Occasionally God kicks me in the head and reminds me how lucky I am to live where I do, within ten minutes of the Atlantic, and within a half hour of one of America's new foodie capitals, Portland, Maine.
I cannot possibly keep track of all the ambitious restaurant openings and closings around here, but one of the places that has made a big name for itself and stood the test of time is Eventide. I ate there once within a few months of its opening, probably 15 years ago, before it was a phenomenon. They were still figuring things out. Since then I've never felt like enduring the long frigid (or scorching) sidewalk wait for a table. (It's a tiny space for a nationally renowned restaurant.) Too many easier options.
Tonight, finally, almost by accident, @Wending and I ended up there. Only had to wait 15 or 20 minutes, inside. It was pretty damn good. Oyster shucking guy, Eric, was fun and knowledgeable. The food was interesting - not too intellectual, but imaginative and delicious and rooted in a few solid foundations. If you are really old school you might think some of the items a bit twee, but there is always J's Oyster Bar for you, where you can probably still put out your cigarette in the dregs of your beer. Eventide does the over-understatement thing well, serving homemade "saltines" with the lobster stew. See pic.
Then on the way home in the car I got to listen to the nightly statewide radio call in show, which on this occasion was all about seaweed. The phones were ringing off the hook. Everyone has something to say about seaweed. Go Maine.
So next year if the New England gathering is here, plan some extra days to check things out in the neighborhood.
I cannot possibly keep track of all the ambitious restaurant openings and closings around here, but one of the places that has made a big name for itself and stood the test of time is Eventide. I ate there once within a few months of its opening, probably 15 years ago, before it was a phenomenon. They were still figuring things out. Since then I've never felt like enduring the long frigid (or scorching) sidewalk wait for a table. (It's a tiny space for a nationally renowned restaurant.) Too many easier options.
Tonight, finally, almost by accident, @Wending and I ended up there. Only had to wait 15 or 20 minutes, inside. It was pretty damn good. Oyster shucking guy, Eric, was fun and knowledgeable. The food was interesting - not too intellectual, but imaginative and delicious and rooted in a few solid foundations. If you are really old school you might think some of the items a bit twee, but there is always J's Oyster Bar for you, where you can probably still put out your cigarette in the dregs of your beer. Eventide does the over-understatement thing well, serving homemade "saltines" with the lobster stew. See pic.
Then on the way home in the car I got to listen to the nightly statewide radio call in show, which on this occasion was all about seaweed. The phones were ringing off the hook. Everyone has something to say about seaweed. Go Maine.
So next year if the New England gathering is here, plan some extra days to check things out in the neighborhood.
