When we stopped into the Farmer's Table on Saturday night, there were only two available seats left - both at the bar. Thank goodness, because I was too exhausted to cook after spending 10 hours shopping in Massachusetts for baby "stuff" and maternity wear to get me through the last 7 weeks (not that I'm counting).
Located at 205 Commercial Street (the former Mims location), The Farmer's Table is the brainchild of Chef/Owner Jeff Landry, formerly of Eve's at the Garden (Portland Harbor Hotel).
Sitting at the bar allowed us a great vantage point to check out the kitchen, and chat with Scott, the friendly bartender. My husband ordered an Allagash White to enjoy as we perused the menu, while Scott prepared my drink of choice these days - cranberry and orange juice with seltzer water and lime (can't wait to return to wine!). Slices of Standard baguette and soft butter tided us over until our appetizers arrived.
Silvery Moon Brie Fritters ($9) were my husband's choice for his first course. Fried cheese is not my thing - so I found them a little bland, but the apple mustard added a nice tanginess that would only have been improved had the sauce been warm. My Maine Crab and Cornbread Cake ($8) was light, fluffy, and steaming hot! Delicious spicy mayo and diced chives topped the cake. My only suggestion for this dish would be to dress the baby greens with a light vinaigrette - otherwise, this appetizer is a winner.
My Angel Hair Pasta ($13) entree was served with dollops of creamy goat cheese, wilted spinach, roasted sweet potato and parsnips. While it was enjoyable, I would try other entrees before having this one again. My husband's Roasted Chicken ($16) was the prize selection of the evening! A huge portion of succulent chicken was piled atop mashed potatoes and garnished with sauteed mushrooms, roasted parsnips, sweet potatoes and pan jus. This dish was fantastic! And while both of our entrees were served only lukewarm in temperature, I suspect this was just one of those opening weekend kinks that will be rectified.
Desserts are made on-premise. The night we dined, three were offered: Toll House Pie, Creme Brulee and Blueberry Cobbler. We opted to share the Cobbler ($6) - tiny, tart blueberries served warm and topped with home made biscuits and a dollop of vanilla ice cream. I only wish I had saved enough room to finish every morsel of this delicious dessert - as it was, I could only muster a few bites after our filling dinner.
The sign outside The Farmer's Table the night we dined advertised "comfort food" - the perfect description for the simply prepared cuisine found inside. At price points similar to The Front Room, The Farmer's Table is a better execution of the concept, proving that comfort food does not have to be drenched in oil. Fresh, local ingredients are used wherever possible in Chef Landry's dishes, resulting in high quality, well prepared cuisine.
Bottom line: For those seeking simply prepared, well-executed comfort food, The Farmer's Table fits the bill; it is a great new addition to Portland's food scene.
P.S. Contrary to prior reports, The Farmer's Table is accepting reservations - their phone number is 207-347-7479. I would highly recommend securing a seat in advance if you want to give them a try, particularly given the number of disappointed patrons they had to turn away on night #2 of opening weekend.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
The Farmer's Table - Portland, Maine
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15 comments:
Great review and I'm anxious to try! Their telephone number is 347-7479
We ate on St. Patty's day. We were one of four patrons (us at a table, the other two at the bar). I started with the warm spinach salad which was very good and we split the cheese plate which was also enjoyable. My partner had the haddock which was nice and I had the veal parm as the server said it wasn't a regular menu item. I could have sworn it was deep fried instead of pan sauteed as promised as it was dark brown and tough, not tender the way it should have been. All in all, it was an "ok" meal, but nothing sets The Farmer's Table apart from many of the other places in town. Maybe that will change with summer and outdoor dining, but I doubt I would go back as I just don't see the draw.
What farms are used? It doesn't say any where on the menu, and when I asked a server about it, she nervously fumbled over her words giving no clear answer. The spinach salad was nice, but when my pork chop came, the same does not hold true. I requested a med. to mid-well chop. The result after the chef/owner had prepared the meal was a well done dry piece of meat. Come on.The fact that the every entree item came with the same side was a turn off as well, and if the kitchen does insist on having the menu that way, then at least make sure it is good and HOT. Its a shame, the place will do well, but only because of location.
