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Monday, December 18, 2006

If You're Ever in Portland, Maine...

... You have really got to try one of these delicious restaurants. I mean, seriously.

1. David's. 22 Monument Square. David's has been reviewed by the New York Times, Flavor, and Portland Magazine, among others. Great for a romantic dinner a deux, or for a group of friends celebrating a birthday or reunion. Candlelight, live music, an incredible menu and presentation, and friendly service all help to make a memorable dining experience. The website is being updated right now, so I can't get a refresher on the current menu, but I can assure that they could serve a grilled cheese and you'd still think you had died and gone to heaven. You'll want to go back again and again. I go as often as I can, and I live 2 hours away. Oh, and leave room for dessert. You won't want to miss it! Personal anecdote: The first time I went to David's, David Turin himself served us our cappucino and dessert - how much cooler can you get!

2. Mim's Brasserie. 205 Commercial Street. Mim's is in a tie with David's. The atmosphere is perhaps a little less romantic, but still great. The architecture of the place is also kind of interesting/cool. The menu is arranged and priced individually by category - so you can order everything a la carte (meaning you don't get locked into a side you don't want just because you really would like the entree it comes with). This can get a little pricey as you are tempted to order from a bunch of categories - salads, seafood apps, soups, cheese apps, meat and seafood entrees, and sides of veggies, potato or grains. The cocktail list features some specialty items, which is a fun option to have. Mim's also offers some amazing desserts, including a cheese selection (which is what I had with a trio of dessert wines - perfection!). Put this one on your list.

3. The Falmouth Sea Grill. 215 Foreside Road (Route 88 Falmouth, ME). The Sea Grill isn't actually IN Portland, but I think its still worth a trip 10 minutes outside the city for the vibe and cuisine here. The focus is, of course, on the local seafood offerings, which lends an incomparable freshness to the meal. Landlovers can also choose from chicken, filet mignon and pasta, but that seems such a waste given the perfection of the seafood choices. We did not try out the dessert menu here as we were headed to a birthday cake celebration after the dinner, but everything looks enticing. From the upstairs of the restaurant, a wall of windows looks out onto the Casco Bay which, even after dark makes the whole dining experience that much cooler.

4. Fore Street. 288 Fore Street. Saving perhaps the best for last... I have yet to enjoy a full meal at Fore Street, but I am already in love. By far the coolest setup I've seen in a restaurant, and it just makes me want to live there. The whole space is one open room, channeled slightly for the bar area and kitchen. Dim lighting, but not too dim, provides a cozy and classy aura. The wine list is superb. To steal from their website: "Fore Street's menu changes every day to allow our kitchen team to create menus from the freshest foods available, regardless of the season. Most of our raw foods are grown by farmers we know, in communities all around Maine.

Several items are always on the menu. Among these, our wood-oven roasted mussels, turnspit-roasted pork loin and chicken, and our grilled marinated hanger steak have become favorites among many guests who join us several times a month."
Do you need more? I've been there just for cocktails and appetizers, but I guarantee I will be back soon for the biggest possible meal I can stand. Only downside is that this is probably the priciest restaurant on this list - so definitely save it for a very special occasion. In the meantime, do like we did and at least get the feeling by ordering a few glasses of wine, some cheeses, and people watch. You'll love it.

Holiday Tidbit #1

Random website recommendation because its great for procrastination - Go Fug Yourself. Many of you may have already heard of this ragingly humorous blog site, but take this opportunity to go back and read the newest posts. While People and Us Weekly, etc. lead folks to adore celebs, Go Fug says all the snarky things you want to say - plus its on the internet for all the world to read and laugh at. They post awesome pics of celebrities in their deepest moments of fashion faux pas's, and the ripping begins - but in a very entertaining way. For those days when you're hating Mischa Barton or Scarlett Johanssen for being beautiful and young, go read Go Fug Yourself, buy yourself a latte and give a little smirk. After all, even celebs aren't perfect ALL the time.