Maine Weekend suggestions

[gladhands]

I'm headed up to Maine for the weekend. We'll be in Portland and Brewster primarily. Sailing is the primary purpose of the trip, so I'm not really interested in other outdoor activities. Any restaurant, cultural, or retail suggestions?

 

[MetroStyles]

Originally Posted by gladhands

I'm headed up to Maine for the weekend. We'll be in Portland and Brewster primarily. Sailing is the primary purpose of the trip, so I'm not really interested in other outdoor activities. Any restaurant, cultural, or retail suggestions?

Definitely Street & Company in Portland. Amazing oysters & fish. More hyped but in my opinion a step below is Fore Street restaurant.

 

[intent]

The Grill Room.

Skip the lines at Street. The only thing I liked at Street was the Lobster Diavolo. Vignola and its sister restaurant Cinque Terre are also good when they have their featured menus. If you just want cheap lobster you can get it cooked at Three Sons right by the ocean. I usually like J's Oyster, but it's gotten good reviews as a "local" place on Yelp and now there's a lineup. Avoid the Old Port Tavern.

For retail, Rogues Gallery is local and fairly well-known. Freeport and Kittery have a bunch of outlets. There's a 24/7 LL Bean in Freeport if that strikes your fancy.

Cultural: There should be a fair or two when you're in town.

 

[MetroStyles]

^ Shrugs, I liked Street & Co better than Grill Room.

FWIW, there is a good sushi place in Portland. Yelp it. It's hit or miss with the dishes but the hits are out of this world.

 

[intent]

I think Metro is talking about Miyake. If so, make sure you get a reservation. The place is tiny.

 

[gladhands]

Thank you for all or your suggestions.

 

[B^2]

head to gritty's for a beer. it's a local craft brewer in portland with a solid brown ale and a cool scene. also the oldport area is fun to walk around.

 

[intent]

Originally Posted by B^2

head to gritty's for a beer. it's a local craft brewer in portland with a solid brown ale and a cool scene. also the oldport area is fun to walk around.
If you like overpriced beer you can get next door cheaper as well as an atmosphere which consists of the server barely being there, the thick crowd to cut through, and having to yell to talk to your companions. If you really want a beer experience, The Great Lost Bear is in Portland as well and has more beer and more room. Drink up there, and then head to town.

 

[Jazzman19]

I second the Great Lost Bear for beer --> you'll get variety, but might be out of your way a bit if you are on feet. The food there, however, is subpar- even for a dive. The beer collection is fantastic though, so it will make up for it.

Street and Co. is cool, but in my opinion Fore Street is worth the wait. Bresca has the best Italian and is often overshadowed by the other annual stalwarts in Portland.

Have fun!

 

[ComboOrgan]

I only spent one night in Portland, but I had one of the best breakfasts of my life at Porthole Restaurant. It a dingy-on-the-outside little spot near the docks. I still lust after the homemade sausage and homefries (they use russets and sweet potatoes). http://www.portholemaine.com/