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Weekends in Bar Harbor I love spending summer weekends in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.  Ironically, I go there for two reasons: to enjoy the simple pleasures of Maine and to relish in the most pristine pavement in the United States.  That's right, Acadia offers some of the best cycling surfaces I have ever been able to ride. 
Bubble Maineia's Grand non-Opening
On Monday, July 5th, I approached the doors of Bubble Maineia's new store (15 Temple Street, Portland, ME); to my dismay I found them locked.  Confused, I yanked on the door a few times as I re-checked the business hours.  The lights were on, the "open" sign was bright blue and red, and a young kid inside scurried away while on his cell phone.   Perhaps it is unfair to write about Bubble Maineia's new Dessert and Noodle Bar without first tasting the food, but I have no choice since I could not get in.  
Boda Thai Kitchen Bar Boda Kitchen Bar (645 Congress Street, Portland, ME) is located on the corner of State and Congress. It opened three months ago as a "Kitchen - Bar" concept similar to Nosh: small plates, good food, and plenty of drink choices.  The first time I ate there was one week ago Saturday, and the food was impressive enough to get me through the door the next night.  Perhaps my weakness for "tapas" style restaurants is to blame, but Boda is another gem in the Old Port.

Miyake Food Factory

MiyakeFoodFactory From the outside Miyake Food Factory, located at 129 Spring Street, leaves much to be desired.  In fact, I drove past it many times never giving it a second look - until I saw it reviewed by Andrew Zimmern (Travel Channel) almost a year after it opened.   The cliche of never judging a book by its cover slapped me in the face with a dose of reality; Miyake had something exciting to offer - excellent traditional Sushi and more.    Miyake, at the time of my discovery, was in an excellent position to offer a unique sushi experience;  they could provide a larger variety of sushi, in smaller quantities, because their demand exceeded their supply (number of seats).  Masa-san (Chef) had (and has) an extensive background to create phenomenal dishes.  Unfortunately - for me at least - the splendid preparation of sushi and other dishes,  exquisite talent, and superior ingredients, combined with high demand has become Miyake's "Achille's Heel".

I am ashamed to say that this review is written a number of months since my last visit; which I will remedy in the near future.  However, driving past Miyake several days ago, I believe that little has changed.  About two months ago I tried to get a table, but the wait was too long.  I witnessed people walk-out, or never come in, because of the efforts needed to gain a table.  Less important is the fact that even though the service is good, the length of time it takes for dishes to arrive exceeded the patience of some, including myself.   In Japan it is normal for dishes to arrive out of order, often with one person getting served while others wait; this is because Japanese kitchens are small, which is not the case at Miyake.  And for those of you that say that eating is an experience and Miyake facilitates a rewarding meal that goes beyond just eating - you are right - but it does not chaneg the fact that I want to be fed.

The food is amazing.  That's it, plain and simple.   You can't go wrong with anything - and if you don't know what to eat just say "Omakase - o - kudasai" and sit back.

The drink selection, is good at the store next door.  Miyake is BYOB.  Can't complain there either.

Service - I had my rant.

Really, there is nothing else.   I have read articles, reviews, posts, etc... from lovers, rarely is there anything less than a 10 (on a 10-scale) given to Miyake.. so that's it, I have nothing else to say.  Last time I was there reservations were available for Omakase style dinners, but that could have changed... call, or not, go there, wait, and enjoy.

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This is a blog. That fact means nothing. It is not a peer-reviewed journal, a final archive of my writing, a sponsored publication, or the product of gatekeeping and editing. That does mean something…it means that while the ideas and thoughts are often vital and the product of a long gestational period, the writing itself is not. It is essentially as it came from the keyboard: spontaneous, unproofed, unrevised, and corrected afterward only when necessary to address mistakes that grossly effect the intent. Where such changes have been made they are explicitly noted… Click here for terms and conditions.

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