4. Restaurants

Fore Street

288 Fore St, Portland, ME, 04101
  • (207) 775-2717
  • Store is closed

Fore Street Menu

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  • T.H. J.

    Consistently the best in town and I have eaten at all of them. Fresh, local food. You must eat the kale (no joke)

    (5)

  • D. C.

    Fresh, local ingredients. We ordered some of the veggies that we've never even heard of before. But everything was delicious. I think they make it a point to use local ingredients and really highlight the food. You can tell they think about their dishes and what they put on the menu. We got mussels to start, a delicious salad of mixed local greens and an entree that had 3 different cuts of lamb. I've only ever had lamb chops before so it was enlightening to taste and feel the different textures of the different cuts of lamb. (who's had lamb shoulder before? it had the texture of pulled pork and melt-in-your-mouth delicious) The waitress was really nice and knowledgeable about the food. The decor was awesome with an ocean view on one side and the open kitchen view on the other.

    (5)

  • Matthew R.

    One of the best dinners I've ever had! The location is beautiful, relaxed yet elegant. The menu is very creative, and the wine list interesting and varied with a lot of choice by the glass. I had an exotic mushroom salad to start, followed by duck and then sticky toffee pudding. The wine recommendations from the waitress worked very well. I will definitely come back if/when I'm back in Portland.

    (5)

  • Lynn B.

    Excellent service with average food and decadent dessert.

    (4)

  • Nikki M.

    Came to this place with my boyfriend and we both had high expectations from reading the reviews. We arrived at 6.45pm and was told there would be around a 1 hour wait, which was fine, so we went and sat in the lounge and ordered a cocktail each. I ordered a cocktail I can't even remember what it's called and frankly I wasn't impressed with it- but it had vodka, pomegranate, a lemon twist and something else. My boyfriend ordered a bourbon based cocktail that he couldn't finish and gave him a headache... We got seated at 730pm, so 15 minutes earlier than we were told which was nice. The bread we were given was nice. We ordered our mains - I got the hangar steak and my boyfriend got the duck. My steak was very well cooked and tender, however very under seasoned, which was disappointing. My boyfriend enjoyed the duck, but it wasn't the best cooked duck he's ever had. We also ordered a side of broccolini and mash potato, both of which were tasty, well seasoned and enjoyable to eat. For dessert I had the mini chocolate cheesecake which I enjoyed and James had the chocolate mousse like cake (can't remember the name) and he liked that too. Overall the food was over priced for what you got and you can get better value elsewhere... won't be coming back here in a rush.

    (3)

  • Vivian C.

    On our first trip to Maine, there were quite a few restaurants that we had anticipated visiting but just couldn't squeeze in, due to some combination of lack of time, reservations and/or stomach space. High on that list was Fore Street, the James Beard-winning restaurant that's been ranked among New England's best for years. This trip we were committed to making it happen and ended up getting lucky when I called two days prior to our departure and discovered that an 8:45pm had just opened up due to a cancellation. Fantastic! Note: If you can't get a reservation, Fore Street does hold one-third of the restaurant for walk-ins. They begin taking walk-ins at 5pm on a first-come, first-serve basis. As we walked into Fore Street, we found a wide, open layout. The open kitchen with wood-fired brick oven was in the middle of the dining room for everyone to see. The space was dark and romantic, complete with wood-beamed ceilings and candles at every table, a perfect spot for a date or special occasion. We were lucky enough to get a table in the back, right next to a window looking out into downtown Portland. OK, it was more the parking lot of a hotel but a window is a window and we enjoyed the privacy that a corner table allowed. One great thing about Fore Street is that the menu changes daily. The restaurant is focused on local and organic food (and has been before it was the thing to do) and changes with what is in season. Their website states that there are a few items that are always on the menu such as the mussels, pork loin and hanger steak, but most items change daily based on what is available and fresh. The menu is quite long and we assumed it was one-sided at first, so we decided on all of the dishes based on what we saw...only to all-of-a-sudden realize that there was an entire back side as well! Our server also confirmed that we had a chance to peruse the back since many diners miss it. At least we weren't the only ones! After looking through both sides of the menu, we decided to go with 3 appetizers, 2 mains and 2 sides. It was a lot but everything sounded so good! If it was up to me, I probably would have ordered half of the menu! We decided on a glass of pinot noir to start our meal. Shortly after ordering, we were presented with a bread basket consisting of sourdough and multigrain bread. The bread was great, with a crunchy exterior and a soft and chewy interior. Only complaint - I wish it was warm - but if it was I probably wouldn't have had any room for any of the dishes that were soon to arrive. We started with a sweet corn soup ($8) that came with parsley leaf and smoked pepper ripened cream. The corn was super sweet and you could tell it was very fresh. I prefer my soups a bit thicker, and even with the cream, it had a consistency that was thinner than I usually prefer. We both love mushrooms so when we saw the exotic mushroom and fennel salad ($13), we definitely wanted to get it. The varieties of mushrooms consisted of shiitake, chanterelle, cremini (and probably a couple other varieties) mixed with spinach and pancetta breadcrumbs, dressed in a mustard and buttermilk dressing. The mushrooms all tasted really fresh and had a great umami that went well with the bite from the fennel. While the dressing was good, I felt that it was a bit heavy-handed, leading to a heavier-than-anticipated appetizer. The table next to us had been eating the wood oven roasted mussels ($12) when we sat down, which completely sold us on getting it. We were so glad we did. This was definitely one of the highlights of the meal and probably the best mussels we have ever had! The mussels were from nearby Casco Bay and cooked in a garlic almond butter. It was a twist on the classic due to the almond but it wasn't just that that made this dish so fantastic: these were the largest, plumpest, juiciest, most luscious mussels we have ever had. Usually, there's at least a few that a) don't open all the way b) seem a bit dried out/small c) don't come out of the shell easily. Every single one of these were the exact opposite of the above characteristics. Good quality mussels with a to-die-for butter sauce (so good with the provided bread, save some!) and the added textural contrast from the chopped almonds just made this one of those really memorable dishes. We both understood why this dish is always on their menu. For the rest of the review and photos: adamandvivian.com

    (5)

  • Rob W.

    Yup, this is the place. Not sure what they burn in that oven, but everything that goes in there comes out incredible. We just happened to sneak in on a minutes notice before the 5:30 reservations began. We had the mussels, a hake dish, sea bass, and a couple salads as well. Great wine and beer selection... Everything that came out was dead on and delicious. The bread was so good we came back in the morning and got some snacks at the standard baking co. down stairs... Overall you better save up to eat here, you'll pay, but as far as im concerned the money is well worth it at Fore St.

    (5)

  • Tony N.

    Went here last not with a group of ten people. Nothing has changed since my review a year ago. Amazing, amazing food. Top notch service. Seriously need to come here more often....

    (5)

  • Lisa W.

    I was so impressed with this place as the site of my first meal in Portland. The restaurant was charming in space, views and layout and my meal was so delicious. The bread was fresh and chewy on the inside and crusty on the outside. The mussels were amazing; so plump and juicy and the broth was divine. I was disappointed they had some sort of monkfish debacle where it fell on the floor and was no longer being served but my second choice halibut was great. The halibut was firm and crusty on top and the rich buttery sauce combined with the wild rice, mushroom, and radish salad was delightful. The mushroom bake was also tasty as was the lamb and squash blossoms which I had a little taste of. If I lived in Portland, I'd want to work here kneading bread so I could eat here all the time.

    (5)

  • Vince R.

    Great place! Nice atmosphere. Went here after a long 7 hour drive and found it to be very refreshing. Staff was super friendly. My partner had the duck. Was impressed with the Confit but said the magret just wasn't up to par. I had goat cheese ravioli, big mistake. I wanted to go no meat. I always go with a meat dish at nice restaurants and wanted to mix things up a bit. It just didn't blend with itself. The raviolis were ok... But they were with broccoli and tomatoes, nothing complimented each other... Good place to go, I think next time I would go meat!

    (3)

  • Doug K.

    Absolutely amazing! Oyster ... Delicious! Lentils ... Delicious! Arctic Char ... Delicious! Fingerling potatoes ... Delicious! Broccolini ... Delicious! Gin martini ... Delicious! Ok ... Really ... One of the most memorable meals in a long long time. The kitchen is located in the middle if the floor and viewable from the entire restaurant. Our waiter was excellent. Knowledgeable and patient with a side of sense of humor. The hostess was great ... Seated six of us with no reservation at 6pm on a Monday ... However ... I would def make reservations ... Wouldn't want to miss this place! Phenomenal!!!

    (5)

  • Amanda G.

    High quality food but small portions. Everything sold separately. Pleasant atmosphere. Paid $26 for a plate of FIVE raviolis without any sides. Thank goodness I had ordered a salad prior or I would have still been hungry.

    (3)

  • Molly H.

    Sorry Portland, I don't get this place. I've been here twice. The first time was ok the 2nd time was not. I don't get why everyone raves about it. The best thing is their bread which is really good. The 2nd time I ordered the whole fish, they brought out this little fish that if I had caught it, I would have thrown back. It was mostly bones. I can't imagine that it was legal size. I left hungry. The 1st time I went I got the hanger steak which was ok. I've had their calamari twice as an app (once was great, 2nd time terrible). It's a casual place, the waiters wear jeans. Too inconsistent and expensive.

    (2)

  • Winston G.

    Had this salad with spinach and arugula with blueberries and aged cheddar that was out of this world good. Really enjoyed it. For the main entree I got the wood grilled halibut. Decent, but ended up being a bit dry and also a very small portion for a $30+ entree. Didn't really like the value and didn't find the fish to be that spectacular. Overall, food was solid. Service was a bit lacking though, as the server forgot one of our orders (never ended up getting it, which was fine cause I was full) and didn't bring plates out until we asked.

    (4)

  • Iggy S.

    Fore Street is amazing because the food is fresh, seasonal, extremely well curated and delicious. Drinks are on point and service is exceptional more often than not. The last time I went was for long weekend in January with my boyfriend. Started at the bar and were served by a cocktail server who was super helpful, charming and quick. He made useful recommendations when I was being indecisive and knew we had a reservation so he was super efficient. We started with oysters and a salad. Both were delicious. I had a pollock (yes the fish stick fish) dish with Pemaquid oyster whip on top of it that was incredible. The portion was small but perfectly sized for richness of the food. Fish was delicate and smooth and was enriched with some pork lardo. I don't totally recall what my boyfriend had because I had entree tunnel vision and literally almost stabbed him in the hand when he asked for a bite. The ambiance is great. It's intimate yet open. Comfortable yet a little industrial and totally fitting into the Portland scene. Our only issue, and this hasn't been the case in the past, was the dining room server. She wasn't especially friendly or chatty and that's totally fine but she seemed super distracted. Being in the service industry in past, I wanted to cut her some slack. She didn't refill our waters or ask if we wanted more drinks during meal. She also tried to clear my plate when I was clearly not finished with my entree. Finally she did not offer dessert. I had to ask for the dessert menu. We asked for an espresso martini and she said "we don't do that here, sorry". That's odd because we just had one at the bar before dinner. Hmmm. Ok. So we settle on the lattes and dessert. All of this is tolerable as we are on a food high but then the final straw. Dessert is delivered and I'm literally dipping my spoon in the first bite of pumpkin creme brûlée (delicious) when she comes over and drops the check. Um seriously? No one asked for it, it wasn't even close to closing, and the lattes were still being prepared. Maybe she got cut early and wanted to leave but frankly I was sick of defending her amateur-hour service all night to my boyfriend who saw it for what it was, unprofessional. Fore street has amazing food and usually incredible service, so while this was off-putting, didn't ruin the overall fondness for this place. A must try for dinner and drinks (at the bar lounge).

    (5)

  • Velyn S.

    My husband and I met up some good friends for dinner and they recommended this place. It was fantastic!!! The staff was friendly and the food superb!! My husband and I both agreed that the lamb steak was outstanding. The meat was perfectly prepared and melted in our mouths. The duck wasn't bad either but our favorite was definitely the lamb!

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    As soon as I found out I was going to Portland on business, I knew I'd be at Fore Street for dinner - I've been wanting to visit for years. I actually wanted to not like it as much as I did for a few reasons you'll read below, but it won me over in the end. It's Wednesday, I headed over just past 8pm, and the place was slammed. There was a wait for both a bar seat and a table. 15 min wait for a table, 20 for the bar, so I picked the latter since I was alone. 30 minutes later, no one was even paying their check at the bar! I went back to the hostess who said it will still be a 15 minute wait for a table if I wanted to put my name on the list at that moment. Ugh. Not a great start to the experience. WHY they have a separate person handle the waitlist for the bar seating vs. the table seating is beyond me, but it seems unnecessary and complicated. Also, this place is so popular/well-known they don't really have to change things that work for them but don't work for patrons. Oh well. When I asked the woman who handled the bar waitlist about her terrible timing estimate (in nicer words) she kind of shrugged and gave me a "there's-nothing-I-can-do" answer. I was less than pleased. But, she got lucky and someone paid their bill 5 minutes later and she was very kind and attentive from that point on. I suppose she redeemed herself. Another peculiar element of my experience - the menu is HUGE, but there were VERY few things I actually wanted to order. When they say it's fresh and local, they mean it, but it also means that a few ingredients tend to dominate the menu. I don't like ramps, I'm not huge into mushrooms or artichokes, and I'm not going to order a seafood or offal platter app for just me nor an expensive cut of steak on work's dime, sooo there goes half the menu (or more). It was kind of sad. I wanted to want an appetizer, but I just didn't. I ended up ordering the chicken with a side of broccolini with goat cheese and shallot vinaigrette. The food was awesome. Awesome awesome. So so good. Second best chicken I've ever had (first place goes to Gordon Hammersley) and the portion was quite large for $23 (though none of the entrees come with sides). They don't make their own bread and the break basket was meh, but at least there was one. The whipped butter and salt provided was a nice touch. The bartender is so freakin' busy, this is not the kind of place you come to get chatted up or kept company by the staff, so you best be friendly with your fellow bar diners or willing to have a quiet meal alone. Couldn't resist dessert, so I got the two bite size offerings (malted chocolate somethingorother and caramelized banana cheesecake with peanuts). I got them to go, and am eating them right now. The chocolate was good - decadent and delicious, though really not malty enough to warrant the title. The cheesecake is awesome. I just had my first bite, and I'm going to try to make it last more than the next 3 minutes...

    (4)

  • David F.

    Excellent dining experience with consistently delicious cuisine. The crusty bread is fresh & chewy; sprinkle it with some butter & sea salt; you won't be able to eat just one slice. We ordered the scallops entree, which was perfectly cooked. The mussels tasted more than fresh - like they were just caught a few hours earlier. The nectarine crumble with basil ice cream is worth a visit in and of itself.

    (5)

  • Christine P.

    I realized our foodie hobby had stooped to a new low when we found ourselves standing in line at 4:45 on a Sunday in the hopes of scoring a reservation for dinner that night. However, our patience paid off; not long after the restaurant opened at 5 we found ourselves with a 7:15 reservation, total score for our last night of vacation! Dinner was great; we had a nice table for two in the back room (away from the open kitchen action, but hey, beggars can't be choosers!). We enjoyed dinner with one of our favorites, Duckhorn sauvignon blanc. We started with the chilled seafood platter - all excellent, but the scallops were top notch - and the wild mushroom tasting platter (loved the black trumpets). Our meals were fantastic. I had the rabbit, and my husband had the duck. Both dishes exemplified what the restaurant is all about - fresh, high quality, and full of flavor. We ended the meal with some lovely port and the blueberry cobbler in a mason jar - sublime evening and and to our vacation.

    (5)

  • Caroline C.

    Fore Street was an amazing part of our visit to Portland. I wish we lived closer so we could become regulars here. But if we are ever back in Maine we will be making reservations at Fore Street. We stopped for the night in Portland on our way back from Bar Harbor and stopped in for a drink. We realized there was a buzz of people in the restaurant anxiously waiting for tables so we decided to put our names in for seats at the bar. That was probably one the best change dining decisions I'll ever make...yay for being lazy. From drinks to dessert it was one of the best meals I've had in awhile with no flaws. Everything was extremely fresh and truly embodied the farm to table concept.

    (5)

  • Shamik T.

    It may have been the many Guinesses we had across the street at Ri Ra, but I think our waitress condescended to us. That was my only (maybe?) complaint about Fore Street. Honestly, it doesn't get much better than this place (though I think, personally, Grace on Congress St. gives Fore Street a run for its money). Came here with two others, both close friends from law school, for the celebration of one of them getting hitched. The two bottles of wine may have been excessive, especially after the long afternoon (see above). But truly, the fare was sublime. Best sorbet I've ever had. Hands down. The little pasta dish, with the hazelnut cream sauce, was very filling, and very good. The $20 glass of grappa -- not so much at 10:45 at night. I'll be back. With less time spent at Ri Ra, that is.

    (4)

  • Patrick H.

    The girlfriend and I went here after everyone I work with suggested we try to get in. The trick is to get there at 5pm so you can get a table starting at 5:30pm. They save 1/3 of their tables for walk-ins, but you need to be there at 5pm otherwise it's really hard. The food was amazing and the drinks are strong. Also, if you get dessert make sure to get coffee too! It's REALLY good stuff.

    (5)

  • Amanda M.

    We were visiting Portland for the weekend, and we only had one night to eat at any restaurant in town. This was not going to be easy. Portland is filled with awesome places! We decided on Fore Street after a friend told us it was "the best meal of her life." I mean, how could we not go based on that recommendation??? Let me tell you, she was not exaggerating. This place was all that, and then some, and then...some more. We showed up expecting a long wait. It was a Saturday night after all, we had no reservation, and we'd read the reviews. We put our name in and were told it would be about an hour and a half. No big thing. We used that time to walk around, taking in the city in all it's snowy, christmasy glory. The time flew by. We were seated at a small table for two in the back room. The place was packed, but I didn't feel we were seated on top of anyone. Our waitress was one of the nicest people I have ever spoken with. Maybe I'm jaded coming from NY and Boston, but she really seemed to care about our dining experience, the food they were serving, and making sure everything was flawless. Was it ever. I ordered the flounder with risotto, my girlfriend had the linguine -- they were accommodating of her being a vegetarian in a very meat-heavy restaurant, and cooked up a double serving of the linguine appetizer so she could have it as an entree. Awesome. Both meals were spectacular. I felt like I was a judge on Top Chef, talking about how I could taste every flavor uniquely and how well it all blended together and... stuff like that. I was kind of in love with the food. You get what you pay for and Fore Street isn't cheap, but it is definitely, definitely worth the price and any accompanying wait time. I would pay double and wait three times as long to have this restaurant a bunch of miles closer to Boston.

    (5)

  • Kyung R.

    Avoid this place like the plague. I guess this place used to be great, but by the time I visited there with a few friends, it was simply awful. The mussels were under cooked, the waitress was condescending, and the food was sub par. The blue fish was probably the best dinner entree out of the Rabbit/Chicken/Hangar steak/Pork, but not worth the price tag. The pork was salty enough to be rendered completely inedible. Stay away. If you want mediocre American fare with good ingredients, try Saltwater Grille, even though you won't be wowed by that place, but at least the food was edible.

    (1)

  • Ahmad A.

    This was my first meal in Portland and it did not disappoint. You get what you pay for here. Everything was fresh and cooked properly. We had the mussels to start, two entrees, a side dish, and a few cocktails. Everything was perfect and worth every dollar.

    (5)

  • Lee N.

    Excellent food, well prepared, and menu changes daily. The atmosphere was very cozy, perfect place for a nice romantic dinner.

    (5)

  • Vivian C.

    Entering this darkly lit establishment, you pass by the open kitchen on your right. However, seeing as we were seated on a far corner of the higher level, we quickly forgot to look that a way. While waiting for our meal, we were occupied with a chewy sourdough, served with a super soft butter. I also took to dipping some of this bread in a friend's mussel pan to sop up some of the garlicky sauce. They also let me have a few mussels - tasty but unfortunately sandy. As for my own dishes, the Maine Jonah Crab Bisque $14 was tasty, not particularly thick yet creamy, and filled with a good portion of shell-free crab meat. I preferred it over the appetizer of Wood grilled Harlequin Quail $14.50, which was quite difficult to eat off the bone - the best bite of this bird was the tender meat by the little drumstick. The entree Smoked Maine Island Lamb Shoulder Ragout $26 muscongus bay, paccheri, green tomatoes, savory vegetables, rich lamb jus, duck fat toasted sourdough, fresh herbs sounded much better to me that it ended up being. The paccheri was large tube shaped pastas, cooked al dente. The lamb meat were decently large shredded chunks. The stand out part of this dish was the rich piece of toast. But I was kind of full by then, and didn't particularly enjoy this entree. I would order something else on a future trip (although no worries with this, since the menu at this establishment changes daily). The mashed squash side $6 was good and portioned for two but a touch peppery. For desserts, I preferred the light citrusy Warm Yuzu Steamed Pudding, Lemon Verbena-Raspberry Custard Sauce, Lemon Ice Cream with Vanilla Shortbread Cookie Crumble $9 over the Dark Chocolate and Cacao Nib Mousse, Dark Chocolate sauce, Coconut-Mint ice cream filled profiterole $9. I have confirmed that I'm not a profiterole-girl. And I already knew I was more of a fruit girl that a chocoholic, but this too was re-confirmed. I particularly enjoyed the surprising bits in the lemon ice cream (yeah, I forgot about the vanilla shortbread cookie crumbles mentioned on the menu). Between Fore Street and Street & Co - I'd go back to Street & Co first.

    (3)

  • Jennifer T.

    What a wonderful meal for my family and I's first meal in Portland! We arrived later on in the evening and had to wait about 30 mins, but it was worth the wait. The food was delicious and well prepared. I had a steak, which was cooked to my liking, while my family had different dishes with fish and other types of seafood. Everything tasted wonderful. The dessert that evening, sorbet, was very good, as well!

    (5)

  • Imo M.

    Several locals I asked raved about the place, so I tried it. Food is definitely good. Service is OK. Overall, trendy -- for sure. It's a nice place to sit for a while and nibble on other people's cooking. Fish (Halibut) portions are on the small side. If you have an appetite, make sure to order a side of veggies (Yes, everything is a la carte). Their signature martini, the grapefruit-ginger, is OK, but would probably be better at brunch instead of a Mimosa. Frankly, I wish I ordered a Hendrick's. The staff, in their white aprons, is running all around the room, visually adding to the chaos too much. Not sure the open kitchen gives it cred, or just makes it more gimmicky. Try it and see Fore yourself.

    (3)

  • Lori A.

    This place has a great atmosphere, over all. The ambience and lighting is perfect, except for reading your menu. Our server was very knowledgeable with every question we asked her and keep in mind, the menu is HUGE! We had the assortment of 3 app spreads, including foie gras and lamb terrine. The lamb spread was just ok, the others were very good. The bread is quite good! I ordered a ginger martini which was very light and tasty. My husband has Duck for dinner which he said was 4/5 and I had the Halibut 3.5/5. The presentation in the cast iron pans is a nice touch. Semi-casual dress is appropriate here. If you sit on the top level, it has a cool breeze by the window, to me, when the temps outside were 43degrees. The martini and wine warmed me fast! The lounge area with the couches at the window (if you are lucky to get one as we were) is inviting. This place is definitely on the top dinner stop while in Portland, Maine.

    (4)

  • Aaron Z.

    Quite possibly one of the best restaurants ever. Love everything about it. Try to go two nights in a row to really work your way through the amazing menu.

    (5)

  • Lee L.

    We had a great dinner @ Fore Street, food very local, well prepared on the open fire- salads excellent- good wine selection! Service staff is attentive, definitely worth the effort to get a reservation.

    (4)

  • Judy L.

    Service was very attentive. Loved the layout of the restaurant - you can see the different stations. Romantic ambience. The entire restaurant smelled delicious because of the open oven in the middle of the space. Special menu every night. We ordered seafood platter (interesting. Not quite sure how to describe it. On the sour side), John Dory (very tender. Not dry. On a bed of extremely flavorful mushrooms.), and pork loin chop (huge portion. Pretty tasty. With potato croquette). Seems like the place to go in Maine. Price is on the higher side.

    (4)

  • Kate P.

    Fore Street was a unique and memorable dining experience. The entire night, from cocktails at the bar to dinner next to the open style kitchen, was unlike any place I have dined before. The menu is new each day based on what fresh local ingredients are available. It was incredible watching the entire restaurant operate. Although the food was exquisite the atmosphere was casual and relaxed. I cannot wait to go again!

    (5)

  • Brian B.

    Fore Street is my favorite restaurant in Portland, and, if it was located in the middle of the West Village, it would be my favorite restaurant in New York City. Great fresh ingredients, a menu that changes with the seasons, and no one flavor that will ever dominate a meal are all staples of this open-kitchened delight near the waterfront. Reservations during peak hours are a must, but I've usually been able to sneak in by the bar only waiting 20 minutes or so. Any of their seafood is where I'd look first if I was here for the first time, with the hake being particularly soft and melt-in-your-mouthy. They also do a good job incorporating some nice cheeses into their salads, and have good wine and beer selections. The prices are $20-$40 for mains and $12ish for starters.

    (5)

  • Jorge C.

    Fore Street is my favorite restaurant in ME and one of my favorite in New England. Nestled in a renovated warehouse space, it's warm and inviting. It can get loud, but I'm not a fan of stuffy restaurants. I'll take bubbly and fun any day. Service here is on point, every time. They do a fantastic job of training their staff. I remember bringing a date in once and she ordered a fish dish (bass?) and was floored when the fish was brought to the table in its entirety. I thought that I was going to have to cone to her rescue, but our server picked up on it immediately and filleted the fish for her. If the pork loin is on the menu, I recommend it. They do an amazing job with pork. My biggest recommendation though is to be wary of their bread. Once you start eating it, you may not be able to stop.

    (5)

  • Melissa A.

    My friends and I decided to go here because we liked the sound of locally sourced, organic, fresh food (all information we gleaned from their website), and we'd never been to Portland, Maine before, so mostly we were just guessing. Anyway, we got there and ordered some drinks in the lounge, which were unimpressive, and then were finally seated. Our waitress was condescending and snooty. The quality of the food itself was good, but the menu was pretentious and bizarre, and incredibly overpriced. It was around $25-35 per entree on an a la carte menu, plus another $7-8 for a vegetable side. For that kind of price, I would have expected something a little more memorable, but the duck that I ordered (all three bites of it) was nothing particularly exciting, and my friend's flounder, though well cooked, was bland. The broccolini was good, but the asparagus, which was cooked, and then chilled, and soaked in some sort of vile vinegar sauce, was pretentious and overdone. I wouldn't recommend this place, unless you enjoy being sneered at my wait staff, and dishes that are more about stroking the chef's ego than taste.

    (2)

  • Becky M.

    My BF treated me to a trip to Portland for my b'day just so that we could go back for dinner at Fore Street. The squid appetizer special was amazing -- pan-seared (not fried) squid in a sauce that I wanted to lick off the plate. This particular night our server was over-the-top good. He and I happen to share a birthday and he wrote happy birthday on my dessert plate in dark chocolate ganache. Yes, ganache. He didn't sing to me (thank goodness), but went out of his way to make our evening special. I love the open kitchen with the wood-fired oven. My BF tells anyone that he knows going near Portland to try Fore Street. I suspect that we will make another trip to Portland to be able to go again.

    (5)

  • Margot P.

    This place is overpriced and has an ego. I am in Maine, the lobster State and they had the nerve to charge $40 for a grilled lobster dinner that consisted of less than half a lobster, a few mushrooms, charred beyond recognition garlic scapes, and a small corn pudding. The waitress could tell we were frustrated and instead of acknowledging it, ignored us. The appetizers were overcooked and lacking flare. Save your dollars and get a croissant at standard baking co downstairs in the morning!

    (1)

  • Alex R.

    Fore street is great. The food is awesome. It's pretty pricy but definitely worth it!!

    (4)

  • Robb R.

    I loved this place. I sat at the bar and ate on a snowy February night. The bartender was friendly and very, very professional. I had a nicely made house Manhatten that showed skill in the drinks department. For dinner I had a very tasty warm mushroom salad that had a perfect vinagrette dressing it. I absolutely loved the gigantic Pork Loin. The bone in cut was very nicely crusted and carmelized with a rub and then roasted and served perfectly done on the border of Medium Rare and Medium. The result was super moist, tender, and tasty pork. The pork was served on very nice saurkruat with a pan reduction jus. I added a side order of carrots that came with a light raita sauce. These were a perfect compliment to the pork. The carrot side, and particularly the Pork were generous servings, enough so that I would drop the price from expensive to moderate just based on value. I was intrigued by a number of items on the menu and will be back. Nice meal.

    (5)

  • Peter W.

    We made reservations and had a great seat overlooking the cooking area. There are three main stations - stove top for pan searing, wood grill with turning spit, and wood oven with lots of cast iron dishes. We had the trio of pates (rabbit, duck, foie gras) and pork belly for appetizers. They were all rich and flavorful. For main course we had the pan seared flounder accompanied by some smoked product (roe?) and turn spit rabbit. The flounder had deep flavor and cooked perfectly. The rabbit was succulent, and you really should use your hands to eat it and get every bit from the nooks. The wine (Merlot and Malbec) and drinks (Makers and Grappa) were very good as well. For dessert the passion fruit creme brulee was refreshing with a nice tanginess to it. Our server was good and very attentive. The only precaution - your clothes will smell of all the great smokiness from the cooking in the open kitchen.

