Anestes Fotiades at Portland Food Map gave the North Star Cafe a 5 star rating, so I decided to give it a try.
Located in the East end of Portland (225 Congress Street), and not in the center of the Old Port, I was surprised to see it draw such a large lunch crowd. The day I stopped by they were mobbed; unusually busy, according to one of the folks that works there.
The Portland Food Map rating is well deserved -- they offer some of the best sandwiches in town. Fresh ingredients, unusual concoctions, numerous vegetarian and vegan offerings, and a friendly, informal and relaxed environment. It's the kind of place you'd like to settle into one of the comfy couches and spend a Sunday morning...munching a bagel, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper....
Back to our lunch.
I couldn't resist the chestnut soup featured that day; how often do you see chestnut soup on a menu? It was flavorful and lightly spiced with nutmeg. The corn chowder my husband ordered was chock full of kale, potatoes and corn...not the creamy version I am accustomed to, and therefore better for the waistline.
The Gemini sandwich contained Applegate Farm's turkey, cheddar cheese, a thick slice of apple, and mesculin greens. Such simple ingredients that I would never have thought to put together in a sandwich were in perfect concert. I think this is my new favorite sandwich.
The Leo, roasted red pepper, goat cheese, avocado and lettuce, served on home made honey wheat bread, would only have been better had the bread been sliced thicker. Thinly sliced and lightly toasted, it almost tasted stale, which I don't think it was. Home made bread is best when sliced thick so the toasting crisps the outside and leaves the inside doughy and warm.
Both sandwiches were served with a side salad of mesculin greens and tomatoes, tossed with a honey balsamic dressing. Lunch for the two of us was $23.
I'd like to see wraps offered as an alternative to bread; my husband would like to see baguette as an option for all sandwiches. He noticed several baguettes on the prep counter and asked if he could have his sandwich on one. He was told that they were reserved for one sandwich only - the Hercules. Even if they charge a little more for the baguette, it would be nice to have the option.
If the North Star Cafe continues to draw large crowds of patrons wanting to dine in, they should invest in a better HVAC system. The smell of "human humidity" socked me in the face when I entered the restaurant. Even some ceiling fans might do the trick...just something to circulate the air.
The North Star Cafe fills a nice niche - a true neighborhood gathering spot, offering fabulously fresh, delicious and creative fare. I am putting them on my list of lunch spots to order lunch from for our office meetings, and will stop in for breakfast or lunch when in the neighborhood.
Located in the East end of Portland (225 Congress Street), and not in the center of the Old Port, I was surprised to see it draw such a large lunch crowd. The day I stopped by they were mobbed; unusually busy, according to one of the folks that works there.
The Portland Food Map rating is well deserved -- they offer some of the best sandwiches in town. Fresh ingredients, unusual concoctions, numerous vegetarian and vegan offerings, and a friendly, informal and relaxed environment. It's the kind of place you'd like to settle into one of the comfy couches and spend a Sunday morning...munching a bagel, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper....
Back to our lunch.
I couldn't resist the chestnut soup featured that day; how often do you see chestnut soup on a menu? It was flavorful and lightly spiced with nutmeg. The corn chowder my husband ordered was chock full of kale, potatoes and corn...not the creamy version I am accustomed to, and therefore better for the waistline.
The Gemini sandwich contained Applegate Farm's turkey, cheddar cheese, a thick slice of apple, and mesculin greens. Such simple ingredients that I would never have thought to put together in a sandwich were in perfect concert. I think this is my new favorite sandwich.The Leo, roasted red pepper, goat cheese, avocado and lettuce, served on home made honey wheat bread, would only have been better had the bread been sliced thicker. Thinly sliced and lightly toasted, it almost tasted stale, which I don't think it was. Home made bread is best when sliced thick so the toasting crisps the outside and leaves the inside doughy and warm.
Both sandwiches were served with a side salad of mesculin greens and tomatoes, tossed with a honey balsamic dressing. Lunch for the two of us was $23.
I'd like to see wraps offered as an alternative to bread; my husband would like to see baguette as an option for all sandwiches. He noticed several baguettes on the prep counter and asked if he could have his sandwich on one. He was told that they were reserved for one sandwich only - the Hercules. Even if they charge a little more for the baguette, it would be nice to have the option.
If the North Star Cafe continues to draw large crowds of patrons wanting to dine in, they should invest in a better HVAC system. The smell of "human humidity" socked me in the face when I entered the restaurant. Even some ceiling fans might do the trick...just something to circulate the air.
The North Star Cafe fills a nice niche - a true neighborhood gathering spot, offering fabulously fresh, delicious and creative fare. I am putting them on my list of lunch spots to order lunch from for our office meetings, and will stop in for breakfast or lunch when in the neighborhood.
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