I’m not a “reservations guy”. Making a reservation puts too much pressure on me. This is especially true when I’m going to a high demand place. First, I make a reservation (usually on-line) which generates an email to me confirming what was already confirmed when the restaurant accepted my reservation in the first place. Along with this email are instructions on what to do if I have any special requests or might need to cancel my reservation even though I’m pretty sure I could have figured those things out on my own. Next comes the day before dinner phone call confirming that I’m really going to eat there often accompanied by yet another email reminding me how much the restaurant is looking forward to serving me. At this point I wouldn't dare miss dinner or show up even a minute late, hence the stress unintentionally placed on me by the restaurant.
You might be wondering what any of this has to do with the subject of this blog. Well, as I made a recent reservation at Fore Street about a week and a half in advance, I noticed that even that far out there were times that were not available and it got me thinking about where I should eat now because once the snow melts and the hordes from away arrive in town it’s just going to be a pain to get into many places. So the title of this really should be something like, “where should I eat now because I don’t stand a chance in hell of eating there during prime time once the tourists pull into town”.
These are places you can reasonably get into now. You may even be able to just stroll in minus a reservation at almost any time (a bit tougher on weekends) so, unless it’s a special dinner with out of town guests, go now and leave the summer insanity to the folks from away.
Fore Street: Fore Street is tough to get into anytime of the year and they do leave tables open for walk-ins (if you want to queue up starting at 5:00 PM) but once summer rolls in it’s as tough a seat to get as anywhere in the state.
Hugo’s: You can actually show up during the week this time of year and have a good chance of bellying up to the bar and having one of the most exciting meals around. Yeah, it’s pricey but you only live once.
Eventide: If by some chance you still can’t get into Hugo’s or you want something more casual, then go next door to their sister restaurant, Eventide. Last year it was still relatively new but it’s now on everyone’s radar.
Duckfat: Another tough seat even this time of year, especially during prime time, it becomes insane in the summer as the line starts around 11:45 AM. Eat there now and then, come June, walk past the line of tourists and have a really good meal next door at the East Ender (secret, East Ender is worthy in its own right, not just as an overflow for Duckfat).
Central Provisions: Rarely has a new restaurant opened in this town with such (well deserved) fanfare and one of the smoothest openings in recent years. The food is varied and phenomenal with one of the best young chefs (Chris Gould) around. The bar program is excellent. This will be one of the toughest tickets in town this summer. Go now.
Street and Company: Sister restaurant of Fore Street it just continues to deliver year after year. As one of the few high end pure seafood plays in town it has become a magnet for those summer visitors who want to spend their tourist dollars on the freshest fish in our little coastal town.
Piccolo: The smallest of the “eat here” now restaurants, chef Sansonetti‘s dishes are so subtle and nuanced that they creep up on you leaving you starring at an empty plate wishing for the food to reappear. I’m not a big dessert guy but this is a place where I save room. Where husbands’ food is subtle, wife and pastry chef Ilma Lopez’ desserts provide a “wow” factor. Best husband/wife team in town.
Boda: Another tough seat at almost any time of year, it only gets worse in the summer with the line extending out onto Congress Street (no reservations) so go now and go often.
Pai Men Miyake: Yet another tough place for a seat in Longfellow Square, it can get busy any time of day with a busy late night crowd. Whereas the heat of the kitchen made eating near the bar almost unbearable last summer (yes, there was a time when it was hot in town), word is that they are sinking some money into upgrading the air conditioning. If so, there will be some serious waiting for a table this summer.
Local 188: Always tough to get a table for Sunday brunch, Local (as the locals call it) becomes very busy at all hours as the weather warms up.
Hot Suppa: No longer just a neighborhood place, the lines for weekend breakfast are long (and really chill – as are most of the patrons). They have the best scrambled eggs around. During nice weather the sheer number of people waiting outside is usually enough to turn a planned breakfast into a drive-by.
Bintliff’s: Since we’re on breakfast I have to mention Bintliff’s. They were doing a great brunch long before it became fashionable for the beautiful people to go out for brunch. The lines on Sunday’s this time of year will only get longer as the weather warms up.
Fisherman’s Grill: For those who don’t venture off the peninsula but might be interested in an adventure into the grittier side of Portland, now is the time to hit the Fisherman’s Grill. The best (yeah, the best) fried clams around and by far, hands down, slam dunk, the best $1.50 burger anywhere. That’s right – a buck fifty but it’s only for the locals. Mike 86’s it come summer when people will wait an hour or more for a great lobster roll and those clams.
How about something to drink? I really like Hunt and Alpine for a cocktail during happy hour with a light bite to eat. It can get quite trendy and crowded later in the evening and it should only get worse in the summer. Talking about trendy, the all new Top of the East in the Westin Hotel brings big city trendiness to our little town. Although I think the lines at the elevators have been artificially created, they will be for real come summer as everyone scampers upstairs for the best view in town. LFK, although the antithesis of “trendy” it can get mobbed in the summer with people looking for a real good beer. And then there’s Nuvare Res which any beer drinker will tell you is the place to go if you are at all serious about your beer. Especially for the intimidated, this is the time of year to talk with the staff about the beer and get a nice education. It gets pretty busy in the summer and you don’t get as much personal attention.
There you have it. My list of places to go to now before it gets too busy. There are many really good (and many that are better than several of those on my little list - 555, Back Bay Grill, etc.) restaurants that I didn't include because I find that I can usually get into them any time of year. Yup, these are the places where you're most likely to find me during the next couple of months. Actually, many of these are places I've been to over the past few months that I had a difficult time getting into last summer. And while the tourists are filling up these restaurants, I'll be hitting the slew of new ones that will soon be opening. Yeah, life IS good in our little town.
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