    (4)

  • Cynthia G.

    This place has a definite rural chic vibe. The facade is weathered wood, the tables have copper tops, and the bar area has comfy over sized chairs/sofas. The food was yummy. The wood smoked mussel appetizer was generously portioned and enough to share. The foie gras appetizer was not as nicely portioned, but was cooked well and tasty. We both had the lobster entree with cream corn pudding. The lobster was perfectly cooked and presented out of the shell and the cream corn pudding was like crack! It was really yummy (sorry can't really describe so go try for yourself). We shared the roasted beets, which were cold but came out in a sizzling iron pan??? Anyway, it got warm by the end of the meal. Skip dessert because they sound yummier than they taste and we wished we had. I had the pumpkin caramel custard and hubby had cheesecake; both were just okay and kinda was a buzz kill on our food high. Instead, just book it downstairs to the Standard Baking Co before they close to pick up a tasty treat.

    (4)

  • Ms Google G.

    Great food, Great Concept, Great Open Kitchen. You can see them prepare the food and there are no hidden secrets. Clean and Honest. Local Garden Harvested Foods. Menu created daily based on what is fresh. All organic and local. Customer service was fair but other then that it was well worth the visit and extra cash.

    (4)

  • Jen R.

    Perfect from the first bite to the last. We went there last Monday and David was our waiter. He was very genuine, professional and enthusiastic. Who wouldn't be, working at a place with so much integrity and passion? The atmosphere is beautiful, all exposed brick and windows. I am SO impressed that they do a new menu every night. That alone made me want to go back again and again. The wine list was excellent, lots of good French wines. We started out with grilled squid, which I devoured. It was so tasty, a little sweet. The sauce was very complimentary to the squid. We each had a salad. Both were incredible. One with pears and watermelon radish, the other with mushrooms and spinach (a bit salty, but still very good). When a restaurant can do such an impressionable salad, they are tops in my book, and they did on both of them. A+ Finally, we had the hangar steak and I had the fettuccine with leeks and mascarpone. as my entree. Yum! Thanks David and Fore Street for a really memorable experience!

    (5)

  • Joe B.

    From start to finish, I was underwhelmed with Fore Street. When we arrived the hostess was ... odd. She seemed to be looking down her nose at us a bit, and took a really long time to figure out a table. We waited about 10 minutes to be seated. When we were called, she spent about 2 minutes fiddling with the computer and basically was off-putting. She wasn't unpleasant, precisely, but she was a bit clinical. We were seated in a back corner and handed menus. Immediately spotted the lobster, and decided to order that. My girlfriend found a few things she was interested in. Tried to order iced tea, they don't have it. Tried to order the lobster, they were out (at about 8 p.m. on Friday night). The food is good, if not spectacular. My girlfriend was happier with her course than I was with mine. I ordered scallops and we shared a side dish of mashed potatoes. (I forget what my girlfriend had as her entree.) The servings were a bit skimpy. The sides are meant to be shared, but for two people they were a bit skimpy. The entree was also stingy - the scallops consisted of four medium-sized scallops plus a lentil-based addition. (I forget what it was called). The scallops were cooked well (not over-done) but a tad bland. The prices were pretty hefty considering the portions. Really don't recommend this place.

    (2)

  • RK B.

    We recently went to Fore Street after receiving a recommendation from my father. We had to wait an hour, it was Labor Day, but we were in no rush and were comfortably sat in the lounge with cocktails while we waited. We got sat in the side room which was very romantic. The food was delicious, we will be back for sure! Great wine too!

    (5)

  • Alex A.

    My plane out of Portland got canceled. Thank you United!! ! An additional night in Portland to go again to Fore Street. Its warm thoughtful, intimate, rustic, open, .. everything I like about food is conveyed at Fore Street. Food is prepared in an open space that gives the feeling you are eating in a old house kitchen. Wook fires the cooking and you feel it with every bite. Obe suggestion, go with the chicken. I never order chicken, never. At fore street I had it three nights. It's humble and excessive at the same time (duck fat toasted bread, yeahh!!). Who knew that after all these years of search, chicken would be the answer. Thank you Fore Street!!

    (5)

  • Gerold S.

    Wow, Fore Street is absolutely convincing. My new favorite restaurant - the best I ever had in the US. My family and I tried almost every different kind of food from the menu. Of course we have been here several times, we didnt eat everything at one visit. We had Soup, Appetizers, Fish, White Meat, Red Meat, Sides and the great bread from the bakery downstairs. One time we had to wait 2:30h and we were so glad that we waited and didnt go somewhere else. Im giving 5 stars for the food, five stars for the service, five stars for the ambiance and five stars for the value for money. Please read other reviews about the atmosphere, food quality and so on because I dont want to repeat everything. ***HIGHLY RECOMMENDED***

    (5)

  • Crystal L.

    I think everything that needs to be said about this place has already been said... however I found it important to let everyone know a few things. We showed up around 7:30 on a Friday with no reservations and were seated around 8:10, not a bad wait. I had the best lobster of my life at this place... it was delicate and melted in your mouth. It was truly an amazing meal. This place is a legit... Portland, ME is lucky to have it! Nice wine list too!

    (5)

  • Von E.

    We came here on our recent visit to Portland. We were able to walk right in on a Friday night around 7:30 w/o a reservation. The Food: Ordered the house salad: perfect, fresh, green, Meat Plate: creamy liver, salty, bread, savory Steamed Muscles: tasty, wine, fresh, garlic Pork Belly: savor, tender, rich, mouthwatering Fresh Berries w/ balsamic, maple, cream Chocolate Torte, sweet and bitter Service: Great service, polite, answered questions, made suggestions Atmosphere: casual, candle lit, mixed crowd, open kitchen

    (5)

  • Thomas N.

    warm cozy smallish place wiith an attactive bar in the front, dinner there recently, have been here before and thought it was great but some problems this time, wife had the mussels which i think is one of the featured items and they were great, and big and tasty, but then my wife said i could haave the last one.........awful, don't ever eat a bad mussel, you can't get the taste out of your mouth....service was great my steak very good but............................

    (3)

  • Lara L.

    This place was great. We though our two hour wait was well worth it day of. We pleasantly waited in the bar with some snacks and drinks. The lounge server was very pleasant despite the super-packed atmosphere. We loved everything. Cheese plate. Grilled foie gras (awesome!!). Pork belly. Scallops. Sides. Great bottle of Bourdeaux under $30. Great time :)

    (5)

  • Tory B.

    Came here for a work dinner in March. I'd go back, this place is one of the best. Great food with a large ever changing menu. The staff and overall design of the place was so warm and welcoming. A must in Portland!!

    (5)

  • Debora C.

    I have definitely experienced better, especially at these prices. I've been to Fore Street twice. I had duck both times. My husband had the pork both times. First time. Very good. This time - MEH. For a restaurant to be successful, it needs to be consistent. I won't go back. The duck was extra fatty requiring a lot of dissecting to extract the meat from the fat. The pork loin was flavorless and dry.

    (2)

  • Bryan T.

    Went to Fore Street last night for a dinner with clients. Unfortunately, our client's flight was a little late. The hostess let us know that their policy is not to seat until the full party has arrived, which I understand considering how busy they always are. The hostess then approached us no less than five times in a fifteen minute period to ask when our party would arrive. We let her know that we couldn't control the airport or traffic, but they were in route. We asked if we could be seated and would order apps and meals for those on their way. I thought all would be fine, but while we were being seated the hostess reiterated to the waitress that we would be ordering for the entire party, and let us know that this made her very nervous. Did she think we were lying? We came to the realization that they really did not want our business, and went to the Grill Room, who despite being busy, sat us and we had a wonderful dinner. I can honestly say that I have never been treated more rudely by a person in the service industry. I guess that's the difference between a restaurant that feels they simply deserve your business, and one that despite being great, still cares about their customers. I will absolutely never go to Fore Street again. Much happier to make a significant investment in dinner for a restaurant that appreciates it. It's unfortunate because Fore Street has great food, but I'm also paying for service. I guess Fore Street has become to big to care. Their loss!

    (1)

  • Matt T.

    This is seriously as good as it gets. Amazing well thought out food utilizing high quality local ingredients. Home baked breads, great wine list and cocktails. Fantastic welcome and great bar atmosphere...... Highly professional and yet very friendly casual staff matching very intimate surroundings. If only I lived closer to Portland ME. If visiting Portland this is a must see and I'm guessing reservations are definitely needed - it was full on a Monday night, yet it never detracted from either the atmosphere, temperature or quality of the dishes we were served. Love the idea of no menus and just utilizing the best, freshest local ingredients everyday. Keep it going guys from a foodie Brits!

    (5)

  • Eric W.

    Wow! A co-worker and I were in town for business and he knew of this restaurant. We were seated at the end of the bar for dinner. Started with small bite seafood plate of scallops, tuna, salmon and lobster. Pretty simple in design and presentation but huge on flavor! We went with the mussels and again hit a home run. Perfect sized mussels in a ridiculous good sauce with some wine, garlic and almonds(?). Fantastic! I went with the pork loin chop in pickling spices. It came out looking like a beautiful Fred Flintstone brontosaurus chop. Big and thick(don't go there...). It was cooked perfectly and was tender and moist throughout. Finished with the dark chocolate torte (another ridiculous indulgence) and the mixed sorbets. The raspberry sorbet with the torte was sinful. Yep, it was that good!

    (5)

  • Ted K.

    Make reservations well ahead of time, or show up early (4:30-5:00) as they save a lot of tables for walk-ins. Parking nearby is somewhat difficult, but there is a pay lot right across the street. LIked the space, modern yet rustic warehouse-type space with an open kitchen. Felt like an inviting wayside inn, just on steroids. No steroids in the food though, all the purveyors are listed on the menu, mostly local except for the beef. Pristine local oysters foretold a great meal. Best to order anything from the enormous wood oven/grill. We had the grilled foie gras which was heavenly. Also liked the grilled chicken livers and squid. For entrees I had the wood oven roasted halibut which was fabulous (smoky yet tender at the same time). Had the ribeye the last time I was here which was great, but liked the halibut better. The grilled hanger steak was superb, as was the wood roasted mackerel (but you have to like mackerel in the first place). The sauces complement but not overpower the meats. Most of the entrees come with some type of vegetables but there are also side vegetables on the side. We had the greens with bacon ... great bacon, a little heavy on the vinegar for my tastes. Good wine list by the glass. The grapefruit and ginger cocktail was surprisingly good (vanilla vodka, Canton ginger liquor, candied ginger, grapefruit juice) Will come back again fore sure.

    (5)

  • Kathi T.

    An amazing dining experience. I honestly think I'm addicted to their mussels. I had them once for an appetizer & next time I went it was my main course. The open kitchen make the atmosphere warm and inviting. The bar area is a bit small and can get quite crowded on weekend nights as people wait for tables. I highly recommend a reservation.

    (5)

  • Reagan P.

    could not have asked for a better meal. we got a chilled crab appetizer that was great. shaved fennel salad might have been the highlight. great service and the quality of food is outstanding. definitely a must try

    (5)

  • Ronald M.

    I was impressed with the wait staff and their knowledge of the menu.We started off with mussels in white wine sauce and oysters on the half shell.The waiter pointed out the three different types of oysters on the plate and described where they came from in maine.Very cool.The poached egg salad was very good and most of the table opted for the hanger steak I went for the ribeye that melted in your mouth.Great atmosphere and really good food!

    (5)

  • Jennifer A.

    I would drive 4 hours back to Portland JUST for this restaurant! I recently traveled to Portland for a bachelorette weekend and had an amazing dinner at Fore Street. The bride-to-be and several other of our party members are big on farm-to-table restaurants so when we were researching places to eat before our trip, Fore Street seemed like an obvious choice! When you first walk in, you are immediately greeted with such amazing smells. The open kitchen and wood burning ovens create such a wonderful atmosphere. We had a party of eight and our server was delightfully sweet and was very helpful in wine selections and answering any questions about the menu. A few of us shared some of the starters...fire roasted pork belly with a spicy slaw, a chilled seafood sampler (with scallop ceviche, lobster, yellow-fin tuna and salmon), an heirloom tomato salad, and fresh oysters on the half shell. Everything was perfection! (The pork belly being my personal favorite!) The majority of our table ordered the Maine lobster entree that was roasted with chantrelles & butter and served with a corn pudding. The lobster was cooked so perfectly that it melted in your mouth. The combination of the succulent lobster, mushrooms and light butter sauce had our rowdy table of women all quiet down savoring every bite! The bride-to-be ordered the halibut that was served with roasted beets and she was equally as impressed! We also ordered a few vegetable sides to split amongst the table since it was a la carte. The sides are big enough for 2-3 people to share. We had potatoes roasted in duck fat and baby carrots in a light dill cream sauce. Fantastic! As if our minds weren't already completely blown, we then ordered dessert. I ordered a devils food cake with a homemade toasted marshmallow topping, a Bing cherry compote and amazing vanilla bean ice cream. Some of the other ladies ordered a dark chocolate torte with coffee ice cream that they all agreed was amazing and others ordered a pistachio pound cake with yellow peaches and a honey ice cream, which I was able to sample and agree that that was great too! I honestly cannot think of one negative thing to say about this place. It was perfection from beginning to end!

    (5)

  • Eric D.

    such food. wow.

    (5)

  • Emily W.

    Was in Portland for the weekend and was looking for a good place to eat dinner for my birthday.. We drove by here and it has a tiny sign and is pretty hidden- we went in and they told us it would be almost a 3 hour wait. Luckily we had time to waste and I'm glad we did. The service was amazing, the food was fabulous and the atmosphere was perfect. The menu changes every day but if you can, try the pork belly- it was the best thing I've ever eaten.. Definitely finish the meal with the pumpkin cheesecake too... I definitely recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Anthony P.

    Thank you to the staff at Fore St for a terrific meal. We had a great time as always. Perfection!

    (5)

  • Katie F.

    Being from Portland, I've been to Fore Street a hand full of times. I love the warm cozy vibe of the place that goes along perfectly with the semi-hearty menu. It had been a couple years since I'd been back (since Portland has so many new places to try these days) but it was my mother's birthday and it's her favorite so we made reservations in advance to celebrate. They were great about accommodating her birthday with a written note on the table, a candle in her dessert with "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate. It was all very sweet. The food was good, as usual. We went through the gauntlet of entrees, veggies, and desserts between the 6 of us and everyone finished their meals (except for the person who ordered the pork loin who had to take half home because it's HUGE). My only complaint is I desperately wanted a lighter option as I wasn't feeling too well. A entree salad or a risotto or something would have been a nice addition the menu.

    (4)

  • Eric W.

    Couldn't make reservations for tonight so we gambled for getting a walk-in spot...and we made it! (Hint: walk-in reservations begin being taken at 5pm. Get there before 4:45 if you want to be one of the first in line.) For starters we had the mussels (excellent) and the pork belly (OMG). Get extra bread to dip in the mussel broth! For dinner I had the duck and my wife had the hanger steak. Both were superb! We highly recommend both. For dessert I had the apple pie and my wife had the blueberry crisp. Again, both were worth saving room for.

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    Fore Street is always good. Be sure to make a reservation well in advance. I like the rope-grown wood-roasted mussels.

    (5)

  • Angela D.

    For the last pit stop of our Maine detour we had a delicious dinner @ Fore Street. The table bread was amazing but of course it is because the makers of Fore Street also own Standard Baking Co. Everything we had there was on point. Seafood platter and orchiette pasta to start. I had the Steak which was good except that it was overcooked for my liking. I originally ordered Rare but the waiter convinced me I should get Med Rare (because how they cook it is like Rare at other restaurants). The steak came out Medium...... ::SAD FACE:: Aside from that the Pork Chop and Scallop dishes my family ordered were delicious. The best part was DESSERT! The chocolate torte was to die for delectable!!! And we brought home some homemade chocolates :) Attentive staff and great food! Thumbs up!

    (4)

  • Alexander M.

    This is a solid 4 stars. Lovely ambiance, polite waitstaff, and well-plated dishes. But with each dish we ordered we highlighted something...off. The fettuccini was interesting and delicate, but over-salted. The quail was lovely, but the fritter that came with it was greasy tasting. We had an amazing artichoke and summer squash salad, though, that garnered no complaints. And we certainly stuck around for dessert and dessert drinks: 3 custards, port, and limoncello. No regrets at all there. The drinks were epic--the limoncello is house made. And the custards were scrape-the-ramekin good. The things that Fore Street does right, they *really* do right!

    (4)

  • J. F.

    I really wanted to love this place and was rather shocked to realize as we were leaving that I really didn't. For starters, the restaurant is rustic and beautiful and the service was top-notch the entire evening. We arrived early for our reservation and enjoyed a beer in the lounge area and the transition from lounge to table was handled very smoothly and attentively. My fiancee had also mentioned on the phone making the reservation that it was my birthday and they had a happy birthday card waiting for me at the table. Alas, my issues were with the food. Truthfully, it was clearly made with excellent ingredients but it was also pretty boring. I ordered the rabbit. It came out beautifully cooked and succulent, but it was also seemingly without much flair at all. Farm-raised rabbit is a very neutrally-flavored meat, possibly even more so than chicken, and what I received just lacked flavor. Our two vegetable sides (fingerling potatoes and roasted cauliflower) were also similarly bland, most especially the potatoes which appeared to be seasoned with nothing more than sea salt. They're potatoes, they need some help, fresh herbs, something. It has slipped my mind what my fiancee ordered although I think she did enjoy it more than I enjoyed mine. However, she didn't disagree with my assessment of the place afterwards. I probably would go back and give Fore Street another chance if I found myself in Portland again with enough advanced notice to get a reservation. I almost feel like I visited a great restaurant where I made the mistake of ordering all the wrong things.

    (3)

  • Maria L.

    The food at Fore Street is not terrible. It's average. During my most recent visit, the waiter in the bar was amazing and paid attention to all the details, even turning the bottle of ginger ale so the front label was facing me. The wait staff in the restaurant was less than impressive. The waitress slammed my glass down splashing water out on my bread, the girl delivering my salad was rude and rolled her eyes when I said "thank you" and I felt obligated to eat in a rush. With so many amazing eateries in Portland, Fore Street has lost its edge and it's starting to show.

    (2)

  • Ryan H.

    Featured one of my favorite entrees of 2013 in the goat cheese ravioli. Also sampled the duck breast which while delicious, did not reach the level seen in the goat cheese ravioli. The creme brulee exceeded expectations to mark the end to a terrific meal. It should be noted to paint a picture of the entire experience that the waitress was a bit void of input/suggestions (a Michigan grad who worked the back area) but the real stars of the show resided in the open kitchen where works of culinary art were being repetitively churned out.

    (4)

  • Kate D.

    Great ambiance, great food, great service. We have been to other restaurants in Portland, but this one stands alone. My only complaint was that the cocktail list is lacking. I decided on a classic cosmo, but it tasted like it was made with low-grade vodka. Will definitely return and hopefully they will upgrade their cocktail list.

    (4)

  • NYkrr B.

    Not sure what's happening here. This is the second time in a month I've taken visitors to Fore Street and been disappointed. The wood roasted mussels were undercooked and the hanger steak, while tender, was tasteless. And I love beets...but we're these unpeeled? They were very gritty. I don't know but for a place with such a high reputation, I knock it down to 3 stars.

    (3)

  • Lauren V.

    One of the best meals of my life. My companion and I planned a rather last-minute weekend getaway to Portland (I'd never been, but he had), and he was told when trying to make a Saturday night reservation that it was completely booked up for two months. Thankfully we're both a) super into good food and b) always up for a challenge, so we showed up around 6:30 to see if there'd been any cancellations, and it was our lucky day. We had just enough time to grab a cocktail at the bar before we were seated (SORRY SUCKERS!). We decided to order a number of things and share, so we started with a wild mushroom salad (and the house bread, of course). The salad was amazing - super fresh and flavorful and a really good bar-setter for the rest of the meal. I'm pretty sure the house butter was still in the cow earlier that day - unreal, especially on that hot, crusty sourdough. The next round was oysters, which were perfect - served on ice with no frills - just lemon wedges and basic mignonette. Perfect, meaty, briny, delicious. For our main course, we shared the pork belly and three sides (all easily large enough for two people) - roasted cauliflower, some incredible smoky, crispy-on-the-edges greens, and (these deserve their own separate review, frankly) mashed potatoes that literally changed my life. After the first bite, I had to set my fork down, breathe, and resist the urge to smoke a proverbial cigarette. They're that good. The voodoo here probably isn't much more than butter and garlic (and a thin, crispy layer of cheese on top), but whatever it is, just sack up and order them. I want to be married in a wedding dress and buried in a mausoleum made of that stuff. ANYWAY, the pork belly was flawless - tender and rich as expected. I think it may have been on a bed of wilted greens of some sort (or maybe cauliflower?) I'm not a huge meat-eater, but my companion was pretty passionate about how delicious this was. We initially planned on wrapping up with a cheese plate, but upon seeing the dessert menu, opted for that instead. I got the strawberry rhubard crumble, and he got something vanilla-y, I think (it should probably be noted that the cocktails here are strong). Both were delicious and seasonal and rich enough to be sexy but not enough to overpower everything else we'd just eaten. Aside from the mashed potatoes, the real shocker here was the bill -- for everything (salad, oysters, entree, several sides, two desserts, and two cocktails apiece), the total was just under $150. Good luck getting a reservation, or try your hand like we did - wonderful meal, wonderful space, wonderful service. Can't wait to come back here.

    (5)

  • Ross B.

    The Emperor has no clothes! This overly-praised restaurant around which a kind of cult has formed has feet of clay. When I think about the many fine restaurants in Portland that do not require at least a six-week advance reservation for a 5:30 seating which is like a cattle-call, I really have to think that I was blind-sided by the hype. Aside from a very nice double-cut pork chop, the meal was ordinary--not bad--but truly disappointing. My wife's meal had no redeeming items at all. The sockeye salmon was ordinary and the broccoli side was skimpy. Wine portions were meager and pricey. If all you can say about a highly-touted restaurant is that is served great bread, that's pretty skimpy praise. A note to the hostess who was really snotty: learn a little about hospitality and graciousness.

    (3)

  • Caitlin A.

    We decided to take a mini vacation to Portland, ME for the weekend. It turned out to be more of a foodie tour than anything else, but that's a-o-kay with me. Once we settled on Fore Street for dinner, we got in the car and got close enough to the Old Port to park and walk the rest of the distance. We hadn't made a reservation because we planned on arriving as soon as the restaurant opened (5:30). We got there around 5:28. The doors were open and there were already people waiting in the bar area and eating in the small lounge which opens at 5. We were told they had no walk in tables until 7:15. We decided to wait for two seats at the bar instead, and sat at a lounge table to order a drink and an appetizer. The decor and the atmosphere is sophisticated, yet inviting. There is a kitchen with wood ovens in the middle of the dining room. Dark, warm wood surrounds the bar. As we sat and waited for bar seats to open up I ordered a Baxter Brewing Company Stowaway IPA and we got the Chilled Seafood Tasting Platter. By the time our app was ready we were already sitting at the bar! The platter consisted of scallop ceviche, flounder tartar, yellow fin tuna, and lobster with a tarragon mayo. The fish was of the best quality, with tasty vinegars accompanying them. The bread they offer is baked fresh downstairs and is served warm. For dinner the boy got the Three Cuts of Main Farm Russian Boar. He got a cut of leg with mustard and molasses, confit shoulder with spicy pepper, and tasso cornbread. The leg was so tender and delicious, with just the right amount of spice in the mustard. The confit shoulder was lean and full of flavor and the cornbread was also very good and flavorful. I got the Fore Street Dry Rub Pork Loin cooked on the turn spit with sauerkraut and pickling spices. The pork was lean and sitting in a amazing broth atop the sauerkraut. The sauerkraut was unlike anything I've ever had. Eaten together; pure heaven. As a vegetable we shared the Heirloom tomato with thyme vinegar, oil and basil. So simple, so clean, so fresh. This dinner; the food, the atmosphere, the service and of course the company, was better than any other dinner I have eaten in a restaurant. If I ever again find myself in Portland, I will be sure to stop in at Fore Street for a drink and some eats (but I'll be sure to make a reservation!)

    (5)

  • Carleigh B.

    Loved this place. Would recommend to anyone (as long as they don't plan to bring kids). Would and probably will absolutely go back. We sat in the bar area at one of the tables in the window. I ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, which I thought was lovely. For food, we weren't very hungry so we split the english pea and turnip salad, the three cheese platter (we chose the cheddar, the goat's milk, and the really soft cheese that I believe was the first choice on the list), and the raw fish tasting plate. All the food was delicious and extremely fresh. Ambience and service was wonderful. I am a big fan of this place!

    (5)

  • Liz A.

    If you are visiting Portland, plan ahead and reserve a table. I didn't plan far enough ahead and so we had a 5:30 dinner reservation. It was either that, or a 9:30, and we are just too old/uncool for that. And never mind cool. Because that place was packed to the RAFTERS with "unfashionably early" 5:30 dinner reservations. And I'd do it again. 4:30? No problem. I'll have dinner there for breakfast. Seriously, though, it helped that the overall PACE of the service/experience was NOT rushed. We were there for just over two hours. Our server was perfect -- able to answer questions, offer options. When one of us wasn't entirely pleased with the appetizer (more a matter of the diner's taste than any actual problem with the food), our server took it off the bill. (She said she regretted that we hadn't mentioned anything earlier, because she would have happily brought a substitute. Top notch. Made us feel well cared for in all ways.) So. Where was I? Service was outstanding. Pace of service was outstanding. No rush, no hovering, magically always there when we needed her. But let me back up and say -- the place is beautiful. The bar is beautiful. The tables are beautiful The open kitchen with the wood-fired brick oven is beautiful. The hostess was nice and efficient. We had a short wait in the bar, where to my delight I discovered the first sign (of many) that this was a great place for me. Their signature Manhattan. The Manhattan is my drink. The Fore Street Manhattan is my new standard. Blanton's (my favorite!!) small batch bourbon INFUSED WITH VANILLA BEAN (no, those aren't crumbs of DIRT in your cocktail), house made Seville Orange Bitters (I started using orange bitters in my Manhattans a year ago and haven't gone back), and an orange wedge (!) served on the rocks. Really, Fore? You had me at "Blantons." So that was lovely, as was the server-recommended glass of wine with dinner. Second sign: the perfect bread (served with butter, and sea salt, and fresh cracked pepper, YES!) -- from the Standard Bakery, located downstairs from Fore Street. Nom. We wisely said "no thank you" when they offered to bring more. We would have eaten that second basket in a Portland minute. Now, they do a new menu each day, but if you ever see any of what I'm about to describe on your visit to Fore Street (have you made those reservations yet?), I recommend it. I started with a salad of English peas and shaved carrots over arugula, with toasted hazelnuts and a nasturtium vinaigrette. Peppery and fresh and yum. For an entree, I had Maine farmed lamb (a leg steak), served with a little bit of spinach and a fantastic lamb shoulder gravy which was rich rich rich. It was accompanied by two almond crusted pancetta "arancini" (risotto balls!) which were divine. Everything's a la carte, and they offer a variety of vegetable sides (portion enough for two people), but since we both had starters and wanted dessert, we decided to skip and were not disappointed. Portions on both of our meals were generous. Plates looked nice. For dessert, the WOW just kept coming, with a trio of sorbets (passion fruit/lemon/mango, pineapple coconut, and citrus black pepper) accompanied by a chocolate chip cookie. AMAZING sorbet, especially the citrus black pepper. The chocolate chip cookie was very good, though I suppose I was surprised it wasn't, like, a ginger cookie, or a lacy suger cookie. And that is as close to a complaint as this review will get. Which isn't very close, because it WAS a good cookie. I saw several other items on the menu, from starters to entrees to desserts, that I'd love to try. Whenever I visit Portland again, I will eat at Fore Street again. I will recommend it with the glazed-over ecstasy-eyes of a newly-minted cult member. Join us. JOIN UUUUUSSSS.

    (5)

  • Jimmy H.

    I have been here three times over the past two years and have never been impressed. We had some clients visiting from another state that wanted to try them out and that is why I gave them a third chance. We had 11 people in our group and they were adamant about the fact that they cannot seat 11 people even though their back private room has plenty of space. We even told them that we didn't mind things being a little tight. The attitude of the bartender and a couple of waitresses were pretentious and arrogant at best. They were more interested in churning tables then giving their customers a perfect dining experience that they pay for. There were a few of the staff that was very professional personable and attentive. Our muscles either were undercooked or they were bad muscles because a lot of them didn't open up. The ones that did didn't taste fresh at all. The squid was bland and tasted like it was boiled and just dipped in butter and that was it. My $55 steak was ordered medium rare and came medium well. The chilled asparagus was okay but tasted like bits of charcoal all over it which makes me think they didn't clean the grill that well. My previous two experience was that this place is extremely pricey ,okay food if not subpar for its reputation, and the third experience reaffirms all this! My clients had a good time but because they're with good company and the alcohol was flowing ....There are a lot of other great places like the Grill room or the Back Bay Grill that I would choose over this any day!

