October 2010 A new venue sets the stage for a flawless, palate-pleasing performance. Review by Diane Hudson It’s as snappy and spare as a David Mamet play, the playbill’s the talk of the town, and the parking’s fabulous. As you join the crowd walking in, the...

September 2010 Isle of Right Chebeague Island Inn’s killer new chef is dead on. Review by Diane Hudson Chef Justin Rowe has a driving passion which happens to be driving (or ferrying, in this case) patrons to Chebeague Island Inn, which has become a must-experience...

July / August 2010 Italian for Beginners A new owner adds spark to a Boothbay Harbor landmark. Review by Diane Hudson What to do when you learn that the restaurant you’re about to review has changed, literally overnight? We arrive at highly acclaimed Ports of Italy...

Summerguide 2010 Dinner Upstaged With seaside dining this spectacular, 
you might just forget to eat. by Colin W. Sargent Life is sweet on Newport Drive, where supper on the Terrace Grille at the Bar Harbor Inn & Spa includes the greatest floor show since the...

May 2010 Raising the Bar On 551 Congress Street, Nosh becomes posh at the new “Kitchen Bar.” By Diane Hudson Walking into Nosh, on the corner of Congress and Oak streets in Portland, my partner whispered “beer and skittles” upon seeing the dozen or so copper tables on...

April 2010 Magic Night Natalie’s at Camden Harbour Inn 
sparkles on a picturesque hill. By Diane Hudson What better place to explore the heights of culinary exploration than at beautiful Camden Harbour Inn on a warm spring night? Feeling romantic after driving up to...

Sonny’s Delights Where O’Naturals and F. Parker Reidy’s thrived, Local 188’s new sister bistro now makes a happy noise in the Old Port. By Diane Hudson Think of Sonny’s as an F. Parker Reidy’s for the 21st century: seafood-aware (you should see the lobster mariscada...

Lovely Fish Bones Lewiston's snappy fish house is anything but run-of-the-mill. by Diane Hudson Built in 1850, Bates Mill is an architectural wonder of Maine, once drawing throngs of workers. Today, after a tasteful restoration of the complex, you still see lines of...

December 2009 Turning a Corner Winter crowds are delighted with the zesty new Italian restaurant where Exchange meets Federal meets delicious. Here’s why there’s always a line outside the door of Harding Lee Smith’s newest venture, The Corner Room. It’s not a...

November 2009 Grace Notes - Open the doors, and see all the people. If Chestnut Street Church had attracted crowds like this, it would still be a church. Transformed by a million-dollar restoration, Grace the restaurant accommodates nearly 200 diners on its ground...

October 2009 Chichi Sushi Adorable Food Factory Miyake blends exciting flavors with acclaim on the Travel Channel and in Bon Appetit. Diminutive as a bento box on an alley corner between Katahdin Restaurant and the Inn at Park Spring, Food Factory Miyake knows exactly...

September 2009 Ogunquit’s 98 Provence: Venez-vous ici souvent? Not nearly enough! Clipping fresh herbs from her lovely gardens as diners approach, Johanne Hazeltine is all Monet in her sun-dappled dress, sang de boeuf against the classic blue doors of 98 Provence in...