After checking out Elizabeth’s awesome collection of daily 5″ paintings, we headed across the street to Hilltop Coffee Shop for some of the least expensive, yet best, coffee available in Portland. Two small lattes and a bottled drink (our friend Jen was with us) for $6 is pretty rare these days. They had a few small nibbles laid out as well, and the girls gave these very positive reviews. The atmosphere was a cozy local coffee house. We would have stayed and hung out if there weren’t more walking to be done.

Wandering down Congress St., we stopped into a few shops and studios, and made our way into Home Grown Herbs and Tea, also on Congress Street. Unfortunately, we still had our Hilltop cups half full, so we did not order any of the array of herbal teas she had on offer. we did try some of the appetizers that were laid out. The grape leaves, stuffed with something we couldn’t quite figure out (I say there was some fennel in it, but that was definitely not all) were quite tasty. We’ll have to head back to this one next time we fancy some tea.

Finally, we turned down India St. on our way to Rabelais. First, however, we came upon Duckfat. Being a little peckish by then, we simply had to stop for some Belgian fries. Though I’ve read wonderful reviews of Duckfat’s potato delights, Amber and I had not yet found ourselves in that area at meal time. Sad, given that we’ve lived here nearly two years now. We remedied the situation with a large order of fries to go and a couple of dipping sauces for the side. The curry mayo was the favorite. We will, without a doubt, be going back to see what comes off the panini press at this delightful little sandwich and fry shop. And yes, the fries were worth every single calorie. I will gladly spin an extra few miles on my bike this weekend to burn them off. Jen assured us that their milkshakes are equally fabulous. More research is needed…and I’ll be the first to volunteer.

We’re already looking forward to June 5 for the next Art Walk. The Monument Square area is not without its own delightful eateries, and I’m sure I’ll have some more food notes to share the next day. I’m just sorry we waited so long to check out First Friday. Portland is a great little city, and if you’ve only ever explored the Old Port area, the Art Walk may be the perfect excuse for you to branch out a little and see what else she has to offer. You won’t be disappointed.

• Premium veal, ham and pork samplings
• Artisan cheeses and breads
• Fresh fish from Browne Trading Company
• Winter Point oysters, raw and roasted
• House-made ravioli filled with organic vegetables from Laughing Stock Farm
• Arugula pesto and mushroom soup “shots”
• Seasonal vegetables from Farm Fresh Connection

And, to quench your thirst:

• Handcrafted beers from Allagash Brewing Company
• Wines provided by Aurora Provisions, Mariner Beverage, & Wicked Wines
• French Press Coffee tasting by Starbucks Coffee

If you’ve not yet experienced Chef Lee Skawinski’s fare at Cinque Terre, this event offers a reasonably economical (tickets are $35 each) way to see what all the buzz is about, and it’s tax deductible. Oh, and it benefits a great cause, too! Check out ecoappetito.com for more information and to order your tickets.

Konbit Sante is different from many other organizations in that we do not send teams of doctors and nurses to provide hands-on care. Instead, our staff and volunteers work with Haitian colleagues to develop health care programs, to teach doctors and nurses, to make infrastructure improvements, and to collect and deliver much-needed equipment and supplies.

The most valuable asset you can give is your time. Not a doctor or nurse? They have many needs that can be filled by those without medical training, including infrastructure improvements, working with things like the computer and electrical systems, and collection and distribution of medical supplies and equipment. 

Konbit Sante is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation organized in the State of Maine. They can be contacted as P.O. Box 11281, Portland, ME  04104. You can call 207-347-6733 or email info@konbitsante.org for more information.

Amber and I each ordered one of the various combo meals that they have. All 25 or so of the combos run about $7 and include various combinations of such staples as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and chimichangas. Our friend ordered a California burrito that was so named because it was nearly the size of said state (well, at least that’s my reasoning behind the name). It was a $10 dish, but it was enormous. We received the obligatory basket of warm corn chips and salsa while we waited for our meals to arrive. If you go, ask for the house green salsa. It’s got a nice kick to it (the red salsa was a little mild in my opinion). 

The meals were fine, but did not really stand out for either of us. The tequila overload probably didn’t help that any. I finished my meal and was comfortably full; Amber had to take home about half of hers. Surprisingly, she still had room for dessert, so an order of sopapillas (friend dough drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar) was requested. We all ate some of this $5 dessert and concluded that it, like the rest of the food, was adequate but unremarkable. All in all, the margaritas were the highlight of the meal. If you like tequila and can find a sober driver, I highly recommend heading down to 857 Main St. in Westbrook. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.

The restaurant was full when we arrived. There was a bustling crowd of young hipsters mixed in with older couples and their kids and a more than a few tables with grey hair. It was a pretty complete cross-section of the Portland population. We got a table in short order. Unfortunately, my seat was facing the unshaded window, so I had to eat with sunglasses on. There is a nice bar and lounge section on the left when you enter, an area that obviously hosts live music near the center of the space, and some couches and low tables behind that. On the right half of the red-dominated industrial space (exposed duct work is, as expected, visible above) is the dining room. I didn’t count but would guess that it easily holds 75 or so.

