Portland207

Mousse Cafe is perhaps the most underrated and over looked dinning spot on the peninsula.  They opened their doors late last Summer and have been a personal favorite ever since.  Everything is home-made; from the clam chowder, to the baked goods, to the ice cream.  Lunch is their specialty, but they also have a killer breakfast, that is served all day.  Their hours are generous as well.  Only closed on Sundays.  


Top meals:

-Turkey panini:  The greatest sandwich in Portland.  I hold this truth to be self evident.  The fries that come with it are amazing as well.  Regular, garlic or sweet potato.  

-Turkey chili w/ jalapeño scone:  Also friggin’ amazing.  There is a dearth of turkey chili in this town.  Hunt no more, it is the perfect bowl.

-Breakfast burrito:  If you attempt to polish this monster off for breakfast, you may spend the remainder of the day on your couch.  That is not always a bad thing.

1 Monument Way
Portland, ME 04101 (map)
822-9955

The Ice Bar is back.  And so is Portland207 (after a brief 4 month hiatus).  The ever popular Ice Bar at the Portland Harbor Hotel opened last evening.  This year comes with a $10 cover, half of which goes to charity.  I suppose that the Portland Harbor is pocketing the other $5 to offset the skyrocketing price of frozen water.  A few ice bars and sculptures are scattered about the patio of the hotel.  Martinis dispensed through ice and Makers Mark cocktails are poured over ice in return for $8 drink tickets, while Sebago beers clock in at $4.  Opening night seemed to bring out Portland’s limited young professional crowd.  All eager to mingle among the ice, propane heaters and chimeneas, though most ended up inside after 15 minutes or so.  The patio and bar area at the hotel and undeniably swank, though the various rooms with the appetizer stations had the feeling of a bar mitzvah at the Holliday Inn.  Complete with chocolate fountain.

MSN gives a nod to Allagash in their line-up of top summer beers.  The Belgian style beer that Allagash cooks up seems to be growing in popularity.  The tastes are definitely a departure from the standard American crap, and the ABV is certainly compelling.  Allagash has a few events lined up for August and September to show off their beers.  On the 12th of August, they will be at Evangeline from 6 to 8pm, supporting The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.  $10 and space is limited.  Contact Allagash for info: info@allagash.com.  On the 23rd of this month, the Alligashians will be at Vignola from 2 to 4pm, for a Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital fundraiser.  This year’s Fluxus will be on display.  On September 25th, the Great Lost Bear is holding an Allagash event from 5 to 9pm.

This bike, suspended on Congress Street, is labeled with the following:

-Gas Assist Bicycle
-200 MPG
-45 MPH
-Continuously Variable Transmission
$850

Or

2 solid events lined up for Tuesday.  The monthly gathering of green-minded Portlanders at Greendrinks and a visit by the Dogfish Head brewers at Novare Res.  Greendrinks is being hosted by GrowSmart Maine and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.  Show up between 5:30 and 8:00pm for tours of the facility and to sample some local organic vino.  Things get going at Novare Res at 6:00 and run until 8:00pm as well.  Judging from the turnout at the Allagash event last week, there is sure to be a strong showing. 

Novare Res held the first of several brewer meet and greets last evening.  The bearded dudes of Allagash were on tap to talk about the 10 or so varieties of Belgian-style beers that they brought along.  These were far from the ubiquitous Allagash White that can be found in most bars this time of year.  The brews included several barrel-aged beers, such as the Curieux, which is a Tripel aged in Jim Beam barrels for a couple of months, and the Odyssey, which is aged for 6 months both oak and stainless steel.  Also on site was the last barrel of Rosalare, which was aged in white wine casks.  There is no mistaking this beer when you sample it.  They also introduced this year’s Fluxus, which is released for the anniversary of Allagash.  This year’s is a double white with a bit of ginger.  Each beer had a suggested cheese pairing, which could be had for a mere $1.  The turnout was impressive; resulting in a staff that was a bit overwhelmed and overworked as they tried to sling beer and cheese as fast as they could.  Patrons were in good spirits, satiated by the boozy Belgian beers.  Most are up around 8% or 10% ABV.  The good times continue when the owners and brewers of Dogfish Head stop by Novare Res next Tuesday.  The folks from Rogue are in the queue for late August.

The Porthole (20 Custom House Wharf):  Where Portland spends its Sundays.  This sister establishment to the Comedy Connection has a huge deck right on the harbor.  It is rumored that a few people have fallen through the rickety boards that separate patrons from the water below, but things seemed pretty stable upon last visit.  The outside bar is fully operational for Reggae Sundays, which runs from 3 to 7pm.  Wide open and very dog friendly.

Joes Boat House (One Spring Point Drive – South Portland):  As if Marina Bay in Quincy, MA was cloned and plopped down in SoPo.  The food is reasonably good, though the beer selection is lacking.  No signs of any summer ales on the brief list.  The deck is sun splashed until about 3 and you can look out on the outer harbor.  Off the beaten path and hard enough to find that most tourists won’t make the journey. 

Silly's (40 Washington Ave):  Tucked behind this Washington Street institution is what may be the most unique patio in town.  The tables are crafted from large rope spools and each is equipped with its own survival kit.  The contents of which are menus, napkins, other dining accessories and a deck of cards.  Not that they are needed.  A pitcher of sangria helps pass the time while waiting for your food.  The sweet wine is served in half and whole sizes.  The half pitcher is enough for 2 or 3 people to get a bit loopy before/during dinner.  The food is as eclectic as the décor.  The chicken in a boat, which is essentially a Pad Thai chimichanga, is a must order, as are the fired pickles.  There is a little garden abutting the patio that is open for pre or post meal wondering.  This is the type of place that you hope stays around for a long long time.  It has already persevered for 19.9 years. 

Eve’s at the Garden - Portland Harbor Hotel (468 Fore Street):  The patio is sizable, though fairly sterile.  Surrounded by the Portland Harbor Hotel on 3 sides and an office building on 1, the patio is sunless by 6pm or so.  Still, a nice place to spend a post work happy hour.  Appetizers are half price from 5 to 7pm each day.  They are clearly making up for the loss of gross margin on the food through a boost in cocktail prices.  Specialty drinks are up between $10 and $14 and a standard cocktail is pushing $9.  

Amigo's (9 Dana Street):  Part of the all star line up of dives on Wharf Street.  They may have the worst bathroom in all of Portland, but beers are cheap and they have a decent little patio.  It has picnic tables, an outside bar and there is generally the haze of cigarette smoke in the air.  When you need relief, head inside, play a trek on Safari Edition Big Buck Hunter and feast off of candy and nuts from the vending machines bolted the posts throughout the bar.  

Sure, Chellie has raised way more $$ than any other democratic candidate, but she also has one of the sweetest bands around playing at her rally tonight.  Reason enough to swing by Space and plunk down the suggested $10.  In addition to The Toughcats, there will be a cash bar and whoopee pies.  6:30 to 9:00PM.