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.

Speed's Hot Dog Stand

Food: Take Out
Food Type: Hot Dogs
For Who: You like hot dogs? You will love Speeds. The dogs are so big that one is almost big enough for two. Order Speed's way, loaded with home made chili, BBQ sauce, onions, relish etc.

Recently rated by the Wall Street Journal as their favorite hot dog in the country. I understand the enormous dogs are marinated in apple cider and brown sugar before they are grilled on a charcoal fire and piled high with toppings. Whatever the method, a trip to New Market Square to visit Boston Speed's is definitely worth every penny. Today, in 95 degree stifling heat, customers waited patiently for their dogs as they chatted with the owner. Bring your appetite and you will be fine. Enjoy.

Hana Sushi

Service: Excellent
Food: Sushi
Food Type: Japanese
For Who: You know who you are, the raw-fish-eating kind. The sushi is excellent, I recommend the sushi sampler with chef's suggestions. Excellent quality fish. Excellent miso soup. All around, I highly recommend you sit at the sushi bar. The sushi rolls are delicious as well. A bit out of the way between Arlington and POrter Square but well worth the trip. Hana delivers as well!!

Cambridge Common

Service: Excellent, efficient
Food: Bar Menu
Food Type: Bar Menu, American
For Who: Everyone including vegans. You must love beer though. Try the beer sampler and especially their cask beer (ask JP about the beer). Stick with the burgers and the beer and you will not regret visiting the Cambridge Common.
Price: Definitely Affordable

Midwest Grill

Service: Excellent
Food: Brazillian BBQ
Food Type: Meat, Meat, Meat, with a salad bar
For Who: Carnivores, except if you are with folks who do not mind watching you eat meat!!! The salad bar is excellent and a vegetarian that does not mind a meat eating companion would do just fine
How Much Meat? Up to 10 different kinds served all you can eat and sliced right onto your plate
Where: Inman Square - click on link
Hours: click on link

My Brother and I arrived around 400pm on a Monday afternoon, an off hour you might say. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. Some of the meat was slightly overdone, most likely due to the hour at which we arrived. I have been here in the past and on Friday or Saturday night, the meat is cooked to perfection. A must try if you have never had Brazillian BBQ.

Midwest does have a second location in Saugus on Rte 1 North.

Uncle Petes BBQ, Revere MA

Finally, I have found the place. Ribs like you would not believe. Uncle Pete himself came out and asked how the ribs were. Excellent texture, meat falling off the bone, delicious BBQ sauce. Who would have known that the best ribs I have found so far are in Revere on RTE 60. Check out his website for videos and recipes, even mail order if you please at www.unclepetes.com

I have tried Red Bones in Sommerville. Either hit or miss, lack consistency in both quality and quantity although they do have an excellent beer selection.

Soul Fire (http://www.soulfirebbq.com/) in Allston is my other favorite. Excellent preparation and multiple sauces to choose from.

Mitch's/Ryles BBQ in Inman Square is ok. Better to go for the jazz and get ribs at either Seoul Fire or Uncle Petes.