Street & Company

Where: 33 Wharf St, Portland Me
Food: Dinner
Food Type: Seafood, but only the best
For Who: Everyone

I have not been to Street & Co in several years but I must say, not much has changed. The food is excellent as is the service. Located off a cobble-stone pedestrian way in Portland's Old Port area, Street & Co manages to cram diners into a relatively small space without one feeling claustrophobic. Sit either at the bar or at a table.

We arrived with no reservations on a Sunday in Mid July and were told that we could either sit at the bar (more of a raw bar than anything else) or wait 20-30 minutes for a table. We chose the bar and I am glad we did. Our server doubled as the Sommelier and was able to provide detailed descriptions of both the food and of course the wonderful wine list. We ordered Martini's to begin and they arrived with large olives and perfectly shaved ice. Our server listed the specials of the evening, including Street & Co's specialty, an entire fish, head and tail included. Sunday's special was a type of chilean sea bass stuffed with rosemary and then rubbed with herbs and spices and grilled. Other specials included grilled sockeye salmon with a white bean, green olive and onion relish or fresh sushi grade tuna rubbed in herbs and spices and grilled rare/medium rare with a chef's choice of vegetables.

The menu also contains various fresh fish of which you may order grilled, seared or broiled (usually tuna, salmon, haddock, swordfish, etc). Fresh lobster, crab and scallops can be ordered over linguine with a variety of preparations to choose from. Many of the ingredients on the menu are chosen from local, organic farms and are used for their freshness and sustainable qualities. As mentioned previously, oysters on the half shell are available for the choosing and arrive from no more than an hour away on the coast. The appetizer menu includes four varieties of tapas and a selection of salads all using local greens, vegetables and cheeses.

I was so full by the time dessert should have been served that all I could do was listen to the mouth watering list of homemade pastries and cakes. I highly recommend Street & Co although it is certainly more expensive than many restaurants. However, having said that, when I pay the same price for a piece of fish half the size and not nearly as well prepared in the greater boston area, Street & Co is a delight. I can only recommend that you try this establishment if you have not already done so. Street & Co's sister restaurant, Fore Street, also in Portland, is also excellent and worth a try.