Any advise on a good restaurant for V-day? (Portland, South Portland: Valentine's day, home)

[sms2279]

I had started a thread before about moving to Maine with my fiance in April and we got so many great responses! Thank you!!
So after thinking about it we have decided that it's probably smart to fly out there ahead of time and let my fiance check out Portland and it's restaurant's (he's a chef for those who don't know) and drop off resume's in person.
I thought it would be fun for us to go around the week of Valentine's Day and end our trip at a great restaurant on V-Day.
I've heard a lot about Fore St. and 555 and a few others, but I didn't know if any of the locals would have a better recommendation. We would be visiting Portland so anything there or close by would be good. He's a chef, and I'm a wanna- be chef so you could definitely say we're "foodies."
I'm sure while we're there during the week we'll try and check out different places, but I was hoping to save the best for last for Valentine's Day!
So any suggestions would be great and even any ideas for restaurants we should check out while we're there.
Thanks!

[lrfox]

555 may be an option for work but I wouldn't go out to eat there on valentines day (mediocre- I was there on Saturday. Fresh food, but very bland.. It's a fore street knock off). I know you've heard a lot about Fore St. But it really is the best in Portland. Hugo's is another-- probably the most creative of the Portland scene. Street company and Back Bay grille would be my other suggestions. Vignola and Cafe Roma are romantic, but the food isn't stellar at either. Try Duckfat for lunch, probably the best lunch spot in town though the menu is a lunch twist on basic foods.

[sms2279]

Those are pretty much the same ones I had heard of. Good to know about 555! There's a lot of buzz about it since their chef just got named best new chef by food and wine in '07 and it was featured on a recent Food Network episode, but I thought I'd check with you guys first!
Fore St. definitely remains top of the list and has a lot of great reviews, I just wasn't sure if it was all publicity or if it stood up to it's reputation- so it sounds like it does
I've heard mostly good things about Hugo's but some of the reviews commented on the really small portions. Back Bay Grille was another one but for V-day I wanted to know which would be the best out of all of them.
I'm still craving a Haddock dish I had at Buck's restaurant in Brooklyn that was by far the best fish I had ever had! But that's a little far for this trip..
Thanks Irfox!

[MaineMathTCHER]

Too bad you can't get up here (north and east near Eastport) a little place called the Nook and Cranny rocks!

[RANGER.101ST]

nook n crany or dysarts.

[mollysmiles]

lol... I was just thinking the same thing MMT--The Serenade Room would be wonderful! And if they made reservations now they could be sure to get it at least for some of the evening---oh, and then maybe stay at the Greystone? That would be sweet!

[broadbill]

Originally Posted by sms2279

Those are pretty much the same ones I had heard of. Good to know about 555! There's a lot of buzz about it since their chef just got named best new chef by food and wine in '07 and it was featured on a recent Food Network episode, but I thought I'd check with you guys first!

Those are some pretty impressive credentials for Five Fifty five and lrfox's opinion is in the minority when I take into account everything I've heard about it as well as my experience eating there.

So before you get the wrong idea about Five Fifty Five I will throw my 0.02 in and say its one of the best, if not the best restaurants in Portland. That being said, I don't think you can go wrong with EITHER Fore St. or Five Fifty Five.

Good luck!

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by sms2279

Those are pretty much the same ones I had heard of. Good to know about 555! There's a lot of buzz about it since their chef just got named best new chef by food and wine in '07 and it was featured on a recent Food Network episode, but I thought I'd check with you guys first!

You're Welcome,

I figured they would be mostly the ones you heard about. It's a small town and while there are many restaurants for a city of its size, there are only a handful of "fine dining" establishments so you've likely seen most if not all mentioned here.

Broadbill is right, btw, my opinion of Five Fifty-Five seems to be in the minority of those who have reviewed online (though I have seen some that reflect my sentiments) and the accolades that the chef has won are certainly impressive. I sill maintain that it's a bit overstated.

Again the food was made with fresh ingredients, prepared well (though not perfect), and ended up being very bland. Nothing very creative about the menu and the options and the flavors reflect this. The chef did what he did almost perfectly, his creations were just bland. Having dined at most of the restaurants in Portland, this is a problem at most and I think it's more reflective of the tastes of the populus and the tourists and not reflective of the chef or any particular restaurant's shortcomings. I just feel that Portland's culinary scene is a bit... bland. It's a comfort food town which is why larger portions and mild flavor is the norm.

That being said, Hugo's offers a bit more taste and creativity than the rest. It's a BIT different (though not extremely) than the rest of the restaurants around. In fact, I'd say the chef at Hugo's is the most talented of any in Portland and does the best in terms of creativity (btw, I've spoken with a few professional chefs in Boston who echo this feeling). As for the portions, they're not tiny, they're just not huge. An appatizer, an entree, and a dessert will be more than enough to make you roll home from Hugo's. Because this a bit different than the rest of the food scene in Portland and tastes here tend to be a little more conservative, I recommend Fore Street mostly as the food there is also fresh and certainly flavorful enough (though not bold by any stretch). If you go, I would suggest making reservations ASAP, they book up quick for Valentine's Day.

I don't hide the fact that my criticism of food in Portland is a bit more pronounced than most members of this forum and most people in the Portland area, but I try to explain why. I would also suggest checking out all the places mentioned at some point during your stay to make a decision for yourself. After all, you're opinion is the most important one.

[sms2279]

I will certainly keep these suggestions in mind! And you never know.. we might just find ourselves in a sweet little "nook and cranny"

[GarlicGuy]

[SIZE=2]These 2 are on my list that I enjoyed....

Eggspectations - 125 Western Ave, South Portland, ME 04106 Phone: (207)871-7000

[/SIZE][SIZE=2]Panera Bread - 343 Gorham Rd, South Portland, ME 04106 Phone: (207) 780-1212 [/SIZE]