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We enjoyed a RWME meal last Wednesday at the Blue Spoon. We were able to choose from almost anything on the menu (the burger and the pot pie were excluded) and able to choose three out of four possible courses for the set price (or pay full price for a fourth). I found the meze appetizer alone to be almost enough for a meal, but our entrees (a seafood stew and roast chicken) were so good, we finished every bite. Unfortunately they had run out of two out of three of the desserts (by 6:30pm) but the available squash muffin was tasty. On Saturday we opted for the lounge menu at 555. The place was jam-packed and bustling. Delicious meal - we tried 2/3 of the RW menu and enjoyed every bite, especially the exquisite roast chicken. Sunday we checked out the Food Film collaboration held at One Longfellow Square. Dinner was prepared by Pacciaro (sp?) - their pasta is fantastic and tonight was served with a spicy tomato sauce containing bits of eggplant, olives and capers. I think they called it Nonna's Pasta. While we ate, we enjoyed several short films including a "career choice" movie that I recall from school and some funny animated bits. The feature film ("Big Night") followed the meal and the evening concluded over yummy tiramisu. Fun and relaxing night out. We were a bit peckish after the film so stopped for a slice at Bonobo. They are offering a good deal - choice of soup/salad, one of three pizzas, and choice of several desserts for $20.09 - we might make it in for a full meal. Very much enjoying RWME - thanks to everyone who made it happen!

We recently had a few cocktails at Drink in Boston and enjoyed the conversation with the bartender as he guided us through the decision process. Instead of offering a drink menu, Drink bartenders will make your favourite drink or help you discover something new. Fun concept, new experience for us.

I heard the same, Johnny D, and that's part of why we haven't tried La Familia. We also tried Pom's last week - the make your own noodle combo menu is a lot of fun - i particularly liked the crispy duck protein. I've also been enjoying lunch at Siam Orchard, located in the food court at One City Center. The pad thai is tasty; my other favourite is the basil leaves with chicken or tofu. They'll make it spicy if you ask

1. Chiang Mai - Thai restaurant on Union Street - i'm in love with their noodle soup. 2. Asmara - Eritrean restaurant on Oak Street - for a comforting, inexpensive, satisfying delicious dinner. 3. Ladle - in 2007, anyhow - for soup at lunch. Desperately missing this ERIKD! 4. Bar of Chocolate Wharf Street - i'm partial to Sarah's tacos. 5. Bresca - Middle Street - lately, the company/special occasion destination - for everything, which makes it challenging to save room for the must-have desserts. To try before mud season: La Familia on Brighton Ave......and i'd love to get to Hugo's for tasting menu before they switch their concept......probably a pipe dream!

Thanks for the news, Johnny D. I drove up to Glidden Point Farm last weekend and picked up a few dozen oysters ($14/dozen) from their self-service kiosk. Tasty critters! I love their motto - "you don't make friends with salad" (but the person who brought the salad to the ensuing potluck was a bit put out).

In my opinion, if you own a restaurant, you should care, but I decided that during weekend dinner service was not the time to pick a fight. I'll follow up with him though, and let y'all know what I hear.

I had dinner at a decent Portland restaurant recently and ordered a dish that screamed out "perfect for Maine shrimp". I didn't think to ask before i ordered, but when the chef himself delivered the plate, covered in tiny shrimp (not looking very Maine-like), i asked him if he used Maine shrimp and he said no - stating that they are too labour-intensive to peel, so he used "imported" shrimp. Pity - the critters tasted more like, um, nothing, than the sweet flesh i've become (re)accustomed to this winter. Not that it was a bad dish, but it could have been So Much Better.

Quebrada, on Mass Ave in Arlington near the Capital Theatre, is my favourite coffee shop on that side of Boston. The straight coffee is all excellent, and the lattes well-made. The bakery puts out decent muffins, croissants and scones, and the cakes and challah are delicious. They also sell coffee beans - I find several of the house blends delicious, particularly the Dancing Goats.

Is the butcher The Meat House? I've had some nice stuff from their York location.

I ate at Uncle Billy's on Saturday. I like how they changed the room - added a low wall to break up the space, with a small bar at the back. Most of the tables are the same as Nile used, which may have been the same as Bella Cucina used. Some of the decorations were the same, although the Elvis bust and black velvet paintings are classic Uncle Billy. There were a few beers on tap - Shipyard, Geary's, PBR and one other. Soda is available, and water was served at the table in tiny glasses. The entire menu was on the chalkboard; our waitress thought it would expand as they geared up and eventually be both constant and larger. No appetizers per se, but side dishes (fries, etc) could be ordered as starters. We had the gravy fries - tasty, but soggy. On offer were a chopped pork sandwich, bbq chicken, ribs, gumbo, and piri chicken; there might have been another choice or two. I had the piri chicken, which was fantastic - succulent meat, spicy and flavourful sauce. My friend had the ribs, which were tasty but tough - could have stood a longer cooking time. The neighbouring table assured us that both the chopped pork and the gumbo were delicious. All dishes were served with beans, zingy minced coleslaw and yummy cornbread. The sauce on the ribs (and the beans) was sweet and good; there's Tabasco available if you want things spicy. We didn't have dessert but there was key lime pie and something chocolatey. Reasonable prices. Cash only (ATM on premises).

