Regards | Portland, ME

I have started writing over on Substack. I'd love it if you subscribed! I was seeking a way to re-circulate my blog and email my community. Perhaps a newsletter of sorts is the answer? What I have found on Substack is a vast community of very good writers that inspired me to write a bit more, too. My hope is that Substack gives me some more visibility. I recently wrote about this very night in Portland, Maine which will publish straight to the inbox of my subscribers. 

I loved our experience at REGARDS and would fondly recommend it!

They have an excellent wine program and (after cocktails at CBG, Paper Tiger and Blythe & Burrows) we went straight for wine by the glass. Our first was from the skin contact or orange wine section: a Bosman ($16) Fides Grenache Blanc from Western Cape, South Africa. Second, from the whites, a glass of Dorcha ($13) Sauvignon Blanc from Lower Styria, Slovenia. 

To eat, some of the most inventive, thought provoking plates:

casco bay oysters ($10) smoked trout roe, bergamot mignonette

scallop crudo ($24) matsutake xo, chile de arbol, toasted jasmine rice milk

birra tacos ($22) preserved tomatillo, queso oxaco

hamachi collar ($36) shio koji x tare, morita emulsion

Regards

547 Congress St.

Portland, ME

The Honey Paw | Portland

Portland was a surprise stop for lunch on our drive North up the coast; we later checked into The Inn at Ocean's Edge and got engaged on Islesboro Island! 

We attempted to lunch at Eventide but with a 2 hour wait we opted to try the hip looking restaurant next door. As it turns out, Honey Paw is the same owners (Big Tree Hospitality Group). Serving local cuisine, their kitchen borrows traditions, techniques and styles from Southeast Asia with a focus on hand made noodles. 

This fused menu of Far East meets New England fare is served in a bustling space with communal seating. We scored two seats at the wraparound window front bar almost immediately. I along with the rest of Portland was desperately craving Eventide's famed brown butter lobster roll, but one taste of the Lobster Wontons ($15) with a striking lobster dashi and earthy confit mushrooms and I forgot all about it. We shared a lovely plate of Halibut Crudo ($13) dotted with calamansi, sour coconut and pineapple before tucking into a sumptuous bowl of Smoked Lamb Khao Soi ($22). The hand made egg noodles in Burmese coconut curry with fermented mustard greens, tender shredded lamb, crispy fried noodle and lime are immensely satisfying.

Honey Paw not only kicked off our engagement weekend, it kicked of a weekend of incredible meals. Primo in Rockland and Hartstone Inn in Camden are two of many reasons why the Maine coast is a bucket list worthy destination.

The Honey Paw

78 Middle Street

Portland, ME 04101

Liquid Riot Brewery & Distillery

It was fun to discover somewhere that was not on anyone's must-visit-in-Portland-list, somewhere that flies under the radar (for now) discovered the old fashioned way - wandering around town. Nearing the quiet end of Commercial Street we stumbled upon this gem on the working waterfront. Liquid Riot Brewery & Distillery features complex and interesting beers, superbly crafted cocktails, a killer burger and Belgian Frites that rival those at Duckfat. The interior is rustic with rich wood booths and a wide stretching bar that overlooks the handsome copper and chrome fermentation and distillation equipment. There's also a back deck where you can watch the lobster boats roll in perched on chairs made of reclaimed barrels. If you're planning a trip, definitely consider making a stop at Liquid Riot.

Boys to the Yard | well...vodka, almond malted stout syrup, cold brewed coffee, orange, egg white

Small Bollox | traditional British porter, dark and roasty with notes of coffee and coco

Burger | local beef, ground in house, slow roasted tomatoes, sweet chipotle aioli, iceberg lettuce, cambozola cheese, house made kaiser bun 

Belgian Frites | chipotle aioli

Moules | PEI mussels with white beer, coriander and lemon

Liquid Riot

250 Commercial Street

Portland, ME 04101

*formerly In'finiti when we visited, however, I've updated the post to reflect the new name.*

Portland, Maine

Favorite places (in order of appearance)

Holy Dounut | yes. worship worthy donuts. we had pomegranate, sin-a-bun (pictured) and later sweet potato ginger glaze and chocolate cinnamon.

Duckfat | popped in for a snack. local brews in mason jars. Belgian fries. poutine with a fried farm egg.

Liquid Riot | unique beers. small batch barrel aged spirits. excellent choice for lunch on the harbor.

Gritty McDuff's Brew Pub | a Maine classic. stop in for a beer or two.

Street & Co. | rustic fine dining. sizzling pans. local sea fare - calamari with linguine in white (garlic, basil, olive oil, shallots) sauce.

Willard Beach | South Portland. a gray and overcast beach day. but we'll always take the beach.

Not pictured  

Bull Feeney's | fun Irish pub. live music. 

Shipyard Brewery | a lively tasting at the bar. sampled lots of terrific beers.