Portland recommendations

Planning a trip to Portland in late June but really hoping that it's worth the trip by then. Would love to go to Bissel again but right now the tap room is closed

 

Just go when they have a Swish release. Will be worth it.

 

And while parking seems like a pain, if you're passing Oxbow on your right, head down one of the side streets on the left and park in the neighborhoods. There's no limit or paying or restrictions.

 

Yeah, not really a big lager town. I feel like a brewery such as Notch or Schilling could make a killing there because they'd be so unique.

Also @Providence said in the OP that he doesn't dig Belgian beers, so Oxbow and Novare might not be the best bets. Although Oxbow does do lagers as was mentioned up thread, and Novare is always a good take and has multiple styles, and a kick ass patio.

I think Swish's last release is in April.

I stay at the Hampton. Super close walk to Oxbow, Tomaso's, Eventide, Honey Paw, Fore Street, Standard...fuck I love Portland.

 

It's tough wrapping my head around the ability to visit places again. I've been to two breweries in the past year (Oxbow and Notch), but both places were very much grab and go (Oxbow we stayed for fries and donut holes for the kids). When I think of visiting again, I think less about spending to "load up" but more to just enjoy.

 

This x1000!!! Have family in the Portland area and any time I go up its an absolute requirement to visit Slab before coming home. Also would highly recommend Empire Chinese Kitchen as well, delicious dumplings!

 

I’ve been partial to the Hilton, their waterfront rooms are a pleasure to stay in, and of course walking distance to everything.

Captain Sam’s ice cream is always enjoyable as well.

also. Has anyone experienced the corner echo, just outside of ri ra’s and the flatbread company?

 

Sometimes a change of scenery is worth it. I've been up to Portland twice since the pandemic began. Once last April and then once over the summer. The first trip was literally just a there and back trip, I think I went to MBC and maybe went to Holy Donut. Both were just to pickup. The second trip I made a few more stops and got some takeout and ate it outside. Was it the same? Absolutely not but the 2+ hour drive was still worth it. The first trip my son came along and the second just my daughter.

I'm contemplating taking a drive up in April again for my birthday. It will be another grab and go trip but it will be nice to just do something for myself and get away (even if its not really getting away). I also need to get my $100 keg deposit back from Allagash Hopefully over the summer I'll take a real trip up to Portland when we are all vaccinated but I'll take what I can get for now, personally. If you've got the time and the budget why not? Outside of gas and a hotel room you aren't investing anything more than time (beer and food of course).

 

i think the holy donut closed? I was disappointed about that last time i walked through old port.

What should I get at slab? I've never been.

Oxbow, King's Head, Novare Res were all open in January when I took the trip up there. We had a great time, I would imagine now it's only getting better.

Heading back up there in a month.

 

I think the Old Port one closed but they have 3 other locations. I remember something about them going to move the Old Port location to somewhere else in the future but honestly can't remember. I usually stop at the Scarborough one on the way to Portland.

 

Honestly can't go wrong with anything on the menu but if just feeding yourself a simple hand slab will do the trick. If feeding the family get the whole pie, everyone will be stuffed! Not sure if they are allowing inside dining or patio dining but if so, they always have a great draft list of locally brewed beer.

 

Holy Donut is great, but I prefer Rose Foods for bagels if I’m going home with (non-beer) goodies.

 

My one issue with Slab is that no one wants to drive home after eating there. I think driving while that full is as dangerous as driving drunk.

 

Never been there. I always hit up either Gorgeous Gelato or Gelato Fiasco (or both).

I would book a room like, yesterday. Everyone is thinking the same thing and hotel rooms are filling up fast for summer.

You can always cancel 24-48 hours before your trip at most places.

As mentioned already, you have to get a Hand Slab. First of all, it's delicious. Second, it's huge. Get it just for the experience alone.

If they have it, their Lasagna Pizza is divine, and their Spicy Meat Wedge is a solid...well, spicy wedge of meat and cheese.

If it's nice out, they have a solid beer garden outside as well.

Yup, in Auburn, Scarborough, and there's also one in Portland still.

The one in Portland is just a mile walk from their old location, it's near Salvage I think.

Well that's your problem right there. You don't drive to Portland, you stay overnight...at least three nights.

 

That's why Portland is great. Such a walkable city to work off that fullness on the way to your next stop(s). Of course, doesn't really work if it's your last stop on the way out of town.

If we're doing pizza, it's my base to start a day or a finisher of long day of beering/walking.

 

Theres a few good bottle shops too but I have to say almost everytime I passed through this Summer it was grab and go and I have to say Wholefoods had an unbelievable selection. Definitely worth a stop.

 

I saw that Maines reopening plan for Bars/Breweries go in effect on Friday (3-26). Any locals know if this will change anything? More things plan to open? Planning to visit beginning of April

 

I will take that PM! Heading to Kennebunkport, Old Orchard Beach, Portland, Rockland, Camden, Bar Harbor in two weeks before heading to Vermont. Bring on the mud!

 

Sure thing, shoot me a PM with your e-mail and I’ll forward it along!

I hope to add to it this summer too.

 

So itching to get back. Visited my mom and stepdad in their Scarborough driveway on the one-year anniversary of last seeing each other on a milder day in February. Not quite the same as us all going out to eat in Portland, then me and the wife veering off to breweries from there. The only pandemic benefit was having Bissell shipped right to their house to precede my arrival!

After my wife gets shot #2 on April 5th, it will be 3 out of 4 of us vaccinated and me with no shot yet (womp womp). Hoping to start my appointments shortly thereafter to tour Portland with no concerns come late May.