Pho in Mid-Coast Maine?

[MMerrill]

We'll be in South Bristol for two months and my daughter (visiting from Portugal) is craving pho. Any recommendations, including Portland?

[johnnyd]

South Bristol is lovely. Fished out of there for a few weeks some years ago. Be sure to have a cocktail out at the marina in Christmas Cove - ask about Ivan Boesky's shoes that are nailed to a beam above the bar - helluva story!

There are more than one Vietnamese restaurant in Portland, but I only know one on cumberland avenue downtown: Lucky Vietnamese Food 349 Cumberland Ave, Portland, 04101 - (207) 773-4882 - My wife who works nearby say they might have changed their name very recently but the address above is current.

I am not convinced that mid-coast is without other options - I just don't get up that way any more. I'll see what I can dig up. I'm sure your daughter will welcome a respite from the hot portuguese summertime... and I gather the seafood is possibly cheaper here.

[MMerrill]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look around up the coast and if I find anything that looks promising, I'll report back.

Portugal has fabulous seafood, and it's usually less expensive than here. What a treat!

[johnnyd]

Portugal has fabulous seafood, and it's usually less expensive than here.

Fabulous indeed! I lived in the Algarve for many years and it was a bargain then but I hear from the Spain & Portugal thread that things have changed. Supply is down and prices are high. I hope it's not for all Portugal.

Sometimes we get some really fresh sardines in our local fish markets - saudades!

[ghostrider]

I have not seen any signs of pho in the mid-coast area (was just up there last month, spend a week or two there every year), but, for variety:

Brunswick has two Thai restaurants (haven't tried either)

and one Indian place (decent 10 years ago, haven't been back, but they've kept in business).

If memory serves me, Brunswick used to have a Cambodian place in the 1990s, but I don't think it lasted. And that may well have been in some other town.

I will add that, if you find yourself in the Bath area, Mae's Cafe & Bakery is our favorite place in town. They cook with a lighter touch than your standard seafood house, have a # of Southwestern-influenced dishes (love their blackened scallops!), and do wonders with a fresh herb viniagrette on their salads. Their desserts are superb. The walls are adorned with original paintings by several local artists, which you can buy if they strike your fancy.

Mae's is at 160 Centre St., just west of the main downtown area on Front St, up the hill opposite the war memorial.

Bath also offers Beale St. BBQ if you're interested in some good Memphis-style BBQ for a change of pace.

Edited July 2, 2006 by ghostrider (log)

[johnnyd]

Lucky Vietnamese Food 349 Cumberland Ave, Portland, 04101 - (207) 773-4882

The new name is HUONG VIETNAMESE FOOD as of June 30

[MMerrill]

I recently queried the Vietnamese staff of a nail salon in Brunswick (that I was walking by) and was told to try the place just mentioned - Huong. They concurred that you have to go to Portland to find Vietnamese food. After my daughter gets here, we'll give it a try. Ghostrider, thanks for all the other suggestions too!

By the way, johnnyd you sure get around! The hotel and restaurant in Christmas Cove have closed. The hotel has been torn down but the restaurant is being reopened by a group of Coveside locals - today. Looks nice. I'll check to see if Ivan Boesky's shoes are still around