Last Updated on Saturday, 06 March 2010 03:54 Wednesday, 17 February 2010 00:00
Maine Restaurant Week 2010 is coming to Portland! I can't wait. It starts March 1st, 2010, and goes on through March 10th, 2010. The Restaurant Week tradition may have started in New York during the early 1990's as a way to celebrate and promote local restaurants. It now appears in many cities (San Diego, New York, Portsmouth, Washington DC, Boston, Los Angeles, Denver, Portland, and many more) as a way for chefs to showcase their creations. Maine Restaurant Week.
During March 1-10, chefs and restaurants statewide will be going above-and-beyond, by offering three-course, prix fixe dinners at special low prices. Depending on the restaurant, 2010 menus will be priced at $20.10, $30.10 or $40.10. Also during Maine Restaurant Week some participating restaurants will serve prix fixe lunches for $15.10. More info can be found at http://www.restaurantweekme.com (Maine Restaurant Week Official Website)
Last year I nearly let it slip by. I had been travelling and discovered Restaurant Week was going on while having dinner at Emilitsa's Greek Restaurant. As a result I only managed to visit Bresca and Evangeline's. Interestingly, Bresca proved to be a great disappointment while Evangeline's was a tremendous success - at least according to my taste buds. If I am not mistaken, the two restaurants have a chef in common.
So here is my preview of Maine Restaurant Week 2010 for Portland, Maine:
| Restaurant's I Eat At |
Maine Restaurant Week Recommendations | My picks for 2010 |
| Bar Lola | Scaled down version of their chef's choice menu. Never the less a well poached egg with pan seared stead sounds wonderful. I've only been there once and not quite certain if I want to go back - perhaps a good opportunity to revisit. | Chance at redemption. |
| Blue Spoon | It's been a while and the current posted menu sounds rather boring. Perhaps it needs a little more flare. | Maybe. |
| Brian Boru | I'm just not a fan; I ate there once and once was enough. | Nope. |
| Bull Feeney's | Toby Keith's "I Love This Bar" always resonated with me well when walking into Bull Feeny's, then they turned my couches to a toilet. I am still bitter about that, but a good place to go if you drink there but never eat. | Nope. |
| Cinque Terre | One of my favorite restaurants in the Old Port even though I generally go there with some celebration in mind. Their appetizers are enough to get me in, but the Gonicch with Braised Rabbit sounds like a siren's song. | Maybe. |
| Corner Room Kitchen and Bar | I love having lunches at the Corner Room, a 3 course dinner sounds equally inviting. I just wish they published the whole menu. | Maybe. |
| David's Restaurant | David's is my typical "once-a-week" place for dinner; sort of a meat and potatos dining experience. The menu sounds over done but I am sure it will be delicious. Their new take on Bruschetta is fantastic. | Maybe. |
| Dry Dock Restaurant | Summertime staple for a simple meal; I am not sure if it's worth the time for this week. | Nope. |
| Duckfat | I've been there six times and never liked it. For all of you fans out there - good for you - it's not for me. The fries are delicious when done right, but the sandwiches I personally cannot stand. | No way. |
| El Rayo Taqueria | Their Restaurant Week menu sounds wonderful ranging from oysters to short -ribs. I'll consider it even though my history with El Rayo is mixed. I do have a secret, my last review was not my last visit. I've eaten there about a dozen times since I wrote "Losing it Fast" and they've stabilized. I'll update the blog. | Interesting. |
| Farmers Table | Never again. | No. |
| Five Fifty-Five | I avoid it because it's delicious and way too generous on the butter (and other fats). I love their food but only so much my heart can take. Maine shrimp risotto sounds fitting for this time of year. Great candidate for Restaurant Week. | Probably YES. |
| Flatbread Pizza | Always a good decision even though the staff is often.... aloof. | Nope. |
| Fore Street | The restaurant menu is blank because Fore Street updates it daily. No secret I don't share the love of Fore Street - I say check out Street and Company to get an idea of what Fore Street will offer. They make a point the items are only offered at Fore Street - perhaps it's true. Go visit both and decide. | Maybe. |
| Front Room Restaurant & Bar | I've never been disappointed with dinner at the Front Room, even though I am not sold on their breakfasts. Menu sounds good although I think they are playing it safe.... BBQ Brisket and Ceder Planked Salmon? They can do better. | Nope. |
| Great Lost Bear | I don't think I remember what I ingest at the Great Lost Bear since it's usually coupled with many pints of beer. You can eat there any day of the week, go elsewhere. | Nope. |
| Grill Room & Bar | The current menu is well reflective of their regular offerings, not a bad way to go. Salad, beef tartar, sword fish, and sirloin? Even though it sounds simple I am sure it will be stunning. | Nope. |
| Gritty McDuff's | I've eaten there... back in my younger years. Like all the other pubs, perhaps a fun night out with friends. | No. |
| Local 188 | I will never forgive them for the awful paella I ate there once; I wonder if it's the same recipie on the menu for restaurant week. As much as I love paella, Local 188 made the worst one in Portland. Maybe they will redeem themselves during Restaurant Week. | Perhaps... worried about the paella. |
| Pepperclub/Good Egg Café | I only ate there once and it was good, but uneventful. Their restaurant week menu is nothing special - just their regular menu. I see it as a lack of effort, but that's just me. It's a safe choice for anyone who has not yet been tot he Pepperclub. | Nope. |
| Ribollita | No menu posted yet. I had a rough visit at Ribollita last year, and I am not sure if I am ready to go back. Who am I kidding, Ribollita is currently one of my pics. | Probably. |
| Street & Co. | My favorite alternative to Fore Street (same owners). I wish they would post the menu. | Maybe. |
| Vignola | The menu is currently incomplete, but I am sure food will not be disappointing. Good time to visit if you have never been. | Nope. |
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