Tag Archives: Restaurant

SOPO SEAFOOD A Bistro/Market For Seafood Lovers

If you’re a seafood lover and happen to be in South Portland, Maine, then you simply can’t miss out on SOPO Seafood and Raw Bar. This delightful spot is a haven for those who crave fresh and flavorful seafood, all served up with a side of charming hospitality.

As soon as you step in, you’ll be greeted with the sight of Alex shucking oysters behind the bar. Watching him expertly pry open those little mollusks is an appetizing sight in itself. But once you actually taste those briny, sweet, and succulent oysters, you’ll realize that the real treat is yet to come.

For an extra indulgent start to your meal, order up a shrimp cocktail. These plump and juicy crustaceans come with a spicy cocktail sauce that will give your taste buds a zingy kick. Sip on a classic gin and tonic while you enjoy the fresh ocean flavors.

If you’re looking for something more unusual, then try the salmon roe with crème fraiche. The burst of the roe against the cool and creamy crème fraiche is a taste sensation that you won’t soon forget.

The smoked trout toast is another appetizer that’s worth a try. The lightly smoked fish is perfectly flaky and pairs beautifully with the crunch of the toast. It’s a simple yet satisfying dish that showcases the quality of the ingredients.

For something a little heartier, indulge in the crab grilled cheese. This is not your average grilled cheese sandwich – it’s a decadent combination of sweet crab meat, melted cheese, and buttery bread that will make you feel like you’re dining like royalty.

But perhaps the true star of the show is the oysters. With a constantly changing selection of oysters from Maine’s coast you’ll be able to taste the unique flavors of different regions. From the plump and briny Glidden points  to the sweet Weskegs, you’re sure to find an oyster that will make your taste buds sing.

All in all, Sopo Seafood and Raw Bar is a must-visit spot for anyone who loves fresh seafood. The cozy ambiance, friendly staff, and outstanding food make for an unforgettable dining experience. As a bonus pick up some fantastic seafood from their attached market to take home.

SOPO Seafood

Holiday Extravaganza!

Please help stamp out childhood hunger while enjoying desserts from some of Maine’s best chefs and mixologists. Tickets are only $50 and can be purchased at Full Plates

I hope to see you there!

Raise A Glass To Help End Elder Abuse

 

 

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Tipo-opening January 11,2017

Scheduled to open this Wednesday at 4:00, my wife and I had a chance to preview the wonderful  menu at Tipo last night. Walking in to the bright, modern restaurant, I was immediately impressed by how open and spacious it is compared to so many of Portland’s other area restaurants. Definitely a place that one could go to with a group of friends or a couple of kids in tow.

Tipo offers a full bar, plus a few well-built cocktails with ingredients that play to the restaurant’s Italian focus.  I had the Il Moto.  Served in a rocks glass, it was a soothing blend of Italian liquor and vermouth, with hints of apple and plum. My wife went for the Il Maglione, served up and made with egg white, this foamy delight tasted of cardamon and lemon. The restaurant also offers a nice selection of Italian beers and wines by the glass and bottle.

The food menu is divided into five sections: raw, plates, pasta, pizza, and dessert.  As this was our first visit and a bit of a special occasion as Tipo wasn’t officially open yet, we decided to sample across the whole menu. However, I could easily also see this a great place to stop off for a glass of wine and a big bowl of pasta, or to pick up a pizza after work. The food was all so good and the menu so versitile.

Beginning with the raw, we ordered the sublime Maine scallop crudo. Bursting with fresh ocean flavor, and enhanced with Myer lemon, this dish was the one most reminiscent of owners Chris and Paige Gould’s acclaimed restaurant Central Provisions, but was still made unique by the addition of warm olive oil and bottarga (Italian cured fish roe).  Also from the raw section of the menu, the beef carpaccio somehow managed to far exceed our expectations. So tender and flavorful, the beef was reminiscent of the finest prime rib, and the smoked onion aioli and arugula elevate the flavors to a whole new level.

Moving on to the plates portion of the menu, I had a hard time limiting myself: meatballs and gravy, hand-pulled mozzarella, and wood-roasted vegetables. It all sounded so amazing that I wanted to order everything! I can see myself going back to sample more heavily from this section. However, on this first visit, knowing I wanted to try both the pasta and pizza, we limited ourselves to adding the winter greens salad. I am glad we did because it was excellent. So simple, yet delicious! Crisp mixed greens in pancetta, frico (fried cheese crisp), black pepper, and plenty of parmesan.  My wife and I devoured this crunchy, savory delight.

Then on to the pasta section of the menu–we were further impressed by the ability to order most of the offerings in either full or half sizes. Planning on also ordering a pizza, we settled in on the half-sized rye Cavatelli served with pork ragu, mascarpone, and oregano. I can’t stress how much I loved this–rich meaty flavors, combined with brilliant textures to yield pure joy!

At this point, you might think we would be so satiated to give up, but we bravely continued on so that we might share our experience with you, our dear readers. I am so glad we did because the pizza was fantastic!  The crust is very thin, yet somehow manages to be light and fluffy at the same time.  Each bite was a crispy, soft, charred pillow-top, with the most delightful flavors. We chose the lamb sausage version. With its middle eastern spices, plus feta and arugula, the pizza was both deeply satisfying and memorable. The same can be said for dessert, warm Zeppoli with peppered sugar, lemon, and ricotta. Combined with a cappuccino, this perfectly fried and spiced dough provided a sublime closure to our meal.

 

 

 

Il Moto

Il MAglione

Maine Scallop

Beef Carpaccio

Winter Greens Salad

Rye Cavatelli-half order

Lamb sausage pizza