Portland, Maine, is a city that effortlessly blends coastal charm with a burgeoning food scene. For those seeking an authentic taste of New England, Fore Street in Portland stands out as a culinary landmark. This article delves into a Maine food tour experience, highlighting Fore Street and other exceptional dining destinations that collectively define the region’s gastronomic appeal.
Our exploration begins with a journey through Portland’s vibrant restaurant landscape, inspired by a quest to uncover the essential flavors of Maine. Before the crisp autumn air descends, we embarked on a culinary blitz, sampling five distinct Portland eateries, with Fore Street Maine taking center stage as a pivotal experience.
Eventide Oyster Co.: A Modern Maine Seafood Experience
Two years ago, Eventide Oyster Co. emerged onto Portland’s scene, quickly becoming a hotspot for oyster aficionados. The raw bar, a granite slab piled high with glistening oysters, is a testament to Maine’s seafood bounty. Eventide categorizes its oysters as “From Maine” and “From Away,” encouraging patrons to savor local varieties like the zesty Pemaquids from the Damariscotta River. While traditional cocktail sauce and mignonette are available, adventurous toppings like cucumber-ginger and kimchi ices add a contemporary twist. Asian-inspired specials, such as fried Winterpoint oysters with pork “floss” and kimchi, further showcase Eventide’s innovative approach.
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A vibrant clambake at Eventide Oyster Co., showcasing fresh Maine seafood and local flavors in Portland.
For a taste of classic New England, Eventide delivers flawlessly. The creamy lobster stew, infused with sherry, and the compact yet flavorful clambake are must-tries. The clambake basket overflows with steamer clams, mussels, lobster, new potatoes, salt pork, a hard-boiled egg, and drawn butter. Eventide’s drink menu is equally impressive, featuring craft cocktails, local beers, French-leaning white wines, and a curated selection of sherries, sakes, and vermouths.
The only minor drawback was the rapid pace of service, with all dishes arriving in quick succession. However, this didn’t detract from the finale: a wild blueberry pie with blueberry ice cream. This dessert perfectly illustrated the superior taste of Maine’s wild blueberries – intense, nuanced, and slightly tart against a flaky crust.
Eventide Oyster Co.: 86 Middle Street, Portland, ME. Open daily 11 a.m. – midnight.
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Indulge in Eventide’s wild blueberry pie with blueberry ice cream, a true taste of Maine’s local ingredients.
Fore Street: Defining Portland’s Culinary Scene
Continuing our Portland food journey, Fore Street Maine emerges as a cornerstone of the city’s dining identity. While Maine blueberries also graced their dessert menu, they made a striking appearance in a starter salad – a refreshing mix of arugula, cucumber, and green pepper, elevated by the sweet burst of blueberries. This seemingly simple salad encapsulates Fore Street’s culinary philosophy: highlighting the vitality of fresh, local ingredients.
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Grilled quail at Fore Street restaurant in Portland, Maine, exemplifying their wood-fired cooking and dedication to local sourcing.
Fore Street, established in 1996 by chef Sam Hayward, played a pivotal role in shaping Portland’s thriving food scene. Hayward championed the locavore movement, forging strong relationships with local farmers and integrating rustic elements into the restaurant’s design, using reclaimed materials from farm buildings.
The heart of Fore Street is its open kitchen, dominated by a 35-foot hearth that fills the air with enticing aromas. The daily-changing menu emphasizes wood-fired cooking and seasonal ingredients. Signature dishes include grilled quail with rich jus and hushpuppies, spit-roasted pork loin with sauerkraut, and duck breast with confit. The chilled seafood plate, featuring scallop ceviche, smoked mussels, and cured arctic char, is an excellent starter. Fore Street’s cooking style, characterized by straightforward clarity and respect for ingredients, draws parallels to Chez Panisse on the East Coast.
Reservations at Fore Street Maine are highly sought after, often booked weeks in advance. However, a third of the tables are reserved for walk-ins, making it accessible to spontaneous diners willing to queue. The unassuming red brick exterior belies the warm and inviting atmosphere within, where the comforting scent of wood smoke and expertly prepared food awaits.
