Portland Recommendations (2022)

Portland beer hub for singles. Not sure about alchemist but if anyone does in sure it's sporadic drops.

 

I’d go to Bier Cellar, and no Alchemist in Maine.

 

This is good to know!

But not to be a snob, how was the food at Fore Play? Portland is (in my opinion) the best spot in New England for food overall. With more food than you can eat in 3-4 days. I'd hate to waste a meal on pub grub.

But, I've never had their food, so I don't want to pass judgement.

 

I like Bier Cellar but you can find the same stuff (if they have it) at RSVP for a few dollars cheaper.

I was there at end of September and Bier Cellar wanted $60 for 2016 Persica...RSVP had it for $25. Usually it is not that bad, generally $3-5 cheaper.

I prefer RSVP because of the prices, but they have pissed a lot people off in the past. They wont sell to out of state people if you are under 25 is one example.

And Portland food is amazing. A lot of great places closed because of covid, but many still remain.

 

The food at Fore Play was fine but nothing special. The food was free (Sunday buffet) though. I would skip this unless you want to watch sports.

 

Question about Oxbow. Do they allow you to bring in outside food? I know that they have the Duckfat stand but it seems like it's hit or miss on when it's open.

Heading up to Portland Sun-Tues and wanted to get Terlingua, but for some reason they're closed on Halloween and not open on Tuesdays, so Sunday is the only option. They're fully booked, so I was thinking about getting takeout and eating it at Oxbow if allowed.

 

Wow, they're completely booked on a Sunday in November?

 

Yeah I wouldn’t worry about that one but. My lady was just up there for a bachelorette party and they all went with a reservation made a day or so before and were seated no issue in a good sized group. Said there wasn’t anything to worry about if you didn’t have one. And that was peak leaf peeper month.

Also I think they are closed on Tuesdays now that I think about it.

 

Just edited my post to say a "Sunday". But my post still stands (and jives with your reply to my post).

 

Yup. Nothing available for a table of 4 all day. I was surprised as you are.

 

I’d give them a call when open. I would be shocked since the next Sunday is literally wide open. Also, depending how many other are going with you, you could sit at the bar and I believe they keep some areas open for walk in. I know mid summer we’ve never had an issue getting it in any time we’ve been. In groups of 2-4

 

I have eaten Terlingua at one of their outside tables before. Frankly it didn’t even occur to me to ask, but I didn’t notice any side eyes in my direction. The Duckfat window is basically outside food also.

I’m not sure what you mean about the Duckfat window being hit or miss though. Unless something has changed very recently (I haven’t been to Oxbow in a few months) it has always been open during their posted hours on the many occasions I’ve been there.

 

I've ordered takeout while having a beer at Oxbow and then just walking across the street to pick up the tacos, no issues.

 

And you ate the tacos at Oxbow? That is what original post was asking and I'm curious as well. I've eaten Duckfat fries/ramen/shakes/etc. at Oxbow, but haven't taken other restaurant food there.

 

Exactly, I brought the tacos directly from Terlingua and my wife and I dined on them and poutine from Duckfat- no issues.

 

I went in the middle of the day during their normal hours Sept of last year and it wasn't open. Maybe COVID related? I feel like that's happened before too.

Either way, appreciate the info everyone! I did e-mail Oxbow and they are cool with bringing in outside food.

 

I went to Crispy Gai when it first opened, raved about it on here, then for some reason never went back. I finally stopped in again two weeks ago and holy shit it’s amazing. I’m hard pressed to name a place I’ve had a better meal or cocktail.

 

Probably belongs in a Bissell thread but couldn't find one and didn't feel like making one.

Betwixt & Between with Coffee is really really good. From the barrel to the barleywine to the coffee, I get big coffee ice cream vibes. Their barrel-aged stuff has been exceeding my expectations for a while now.

 

Thank you. I’ll be going there for lunch today and had my eye on picking up the barleywine.

 

I agree on the general sentiment that their barrel aged stuff has gotten significantly better over the last couple of years or so. I enjoyed this beer as well.

 

Glad I bought a few bottles yesterday. Didn’t have the time / had to drive so didn’t try them first.

 

Good god, there might be more kids under 5 than there are people over 21 today at Bissell. The best thing that happened for Bissell is the Children’s Museum moving next door. The worst thing to happen to Bissell fans without kids is the Children’s Museum moving next door. So many tiny kids taking up tables. Luckily it’s 70 and sunny and we’re drinking and eating lunch out on the patio.

