Portland Recommendations (2022)

Geez so sorry you had to travel for work! Only knew a "few" people in that faraway land as well, and looks like you survived on the barest of essentials. Thoughts and prayers.

 

Great writing as usual. I remember talking about this trip with you before and after, but nice to see the full version. Although I have to admit, I did grumble when I saw you mention Eventide.

Let me know next time you head up this way. I'd be happy to buy you a beer at Novare and wax poetic about fried chicken and Allagash White.

 

@mrmattosgood is awesome, but I thought the same thing when I saw Eventide.

Just to be clear, I think there's good food there, but it's a tourist trap and there's so many other options I'd go to first for oysters, food, beer...etc. in the area.

And the biggest reason I stopped going is that they're in the Fenway area, so I don't want to go somewhere I can go to anytime in Boston.

 

My “grumble” was tongue in cheek since Matt used that term in the article.

Definitely nothing wrong with the food there, it’s quite good. But I find the prices offensive relative to the portion size, and I try to steer clear of the most obvious tourist spots (although admittedly you could probably put half of Portland into that category during the summer, and I still frequent a bunch of those places).

 

Ahhh, yeah, haven’t read it yet. Planned to read it on my way up tomorrow.

Apologies @mrmattosgood . If we ever meet in real life I’ll buy you three rounds.

Their lobster roll is still one of my all time favorites. But the price to size ratio is terrible for it. The Fenway one has a larger size.

 

I've literally gone into Eventide once, when getting waitlisted for Duckfat. Tried to get a beer and failed, due to the craziness of Eventide (my wife and I felt packed like sardines in there, years before Covid) and the fact the pager went off quicker than expected. After that experience and after my mom who went there a few times mentioned the above price to portion ratio, we've never really felt the need to return. I do need to check the Fenway location and it sounds like it is worthwhile.

Sounds like many folks like to hit Novare up as a nightcap after dinner, but Saturday lunchtime right after open is our sweet spot. Nice light fare, and so quiet inside. I'm a hazeboi / lazeboi for the most part, so I tend to whet the palate with the best Bissell/Goodfire/etc beer they have on draft, then find the most interesting sour or experimental beer I can find for round 2. It is great to also sample from my cohorts' preferred glasses: wife = imperial stout, mom = sour, stepfather = cider (if having an alcoholic drink).

 

There is no wrong time to go to Novare. I tend to be a day drinker in Portland, capped by dinner, and then I tap out and go home. So I’m right there with you on usually hitting Novare in the afternoon before a meal.

 

Amazing story Matt. Read it to my brothers on the way up.

 

Look forward to you reporting your latest exploits.

 

Ha, will do.

Day one involved Bissell, Terilingua, Oxbow, Allagash (and Bite into Maine), Definitive, Battery Steele, Sebago, Portland Beer Hub, Slab, Rosie’s, Novare, and Mash Tun.

Someone randomly gave me money for touring them around Old Port haha. Paid it forward to our bartender at Slab.

And currently enjoying this feast while planning our lunch and dinner.

 

Those donuts look delicious

 

excellent read - thanks for posting

 

I was in Portland at the end of December, and really enjoyed the places that had great winter outdoor seating: Oxbow, Austin Street/East Bayside, Rising Tide. (I'm sure others do too, those are just the ones I tried.)

Urban Fermentory was also fun. I'd never had graff (made like beer but starts with apple cider instead of water) or braggot (beer/mead cross) before. Can't say that I recommend the Ghost Pepper Kombucha, especially as part of a flight.

I was happy to find a couple of Corner Point Brewery beers at Old Port Spirits and Cigars. I left the Down the Hatch on the shelf (see: Ghost Pepper Kombucha) but brought home a four-pack of Zozobras.

Banded Brewing was a good visit too, although I was still not at my best from, yes, the kombucha. Banded and Bunker are near each other but not in East Bayside or Industrial Way.

 

Portland Beer Hub also has a killer selection and you can drink beer on tap there.

 

I did! Super friendly bartender, I'm glad I went.

 

Very good place, thought I saw in December there was going to be a vaccine clinic at the Beer Hub but assume it was a short term thing or not disrupting the taproom business. Went there last summer and they had a Barreled Souls BA barleywine that I don't even think was available at the BS taproom anymore.

 

Another successful Portland trip in the books!!!

January is a peaceful time to be up there if you don’t like the crowds (who does really?), albeit very cold. But if you’re a true New Englander, bundle up and get after it! I was told it was crazy that we just strolled in to Crispy Gai and got a table on a Saturday night…just to give you an idea.

Friday Afternoon:

Per tradition, we stopped at Bissell on the way into Old Port. It was super chill and empty on Friday at noon. Had a couple half pours and ran into some people we knew. Now I’m in my happy place, Portland.

Checked into the Hampton and swung by Terilingua for some brisket tacos…no ribs on the menu this time, so the griddled Mac n’ Cheese had to “suffice”. Poor us. My brother hadn't had the tacos yet, and he’s not a taco guy, but he was blown away.

Next stop was Oxbow, it’s across the street, how can you not? Had some very interesting beers as usual, but the most interesting was a boozy hot chocolate my brother had (he’s a Bud Light guy). There’s something for everyone at Oxbow.

Followed this up with a quick trip to Industrial to Allagash, Definitive and Battery Steele. Allagash is Allagash, and of course, you have to get a lobster roll flight at Bite into Maine. They have plenty of areas that are well heated, so don’t let the lack of indoor seating deter you.

Friday Evening:

Before heading back to the hotel my brother and I hit up Portland Beer Hub for a flight and some conversation. A couple approached me and asked if I knew where Street and Co. was, because they were late for dinner. I ran around the corner with them to guide them there, and was talking all things Portland with them along the way. Then the guy hands me $40 for my troubles! You meet the happiest and nicest people in Portland, and Maine in general.

Now it was back to the hotel for a quick pregaming beer at Sebago for one last time. For those of you that don’t know, the brewpub in the Hampton is closing at the end of this month.

Dinner was at Slab, where our bartender was incredibly nice and helpful. Had a killer time sipping on beers and eating Hand Slabs. I decided to pay the kindness forward, and gave her the $40 I had just received. Then she gave us a brownie to give to one of her friends who works at Novare, which was our next stop.

We got some beers, and delivered the brownie, and then received a round of Milk Tube shots! Just a wonderful time with good people, conversation, and stellar beers.

Ended the night at Mash Tun for a nightcap and more great company. On to Saturday…