The brunch menu was somewhat basic, but the very friendly waitress mentioned a few specials that sounded interesting, including an open-faced omelette and a chocolate chip blueberry pancake. We both ended up getting the “build-your-own” scramble option. The scramble is $5, with toppings/fillings $1 a piece. A side of home fries and an English muffin is included. For such a basic breakfast, it took the kitchen a while to get our meals out. I was nearly done with my first cup of coffee (which I was nursing) before we were served. It was busy, but I expected a little better.

The scrambles were both good. I got spinach, bacon, and goat cheese in mine, and Amber opted for spinach, mushrooms, and goat cheese. The goat cheese was excellent and added a very nice creamy saltiness. I’m not sure I got a dollar’s worth of bacon in mine, but there was plenty of food for $8. The home fries were only average. In my opinion they could have used a bit more seasoning. The English muffin was the surprise of the meal. I’ve never had an English muffin that I would bother to comment on, but this thing was great. Seriously, I don’t know where they got it (perhaps it was house made, but I would be surprised), but it’s easily the best English muffin I’ve ever had. 

The check took a while coming, but it was nice to not feel hurried toward the door so that the next party could take our table. Overall we were pleased with, but not blown away by, our visit. We’d go again (I’ve heard the dinner is great), but probably not for brunch if we had lots to do in the afternoon. Between Hot Suppa and Local 188, the western end of Congress Street is definitely worth checking out by any foodie looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Old Port.

We looked over the menu and were torn on what to order (well, Amber was…I selected the Cubano sandwich quite quickly). On the recommendation of the waitress, Amber got the fried green tomato BLT and a side of the day’s soup, butternut curry. I selected the homemade mac & cheese for my side. Some of the other menu highlights were a roast duck sandwich (a special of the day), eggs benedict with fried green tomatoes (breakfast is served all day), and a French-style tuna sandwich whose name escapes me. Both of our lunches were fabulous. The Cubano melted in my mouth, and Amber’s BLT was excellent. I’ll have to ply Moses with some good beer (he’s a big fan of Novare Res, so it shouldn’t be hard) and see if I can wrest the breading recipe from him. It was that good. The soup was great, and the mac and cheese was good too, though I’m not sure it was the right decision to pair with the Cubano. 

The waitress was cheery and attentive (especially considering we were the last table of the day and they were closing up and doing sidework), Moses came out to chat, and we’ll most assuredly be going back. The check was a touch high for a regular lunch spot (~$24, including a soda and a hot chocolate and tax, but not the tip), but I would not be surprised if Amber and I end up there a couple or three times a month. This is a soul food cafe with a soul, and some damn good fried green tomatoes. They’re open every day, with the exception of some holidays, from 7:00 AM (7:30 on Sundays) to 2:00 PM at 703 Congress St., between the Rite Aid and Local 188. Check them out; you’ll be glad you did.

Borealis Bakery and Bistro

The website doesn’t have a menu listed, but I plan to take a walk down there (maybe for lunch?) and see what’s what. I’ll post an update here this afternoon. I’m also crossing my fingers for free wifi, as this could become a new “office” for me when I get tired of looking at my desk…

The always helpful wait staff had our orders taken and drinks served quickly. Our apps (soup for me, and salad for her) took a little while arriving at the table but were good. The entrees, however, were well worth the wait. We ordered the fillet of beef tenderloin and the pan-seared scallops special. The tenderloin was fabulous, with a delicious hollandaise sauce. I ordered it accompanied by the fingerling potatoes and asparagus for a thoroughly satisfying meal that had Amber trying to share as much as possible. Her scallops were expertly cooked and delicious with their honey truffle frites accompaniment. The creamed spinach was a little too rich, but overall both meals were excellent. At $126, including a pretty generous tip, this was one of the better meals we’ve had in a while, and a little cheaper than some of the others. We’ll definitely be trying them again, though I think Amber might be getting the tenderloin for herself next time.

Join us this coming Tuesday, September 9, for a special night at Vignola, when we host the complete six-course dinner and wine pairings we’ll present at New York’s James Beard Foundation on September 17.

The theme for the dinner is “From Maine to Veneto,” and the evening showcases many of the things we enjoy about living in Maine: farm-grown vegetables, fruits and herbs from Vignola’s Grand View Farm; lobster from Maine’s cold ocean waters; local lamb from nearby Stone Heart Farm; and locally made small-batch artisan cheeses.

The crew at Vignola has been working overtime – tweaking recipes, finding perfect wines to pair with each course – to make this event a standout success. We hope to see you Tuesday! To make your reservation, contact Vignola at (207) 772-1330.

Visit their Web site to see the menu >>

Details
Date: Tuesday, September 9
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: Vignola (10 Dana Street, Portland)
Cost: $80 per person; includes tax and gratuity
Space is limited and reservations are required: (207) 772-1330