Category Archives: Eat

Central Provisions! NYE

The following are photos of some of the fantastic creations that Chef Chris Gould and his wonderful crew whipped up this past New Year’s Eve, at our perennial favorite Central Provisions:

Such precision
Forgive my laziness, there was a lot going on top of these plates, so incredibly tasty!
Oh, my!
Wow!
Serious pastry game!

Sur Lie : Wonderful Tapas

Sur Lie is a tapas style restaurant in the heart of downtown, where Chef Emil Rivera puts out a wonderful mix of both traditional and unique to Maine small plates. Sur lie has long been a favorite of mine for its consistently inventive and yummy foods and delicious drinks. That they take reservations and are right next door to a parking garage are incidental perks,compared to knowing the chef has remained the same since opening five years ago, and at least one of the owners is almost always present. I think these things really make a difference, and are why after five years of operation Sur Lie is better than ever!

On this our latest visit, we started with the pastrami salmon dip. It was served with the most delicate chips, that still somehow managed to support the creamy salty crunchy bites without collapsing! Joy!

Pastrami Salmon Spread!

We followed the dip with a pristine tower of swordfish ceviche tostada, that somehow managed to be both savory and bright. Almost too perfect to eat, but I’m glad we did!

Once again, I am forced to admit absolutely love, love, loving a vegan dish! Argh! The Donburi with shaved carrots and ginger sits on top of what I can only describe as a heavenly fried rice cake. So good, almost unbelievable it’s vegan, and is at least three quarters vegetables, but OMG so much yum!

It should go without saying that Chef Emil is a master of seafood. The seared scallops with white sweet potato purée is rightfully a long term resident of the menu. They couldn’t possibly have been more perfect!

Chaval: Joy and Surprise

Chef owners Damian Sansonetti and Ilma Lopez have created a wonderfully welcoming brassiere at Chaval. You should make a reservation while you still can, as they are putting out some of the most beautiful comfort food (and very, very good cocktails) in Portland. Beautiful comfort food? Yes. Cured meats and pâtés, deviled eggs and savory puff, Swordfish with olives and tomatoes, steak frites, these are food designed to bring comfort and joy in their oh so savory flavors. But these versions are all presented so beautifully and so full of little surprises that they turn any meal at Chaval in to an experience.

Take for example the fatty tuna presented below. While traditionally I prefer the richest cuts of tuna on their own to savor, the artistic presentation and added layers of flavor of cucumber brought an amazing balance that I love, love loved!

The same was true of the fantastic (really!) maitake mushrooms. Cooked in smoked beef fat and accompanied by pistachio and the most wonderful sauce! Made from Concord grapes it was an absolute deluge of textures and flavor. So good, brilliant!

For me the highlight of the savories, was a rabbit stew in puff pastry and topped with Foie Gras. The perfectly seared liver added wonderful creamy richness to the lean rabbit. I would love to see more rabbit this winter. So satisfying!

Of course we had dessert, I can’t say enough about the wonderful desserts and pastries that Ilma Lopez creates. From the first bite of one of her creations I was hooked. Beyond master chef, a true pastry goddess! Forget Ugly Delicious, these warm apple churros with caramel for dipping are Beautiful Delicious and deserve a show of their own!

ChefsFeed Indie Week

Tickets on sale now, for a series of dinners hosted at award winning chef Cara Stadler’s Lio Restaurant on the evenings of September 5, 2019 through September 8,2019. The lineup is an amazing combination of both local and top chefs traveling across the country creating beautiful feasts at every stop. Each dinner will feature 12 courses and makes a wonderful excuse to visit Portland, Maine!

Get your tickets now!

Portland, Maine Roster:

Cara Stadler
Tao Yuan , Brunswick, ME

Ross Coleman
2840 at Dukesa, Houston, TX

Kim Alter
Nightbird, San Francisco, CA

Alex Sáenz
Bisq, Cambridge, MA

Mason Hereford
Turkey and the Wolf, New Orleans, LA

Vien Dobui
Cong Tu Bot, Portland, ME

Ilma Lopez
Piccolo, Portland, ME

Briana Holt
Tandem Coffee + Bakery, Portland, ME

Brian Jupiter
Inae Mae Tavern, Chicago, IL

Matt Ginn
EVO Portland, Portland, ME

Courtney Loreg
Woodford F&B, Portland, ME

Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins
Unaffiliated, San Diego, CA

Amanda Rockman
New Waterloo, Austin, TX

Jennifer Jackson
Voyager, Detroit, MI

Justin Tootla
Voyager Ferndale, Ferndale, MI

Tracy Chang
Pagu, Boston, MA

Lamar Moore
The Swill Inn, Chicago, IL

Rebecca Arnold
Whole Heart Provisions, Cambridge, MA

Peter McKenzie
Haley Henry, Boston, MA

PJ Edwards
Meadow Neighborhood Eatery, San Antonio, TX

Kate Hamm
Lio Restaurant, Portland, ME

Brian Mercury
Puritan & Co, Boston, MA