Bibo's Madd Apple Cafe - Portland, Maine

We had tickets to the Santa Land Diaries on Saturday night and used it as an excuse to dine with a friend at Bibo's Madd Apple Cafe. Located next door to Portland Stage Company at 23 Forest Avenue, the Madd Apple Cafe is the perfect spot for a pre-theater dinner.

The restaurant decor is eclectic, with only a dozen tables or so, plus a handful of seats at the bar. The restaurant has an artsy, comfortable vibe, with walls painted a warm golden hue.

The staff is clearly accustomed to serving diners trying to make a show and pace the meal accordingly. We made early dinner reservations - 5:30 p.m. - which allowed us plenty of time to dine without feeling rushed and still make the 7:30 show.

My husband started with a bottle of La Fin du Monde - a triple fermented golden ale from Canada - as we waited for our friend to arrive. The smell of Thai Ginger Chicken Lollipops ($7.95) delivered to the next table was so intoxicating that we simply had to place an order. The "lollipops" were as wonderful as they smelled. Balls of ground chicken and Asian spices were pan fried and served with a thick sesame peanut sauce and a pile of sauteed spinach. Luckily, our friend arrived just as they were served. Had she not, I am certain my husband and I would have devoured all three of the "lollipops" ourselves.
While we perused the dinner menu, our waitress delivered four rolls served with olive oil and dukka (ground sesame seeds, almonds and curry spices) - an interesting and tasty accompaniment.

We ordered two additional appetizers to share. The Lemongrass Ginger Shrimp Cakes ($8.95) were pan fried and served with a Thai Chili sauce and pickled sweet cabbage slaw. The cakes had a fishy taste and lacked the proper consistency, falling apart as we tried to eat them. The Spring Rolls ($7.95) on the other hand, were excellent. A delicate wrapper contained a creamy smoked goat cheese blended with portabella mushrooms and artichokes. The two spring rolls were deep fried and served piping hot with fresh greens and a roasted onion dipping sauce.

With a baby on board, I eat salmon every chance I get, so I was thrilled to see it on the menu. The thick piece of grilled Atlantic Salmon ($17.95) was encrusted with dukka and served over a light and creamy cauliflower mash. Fresh pea tendrils graced the top of the salmon, while a zippy Dijon dill cream sauce decorated the plate, pairing beautifully with the fish.

My husband took the waitress' suggestion and ordered the Shrimp Penne a la Vodka ($18.95), which she promised would make him feel "cozy all over." Had it been served piping hot instead of barely warm, it might have lived up to the promise. Even so, the combination of plump, grilled shrimp, al dente pasta, creamy sauce and well aged shaved Parmesan was delicious. The waitress suggested the the Perrin Cotes du Rhone ($5.95/glass) to accompany his entree. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, the wine was an interesting combination of light body and full flavor that paired well with the simple pasta dish.

Our friend opted to try the Wishing Tree Unwooded Chardonnay (5.95/glass) with her entree of Grilled Cider Glazed Pork Loin ($17.95). Served with whipped potatoes and roasted squash, her entree was also served only lukewarm in temperature. Declaring it a "great winter hearty meal," the temperature did not stop her from devouring every morsel, sopping up the last drops of cider glaze with the cubes of squash.

We were pleasantly surprised to find that we still had time for dessert before the show. My husband and I shared The Silly Bone. A creamy peanut butter and nutella filling was sandwiched between two thick slices of chocolate cake (made with Guinness) and laden with a thick chocolate sauce. The cake was advertised as "moist" on the menu but in fact was rather dry. Though it satisfied my sweet tooth, I've had much better desserts elsewhere. Our friend fared well with her choice of the Key Lime Tart, topped with whipped cream and raspberries. This dessert, paired with a cup of Harney & Son's English Breakfast Tea, offered a light, refreshing finish to her meal.

Bibo's Madd Apple Cafe serves eclectic comfort food at an incredible value. Most wines by the glass are priced below $6, and the entrees are the price of appetizers in many other restaurants. The cuisine is creative and hearty, and the service is friendly and upbeat. While I wouldn't make it a destination restaurant, it is a convenient and delightful spot for a pre-theater meal.