What Munjoy Hill eatery should Type A visit in the weeks ahead, my Portland, Maine friends?
Though I've tried them all, I've had mixed experiences at Bar Lola, The Front Room and Blue Spoon over the past year and half. But it's been awhile since I've been back and I figured it was time to give them another try.
What say you? Which one is at the top of their game currently?
Monday, March 24, 2008
Bar Lola, The Front Room or Blue Spoon?
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7 comments:
I'd vote for Blue Spoon.
Blue Spoon is great for lunch - tasty dishes and good value. I have enjoyed the Chicken Asiago sandwich (what do they put in the sauce- maybe you can find out) and the Steak Sandwich.
I like the Duck Sandwich at the Front Room with a side of pan fried gnocchi. However, there is always a wait, the service is spotty, and you end up smelling like you worked in the kitchen alongside the chef.
My favorite is Bar Lola. It is the only place in Portland where our repeat business has been noticed and appreciated. Stella remembers us and greets us warmly every time we go. They have inventive dishes according to whats fresh. And I like to mix and match instead of just getting one big entree.
I have been to both Blue Spoon and Front Room. They appeal to different objectives: Blue Spoon is small, intimate, excellent service, low-key with food that is very good but lacking a wow factor; Front Room is larger, louder more sports bar atmosphere but with excellent food, wide ranging at ridiculously low prices.
They both hit home runs in my mind.
When in doubt, do what i do: eeny, meeny, miney, moe ...
I've only been to the Blue Spoon once (for dinner), but the food (the Spanish Stew) and service were both excellent.
I want very much to love the Front Room (I prefer the vibe over that of Blue Spoon), but lately the food and service have both been lacking. On the first occasion, they were serving a fish special. A recent hamburger order was cooked well beyond the requested done-ness (medium rare was requested... what I got was very well done). And on my most recent visit, I ordered the egg and bacon salad, only to find that it was served to me sans egg! I had to point this out to the bartender/waitress which, in and of itself, was a task since she seemed more interested in chatting up a friend at the end of the bar than checking to see if drinks were filled, etc.
Haven't yet been to Bar Lola.
If only for lunch, visit FatBaxter's on Congress across from the Front Room - fabulous sandwiches among other things!
I haven't been to Bar Lola, but the Blue Spoon is fantastic. Excellent service every time, excellent food. The menu is small but everything on it is very good. The flan is to die for.
The Front Room, consistently, has some of the worst service I've had in Portland. I live only a few blocks away, but I refuse to go there. It's too bad.
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