    (2)

  • Howard L.

    I've been here three times now, each time hoping for a better experience but let down in the end. Service is great, drinks, and atmosphere are great, but the food is just not worth it. It's good, but not consistently great. On our last visit I had lamb three ways: the braised shoulder was amazing, the chop was cooked fairly well but was nothing special, and the belly had zero meat on it - just coiled up fat with some pecans and sauce on top. My wife is not picky, but she never gave me the "Oh my gosh this is wonderful" look that one expects from a relatively expensive dinner. The menu reads well but they don't deliver and I refuse to join in the hype.

    (3)

  • Joshua B.

    Although the food was excellent, I felt the service from the waitress, along with her attitude was very poor. When asked what she recommended, "An entree.", was the response. Really?

    (2)

  • Ibrahim A.

    There are so many things I did like about this spot I find it hard to count the ways...although I was very disappointed by one very specific thing; the rib eye for $40.00 that my wife received. When I think of a rib eye I think of a steak that's incredibly juicy, usually not drenched in a sauce that takes over the steak, and seared to perfection. And not to mention that they're usually at least thicker than a slice of generic Wonder Bread...unfortunately this was not the case with our $40.00 Steak. We were so excited to splurge on ourselves! My Duck that I ordered was phenomenal. The Greens were great and the Sweet Mash was beautiful. The mussels were good too. Everything was perfect until this very sad state of affairs that was her steak came to the table. It was drenched...DRENCHED in a mushroom sauce and super rare (she ordered medium/well because she might be with child *too early to tell exactly* but that's why she ordered it that way so don't get my case about it). On top of that it was literally 1/2 inch thick. Excuse me but when you hear the words "Rib EYE" you expect certain things and for $40.00 ( which I expect to pay when getting a proper steak) you better get an awesome steak . The chef should be embarrassed for putting this on a plate and serving it. The sauce killed all the steak flavor...all she tasted was this mushroom concoction and not the beautiful flavor of a properly salt and peppered seared steak. It was a big disappointment . Were we giving the wrong order? Was the server too embarrassed to tell us that possibly f'ed up and just gave us what she had, hoping that we wouldn't notice? I'm confused.

    (3)

  • Christa G.

    Fantastic restaurant. One of my favorites. My friends and I drive up from Boston just to eat here. This was my fourth trip. The mussels are a must try (or at least dip your bread in the sauce they come in); I hated mussels all my life until I ate them here. The service is always incredible and extremely knowledgeable. The bartender makes a mean dirty martini. The menu changes daily. Be prepared to spend some dough and make reservations weeks in advance if possible.

    (5)

  • L P.

    By now it's overrun with tourists and foodies, (guilty here) but it's still one of the best dining experiences that you can have. The first time I was there it was amazing. I had a near-religious experience with the oven-roasted whole fish. It was moist and had that wood-fired taste. The reduction sauce that it came in made the dish. The salad was also memorable. It was kept in a humidity controlled wooden walk-in cooler type of contraption and dressed very lightly. The greens were crisp and fresh it made a huge difference. Their breads are always good the foccacia is a favorite. The chef made a special gnocchi dish in a spring vegetable broth for my boyfriend that was light and hearty at the same time. It was absolutely amazing. They never had it again. My second visit was less amazing but still good. I had the sweetbreads over risotto. Not the best sweetbreads I have ever had. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because the food is not always consistent due to how busy they are. But if you enjoy good food you'll enjoy Fore Street.

    (4)

  • Anne J.

    Dropped by for dessert. Ended up having an appetizer AND dessert because we just couldn't resist. The appetizer was our choice of three small meat dishes from among a half dozen, mostly pate-like. Interesting, but wouldn't order again. The dessert was ricotta cheesecake. This was the best cheesecake I've ever had, probably because it wasn't a conventional cheese cake at all. No crust, no homogeneously smooth filling. Rather, a little mound of chunks of homemade ricotta held together with a lightly flavored binder of ricotta, sitting beneath a scoop of tart lemon granita. Incredible flavors and textures. The waitstaff was genuinely pleasant, unlike memories of years ago when arrogance was the norm. Glad we came back.

    (4)

  • Curt L.

    I thought this was an excelllent restaurant..............and here is why: FOOD: Farm to plate business model here. I went with the waiter suggested Roasted Pear and Romaine Salad. Maytag cheese and roasted almonds complimented nicely the balsamico and olive oil dressing. The greens, roasted celeriac and roasted pear made for a refeshing starter. Enjoyed the summer flounder filet that was beautifully cooked. Tender and juicy on the inside with a nice outer crunch. Dressed nicely with a chive butter sauce and comlimented with a braised endive. We all shared the mashed parsnips that were sweet and crunchy as they included caramelzied onions. Before dinner we also shared a pan of mussels that were very plump and juicy. Some of the finest and freshest mussels that I have ever had. Delicious. Please pass the fresh bread as "I have some dippin' to do". Yes.............always room for desert which in my book as to include chocolate. They have a four item hand made chocolate plate here that was unusual & tasty. The offering (2 of each) include a tarragon ganache bon bon, a candied pecan bark, a dried cherry with pink peppercorn and smoked sea salt bark (that was my favorite) and a spiced orange and almond ganache truffle. My colleauge order the cheese plate which I liberally "stole" from. SERVICE: Our waitron was a true pro. She expertly guided us thru the menu highlights. She was attentive but not obstrusive. The servings and take aways were beautifully timed. AMBIANCE: This was a Monday night but the place was packed. Not noisy at all just a really good vibe. A seperate bar area allowed for a pre meal beverage. This is a first class place. When in Portland ME you must give Fore a try. You will not be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Shannon T.

    Great atmosphere and cool open kitchen. Went there for our anniversary and the food and service was excellent. The bread is fresh daily from their bakery downstairs which is also fabulous. The menu changes daily so you can't look online at a menu but there is something for everyone. When making my reservation I was asked if it was a special occasion and after telling them it was our anniversary they gave us a little card when we were seated and the dessert plate and cheese plate had happy anniversary written on the plate in chocolate....nice touch. Overall it was a great meal, very pricey but worth it for special occasions and great atmosphere and vibe.

    (4)

  • J S L.

    Don't miss when in town. This restaurant and its bakery downstairs would succeed in an US urban center.

    (4)

  • Sonia K.

    The dinning experience at Fore Street was great...glad that we made reservations. We were not very hungry and almost cancelled the reservation. But on hindsight glad that we went. We had mussels..cooked perfectly and raw clams and swordfish steaks. We still are raving about the swordfish steak..it was exemplary. The only part of food we did not like was the risotto with the swordfish..it was undercooked and just did not taste right. The ambiance is of course very nice wit the open kitchen and food and service was excellent. Plus I am a sucker for country looking restaurants with old wood floors, brick walls and exposed plumbing and lighting. You know what I am talking about ;) It gets my vote for a great meal in Portland....

    (4)

  • Lauren W.

    What I loved at Fore Street: I loved the ambiance. The low lighting and the candles provide a very intimate scene. What was mediocre: Maybe I'm spoiled, living in Boston, surrounded by excellent food?! But I only thought the food only deserved 4 stars, at the most. I was also surprised at how expensive it was to eat here! A bad sign is that the only thing that I really remember about my meal were the mussels. The mussels were delicious! I would go back for a glass of white wine and an order of the mussels, all for myself, anytime! But the rest of the meal was forget-able. I also remember being slightly disappointed in the wine list. My husband and I met my family here for a family dinner. My dad was so excited because he had heard/read rave reviews for Fore Street (he's an avid fan of Phantom Gourmet and goes out of his way to try mentioned places). At the end of the night my dad left a little sad and disappointed and out of a couple hundred dollars... this is why Fore Street only gets an "A-OK".

    (3)

  • Caitlin S.

    Whenever my BF and I visit Portland, Fore Street is our fancy-schmancy, go-all-out, eat-as-much-as-you-can dinner date location. It's perfect. This place is so quintessentially down-east Maine with it's casual ambiance, casual dress, amazing food and unpretentious attitude. Everything is so fresh and delicious. I had a duck dish that was divine, my BF had beef, also divine. Top it off with a bottle of Brunello, and yup, we're in heaven. The serving staff is friendly and accommodating, the acoustics loud but not too loud (there's a pleasant energy to the place, the creaking of the floors, the laughter of guests and the clanging of happy forks!!). The building is great, too-- with the exposed bricks, wine display and open kitchen. The smell of fresh bread and cooking is intoxicating. All in all, an amazing place, offering local meats, local produce, local flavor... definitely worth the splurge.

    (5)

  • Zuzzi E.

    Open kitchen, warm brick walls, beautiful views, fresh new menu everyday... A very thoughtful person put this restaurant together. My biggest gripe is lack of vegetarian entrees (instead, I put together 3 sides). But altogether, a fantastic place to share a bottle of wine and delicious food with someone you love.

    (4)

  • M M.

    Love this place, love this place, love this place. I want a second stomach so I can eat more. Save room for dessert, the apple upside down cake is to die for! Two minor complaint, the bread is too good, I always eat too much of it and the waitress always refills it. It can get a little chilly if you are sitting by the windows.

    (5)

  • Jordan N.

    Everything they do is amazing.

    (5)

  • Jay B.

    Came here on a Sunday night for dinner. Great facility and ambiance- love the open kitchen and the laid back feel. No pretentiousness here! Service was prompt and excellent. Had small plates for dinner. Started with the roasted squash salad- simple and delicious. Maybe a touch too much dressing but thats nitpicking. Followed with the crab bisque. WOW. Simply the best crab bisque I've ever had- rich without being heavy or thick, and with perfect nuggets of crab meat. Next was the carrot puree pizza- again simple, rustic, and perfectly done. Very savory. We saved room for dessert and had the chocolate torte- so decadent we couldn't finish it but sooooo good- and the apple tarte tatin- once again, the best version I've ever tasted. All of this and wine for surprisingly little, which was the icing on this culinary cake- it's totally affordable!

    (5)

  • Pam C.

    A pretty spectacular place! Amazing service, very prompt, informed and helpful. The roasted Sardines, which are not your Norwegian-out-of -the can variety, but REAL fish, were delectable. Roasted mussels were killer--so fresh, perfectly prepared, moist and delicious. Since the menu changes often (daily?) it's hard to get hung up on favorites. The beauty of the restaurant is their commitment to serving the freshest local food available. And as far as we are concerned, they excel at this endeavor!

    (5)

  • TJ S.

    Overrated and overpriced. Continuously purported as the premier restaurant in Portland. Service was odd and unknowledgeable. They are obviously used to patrons who have a bit of dining experience, but a limited depth about food & drink. Did not have as many variations on traditional dishes as I thought it would. I know they are known for simple food done really well, but sooooo many restaurants do that at a better price point, not to mention while attracting a way less stuffy clientele. The menu doesn't really vary as much as you think it would considering their focus on local and seasonal ingredients. I'd say the chef's here are doing what they are told, and are doing it very well, though I think the head chef's/owners have put this place on autopilot a long time ago (well done), but have lost their edge on the menu and supervision of the restaurant (their bad). Long wait even with a reservation. They take reservations for the bar as well. Space is nicely designed with a focus on making their staff comfortable and showing the process a little bit. Once a former leader in a burgeoning restaurant scene, this place now seems like more of a tourist spot for "the best of Portland". They are making money hand over fist here, I recommend spending your money somewhere else. You'll be disappointed if you've eaten this fare in other cities.

    (2)

  • Matteo M.

    One of my top five restaurants in the USA, I have only been here once but was blown away. The setting itself is excellent, as is the atmosphere. The menu changes frequently, I simply ordered what was recommended and fresh and could not have been more happy (particularly the fresh fruit based desert). I was very surprised to find such a good restaurant in Portland.

    (5)

  • sara m.

    Oh man, the staff was just so dismissive here! I can't believe I'm giving them 4 stars. We almost left. It took us asking 3 different people if there was a wait list at the bar and if we could get our name on it, so people that came in after us were seated before us. Not cool! We stayed because we found seats in the lounge to wait and the cocktail waitress brought us some perfect summer drinks. The velour sweat suit wearing divorcee's that sat on top of us bitching about their ex's almost ruined that. After about an hour we were seated at the bar and the tall bartender with the Mr. Clean head fixed everything for us. He was whatever the exact opposite of obnoxious is. He had the best recommendations, 2 perfect fish dishes and great wine to go with it. We also had the chocolate torte and I think I would drive all the way back just for that ooey gooey madness.

    (4)

  • Mike M.

    I went here with my at the time girlfriend for her birthday or our anniversary, I don't remember which. Maybe it was Christmastime. Don't judge me, it was a while ago. As college students, this was a pricey place. Most of the diners here are either a family of tourists up for the weekend or a married couple out for a night of dinner and drinks. It's located on the far eastern side of what one would call "downtown" Portland. Parking can be tough, but you can try to sneak into the parking lot across the street if it's late enough. If you're there for the day, I'd suggest the parking garage relatively nearby, that way you can walk around the awesome cobblestone and see the shops to work up an appetite for your soon to be dinner. The interior is dim for ambiance, which I liked. It's a candles on the table, bottle of expensive water awaiting you kind of place. In terms of the menu, I honestly have to say they do turf well, but the surf wasn't up to "expensive restaurant in Maine" standards. Or maybe I'm just a spoiled brat when it comes to the creatures of the sea. Either way, duck is my recommendation, and she liked her pate...if you're into that. ..which you probably are 'cuz you're at Fore St. Yes, there is a bit of pretench here. That is, if you failed your "how to eat like an adult" course Senior year in college, you might feel like this is your retake exam. All this said, it was a nice meal and we didn't get in a fight or anything, so I'd go back there again for a special occasion. Seriously, stop judging me, I bet she can't remember either.

    (4)

  • Tyler T.

    Expensive but worth every penny. It is a must if you are in Portland. My favorite restaurant.

    (5)

  • Carles D.

    It is not cheap, but it is a must if you are in Portland. I've had to travel three times to Portland and each time I go there. Their menu changes every time, and they always have something new and sophisticated to try, but I am still dreaming on the Tart Tatin I had the first time.

    (5)

  • Mark T.

    This is definitely a place to visit. Note there is an appetizer menu, separate from the restaurant menu. Frankly for the price, this is one of the best restaurants we have visited. We started with the chilled and smoked seafood platter. It was very good. For the first time, my wife loved the mussels. Much different than you may have had before. Then we had the chilled meats. Also very good. Followed by the Atlantic squid, which was excellent. If this restaurant were closer to home, I'd be here every week. Anybody can throw sauce on a protein or pasta, but I like how they cook. Good food.

    (5)

  • Sandy N.

    Delicious food, courteous and knowledgable staff, modern but cozy ambiance. Menu changes daily so there is always something new to try. Squid app: grilled squid mixed with eggplant and kale. A very unique and delicious combination topped with a tangy vinaigrette that ties all the ingredients together. The squid was a touch chewy hence 4 stars. Lobster entree: tender lobster topped with seasoned brown butter. Comes with a s use of the most delicious corn pudding I've ever had. The onions in the pudding and the hint of spice really elevate the natural sweetness of the corn. Peach tart: huge portion of flaky and buttery pastry surrounding delicious caramelized peaches topped with caramel corn ice cream. AMAZING but heavy. Probably mean for one but I ate it all by myself

    (4)

  • Rebecca W.

    Went here for date night with a gift certifcate. The prices are not cheap, but it is worth the vetnure. We made reservations ahead of time. We came early and enjoyed the cozy bar, complete with comfy couches. The drinks were balanced and refreshing. We relaxed in there chatting to other patrons until out table was ready. Our waittress was fully versed in the menu and very attentive, without feeling like she was lurking over us. We ordered roasted potaoes, scallops and roasted fingerling potatoes. The scallops were moist and sweet, cooked perfectly. The steak was juicy and the horseradish sauce that accompanied it was wonderful. The potatoes had a nice crispy outer layer with the peels and inside was soft comfort food. We got chocolates as dessert, which was a wonderful sweet end.

    (4)

  • David A.

    Excellent food, but not quite worth the price. We ordered the Atlantic squid as an appetizer, and it was good, but I kept thinking that it didn't quite match the yaki-ika from Yosaku down the street, in either flavor or price. For entrees, we got the scallops and the swordfish, and they were amazing. They were cooked well and the flavor profiles were creative and well-blended. But the portions were a bit small- normally I expect to be satisfied with just an entree, and full if there's also an appetizer, but instead I felt like the entree alone wouldn't have been enough. And that's after eating two portions of the bread (from Standard Bakery downstairs, which I adore). Now, I did end up full after also having dessert. I'm embarrassed to say I've forgotten the names of the dishes, but we had a rich chocolate cake, as well as a sweet, flan-like dessert. It was a delicious and decadent end to the meal, and would highly recommend either of them. All in all, we had a wonderful restaurant experience. Nothing mind-blowing like Hugo's, but it was a very nice meal. We came because we had a gift certificate, and if we received another gift certificate, I'm sure we would be back. In the meantime, there are a lot of other wonderful restaurants in Portland that we can enjoy just as much on a lower budget.

    (4)

  • Natalie P.

    In portland for one night so had dinner at Fore Street. We didn't have reservations so we walked in and put our names down. They were able to seat us in about an hour so we walked around and came back. The restaurant is beautiful on the inside. There is an open kitchen that looks very rustic and it overall has a great feel to it. The menu changes daily. That evening we ordered the smoked and chilled seafood platter that had a variety of smoked fish. It was very tasty. The smoked bluefish and herring were very good. We also ordered the roasted cauliflower salad, veal sweetbreads and chicken livers, and duck foie gras with musk melon. Foie gras was very rich but good. I liked the sweetbreads the most. The chicken livers were okay but probably just not my thing. Everything was good overall and beautifully presented. Service was also good. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. Would definitely come back to try new things if ever back in the city.

    (4)

  • Dan D.

    This is about the experience, not the food, as I wasn't worthy. Take the scenario - our 36th anniversary. We picked Portland Maine because we love the city. We ask the hotel - so where should we celebrate with our dinner? We're given a few names, but near the top is Fore Street. We're wandering Old Port, and stop at Fore Street. It goes downhill from there. I ask a very fussy lady (the maître d'?, Hostess? whatever) if I could see a menu. "It's late, we're no longer seating." I say I understand, but was wondering if we could celebrate our anniversary with them the next evening. "What?" you could see her nose rise into the air, as she huffed, "We're taking reservations 3-4 weeks from now. Tomorrow? We're the 16th best..." (my mind had already dismissed the rest of her comments, I'm afraid, as I was already thinking of the rest of the list.) I nod, and say I understand. There are restaurants this haughty, and that's OK, it just won't fit our needs. I pocket the menu. That's not why 1 star, not yet, many restaurants work this way. She could see I was "moving on", but just had to "win" in her mind. If you MUST dine with us, we do leave a few tables open each day for 'walk-ins' (oh, the demeaning way she said that). But you must arrive early, and sign a list, and MAYBE you will be seated at some point. I considered this for a moment, and said - so when, and how long? The guardian of the gate smiled and showed her teeth, since I had taken the bait. "Oh, if you arrive at 4:45pm, and sign in, you MIGHT be seated in an hour or two, or whenever. We never know how many sign-ins will arrive... (We are Fore Street, after all - no she didn't say that, but it indeed sat in the air.) For our anniversary? Not so much. I thanked the fussy lady, the guardian of the gate, and left. Of course we did not return. I admit, I looked at the menu that evening, and was intrigued. They served organ meats. Many would say ugh, but we love such. Still, even though they served offal, the experience was too awful to revisit. The guardian of the gate had stayed off yet another unworthy pair.

    (1)

  • Paul A.

    This is among my top restaurants in all of New England. Last night was our fourth time eating at Fore Street and it was easy to see why this is still a must-visit Portland eatery. An amazingly beautiful, industrial interior with a well-lit centrally located kitchen sets off the flawless food, which comes at a pretty decent price considering the quality. Reservations have to be made a few weeks in advance (or you can get in line and leave your name at 5 pm) but it is worth it for this kind of experience. The quail is usually our favorite starter here but it wasn't available the day we came. This was not surprising since the menu changes daily but we ended up with some pretty awesome stuff anyway. A squid, sausage and kale dish was delicious as was a buttery parsnip soup. The turnspit roasted half-chicken was also incredible garnished by big cubes of duck fat fried croutons. I've had the turnspit roasted pork here and this was equally good. The fish is always legit and this time we got a somewhat muted, but actually pretty good olive oil poached monkfish. Probably the weakest dish of the night. However, we'd never tried the pasta here so we got this vegetarian ravioli dish topped by radicchio and pecans that was Insaaaannee. Def go for it if you like pasta. And finally, what makes this place a stone cold 5-star spot is that dessert is almost always as nuts as the main. We got three: the chocolate torte, a cinnamon semifreddo, and a frozen banana cream pie bon bon. All were amazing, with maybe the cinnamon one being the best. I have no negatives here. Come at 5 and get in line to leave your name, or a make a reservation well in advance. Either way, yum.

    (5)

  • Cindy N.

    This is place was really great!!! Food was delicious. OK so here is the run down. If you can make a reservation in advance. We didn't and just showed up, we were able to get on a stand by list but the wait was about 90 minutes. We weren't starving and wanted to walk around so it wasn't a problem. They took a cell number and we left. When we got the call and arrived back at the restaurant, we got the best seat in the house as far as I was concerned (and the rest of my party who all love to cook including my two kids), by being right in front of the open space kitchen. Love watching the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. Our server, Matt was attentive, very nice and explained everything we needed him to. It makes a huge difference when you have a great server and Matt was just that. Our table had the John Dory, Roasted Chicken, steamed muscles, clams and the Heritage Pork. My daughter and I shared the Bluefish (which we had never had). Matt explained the taste and texture perfectly so we knew pretty much what to expect with a new fish. Form the reports around the table, everything was delicious. I can not finish this review without bringing up the desserts...YUM!!!!! We ordered three desserts: the parfait (which my dad said was the best he has ever eaten), a triple chocolate dessert and a nectarine and strawberry cobbler with sweet corn ice cream. WOW!!!!! That cobbler was amazing and the sweet corn ice cream sounds weird but was delicious. I make a lot of ice cream at home and can't wait to try to replicate it. This was hands down the best dinner we had on our vacation. Thank you Fore Street for an amazing meal and great service!!! Wish we lived closer, we would definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Bartholomew K.

    Major food porn. Mind completely blown. You should be jealous. Totally unassuming outside, incredibly impressive inside. Exposed brick, wooden beams, booths, tables, gorgeous open kitchen - fantastic staff! We love Maine so much and haven't been in a couple of years. Tried an Inn right outside of Portland and what a gem this town is when it comes to places to eat. I mean, seriously! This must have been one of the top 5 ultimate best dinners we ever had. Ever. I knew shit was about to get real when my Tito's martini was just spot on and arrived with a bread basket. Ok, I grew up in Poland, we had awesome bread back in the day when there was only one kind of bread. That was it. I know my bread. This bread tasted like it should now and did in Poland when I was a kid. Crusty on the outside, semi-soft on the inside, butter was beyond unreal, cracked pepper, salt - the works. Umm, perfection. Started with oysters - so clean, fresh and tasty, I could have easily had a few more dozen. Chilled meats. We went with the foie gras, rabbit terrine with pancetta and pate. All of them were crazy good. Sizes were just right, too, which I am learning to appreciate as my waist expands with each amazing dinner under my belt (literally). Jonah crab meat - freshest salsa on the side, grilled romaine leaves I believe were also on the plate - the entire dish was ideal. Before our entrees we ordered a tomato salad to share. Just to cleanse the palette. Or to eat more and try as many dishes as possible. I'm not sure how it's possible, but I never had tomatoes this sweet. Even the basil was better than what we grow in CT. You think tomatoes, whatever, easy/good/simple - you get this salad and you rethink tomatoes. Not lying. Boyfriend had the salmon, which was great but what was the most amazing thing we had all night were my scallops. The sear was PERFECT. No idea what kinda glaze they were in but it rocked my world. We also split a side order of green beans with chanterelles and honey or maple syrup - don't remember now. They were wonderful: snappy, green and full of flavor without tasting heavy. Peach upside down cake. I die. Crepes with ricotta, blackberries and brown sugar. JE DIE!!! Finished the meal with a glass of Vin Santo. Our dinner here couldn't have been any better. If you are ever in Portland, make a resy, don't look at prices, go crazy and enjoy. P.S. Menu changes daily (that's what he said).

    (5)

  • Brandy S.

    I was recommended Fore Street by someone at a bar I was hanging out at. They told me I HAD to get the mussels, and they weren't wrong. My friend and I love this place. We had mussels, pasta and the pork (loin?). It was all great and the perfect amount of food. The staff was nice, the space was really unique to this city and it capped off a great visit to Maine! I'd definitely recommend this place to friends who go and visit Maine.

    (4)

  • Sam F.

    Had a fabulous blowout dinner here on a Monday evening as walkins. Took about twenty minutes for a table but we then had a great view of the central kitchen and prep areas- great dinner theatre. The food was awesome- totally impressive cooking. The service was a teensy bit overwhelmed - which does get one wondering how it must be on a peak night. The seafood and veggies were amazing and quite reasonable in price for the prep and freshness. Drinks were a tad spendy but very well curated- love a single glass of champagne w a shared dessert!

    (5)

  • Sean R.

    This restaurant is in Portland, ME. Finding a place to park is always a challenge however once that portion of the evening is completed then the rest is a sheer delight. Ours was a party of six so we were seated at a booth which was quite spacious. I have given this restaurant 4 stars however that is based on quality of the food and not as much as on quality of the service. Our reservation was at 6PM and the restaurant was packed. The service was spotty at times. Our server took the orders on time however was slow on delivering at times. The highlights of the dishes were the Port Steak and the Duck. These two are cooked just right and lightly spiced. The Duck just melts in your mouth. We also had little neck clams and Oysters which this places makes to perfection. One thing to note and that is if you plan to eat here then ensure that your reservations are made at least two weeks ahead of time. This will ensure that you have the seating on the day that you plan to go there.

    (4)

  • Cash K.

    We came to Fore Street for our "fancy dinner" splurge night during our 3 day stay in Portland.The atmosphere was warm and beautiful, the open kitchen, inviting and and the service spectacular. We ordered the oysters and the charcuterie plate to start. The plate was nice, though I wasn't a fan of the foie gras paring with the apricot, little too sweet for me. For dinner I ordered the Wolfish as per the recommendation of our server. I'd never had it before but our server explained it as a bottom. This night it was served with teeny tiny lovely Brussels sprouts and roasted potatoes and a horseradish cream. I was not disappointed and it was easily my favorite fish dish we had our entire trip! (I'm currently researching where to get fresh wolfish on a separate tab.) The man had the hanger-steak, medium rare and it was outstanding. Thank god for the fresh bread they had given us because the oxtail and horseradish jus was so good we would have licked it off the plate otherwise. All in all a great experience, worth the money and the staff's knowledge of the food was invaluable in helping us make the right decisions for ordering. Thank You guys!

    (5)

  • Trista G.

    A truly special restaurant. Not pretentious, great food, friendly staff, casual atmosphere. We got there at 5 and ate dinner at the bar. Oysters, braised greens, mushroom & pea salad, all great. Grapefruit drink was smooth and delightful. A definite must go if you're in Portland, Maine.

    (5)

  • Pam T.

    I knew we were at the right place when I saw the perfectly chopped wood getting wheeled into the kitchen. My marinated rabbit roasted over wood was amazing, as were the oysters and the substance you can no longer buy in California restaurants, which I had both sauteed and pated. Helpful hint: we learned that if you line up at 5:00 p.m., you can score a reservation, though you will have to be flexible as to time. They reserve 1/3 of their tables for "walk-ins," but you have to be willing to accept the time slot they offer.

    (5)

  • Steven W.

    My wife and I went here because we knew it was a ME favorite that many compare to Chez Panisse here in the Bay Area in that it was the foundation of the local culinary scene and highlights fresh local ingredients. Plus, when we asked for recommendations for places to eat in Portland, Fore Street frequently came up. That said, we were not thrilled with our food. It wasn't bad--it just didn't blow us away like all of the other places we ate in Maine. The foie gras was a bit of a disappointment in presentation and flavor--given how hard it is to get foie gras in CA, I went on a bit of a binge in ME, and became a bit of an expert IMHO. The mussels were great, but our entrees were forgettable--again not bad, but they didn't leave a lasting impression. Given the great setting and warm staff, I would be willing to go back, but it wasn't the best dining experience.

    (3)

  • Anne H.

