Portland207

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.

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-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.

Novare Res (4 Canal Plaza):  One of the newer entrants into the deck scene.  Carved out of the shell of the old Black Tie Catering location and tucked away off of Exchange Street.  The bar is dark, but freshly updated and there is row of 25 gleaming taps.  They change often and have offerings that are hard to find anywhere else in Portland or beyond.  The tap list is complemented by a list of bottles 200 deep.  Scotch and a short wine list are also available.  Food is limited to small but affordable appetizers.  Come for the beer selection, stay for the deck.  It is a huge space that rivals any outdoor location in town.  Lack of sun is an issue late in the day, but there is something alluring about being in the heart of Portland and feeling so secluded.

Empire Dine and Dance (575 Congress St.):  Chairs and tables have been springing up everywhere on Congress Street and down in Monument Sq.  Empire has a decent little patio set up that rivals their neighbors of a few blocks away.  The menu has been shifting to more bar food and it is not a bad spot to enjoy an oversized pint glass cocktail.

White Heart (551 Congress St.):  While it may not actually be one of the best bars in America, it is not a bad little spot.  Pretty laid back during the week, but always full on Friday and Saturday evening, the little patio provides a nice spot to watch the characters who stumble around this area.  They have a nice list of signature cocktails and rotating specials.

Flatbread (72 Commercial St.):  Pizza deck.  A nice big deck on the water with picnic tables and umbrellas.  Dinning is communal and it is a dog friendly atmosphere.  The Casco Bay Lines vessels depart from the pier across the way and water taxi pick-ups are right there as well.  Some much needed livelihood in the normally sleepy Portland Harbor.  Plus you can look up at those envious souls trapped in the behind the glass windows and sliding doors on the second floor at Ri Ra.

Yosaku (1 Danforth St.):  Sushi deck.  One of the better lunch spots in town.  The have a large deck and a solid lunch menu.  There is much debate over the best sushi in town (Miyake), and Yosaku is up there.  They get extra points for a fantastic deck complete with a fountain and for the fact that the owner is a former member of the Chinese National Speed Skating Team.  That might be more rumor than fact.

Portland Lobster Co. (180 Commercial):  Another tourist haven, but a great atmosphere early in the season.  Food prices are outrageous, so stick to the beer menu.  Limited taps, but they are served to the backdrop of a dry-docked lobster boat.  Right down on the water and plenty of standing and sitting room.  Plus, it’s sunny all day.  A rare find for decks in Portland.

The list is growning, but is still far from complete.  More to come.

After several weeks of sun (with the obligatory weekend rain) but less than ideal temperatures, the proper roof deck weather is finally upon us.  Spring is a torturous time of year.  After five or six months of cold, snow and sunsets at 4pm, Portlanders want little more than to escape the darkness and dankness of their favorite watering holes and to move their imbibing to the fresh air.  Plenty of off-shore breezes and cold fronts have ensured that the city’s roof decks have been slow to fill.  The exception of course is Boru’s, which maintains a healthy deckful of smokers year-round.  Now that temps have pushed past 60, it is time to lay claim to the good deck space and throw back some of those perennial summer brews that have already sprung up on the rows of taps.  Here is a quick and admittedly incomplete rundown:

Brian Boru’s (57 Center St.): This deck starts to fill in at 3pm and tends to remain that way until close.  They have a few picnic tables, but I have never seen anyone actually eat out there.  Probably difficult through the haze of cigarette smoke.  Still, if you stand upwind, this is a nice perch.  Some water views and a bit of late-day sun.  Plus, you get to look down upon Rivalries patrons milling about that pen-like patio that they have carved out of the parking lot.

Dogfish Bar & Grill (128 Free St.):  2 decks are better than one.  To find your way to the rear deck, just head straight out the back door, meander through the garbage collection area outside and climb the stairs.  A few tables are back there and the views are mostly of parking lots, but with glimpses of the harbor.  The sun tends to be out of reach by 6pm or so.  The front overlooks Free Street and the sun is in play a bit longer on this side.  The Matthew’s roof deck is easy sand wedge away.  Not sure what the deal is with that place, but I would like to find out.

Dogfish Café (953 Congress St.):  Down on the sketchy-side of Congress.  The other sketchy side.  Same great quesadillas as its sister establishment up the road.  Out back there is a small, but effective little deck.  There is a high fence but plenty of gaps through which one can enjoy views of both the Greyhound station parking lot and busy St. John Street.  Hard to beat pre or post Sea Dogs game.

Mim’s Brasserie (205 Commercial St.):  New chef, same crap food.  Still, they have a swank deck that is ideal for brunch or that morning cocktail.  The sun sets on Mim’s by early afternoon, so drinks are best enjoyed before 3.  They have a very nice little bar, a few tables and a labyrinth of umbrellas for the wait staff to navigate through while handing out mimosas and over-priced salads. 

Dry Dock Restaurant and Tavern (84 Commercial St.):  A tourist haven, but a treasure in the off-season.  One of the only true waterfront dining/drinking spots in town.  For a city with “port” right in the name, there is a dearth of true waterfront dining options.  Two decks, one up, one down.  Sunny up top, shady down below.

Shay’s (18 Monument Sq.):  While neither a roof, nor a deck, Shay’s does provide those in Monument Square with space to enjoy beers in the open air option.  Each day comes with its own food and drink special.  I can attest to the fact that, while made with well booze and often served in a mason jar, their martinis are far more affordable then David’s next door.  This stretch of Monument Square gets sun for about an hour a day, so get there between about 4pm and 5pm.  

A decent start, but there are many more to come to round out the roof deck/patio list.  The season has just begun.  Suggestions welcomed and encouraged.