Best Pizza in New England?

Antonio's. Amherst, MA.

Mike CP in Northern New England

Vietnamese in Portland, ME

Bump.

Now that I'm working downtown and not in the West End, I'm too far to walk to Kim's for lunch.

Are there any hidden bahn mi places in the old port or art district? Does Huong Vietnamese Restaurant do lunch? Anybody been there?

Thanks,
-MCP

Mike CP in Northern New England

Take Out for 10 - Recs

The vegetable dumplings were filled with a mixture of finely chopped greens and tofu(?). The texture of the filling was okay, but it didn't really congeal with the wrapper at all, so it ended up as a mushy mixture on my plate (maybe a one-bite technique should have been used here, but these were decent-sized dumplings). It could have been the take-out factor that made them this way, but it seemed more like the veggie and tofu filling just released too much water while being steamed to really stay together.

I guess the flaw in general with veggie dumplings is the lack of any fat to really make it all stick together, but I definitely have had a more complete veggie dumpling experience elsewhere.

Regarding the smoked duck: I don't remember if the menu we were using to order mentioned 'tea', and it did not taste as if it had any external flavor. Looking back at a different(?) online menu now I see a salted smoked duck, and am wondering if this is really what we should have ordered in response to older posts about duck from Mulan.

Oh well, next time!

Mike CP in Greater Boston Area

Take Out for 10 - Recs

More details of our great meal from Mulan:

8 of us (including some no-pork and no-spicy eaters) shared:
100 layers pancake (mediocre)
pork & leek dumplings (decent)
vegetable dumplings (decent)
scallion pancake (decent)
1/2 smoked duck (mediocre)
stir-fried peapod stems w/ garlic (very good)
sautéed bean curd sheet w/ bamboo shoot and black mushroom (very good)
Taiwanese style pan friend noodles (decent)
house special fried rice w/ shrimp chicken and veggies (decent)
chicken in spicy garlic sauce (very good)

We were happy with everything we ordered, and were particularly surprised with the peapod stems, bean curd sheets and chicken in garlic sauce. All three of these were well prepared, and each was unique and flavorful. The peadpod stems were a great success, as I was worried they would be soggy and a bit bitter after the car ride back from the restaurant. Luckily for us these maintained great flavor until mealtime. Both the bean curd sheets and chicken in spicy garlic sauce were surprisingly unique, the chicken having a great spiciness that promoted flavor as opposed to masking it, and the bean curd sheets unlike anything I have had in the past.

I was surprised about the smoked duck, since I thought I had seen positive references to it in other posts here on CH. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing, but this was nothing special; just cold smoked duck with little flavor. The slices of breast meat had slightly better duck flavor than the pieces on the bone, but overall this was lacking any distinct flavor at all. It was a good size portion however, and everybody got plenty to try.

The dumplings, scallion pancake, and the other ‘decent’ dishes mentioned above were on average with other take-out meals of this cuisine I have had in the past. There was nothing bad here, but nothing noteworthy, either.

We took a gamble with the 100 layers pancake, since none of us had ever ordered anything of that nature before. It ended up being similar to the scallion pancake, just a bit flakier. I suspect this is something that would better ordered for a dine-in meal, and maybe it has an appropriate pairing with another dish that I am unaware of.

All of us agreed that Mulan was the right decision for our take-out meal. We ordered plenty of food, and I thought the price was right with bill total in the low $90s (with enough leftovers for one more person). Next time I’m back in that neighborhood looking to dine out or for take-out I will definitely consider going back here, especially for the peapod stems, chicken w/ garlic, and bean curd sheets.

Thanks to everybody for all the suggestions!

Mike CP in Greater Boston Area

Take Out for 10 - Recs

The 8 of us had a great take-out meal from Mulan last night. I will post the details once I have some more time to write it all up. Thanks for all of the suggestions!

Mike CP in Greater Boston Area

Picky in Portland

+1 to all of bobbert's and suggestions. Also, check out El Rayo and Asmara. I just had a great family lunch at El Rayo a few weekends ago, and the last time I was at Asmara with a party of 4 we shared the vegetarian platter which ended up being plenty of food and very satisfying.

Mike CP in Northern New England

Take Out for 10 - Recs

I'm helping to plan a take-out dinner for about 10 people next Sunday evening and am looking for recommendations for restaurants.

Dinner will be at my friends' house in Somerville close to Powder House Square. Their family will be visiting from Seattle, plus some more of us driving in from Western MA and Maine.