Have had lunch there twice and it was fine, nothing special really. First time coffee and their baked macaroni. Bitter coffee, but macaroni was decent, pleasantly surprised it wasn't nuclear hot. Second lunch they were out of the dish I had wanted (a mushroom fettucini) so I opted for a standard arugula salad with candied pecans, gorgonzola and an apple vinaigrette. It was fine, although the pecans were slightly soft.
I have to say, I felt The Farmers Table's fare was basic at best, and the service while quite friendly somewhat quirky and variable. Sadly, nothing about this restaurant really "stood out."
My partner and I had a very below par meal at the Farmers Table May 8th. Mahogany clams, over cooked and swimming in a teriyaki sauce that was over bearing. Grilled romaine salad with enough dressing for 6 salads (it was almost gross) followed by very mediocre main courses.
One and done. That space seems jinxed.
A group of four of us ate there on May 21 and the food was uninspired but the service was truly TERRIBLE. We had the worst waitress we have ever had, anywhere. She brought us two wrong bottles for the wine we ordered - the first one a white, when we had ordered a red, the second one a different red than we ordered -- then a curt announcement that they didn't have what we ordered. When we asked her to change the white wine glasses out for red, she slammed each down on the table purposefully... Yikes! And with all that the food was tepid when served, not hot. With all the wonderful places in Portland, we will not be going back!
I had brunch at the Farmer's Table on May 24 - I was with a group of 5, we all had different meals and they were all quite good. My pulled pork sandwich was tasty, as was the reuben I tried from my friend. My only complaint was the slightly soggy fries...
A group of us had a rather unfortunate experience there. Romaine salad had a ridiculous amount of dressing, mussels were so salty they were nearly inedible. Service was poor. We were disappointed.
I've had lunch here two times and enjoyed both experiences. The staff was very friendly and the location is prime here in the Old Port. Their french onion soup was very good, and salad with grilled tuna was very tasty! A great spot for lunch
The two of us had dinner here Sat night. It was very delish. Nice salmon with honey soy mushrooms. The grilled romaine salad was so good, dressing perfect. The wine list was plentiful. It was an excellent experience actually. I hope this restaurant survives as it deserves to!
The service was very slow even though we had a reservation. The chef was unfamiliar with food allergies. The entree on the menu I wanted (one of the few I could have) was not even available and the entree I did order was not at all what was listed on the menu. I couldn't eat it as a result. I had to go home and cook for myself which is what I would recommend anyone with a food allergy do if he/she is considering this restaurant.
New Years' Eve dinner was outstanding! Our appetizers were mussels (in a garlic sauce we needed a spoon to finish) and the brie fritters with apple butter-delicious! Our dinner selections included lobster risotto with lemon gremolata and white truffle oil and scallops served with a bacon salad, roasted beets, baby shrimp and parsnips. The combinations were wonderful. The molten chocolate cake topped off this fabulous meal. Service was friendly and excellent. This has become our favorite place to treat ourselves in Portland!
I brought my family to the uncrowded Farmers' Table for Christmas Eve dinner.The temperature inside the restaurant was cold, and the atmosphere was a bit stark.I don't know what happened, but the dinners were not the quality I expected....nor did they bear any resemblance to the positive reviews above.Even the presentations were lacking in creativity and color.A restaurant doesn't have the luxury of "hit or miss" in Portland...but..this place totally missed the mark in atmosphere, quality, presentation and taste.
My Maine lobster tail was bland,and the pasty "stuffing" contained overcooked "bay" scallops. The "famous" brie fritters were served in a small soup cup...packed on top of each other..no garnish...no bottom plate.They were marginal at best.The mussels floated above a tasteless pernod sauce.
One guest ordered a pork dish which was below diner quality..heaped against a vegetable.I did not see any dish which remotely resembled the food photographed (above).Although the food was a huge and expensive disappointment,the company was wonderful,and the wine helped.
I had a great meal there day after Christmas.My husband and I had the Lobster rissotto amd Lamb shank. Loved every bite.
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