Fore Street
| Address: | 288 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101, USA |
| Phone: | +1 207-775-2717 |
| Site: | forestreet.biz |
| Rating: | 4.4 |
| Working: | 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–10:30PM 5:30–10:30PM 5:30–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 5
VE
Veronica Carbone
I usually only take the time to write reviews about great places and service, but this is one case where I have to make an exception. My husband and I went to Fore Street about a year ago, and to say it was sub par would be generous. Perhaps someone new was on the grill--the person that was on there looked frazzled, and everything we ordered that would have been prepared on that station was terrible. My husbands lamb was awful--burnt on the outside and raw on the inside. Last time I checked black and blue is not an acceptable way to prepare lamb... Since it may have just been an off night we decided to give it another try this week when we were staying up there. Their website mentions that they leave 1/3 of the restaurant open without reservations to accommodate walk ins. We thought this would work out perfectly for us since we were going on an off night and we were bringing our 9 month old--we wanted to bring him fresh from a nap when he wouldnt bother anyone. We waited behind a few other parties, who were seated right away. We were relieved when we looked around the restaurant and saw a large number of tables open so we figured there wouldnt be a wait. But there was a wait--for us at least. The hostess took one look at us, gave my son a dirty look and told us it would be an hour and a half wait. Let me mention my child was not screaming, writhing, or looking in the least disruptive. Hes eaten in some of the best restaurants in Boston, and since I come well prepared, is never a bother to anyone. He rarely makes a peep. Luckily Hugos was more than happy to serve us. I wouldnt say its a child-friendly place (they dont have high chairs) but the servers had no problem with us being there and came over to play with and say hi to my son. When we walked by Fore Street an hour and a half later the restaurant was still half empty. I will NEVER give Fore Street that second chance. I would gladly give my money to 555 Congress and Petit Jacqueline (its sister location) any time we are in Portland--they serve some of the best food Ive had anywhere.
SH
Shanna Anderson
I know this place has a lot of great reviews, and maybe if you have a ton of money and are into pretention, its the right place for you. I cant honestly say my food was bad, because it wasnt. But it wasnt great either and it was absurdly priced and the entire atmosphere was uncomfortably pretentious. Our waitress was rude and unhelpful. The decor was trying too hard, and the place was so dimly lit I had a hard time reading my menu. Not to mention I just dont see why they had their menu so weird. They had one side with nothing but appetizers (half of their menu was starters!) and the other was a la carte entrees with optional vegetable sides. For those prices I really think at least a starter salad or one side could be included with the entree. Plus the food descriptions read like ingredients lists with no indication of how the string of nouns were going to relate to each other on my plate - not exactly helpful when trying to choose between a bunch of equally over the top sounding creations. They also happened to be out of the only two vegetarian entree options on their entire menu, which meant our vegetarian companion had to order a double portion of an appetizer. Maybe if they got better wait staff, turned on a few lights, and gave up the "new menu every day" gimmick (among others) they could do something nice with the place since they seemed to have good ingredients and decent chefs. Overall the food was ok, but I didnt enjoy my time at Fore Street and Ive had better for less money and without the attitude.
PA
Paul Kriloff
Food was good. Locally sourced, fairly inventive (berry compotes with heavy pork and foie - usually a good combination), great bread courtesy of the Standard Baking Co. downstairs. However, they badly mishandled a dish we sent back. We had a pork leg steak, and it was raw. Not "pink," not a little rare, but flat out raw. The waiter acted like we didnt understand the new guidelines on cooking pork (we know it can be a little pink - that wouldnt have been a problem). I felt condescended to. He took it back to the kitchen, which threw the sliced pieces of pork back on the grill. Some pieces came back done, but dry. The end piece was still raw in the middle. I escalated to the manager, and she did comp the dish, but even she tried to convince us it was ok for it to be "a little pink" when it was simply raw. Im not sure she could really see the dish well enough to evaluate it. The pork belly starter on the other hand was overcooked - hard as shoe leather on one side, stuck to the cast iron on the other. The berries on this dish were heavy-handed - huge portion that threatened to overwhelm the rich fatty goodness of the pork belly. For someplace this well regarded and pricey, I expected a lot. I got something that aspired to being great, but was poorly executed. Getting patronized over the main dish was just insult to injury. For the money, Id sooner go to Even Tide.
CL
Clemens Wan
Plan a whole trip around this restaurant because its that unbelievably delicious. I loved every deliberate detail about Fore Street and I want to try the whole menu twice. Reservations are definitely recommended. My colleague told me to go with an open mind and be completely floored by the flawless execution, so we gave MJ, our knowledgeable waitress, the freedom to order for us. With no allergies and some tiny peculiarities on corn and tomatoes, she planned a beautiful shared appetizer, two incredible courses, and paired beer/wine with the meal. Since the menu changes daily as all the ingredients are sourced local, you may not get this same menu, but if you see these items, I wouldnt steer you wrong. - grilled and marinated Atlantic squid - normally I dont like cream sauces, but this squid was fresh and cooked to perfection with just the right flavor profile with the tender sear - Maine farm lamb - my taste buds fell in love with this rich brown glaze. The lamb shoulder melted in my mouth while the lamb chops were really just incredible. Those mushrooms drowned in sauce really brought everything together - artic char filet - the crisp of the skin mixed with the flake and body with the fish was amazing. As for beers, I recommend the lunch and allagash sixteen counties. Crisp and pairs well with most of the food. I wish I could give 6 stars.
A
A Private User
Our favorite restaurant in Maine. Definitely not for vegetarians and to rate it as such is unfair. Tis is a steak and seafood and bread place. Great atmosphere . It used to be a furniture manufacturing place I bought my dining room set there in the late 70s. In terms of value, it is what I expect for a very good meal these days. $150-200 with wine for two. If you want bad value try the White barn Inn in Kennebec who will charge you $80 for a few truffle shavings on your pasta ( not counting the high price for the pasta!) the bread here is to die for. If your are into great wood fired brick oven bread. All the food is cooked in the brick oven and the kitchen is fully open display with mirrors over the counters on you can watch. If you like cooking shows this is the place. If you want a quite romantic diner this is not the place but save the romance for later and go to diner here then the bar then take her home. The streak and fish were perfect every time we go. Salad was good could be better. We are always too full of bread for dessert. Drinks are great ESP there specials for the day if you like unusual mixed, mulled herb, drinks. There are restaurants we like as well in Boston but we have to go to Providence NYC or NEW ORLEANS to find better. So far we find nothing in Booth Bay, Bar Harbor, Kittery, Portsmouth,Ellsworth, that is better.