Fore Street: 288 Fore Street, Portland, ME. Dinner served Sunday – Thursday 5:30 – 10 p.m., Friday – Saturday 5:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Slab: Sicilian Street Food in Portland
Portland’s culinary diversity is further exemplified by Slab, a Sicilian street food haven located in the former Portland Public Market building. Stephen Lanzalotta, known for his airy flatbreads, partners with chef-owner Jason Loring of Nosh Kitchen Bar to bring this unique concept to life. Slab’s beverage focus is on local beers, with twenty rotating taps.
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A generous slice of Sicilian-style pizza at Slab in Portland, Maine, showcasing their signature thick and flavorful crust.
Slab’s signature one-pound slice, a cross between focaccia and Parker House rolls, topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and provolone, was a surprising highlight of the food tour. Beyond pizza, Slab explores Sicilian cuisine’s diverse influences. While offering classic Italian-American fare like meatball sandwiches, Slab also highlights the island’s Arab influences with dishes like hummus, uniquely seasoned with crushed oranges, turmeric, fried sage, cinnamon, and homemade tahini. The cumin-dressed slaw provides a refreshing counterpoint to the richer dishes.
Slab’s Sicilian street food concept presents an exciting and potentially trend-setting addition to the national food scene.
Slab: 25 Preble Street, Portland, ME. Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Vinland: Hyper-Local Maine Cuisine
Vinland represents a bold culinary experiment in Portland. Chef David Levi’s restaurant is committed to using only Maine-sourced ingredients, excluding even common seasonings like black pepper, sugar cane, and citrus. Inspired by the New Nordic movement and experiences at Noma and Fäviken, Vinland embraces a minimalist aesthetic with natural wood and birch twig décor. While alcohol sourcing is slightly less strict, cocktails like the Pine Gimlet, featuring Vermont gin and Maine white pine syrup, maintain a strong sense of place.
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Pork belly dish at Vinland in Portland, Maine, demonstrating their commitment to locally sourced and innovative cuisine.
Vinland’s menu features small plates, available à la carte or as a five-course tasting menu. Highlights included a refreshing cucumber and herb soup with sunflower oil and a satisfying chicken dish with squash and sage-infused stock. However, some dishes missed the mark. Mussels in yogurt whey broth were overly sweet, and gluten-free cornbread was dry. Pork belly with blueberry, grits, pickle, and pork rind lacked cohesion, and anise hyssop custard with blueberries was astringent.
Despite some inconsistencies, Vinland’s ambitious commitment to hyper-local sourcing is noteworthy, representing a unique and evolving dining experience.
Vinland: 593 Congress Street, Portland, ME. Dinner nightly starting at 5 p.m.
Five Islands Lobster Co.: The Quintessential Maine Lobster Shack
To complete the Maine food tour, a visit to a classic lobster shack is essential. Five Islands Lobster Co., a short drive from Portland, offers the quintessential Maine experience. Overlooking the Sheepscot River, with views of fishing boats and salty air, it embodies the Maine of postcards.
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Classic Maine lobster roll and fried clams at Five Islands Lobster Co., a must-visit for seafood lovers.
Five Islands Lobster Co. comprises three buildings: a lobster boiling house, the “Love Nest” for lobster rolls and fried seafood, and an ice cream storefront. Arrive early for the best selection, as popular items like lobster stew and chowders sell out quickly. However, the lobster rolls are a constant offering, and for good reason.
The lobster roll, simply dressed with sweet, fresh lobster meat and a touch of mayo in a hotdog bun, is a revelation. Paired with fried clams, it’s a perfect seafood indulgence. Of course, a whole boiled lobster, served with new potatoes, corn on the cob, and melted butter, is the ultimate Maine feast. Enjoying this meal at a picnic table overlooking the water completes the authentic Maine experience.
Five Islands Lobster Co.: 1447 Five Islands Road, Georgetown, ME. Open daily Memorial Day to Labor Day 11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Fore Street Maine and its fellow Portland restaurants showcase the diverse and dynamic nature of Maine’s culinary scene. From innovative oyster bars to Sicilian street food and hyper-local cuisine, Portland offers a rich tapestry of flavors. However, Fore Street remains a defining establishment, embodying the spirit of Maine’s locavore movement and setting the standard for culinary excellence in the region. A food tour through Portland, with Fore Street Maine as a centerpiece, is an essential experience for any food enthusiast seeking an authentic taste of New England.
