Street & Co. A Portland Place To Be
Written: Apr 11 '05 (Updated May 16 '06)
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Pros: Great food!
Cons: Odd in shape with rest rooms down stairs.
The Bottom Line: This is definitely a place to try while stopping in Portland, Me.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Street & Co. |
On our first trip to the Old Port section of Portland we heard about a restaurant that we should be sure to check out. I followed directions to Old Port, made a couple of quick turns and then found myself on a tiny cobble-stone side street. As I made the turn my wife called out, "Here it is", and there just a few feet away was the restaurant. I couldn't believe that I found a parking spot right in front. We got out of the car and the first thing I noticed was a big glass plate window that gave us complete view of the restaurants kitchen in action.
Oh, I had that perfect parking spot only because I was illegally parked on a pedestrian only street. Whoops! I didn't find out until we left. Fortunately we were not there in a peak time of year. Fortunately the walks were deserted and I never received a parking summons.
There is some metered street parking in the area and a few large public garages nearby. They aren't all that expensive so I would suggest finding one. Now to the restaurant.
Atmosphere
Though it was off season the place had every table filled. Fortunately there was no waiting time and we were seated immediately. The waitstaff was quick to the table asking for drink orders and telling us of the daily specials.
The restaurant is a bit odd in shape in that you enter into a bar area that has a comfortable lounge feel to it. To get to our dining room we had to walk by an open kitchen and also stairs going down to the prep kitchen, storage area and men's rooms. Maybe I'm wrong but it seems like they took over a neighboring store front.
Though I liked the overall look of the place it still felt a bit claustraphobic to me. Maybe it was because I was sitting facing the wall and even though it was cooler weather outside, inside this place was hot. I'm not sure if they have A/C. I would ask before being seated in the summer.
The tables were big and heavy. I liked that they were solid. A small candle was on the table as was salt and pepper. The salt was in a small bowl with a spoon. I hope people used the spoon rather than taking pinches of the stuff with dirty finger tips. Cloth napkins were given to all.
A banquette was against the wall and that position gave my wife comfort and a fine view of the room. I faced a brick wall. I'm not talking about my wife. The floors were made of wide-planked pine and the ceilings were of hand hewn beams that had bunches of dried thyme hanging from them.
Small spot lights were arranged to give adequate lighting on the tables but still maintain a warm feeling. Unfortunately the busy pace of the restaurant negated any truly romantic feel.
Menu
The restaurant serves seafood. Don't expect anything else. The cuisine was a French/Italian mix. The aromas in the place were wonderful.
We were a party of four and we asked for a couple of bowls of the Mussells Provencal to start things off. They were outstanding! Every one of these farm raised shell fish were perfect in texture and flavor. Absolutely no sand was in them.
The table was served a wire basket of bread and slabbed butter. The bread went quickly as it soaked up the incredible sauce the mussels were in. The staff was quick AND eager to bring more as the four of us demolished what was in front of us. It was that good!
About six or seven appetizers were offered these were all prepared and presented with care. The Warm Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese and Pesto...$6.95 was one choice along with another of Shaved Fennel, Radicchio, Orange Salad with Olive and red Onion...$5.95
The entrees were a bit different than what you might find in your everyday eatery. Listed that day were
Sole Francaise...$18.95
Whole Fish...daily
Scallops in Pernod and Cream...$21.95
That's what I had and it too was out of this world! The scallops had good body but were not rubbery. They were prepared perfectly and that cream sauce they were in....Mmmm
Grilled Lobster on Linquine, Butter and Garlic...daily
Lobster Diavolo (for two)...$38.95
Pan Roasted Skate, Caper Sauce...$20.95
Also on the menu were Mussels, Clams, Calamari or Shrimp that could be put over linguine in a variety of choices like Marinara, White sauce, Tomato and Capers, Butter and Garlic, Alfredo, or Primavera.
My wife had calamari with Alfredo and it was very cheesy and pungent. That was good. She loved it. A side dish of Broccoli was also perfectly cooked.
Most of the dishes were served in hot, and I mean HOT, skillets.
Also offered, but we didn't have any were raw bar selections of Oysters and Crab Claws
In Closing
After dinner my wife waited on line for the single woman's rest room that was poorly situated in the rear of the dining room. Some of the patrons had woman standing on line near them as they were dining. I would not have liked that.
While waiting I spent time outside looking into the kitchen through the window, watching the staff do their thing. They work hard, fast and clean. I could have watched these guys for hours. Well that is if they gave me some samples as they prepared the dishes. The mussels were the most popular dish moving out. It seemed like that was all one fellow was preparing and he was hustling!
Overall I wasn't happy with the overall business of the place but the food was absolutely first class.
33 Wharf Street, Portland, Maine (207) 775-0887
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Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Trendy Crowd
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