    Fore Street is just a wonderful restaurant, and I go every chance I get. And I always leave feeling that I can't wait to go back. It's still a toss-up for favorite restaurant between Fore Street and The Ordinary in Charleston, SC, and maybe the food at The Ordinary is more consistently perfect (the only place I've ever eaten where I wanted to lick the plate), but Fore Street probably edges it out just because of its atmosphere and service. Also, the noise level at Fore Street is lively but not deafening. So, for total experience, I'm going to have to go with Fore Street. And the food. Well, there are a few misses once in a while. For example, our side the other night of greens and pork belly had so little pork belly that my husband asked what it looks like. The one or two tiny pieces that managed to get into the dish were, however, perfectly cooked. Cold comfort. The greens were great, but we really did want more of that pork belly! The scallops and the salmon were absolutely delicious. So chewy and flavorful that you just don't want the meal to ever end. Little neck clams were juicy and briny and did not need the (very delicious) homemade seafood sauce. And the bread is simply amazing. I mean amazing! Turns out, it is made by the Standard Baking Co., which is located right below the restaurant, and which is owned by the restaurant as well. The desserts -- berry cobbler and pieces of chocolate -- were just fair, but to be honest, we were so full by then that I think our taste buds were comatose. I saved my chocolate pieces for the next day, and they were really quite good. Not heavenly, but good. They needed to be a little warmer to bring out the spices and herbs. But, based on these two, I would skip dessert. Order more seafood instead! Fore Street gets one thing right that absolutely no one else does: they know how to balance the salt. It is just enough and never too much. You taste the salt, but in a good way. It heightens the natural flavor of the food without ever overshadowing it. Magical. There is a waitress here who is a dead ringer for Doris Kearns Goodwin. Only in Portland, ME! The waiters and staff are all good-humored and friendly. And they smile. OK, our waiter went a little overboard in the unctuousness department, but hey, everyone has to make a living. I've had worse. He was a nice man. We were running a little late, and I called from the road. The hostess could not have been nicer, both on the telephone and in person when we arrived. And this was a Saturday night that was fully booked two months ahead! I don't know of a single restaurant that could not learn from her. And it. We will be back on my birthday: it's a big one----one that demands a great meal! Happy Birthday to me!

    (4)

  • Lauren C.

    Despite not having reservations on a busy night, we had no trouble walking in and being seated. Huge and very cute space. The giant glass fridge was pretty cool and we really liked watching the cooks go in and get ingredients and guess what they were going to make with them. Next time I find myself in Portland, I'll definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Debra C.

    Quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Maine. If you can't get a last minute reservation, show up at the door early (4:30pm), and you may get lucky when they open their doors at 5pm and land a 6/6:30pm table. My huz and I come here each time we're in Maine, and we've loved it each and every time. EVERYTHING here is delicious. Beautifully plated and delicious. The mussels are a must-order. I've NEVER had better. The foie gras we ordered (paired with heirloom tomatoes) was crazy-fantastic (who would've thunk to pair the two?!). The massive pork loin (meant to be shared) makes me feel sorry for vegetarians (so flavorful and moist), and their house-bread (served warm alongside olive oil, sea salt and pepper) is what dreams are made of. The restaurant isn't the least bit stuffy. Handsome with an open-kitchen. Fore Street is a truly wonderful restaurant with a friendly and attentive staff, and most importantly, food that will make your tummy smile. Note: This isn't the greatest place for young children (no high chairs, no boosters), but we because we were on vacation in Maine, we brought our little one (20 months) along, and she coped just fine with the aid of an iPad.

    (5)

  • Emily C.

    We went here in search of portland's best mussels. Even the waiter agreed they were not. I can see the appeal to this place with the open kitchen and nightly menu, but that menu was so pretensious we literally didn't find anything that appealed to us. We enjoyed the mussels and bread and then went somewhere a little more down to earth for dinner.

    (3)

  • Esther K.

    My parents and I came on a busy night of August, I just wanted something for dessert since we ate elsewhere. Wow, I was surprised at how packed it was, but luckily we got the seats in the lounges quickly. I must say this place is nicely designed with dimmed lights and I absolutely love the open kitchen where you see everything is age fresh. The desserts were fantastic and the waiter was very friendly, can't get better than that!

    (5)

  • Betty G.

    My husband and I ate at Fore Street this evening. We had a 7:45 pm reservation on a Saturday nite. The restaurant was filled when we arrived, but we were seated on time. Our dinners were excellent but our main complaint was the rushed service. (I assume they were planning on a later seating.) My husband's soup was presented within three minutes of placing our orders before the wine was served. From start to finished we just felt rushed, with an eye on our plates and removing them promptly. Or waiter was cheerful but limited in conversation. For the money, I would have appreciated a more relaxed evening

    (3)

  • New F.

    The food is pricey and it is well-worth it. It's locally sourced and the menu changes with the seasons. Fore Street has a great reputation for a reason. The only thing preventing me from giving it 5 stars is it isn't the best meal I've ever had and many people put it on that level. Upon looking back at the past few times I've been there, I can't remember what I ate, which is the sign of an extraordinary meal.

    (4)

  • Paul T.

    Portland was added to our New England trip (at the expense of two days in Boston) after we heard Anthony Bourgain's "No Reservations" assertion that the place had more restaurants, per capita, than San Francisco (and, going to other websites, I realized that was with 1/10th the population). Later, I found out that one of the places Bourdain had so enthusiastically recommended didn't even serve local lobster, and sourced much of the rest of its stuff from as far away as Chesapeake bay, so there you are. Whatever, I got what I wanted, an excuse to go to Original Portland, and went (I grew up in Other Portland). Statistics aside, it didn't seem like Portland was exactly popping its seams with restaurants; and paring down the list of the best was far easier than wading through the extensive menu at Fore St. One top joint had such precious food as truffled mac n cheese or some such kiddie garbage. Then again, on the demographics side, it was fascinating to survey the dining room at Fore Street: Unlike most places here in SF, where I'm one of a handful of Over 50s, the crowd was mostly middle aged, and while not ethically or racially diverse per se, rather spectacularly diverse between the genders, with a whole lot of women about, not always paired with men (or that obviously with women, either). Fore Street has a very big menu for a modern establishment, and it's not filled with the sort of kiddy food so many places have added to get the younger set out, although hangar steak was offered. Everything we had, was on a par with what I'd expect from a fine dining establishment, although there wasn't a "wow" moment in anything we had. The dining room was quite large, upstairs above a parking lot and bakery, which produces their excellent bread, and the view is mostly architectural (the waterfront is across the street and behind the building on the far side, and that is beyond a parking lot below the restaurant) I would imagine that you'd want to request seating in the back (as you enter) so you're looking over said parking lot towards the water-area. We were seated inland, near the railing on the left side of the restaurant. Like many others, we found the service a bit wanting----not for actual service though, our server was there whenever we needed something---and the place was full---but any question seemed to make her reach into her pocket full of paper for a response----she didn't know the menu as well as a server in a fine dining establishment should. Then again, it's a town of 67,000 people, so how deep is the well of available workers? One of my favorite restaurants here (in SF) almost always screws something up, and I've sent countless emails alerting them to their service failures, and their response, while empathetic, is never followed through.... Nothing went wrong at Fore Street. All in all a nice evening with wonderful food.

    (4)

  • Bill D.

    Don't buy the hype. The food is solid but way overrated and over priced. If you go and don't have reservations show up at 4:45 to stand in line to put your name in. At five the line is down the street. We got a reservation for 7:30. The waitress was aloof appeared to want to be elsewhere. Not warm or welcoming. She talked me into a medium steak, i wanted pink, but it was well done. The menu looked interesting but the food was a bland and didn't match the reviews. We didn't find a better restaurant in Portland so maybe it is the best in Portland.

    (3)

  • Stan S.

    Exceptional food and service.a truly great dining experience.It does get a little loud at times.Great variety and wines. One of my favorites for 15 years.

    (5)

  • Kat S.

    This place was fantastic. There is a lot of great food in Portland, but this place was just so fresh and delicious. A bunch of friends and I were visiting for the weekend, and we chose this place based off of friends' recommendations and the fact that their menu changes daily. We were a little late for our reservation, but they were very accommodating for our party of 5. I got the bass, which was amazing, but to my surprise I had actually ordered an entire fish... head and all! Luckily, our fabulous waitress quickly filleted it for me, likely saving me from eating half the bones. This place has a really cozy feel to it, and I hope to come back in the winter when it's snowy. One tip: Don't eat too much bread! It's SO good that it's hard not to, but it's worth waiting for the entree.

    (5)

  • Jen H.

    This is a must for anyone visiting Portland with Love for great food. The open kitchen with wood fire grill is not only entertaining but it adds so much charm. The exposed bricks and big windows also add to the ambience. The food is wonderful and the menu changes frequently so it would be impossible to get bored. The duck was especially delicious. We love the locally sourced ingredients. The wait staff was friendly and professional. We live in Ohio but can't wait to come back to Portland to eat here again.

    (5)

  • Patrick M.

    Outstanding shell fish - oven roasted musscles and dozen local oysters! This is my go-to spot in Portland, ME Warm room and open kitchen so inviting

    (5)

  • Erick O.

    I had Fore Street bookmarked for my trip to Maine. I was looking forward to eating here since several of the locals a while back in a chat advised me I needed to eat here since the food was spectacular. Saturday night we came here since it's only about a 5 minute walk from our hotel. Walking up to the restaurant I was excited! I didn't see anyone waiting outside so the I figured the wait isn't long or we can be seated right away. There was a young girl in the front that was helping a couple in front of us to there table. As we waited there was a middle aged female which looked to be a manager or maybe even a hostess. I am not exactly sure but she was on the older side, not to be rude. She went to the podium in a hurry where the young girl was before. You know where they write your name down and tell you how long the wait is or if your like to sit at the bar etc. She didn't acknowledge us at all as it seems she was in quite the hurry to write something down on some paper she had with her. We stood there until the wifey caught her attention. She didn't move her body at all only rolled her eyes in our direction as Jess said " A table for two " her reply "about 1 hour" and rolled her eyes back down and made a smirk with her lips and cheek. Jess and I looked at each other kinda wondering what was going on. Mind you there restaurant was busy but I counted at least 2 tables empty and space at the bar. I felt so belittled and disrespected we just left and had dinner at The Flatbread. I mean tell me if we would like to wait or if we want to have a wait at the bar and enjoy a drink or look for a solution to gain our business. Nope nothing... We just walked out and refused to make a excuse to eat there or go back the two days we had left in town. Maybe I caught her in a bad day or moment. Nevertheless, it was just enough of a lack of hospitality to steer me away regardless of how good I am sure the food is based on the reviews.

    (1)

  • Lauren F.

    Fore Street is not to be missed in Portland. The service is exceptional and the open kitchen is spectacular. The menu is split into a page of small plates/appetizers and a page of entrees. We had the mussels and mushroom pasta to start. The mushroom pasta was fantastic. If I lived in Portland I'd eat that regularly. I had the scallops as my entree and they were cooked to perfection. We finished with the blueberry cobbler and chocolate terrine. Both were outstanding, but the terrine is very very rich. We took home some of the homemade chocolates which were fabulous. We will be back to Fore Street next time were in Portland.

    (5)

  • Christopher P.

    I finally got a chance to eat here for my birthday earlier this month. The draw for me is the quality of ingredients and they change the menu daily. The prices were no surprise as I'm from NYC where everything is over-priced. The servers were informative, attentive, and happy to help with whatever we needed. Now for the food; we had the Black Bass and Arctic Char for our main course. Both were perfectly cooked and delicious. I really appreciate a restaurant that sources locally and puts a lot of attention and care into what they do. It's not just about eating at a cool restaurant here, it's about the overall experience!

    (4)

  • Jenn R.

    The pork belly was the best part of the meal!!! Delicious. I got the wahoo which was good but was a tad over cooked. My husband got the haddock and it was cooked perfectly. Our server was excellent and we enjoyed the whole dining experience.

    (4)

  • Amy D.

    Oh MY. What can I say about Fore Street, that may not have been said already? One of America's greatest restaurants? Unquestionably? A trip to the moon on gossamer wings? Cole Porter would agree. Fore Street should be in every journal or book of "places to eat before you die." Long before "Farm To Table" and Locavorian culture became a standard, Fore Street were making their bones doing exactly that since roughly 1996. Fore Street, is about amazing ingredients concocted in something that resembles heaven on a plate. Enough hyperbole. The food? Well let's just say I might be ruined for chicken forever, a bourbon brined one was so juicy, so ethereal with a crispy skin and this insane cornbread, and I was fearful that I was going to eat the plate that held them. Their bread, from Standard Baking Company (which the owners also own, along with the equally excellent Street and Co.), is UNREAL. They have an amazing whisky selection! They have EVERYTHING. It's EVERYTHING! BOOK. A. TABLE.

    (5)

  • Dani W.

    Beet salad and hangar steak was perfection. Salad was very fresh and bright. Steak, perfectly cooked medium rare, portion was perfect. Oh and lemon cake plate for dessert was very creative with a small cup of shaved ice that tasted like lime, very cool, fluffy and refreshing; along side, candied orange peel that made this plate even more heavenly. EAT HERE!

    (5)

  • Kevin H.

    A solid 4 for Fore Street. Given the hype, the weeks (if not months) of advance reservations, and the high price... It's good, but not great. I have been here twice now, and this feeling of being satisfied - but not blown away - is consistent. The decor is fantastic, especially on a cold Maine winter night. The fiery ovens are in full public view, the bread is warm and crispy. The service is good (but not in a bend-over-backwards kind of way). The food is tasty, though the menu never seems to serve things that I 'really' want. I'd consider myself a foodie, and Portland ME has so many incredible options. For a bit less money, you'd have yourself a comparable (if not superior) meal at East Ender or Eventide.

    (4)

  • Bill K.

    If you are a foodie, you'll love everything about this place We were lucky to sit near the open kitchen where you can see it all happen Fascinating ! Bread excellent Waitress very good We had the pork chop special and the halibut special Both were terrific Definitely will be back soon

    (5)

  • Deni T.

    When you come here you will have a dining experience not just dinner. Settle in and let the smells, staff and food take you away. The biggest complaint is often that you can't get a reservation before 9, you can. You just have to plan. The open prep area with the "humidor" for the veggies, the wood fire oven and fresh bread from Standard Bakery are the focal point around which the seating is placed. There are windows overlooking Commercial Street and the bay. In the Winter it is cozy and warm. The menu has some standard dishes but much of it is created day of since they make the menu based on what was delivered from the network of farms and fisheries that they deal with. One day rabbit might be there and next it is not but venison could be. I have never had a bad meal not bad service here. Eat a light lunch, you will want to save yourself for this!

    (5)

  • Joe H.

    You probably already know that the James Beard Foundation Awards recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields, and emphasize the Foundation's mission to celebrate, nurture, and honor America's diverse culinary heritage - award winning Fore Street Restaurant in Portland, Maine represents strongly - no question! Start with a grapefruit and ginger cocktail - next browse the appetizers - please do not pass on the soft shell crab if available. Shaved fennel salad with Medjool dates and goat cheese...shut the front door! What a menu - printed fresh each day. Entrees are stunning - too much fantastic stuff to choose from. The breads are fresh from the bakery downstairs - probably handed down from angels in heaven. The service was excellent as was the wine. Our choice, Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) opened with aromas of plum, black cherry, and violets, followed by subtle flavors of strawberry and allspice, making it ideal for a variety of food pairings. We dined on pork roast, delicate halibut, fiddleheads, and scrumptious potatoes. Cannot say enough about this fine dining experience; dessert...you had me at rhubarb - INCREDIBLE. . I've visited several times and Fore Street always delivers. Word to the wise...make your reservations in advance.

    (5)

  • Jesse T.

    I think this is the first time that I have been disappointed by the Yelp hive mind. I feel...betrayed. I had the steak, pork belly, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. I am not sure what happened; was I being punished for ordering such safe dishes? The steak (rare) tasted like a $20 cut; the potatoes and Brussels sprouts were terrible (completely lacking in flavor). How do you mess up potatoes and Brussels sprouts? They are amongst the most un-mess-up-able dishes! I genuinely believe I could have prepared better potatoes and sprouts, and I am far from a chef. The pork belly was okay, but unspectacular. Regarding the ambiance, I thought the interior was gorgeous (great cozy, industrial vibe) and the open-kitchen concept was clever...at first. Thing you have to realize with an open kitchen is while it is visually appealing, creates an inviting atmosphere, and provides entertainment to the patrons watching the chefs at work...you also fill the entire space with an obnoxious amalgam of smells. Yes, they have industrial fans, but with an open kitchen concept, the smells will inevitably linger in the air.

    (2)

  • Jesse T.

    Good food. Good service. A bit overpriced. Best dishes were the tomato tart and the fettuccine!!

    (4)

  • Tamara A.

    Everything and everyone we experienced in this restaurant was top notch food is outstanding and the servers and bartenders make you feel so welcome to the point perfect strangers are talking at the bar and sharing apps and desserts it is an amazing dinning experience all around. If every in Old Port go here!!! Make a reservation if you want to sit in the tables booth or just wait for a seat at the bar you will not be disappointed!!

    (5)

  • Alyssa B.

    For all the hype, and my expectations, it was not quite up to snuff for the price paid, though still very, very good. We arrived at around 4:40 and were 3rd in line for walk-in reservations. Promptly at 5, we were put on the list and told we would be seated around 5:45. This gave us enough time to have a drink and linger at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and the drinks were made very well (an old fashioned for him and a dirty martini for me). We were then seated at a very small two-person table located inches from the tables to both sides. I do think this negatively impacted our experience, as the wait staff could barely fit in between the tables, so as items arrived at any of the nearby tables, we felt like sardines. With that said, service was very good and professional, as I would have expected. Loved the sourdough bread and butter with salt and pepper, pretty much every meal should start like this! The mussels were fantastic. I have made their mussels based on a recipe from a fellow food blogger (who somehow snagged the inside scoop), and theirs were WAYYYY better (obviously!). Andrew had some sort of tomahawk steak (I can't remember the exact cut, but it was on the bone and he had a caveman experience). My fish was good, but not too memorable. We ended the night with a box of chocolates to take home, as we were too full for dessert. I do hope to come back and have a full 5-star experience.

    (4)

  • Marian E.

    What an experience! We scored an 8:00 reservation the day of (which I wouldn't count on...we were there during a snowstorm...reserve ahead of time) and were thrilled! I've been wanting to eat here for some time and finally made it. Now I can't wait to go back! The atmosphere of the open kitchen is very welcoming and warm, the food was stellar, and the service was delightful but didn't hover. Also, the drinks were quite lovely and not overpriced (for a fine dining establishment). We started with our drinks (Old Fashioneds- his with Woodford Reserve and mine with Maker's Mark - mine was good but his was beyond smooth!) They have a bakery (Standard) and offered sourdough and wheat bread with butter and salt and pepper (a nice touch). I didn't have room for the wheat, but the sourdough was perfect. Our starters were seared pork belly that had a gorgeous flavor and a quail dish that was divine. The portions were quite generous, for starters. We were told that the quail would be 15 minutes, but we were in no hurry. Speaking of which, the pace of the meal was very nice, and we didn't feel like they were trying to turn over the table - always a plus! Our entrees were the Hanger steak and the Halibut. The steak was wonderful (just smokey enough, cooked just the way my husband likes) and served with some nice greens and a horseradish jus. My fish was divine. It was served in a cast iron pan (which many dishes here are...big wood oven) and had a carrot puree with it that I couldn't get enough of. There was beet butter on top, which gave it a gorgeous color, and also rusk crumbs for a perfect crunch. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! I wasn't in love with the lentils that were on the side, but I'm not really a lentil girl. We did order the fingerlings with raclette to share. There were some roasted carrots that looked quite nice, but we had plenty of food! We didn't have dessert, but they had some lovely options. The toffee pudding looked, especially, nice. The menu does change based on what's available that night. I have included a pic of the menu on the night that we went just to give you a sense. We will be back, and I will say that next time I'd like to spend more time in the cozy bar area. Yes, the price point makes it a place for a special occasion. However, the next time you have on...Go Here! You won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Lindsay W.

    I hate to say that a few friends were right and I was slightly disappointed, but it's true. I'm still giving 4 stars because overall, it was still a great above-average dining experience. I tried making a reservation for July a while back with no luck ofcourse so I actually showed up there right when they opened at 5:30ish to put our name down for 4. I was ready to stay there until the table was ready and could get the rest of my party there but luckily she said we'd have a table at 8 and to come back at 7:45. Ideally we would have a reservation but this was okay. The dining room and space is beautiful. The service was impeccable. The oysters were probably the best I/we have ever had. I just didn't think my meal (and it didn't seem that everybody else's meals) blew them away. Nothing was bad and you can tell the food/fish is excellent quality but it just wouldn't be a meal I'd remember if it weren't for the great company, atmosphere and lovely bottle of wine. My halibut was a bit dry, my mother and I were slightly unimpressed by the foie gras and nobody raved about their mains. It was also quite loud. I don't usually mind loud, but my stepfather REALLY does, and it was definitely very hard to hear the other side of the table. The chocolates at the end we're a nice treat. I definitely hope to come back but for one of the more upscale dining experience so far in Portland, I wouldn't say it was my best.

    (4)

  • Maura H.

    I've been going to Fore Street at least once a year (it's a bit pricy for me) for more than 15 years and I have never been disappointed. LOVE this place!!!! Love the bar, the ambience of the restaurant, the staff and the food. With all the new restaurants that have come to Portland in the last five to ten years this one still reigns supreme in my book. And they have free parking!

    (5)

  • Mo S.

    The freshness and quality of the meals is first rate. I recommend the marinated squid and the arugula and date salad to begin with. The local lamb dish served beautifully is not to be missed.

    (5)

  • Kate R.

    Decor: Absolutely beautiful. The ambiance was relaxing, the chair comfortable, and the open kitchen was a huge plus. The most enjoyable section was the lounge area by the bar. Service: Lackluster for what you're paying. The server in the lounge was friendly and efficient but the server in the dining room was not very attentive and totally fucked up the de-boning of my fish. Food: Excellent, but perhaps not worth the price. I had a wood-fired whole fish (cannot remember for the life of me what kind because I had been drinking for the past four days straight) with mussels, poleta things, and an amazing sauce. My boyfriend had the steak, which he raved about and was cooked perfectly. We split mashed potatoes and broccoli, which were both delicious but not worth $16. I did love that they don't have a set menu and change it nearly every day. tl; dr: While the food, drinks, and atmosphere were phenomenal, the warm fuzzies were laced with the type of discomfort that only a tourist hotspot with a disinterested waitstaff can provide.

    (3)

  • M C.

    We didn't have a reservation so we figured we'd get there early to try to secure a table. (party of 7) We went at 445 PM on a Tuesday evening and was second on the list. After a drink at the bar, we were seated at 545. The appetizers, the bread, and the main course were all unbelievable! The staff was very pleasant and informative and the prices were great! I would highly recommend Fore Street.

    (5)

  • Shane L.

    If you are looking for a place that you can grab a quick bite to eat at a cheaper price, this is not the place for you. With that being said, our experience at this establishment was wonderful. The ambiance of the restaraunt was one that was warm and inviting with a feel of antiques around the room and it felt cozy to come in here on a cold December evening. We had a large party but they sat us in a large booth in the corner of the restaraunt and it was great from water in the beginning to the after dinner wine at the end. The serve was great and attentive even with having to serve his many tables and our needy and festive group we were. But we started off with a wide range of drinks from Maine brewed blueberry beer for some, to Allagash for me and some cosmos and martinis for others. The sour dough bread that they served with the meal was a perfect addition to the two plates of mussels that we ordered. These mussels were not laced and overpowered by garlic but rather an almond cream sauce that was to die for. The sour dough dipped right into the serving dish complimented each other perfectly. We then got right into the entrees and the menu changes all the time but on this evening we had a wide range of food ordered with Arctic char and hangar steak being the main things ordered and there were nothing but compliments around the table. Mine imparticular was the arctic char that was cooked to perfect medium rare temp sitting on top of their bacon pollenta that was rich and complimented the fish perfectly. We ordered a bunch of side dishes that everyone dug into like a thanksgiving feast at home. There was broccolini that was a little salty but I think it was meant to be that way and mashed potatoes that were scrumptious and turnips that were grilled to perfection. After all the meal was done everyone was pretty full so we skipped on the dessert but there was a wide range of goodies to pick from and I am sure with the way that the dinner was, they were amazing. I will be coming back here on a date night with the wife after this experience. But bring some extra money because it is not for the light of heart when it comes to the final bill at the end of the night.

    (5)

  • Tim W.

    I've been to Fore Street three times before tonight and it's consistently awesome. The open fire grill makes for a nice atmosphere and the menu, although it changes each day, offers some regulars that are hard to beat. The sea bass is a good choice, and don't forget to add a side of mussels!

    (5)

  • karina g.

    This is my go-to for consistent excellent local foods. Atmosphere is fantastic, they have large open kitchen with root cellar room and giant brick oven. Overlooks the ocean and old port. Very romantic. Great local foods - the best place to celebrate in Portland.

    (5)

  • Jim P.

    Fantastic! Daily menu with some staples as others have mentioned. I enjoyed the Hake and my wife scallops. We had oysters for an appetizer and tasty homemade bread. Strong service and good wines and cocktails. Enjoyable environment with open kitchen.

    (5)

  • Brett F.

    Oh Fore Street, the one that started it all. Before the deluge of upscale, trendy, famous restaurants a few years ago, this was the first. I had been several times to the bar area before. It's seat yourself and you can order off the full restaurant menu. The wine list is pages long and the cocktails are strong. A couple of small plates and a drink or two won't break the bank and is a solid, classy happy hour. But last night was my birthday dinner and I decided to give the dining room a shot. Parking is free at the Standard Bakery lot on Commercial Street if you tell the entry guard that you're eating at Fore Street. This is key in the summer. Arriving at 5:45, we may have been the first ones there. Our server was professional (though basically silent) and sat us at a prime table near the windows. A "Happy Birthday" card was already on the table. A nice touch. The menu is a full two pages long and my first instinct was "Thank god I'm not paying." The average entree price is probably $35, and several go much higher. For most locals I'd imagine this is a special occasion (or business) type of restaurant. Tourists love it and it didn't take long to begin filling up, even on an April Tuesday. If you're a vegetarian or vegan, I envy your healthy diet. Don't come here. The menu consists nearly entirely of fish and meats. Curiously, while at least 5 different species of fish were on the menu, salmon wasn't one of them. For non adventurous eaters, the roasted chicken and hanger steak are probably the safest bet. An overflowing bread bowl from Standard promptly arrived at the table. Both the wheat and white were delicious with the homemade butter and salt and pepper, but olive oil would have been nice. Next came the wine and cocktails. My Manhattan quickly had me thankful I didn't drive. For entrees, I ordered the duck two ways, my mom ordered the roasted chicken, my dad the hanger steak, and my girlfriend (a vegetarian) a basic salad. The table ordered sides of roasted carrots, fingerling potatoes and garlic mashed potato. So, how was it? My duck ($32) was perhaps the best I've ever had. There was a breast accompanied by steak-like slices of meat over greens and duck-fat fried pita bread. I had heard from several people that this is the dish to order here. It didn't disappoint. My mom's chicken ($27) was enormous. It was flavorful roasted chicken. The problem is, I wouldn't come to Fore Street to order a glorified Texas Road House entree. My dad's hanger steak looked great and he said he enjoyed it, but he wasn't raving. The garlic mashed potatoes are as delicious as you'll find. The fingerling potatoes were ok. The carrots were terrible. They were rock hard and didn't appear cooked at all. Fore Street is known for their desserts. We ordered the chocolate torte with chocolate ice cream and the lemon cake. The torte arrived on a plate with "Happy Birthday" written in icing, another thoughtful touch. It was very, very rich. So was the ice cream. Too rich for me. The lemon cake and lemon ice cream were perfection. The total bill of 3 drinks, 3 entrees, 2 salads, 3 sides and 2 desserts was $230 after tip. The service felt a little rushed. The quiet server brought the bill quickly and unsolicited, not giving us the option to linger. The whole experience from walking in to leaving was barely over an hour. Overall, I had a great birthday dinner. It's a very good pick for tourists and solid for special occasions. The menu has far more variety than Street and Company. But the steep prices, rushed service and a few food misses keep it from being the very best in my opinion. It's still the original and top notch, and it's definitely worth a visit.

    (4)

  • Valerie N.

    After doing plenty of research on where to dine on our one night out in Portland, I finally settled on Fore Street. I made my OpenTable booking during the requisite time in advance. We came on a Saturday night in September and were seated in the main dining room on an upper level. Our waitress was attentive and quickly returned with cocktails for us. We ordered razor clams for our appetizer to share, which were flavored great but super sandy. We ordered fish as a main, but I really can't recall the dish. Everything was good, but nothing knock-my-socks-off memorable as I was expecting (unlike the salted dark chocolate donut across the street at Holy Donut - that I remember! Yum!)... I will note that we had a pitcher of water spilt on us, but the staff quickly remedied the situation and even gave us a box of chocolates to make it up to us. Very classy move! Service was really great!

    (4)

  • Genna P.

    Honestly it was good but not stellar. Of course good is still fine. We came ahead of our reservation and enjoy some drinks in the lounge then headed to our table later. Because the kitchen is open you have mostly a great view to the action but also very warm. Come in layers if you can. We enjoyed the calamari - which I do recommend - to start off with. The menu is fresh every night but this seems to be a staple. I ordered the monkfish and while it was prepared fresh and light, other dishes looked more appealing later on. The garlic mashed potatoes were season well and the service was good. I will certainly return but ask the server for recommendations next time. The wine list was very well done. For the price it was slightly lacking. Also I left smelling like a camp fire due to the open kitchen.

    (4)

  • Hannah S.