We're thinking of doing Asian; either Thai, Vietnamese, or Taiwanese.

We'll have a few cars and are willing to pick up from a few places if it is worth it. We will be a mix of spicy and non-spicy eaters.

So far restaurants we are considering are:
Rod Dee (the Porter Sq location)
Wangs
Mulan
Quingdao Garden

My brief research on this board puts Mulan at the top of the list. There seems to be plenty of good recs for dishes we can consider from there.

Are there any other menus we should be perusing this week? Is it worth it to get dumplings from Wangs, but look elsewhere for main dishes?

Thanks in advance for your help!

-MCP

Mike CP in Greater Boston Area

Dinner for About 30 In Portland?

Just attended a private function upstairs at Ri Ra. It seems their entire upstairs can be portioned off easily to accommodate a variety of group sizes, and I expect they could also handle large reservations.

Mike CP in Northern New England

Dinner for About 30 In Portland?

I participated in something similar at East Ender. It was a good space.

Mike CP in Northern New England

Restaurants near Safeco Field

Nothing embarrassing about this, pusherman. Tat's and the guys that work there are legit, especially if you need to fill up before any alcohol consumption in the park. I usually avoid any of the extras there, and stick with the sandwiches.

My go-to meal in the ID is banh mi from New Saigon Deli on the corner of 12th and Jackson or from Seattle Deli just another block north on 12th. Cheap, delicious, and an easy meal to bring into the park.

Mike CP in Greater Seattle

Beer - Best place to fill a growler in Portland ME

I appreciate everyone's response on this; mostly I'm just curious as to the what/where/why since I'm new to the area.

The biggest appeal of growlers to me is the ability to try a beer that may be on tap, but not available in a bottle. Back in Seattle, a nearby tavern or specialty beer store would have great local, national, and international taps each week. Some of the breweries providing the kegs were either too small to bottle or maybe not interested in selling bottles to the local market due to shipping or distribution costs. Growlers allowed me to try a beer at the bar, and then bring some home with me if I liked it. This may not be directly increasing profit for the brewer, but it definitely raised awareness of any new local brand.

But back to Portland: If filling growlers is not an option, is there a bar where it is best to try the small batch or short-term beers in the area? Where do you go to see what is new?

Mike CP in Northern New England

Beer - Best place to fill a growler in Portland ME

Any updates on this?

A closer look at the law from a few years ago reveals language that allows breweries to sell their own growlers from behind the bar, but it mentions nothing of whether patrons can bring in their own vessel to be filled on site.

Mike CP in Northern New England

New Management Joko

I went as a party of 3 for lunch this past summer very soon after the management changed from Julia to Joko. After living in Green Lake for a few years I had always wanted to try Julia's, but by the time we made it there it had changed to Joko's. The place was empty when we arrived, and we were seated by who we assumed to be the owner.

I don't remember the exact food we ordered, I would guess three different meat options. I think we asked the owner for suggestions. The food we had was not bad, though clearly not memorable at all. Each plate had 4 or 5 different components on it; rice, meat, vegetable, maybe a sauce or two. The memorable part was the very small portions we received which did not match the higher lunch price.

If they are still in business now more than 6 months later, I would think it would be worth it to give them another try.

Mike CP in Greater Seattle

First Maine Shrimp of the season

I went early-ish this morning to Harbor Fish to get some head-on Maine shrimp, but the only local shrimp they had left was shelled & cooked. They said they would get more whole shrimp on Tuesday, and I think I overhead that they would get more headless this afternoon. I'll call ahead next time...

Mike CP in Northern New England

Portland NYE?

I agree; all three of these spots would be a good fit for what you are looking for and have plenty of kid-friendly options.

Mike CP in Northern New England

Private party space in/near Portland?

Just got back from event at East Ender. We had the entire upstairs room, which is plenty big for 30 people. There are about 11 or so 4-tops up there, plus some bar seating. Not the best space for one huge table, but a few medium-sized tables might be possible. They had appetizers for us which were good, but not amazing. I think their dinner fare (which I have not had yet) is considered decent enough. The private party was associated with a local university, so though I'm not sure on the price range, I doubt it is too high. This was all on a Friday night so I don't think booking a weekend evening is an issue for them.

Mike CP in Northern New England

Private party space in/near Portland?

Although I have never been to the upstairs at East Ender, I am attending a private event there in just a few days. I'm sure others on this board can comment on what type of space it is, and I'll let you know soon how it works out.

