9 Things... Portland, ME - Find. Eat. Drink.

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It’s time for lobsters and lighthouses as Portland, ME comes alive in the summer months. Whether you’re picking up seafood for a beachside clam bake, slurping local oysters as they’re shucked in front of you or grabbing a frosty beer on an outside deck, here are nine places the local chefs love for eating, drinking and food shopping.

9 Things... Portland, ME

July 3, 2013

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- The Find. Eat. Drink. Guide

Browne Trading Co.

One of the most respected seafood purveyors in the country with their products used in the kitchens of famous chefs like Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller and Eric Ripert. Drop by their store to pick up fresh seafood, smoked fish and caviar, as well as some wine to pair with everything. Local chef Erik Desjarlais uses their products, “They have raised the bar maintaining a high level of quality seafood.”

262 Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04101

T: 1.207.775.7560 | www.brownetrading.com

Razor clams at the Harbor Fish Market

Photograph courtesy of Harbor Fish Market

Harbor Fish Market

It’s been a family owned and operated fish market for over 40 years. Focused on locally-caught Maine seafood such as lobster, crab, mussels, clams, scallops, as well as smoked seafood and fish. Chefs Andrew Taylor and Michael Wiley of Eventide and Hugo’s say it’s “where locals and tourists alike go for the freshest seafood in Portland. A great source for supplies for a clam or lobster bake.” Also loved by chef Masa Miyake for their seasonally available seafood.

9 Custom House Wharf, Portland, ME 04101

T: 1.207.775.0251 | www.harborfish.com

Handmade Chocolates by Sweet Marguerites

Photograph courtesy of Sweet Marguerites

Sweet Marguerites

“A sunny little chocolate café selling beautifully packaged handmade chocolates” say chefs Andrew Taylor and Michael Wiley of Eventide. Each chocolate is made by hand using Maine's Smiling Hill Farm cream, European-style butter, sea salt from the Gulf of Maine, and single-origin chocolate from Tanzania and Venezuela.

382 Cottage Road, South Portland, ME 04106

T: 1.207.767.6121 | www.sweetmarguerites.com

Breakfast at Becky’s Diner

Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.

Becky’s Diner

There really is nothing fancy about Becky’s Diner, but if you are a little tired and hung-over, it’s the perfect breakfast spot. You’ll find a mixture of locals and tourists and probably a line out the door. Chef Erik Desjarlais loves it because, “nothing could be finer than the vibe in the morning. Bump elbows with lobstermen and restaurant workers who are trying to recover from a rough night. The coffee is always hot and the eggs are cooked right.”

390 Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04101

T: 1.207.773.7070 | www.beckysdiner.com

The oyster selection at Eventide

Photograph courtesy of Eventide

Eventide

Opened by the trio who took over Hugo’s from their mentor Rob Evans. No strangers to Portland, they are offering a seafood menu and a range of cocktails. Recommended by chefs Erik and Krista Desjarlais. “They’re open 7 days, all day, shucking 18 different oysters, 9 local and 9 from away. You can choose from a list of accoutrements, ranging from the traditional cocktail sauce, lemons or mignonette, to frozen dashi milk, whipped Tabasco and yogurt rhubarb snow.”

86 Middle Street, Portland, ME 04101

T: 1.207.774.8538 | www.eventideoysterco.com

Duck fat fried French fries at Duckfat

Photograph courtesy of Duckfat

Duckfat

Chef Matt Jennings says, “As can be discerned from the name, you are really here for something cooked in duck fat. Luckily for you, there is only one option: hand cut, Belgian-style French fries. Fried in, you got it, duck fat.” This is chef Rob Evans’ sandwich shop which has garnered national attention and remains a local favorite for completely delicious pressed sandwiches, charcuterie and duckfat fried potato frites.

43 Middle Street, Portland, ME 04101

T: 1.207.774.8080 | www.duckfat.com

Coffee and a donut at Tandem Coffee Roasters

Photograph courtesy of Tandem Coffee Roasters

Tandem Coffee Roasters

It’s a cafe and roastery under one roof in Portland’s East Bay. Open-to-the-public free cupping sessions (tastings) at noon every Friday, which means you can drop in for a cup of coffee, but also get an education. Chef Rob Evans loves it for what they don’t have, as well as their brew. “No wi-fi, no café tables, just really good, honest coffee.”

122 Anderson Street, Portland, ME 04101

T: 1.207.899.0235 | www.tandemcoffee.com

Allagash Beer at Novare Res Bier Cafe

Photo Credit: Fred Immel

Novare Res Bier Café

Come here for the beer selection. It’s an extensive list and the very knowledgeable staff can guide you through to beer nirvana. “Enormous selection of the most exciting beers to be had. It’s heaven for beer geeks and just a great vibe for everyone else. Its’ also one of the few places with a patio and great charcuterie selection.” - Chefs Andrew Taylor and Michael Wiley of Eventide.

4 Canal Plaza, Portland, ME 04101

T: 1.207.761.2437 | www.novareresbiercafe.com

Sangillo’s Tavern

A classic dive bar in the Old Port. Cheap beer and locals hanging out after shifts. Nothing fancy, but you shouldn’t be looking for fancy from a dive bar. “The definition of a dive bar and our favorite by a long shot. You never know what you’ll see or who you’ll meet – we’ve seen wedding parties and government officials mingling with the usual dive bar suspects. The bartenders call you ‘Hon’ and the jukebox is always blasting.” - Chefs Andrew Taylor and Michael Wiley of Eventide.

18 Hampshire Street, Portland, ME 04101

T: 1.207.879.2810

Lobster Rolls at Lobster Shack at Two Lights

Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.

Cape Elizabeth | Lobster Shack at Two Lights

9 miles south of Portland on the beautiful coast of Maine, they've been making lobster rolls since the 1920s. You can either sit inside or outside on picnic tables overlooking the picturesque rocky shore. The menu features lobster, but you can also get a hamburger if you prefer a view over seafood. Chef Krista Desjarlais heads here “to eat seafood and lobster rolls overlooking the ocean.”

225 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107

T: 1.207.799.1677 | lobstershacktwolights.com

New Gloucester | Bresca and the Honey Bee

A lake front beach shack by husband and wife chef team Krista and Erik Desjarlais. Krista has been consistently nominated for the James Beard Foundation awards for Best Chef Northeast and Erik formerly owned Evangeline.

106 Outlet Road, New Gloucester, ME 04260

T: 1.207.926.3388 | www.brescaandthehoneybee.com

The cheese selection at The Cheese Iron

Photograph courtesy of The Cheese Iron

Scarborough | The Cheese Iron

Cheese, wine and specialty foods offered at this Scarborough shop. The sell over 200 domestic and international cheeses as well as wine, pate, meats, pastas, olive oils, chocolates and other pantry items. A perfect place to pick up picnic items.

300 200 U.S. 1, Scarborough, ME 04074

T: 1.207.883.4057 | thecheeseiron.com

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