    Must try! We didn't have a reservation but got on the walk in list and were seated within 15 minutes! Great ambience, great food, great drinks.

    (5)

  • Adam S.

    The perfect restaurant. Service was amazing. The space was amazing. But most of all, the food was beyond compare. Grilled calamari. Halibut. Hanger steak. All incredible.

    (5)

  • Kelsey K.

    Cozy atmosphere, the place is beautiful and I wanted to sit in there forever! Just stopped in for a glass of wine and some appetizers before dinner. Our server(we sat at the bar) put on this embarrassing show of disappointment when we ordered only wine, oysters, and salads. The salads were great-seasonal and full of flavor, and the oysters were the freshest I've had! I'd give 4-5 stars I'd it weren't for the disinterested waitstaff-seemed pervasive to all the servers, not only ours. I wanted to order the grilled octopus after seeing the guy next to me get it, but I couldn't bring myself to ask the server. I wanted out!!

    (3)

  • Matt W.

    Amazing meal!!! The wait staff are friendly and their pork loin was one of the best I have had. Well worth the wait if you didn't make reservations.

    (5)

  • Victoria E.

    You show up at 4:40 and you are not even the first one in line for a walk in dinner that will starts at 6. But once you are on the list, head over to the lounge area and be like every other fabulous person in the room, thinking, "thank goodness I got in." My friend T just left the bay area and arrived in New York. I asked where to eat and he sent me here. Charcuterie - fabulous with house cured sausage and duck, plus foie gras which is well, not available in California since it was banned. Onto the chilled seafood appetizer, a bit like sashimi arrangement with tuna, lobster, scallops and mussels. Such dish would cost half a day of your salary back in the West Coast, not so much here. Onto the mains. Chicken with mash, halibut baked with crust, hake with potatoes and onions. Hake! I had never heard of one such fish, having grown up in the West Coast. It's apparently a white fish, mild in flavor but delicious and flaky. It must have been THE restaurant for Portland, ME. It's amazingly crowded and definitely a crowd pleaser. One thing that the West Coast restaurants have done away was serving abundant basket of bread. Here they kept on filling the basket up with house made bread. Very delicious and tempting for those of us who are more carbs conscious. Side dish of mash potatoes came in a baked skillet and super crunchy. I get why this is popular. It's good and consistent with great service. I would like to try their duck and steak next, but alas, I'm a West Coaster and any sort of Maine seafood would take priorities over any land creatures. Certainly worth trekking here. And yes return hastily if you could.

    (4)

  • Jinyoung S.

    I and my husband had 2 days off and decided to come to Portland from our home Boston. And this restaurant is the one that made us feel so excited. We started with cocktails and beers. And we had charcuterie, grilled squid and pork belly, chicken liver for appetizers. Everything was really great but the pork belly and polenta was bit salty for us. My husband's favorite was charcuterie, and Mine was chicken liver. And we had halibut and pork loin with 2 sides (fingerling potatoes and chard) halibut goes well with beets and fingerling was so delicious. And our waitstaff has knowledge about food and restaurant a lot, so very helpful and kind. He told us that everybody in the kitchen comes with the menu daily. So menu changes really often. Isn't that really cool?? I would definitely want to come again here!! We made reservation for 8:45pm and the restaurant closes at 10:00 so we can't have dessert but Next time I would love to have one for sure :) thank you, Fore st. We had great experience here.

    (4)

  • Chris S.

    Made reservations 3 weeks in advance (by calling the restaurant) and were so happy we did so. This restaurant is a must!! The food was amazing. Had the salmon and a pork neck steak and vinegar potatoes, we split everything and it was cooked to perfection. The staff is great and the open kitchen is so cool to watch. The atmosphere is comfortable, restaurant located in a great location. Simply put, one of the best restaurants we have ever been to (expect it to be pricey but its worth it)

    (5)

  • Sarah H.

    Yikes - i can see I'm writing a dissenting opinion here. I am pretty conflicted about placing this review because, reading all the raves and also realizing Fore Street's broader reputation as being sterling, I'm questioning my own judgment! Unfortunately I cannot deny that I've had three experiences here now that have all varied between just ok and somewhat bad. At best, I find this place forgettable. My qualms: - It is so dark it is hard to read the menu. I love an intimate setting but it shouldn't be necessary to shroud everything in darkness. - Very little available for a vegetarian. Thankfully I am pescetarian so the seafood options opened it up a bit for me, but if you are a straight veggie you should look elsewhere. - I made a bad choice in selecting a seafood dish that was the whole fish; a server (not our main server, but the one who brought the food) helped me tremendously by removing many of the bones, but I still found the fish unpleasant to eat with a fine bone in literally every single bite. I just don't get how you can enjoy a meal when you are continually pulling the inedible bits out of your mouth. I do realize this isn't necessarily indicative of the restaurant itself. - A la carte sides just didn't impress....at all. Potatoes were dry and flavorless, and other veggies seemed over salted. This is not only the case at a single visit but all the times we've been. - Missing the little touches in terms of service that elevate the experience, which you should be able to expect when you're paying so much. Things like missing silverware, being really slow to refill water, being loud and distracting at the server station, and generally disinterested, like they can't imagine you're having anything other than an AMAZING time. - Expensive - with all the above factors, it was painful to pull out my wallet and pay top dollar for an all-around disappointing meal. I have friends who love it, so I'm bound to be back and hope they actually deliver an experience to match their rep. Overall, my assessment is that this eatery is over-rated, and may now be resting too much on its reputation.

    (2)

  • Mark R.

    We enjoyed several items from their menu tonight. The chilled seafood plate was very enjoyable. The salmon entrée was nice as well. The highlight of our night was the scallop entrée. Perhaps the best scallops I've been ever encountered. Oh, and the chocolate terrine was incredible as well. Service was excellent as well.

    (5)

  • Jason S.

    Overpriced and horrible, insulting service. Avoid and spend your money elsewhere. So many better options. I don't get it at all. Go to Street & Co instead.

    (2)

  • Paul C.

    The muscles are fantastic here probably the best that I've ever had anywhere. The service is always on cue and the people are very friendly. The rest of the food menu here doesn't really impressed me much other then the flank steak. The baked fish that we had was bland and half duck was uneventful. Way better duck Peking style at veranda or Hong Kong market at 10 times less! Been here 3 times and it has always disappointed. Always wish I would get a phenomenal meal here for the money that I'm paying but every time it seems like I'm getting a mediocre meal for top NYC prices....

    (3)

  • Brock F.

    The bar/lounge area and restrooms are getting a bit grubby, but we come for the food and service which never disappoints.

    (4)

  • Damien G.

    What can I say. Not much actually. We were looking forward to it since we tried to stop in last time we were in Portland (we visit quite often) but there was no room. The wine was excellent, a half bottle of billecart rose and a bottle of bandol, which were both great. The service was friendly although we poured our wine the entire meal. Not a huge deal, but when you're paying $300.00+ for dinner, it's the little touches that elevate from good to great. Also, being sat by the station where servers are slamming the drawers everytime they get silverware doesn't add to the ambiance either. Now then. We had booked for 9.15 on a Monady evening, which was all they had. I asked that if anything came up earlier, we'd love to come earlier. They didn't, I guess, so we went at 9.15. When we arrived at 9pm, the place was 3/4 empty. So it seemed surprising that they had nothing earlier, but whatever. The food is where it really went down hill. As starters, we had a salad with turnips, squash and mixed leaves. Perhaps the produce was freshly picked by a farmer that they knew, that morning, but it was completely uninspiring. Murky flavours and no textural contrast and overall quite dull. There was a tagliatelle with oyster mushrooms, cream and butter which was good, and actually the best thing we ate. Foie gras next as a mid course. We were looking forward to it, the waiter gave it a great spiel but it was so disjointed it bordered on laughable! The liver was seared but cold (if that's how it's served, my bad) on a bed of cranberries that looked like it came from a can and should accompany the thanksgiving turkey. The foie itself was very gelatinous and didn't have the lovely creamy texture that one might expect. There was a stack of carrots on a bed of frisee aside it which didn't make much sense. Since they sold out of all the delicious sounding entrees (I guess that's what happens when you can only get a 9.15), we went with fish. Monkfish for the lady which was very overcooked and had a rubbery texture. I don't remember what came with it, but it wasn't memorable. Wolfish for me on the server's recommendation which was well cooked but it came with mushy roasted squash, something else bitter and a giant pile of julienned radicchio. The fish was very delicate in flavour, so I scraped the bitter raddichio off and ate the fish. Very disappointing. The server had checked in about the food, but at that point we were a table of 2 sitting in a near empty room with a party of 8 so we really couldn't be bothered. Maybe it was our fault? Maybe we ordered all the misses on the menu. I don't know. I see a bunch of excellent reviews and maybe we did just get a bad night. But I do know there are a bunch of great options in Portland like PJ, 555, Hugos, sur lie etc where the food is mind blowing. The food here was meh at best.

    (1)

  • Chris C.

    Fore Street is the best restaurant in Portland, and that is saying a lot given the food scene in this great little city! I have been here quite a few times over the years, well before Yelp, so about time a pit a review out there! I had their classic signature dish of the roasted pork loin tonight. Simple and solid blend of comfort food and fine cooking, roasted in the open wood burning oven. Fore Street is a must go to spot for the local or traveling foodie!

    (5)

  • Margaret B.

    Great ambiance and really good food. Had mashed potatoes, asparagus, and a delicious fettuccine dish. Would come again.

    (4)

  • Jen S.

    I was torn between giving 4 stars, but given the price of the bill for 3 people without drinks, I would have expected a bit better service and quality of the main entrees. Ambience and atmosphere of Fore Street is definitely a 5. Everything was cute about the restaurant. You can spot their fresh produce and breads right up front (the bread by the way is amazing). The kitchen is right out in the open and it smells delicious in there. The service is friendly too, and we were merrily on our way to ordering the best mussels I've ever had. They were so good. The garlic almond butter sauce was so great that we kept dipping our bread in the sauce over and over again. We were spooning the sauce. If we hadn't ordered an entree each, we would probably have asked for a second basket of bread to drain the rest of the sauce. The waitress even offered to put it in a cup for us to drink; it was that good. The mussels appetizer by itself would have warranted a 6 star review. But our high expectations were soured by the entrees. While the lamb was cooked perfectly, it was overly salted and the risotto with it was also too salty. My hanger steak was also cooked perfectly medium rare, but was unimpressive in taste while the vegetables were so salty, I couldn't handle it. The Peking duck was probably the best well balanced dish but still a bit too salty. The portions are large though, so 3 people could easily share 2 appetizers and an entree. We packed our food since it was too salty to finish and enjoyed washing our meal down with the creative pudding cake dessert. Service is a bit slow here, so you have to be comfortable asking other waiters or waitresses for things you might need. They're all really nice, but if we weren't proactive, we could've been waiting quite a while for our waitress to notice us trying to flag her down. All in all, still a great experience, and it would have been a 5 if the entrees were $15 less each for what we had... or if we knew to ask them to hold the salt. I would definitely give it a second try!

    (3)

  • Joe Y.

    An excellent choice for locals or visitors that have a reservation. If you show up around 5pm you can get your name on the list and be seated by 7pm if you dont have a reservation. I had the a whole bass meal and the server filleted it right at the table. Overall I was happy with the service and the ambience. Just make sure you dont mind a wait or have a reservation.

    (4)

  • Sara T.

    Oooh Fore Street :-/ I was so excited to try you! Flew up from Baltimore, checked in and ran over. Was greeted with a 30 minute wait...at the bar...by myself...on a Wednesday. I'm sure your food is amazing, but I've eaten at AMAZING restaurants in NYC and haven't faced a 30 minute wait at the bar. It's Portland...MAINE. Reality check.

    (2)

  • Lulu T.

    Seafood Platter, with tuna sashimi, smoked salmon, scallop ceviche, smoked ģ grilled mussels. Good to the last piece of pickled radish. Everything was very fresh. Atlantic Sea Scallops, perfectly seared. Accompanied by beets and fennel. Wasn't too sure about the beets but the more I ate, the more I liked it and wanted more. Hanger Steak, cooked to perfecting with this amazing sauce and onion pearls. Green Beans with Yogurt Dull Sauce, crisp french beans. Under seasoned. We added salt and pepper at the table. Maine Blueberry Crisp, think pie in a jar. Awesome. Lemon Cheesecake, light and flavorful. Awesome. Great atmosphere for a romantic evening out :) Attentive staff.

    (4)

  • Jason G.

    Fore Street was a great culinary experience, with excellent service, and a great atmosphere. We showed up at 4:40pm, after hearing about the line for walk-in tables. Four parties were there ahead of us, sitting in the waiting area. I felt pretty good at this point that we were going to get in. (FYI this was a Sunday night, so it may be easier than getting a table on a Friday or Saturday night). As we waited for them to open the doors at 5pm and begin taking walk-in reservations, the line grew and grew and grew. So, I guess my message is get there early. We got in on one of the 5:30 walk-in tables. Now, you might be thinking that's kind of early for dinner, but it really isn't at this place. Simply because they have a daily special, in this case it was lobster fresh out of the bay across the street, and by 6:00 it was gone. So, earlier rather than later is probably best if you want to try the freshest thing on the menu. The walk-in reservations start at 5pm with the first tables being sat at 5:30 when the dining room opens, but you're welcome to hang out in the bar area before then. If you head out to walk around Old Port you have to be back 5 minutes before your reservation time. One we got sat, we had a great window table in the back room with a view of the ferries, the water and Commercial Street. We had a very friendly and excellent waiter, and he was able to give us some tips on the menu. To start my Wife had the Maine Greens Salad, it was light an refreshing. I went with the Tomato Tart which was fresh goat cheese, warm fresh tomato on top of a butter pastry - it was delicious. They also give you some bread which comes straight up from the Standard Baking Co. downstairs. Entree wise my Wife went with the Duck Two Ways. It was a large portion, and it featured the leg and duck breast. The duck breast was great, very flavorful, almost had a bacon type taste. I had the Lobster Special. It was taken out of the shell, served with onions, mushrooms and a corn pudding. The lobster melted in your mouth. For dessert we went with the dark chocolate torte. It came along with some coffee ice cream, and as with everything else was great. So, go here, but don't despair if you cannot get a reservation. Just make sure to line up early enough to get a table.

    (5)

  • Eduard G.

    We came here for our Anniversary on a Saturday night. Very busy place so a reservation is needed. Very nice and attentive staff. The wood stove creates a very inviting atmosphere. I had the squid appetizer. It was excellent and so was the Lamb dish. A must come again destination!

    (5)

  • Ted K.

    Hands down the best restaurant in Portland. Which says a lot since Portland is a food Mecca. Farm to table raised to the power of infinity. Great bar atmosphere, super wine list, local Maine beers, cocktails to appease anyone's hankerin'. Fun kitchen to observe what Sam Hayward has imparted on this fine foodie scene. Pay the bucks and go to Fore. It's entirely worth it.

    (5)

  • LeighAnne T.

    Pretty damn good. Awesome waiter who would chat with us when we wanted to pry him for information and would leave us alone when we wanted to talk about the intracacies of life amongst ourselves. The food was wonderful. I mean Portland is full of incredible and creative chefs, and I haven't sampled very many, so I wouldn't be so ignorant to say that the menu was better than any other but I don't doubt that Fore Street keeps up. Just go, enjoy the atmosphere, be with people you love and the food will innevitably taste great.

    (5)

  • Erik D.

    First order of business...make a reservation weeks, even more, in advance if you're looking for a Friday or Saturday (even Sunday) night dinner. It's great for parties of 4-6 or an intimate dinner of 2. Save up because it can get particularly pricey if you want to treat yourself. If you go ALL out, like we did (wine, apps, entree, etc) you're looking between $150-175. Its probably easy to have a cheaper meal if you get a glass of wine and a meal leaving out all the other stuff. The ambiance is killer - very rustic, down home, coast of Maine...but in a very classy way. Classy in Maine is different than classy in a place like Boston (not a knock to Maine, it's actually the thing I love most about a city like Portland). Men can wear jeans, sweater/button down...probably even shorts in the summer. First you get a bread basket with amazing fresh baked bread (I believe it's from the bakery downstairs from the restaraunt). Don't eat too much, limit yourself to 1 or 2 pieces. We started off with some oyster appetizers that were local within the state. They were fresh, came with a wonderful brine, and slid perfectly off the shell. We started with glasses of white to compliment and it couldn't have been tastier. Then for entrees we ordered the steak and lamb. The menu changes DAILY so you know it's fresh and local. My lamb was amazing - steak was cooked perfectly. I cannot remember the sides (since I'm writing this a couple of weeks after the fact) but trust me...nothing you get will taste bad. We also got a side of the carrots that were cooked in some kind of maple, I believe? They weren't mushy, had a nice crunch to them and tasted like they came right from the area. We did skip dessert since were were eying out a frozen yogurt shop earlier. The service was attentive and simple. If you're looking for a very nice dinner with amazing food, and have the opportunity to splurge, call and make a reservation (or do open table) well in advance.

    (4)

  • Nina W.

    We only had appetizers because the place was obnoxiously full to capacity for the night. The host was kind enough to tell me that she was about to collect the bill for a table in the lounge area so my parents and I were able to sit on comfy sofa like chairs. We just decided to order a bunch of small plates as the lounge area is limited to a certain menu. LUCKILY the items are mini entrees: -Mussels -Raw fish sampler (smoked mussels, scallops, tuna sashimi) -Squid salad was ok - too rubbery though. More of a char on it would have helped that, but good flavors -The bread they offer is pretty good also. Hope this helps give a better idea of the lounge experience.

    (3)

  • Buford T. J.

    Really good restaurant with nice selection. The pork was really nice. It is a place I will stop whenever I am in town.

    (4)

  • Lauren M.

    Food was fantastic but service was just average. We went to Fore Street for my sister's 21st birthday dinner. We had heard fabulous things about this place and were expecting it. The menu and food meet and exceeded our expectations but the service did not. We made reservations about a week in advance on OpenTable and the one time left on Saturday night was 530pm so make your reservations as soon as you can (I believe they open up two months in advance). The wine and beer list is very good. We ordered the quail appetizer and blueberry corn salad to start. Delicious! I could've eaten four more of those yummy little quails for dinner and been satisfied. The salad of rocket, wild blueberries, sweet corn, and aged chedder was also delicious. I have the scallops for my entree. Awesome! The scallops were cooked perfectly, melt-in-your-mouth! Everyone else at the table also thoroughly enjoyed their entrees. The only down fall was the service. The server was not on top of her game. Forgot to bring small plates for sharing the appetizers. Took forever to come back to take our dessert order, so we decided to skip it. All in all, we spent about $60 per person. I would definitely go back, and may be they can earn that 5 star review from me.

    (4)

  • Sean M.

    This was literally the best meal of my life. First off, MJ is an amazing server. A great cocktail list is a must, luckily they have one. Making a decision on what to order is extremely tough. We chose the mussels and pork belly to start. Both were perfect. For our main course, haddock and lobster. Perfect as well. Desert was amazing as well. You simply cannot go wrong here.

    (5)

  • Chewie L.

    This place is AMAZING. I love the decor, I love the open kitchen, I love, love, love the food. From the beginning, their bread is amazing and I'm a fan that it comes with butter as well as salt and pepper in bowls for you to sprinkle on your own. Portions are great, service is fantastic. I yearned for months on end for their wood-grilled rib-eye, so tender and flavorful. The grilled whole-fish is also quite good, the skin crispy and super tasty. The price is also really, really reasonable for the quality and quantity. One of my favorite steaks of all time, one of my favorite restaurant overall. Will come and come again.

    (5)

  • Matt M.

    Outstanding. Easily the best meal in Portland, and maybe even Maine. Fresh and local, cooked to perfection. Great ambiance. Go here - it is well worth it.

    (5)

  • Bill C.

    This is one of the best restaurant in Portland. Serious food without the snobbishness. The wood oven and open kitchen are delightful especially on a cold Maine evening. My only bone to pick is that for an establishment takes their craft so seriously, the bar is unexceptional. First time there ordering a Manhattan they mixed it with Canadian Club (and no bitters)

    (4)

  • Dana F.

    Not impressed. Everyone raved about this restaurant so my boyfriend and I went last year, honestly, won't be returning this year. Food did not live up to the hype. Atmosphere was fine. Can definitely be skipped.

    (2)

  • Neir E.

    We're serious foodies, and we were blown away by Fore Street. We got a lovely table overlooking the wood-burning stove, and the night just got better from there. The salad with brussel sprouts, squash, and turnips was fantastic, but the crab and squash bique was even better. I don't remember the last time I enjoyed a soup so much. For the main courses, we got a big beautiful pork loin and half a roasted duck with cider-roasted apples that were to die for. Finally came the caramel-black pepper sourdough bread pudding. Yummy! The drinks were also great (don't miss the grapefruit crystallized ginger cocktail), and the service impeccable. We couldn't finish our entrees, so we asked them to pack the food up for us. Before we turned around, the box was already filled and on the table. Bravo! Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • David R.

    Probably one of my top 10 restaurants. I am sure there are places that have better food and a fancier experience, but for my tastes this place is near perfection. I really like the open kitchen design and feel for the interior of the restaurant. They also featured local ingredients and our server had great recommendations. I thought the food was prepared well and had great flavor. I would highly recommend this place to others. In fact, I almost drove from Boston with my wife just to eat here again on a recent visit.

    (5)

  • J W.

    Came here two consecutive nights in a row while I was in town. This place is great! The bread was fantastic! I heard it was from the bakery in the same building. First night, had an apple and turnip soup for starters and the lamb-3 ways for an entree. Most tender lamb I've ever had. The next night i had the strozzipretzi(sp?). It was basically the best mac and cheese dish I've ever had. Then I had the hangar steak. This is also the best hangar steak I've ever had and it was better than the lamb from the night before.

    (4)

  • Faylinda K.

    My, my, my - this was great. Beautifully presented, fresh ingredients and a well-informed waitstaff to offer guidance. Having the open kitchen turned the night into dinner and a movie. Husband and I were mesmerized by the activity in the kitchen along with the flaring 1000 degree open oven. (Don't forget to go outside and down the stairs. Underneath is Standard Bakery, everythng is delicious but we particularly enjoyed the olive rolls.)

    (5)

  • D T.

    the open kitchen and exposed beams will remind you of a rustic, cozy cabin in the mountains. the menu changes every night, but if it is any bit as good as the one last week you will have a great meal here. our very friendly waiter advised us not to order too much, so we stuck with the appetizers and salads, which kept things reasonable...the food -- crusty bread and fresh butter, roasted fiddleheads (!), mussels roasted in the wood oven, a Mediterranean cous cous salad, fresh crab-meat atop chilled asparagus with a quail egg -- was pure bliss (as was the dessert, delicious chocolate torte).

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    Decent food.. maybe little overpriced for the quality... and so-so desert. But this place does have a great variety of fish that are not often available at many other places in portland (to my surprise).

    (3)

  • Candi S.

    i have been to this restaurant times and both times were disappointments. this last time was by far the worst! being a small business owner myself, i understand that some days can be bad days, etc. but really fore street? our server was terrible and really ruined the night for us. things started out promising, she welcomed us and took our order but. when our starters came, we were missing a dish my husband had ordered, and when we pointed that out to her and tried to re-order it, she argued with us that we did not order that dish and then walked away, so my husband just gave up and did not get a starter. the starters were delicious, crab bisque and quail. and mussels. 7 of the mussels (practically half the dish) unfortunately were d.o.a. which happens but really is unacceptable; and though we did not want to complain to our waitress who was at that point ignoring us, we all thought it was odd when she asked us if we were still working on the pile of dead mussels floating in the broth when she finally came to clear our table as the entrees were being brought out. we ordered lots of food and in between our salads and entrees we sat unattended to for over 45 minutes. during that time we finished our bottle of wine, all of the water at the table and beer; our waitress literally ignored us. we had intended on ordering another bottle of wine and round of beer but never had a chance to. the entrees were not that great. fish and pork and chicken all served cold, including the accoutrements. we chalked it up to having something to do with the long wait in between the salads and entrees (about an hour). our waitress then disappeared entirely and someone else brought us our check. i'm giving it 2 stars because the desserts were amazingly delicious! wonderful presentation...apple crisp, bread pudding...so amazing. overall our dinner was about $450.00, and we would have loved to have spent more and had wine and drinks throughout dinner had we had a server.. we decided next time we will go somewhere else though... we did tip 20% though to try to encourage better service for other people.

    (2)

  • Mary H.

    Excellent dinner, very pleasant helpful staff. Walked in around 4:30 and asked for reservations for 7:45 - no problems. Place was hoppin' when we got there for our dinner. The waitress helped with my wine selection, none of that wine snootiness you sometimes get, just honest info. Salads were as fresh as you can get, I had the mixed greens and the dressing was just noticeable, really let the greens come through. Bread was great quality. I had flounder with mashed parsnips, husband had grilled duck confit with duck breast. Mine was very good, not too fancy, but that's what I was aiming for. The husband's was outstanding! Again, when he wanted a suggestion for wine, the waitress helped him out with honest discussion. I wished I had more parsnips with my flounder, it was really more of sauce than anything like a helping. Husband and I shared the lemon pie dessert - there wasn't anything wrong with it, but I didn't enjoy it - I'm definitely more of a creme brulee, chocolate cake type. All in all, excellent food - a bit pricey, so be prepared!

    (4)

  • Mandy H.

    Fore Street is quite delicious. The ambiance is cozy and comfortable without being too laidback or sloppy , spare without being boring or unimaginative ( check out the chandeliers with real votives--even Prince would be proud!). The whole place gives off a feeling of warmth, as if you are having dinner in a giant brick fireplace-an especially appealing feeling when looking out onto the chilly November streets. I dug the accessible views of the chefs and prep area as well as the "greenhouse" area where the veggies were stored, sauna-like. Boyfriend and I tried the squash soup ( sweet-but very, very good), the crab salad ( a little small for two people to share, be warned), and the chicken livers as appetizers. Now I know you are thinkin: "God, Mandy, chicken livers? Blech!" But served in a cherry sauce with fennel, they were DAMN good. Boyfriend also got the sardines as an appetizer, but I try not to eat things that still have faces (he made me try a teensy bit---they *were* good, in a "I-still-have-a-face" kinda way, but that's my personal hangup so, oh well) For our entree we got the Butler Steak. Hot damn. What a great experience, so tender that if you merely touched it with your fork , there were indentations. It's served on a bed of barley which was also nice and unexpected. Finally for dessert we had the toffee pudding, which nearly brought tears to my eyes. Heavenly. It is served with a mug of hot chocolate. This is not Swiss Miss powered garbage. This is the genuine article.Chocolat Chaud. It's like drinking a melted Hershey's bar. Our waiter was nice and attentive. He also presented himself in a very professional manner, which made the important distinction between salesman and server--I felt like I was at Bloomingdales being presented with fabulous jewelry to try on rather than at a restaurant. Also: Oh my, The Bread. Oh me, The Butter. Please indulge and ask for more as your meal progresses. I will never have bread that good again.

    (4)

  • A. K.

    Delicious bread. Cocktail was a bit small. Excellent apple and endive salad--a large portion. Rabbit was delicious as was the hake. Excellent service. Loved the warm squash. Enjoyed the artic char cold appetizer. Only real complaint was that the restaurant was way too warm. We will be back. Excellent cappucino (sp).

    (4)

  • James R.

    Close to New Years and decide to visit Portland,we needed a martini and decided to visit Fore St. We started out with sweet breads and grilled mussels. The sweet breads were prepared with care and the mussels were grilled perfectly. The bar was a nice place to be and the service was great. We decided to order the rabbit livers with risotto, which was a nice ending to our night. The bar service was excellent.

    (4)

  • Deb C.

    Dinner at Fore Street is without a doubt - excellent! Great choices on the menu, food and wine. Staff is efficient and really pleasant. I highly recommend Fore Street!

    (5)

  • Joanna F.

    I have to say, when I read my first review before going back to Fore Street, I wasn't sure if it was going to be as good as I originally thought. I didn't know how it could be. But my original review was right. From start to finish, the meal was fantastic. Absolutely everything I ate was not just good... It was outstanding. The appetizers and dessert may have been the stars of our meal (with the entree being a close second). We got the chilled seafood platter and the veal sweetmeats and rabbit livers as appetizers. All of the food sounded a little funky but it was some of the best stuff I've ever eaten. Seriously. The service was spectacular also, as usual. Our waitress was so informative about all of our questions and even described in detail to me what bluefish was when I ordered. I guess to some people it's overwhelmingly fishy, but it was delicious. I'll be back every time I come to Portland from now on.

    (5)

  • Katkat N.