Mike CP in Northern New England

Best Cheeseburger in Portland, Maine

Could anybody clarify which Dogfish is being discussed here? The 'other' post on Chowhound is about The Dogfish Cafe on the corner of Congress and St. John. Just want to make sure we are all talking about the same location...

Mike CP in Northern New England

Find Salsa Lizano in Portland?

You might try Bodega Latina as a place to start in Portland.

I believe their info is:
863 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04102-3111
(207) 761-6661

Mike CP in Northern New England

Maine Brewers Festival - Portland, ME

My significant other and I are considering going to the Maine Brewers Festival this coming weekend here in Portland. We're new to the area and have not been able to talk to anyone who has been in previous years to get an opinion. Can any 'hounds here give me a clue of its its worth it for the price, etc.

Recently moving from Seattle, we've been to the Washington Brewers Festival many times and have enjoyed trying new beers from breweries we're familiar with, as well as getting to know some of the breweries we are not so familiar with. Can we expect the same experience here?

The price of the Maine Brewers Festival is higher than other festivals, but it looks like it includes a higher volume of tastes.

We're within walking distance of the festival here, so that is a huge plus.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Mike CP in Northern New England

Vietnamese in Portland, ME

Made it to Kim's today for lunch with SO. This place is great. We both got the Special Combinations after a suggestion from the younger of the two women behind the counter. We had a nice conversation with her while the bread was toasting. There were also a few older men sitting by the door talking (in Vietnamese?) and reading, which is always a good sign when looking for small, family run spots.

Brought the sandwiches home and they were awesome. Three different types of cold cuts including head cheese, plus the pate and all the veggies, it hit the spot!

Mike CP in Northern New England

Vietnamese in Portland, ME

In search of good and cheap vietnamese in Portland, ME, specifically pho and bahn mi.

I just moved here from Seattle, WA, where there is a plethora of small pho and bahn mi joints.

I have not tried them yet, but it looks like Saigon Restaurant and Thanh Thanh 2 over on Forest Ave are preferred.

Has anybody been there? What is their pho like? Do they also have bahn mi?

Also, what about the places over on St John, such as Kim's Gift Shop.

Thanks for the help!

Mike CP in Northern New England

Beer - Best place to fill a growler in Portland ME

Just moved to Portland area with SO from Seattle, WA. I am hoping to fill some of my growlers with good local beer. I've had the obvious local beers (Shipyard, Gritty's, Allagash, etc) which have been excellent, but I know there must be more.

Can anybody suggest the best place to fill a growler with local beer, considering price, quality, and variety?

Thanks!

Mike CP in Northern New England

Looking for restaurant suggestions from the locals in Portland, ME

I was surprised by Korea House's price range when I walked by and checked out the menu yesterday. Almost $15 for bibimbap? Is it really worth the price?

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Korea House
630 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101

Mike CP in Northern New England

I-70 Between KC and Denver?

BUMP

Doing similar drive from Denver to Salina on Monday with my SO, and we are looking for a lunch spot with a diner-esque atmosphere. We should be getting to the Hays area around lunchtime. The above posts are informative, but a few years old. Can anybody provide a more recent review of any of the these places?

Al's Chickenette
Liquid Bread Brewery/Gella's Diner
Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your help.

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Al's Chickenette
700 Vine St, Hays, KS 67601

Mike CP in Great Plains

Seattle First Timer - Trip Itinerary Help Please!

Don't second-guess yourself here. Although Revel maybe provides a more unique (read: trendy?) dining experience, Joule is the better restaurant.

Mike CP in Greater Seattle

Good restaurant near the ACT Theatre?

We went to happy hour at Red Fin before going to see a show at the ACT Theater a few months ago. They had some good deals on mid-range sushi, as well as some other dishes on their happy hour menu that looked interesting. Our party of 8 was easily fed with plenty of time to make it to the show.

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Red Fin Restaurant
612 Stewart Street, Seattle, WA 98101

Mike CP in Greater Seattle

Torontonian coming for a short visit - approve?

I second fried chicken at Kingfish Cafe. Additionally, Joule has some great fried chicken. However, when I was there last week it was off the menu, so it may not be available while you are here.

Mike CP in Greater Seattle

Joule, How to Cook a Wolf, Rest. Zoe, Mistral Kitchen, Crow - help me decide!

In terms of fine dining, I think Zoe and Mistral are at the top. Joule and HCAW are not quite fine dining, however I would def recommend Joule. Don't know anything about Crow except for what you've already read.

Mike CP in Greater Seattle