Old Port Slice Bar In Portland

One of the things you'll really love about Portland is that it is full of quirky, small, independently-owned little food spots and shops.  There are barely any chain restaurants in this city at all.  It's so refreshing.  Yes, it's hipsterish but not in the affected way that it seems to be in other cities where people wear their beards and tattoos more like a costume.  These people are just unconventional and happy about it.

One such place we stumbled into was Old Port Slice Bar, a short walk from our perch at Portland Harbor Hotel and right in the thick of all the food and nightlife action.  Portland is more of a night person than a morning person we would discover.  Anyway, when we found ourselves here we just could not ignore the Thai Chicken Slice, a newer item on the menu and it was worth the chance taken.  Absolutely delicious and different.  We found it to be, basically, a great pad thai on a crust instead of noodles.  Yup, you get it.  We would have tried a few of the other enticing flavors, too, but this was a food tour and there is never enough time to space out all the food we want to eat.

Needless, to say we will be back to try out those other flavors and confidently suggest that you will not be disappointed visiting here.

Old Port Slice Bar

420 Fore Street

Portland, ME

Telephone:  207.899.3364

Socials:

@TheBostonFoodie

Old Port Slice Bar is refreshingly free from the enslavement of social media.

Brunch At Cliff House

We enjoyed a recent Saturday brunch at Cliff House in Cape Neddick, Maine and it was hard to fathom why after a lifetime of every summer spent along the southern Maine coast we had never been here before.

A recent refurbishment and countless redesigns and new additions over the years has resulted in a stunning destination well worth the trip up and everything looks brand spanking new.

With soaring ceilings and full wall windows the view is breathtaking and the place is airy and filled with natural light even in the winter yet the design certainly has it's cozy, comfortable inviting spots like this one near the always roaring fireplace.

 

It's also plush, elegant and luxurious with a real sense of inviting relaxation.

The Brunch menu is a la carte.  We were told that it was a buffet once in years gone by.  You can get the full breakfast with fresh Blueberry Coffee Cake and all of the traditional morning fare.

You can also get lobster rolls which was what most in our dining party opted for.  With light mayo or butter and served on a toasty grilled roll there was nothing better.

The only one, small disappointment was that although the bar seemed quite well-stocked and two bartenders were on hand to serve we couldn't get a Bellini.  We settled, of course, for Mimosas.  This was no big deal considering the plush setting and the stunning view but, as we have always held, the highest levels of service are found in the smallest details.

Cliff House
591 Shore Road
Cape Neddick, ME 03902
Telephone:  207.361.1000

Socials:
@TheBostonFoodie
@CliffHouseMaine

Bob's Clam Hut, Kittery

Martha Stewart has dined here.  And just about everyone else who loves fresh seafood and happens to find themselves on the southern Maine coast.  It's a perennial favorite of locals and summer visitors and residents.  It may not be fancy but it, without a doubt, boasts the quintessential Maine clam hut experience.  Yes, we're talking about Bob's Clam Hut in Kittery, Maine.

We're one of the few food blogs who was allowed behind the scenes during the busy lunchtime rush on a perfectly sunny but cool day recently.  Other than the great food our biggest takeaway was the sense of family and fun that everyone seems to be having.

We helped Max Berman work the front window order line.  Well, we didn't really help but we were there.  On a good day he'll serve up hundreds of pounds of lobster in lobster rolls to people from literally all over the world.

Pat Licardo took our order.  She's been doing this for over fifteen years, always happy to suggest menu items to first-time visitors.

We started off with a taste of the Lobster Stew.  Delicious chunks of Maine lobster and potato in a rich, buttery but not overly thick broth.

And what could be better than a lobster roll?  An absolute classic, light on the mayo and heavy on the lobster.

Fried seafood selections are also excellent.  Bob's uses local scallops.  We had dined the very night before on fried scallops and these were, hands down, superior.  As were the fried clams.  I'm sure it has to do with their fastidious attention to clean oil used for all the deep frying.