    Simply among the best meals I've ever had in my life. Yes, it's THAT good. My boyfriend and I were in Portland for one day, and my friend recommended this place to me. The menu changes daily based on what's fresh and in season, so that's a huge plus. Everything that we ordered was amazing: - Freshly made bread - among the most memorable breads I've ever had. That's saying a lot because I've traveled to France several times. Baked by the adjoining bakery, the bread has the perfect balance of airiness and chewiness. These go perfectly with the mussels! - Mussels - this is one of the few menu items that doesn't change, and it's so good that I could eat these every day of my life. The wood oven that they are roasted in at a tremendously high heat gives the dish a great flavor, and is complemented by the garlic and white wine. - Exotic mushroom salad and arugula - at least 3 different mushroom types, arugula, and a few other ingredients - dressed in the right amount of sherry vinaigrette. It's amazing how a few simple fresh ingredients can make a salad so heavenly. I'm so used to tossing everything under the kitchen sink into my homemade salads, but my experience here changed that. - Whole black sea bass in brown butter sauce - YUM! Because of the cast iron skillet it's prepared in, the skin is just crispy and divine. The brown butter sauce lends a great richness to the dish. -Roasted cauliflower - seriously, the best roasted veggies evah! Deep caramelization with onions, served in a small cast iron skillet. -Dark chocolate torte with berry ice cream - the chocolate is oh-so rich and divine, and the ice cream is a must-have to add balance and lighten the taste on your palate The next time we return to Portland, we will definitely come back! It's very rare when every item I've eaten is this sublime and delicious. Truly among the top meals of my life!

    (5)

  • Cassie M.

    I came here on a recommendation. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be returning. The menu was a little lackluster-there wasn't a lot of variety. We decided to order a couple appetizers and some wine instead. The muscles were good but nothing amazing and the soft crab was okay. I was pretty neutral at this point...then our check came. I had ordered two glasses of pinot grigio but was overcharged (for a different wine) on one of the glasses. No big deal-I pointed it out the the waiter and the the waiter argued with me, stating that I had ordered two different wines. What?? He offered to get a manager. Really? It was only a few dollars difference and I figured it was a just simple mistake. I told him it was fine and paid the bill and left. Will not be returning or recommending this restaurant.

    (2)

  • Lynda M.

    Dined here last night, and it was very good. Our server, Lance, was outstanding. They serve the freshest ingredients, and our food was superb. I had the seafood stew, and my fiance the hanger steak. Nice atmosphere with exposed brick and an open feel. Nice wine list. I took off a star because they ran out of too many of the entrees (of course one was what my fiance wanted). C'mon, it was a busy Saturday night, you should have planned a bit better!

    (4)

  • laney d.

    based on multiple visits over the past few years...standouts include --amazing roast chicken, lamb,mussels and offal! plus the service is exceptional! my only wish is that it would be a little less pricey.

    (5)

  • samuel c.

    Pretty much the best restaurant in Maine. I came here 4 times during my recent work trip. It was both wonderful and right down the street from my hotel. They have a certain number of walk-ins every night, but try to reserve or go early to be safe! Fabulous staff, timely services, and the food is absolutely wonderful. The menu changes every day - so it is hard to remember exactly what was in each dish. But the wood fire oven produces some of the best flavor I have tasted among all seafood/meat serving establishment. The Foie Gras small dish they prepared was one of the very best. I made a point to try out a roasted fish - strip bass with a broth - and a meat, their signature pork chop. Both were packed with flavor - the pork was intense and the bass more subtle. The open kitchen was very interesting and gives the place a homey vibe. The mushrooms salad was also a great creation - just the right balance of ingredients. I had the sorbets - they are handcrafted and great blend of fruits and herbs. great for special occasion, larger groups, romantic dinner or just even eat at the bar. Can't say enough good things about the place!

    (5)

  • Jeff F.

    Of all the places I ate at on this first journey to Portland, Fore Street is at the top of the list for a return visit: -M.J. is in a class unto herself in terms of being a great server - Awesome -the menu blows away most of what you find at top-rated restaurants in Portland and in New England (for the most part) -I'm a sucker for Sardines and the fact that they offered Oven Roasted Sardines from the Home Land with beets and duck fat fried croutons already put them on a pedestal in my book -The Oysters were great since there were none of the usual suspects: Nonesuch River, Mill Cove and Muscongus Bay (the last two here being the most memorable) -Incredible selection of cheeses: we sampled four and for me the Hahn's End Golden Ridge was spectacular - do it. My only regret was this was the 3rd stop on our 2 man roaming dinner/drinking tour of Portland. Had it been the 1st stop, we would have never left. I need to get back here and have a proper full meal. Returned August 2014 and food was still amazing. Note to self: no changing tables

    (5)

  • Enzo S.

    Great across the board, unique menu. Salads overdressed

    (4)

  • James B.

    Fore Street was really tasty, right next my hotel, Old Port Portland is really nice to walk around. Really enjoyed dinner, the service was great, the price wasn't outrageous (though I guess this is Portland and not NYC). All around solid experience!

    (4)

  • Joel S.

    We went back to Fore Street and everything clicked. The space is still gorgeous and the service is still excellent. All of the food that we ordered was right on the money. It was all characterized by an intensity and complexity of flavor. There was no deconstruction or molecular gastronomy, which was fine with us. Even a dish as simple as flounder was elevated to something subtle and excellent. I won't bother going over the individual dishes, because the offerings always change. The bottom line is that you are assured of a very good meal here. Depending on the offerings that night and your palate, you have a chance to have a special meal.

    (5)

  • Julia H.

    Definitely a must visit if you are in Portland, Maine. Love the open concept kitchen, that allows you to see what the chefs are doing in the kitchen. My boyfriend and I went there to celebrate his birthday - and they gave us really good seats that we were able to see both the kitchen and the waterfront view - although we were more intrigued with what was going on in the kitchen! We started off with a cold seafood platter and the wood oven mussels. The wood oven mussels is one of two items they keep on their menu all year long. Definitely a must-try! In terms of the cold seafood platter - we could have done without - it was a cross between sashimi and seafood salad (without the greens). Next we had the special of the night, which was Lamb three ways - grilled, pan seared and wood oven baked. Here we were able to try out the three different styles, which was really good. We also shared a Wood Oven Baked Whole Black Bass - which was really tasty and the server came to de-bone most of the fish in front of you. We also tried the Wood Oven Roasted Beets - which was really popular, as we watched the chef make a few of those in the 2.5 hours we were there. At the end of the night, we finished off with the chocolate torte cake with hazelnut brittle ice cream - also a consistent item on the menu. Really rich and definitely meant for sharing - especially after a big meal! Anyone who knows they will be in Portland in advance, definitely needs to make a stop here, but make sure you make reservations! We had to make reservations 3 weeks in advance! And when you get there, make sure you allocate 2.5 hours for the meal, as Fore Street has a relaxing atmosphere, that allows you to take your time to eat. Not to mention that everything on the menu sounds so good that it takes a good 20 mins to decide on what to order! =)

    (4)

  • Kevin D.

    This place was absolutely incredible both In it's service, cuisine, and authentic flair. I actually went in with a 1 year old in a stroller and they couldn't have been more accommodating. We walked in at 5:20 and they actually sat us at about 5:45. From what I hear this is a miracle. The place was filled up both at the bar and restaurant. I loved the open kitchen, it really made you feel like you were in a 5 star chefs rustic kitchen. The menu changes frequently, but we had the pork belly (amazing), pea and mushroom salad (amazing), veal sweetbread (not for non-veal lovers), arctic char (one of the best pieces of fish I've ever had), and fresh goat cheese ravioli which was just marvelously delectable. A white beer and a glass of Champagne, and that meal was a perfect 10. We came up from Boston to spend a night, but id make the drive if I ever wanted to really impress someone. If the restaurant reads this, thanks for making the whole trip worthwhile, you have an incredible staff.

    (5)

  • Scott S.

    Yum Yum Yum Christmas last year with my sister and brother in law. I don't recall eating anything other than cheese but they had the most wonderful selection of champagne. I think the bottle that did us in was the Rose Vueve Clicot Library selection. You only live once! I enjoyed the lounge area. I did go back a couple weeks later and the Hanger steak was excellent, very difficult to find a place that cooks the hanger correctly.

    (4)

  • Eric W.

    A group of 4 we picked up reservations for early Wednesday evening on a Tuesday. I was here about 2yrs ago and it was good as I remember, but this trip was just so so. My martini had 3 olives as I ordered... but with the pits, which gives the vodka no flavor from them. My roasted shitake mushroom and spinach salad was killed by the mustard vinagrette and barely a trace of bacon, and the shitakes tasted as though they were steamed, not roasted. My ribeye (36$ for a 12-14oz off bone cut), was unspectacular. I cook them better on my grill at home. Just flavorless. I ate half and gave the other half to one of our guests for her dog. I ordered my ribeye (which comes on a bed of shitakes and fingerling potatoes) rare and it came that way, but the other two who ordered it went with medium-well, and medium-well to well done, and both came medium rare (and we ordered them based on what the waitress said was their cooking methods), so one sent his back to be cooked more. We had the turnips and carrots for sides. The turnips, just ok. The carrots were barely cooked. My scallop appetizer, which I would normally expect to be 2 or 3 medium to large, came as a saucer of about 15 very small ones in a decent sauce, which weren't bad at all. Our bill for 8 drinks, 3 salads, a soup, 3 ribeyes, swordfish, scallop app, one dessert and a cappucino, came to just short of 300$. Definately NOT worth the price. The menu itself was not all that impressive. The only things out of the ordinary were a quail meal and a Maine lamb tongue. Other than that it was standard meats and fish, pork dishes, etc. With as many choices as there are around town, I'll most assuredly try other places before I ever come here again. We were there about 2hrs so don't come here if you want quick service. On a side note, our waitress was very nice and informative, not rude at all. The dress is casual to dressy. I was in jeans and a polo, but there were some in t-shirts and some in casual dress to suits. The open kitchen is nice, but nothing out of the ordinary for high end restaurants these days. Before you start thinking 'this guy doesn't know good food', note I've been traveling all over the US for the last 4-5yrs and have eaten at everything from the local greasy spoons to more Ruth's Chris, Morton's, and DelMonico's than I can shake a stick at in every major city and many dinky ones you've never heard of. It just didn't impress me at all this go round.. YMMV.

    (2)

  • Robert R.

    Brief update. I returned with friends from Pasadena, CA this month and obtained a 6:00 PM reservation before July 4th weekend at last minute. We sat next to the open kitchen, by the wood burning oven, warm, but nice action. OK, much better service this time, and no yahoos after the meal slamming down Makers' (we did leave before the closing bell). All in all, it redeemed itself on service and the food was excellent on this occasion. I am not increasing my Star count from 3 to 4 just yet, but it was a more pleasant experience this time.

    (3)

  • liz k.

    Must have been an off night, or a busy night that created a less than warm mood in the bar.... but our experience was a not what i would have expected. While waiting for our table, we went to the bar for a drink. The bartender was so focused on those with seats that he gave us a very cold and short message that drinks were only available from waitress. Isn't it common to get a drink from the bar? We just didn't know the game. Food was good. Some dishes better than others. Waitress was wonderful. Hope it was just a bad night.....

    (3)

  • Matt M.

    Easily a Top 20 dining experience in my life, and creeping up on a top 10. If you don't know about this place, you are probably not that into food and can Google the whole 411 on the place. We were in Portland for a bachelor party and did not have reservations. Someone in our group stood in line at the first sign of the doors being open. We snagged a table for 8 at 8:45 PM. TIP - they apparently hold a few tables everynight for walkups. Did I mention we had the captain's table right next to the kitchen? I had a piece of pork that was like the best piece of swine I have ever had. Everything is Ala carte, so we just ordered meat and cocktails. The only slightly bad experience was telling our waiter to surprise us with a shot for the bachelor. They mixed up lawn clippings, dandelions, and dirt...I don't know what is was but it tasted like some herbal remedy your grandmother would give you. Amazing food, great ambiance, and one of the better places you are going to dine at.

    (5)

  • minky m.

    My fiance brought me here for a birthday drinks and appetizers. If you want to skip the wait you can eat at the bar. The oysters were great and the cold meat trio. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting....and the beer is really cheap from the standpoint of someone who lives in nyc. black and tans were only $4.50 if you want to experience this place without the hefty price tag, drinks and appetizers is a good way to go...

    (4)

  • Greg M.

    As soon as I walked in and the smell of the brick oven hit me, I knew I was in for something special. Fore Street is surprisingly intimate for such an open, large space. It looks like remodeled warehouse with dim lighting and warm tones. I got the pork loin and my girlfriend got the duckling. Both were outstanding. They did run out of a few seafood options, but that didn't bother us any because their meat selection was very good. I could go on and on about this place. The food, the atmosphere, the service, but I feel like its been covered in other reviews. One thing I'll add is the value: This is fine dining. Gourmet ranked it the 26th best restaurant in the country. Yet, we got a bottle of wine, two of the best entrees I've ever tasted, two sides, and split an impeccible vanilla creme brulee and the bill came to $100! Incredible. Another place could have gotten away with charging twice that and (wealthy) gourmets wouldn't flinch.

    (5)

  • Jason P.

    We really liked this place. Read the 4 stars as 4.5, as I'll very rarely give 5. Our reservation was late in the evening, so getting a table wasn't too much trouble. Even so, we arrived a bit early, and sat at the bar for a nice glass of Bordeaux. Not a bad by-glass wine, but not outstanding, either. The bartender was very personable, giving us menu copies to peruse while we waited. The hostess was able to snag a table well before our reserved time, and we headed into the dining room... The restaurant itself has a great red-brick industrial feel to it, with the central kitchen/ fire pit reminiscent of engine-room scenes from the Titanic. There is something earthy and primordial to the dim lights in the room occasionally over-flashed by a burst of flame rising from the fire pit to lick tendrils around a huge slab of beef dripping fats from a grate high above the wood pile below. Our waitress was great -- helpful and friendly without being obsequious... And very willing to offer suggestions from the menu, with her own impressions of the food. On to the dinner... First, get the mussels. Unless you blow up like a pink balloon from shellfish, you want to feast your mouth on these semi-divine creatures. These were better than any I had in Paris... a touch of wood smoke giving them just a bit more rich depth than the white wine and garlic and shallot sauce would alone. Second, ask for another serving of the very tasty bread, because you will want to sop up as much of that sauce as you can, including from all the fingerprint ridges of your first-knuckle drenched fingers. Moving onto the entrée... One of the advantages of specializing in local foods is that you can focus on the best of what is available for every season. On the other hand, that also means that veggie choices are a little limited as you head into late November. My girlfriend had the fresh Atlantic Char, which was very simply prepared, but deliciously moist, with the trout-like bold flavor taking center stage. I had the Wild Boar loin chop -- again, simply but perfectly cooked, licked with woody flames, but very moist and perfectly seasoned. Since the entrées come relatively a-la-carte, you'll need to order a side dish, sized to share. We had the butternut squash, which was prepared with a hint of Maine maple syrup (what else), nutmeg and pepper. Not bad, but sweeter than I like. Unfortunately, there wasn't much choice, given the season. All in all, a nice food showing... following their stated goal of not complicating the food, and letting the simple preparation allow the ingredients to shine through. You're not going to get complex layers of complementary (or clashing) flavors that will knock your socks off with their originality... It's not that kind of place. You will get great quality ingredients, simply and well prepared. The biggest surprise came at the end of the meal, however. In Boston, I would have expected a bottom line cresting $150 for a dinner this good. Less wine, we ended up in the $85 range.

    (4)

  • Bill E.

    This is a really cool old building with outstanding food. Sat at the bar and only had a few appetizers, everything was delicious. I would love to return and will do so next time I'm in town.

    (5)

  • Linda B.

    TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTING!! We have been patronizing Fore Street since 1996 and haven't been in a few years...what happened! Server had attitude, salad vinaigrette was bitter and inedible, menu was not exciting (lots of organ meats) old stand by pork loin was reheated from yesterday and served luke warm. And it was expensive! What was once one of the most exciting places for us to dine is off the list and will never again be visited.

    (1)

  • Laura G.

    I was very nervous after a few of the reviews left the impression that the staff was overly pretentious. Wanted a special occassion dinner, so we risked it. SO worth it. The restaurant is very comfortable with exposed brick and wood beams. The smell of the roasted meats were a wonderful welcome on a cold, damp night. Started out with the three selections of chilled meats ($14) : rabbit liver pate, foie gras and quince terrine, and duck rillettes. A lovely way to start the meal. I had the pheasant ($29) for an entree, my companion the rabbit ($27). Both were perfectly cooked and seasoned. Ended dinner with a pumpkin whoopie pie, and a fantastic chocolate desert. Only negatives: although our server was very friendly and helpful, we would have appreciated being checked on a bit more. Also, because we were so full, we inquired about getting a desert "to-go", and were told that the "Pastry chef does not allow that". I am glad we went ahead and had desert there, but didn't appreciate the comment. A simple "we don't do to-go" would have set better with me. From the five stars you can see that the positives outweighed the negatives. Another plus is that we had had an appetizer, two entrees, two deserts, and two beers each for right at $100 bucks. This was one of my "Top 5" meals, and we are already planning our next trip to Portland just to dine at Fore Street again.

    (5)

  • Andrew M.

    Best seafood I have had maybe ever! I grew up in Cape Elizabeth but moved away before I could eat at the finer places in Portland. The menu changes daily and the staff is very knowledgeable. The fresh produce is displayed right as you walk in and the atmosphere of open kitchen is wonderful. It's not cheap but well worth it do your taste buds a favor!

    (5)

  • Amanda G.

    If 4.5 stars were a option, I would give it that. Instead, this is an enthusiastic 4. We didn't have reservations, and the wait was much shorter than we were told... The decor is simple and at home with the rustic feel to the place - the table was unadorned steel and the waitstaff was in jeans. The bread was excellent - I believe from the fantastic Standard Baking Company on the first floor. The menu is very large for this kind of place - tons of choices. However, if you get there late (as we did), be aware that some of the more popular items will be sold out. I got a soup of shiitake mushrooms and corn to start. I thought it would be like corn chowder with some mushrooms - but I was COMPLETELY wrong. It was more like a mushroom broth with some corn, and totally delicious. The husband got a house salad that was exactly as advertised and quite tasty. However, he also ordered the foie gras appetizer, which failed to show up. However, my hangar steak (yum) did, the green beans (with almonds and again yum) did, and his rabbit entree (which he described as markedly different than previously enjoyed braised offerings, and one that could stand alone without a fancy sauce and in my words, yum) did. We got many apologies on the missing appetizer, and if the waitress could have offered self-immolation, I am pretty sure she would have. Instead, we got a comped glass of dessert wine, a gift certificate, and a box of chocolates. The apology was plenty, but the other stuff was certainly appreciated. Besides the food being yummy, the service will ensure our return visit the next time we are in Portland.

    (4)

  • Laurie B.

    4 of us dined here on a Thursday and we were ready for a great meal. Unfortunately, they did not deliver. Highlights were the sardine appetizer and the bread. The foie GRAS was tasty but an exceptionally small slice for the price. The chilled seafood platter at $17 was overpriced and not very exciting, tasting mainly of mustard. For main dishes 2 had the lamb, I had the hake and the other woman the risotto. The risotto was undercooked, the hake was undercooked and the lamb was just ok, and again I need to harp on the portion sizes - the lamb was $38 and no larger than the palm of my hand. I'm no philistine, I'm not looking for huge/gross quantities, but when you leave a restaurant looking for a snack after having spent over $200/couple, well, that's just wrong. Desserts were no better. The bill was atrocious for what we had (3bottles of wine were in the mix as well). Our server was wonderful, ambience was delightful as well. It was just the food that was lacking. And that's why we were there. We love to dine out, we love to experience new places and tastes and we are usually happily entertained. Not so here. Hope they just had an off night.

    (2)

  • J C.

    The James Beard Society has rated Fore Street one of the best restaurants in America and you won't be disappointed. It competed with five others for their outstanding restaurant award characterized as follows: "A restaurant in the United States that serves as a national standard-bearer for consistent quality and excellence in food, atmosphere, and service. Candidates must have been in operation for at least 10 or more consecutive years." Check the awards out here: jbfawards.com/winners.ht… Jean Georges in NYC won the award and Fore Street was one of four runners up. Visit this Portland gem and experience its imaginative daily menu, expertly prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. We go every year when we drive through Portland and look forward to it. Our experience with the wait staff has been consistently great... They are knowledgeable, friendly and just the right mix of attentiveness without being intrusive. Don't miss an opportunity to try this one!

    (5)

  • Jim R.

    We had an excellent meal here last night. Arrived at 830 and put our name in for a seat at the bar seeing that the next table would not be available until 10pm. We were seated at the bar at 9pm and received excellent recommendations from our bartender. We went with the crab meat appetizer along with the peach and goat cheese salad. The crab meat app was served on top of a puff pastry and was the tastiest crab meat I have ever had. The peach salad was light and crisp, perfect on summer night. For our meals, we had the seared scallops (which were cooked perfectly) and the flounder dish. We also had the chard as a side dish. The flounder was heartier than I expected-not flaky as I have had in the past-and it was excellent. The chard was a perfect complement to both dishes. We left full and happy with no room left for dessert feeling that Fore Street is worthy of all the positive reviews.

    (5)

  • jenilee p.

    i feel like i've dreamt about fore street, and just never knew where to find it. a restaurant with flawless rustic fare. casual and attentive service. a setting that puts one at ease, from the first step into the brick building, to the open kitchen, to the copper table tops, to the final "have a good evening." for the record, the scent of apples permeates the entrance of the building, a fine "how do you do", and only gives way to the savory essence of roasting game meats, gracefully wafting to every nook and cranny of the restaurant. it is truly intoxicating. this is exactly what i want out of a restaurant that has been forged in the beautiful state of maine. now fore street doesn't list its menu on its website as it changes very very frequently. but if you are so lucky to grab a reservation, then i advise you to indulge in any one of their local game offerings, and any of the charcuterie items as a sharable appetizer (or not... reluctance to share is a common occurance here). when last at fore street, we happily dug into a plate of three offal items: foie gras stuffed pork trotter, calf's brain and pistachio terrine, and cockscomb terrine. all three were paragons of well-executed uses of offal, and i encourage you to try their more unusual offerings to see how wonderful the nasty bits can be. of the three, the calf's brain terrine was the star, smeared on a piece of crostini with a lovely slice of pickle. crunch + rich texture, and a little sour pickle. my bigger half giggled with delight as his appetizer of roasted quail arrived. crispy skin, and one succulent little bird, picked to the bone. the main courses were as delicious as the appetizers. my roasted rabbit, which i must have spied rolling without hurry on a spit in the hearth, was the best rabbit i've ever had. piercing the skin and the meat gave way to warm juice running onto the plate. and each bite, from the darker meat of the leg to the lighter loin area, had deep flavor and none of that stringy dryness that typically accompanies many game meats. my husband dug into his choice of a wild boar dish. fatty and rich, a pink spit-roasted item with savoy cabbage and apples, it balanced all savory, acidic, and sweet flavors. think of a perfect piece of pork, but with more flavor, a nice crust on the outside, and all the elements to dig into the perfect bite. another wonderful item. for dessert, a chocolate/caramel/espresso cake with a hazelnut creme anglais. bursting at the seams, and basically jousting with the king of sweet tooths, i ate very little of this item. but it was good. i'd compare fore street to restaurants like craigie on main in cambridge or cochon in new orleans. portland is an incredible food city, and i'd make a trip out of it, anchoring your outing with a visit to the lovely restaurant. very rustic, casual, and just overall a welcoming setting, with food cooked like someone really gave a damn.

    (5)

  • Sarah A.

    Great staff, delicious food, great wine, if I can make it back to Portland I would love to come back here!

    (5)

  • Alexander K.

    The place is professional and understated. The sign, 12 inch by 12 inches of iron lettering, is all there is to distinguish it from a run down old brick building getting on out toward the edge of the old port. From the back its a little less unassuming, being about the only place in town with a private lot. Not to mention the glow from inside the massive windows, that look out toward the harbor if not actually over it, calling out to passerbys. Once inside there is little to dissapoint other than the hit or miss nature of getting in without a reservation there. Bet against it if going on a weekend, in fact start thinking about making the reservation the weekend before. I have to admit I like this aspect of it too though, every town needs a restaurant with a wait especially when it is actually worth it. Besides, with a full dining room you might find yourself in the bar/lounge which is intimate and fun and maybe a better option on some nights than the dining room. Take a look at the painting on the wall. Its remarkably strange. Then theres the dining room. Take in the fresh breads laid out, the open prep counter, the solid earthy feel, thick blocks of wood everywhere, beautiful produce that looks as if it were picked from the backyard farm even if the two feet of snow on the ground make you know thats just not possible. I went with a Fore Street Veteran who knew Portland before the days of the generic bank that sits on the corner next to the resaraunt. Together we made some good choices. There was not a lot that didn't look good. For vegetarians there is not a lot as far as entrees go, but the appetizers are thoughtul, interesting and most importantly filling. The shitake, leek, arugala (?) pie was fantastic. The richness of the cheese set off nicely by the greens. Didn't notice the shitakes much and it wasn't untill the last piece that my beautiful associate fingered the mushrooms as the mushy chewy things that both of us kept feeling in our mouths but couldn't quite place taste wise. The service was awesome. You can tell theyve been doing it for a while and they know the food is good. Theres not a whole lot of flash, just a lot of professionalism and confidence. On a whole its a great place. It doesn't need a big sign to draw a crowd, its safe to say its position as a Portland landmark is steady and its got the feel of a classic European restaurant where they have simply mastered the whole dining experience. kit and kaboodle.

    (4)

  • Joe R.

    Just went for my 1 year anniversary. Welcomed with a card on our table saying thank you for coming. The waiter was one the best ever. The ambiance couldn't be better. Everything was looking like we made the best choice. The appetizer came and they were really good but not great. The meal came and they were just ok. We ordered the lamb and the rabbit. Yes, it was cooked to perfection, presentation was great, but the taste just soso. It is sooo hard to cook a perfect meal at that level. I understand. Maybe if everything was $20 I would have been fine with the meal but when you spend $80 per person I want perfection. Some things were perfect. The dessert was the best dessert I have ever had (made at a parent company), I wish the bread was an endless basket (made at a parent company) and the wine (recommended by the waiter). Great experience even though the food did not meet my expectations. I will still recommend this place to out of town guest but I think I am out for the count.

    (4)

  • Chelsea B.

    I am so sad not to get first dibs on this one. I haven't been to the White Barn Inn, so this gets my vote as best meal in Maine (if you don't count my Nana's cooking on the rocks, back shore, Peaks Is.). Bar none, the best place to eat Maine Mussels in the world! Order extra bread just so you can soak up every last bit of broth. I've had to control myself from picking up the bowl and slurping. They will tell you all the ingredients-- it's not substance, but style that makes them magic. They have a special way of cooking the crustaceans that's nearly impossible to replicate at home. In terms of decor. Definitely Maine, definitely it's own thing-- not trying to impress anybody. Very spacious. If you have, you know, visiting dignitaries to entertain, take them here for classy, but authentic flavor. Great business cards too. Too bad the website isn't similarly styled.

    (5)

  • JR J.

    In addition to spectacular food, stellar service and a great wine list, you will be wowed by their AMAZING professionalism. EVERYTHING about this restaurant ROCKS.I'm sure it is EXTREMELY rare when something goes wrong, but the Dining Room Manager is so "in tune" to the operation she aces an issue! She was everywhere she could possibly be..... hostessing, running food and performing table visits. I was totally impressed by the teamwork....... thanks for an amazing meal and a great evening!

    (5)

  • Lynette M.

    This was fabulous. Fabulous service aka Evan Beck our waitress with a boys name. The salmon was simple yet indescribably yummy. The buck breast tasted like a marbled ribeye. The almond butter mussels were divine. The wine was even delish. The dessert was the only mediocre thing we ordered.

    (5)

  • Paige B.

    Why is it that at Fore Street servers look at young adults as unimportant customers? They think we are young, careless, will not care about the specifics of the restaurant menu and will not tip well? As a server one of the first lessons that you learn is that you cannot judge a book by its cover. Yes, the food was good at Fore, but the service was some of the worst I have ever experienced. I couldn't wait to leave. It is frustrating and humiliating when your server turns to you after giving fabulous wine service to the other (older) couple next to you and blurts out "are you ready yet?" She put our beers on the table without a 'you're welcome' and walks away without checking if we have any questions or are even ready to order yet! My boyfriend and I went to Fore for our anniversary, we are both 22 years old and have worked in restaurant since we turned 16. We never leave less than a 20% tip because we know what it's like to make

    (1)

  • Paul W.

    We were a party of 4 on a Sunday night with reservations for 6:30 PM. No problem, we were seated immediately. We had a window seat looking toward the water. My girlfriend and I had the brick oven roasted mussels which were a real treat. I had the spit-roasted pork which was a knock out. The pork dinner was way better than the pork I had a couple of days before at a pretty good Italinan restaurant in North Boston. Our waiter was enthusiastic and knew the menu pretty well. It changes daily. I think there is a bakery downstairs so we had good crusty bread. We rated the dinner as a good experience.

    (5)

  • Jim C.

