Lunch in Portland MAine

[ctenidae]

Anyone know of a good lunch place in Portland? Have a meeting at 1, landing at 11, 4 of us. Higher end preffered, all suits. Any ideas anyone?

 

[o3jeff]

On our way to the AZ Summit, Paul and I ate at the Wendy's just north of Portland on route 1, no complaints.

 

[drjeff]

Not sure if it's open for lunch or not, but my wife and I (along with some good friends of ours who live in the Portland area) last summer had a great meal at a place called five fifty five - which isn't too far from the Museum of Art.

Suits definitively fit in, and the menu prices would quailfy as high end (for the Portland area atleast )

Food was REALLY good!

 

[Riverskier]

I would have at least 10, if not more higher end suggestions for dinner. Lunch is tougher, as many of them don't serve lunch, or I am unsure as to whether they do. David's in Monument Square is pretty good though, and would probably fit the bill.

 

[BackLoafRiver]

Duckfat is great. Not so much "high end" but very popular among the locals and good food. Small place with not a ton of seating. They had only a few beers on tap and a small wine list but it was a fun experience.

Hugo's is a molecular gastronomy place that is pretty high end and can be $$. Their head chef won a James Beard award. One of my band parents is a foodie and she RAVES about it. A little too stuffy for me but, if you want high end...there you.

Fore Street is also very well known and QUITE good.

 

[deadheadskier]

Davids is a good choice, though lunch isn't near as good as dinner there.

I'd recommend the Grill Room on exchange street for a bit higher end. Most top spots aren't open for lunch, but the Grill Room is. Chef spares no expense on the quality of ingredients he buys.

 

[deadheadskier]

Duck Fat is indeed great. same chef and owner as Hugos. Another rec I'd make similar to Duck Fat is Hot Suppa.

Neither place would I go for a business lunch. Seating is too limited and space is chalk full of folks waiting for take out.

 

[Riverskier]

Davids is a good choice, though lunch isn't near as good as dinner there.

I'd recommend the Grill Room on exchange street for a bit higher end. Most top spots aren't open for lunch, but the Grill Room is. Chef spares no expense on the quality of ingredients he buys.

I agree about David's, but I was kind of drawing a blank on business lunch places. Tons of great casual lunch spots and tons of great high end dinner places. The Grill Room is probably a better suggestion. I have only been there for drinks, but have heard nothing but great things about their food. Nice location for people from out of town too. I used to like Walter's for a nicer lunch too, but haven't been to their new location.

 

[ctenidae]

Digging the Grill Room- any place who's phone number is ###-BEEF can't be all bad.

Would it be possible to get in and get out in 45 minutes, you think? Can't be late for the 1 o'clock (50 million reasons to be on time, really). Otherwise, may have to take o3jeff's suffestion...

 

[thetrailboss]

I had a wonderful dinner at Walter's in Monument Square a couple weeks ago....

 

[deadheadskier]

I had a wonderful dinner at Walter's in Monument Square a couple weeks ago....

You sure it wasn't David's? Walters is not in Monument Square.

The Corner Room is owned by the same chef as Grill Room. You might get a bit quicker service there. Quicker menu

 

[Riverskier]

I had a wonderful dinner at Walter's in Monument Square a couple weeks ago....

If it was Monument Square it was either David's or Shay's Grill Pub. If it was a nicer place it was David's. Walter's is on Union Street close to where it intersects with Fore.

 

[thetrailboss]

If it was Monument Square it was either David's or Shay's Grill Pub. If it was a nicer place it was David's. Walter's is on Union Street close to where it intersects with Fore.

My bad. Walter's, wrong place....

 

[Riverskier]

My bad. Walter's, wrong place....

Anyway, glad to hear you had a good experience there. I haven't been to their new location, or at all for a couple years, but I used to love that place. Will have to get back there soon! So many good reatuarants in Portland!

 

[ctenidae]

I've posted up Duck Fat and The Grill Room as options. We'll see how timing works out.

Mmmmm, duck fat....

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Fore Street is also very well known and QUITE good.

Definately the star of the Portland culinary world and very pricey. The ex-wife got a $75 gift cert from her brother, since I'm not into those hoity-toity places, she took a girlfriend. The meal for both came to $150.00 but they both enjoyed the experience and the food.

My fav thing is to do for food in Portland is take-out at Vientian(sic) Thai Market just off Brighton. Amazing food, cheap. If it's nice weather eat it on a picnic table by the docks at Eastern Promonade. Then work it off with an easy 20 min walk on the pathway right along the water, it ends up on Commercial St.

Was disappointed at the American Flatbread on Commercial St. a couple of times so never went back but it has an amazing location.

 

[Skier75]

You could always try this place, it's fairly pricey and decent food:

http://rira.com/

On the waterfront in Portland's Old Port area, it's Irish food or there's always the old standby Italian and seafood down the road from Ri Ra's, DiMillo's Floating Restaurant, or another nice place is Fore Street which serves more gourmet dishes. That's just a start. I grew up there, so there quite a bit to choose from. I hope you find someplace to fit your needs.

 

[ctenidae]

Looks like David's is going to be the winner, unless I can call an audible and go to Duck Fat. Only downside to Duck Fat is that if there's no tables, we're screwed. At least I could get a reservation at David's

 

[snoseek]

This thread made me think of Gilberts, mmmmmmm.....Not a business lunch place but still one of my personal faves.


I miss Portland sooooo much sometimes.

 

[BackLoafRiver]

Was disappointed at the American Flatbread on Commercial St. a couple of times so never went back but it has an amazing location.

The GF wants me to take her there for her birthday dinner tonight before the Rustic Overtones show. We've been before. It is not anywhere near as good as the one in Burlington.

Looks like David's is going to be the winner, unless I can call an audible and go to Duck Fat. Only downside to Duck Fat is that if there's no tables, we're screwed. At least I could get a reservation at David's

Agreed, Duck Fat can be a crap-shoot with seating. Where did you end up?