($8) which was delish as well, but if you go have what my wife had the Lemon-buttermilk pudding with huckleberry sauce ($7) it was ethereal and divine.
All in all a great little place, nice wine list. Not very pricey for Bean town, so I would continue to recommend!
Thanks all.
Need Quick Response Re: Cambridge Eats
Thanks everyone, we are going with Rendezvous. I will write a review when we return.
Cheers!
Need Quick Response Re: Cambridge Eats
Going to Cambridge in the AM and spending the night. Need upscale but good food to take wife and her employee to dinner. Going to be staying at Le Meridien near MIT. Any help would be great. Price not a huge issue just want great food at a decent price.
Thanks!
2008 Ice Cream Season starts-Central Maine
Round Top IceCream in Damariscotta opened on the 5th. Summer must be coming!!
Good eats (not lobster) in Midcoast maine?
Having lived in SC Low Country for 13 years, you can call me a bit of a BBQ snob. Grillzilla is decent, just not what I would call extraordinary.
Good eats (not lobster) in Midcoast maine?
Two other suggestions. In Rockland is Sage Market, which now does a killah Sandwich and soup. Also I'd skip Grillzilla. Good idea but not much on the delivery.
Where to Buy WHOLE Sucking Pig
OK, I am in midcoast maine and need a whole pig around 60-80lbs. Curtis Meats in Warren (my go to folks) are out and may not get more in by Sept 22nd when I need it.
Any other sources you 'hounds know about?
Tom
Rockland Spots
Thanks to all for the replys. Primo is closed till the end of April, but we will be there then. We live just about 30 min south of Rockland in Nobleboro. Suzuki Sushi is great, as well as several other choices in Rockland. We ended up actually going south due to some errands (nice to be childless for this!) and had dinner at the Back Street Bistro, in Brunswick. Been there before and did not disappoint. Give it a try if you get into the Brunswick area, just off Maine St. by the firehouse.
Tom
Rockland Spots
Ok, we have a babysitter, now all we need is to narrow down our options in and around Rockland Maine. Anyone have any thoughts, suggestions or warnings.
Thanks in advance.
Tom
Great Gourmet Market in Rockland
Just discovered Sage Market on the main drag in Rockland, ME. This place is fantastic. Good selection of wines Nice cheeses, fresh duck, foie, salume etc. They also do sandwiches from their deli selections. Owners are previous cooks at Primo and foodies at heart. Check it out. I am on my 3rd case of wine from this place!
Tom