    Fore Street is located in an unassuming one-story brick building a block from the Casco Bay in downtown Portland. Although there are no water views, the sounds of seagulls permeate the air as you approach the venue. We arrived a few minutes before 5PM on a Saturday to wait in line for the walk-in reservations that the restaurant awards the aficionados. You literally cannot get a reservation unless you book weeks, even months, in advance, we're told by a fellow line mate, so the stand-by ritual is one's only option. Nonetheless, our 15-minute wait is rewarded by a reservation at "around 6:15 PM". Painless, really. So we have an hour to burn, and do so browsing the numerous nearby shops. We arrive back at 6:05, check in with the hostess, and she remembers me: "Jim? Your table will be ready in about 5 minutes. Feel free to have a seat in our lounge (bar), and we'll call you." Sure enough, in 5 minutes, the hostess collects us and brings us to our table for two. So what's all the fuss about? Really, this place is good. A little noisy, a bit rustic, but good. The menu is quite original, consisting of dishes all made from locally bred meats and locally grown produce. They serve wonderfully fresh breads (not sure they bake them on prem, but wouldn't be surprised), and they have a first rate wine list. The waitstaff are knowledgeable and reasonably friendly. My wife had the mixed greens salad and the organic spit-roasted chicken. I had the salad as well, and the hangar steak medium rare. We shared the carrots in ginger butter, served family-style. Everything was cooked to perfection, and nicely if simply presented. That, and the noise factor, were perhaps the only reasons we gave them four rather than five stars. To close the meal we finished with espressos and the chocolate pudding cake with walnuts and coffee ice cream. With tip, the whole rip came to $142, but that did include a couple glasses each of some very good wines. So, yes, highly recommended!

    (4)

  • Michelle C.

    This place did not live up to my expectations. While the ambiance is nice and cozy, the food was bland and portions were small. Way overpriced for what you get.

    (2)

  • C S.

    Maybe everyone who doesn't think fore street is "all that great" should try hitting up one of the lesser establishments in Portland, sayyy Becky's diner? that would probably be more your style. ANYWAYS, the food here was awesome. My boyfriend and I wanted to try the food here since we moved to Portland a few months ago. It's right around the corner from our apartment so we went one weekend night. They didn't have any reservations open but we were seated righted away anyway. The menu changes day to day but this night we had penne with squash and kale as an appetizer, it didn't take us long to scoff that down. I wasn't in the mood for a full chicken or fish dish so I ordered the pizza off of the appetizer menu, this consisted of caramelized onions, squash, and spinach, sooo good. I hadn't eaten a lot so i ordered dessert to go - a peach tart which i finished about 30 minutes after returning home. Oh and the bf had the duck - which he inhaled by the time i finished by third slice of pizza. The best part was the bill, for a "fancy" restaurant it wasn't that expensive, especially compared to some places in Boston. We'll definitely be back again :)

    (4)

  • Chrissy L.

    This is my husband's as well as my favorite restaurant of all time. I would gladly save all my fine dining budget for the year and use it here. We came here for our wedding anniversary last year and went again this year. The service is excellent, unobtrusive, yet helpful. Water glasses were constantly filled. Open kitchen is mesmorizing to watch. The food is out of this world. Everything we've ever had has been perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned. This time around we tried the grilled squid appetizer as well as the quail, had the hake entree and the spit-roasted rabbit entree. Topped it off with their house-made sorbet trio which was just a perfect way to end the meal. We also had their greens side dish. All that for $100! We've spent so much more on subpar meals in larger cities (Boston, NYC, Milan, etc.) and never come out this satisfied in every possible way. Just don't make reservations even harder for us to get :)

    (5)

  • John C.

    Outstanding! Fantastic food and great atmosphere. I was there with a large group and the service was a little slow, but the superb food made up for that. Wonderful desserts as well. Anything you order will be of the highest quality. I was pleasantly surprised to find a restaurant of this quality in Portland, Maine.

    (5)

  • Julie T.

    Really enjoyed dinner here. Made reservations weeks before we arrived in the area for the weekend. Relaxed in the bar area for a drink before dinner, our table was ready and waiting for us. We sat in the back room at a small table next to the window. It was quiet, the atmosphere more rustic than pretentious. Had a great server who actually sprinted to the kitchen area twice to reserve the last portion of two items we ordered. The husband started with mussels, best he has had. I started with a great baby boston biibb salad with fresh peas, pancetta,homemade ricotta and buttermilk dressing- nice and lite, everything so fresh! For dinner, wood grilled scallops and wood grilled striped bass, shared a side of fantastic mashed potatoes. Food was fabulous. great wine and draft beer offerings. The carrot cake pudding dessert was ok, not nearly as fabulous as everything else-maybe we were just full. I didnt find the prices outrageous as some have mentioned, I think our dinners were in the $28 range but sides are a la carte. Will definitely return next time we are in the area. The bread that is served is from the local Standard Baking co. Best bread ever!!! We found it easier to park in the parking garages in the area rather than trying to find on street parking- its a busy little area!

    (5)

  • chuck m.

    what happened to one of our favorite restaurants on the planet?!?!? we go to Fore St a couple of times a year, and until now it was always perfect: great from bread through dessert. we went last week, and while the bread and salads were very good, both of our fish entrees - and everything on the plates - were soaked in butter and almost inedible. this used to be a place at which you could dine and leave feeling well-fed and healthy, but our last visit left us queasy for 24 hours. GET RID OF THE BUTTER AND GET BACK TO FRESH FISH GRILLED SIMPLY AND PREPARED HEALTHFULLY!!! a major disappointment, especially given the steep prices.

    (2)

  • Dan O.

    Fore Street was good, not great. The atmosphere was very nice, cozy and comfortable. Our server was quite friendly and knowledgable. The spinach and Point Reyes Blue salad was delicious, as was the shocked shrimp and smoked scallop salad. However, the roasted mushroom salad was forgettable. The duck breast was cooked nicely, but it wasn't very flavorful. The confit alongside the breast was much better, but the wing was tough and chewy. The applesauce on the plate tasted like Mott's. The whole fish had good flavors, but the fish itself was a little mushy. The grass fed Butler steak tasted like grass and was tough(gimme a piece of Midwestern grain-fed beef anytime!!!). For sides, we ordered the mashed potatoes and roasted squash. The mashed pots were the highlight of the dinner, great flavor and texture. The squash was good - standard flavors. For dessert, we ordered a cheese plate and handmade chocolates, both of which were average. The place was packed, so they're obviously doing something right; I've just had better meals elsewhere for the same money.

    (3)

  • PAJ J.

    I have been visiting Portland regularly lately as my girlfriend lives there, and I have come to admire its restaurant culture (recently chronicled by the New York Times). We like to conclude our weekend visits with a fine dinner and have enjoyed a number of excellent restaurants. But Fore Street's magical combination of space and cuisine remains the one to beat. (I don't recommend dining at the bar; take a table in the beautiful dining room/open kitchen!) Its changing menu is packed with local ingredients and imaginative, fresh, flavorful dishes, starting with the delightful appetizers--I usually go for the offal/pâté trio and sometimes have a second appetizer rather than an entree. Both meat and fish entrees, again with lots of local choices, prepared near you in the open kitchen, are filled with the enthralling smells and flavors of fresh seasonal ingredients. The vegetable side dishes are always a treat and the bread is the best you will find anywhere (I have been known to take the remainder with me for the next morning). By the time we finish, we no longer crave desert, so I haven't experienced that part of the menu yet. But the combination of space, food, and service is beyond reproach and uniquely satisfying. The only drawback of Fore Street is... the need to reserve early--and that is not a bad sign.

    (5)

  • John S.

    This is not a five star review. This is a eight and a half star review. I've taped an additional three and a half stars to my computer screen. Fore Street gave me the best meal I've eaten in a year, without a close second. The place books up a month in advance, so the anticipation for this meal started about five weeks prior when I snagged one of the last Labor Day Weekend reservations. The eagerness increased when I arrived in town and walked past the wood and brick building. I peered through the windows and saw the nicely appointed bar, with patrons tucked into every nook and cranny eating and drinking. And the excitement peaked when I finally strolled in for my 5:45 reservation, and saw that the kitchen, built around it's massive wood burning brick oven, sat in the middle of the restaurant for all to see. We were among the first to get seated, which was a good thing because the waiting would've killed me. Our table was along the wall of the restaurant on a raised part of the floor that allowed us to see into this vast kitchen set-up. The dominant feature, aside from the oven, was the massive vegetable prep area. Ingredients were out on the wooden and stone tables; the restaurant wanted to proudly display their freshness. And I don't blame them. Their menu changes daily based on what they buy from local farms and fishermen. I doubt the place has a freezer. The service was immediately attentive and extremely friendly. A wide-smiled young man showed up, welcomed us, talked about Portland for a little while and filled up our water glasses before our waiter showed up to give us the menu and the specials. "I just want to let you know that we have a really great trio of Heritage pork. There's a chop, that we've caramelized the outside of and cook to order. There's a homemade chorizo and there's a smoked pulled pork. I really...." "I'll take it. You had me at 'homemade chorizo.'" The bread - several nice earthy slice - arrived and our water glasses were refilled at least twice during the next several minutes as we waited for our first course to come out. After a reasonable amount of time (that was still excruciatingly painful to sit through due to the expectation of immanent deliciousness), out came the white pizza with garlic and anchovies and the warm tomato tart with herbed goat cheese. The char on the pizza was excellent, and clearly the result of high temperature brick oven cooking. The flavors on both the pizza and the tart were unreal. Everything was fresh and the spices popped. The pizza's crust had a great soothing doughiness, and the goat cheese was a fantastic zesty complement to the smokey tomatoes on the tart. Despite putting food in my body, I was somehow made more hungry. And then the pork happened. At this point, I started muttering things like "this is unfair" and "I can't give out five star reviews anymore." There is no doubt that I looked unhinged, as I kept shaking my head and trying to hold back tears. This was eating. I felt as if I never truly ate before that moment. After trying to decide between the salted caramel upside down cake and the homemade truffles, I opted for both. The truffles were the low point of the meal, as they were merely "exceptional" instead of "transcendent." I asked the waiter if it'd be possible to make reservations for February of 2009 right now. He lamented that the reservation book only opens up two months in advance. Despite this, I still tried to make a Valentine's Day reservation at the front desk upon leaving. I had to settle for scribbling a furious "CALL FORE STREET" reminder in my day planner. Within twelve hours of leaving the restaurant, I had already made sleeping accommodations in Portland for my target return weekend. Now I just have to wait three and a half months before I can get the table. Such is the extent of the transformation that I have gone through.

    (5)

  • E L.

    This place blew me away. Did not have a reservation so our wait was something close to 1.5 hours on a night in August. No worries we just walked around the downtown area and came back for our seats. It was great to sit in the rustic dining room by the open kitchen and watch the chefs put the freshest ingredients, with simple preparation, together in a dish before putting it into the wood stove. I have never had pork loin that was so juicy and succulent, and my significant other loved her quail dish. Very attentive service I must add. I say this place is better than 99% of the so called fancy restaurants in Boston without the pretense, which I do not miss at all. Quite possibly the best meal I had in 2007.

    (5)

  • Kevin N.

    We sat in Fore Street for what seemed like the better (and I do mean the better) part of an evening that saw the skies open up and drench downtown Portland in a veritable sea of torrent onto the streets below. I don't know that the power went out (and I don't believe that it did), but had it, who would have been surprised -- this was no ordinary thunderstorm. Instead, the lights shifted low and the glow of the hearth that captures the center of this upscale eatery took center stage: I found myself staring down an impressive duck plate atop a sort of cherry compote: they focus on featuring fresh ingredients here, or at least that's the party line, and in my experience, it wasn't bluster: my meal was fresh, well prepped, and the duck brimming with flavor. By the time that dessert arrived, I was plenty satiated via dinner and a pair of Allagash whites, but made room for a puff pastry featuring local berries, whipped cream and berry sauce. In all, the best among the many meals I had in Maine this week. And as I'll make it back to town, you can bet I'll make it back here.

    (5)

  • Stephanie H.

    Fabulous fresh local food. Need I say more?

    (4)

  • Katie B.

    After making a reservation two weeks in advance and reading wonderful reviews I was pretty disappointed. I can't say I had a bad experience but for the price I would of expected more. Really did not enjoy my meal or the sides, found it very tasteless, will most likely not be returning to fore street.

    (3)

  • Stacy K.

    Gorgeous ambiance. Really just loved the space, set-up, decor, etc. I commented while we were there that I'd have loved to make that space into an apartment. Also really liked the concept, changing the menu regularly depending on what's fresh and in season. However, in my opinion, the food didn't quite live up to my expectations. I had the mixed greens salad, the swordfish, and the nectarine tart, all of which were good, but not knock-your-socks-off; best-meal-ever kind of good, at least for me. My dining companions seemed a bit more impressed with their food than I was with mine, and I will admit that I'm a bit on the pickier side, so that might've had something to do with it. If I lived in Portland I'd be willing to give them another chance, but since I only get up there every now and then and there are so many wonderful restaurants in that area, I don't think I'd make a special effort to go back. At least not until I've tried some of the other Portland restaurants I'm interested in. Also, VERY pricey, but this was expected.

    (3)

  • Andrew F.

    My wife and I spent a week in Portland for a quaint honeymoon. Portland has a fantastic foodie and beer scene, and Fore Street was the highlight of our culinary excursion. If you get the chance, go. Service is incredible, and the food is everything you hoped and dreamed it could be. The building is very cozy, despite large open rooms. If I had to think of a shortcoming, it would be the proximity of tables to each other. Which brings me to my next point... A word of caution about food snobbery. I love food as much as the next guy, and maybe even a bit more. You may experience the need to rave about your food while eating here. That is fantastic. But do everyone else around you a solid and keep your table talk regarding the virtues and sins of your meal to yourself. The table next to us sounded like a academic lecture entitled, "Food: clearly I know more about it than other people in this room care to hear about."

    (4)

  • Eva G.

    So, two weeks prior to my coming here, all tables had already been reserved. I had high hopes when I heard that a third of the tables are available for walk-ins without reservations, but when I got there at their opening time, 5:30pm, they told me there will no tables until 8pm. Even though the tables were empty. After I asked, they mention that there are the tables by the entrance, in which we could sit and order only appetizers/drinks (these tables were occupied and we'd still have to wait 20 minutes for a table). This place looks nice, with a huge kitchen and grocery stock on display (it looks like the set of Ratatouille), but it looks like it only has about 20 booths. Poop... I'd advise you to reserve months in advance. I gave 4 stars because I didn't want to change the ratings, having not eaten here myself.

    (4)

  • Justin H.

    Bangin'! Great layout (I love the cook/server area), excellent service, and amazing food. VERY pricey, but well worth it for a nice evening out.

    (5)

  • Reid F.

    Quality from start to finish. We sat at the bar, which usually diminishes the dining experience, but the bartender was very knowledgable and his recommendations were right on target. Among those recommendations were the duck and the halibut, both prepared perfectly and deliciously. The ingredients were fresh and the tastes were clean and on-target. This would be a world-class restaurant anywhere.

    (5)

  • Tania A.

    Friendly, attentive service, especially for a single girl at the bar. The ambiance was nice as well. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to expectations. The mussels were not cleaned properly - beards! shell bits! - and the sauce was only so-so. Almond butter doesn't really work when it's bits of whole almond floating in butter. This is also the second place that didn't provide a spoon with the mussels - aren't you proud of your broth? The terrine trio was OK, but I was looking for something a little more rustic, I guess. The flavours were good and the tomato jam was especially delicious. The server recommended a nice wine pairing, so yeah for that. All in all, it was an expensive solo meal and I wish I'd spent my money elsewhere. Not horrific, but disappointing.

    (3)

  • Veronica C.

    I usually only take the time to write reviews about great places and service, but this is one case where I have to make an exception. My husband and I went to Fore Street about a year ago, and to say it was sub par would be generous. Perhaps someone new was on the grill--the person that was on there looked frazzled, and everything we ordered that would have been prepared on that station was terrible. My husband's lamb was awful--burnt on the outside and raw on the inside. Last time I checked black and blue is not an acceptable way to prepare lamb... Since it may have just been an off night we decided to give it another try this week when we were staying up there. Their website mentions that they leave 1/3 of the restaurant open without reservations to accommodate walk ins. We thought this would work out perfectly for us since we were going on an off night and we were bringing our 9 month old--we wanted to bring him fresh from a nap when he wouldn't bother anyone. We waited behind a few other parties, who were seated right away. We were relieved when we looked around the restaurant and saw a large number of tables open so we figured there wouldn't be a wait. But there was a wait--for us at least. The hostess took one look at us, gave my son a dirty look and told us it would be an hour and a half wait. Let me mention my child was not screaming, writhing, or looking in the least disruptive. He's eaten in some of the best restaurants in Boston, and since I come well prepared, is never a bother to anyone. He rarely makes a peep. Luckily Hugo's was more than happy to serve us. I wouldn't say it's a child-friendly place (they don't have high chairs) but the servers had no problem with us being there and came over to play with and say hi to my son. When we walked by Fore Street an hour and a half later the restaurant was still half empty. I will NEVER give Fore Street that second chance. I would gladly give my money to 555 Congress and Petit Jacqueline (it's sister location) any time we are in Portland--they serve some of the best food I've had anywhere.

    (1)

  • Lola N.

    I walked into the bar and had dessert with my parents. Maybe the best dessert I've ever had, and with strange combinations like basil-lime and stuff. Usually I'm not into too many dessert shenanigans, but they really pulled it off well. I had the bananas foster-like dessert, and my mouth waters every time I think about it. I'm taking off one star because when we walked into the restaurant at 10pm on a Tuesday and asked for a table to have dessert, the lady told us they couldn't seat us at a table because "We're still seating for dinner." Alright, lady, I live here, and I don't care if you ARE the Great Fore Street, everyone knows there isn't a wait for tables at 10pm on a Tuesday in Portland,ME. It was pretty stupid and they should have seated us so we could have looked at each other while we talked and ate. The bar was kind of quiet and we didn't love it. But the dessert was amazing and I'd love to go back to have the food.

    (4)

  • Steve V.

    When I had ask the women that I now date out two years ago on a dating site had made plans to eat at another place and I just happened to walk by this place and it smelled so good.So when we met I said plans have changed she was sort of skeptical at first we have now been there three times on our anniversary and it is just as good as the first the wait staff is awesome the food is just out this world and it still smells incredible great place

    (5)

  • J M.

    This just happens to more of a 'destination' for us, as we are out of state (but always willing to return) as the food as certainly lived up to the hype and hasnt disappointed one bit. Very nice space..open concept, wood fired grills, standalone glass organic vegetable room. busy, a bit noisy on a weekend night..bar is often standing room only. Warm inviting smells lure you in on a cold winter night. Reservations are pretty much a must, as it ranges from tourists and local foodies and fills up quick. Ive often heard mumblings of a dropoff in quality but have not seen it in all my times/visits. Fish, beef, chicken and an array of euro fusion appetizers and nice salads. Prepared fresh, in season/organic vegetables (on display in glassed in cooler/crisper) and great desserts and cheeses. Love this place and will continue to make the trek from NH to get to one of my favorites.

    (5)

  • A.K. B.

    Top of my Portland list! Warm, lively and pretty fantastic atmosphere from the moment you walk in the door. Everything was tasty - from the delicious fresh bread to the interesting local-grown salads to the extensive meat and seafood entrees. Friendly staff too! Some entrees (eg salmon) seemed overly pricey but all worth it. Be sure to stop by the Standard Bakery downstairs for a delicious start to your morning!

    (5)

  • Morgen B.

    Well, perhaps if we had actually gotten to eat here the review would be better. Portland Maine is the LEAST handicap accessible place in the country. When we finally found Fore Street AND could actually get into the restaurant we were overjoyed. However, we walked in at 6pm and were told we couldn't be served until 9:45! Needless to say we found another place to eat. Must be that Fore Street is delicious!

    (2)

  • M J.

    Everything was amazing! The food was incredible from the bread, to the sashimi appetizer to the many entrees we tried. The service was wonderful. We came with our 4 kids and they happily offered us half orders for the kids (who, by the way, also loved the restaurant). Loved the ambience and the great smoky smell. Would definitely, very happily, return next time we're in Portland.

    (5)

  • Julie T.

    We have been trying to get in here forever and I finally made a reservation 2 months in advance for last night. It exceeded our expectations in every way. The atmosphere is cozy and warm. The food was beyond fabulous. We started with a nice salad of arugula, roasted brussel sprouts, beets and carrots...perfect start. We followed that up with a chilled seafood assortment - smoked bluefish, lobster, scallop and smoked char - all served with the most amazing sauces/accompaniments - I feel in love with this place over this selection. My husband had the pan seared scallops and I had the halibut - I consider myself very picky when dining out and I don't remember ever enjoying a meal as much as I did this one. We will be going back very soon. If I had only one criticism to make (and this is a stretch) - for a $14.00 glass of house wine - they were a bit stingy on the pour - I can live with that though just for the incredible food, service and atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Bethany F.

    Went here because of a recommendation from a close friend (who is almost always spot on with restaurant recommendations) and thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of my experience at Fore Street. My boyfriend and I were in Portland for a weekend away and came here for dinner. We loooved the warm atmosphere, which was buzzing with excitement (but not overly loud or anything) and were lucky enough to sit right next to the literally warm open kitchen. Best seats in my opinion! From the brick walls to the nice wood accents, the decor was perfectly inviting without being pretentious. We ordered the oyster appetizer - delish and super fresh tasting then moved onto our dinner (i had the rabbit, he had the hangar steak, both were just mouth-watering and cooked to perfection) The service was good. Our server was clearly busy, so she didn't spend tons of time with us, but was attentive when necessary (and that's all that matters to me anyway). We opted to not order dessert but I regret it. Also, they take reservations but also hold 1/3 of their restaurant for walk-ins. This is good for the off-season (no need to make reservations if you don't know exactly what time you want to eat) but I would recommend making reservations for peak time like the summer.

    (5)

  • Jonathan W.

    This place was on my list this summer when I was visiting Maine. It did not disappoint but did not impress either. The ambiance and restaurant are beautiful. Open kitchen with a great view of the kitchen at work. The best part is that they reserve a few tables for walk-ins which we were happy to find out. The food was well prepared but I had high expectations given the reviews I read. The mussels were excellent but everything else seemed adequate. Still a great place to eat but I really love good food above all.

    (4)

  • C G.

    I had great expectations of this place because of all the rave my friends had given me of this place. I thoroughly enjoyed the steak and the mashed potatoes. The seafood platter was A-OK (Probably wouldn't order that one again). I've also had the flatbread pizza-- This was very good. On my second visit, I ordered fish-- I believe it was cod. This was very good. Great flavor and the perfect portion. Our party was on the larger side, 7 people, and we sat in the corner on the upper level. The layout of the restaurant was done well. Very discreet from the outside, but inside you have the pleasure of dining in an open kitchen with lots of windows and exposed brick. Service was a bit dodgy. Our waitress wasn't attentive and had a bit of an attitude to her. I would go back, just because I enjoyed the food so much. This is a great treat!

    (3)

  • A. James T.

    I've eaten at Fore Street some half dozen times over the past five years. Usually I reserve this price point for special occasions. I've always experienced good customer service and very good to great food. I highly recommend Fore Street. One caution however, when there recently (10/23/12) I experienced my first unpleasant service. Beware the bearded bar man, he is rather rude. Otherwise, always a great experience and awesome food. Reservations recommended any day of the week unless you don't mind waiting an hour or so.

    (4)

  • Ben G.

    I have been hearing about Fore Street for quite some time now. Every time I tell a friend I'm going to or having recently returned from Portland, the question always surfaces, "So did you make it over to Fore Street?" Well on this most recent trip, to celebrate a friend's birthday, I finally made it over to Fore Street. Last night, while waiting for my friends to arrive, I sat at the bar and enjoyed a Grapefruit and Ginger (vodka, canton, and grapefruit juice with a piece of candied ginger -12$). It was a perfect drink after a long day at the office. The locals sitting at the bar as well as Tina the bartender were super friendly. As we got talking to some locals, we learned of a new drink. This woman had sampled this drink in Mexico as she proudly proclaimed that she was there last month for her daughter's wedding. It had vodka, simple syrup, lime juice shaken and then topped w/ red wine served with a piece of fruit. It was quite tasty and shouldn't be too hard to recreate at home. When our other dining companions arrived, we left the beautiful bar and the company of Tina and our new friends to move into the wonderful dining room. Exposed brick walls, ancient looking wood beams, a giant wood fired oven and a VERY OPEN kitchen were all candy for the eyes. This place was upscale without being pretentious. It felt like home and invoked a calm comfortable vibe. There were younger people in jeans as well as older folks in jackets and ties. This is truly place where you can come, relax, and enjoy a great meal, no matter where you just came from. After catching up with the birthday boy the appetizers were already on their way out and it only felt like we had been sitting there for mere minutes. Local raw oysters and some beautifully steamed mussels came out. The oysters were so fresh, the taste of the sea was evident in that little slurpy bite. The mussels were steamed in a white wine, garlic, butter and fennel liquid. It was begging for us to dip the bread in it. I almost forgot the bread, from what I've been told the best bakery in all of Portland in underneath Fore Street restaurant. So the bread was a rustic hearty Italian loaf cut up into fist sized pieces that quickly disappeared. So at this point, after having a few cocktails, some killer apps and enjoying the company of my dining buddies, I have to say I was one happy clam. Oh but wait... there's more. Out of the five of us, three ordered the swordfish loin for our entrée. It came on a bed of lentils, pancetta, oranges, dressed with some type of vinaigrette. The swordfish was grilled in the wood oven that imparted a smokey/earthy flavor to the delish piece of fish which was cooked to perfection. The lentil salad was not my favorite. The seasoning was a little off as it seemed super salty to me. Maybe the acid in the vinaigrette was supposed to cut the salty flavor but it didn't. I still ate all of it. The table shared, honey glazed carrots that were a little under done as well as some mashed potatoes which were incredible. These must have had some cream folded into them cause they tasted soo creamy and buttery. YUM. Others at the table had bluefish and chicken both of which really enjoyed their plates. As the meal was winding down, our waitress brought over the dessert menu and there were a few items that and this is no exaggeration, screamed to us. Peanut butter and chocolate mousse, coconut cheesecake and there was one more, but at this point I was a few too many cocktails in and well... I forget. The pastry was unreal. That and a cappuccino was the perfect ending to a birthday dinner. Happy Birthday George and thanks for dinner Angelo! I will certainly be coming back to Fore Street on my next visit to Portland.

    (4)

  • Baer T.

    Comfy space starts well / Poor service, overcooking / Dooms the hyped dinner.

    (2)

  • Will S.

    Fore Street - Four Stars. You know, Fore Street has a lot of hype. Thus, I was very excited to go my first time. I was pleased to see that venison was on the menu and I ordered it medium rare. It was, safe to say, one of the finest pieces of meat I've ever eaten. Cooked and seasoned to perfection, it was pure delight. Every slice was better than the last. That night, I drank a lot of wine, enjoyed the company of my work associates, and really lived it up.... leaving more than satisfied. To go into further detail, the waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. Not the speediest on the planet, but it was busy that night. All in all, satisfying success. The SECOND time I went, I was with my girlfriend. I was hoping that they still had venison but I was out of luck. The waitress was nice, but seemingly uninterested in her job... I listened to the specials and the Pork loin sounded delightful. I had heard accolades of their hanger steak (a staple there), so against my better judgment, that's what I ordered. My girlfriend, of course, ordered the pork. The steak was not my favorite. By any means. I was actually regretting it - Never a good thing for a piece of meat that costs 20 dollars. I had to quickly scold my girlfriend "making love" to the pork and groaning with ecstasy about how great it was. I took a bite and was quickly wishing I had ordered the same. Long story short - the food is wonderful. American fusion at it's best. The atmosphere is great, the staff is solid, and the prices - I've seen worse given the portion size at Fore Street. I can almost truly call Fore Street a solid benchmark for Portland cuisine. Not five stars, but a more than solid four. My advice is as follows: Listen hard to the specials. (order Venison immediately) Get the creme brulee trio. Drink lots of wine, and enjoy the culinary ride that is 'Fore Street.'

    (4)

  • Cami S.

    Hands down, a favorite of ours in Portland! We live up on Munjoy Hill and frequent Fore St. for special occasions as well as when we just want a sure thing. The menu changes daily and the truly innovative combinations never cease to amaze! They set the bar with unique dishes. You won't find bacon wrapped scallops or other been-there-done-that menu items. Nope, Fore Street is much more creative with their food pairings. Very inspiring! The only reason for not giving 5 stars is because of a recent experience with one of the bartenders. The personality did not fit the energy that Fore usually evokes. His 'request' for where to sit at the bar (an empty bar at 5 pm) and other experiences while ordering food and drinks from him left us thinking that this is not how Fore St would want to be represented. Bartenders have an opportunity to embrace the culture of the restaurant and make their patrons feel uber special. All in all, we'll be back but may opt for the restaurant area over the cozy bar lounge. Fore Street is a must if visiting Portland or if you live here and have never tried it.

    (4)

  • Jen S.

    I found this place while on travel for work. It stuck out in my mind as one of the best places I've ever eaten, and that is saying something. Really, I rate it higher than Nobu even. You get the impression that good food and good ingredients, really matter to these people. The dishes were just very high quality. I think you have to try it to understand.

    (5)

  • Kate F.

