Dinner
Back Bay Grill - American
65 Portland Street
(207) 772-8833
www.backbaygrill.com
Arguably one of Portland's most upscale establishments. The food is prepared to perfection and the staff is very attentive. They have a massive wine list and are very helpful when it comes to pairing. Eat slowly and enjoy your time here. Oddly, it is located very close to Bubba's Sulky Lounge, in case you want to burn up the dance floor post foie gras.
Bonobo - Pizza
46 Pine Street
(207) 347-8267
www.bonobopizza.com
If you live in the West End or are just craving wood-fired pizza from somewhere other than Flatbread, stop by Bonobo. The menu is not huge, but the combinations are both unique and damn good. The crust is super thin and crispy and the ingredients are applied liberally. Their beer selection could be expanded and the price to pizza size ratio seem a bit off, but it is very much worth a visit.
Cinque Terre - Italian
36 Wharf Street
(207)347-6154
www.cinqueterremaine.com
Part of Portland’s restaurant elite. Fantastic modern Italian cuisine in a similarly modern atmosphere. The bar is comfortably large and recently renovated. The wine list, like the menu, is exclusively Italian. One of the best meals you can find in Portland, with prices to match.
Dogfish Bar & Grille - American
128 Free Street
(207) 772-5483
www.thedogfishbarandgrille.com
One of 2 Dogfish in Portland. The other is way out on Congress, past Maine Med. This one is between the Portland Museum of Art and the Civic Center. The restaurant is spread over 2 floors, with downstairs being the more casual of the seating options. The open-faced chicken quesadilla with mango salsa could be one of the best dishes I have ever had in Portland.
Downtown Lounge - American
606 Congress Street
www.thedowntownlounge.com
(207) 773-1363
The same owner as both Norm's. The food is just as good as its counterparts across the street and over on the border of the East End. The space is narrow and you often have to wait at the bar or huddled by the door for a booth to open up. Use that time to memorize the menu, which is written on a chalkboard high on the wall.
Fore Street - American
288 Fore Street
(207) 775-2717
www.forestreet.biz
One of the most talked about restaurants in Portland. All the talk is true. This place is fantastic. The food, the service, the location and the atmosphere are all top notch. Getting a reservation on short notice can be difficult, however if you get there early, put your name in and don't mind waiting at the bar for a while, they will often squeeze you in. Settling into one of the oversized couches near the bar and ordering a plate of mussels and a few cocktails is a nice way to pass an evening as well.
The Front Room - American
73 Congress Street
(207) 773-3366
www.thefrontroomrestaurant.com
The best food the East End has to offer. Way out on Congress Street, quite close to the Eastern Prom, this small establishment contains everything that you may need from a dining experience. Open kitchen: check, booths: check, bar with a flat screen to pass the time while waiting for your dining companions: check. The menu is fairly straight forward, but they throw in a wrinkle with a list of specials that seems to be twice the length of the normal menu. Avoid the mac and cheese, go for the mussels, the French onion soup, any of the salads and treat yourself to a side of mashed potatoes for $2. A small but clutch list of beers and enough of a wine list to suit your needs without being overwhelming. The best part is that you can go for a nice Saturday night dinner and then hit it up again for brunch the next day. See the breakfast/brunch page.
The Great Lost Bear
540 Forest Ave
(207) 772-0300
www.greatlostbear.com
The most beers on tap in Portland. 50 plus taps, including 15 Maine micros. This place is a Forest Ave institution. It has the aroma of a fraternity basement, but don't let that deter your appetite. The menu is huge and most everything is a solid choice. Go with a burger or sandwich. They are skewered with little American flags. Various They are scewered with little American flags. Various beer specials throughout the week have The Bear showing up in the To Do section a couple of times.
Katahdin - American
106 High Street
(207) 774-1740
www.katahdinrestaurant.com
A funky place that prides itself on its uniqueness. From the decor down to the napkins, nothing could be referred to as ordinary. The food is always fresh, as the chef uses seasonal ingredients and changes the menu often. There can be a long wait on Friday and Saturday nights, but the time passes easily with the aid of their well attended bar and very generous martinis.
Local 188 - Spanish (Catalonian)
685 Congress Street
(207) 761-7909
www.local188.com
One of the only tapas places in town, this restaurant grew out of its old 30 seat space and has moved into new and spacious digs on Congress street. There is a pretty good sized bar and lounge on the left when you walk in, if you end up having to wait for a table. Tapas staples, like the tortilla espanola, are a can't miss. The entrées are a mix of Spanish, Portuguese and Greek. They are great at accommodating large groups.
Norm's Bar & Grill - American
617 Congress Street
(207) 828-9944
A great menu in a comfortable setting. They may have the best wings in town. The crab cakes are a perennial favorite as well. Settle into a booth, take a look at the special board and order a bunch of food to share.
Norm's East End Grill - Barbeque
47 Middle Street
(207) 253-1700
A bit different than the sister restaurant on the other side of town. Tasty BBQ in a relaxed and spacious atmosphere. Go with the onion rings to start things out.
Street & Co. - Seafood
33 Wharf Street
(207) 775-0887
The same owners as the legendary Fore Street. It shows. The food is simple, but fantastic. The standards, such as the mussels and sole francaise, are always a good bet, but the specials are usually a bit more interesting. Beware of the whole fish. It is true to its name. It is generally packed, but if you have to wait for a table, you could do a lot worse than the dark and comfortable bar/lounge area that they have.
Vignola - Italian
10 Dana Street
(207) 772-1330
www.vignolamaine.com
For some reason I have been to Vignola more times that I care to admit. An ideal default restaurant when you are looking for a good meal and have no reservation. It can be packed on the weekend and even on some off nights, but you can usually grab a table or a few seats at the bar without a res. The decor is one of the main selling points. They have great lighting and a very swank above ground wine cellar. The food is dependably good good, especially the appetizers and the pizza. I did just learn that they sometimes change the ingredients of popular dishes without warning. The topper is that they have hooks for your coat under the bar.