Siren

i know this violates the 'besides eating it straight from the jar' adage.. but dipping japanese Pocky in it(particularly their Pumpkin variety) is beyond heaven..

2nd episode opinions? No shock for Dewberry's departure...

the restaurant that I work at uses Branzini--italian sea bass-in it's dishes.. I, personally, have never used it, but perhaps someone on here could provide more info on it.

Johnnyd... we were there on Sunday... the view is the best in the area--very active and awe inspiring. But, the inside seating, on rainy days, seems to be more than a wee bit cramped.. thanks for the pics!

no, don't apologize for the rambling... I haven't been to Nile yet, but probably will in the coming week. And I agree w/Yokusa over Benkay--for generally just about everything.. But, prefer the sakitini's @ Sapparo. I've heard that the service over at Fore st. is obnoxious, but haven't been there myself. I definately enjoyed it @ Street and Co., which was probably the best experience I've had in Portland. That thought was even greater confirmed when a friend who dined with me, and is 'one of those' patrons(ie, highly critical)... but, by the time we left, she was ready to propose marriage to everyone from the busser to the exec. chef. But, the exec. chef is now gone... so, it will be interesting to see if they make it through their growing pains.. As far as the Old Port, I've tried not to eat there too often, because I've found so much of that mediocre food there--Rira's, aside from the Potato Cakes and the very nice waitress, Una, i wasn't too fond of it. The salmon was overdone and insanely salted. And, even at a place like Dewey's, it's hit and miss on even the most general of pub foods.

*raises hand* Can I ask how one makes rose water?

i'm sorry, but he's only being compared to Cowell because he's british and insults people without remorse. It's basically the only other person that the US press can compare him to---kind of like, if you're a female singer/songwriter, no matter what--Joni Mitchell will be your comparison. We have a general lack of reference outside of mainstream media.

This is "The Apprentice" suffering from a good case of 'roid rage and even more desperate contestants than Fear Factor. And yet, I couldn't look away from it.. even as it became more than apparent that the 'restaurant' was set on a studio lot. Even as I found myself biting my tongue so I wouldn't scream at the tv various commands. But, will the novelty be warn down by the cheezy voice overs--ala 'big Brother' and the sheer annoynace of him being bleeped ever 1.2 seconds?

Fish/shellfish is a big one. Growing up in a small town in upstate NY, fish sticks or the occassional fish fry, shrimp cocktail, crab legs and whole bellied fried clams(which is what I had EVERY birthday dinner from ages 7-13ish) were my education. Salmon was foreign and tuna not from a can was something of myth and legend. But, now that I'm in Maine I actually get cravings for them.

johnnyd---thank you for the info on the Clam fest!! seems maine does love her fests :) Have you been to the lobster shack? I went yesterday for the first time and the fried clams were good.. if not a bit skimpy for the $10.95.. Becky's diner has some nice ones.. but I'm waiting for the season to fully get swinging before I try some more..

What meats do you use?-- mostly chicken and shrimp... but that's because i was dating a vegetarian the past 4 yeras.. What spices/sauces? keep it simple.. cilantro or mint for me. What vegetables? julianned carrots/mushrooms/ What types of lettuce are best? boston bibb Sauces for dipping them? own mix of whatever what was around.

I have been living in Portland for the past 7 months and have been wowed more by the abundance of mediocre findings here. The best places I have dined have been Street and Co., Duckfat(I have not yet been to HUGO's, but it's next when I have some more disposable funds), Thian ThianII(I believe that's the name of the vietnamese restaurant we went to), Stir Crazy, Fuji, Marcy's and Bintliffs(though the holandaise for the lobster benedict was a bit too salty). But, more often than not, I am finding money wasted on food I could have been better off making at home. I am just wondering, for the number of restaurants the city boasts, are they all just merely so-so? What are the opinions of the posters here who have been to or reside in Portland?

Personally, I would have issue w/servers w/captive bead rings or massive piercings. I personally have 10g barbells in my ears that I remove before I work(i'm a prep chef) because I've had the ball come unscrewed at some random times. I would say, hoops or studs would be fine but nothing that could pop out, like talions, plugs or beads. attoos would have to be dependant on the atmosphere and location(ie, facial tats). I have 7 of them, myself, but all but one are hidden from public view(back of the neck), so even that high up wouldn't be bothersome to me. I don't think this is an age issue(28, here), but more of a class/culture issue...