Portland recommendations

Awesome info, thank you!

 

@AlcahueteJ no one ever mentions David’s because it’s not “cool”, but the food is actually excellent. It’s one of the old school fine dining joints and doesn’t really do anything trendy.

 

I keep hearing great things about Belleflower but am interested whether they actually bring anything new to the table? Is the NE IPA being moved forward or are we just getting more and more options of great NE IPA's? If you could instantly be at say Tree House, Other Half, Vitamin Sea, Trillium, Belleflower, etc. would there be a reason to go to Belleflower over the others? I expect some difference in both flavor profile and quality between all of these guys (some just to preference) but its more of a philosophical question of whether we are at the point where the variations between new NE IPA breweries and new IPA's are smaller and smaller. That's not a bad thing but just wondering whether we've hit the "best we can get" point or not. Definitive was talked about like Belleflower when they first opened, people don't seem as excited for them as much anymore (like most breweries, they haven't changed but there's always a new kid on the block).

 

If Treehouse or Other Half (and probably Vitamin Sea, although I've only had a couple of their beers) were in the same cluster of breweries as Belleflower, I'd spend more time at those spots. So, at least to me, nothing ground-breaking but still really solid beers. But when we go to Portland part of the fun is roaming around and trying all of the fun spots. If we were solely after the "best" beers in the styles we like, probably would have spent all our time at Allagash, Oxbox, and Bissell.

 

I haven't eaten at The Front Room but I'd still make sure you get reservations or get there early or whatever (prepare to wait?). We tried to go for brunch when we stayed in an AirBnB in that neighborhood and that place was packed. I think that this was in the offseason too.

 

My personal opinion is that Belleflower has potential, but I currently put them in the solid but not great category. They would not crack my top 5 in Portland today, although I do like them and will continue to see how they evolve over time.

And to your point, no, really not doing anything new or filling a different niche, so it’s just a matter of which brewery you prefer.

 

I’ve been to dinner there three times, but never brunch. I can’t remember if they take reservations, but we always try to get reservations anywhere we go if possible. My wife usually handles that part of our trips.

 

Belleflower IPAs have great aroma, a white-yellow haze color, and a nice fresh, unified hop flavor. Then the astringent hop burn aftertaste comes along. I found it to be unbearable in Galaxy Scrugsy and just as bad in the other one I had. I won’t be going back any time soon. I was very disappointed. Totally destroyed my palate for the evening.

 

What Justin said above. I liked their DIPAs, and found them very drinkable compared to many other DIPAs where you need a spoon and a throat of steel to finish. If I were to slot them, I'd take their hoppy beers ahead of Lone Pine (some people love them but I don't totally get it) but not as great as Goodfire. I did not have Galaxy Scrugsy as I've avoided galaxy hops for the most part these past few years, but had the Magpie pale ale at Terlingua and also enjoyed that although not earth-shattering like my first taste of the first batches of Trillium Fort Point.

When I say Belleflower is the "real deal", I'm not crowning their ass but it means they should survive quite awhile unlike their short-lived predecessors in that space, Extrava. To be brewing worthwhile stuff only 4 months after opening is a good sign.

 

I did the Terlingua and Oxbow combo tonight. We weren't able to find reservations for dinner earlier in the week so we arrived at 5:30 to get on the wait list. The hour wait gave us time to try Belleflower. The galaxy scrugsy started with that hop burn/astringency others talked about. Once you normalized that after a few sips it was a great IPA with a great amount of depth.

Then the food at Terlingua was not overhyped at all. Split the ribs and then got 2 of the brisket and pork tacos. Definitely my recommendation to get one of each if you have someone to share with.

Ended at Oxbow so we could take our time. Abrico is definitely one of the best apricot beers I've had, but Loretta stole the show. An absolute perfect example of the style for a grisette. Really wish I could have walked out with a 6 pack. Man I love Portland.

My parting question: If you receive a taco with one continuous piece of meat, is that a taco or a hot dog?

 

I've been to brunch there a handful of times over the years and it's always been packed. I get the feeling that it's a popular neighborhood spot with a lot of locals so the season doesn't really seem to matter. Similar experience at Hot Suppa on the other side of town (though definitely attracts more folks from out of town). Both are well worth the wait if you have the time.

 

Any suggestions for vegetarian/pescetarian friendly places with outdoor seating for dinner and decent beer menus? Will be up in a couple weeks - have been to Eventide before but remember it only having a couple sidewalk tables before. Otherwise thinking about Slab and Hot Suppa.

 

Might get outdoor seating at Flatbread pizza. Nice beer menu.

 

If you're looking for oysters specifically, The Shop is never packed and has couches outside among other outdoor seating. Beer list is ok, mostly local stuff if I recall.

Across the street is Radici, which looks like they have awesome pizza (it's newer so I haven't been), but they do have limited outdoor seating if I recall correctly. Not sure about the beer list.

High Roller has outdoor seating in the back, while not on a patio out front, it's still outside. And the beer list is always awesome.

If you're not dead set on going to an actual "restaurant", you could always hit up the Bite into Maine food truck outside of Allagash. Or Mr. Tuna outside of Rising Tide.

This would cover you for outdoor seating, seafood, and awesome beer (if you don't like Rising Tide, they're right next to Austin Street).

Honestly though, if I'm looking for the best mix of food, beer, and outdoor seating...Slab is where I'd go.

 

Just need to chime in here, after spending a few days in Portland last weekend, my first time back in about two years:

-Slab is legit. Have eaten there before, will do it again. The brick of a pizza was fantastic.
-multiple people here talked up the beef brisket tacos at Terlingua. They were not over-hyped in any way. It has been a week and I still find myself dreaming about the tacos.
-there is an abundance of good beer to be found everywhere. I spent a lot of time at Oxbow and enjoyed everything I drank. And Allagash is always a great way to spend some time.

 

Well that was your first problem! (understood given the pandemic)

 

We didn't eat there during our trip last month (we have an Eventide in Boston now and the menu is pretty similar so we went to Scales, which was awesome), but we walked by Eventide and their outdoor area is really large now

 

I keep meaning to go to Eventide in Fenway. I hear the lobster roll there is a size up from the one in Portland.

 

we thought we were out of luck at Scales because the online reservations were full, but called and they had a patio reservation available, so really stoked to be able to try that out this trip!

 

Yes Middle Street from Franklin St to India St is closed to traffic from the looks of it when I was there a month ago, so Eventide and Duckfat amongst others have good-sized outdoor seating areas in that block.