There are lots of clam shacks that dot the roads in Downeast Maine but Bob's has been in operation since 1956 and the lines of hungry patrons every day attest to the fact that they are still number one. Year after year they receive awards and accolades from major media outposts from Forbes to the Food Network.   You absolutely cannot beat the experience.  So, when you go be sure to say hello to Pat or Max for us until we're back again.

Bob's Clam Hut
315 U. S. Route One
Kittery, ME  03904
Telephone:  207.439.4233

Robert's Maine Grill

While in Maine last week we stopped in at Robert's Maine Grill in Kittery, the upscale sister restaurant of Bob's Clam Hut.  The decor is typically downeast and nautical and I have the say the service was great.  All of the servers seemed more than eager to please everyone.  The food, however, was unremarkable.  I had the Battered Fish and Chips, substituting onion rings for the french fries.  The batter was hearty and the frying was okay.  It's hard to foul up fried food so I can say the oil was fresh and the batter just crispy enough.  The piece of haddock was flavorless.  A dining companion who had the haddock sandwich said:  "I think I've had fresher seafood." Well put.  I may try it again to sample another menu item but wished I had just gone to Bob's for a clam strip roll.

Robert's Maine Grill

326 U.S. 1  Kittery, ME 03904

Telephone:  207.439.0300

A Doughnut A Week

You are regimented, disciplined, working out every day, fifty crunches this morning just out of bed, eating your full servings of fruits and vegetables, drinking lots of water and standing tall. What you may not know is that dietitians and experts agree: you need one day off a week to make it work.


It may not be the season to indulge in doughnuts but I am a believer in the one day a week eat anything you want thing. And my thing is doughnuts. So, we begin our new series: A Doughnut A Week. The premiere post begins with a Maine legend, Congdon's Doughnuts and each week we will taste and rate some of the best doughnuts you can find anywhere in New England. Send your suggestions for future posts and, in the meantime, relax and enjoy the pics.


Our counter person, Madison, is actually a budding food writer herself with plans to attend the New England Culinary Institute.


It doesn't stop at the doughnuts. There are also plenty of fresh pastries and muffins.


In addition to everything else, Congdon's also sells a variety of fresh breads and rolls.


The raised coconut doughnut.


The jelly doughnut and a few of the honey-dipped doughnut holes Madison suggested. Honey-dipped is their bestseller.


A close-up cross- section of the generous raspberry filling in the jelly doughnut. They also have blueberry and lemon.

Congdon's easily rates an A+ for their doughnuts.

Congdon's Doughnut Shop
1090 Post Road
ME 04090-4500
Telephone: 207.646.4219

Happy Thanksgiving All

I know we are far more prone to complain about all of the little things we do not like as opposed to really articulating the very many things we should be grateful for but take for granted. An early morning walk along the shore to see this pretty much sums up how lucky I am. The clouds receded for a brilliant, few seconds of sunrise. So, let's get on with it, leave complaints aside, be thankful and enjoy every, beautiful moment.

East Restaurant in Wells, Maine Review

If asked for a typical dinner in Maine one would expect lobster, clams and a bonfire on the beach but we are adventurous foodies and, so, we are invited to the hottest reservation in these parts. What else could one do in Maine but visit a temple of massive Asian cuisine? Our New York neighbors have no idea.


Granite, jade and pagoda with a 45 degree incline but, as usual, we had the best parking spot.


Pork, lo mein, chicken fingers, crab rangoon, fried rice, eggroll and sesame chicken.

If a spotlessly clean feast of a Chinese Food Buffet, all you can eat, proper service, including tea, at a very reasonable price is to your liking then contact us. This is the best-kept secret in New England.


Shrimp, garlic beans and egg foo yong.


Chow mein, broccoli and beef, fried fish, squid chicken.

Ratings: crab rangoon, best we ever had, crispy, clean wonton and filled. Fried fish was fresh halibut in a buttery, amazing sauce. The tempura vegetables were great, light with panko bread and barely dipped in oil.

TBF advises to make reservations and be on time if one wants a comfortable seat. The place fills up quickly!

East Restaurant
636 Post Rd
Wells, ME 04090
(207) 641-8788