 

It definitely turns into a McDonald's Play Place quickly there.

 

It’s funny. I was in Maine for guys’ weekend about 5 weeks ago and stopped in for lunch on a Saturday and it was practically dead. Go figure.

 

I hadn’t thought about the museum and the clientele at Bissell but makes sense (of course). Put me in the group with kids so I guess I don’t notice it as much.

Visited Portland with the family for the first time since Covid. As usual, we stayed with my brother-in-law. Here’s a quick summary for those with kids (or not). It was 73 degrees both Friday and Saturday. Crazy!

Arrived on Friday a little after noon and went to the Local Press for sandwiches (it’s near my brother-in-law’s). Sandwiches are solid and good can options if you want a beer (they used to have more pre-Covid but have not opened back up to their prior self). Then took the kids to East End beach which is always close, convenient (both near the house and near breweries) and fun. We went to Belleflower as the new (to us) option. Beers were solid. Sat outside in mid-November(!!) before the evening rain. My wife, 5 year old and I went to Bissell Brothers on the way home. I still love it there. More selection on draft than pre-Covid which was nice. It was full but. Ot crowded at 6 ona Friday. The three of us shared a table with a couple. Got a case to go and a few barrel aged bottles. Fries were excellent! We did takeout at night and enjoyed some time at home with the family to round it out.

Drove down to Biddeford Pool to start the afternoon on Saturday. I’m always amazed how incredible being on the Atlantic in Maine is. We go to the Cape a lot and it just isn’t the same. The kids got soaked in the spray and waves. Great time. After a pit stop for dry clothes, we hit both Sacred Profane (just the 2 lagers, but so tasty and well poured) and Banded (fun video games for the kids, good appetizers and plenty of variety on tap). After a return to Portland, my wife and I popped out to Allagash to get her mom a lobster roll as thanks for the kid watching she was going to do for the evening. That was our first time in the total outdoor set up. It was nice but missed the old scene. The (non grandma) adults headed to Goodfire for a pre-dinner beer (nothing has changed there, short but solid draft list) and then walked to Terlngua. It was the first time for my wife and I. It did not disappoint. She and I split the Board of the night and the drinks and beer were excellent, as well. We finished it off with a quick drink at Oxbow across the street.

No trip is complete without the Tandem / Holy Donuts morning to please all the pallets. Online ordering for Tandem helped avoid the line and the Holy Donuts on Park did not have a line so all was super smooth.

 

Anyone been to Hi-Fidelity? I like the concept of the place. Haven’t heard a thing about the beer. Can someone offer an opinion?

I like how they are essentially open all the time. They are even open regular hours on Christmas.

 

Went about a month ago, always like to try a new brewery when head up there. My GPS had a terrible time finding them. Across the street from Lone Pine and next to Urban Farm. Small bar area, open to a smaller brew area. Had the porter which was great and the smoked lager was also really good. Nice to have a low ABV option when I go up there!
Def no capacity to can, and they said as much when I asked. Hope they get into keg distro as would like to see it in a restaurant.
TLDR: Its good, its small, for low ABV beers they are really good

 

I was their first customer!

 

Looking for recommendations for hotels in the Old Port. We always stay at the Hampton, but they were terrible last June.

It’ll be in January so price is the least of my concerns.

The hotels on this list look nice (I’ve stayed at the Westin already).

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-hotels-portland-maine/amp

 

I stayed at the Residence Inn on Fore St last December and it was fine for my admittedly basic needs. Parking is kind of annoying - discount ticket for the public garage across the street - but that's the old Port for ya.

 

I bought a bunch of stuff at Bissell last month and just finished my last can (looking to split the barrel aged stuff on NYE party at my house). You just can’t go wrong with Bissell.

 

We always stay at Courtyard by Marriott when in Portland, it’s right near the Hampton you mentioned.

 

I’ve done the Portland Harbor twice and had very good experiences both times. I went back the second time because they handled a heat situation the right way the first time.

 

Had my bottle of Betwixt & Between last night (no coffee; had that one already and it was great). Really really good. Given how good their barrel-aged stuff has been, if I was heading up, I'd be sipping my way through the Angels with Filthy Souls variants they have on tap right now.

 

Not sure if air bnb is your thing but we stayed at a great place right near Little Tap House last February, which was a great location for us to walk to 90% of our locations. I can look for the link and send it to you, if interested. Parking was also easy in that area as it’s not in the immediate downtown.