The Porthole
| Address: | 20 Custom House Wharf, Portland, ME 04101, USA |
| Phone: | +1 207-773-4653 |
| Site: | portholemaine.com |
| Rating: | 3.5 |
| Working: | 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–7PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 9
KI
Kitt Hazelton
Locations really nice - we sat wharfside, watched a seal swim around the docked boats and listened some pretty good live blues while eating. The food, however, was indifferent at best. I ordered the fish and chips, my eldest son ordered a lobster roll, my youngest son a burger and my husband the fried calamari. Our orders arrived quickly (we came mid-afternoon, so it wasnt very busy), and the boys said the burger and the lobster roll were acceptable, but the fried seafood was dismal. The batter was heavy and greasy, the fries were limp, and everything tasted as though the fryolator oil hadnt been changed in weeks. The server was attentive but not particularly friendly; I asked her for malt vinegar for the fish and chips, and she looked at me as though Id asked for blood. I did get the malt vinegar, but she asked for it back almost immediately for another table - was it the only bottle they had? Portions were minimal and prices were high - youre obviously paying for the location rather than the quality of the food.
A
A Private User
Best dining experience in a LONG LONG time. We were there for breakfast..lobster/goat cheese/fresh spinach omelette, home fries made fresh with red onion and sweet potato too, home made sausage and fresh marbled rye from a local bakery. Yum! Dinner was incredible too! Fresh haddock and cheese curd red mashed potato, blue cheese risotto, fresh cut mapled carrots, fresh pea pods. The wine was simply incredible and reasonably priced. All the dinners we saw coming out looked beautiful- so much consideration for a beautiful appetizing plate using local suppliers. Luckily we were there on bad weather days where the craziness of a crowded deck was absent. When those days arrive, its best to enjoy the moment and expect to wait for everything. Just like you expect airplane delays on bad weather days, you have to expect service delays on sunny days at any outdoor dining spot. Patience, my friend. Our compliments to the chef and the wait staff for making our multiple visits so memorable.
JO
Joyce Long
Two of us decided to splurge and have the Lobster Pie - - Market Price $21. There was hardly any lobster in it at all----- a couple scrids, but lots of big chunks of potato and carrot. The waitress came back and when I complained, said maybe only half the amount of lobster had been put in ---- let her check, and she did and then took off $10.50--- half the price of it. That made me feel better except that I didnt have a good meal and left most of it. Not to mention -- How would that know they had only put in half the lobster? Anyways even with twice the amount there still would not have been much. Our waitress was nice, although she forgot that I had told her one of the young women I was with- it was her birthday. Also --- you should NEVER serve wine in a little plastic cup--- and not for $8. I wont go there again.
MI
Michael Howard
Currently waiting for our food...still...we ordered breakfast almost 45 minutes ago and still nothing. The people next to us who were here before still waiting as well. Place is nowhere near "busy" if ever there was a time i would want to get up and leave its right now. Unfortunately i have a conscience and would feel bad ordering food and leaving without paying but at this rate i should order lunch now and i may get it when im hungry later. This place sucks...follow up, we finally got our "food" mmmm undercooked french toast with bits of eggshell! Please save yourself the trouble and go somewhere else. We only ended up here because Marcys was closed for vaca. If you are reading this...go to Marcys. Yes there may be a wait to get seated but once you do and you order, you get your food within 10 minites max and the food is infinitely better.
DA
David Calderwood
Porthole? More like the food poisioning hole. Frightening price for the poor quality ($230) for a party of 5, oyster prices were ridiculous, $36 for a dozen, raw? Twin lobsters were small for the price - $25, considering you can find them fresher for under $7 not a mile a way. Three of us ordered fish fries, which consist of two small pieces of haddock, a tablespoon of coleslaw and 10 fries for $12. 2/3 of us were violently Ill by nights end... Was full of creeps checking out my sister, shady place, insane prices, vomiting, slow service (Sat down at 3pm, drinks came at 3:30, appeteisers at 4, entrees at 4:35) and automatic gratuity made for an experience that wont have me coming back. Admittedly the crab cakes were good.
KA
Katie Dunn
I visited this place because it was featured on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives. When I first walked in I had to double check I walked into the correct place, this was a dive if I had ever seen one. After a quick look at the sign I was assured I was in the right place, I almost still walked out but decided to stay. I ordered the mussels. After my order was lost in the computer, they arrived to my table. I wasnt sure what the stench was and ate my first mussel, it tasted like nothing. After closer inspection I realized the stench was my mussels. The Porthole should be ashamed of themselves, as a restaurant on the water in Portland Maine and they cant get mussels right!
TH
Thomas J. Lee
No...No....No....No..... BIG No...No... For heavens sake, DO NOT go in here. Ordered lobster specials (2 x 1.5 lbs). Lobsters were not cooked (steamed) all the way through. Once the shell was cracked, mucus like water came out as well as some pieces of lobster meat. It smelled like the lobsters were rotten... or dead for a long time. Also ordered 2 lbs clams. Ha! Every single clam was filled with sand. Ground sand so it wouldnt break your teeth. But sand is not what you would expect to eat with clams. The waitress was OK. She exchanged the lobsters but by then my familys appetite was long~ gone. For your sake, DO NOT go in. Or Go in and ruin your meal.
A
A Private User
I love this place! It is authentic......not a chain and not pretending to be. It has been around for a long time. I have eaten there many many times and enjoyed every visit immensely. The menu is fun and different each time I go: unique pairings of ingredients. The food itself is always great, hearty and tasty! The atmosphere is the real deal right on the harbor. I sure dont understand the reviewers who gave the Porthole a low rating. It has not been my experience(s) there. The staff is super friendly, welcoming and attentive. Dont let the other reviews keep you away from this wonderful old Portland restaurant!
JU
Julia B
I walked from the indoor seating area into the outdoor one through an unmarked door which must happen a lot because a perturbed waitress chastised me. While I was eating I witnessed 3 more parties do the same thing. 1 party walked a little past the hostess stand and a waitress rudely told them to wait there & asked them, "Didnt you see the sign?!" If I wasnt there with other people I wouldve left before I even ordered food. Our waitress had an angry, irritated look on her face the whole time, like we were bothering her by even being there. The food was OK but the service is absolutely terrible.