I was there last autumn and would just like to echo that it was a divine experience for this beer/cheese freak. I'm expecting to be back in the area in April and am counting the days. Chris - gorgeous photos - thank you.

According to today's paper, Whole Foods is scheduled to open in mid-February. Rosemount Market, Wild Oats, and some Hannafords have organic produce, although i don't know how much is even 'semi-local' this time of year. I shopped at the Portland farmer's market until Thanksgiving and am still eating the root veggies and stuff i canned from my garden this autumn...but haven't been in a grocery store in months. I think the concensus from the "Food in Portland" thread is that Portland needs a produce market.

Clarification on the "Irish" thing - apparently not an Irish pub in the diddly-leprechaun sense, but Irish in the neighbourhood gathering place sense. Also, there was food on offer at the weekend - a bowl of soup and a grilled sandwich, each $5.

I've been in The Snug a few times (they opened the first week of December) and I like it - it's cosy, comfortable and lively with a nice beer selection. The paper indicated they might have food but I haven't asked about that - has anyone? Curiously, Margaret told us it was not an Irish pub (despite several published reports to the contrary, and the Irish feel) ... also several local Irish session musicians were asked to leave instead of play ... but that's another story. The Snug is a nice addition to the out-of-Old Port offerings. During another recent trek up Munjoy Hill, I had a relaxing meal at The Blue Spoon - a fun starter with assorted cheese, olives, meats and tasty bread, and (slightly overdone) tuna on greens. I love the white bean dip they put out with the bread basket.

Thanks for the info. We get to East Coast Grill for brunch - i love the tortilla rellenas - and the occasional hell night but not for a regular dinenr. I like the beer list at Bukowski's but never enjoy being there - i've also had lousy beer experiences and it can be very loud. We used to hang out at the Druid, but i haven't been since they renovated. Is the Public House what was Anam Cara? Fantastic beer list, good food too. Cheers!

$4/lb for headless shells-on shrimp at Harbor Fish today...the heads-on were sold out before 11a.m. My mass of shrimp are about to become a variety of tapas starting with some fun banderillas with the shrimp, potatos, olives, cornichons etc, to wake up the mouths....yum.

I missed hell night this time around but am contemplating the prix fixe New Years dinner. Has anyone spent New Years at ECG or know of anything else happening in Inman or Central Squares that evening? http://eastcoastgrill.net/menus/newyearseve.htm

I've always thought the market next to Sapporo would make a great Green Grocer II. I've been secretly hopeful ever since it went up for lease. ← Was that the Union Wharf Market? That space is huge, you could do a lot with it. I prefer the hole in the wall approach, at least for starters. Seasonal produce, highest quality, you're right, you'd pack out the place. There's people who would back that project, erikd.

No tables at the moment, and a bit crowded inside when it's busy. I've heard they are finishing off the lower level to make space for day tables, additional vendors, etc, including some lunch vendors so perhaps there will be tables added. In the warmer weather you can find a seat outside on the square but these days you're better off dodging raindrops and snowflakes inside somewhere else. I think the Stone Soup on Congress Street has moved or closed - is that Binga's Wingas in the building now? Binga's is a fun place for a casual night out; they have a huge variety of wings, fried pickles, burgers and *loud* music...they also have a second location at 40 Portland Street, the past home of the Portland Street Diner and long ago, Natasha's.

Whoa. What, pray tell, is that? ← The place in Monument Square housing some of the merchants from the former Portland Public Market - Big Sky, Hortons, the florist (the name escapes me) and Maine Beer/Bev Co. It's where the surplus shop was for many years, at the top of the square.

Very tempting. Don't tease. I was actually thinking about this while walking home. Do you reckon the Old Port could support a produce market given the bits and pieces currently available (Brown's, Micucci's, Hortons) and the seasonal farmer's market?

Cheers Erikd, you've made my day. Not exactly related... I've been lost without the Green Grocer and have been looking for an alternate source for produce within walking distance of the Old Port. I noticed recently that Hortons in the new Public Market House has expanded their offerings (lovely baby bok choi on Sunday) - can anyone recommend anywhere else for produce in the area?