off2rome

Thanks so much again- we will be there in late June and then again in mid July

Aterp2007

Thanks for all the great tips everyone. The wife and I will be in ME (portland then Acadia) in mid July, Eventide's menu is making my mouth water already.

I'm a sucker for raw oysters and you just can't get them down in Maryland like in NE.

gfunkdave

Be ready for a wait! The restaurant seats maybe 20 people.

off2rome

How is Fore Street Restaurant?

PWMTrav

Very good, and very high end. Some folks say it's the best of the high end places in Portland, others might go with Hugo's, but they're both great. You wouldn't go wrong with a reservation at Fore Street, but if you can't get one they do hold tables for walk-in's. You'll just want to get there early to get in line if you can't get a reservation.

fastflyer

I love Portland -- spend a couple of months near there every summer. But I have to disagree on Hugo's since the buyout. I've had some wildly inconsistent service there.

Miyake and Street & Company are excellent, as is Fore Street. I also like two slightly out-of-the-way spots: Back Bay Grill and Petite Jacqueline.

off2rome

Thank you!

Quick question on lobster- I don't see a lot of it on menus I am looking at???

PWMTrav

I haven't experienced that at Hugo's, but I will admit to being as much of a "regular" as one can be at their restaurants - we all know each other at this point. The sale didn't change much operationally, the same folks were doing the same things they do there today (minus Rob, who's across the street) and Chris (who is kicking ... with Central Provisions). For me, Hugo's is still one of the best experiences in the country - and local bias aside, I've felt that way long before we moved to Maine. The place has definitely evolved, but in a positive direction IMHO. The thing about Hugo's is no matter what, you're going to try something new that night.

Agree on Miyake - as well as Pai Men Miyake, for a more casual experience. Haven't been to Street & Co in a long time. PJ has always been pretty uneven for me - some nights great, some nights ok, and the service is very inconsistent. It is light years ahead of Evangeline, which used to occupy that spot. My wife likes the place a lot so we go, but on that corner, I would personally choose Pai Men Miyake or Boda 10 out of 10 times. Speaking of which, go to Boda.

Lobster's a surprisingly casual food around here. We're not quite to the time of year (soft shell season) where it's ubiquitous, but you can get it year round. For something a little more upscale, I think Eventide does a lobster bake, and I know they do a great warm lobster roll. More casual options would be places like J's Oyster or Portland Lobster Company - they both draw the tourists, but a traditional steamed lobster or roll is something you have to go out of your way to screw up. Becky's Diner also has a decent lobster roll, among other things. It's a good place to have your last morning's breakfast before heading out of town.

off2rome

Just confirmed we will be staying at the new Press Hotel. Anyone try the Union restaurant there yet?

PsiFighter37

Is there a must-visit lobster-roll spot in Portland?

Also - since Portland seems to be the capital of East Coast uni (sea urchin), are there any spots that specialize in serving it? I'd rather not go to a sushi restaurant (no offense, but I've found sushi spots outside of NYC, and to a lesser extent LA, to be quite lacking broadly in terms of quality), but we didn't see any spots right off that seemed to uni-focused.

PWMTrav

Assuming you mean in the Old Port, and not the part of Portland above the peninsula, Eventide's brown butter lobster roll is still my favorite in town. If you want more of the traditional style, Portland Lobster Company and J's Oyster will be fine. J's is super oldschool - lobster on a roll and a packet of mayo on the side. Old Port Sea Grill if you want something a little nicer inside.

Most places on the higher end in Portland are rotating their menus very frequently. Outside of something very traditional (like lobster), it's hard to recommend with accuracy where to find a specific ingredient. Despite your aversion to a sushi place, I'll stay close to that recommend calling Miyake (on Fore Street) ahead of your stay and see if they can make it happen for you. Hugo's might be able to do it for you as well if you wanted to call with enough notice and do a chef's menu one night. I've eaten uni at both restaurants.

off2rome

anyone try Union at the new Press Hotel?

PWMTrav

Not yet. I was excited to go when it was going to be the folks from Arrows in the kitchen, but they've parted ways with the project - although they did help the new exec chef develop the opening menu. It's not to say I don't want to go, but it's not at the top of my list any more, and we're not getting out that much since we have a 3 year old.

gfunkdave

I'll put in a plug for my favorite restaurant in Portland: Ebb and Flow. Mediterranean/Greek style food. Their horiatiki salad is always amazing, and so simple. Love the mezze appetizers which consist of a large fluffy pita and a spread. Cocktails are great too. Go.

Aterp2007

Wife and I spent a gluttonous day in Portland on the 22nd. Started at Eventide (oysters, beets, lobster roll), moved to Duckfat (fries and salad), napped, kitchen table at Central Provisions (tuna toro, steak, more), and ended the night with a 915 table at Forestreet. Liked Eventide and Central Provisions the best, although we didn't eat much of the menu at DF, really just there for the fries (good, but not mind blowing). Really enjoyed the city that my wife called the SF of the East. Also really loved Hunt and Alpine Club and the bartender was from Maryland (rival high school of my wife) which was really cool and made for nice "small world" story.

Our whole New England trip was a blast.