    In a warm brick warehouse there is an open kitchen, from which you might imagine enough heat to warm the entire high-ceilinged space emanates from a fiery wood grill and oven. You might be right. Led by a friendly and attentive manager, the just right combination of busy business and ample space give a preemptive glimmer of a great meal to come. Locals sipping a fine glass of wine and a side of friendly conversation with the bartender at his bustling but graciously proportioned bar. Date nights linger over candle lit rustic plank tables laden with a shared plate of wood roasted mussels, or perhaps a half dozen oysters with mignonette. Groups of 6 enjoy well-proportioned booths starting with soft butter and individual salt and pepper pinch bowls brought fresh upon arrival, with crusty perfectly chewy-tender bread. My mom and me at a small corner table in the back, exploring the extensive and ever changing menu, with friendly guidance from a server who has worked there 5 of their 13 years, a good sign. The salad with pomegranate seeds, fennel and tarragon, woke up our mouths at the start. A soup, traditionally hard to make sing, hummed a nice tune of shitake and parsnip. The fish was all fresh, usually served with a dollop of flavor to take that freshness and lift it up to a next level of mouth watering goodness. The Belgian white beer with a French name that will remain a mystery to my food induced brain coma, was one of the best I've had - sparkling, light and slightly fogged by wheat. Upon returning I plan to make a meal out of two appetizers, both to expand my experimenting and allow for the bill to stay under $30 a person, always a nice goal when eating and drinking well. Though for these special occasions with wine, Belgian beer, oysters, salad, soup, halibut, haddock, and coffee... $60 per person is well worth the evening... even if I do feel like asking if they have "roll you to your car service" on my way out.

    (4)

  • Syd C.

    Love that the menu changes daily. I had the flounder it was amazing.i opted for a cheese plate for desert the selection was good. I had two glasses of wine and thought my bill was a little steep at $90 for all of this! However all in all it was a good experience and I would go back. They have a wait list at the bar and was made to feel like a common criminal when I sat after asking the bartender and being approached by a member of the waitstaff awkwardly. This system might leave something to be desired. Perhaps reserved markings until folks are sated if indeed the seat is taken. In my case I had permission and was given the go ahead from the bartender but the waiter assumed this was not the case. Parking across the street is very convenient and affordable.

    (4)

  • Joe T.

    if looking for a great place to have a romantic dinner while visiting Portland with your favorite/special person - you MUST choose Fore Street. awesome setting, great food and excellent service! menu chances daily so you are always sure to find the freshest foods, prepared in and open kitchen set up. go, be adventurous and have a blast, the wine list is extensive. bon appetit!!

    (5)

  • Cory S.

    Yeah it's expensive, but well worth the price point

    (5)

  • Andy P.

    This review is long over due for my Yelp page. Back in May I took an adventure to Portland, with great intention to dine at Fore Street. At the time I was still living in Seattle, and had served some guest who suggested to some day dine at Fore Street Restaurant. I could write a novel about the many things that my friend and I had for our MANY courses. We both being restaurant industry, decided to make an early Sunday evening reservation. We chose this to not be the jerks that keep the servers too late. Of course, after our pate course, salad course, entree course, dessert course, cheese course, a bottle of wine and great conversation with our server... we closed the place down. I have been in the restaurant industry for 22 years. The meal, the energy of the restaurant and staff, just breathtaking! This was by far the best experience in a restaurant that I have EVER had! Great job!

    (5)

  • Colm M.

    Suffice to say this is a very good and very consistent restaurant with some of the last real waiters on the planet. Real pro's.

    (5)

  • Joe Bill S.

    Nice interior with big open kitchen, but the food was not very good and very expensive! Weak wine list . Scallops were seared on only one side and cold raw inside. Halibut was boring baked with bell peppers. I would definitely not go back or recommend this tourist trap.

    (2)

  • Irena C.

    This place was recommended to me by many. So we put it on the list of restaurants to try when we were in Portland for the weekend. We first arrived at 5pm and were told that the next seating was at 7:30pm. We decided to decline and tried again at 9pm. We were invited back at 10pm, which worked out perfectly as we made a stop at J Oyster nearby for 2 dozen oysters first. We started with 3 selections for $16. The duck liver pate was delicious, but the sweetbreads and the liver rolls were mediocre. I would definitely recommend only getting the duck liver pate from that list. We also got the mussells - I can honestly say they were the best mussels I've ever had. Another outstanding dish was the rabbit. Juicy and cooked to perfection. The service and ambiance were outstanding as well. I would definitely recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Michael K.

    Always a special treat to dine at Fore Street when in Portland. We have 8 year old twins who can be fussy eaters and they even love the "adult" entrees here. We live in NYC and Fore Street holds its own against our best spots. Service, food atmosphere are all wonderful.

    (5)

  • William P.

    If it isn't broken, don't fix it, this place is a testament to that. 10 years now, no guessing when you walk in the door here. You know you're in for some great cuisine, both surf and turf, all kissed by wood fire and/or smoke. Order meats from the spit and the big chilled raw fish platter to start. Beyond that just soak it all in. This place was borderline revolutionary 10 years ,which normally means dated by now, but not Fore Street, she continues to age nicely and taste great. Thanks, guys, for years of great meals after a day at the beach

    (4)

  • L M.

    Our hotel and a local merchant recommended Fore. We dined there on the last night of our 4-day weekend. It was delicious. Our table (to us) was the best in the house...adjacent to the kitchen and the wood burning stove. Two of us faced the gorgeous windows. The other two faced the busy kitchen. Good energy. Everything was yummy: - Roasted chicken: moist and cooked to perfection - Scallops: perfect - Crab meat: fresh - Risotto: yummy pesto topping. mushrooms inside. Would love the recipe. - Goat cheese cheesecake w/ cherries and almonds (topped w/ a lemon sauce): gone in 60 seconds - Rhubarb / Orange crisp: would've been perfect except for the basil ice cream pairing (it was delicious too but wouldn't pair together again). - Grasshopper pie: a surprise item on the menu. Refreshing - gone in 60 seconds also. Would absolutely recommend this dining experience. Overall, it capped off a great weekend in Portland (where, in fact, no meal was disappointing).

    (5)

  • Justin F.

    This place has a very modern take on food with a unique atmosphere. they have a bunch of people cooking and making sure that everything is getting done from a food standpoint. The food was good but I wasn't completely blown away by it. I had a bluefish. A bit on the pricey side, I was hoping for just a bit more. Especially for the food, the atmosphere was great though.

    (3)

  • Mel L.

    Came by on a Sat evening around 5.30 and were told by the friendly staff that a table wouldn't be available til 9pm, but a seat at the bar was about an hour so we put our names down and wandered Old Port while we waited. We ate the mushroom and leek salad, squid and pork belly as appetizers. The mushroom salad was good, if not lacking in leeks and a tad too vinegary, it was still a fresh salad. The grilled squid was tasty in a sweet/tangy sauce. The pork belly was a bit burnt on top, very fatty and probably too heavy for the two of us given we ordered so much food. On the waiters recommendation we ordered the halibut and flounder as entrees. The halibut was so fresh, tender and juicy, a thick cut of fish that was very well cooked. the flounder was a thin cut and slightly crispy, covered in walnuts it was also a great dish. They cook their fish well here. We skipped dessert but the guy next to us was very much enjoying his chocolate torte which looked incredibly rich and molten. With tip it came to $165 between the two of us. About as expected in price for what we knew was one of the top rated restaurants in Portland. Great service, good fish.

    (4)

  • Arron C.

    Great Ambiance. The inside looks like a converted mill with an open kitchen for those that like to watch their food being cooked. One of the first things you'll notice is the smoke in the air. One of the best parts of Fore Street is the Wood Oven Grille. The items prepared this way (app's and entrees) are definitely the way too go. This time I had the wood oven grilled mussels with a garlic wine sauce. The smoke from the wood grill complemented the mussels beautifully. For the entree, I had the skirt steak (also wood oven grilled) and the flavor was amazing. We got a side of cauliflower that was...WOOD OVEN GRILLED what else? I never had cauliflower that tasted this good. Simply heaven. I always make a point to stop here when I am in Portland. For a nice dinner with friends or a significant other, you can't go wrong.

    (4)

  • Molly P.

    I am finishing this review from a meal we had at Fore Street in AUG 2010. The hostess was super snotty. Made us feel like they did not need any customers and we were lucky to even be seated. We ended up at a table with a great view of the open kitchen -- it was like a front seat at a show. The waiter was excellent and made up for the rude hostess. I am not a big seafood fan so I was not that impressed with the choices. I did order a couple sides for my meal. One side was pasta and it was mediocre and I barely ate it. When the waited asked me what was wrong with the pasta I told him is was nothing special and he took it off our bill. We had a nice bottle of wine and some port for dessert. Would I go back? Probably not.

    (2)

  • ACally C.

    My husband and I chose this restaurant because of its reviews & a friend's personal recommendation. Unfortunately, we were really disappointed in everything but the service. The front of the menu was all appetizers & the second page main courses & sides. I chose 3 appetizers (the entrees did not sound that great) - roasted cauliflower on mixed greens (very disappointing - 2 tiny pieces of cauliflower on an over-dressed salad), maine crab with spring pea salad (quite good) and wood-fired mussels (so bad I had to spit 2 out & was too afraid to eat the rest) with a side of rapini (ok but laden with butter). My husband ordered the cauliflower soup (arrived lukewarm), spit-roasted rabbit (tender but with no seasoning) and cider-braised parsnips (best part of the meal). The wine list was ok but the beer offerings were sorry to say the least. How can you be in Portland and not have a decent selection of microbrews? Personally, I am not sure what all the hype is about. We had a much more memorable experience at SeaGlass restaurant the night before and at the Pom's Thai that afternoon for lunch. I do have to say that our server was attentive and felt very badly about the mussels. She did not charge us for the dish and seemed genuinely concerned that they were bad. Still, not enough to recommend.

    (2)

  • John C.

    We expected a high quality experience and we were not disappointed. Our wait person was very personable and knowledgeable. I asked her to compare two pinot noir's on the wine list and without hesitation answered with detailed and accurate explanations after we tasted the wine. She also was most helpful with her explanation of the special entree' - lamb steak. The caliber of the meal was also first rate. The environment was open kitchen with a very comfortable feel. It made for a truly enjoyable evening. We would recommend it without hesitation.

    (5)

  • Lily R.

    I was not impressed with Fore Street overall. The servcice was actually quite terrible; and the waiter seemed condescending and unhappy in general. I was not blown away by the food. I ordered the Rib Eye.which was pretty good, but was chargrilled to a point of bitterness that marred the beautiful taste of the steak. I especially disliked the potatoes which were undercooked, flavorless and cold. The wine that I inquired about and the Malbec I received was not up to par. Overall, I really don't like this place and find it to be striving for something other than quality food.

    (3)

  • meghan c.

    It could have been 5 stars, but almost became 3 stars.....The food was really great - you could tell everything was fresh and well put together. The menu was creative without being "fu-fu" and the atmosphere was nice without being pretentious. So why could it have been 5 stars? Started with the bread and what seemed like homemade butter, or at least butter of a consistency and flavor unlike the land-o-lakes I am used to....I was also hungry so maybe over glamourizing the taste. Then the salad with spinach leaves that were the size of my head, delicious beets, and delectable goat cheese. The dinner I had was scallopps served over some veggies, and the scallops were to die for. It was my third night in a row of having scallops - I had been having a hankering. Night 1 was in the boston area at a pizza joint - bad idea! NIght 2 was across from fore street at sago brewery and that was just average - now this 3rd night of scallops they were so large and tender and cooked to perfoection - I was thrilled and my hankering resolved So why was it almost 3 stars? I sat at the bar for dinner, and there were lots of other people dining solo. Since I was by myself, I had nothing else to do but take notice of what (and when) the fellow patrons around me were ordering. The lady to my left ordered about 5 minutes after me and her dish came about 15 minutes before mine. The people at the end of the bar on my right sat down about 10 minutes after I had ordered and their food also came before mine....now I cant fault the waiter/bartender for slow kitchen service, but after 40 minutes had passed since I ordered my entree I said "Is my entree coming?" and he said "Yes" in a dismissive fashion and waited on someone else. I was travelling for work (so I wasnt paying), but it seemed my order had somehow been forgotten, misplaced or just deprioritized....now my beet salad and the bread and butter were amazing, but not so much so that I didnt want my appetizer. Other places I have gone, if something like that happens, offering you a comp'ed glass of wine, dessert, or at least another bread basket was in order....

    (4)

  • John L.

    we liked this restaurant, but hoped for more of a connection. we had heard and read a lot of great things, and we kept waiting for them as the courses arrived. there was nothing wrong with anything, but it was not as memorable as their standard baking co, which gets 5 stars.

    (3)

  • Amanda S.

    For financial reasons, you can't go here every night, or even every month. But that one night you do go will be a palette roller coaster. Even if you disregard the inspired, eclectic items like lamb heart and roasted rabbit, you will be sure to delight in the variety of seafood available. All of the fish is cooked and seasoned perfectly. I had the hake, and it nearly melted in my mouth it was so buttery and flakey. The wait staff is also really helpful and friendly.

    (5)

  • Kat D.

    YUM! My hubby and I were able to go out without the kiddos one night and we really enjoyed ourselves. Great atmosphere and service. The food was good local american food. We loved the potatoes in the cast iron. My husband loved the fish and I got the chicken dish.

    (5)

  • Sam A.

    After searching for the perfect restaurant to cap off 2 days spent in Portland, I chose Fore Street after reading the numerous acclaim it has received both here on Yelp and around the web. After making a reservation a week in advance, we arrived for our meal a few minutes early and waited around while our table was prepped. The atmosphere of this place is rustic elegance, with wait staff wearing white shirts, jeans, black shoes and aprons. The focal point of the main dining room is the open kitchen where chefs and wait staff blend together to keep the level of service at exceptional heights. After being seated our waiter Brian was kind enough to take us through the menu, appetizers on the front, mains and sides on the back. My dining partner and I opted for passing on a bottle of wine, but Brian did let us know we'd be welcome to bring it home if we couldn't finish it. We couldn't make a decision so I opted for a glass of their featured white, and my partner went for a Guiness. After bringing us some freshly cut bread (we could see the large basket from our table into the kitchen) we both remarked we'd be happy at that point eating it for the rest of our meal. Soft and delicate on the outside, with a perfect crust around the edges, this was bread heaven. Thankfully our appetizers of wood-fire roasted mussels and exotic mushroom pizza arrived shortly and we got over our bread infatuation. The mussels were said to be hand picked from Maine and cooked in a large amount of garlic butter, needless to say thetasted fantastic. The pizza was small enough to share among the both of us, with a unique combination of carrot puree (as a base), red onions, cheddar, and mushrooms. We had a little longer wait for our dinner, but Brian checked in with us numerous times and apologized for the wait, as the kitchen was backed up. This had no level of annoyance for us, as we could see every move from out seat. The entertainment we got out watching the chefs tossing pizza dough, churning out salads I regretted not ordering and running back and forth to the glass-walled produce fridge was enough to keep us occupied until our mains arrived. Brian had made us aware that were a few dishes that Fore Street is known for and are usually on the menu all year long. Between the spit roasted chicken and pork, my partner opted for the hanger steak. I opted for the striped sea bass. We chose to share a side of wood-fire roasted cauliflower. Every bite was savoured, everything fresh, well seasoned and cooked to perfection. Upon satiation from the savoury delights, we both knew that we couldn't pass up dessert having seen it pass our table a few times during our meal. I ordered a vanilla bean cheesecake and my partner ordered the blueberry crumble, both maintaining the fantastic level of presentation and taste our previous courses had afford us. A cappuccino and espresso topped off our meal, and I was ready to make the 8 hour trip back next month to see what they could do with a fall harvest. Unpretentious, professional, entertaining, energetic, fresh, and honest are the words that come to mind as I reflect a week later from our meal at Fore Street. I've now told everyone I've talked to about our trip to Portland being one of the best food experiences I've ever had, and Fore Street is a big part of that. At $170+ including tip and drinks, this is not a meal I can afford to eat often, but was a splurge well worth it. No buyer's remorse here as we were treated impeccably from the phone call reservation to walking out the door. I just wish I had the appetite to try everything I didn't. A reservation may not be needed as 1/3 of the restaurant is reserved for walk-ins, but I would recommend it if only to get a great view of the kitchen. The team behind Fore Street have a lot to be proud of, it was an inspiring meal.

    (5)

  • Amy M.

    This place is Incredible. My boyfriend and I came here on a recommendation , and made a res a week in advance (a part of the recommendation). We walked in and were struck by the casual atmosphere - 'foodie' restaurants elsewhere are so often snobby and expensive. The bread was awesome, chewy and fresh. We ordered right: salad with sautéed mushrooms , goat cheese and asparagus, seafood sampler, clams, and browned cauliflower. It was clear that the ingredients were fresh & probably local (I feel like a portlandia character but it really counted). Everything about the experience was right: our waitress, the vibe, the flavors, the prices. It also felt indulgently lengthy over an hour and a half, with things arriving right before you got antsy and dishes disappearing a few minutes after you're done. Proof that you don't need to be in a big city to have an awesome meal.

    (5)

  • MiChin L.

    Fore Street stands out as the most memorable dining experience on our 3-week honeymoon all over New England and Canada. I love the open kitchen space and aspire to someday have one of those awesome glass door and window refrigerators where you can see the day's produce beautifully laid out. Any restaurant that allows you to see their chefs in action must know it's serving up quality. We had a pate course, a couple cocktails and a couple glasses of wine during our hour long wait on a Saturday evening. When we were finally seated at the bar, it was well worth the wait. The bartender provided some of the best service we've ever experienced, was friendly but not intrusive, and had awesome suggestions for food and wine pairings. The oven roasted halibut was heavenly; the sweet potatoes and greens on the side were a perfect match. We shared a roasted pear torte dessert which was a great ending to a down-to-earth yet in-your-face awesome meal. I don't see myself going back to Portland for awhile, but Fore Street will always be a top recommendation for anyone heading that way.

    (5)

  • Rob C.

    Two stars looks so bad on Yelp, but the descriptor is: "Meh. I've experienced better." And that's exactly how I felt after dinner here. I'm often guilty of setting my expectations too high and being disappointed; maybe I can chalk it up to this, but I was not blown away by the atmosphere, staff or the food... especially for the prices they charge. Yelper seem to love this place, and I love Yelp - so try it for yourself, maybe you'll have a better experience than my wife and I did. If you do go, make sure you try the cider braised parsnips - they are memorable. Everything else, meh.

    (2)

  • Rox F.

    This place really does deserve all the good reviews it has gotten on here. Over the years on yelp I have discovered some of the 'fancier' places get muddled reviews due to the hype that surrounds the restaurant, I think it sways people's opinons to the extreme ends of the spectrum...anyhow, this is not so at Fore Street. I loved this place! My husband and I have made a point of trying out many restaurants in Portland since we moved here about 6 months ago. Some were great and some were really underwhelming. Fore Street is our favourite thus far! We made rese3rvations for 6pm on a Tuesday evening. I am glad we made the reservations well in advance because the place was packed. I don't mean that there were more full tables than empty, I mean EVERY single seat was filled so, the moral of the story is, even if you want to go here on a weeknight make a reservation. The place is a nice warm converted warehouse. The kitchen is open which I like a lot. I like to watch the action. The whole place has a lovely smell from the open wood fire as well. Someone complained in one review that it was too dark to read the menus but I had no problem. I think the ambiance and lighting were great. It was relaxed and casual yet refined. with the open kitchen and full tables it was pretty boisterous and loud but that did not detract from our experience. The service was outstanding. The timing was spot on, I mean, I think our server was psychic because every time our glasses needed to be filled or we were about ready for another course, there she was. I hate when places are pretentious or condescending with their service, Fore Street was professional but welcoming and not at all snooty. Ok ok enough blah blah, now how about the food? It was Very Very Very good. I have only every been to one other fine dining establishment (flagstaff house in Colorado) that I can really place above Fore Street. For appetizers we had the Fois gras (as usual) and the raw seafood platter. The seafood platter was really interesting; there were periwinkles, shrimp with Meyer lemon sauce and my favourite, the scallop with kumquat slices and arctic char with pickled beets (I think it was pickled anyhow). The char was fishy but not too fishy and the scallop and kumquat went so well together. The fois gras was crispy on the outside and unctuous (yeah I hate when people over use that word but I am using it anyhow, okay? good) and warm on the inside. It came with some sort of gourd puree and toast. I could have eaten more of it but the portions of both were generous. For entrees I ordered the Pheasant. It was juicy and delicious. It came with some grilled cauliflower. I also ordered a side of beets. THOSE BEETS!! they were awesome. Please do order the beets. I was not sure how the portions would be so I got them as an extra, I didn't really need them, the portion of pheasant was rather huge, but I am so glad I got them. My husband loved them as well. He ordered the Hangar steak. We like our meat bloody and as close to breathing as possible (nope, no vegetarians here) so he asked for it rare, the server cautioned us against this because, at Fore Street, unlike most restaurants, when you say Rare they take you seriously and serve it charred ont he outside and cool in the center, instead he got it medium rare and that was perfect. It was nicely charred on the outside and warm and red on the inside. Delicious and tender. I am not sure what I got for dessert since my husband ordered for me, but ohmygod it was a chocolate freaks dream! it was a chocolate torte with a sweet almost, but not quite, maple like sauce with a dollop of chocolate ice cream. It was not normal chocolate though, it was like the pure, unadulterated essence of chocolate distilled onto my plate. Let's just say, I think I have sated my chocolate cravings for the next 6 months. My husband had a bite size cup of something to do with hazelnut. I am not sure what his was called either, but it was much more than bite size and was also very good. Oh and we had a bottle of Barolo. I believe it was the only one on the list and it was great, in fact it was the same one we had at our wedding and it was not marked up sky high either. In the end our bill was about $180 including the wine, not including tip. For the quality of the food, service and ambiance I think Fore Street is an outstanding value. Go there!

    (5)

  • James M.

    Absolutely outstanding. Everything about this place is excellent.

    (5)

  • Leah B.

    This is pretty much my favorite restaurant in the world and has been since a chance encounter in 2004. Ever since that day, I can't drive past Portland without my car involuntarily taking me to Fore Street. Love the fresh and local ingredients--I pine for a glass walk-in like the one in their open kitchen. The menu: farm-to-table perfection. One of New England's finest restaurants.

    (5)

  • Jen S.

    Had made reservations many weeks prior to dining on opentable. Glad that we did because this place is difficult to get a reservation. They accept walk-ins, but be prepared for a long wait if you try this. We arrived about 20 minutes early and we waited in the bar area until our table was ready for us. During this time, we saw many people come in and try to get a table. They were told that the wait would be at least an hour to dine in the bar area and up to an hour and a half for the dining room. We were seated promptly at our reservation time at a table for two overlooking the open kitchen. Great view. After looking at the many delicious appetizers we decided on having the Vidalia Onion Soup and my husband had some of the selections from the homemade meats that they make. The soup was hot and delicious. A little on the sweet side, but that's vidalia onions there! My husband enjoyed his selection of prepared meats. For dinner I selected the Halibut and my husband had the ribeye. Both arrived quickly and hot. They were both delicious. We also ordered a side of roasted fingerling potatoes. Everything was very good. The halibut and potatoes has some noticeable strong salt presence. I was fine with it, but caution people who may be watching their salt intake on both of these dishes. Service was very attentive and each time I would need my water glass refilled, it was done before I had to even ask. We dined at a nice pace and took a break between entrees and dessert and never once felt rushed to make a decision. For dessert we decided on the vanilla bean pots de creme served with a homemade chocolate chip cookie. Delicious!!!! I wish more places served this! Overall a nice experience. Enjoyed watching the kitchen!

    (4)

  • Edward B.

    Great staff. Prices are way to high. Montreal prices but not in that league for value.

    (3)

  • Mara R.

    Yes, it's that good. If you want to have a foodie experience this is the place. First of all the location is is kind of discreet and non-pretentious. The concept is simple- open kitchen and the food is the star. The food and the preparation are what you focus on. You also can wear what I call "upscale casual" attire on to eat here. This makes the experience again- non pretentious and genuine. They feature a menu that changes frequently which always keeps it interesting and exciting. Yet, rest assure it will always be good. Fresh, local, "farm-to-table" ingredients with gourmet flare. Presentation is simple yet with sophisticated flavors. We venture to Portland JUST to eat here. One of our favorites!!!

    (5)

  • Eileen R.

    Went here last wednesday. Made a reservation...and was glad I did. It was busy! The room is beautiful. Cool rustic decor with an open kitchen in the center of the room. It gives it a super nice atmosphere with the dishes clinking and everyone talking. It's not too loud though. Our server was so nice too. I had a wild mushroom salad to start. Hubby had a sweetbread special. Both were absolutely delicious! For dinner we got the halibut special and the rib eye. To finish we shared the chocolate cake that was like lava cake with just the lava. amazing. This was the best dinner we had while in Portland. We will be back for sure. If you had one day to spend in this city, this is the place you want to have dinner.

    (5)

  • Bill E.

    We arrived early for our reservation and sat at the bar for a cocktail. The bar was well stocked and the bartender was very friendly. We met a couple who were waiting for their crew from their yacht to join them for dinner. Really enjoyed their stories. Once seated we were pleasantly surprised that the menu was more extensive than shown online. There were enough appetizers to provide a tapas meal but we elected to just share the foie gras and sweet breads and then move onto the entree. I had the hanger steak and J had the flounder. We then had the flourless chocolate tort and the apple strudel. Everything was fantastic. The service was great. The noise level in the restaurant was a little loud but not so we had to yell to hear each other. The wine list has all flavors and prices. Would go back anytime.

    (5)

  • Cassie M.

    Great ambiance, great service, wonderful food. A must in Portland. Everything you'd hope for when seeking a rustic, authentic but high quality restaurant in New England. It's wonderful to watch the kitchen work in front of you and then gaze out the large windows and take in Portland's harbor. Smart, friendly staff only add to the experience. My only qualm was that it was just sooo busy. We went on a Saturday night, so you expect busy. But we had to wait a while for our table (even though we had a reservation) and the bar was so packed that it was tough to get a drink. Not a huge problem, it's just too nice a restaurant to have the staff running around frantic and clearly somewhat stressed by the crowd. Also, I found a piece of parchment paper on my potatoes that the chef was clearly supposed to remove before serving. Again, when it's busy that happens. Just another sign that they were a bit frantic that night. But ultimately: go early and go often. It's a great spot.

    (4)

  • Elaine S.

    Have to say that dinner at Fore Street Friday night was not as good as we had expected. Having been there twice before (4 years ago) we were really looking forward to our dinner. We started with the mussels. Previously they had been fantastic. Friday night's were just ok. The overpowering garlic taste was a turnoff. My husband had the pork loin which was good but not great. And I had the halibut which was very fresh and good but nothing spectacular. All in all a disappointment in comparison to our previous visits.

    (3)

  • Kelly M.

    I was told that any famous chef that happens to be in Maine - well, they stop in at Fore Street. There's a good reason for that. This is an embodiment of what this town is, where ingredients and community are both housed on an incredibly high plane. We had a lovely dinner at Fore Street... the open kitchen, the loud din or happy diners, the simple fare that is flawlessly executed - it was all awesome. By far our favorite dish was a special, which is far from helpful for you. But if they have Maine Shrimp three ways, order six and hide the leftovers in your napkin. You'll be thinking about the dish for days and will thank me.

    (5)

  • Jaima S.

    I read great things about Fore Street before heading to Portland, Maine. A James Beard award, multiple national cooking show spots, farm to table, a commitment to local and sustainable seafood. So, my husband and I showed up as walk-ins at 5pm. We sat in the bar and waited until 530 when dinner service starts and we seated in a private room with a slight view of the harbor. Our waitress was great, very helpful and informative. They brought out bread, which seemed to be a wheatberry sourdough and rustic white bread. It was accompanied by sea salt, fresh ground pepper, and whipped butter. My husband and I enjoyed the white bread with whipped butter. I started with the market salad, which was mixed greens with an apple cider vinagrette. It came to the table and I took one bite....HOLY salt. I made my husband taste it and he choked on the salt. We told the waitress and in no time I had a new plate of salad. This one had no salt and was delicious. I ordered the crab and tomato bisque for my entree and my husband ordered the chicken entree of the evening. A word to the wise, you need to order entree sides separately and my husband got the garlic mashed potato special. I wish we were in the main dining room so we could have seen the kitchen in action, but alas our room was fine once the sun set and the lights were glistening over the harbor. Ok, back to the entrees. The tomato and crab bisque was TINY. It was also $15. It had brioche croutons in it, which were good, but the bisque itself was again overly salted and almost sour. The portion of lump crab was generous, but not even that could bring back this bisque. My husband's half chicken was roasted nicely and sat over thinly sliced squash. But, his mashed potato side was totally bitter. I think they burned the garlic or something. The table next to us ordered them as well and had the same complaint. Overall, I enjoyed the atmosphere, but I have to say for all the kudos I'd heard about this place going into it I was thoroughly disappointed. Sam Hayward was not in the kitchen and the James Beard award was in 2004, but I expected more.

    (2)

  • Karmel K.

    Doesn't look like this place needs more positive reviews, but what they hey, i'm going to do it anyway.... Great overall experience. Food was fantastic, service was great and I love the atmosphere, especially the wide open kitchen. Started with a beet and rocket salad. Husband had an appy that included chilled lobster with a tarragon sauce, mackeral tartare, winkles (not one of our favs), and crab. For main, had wood grilled haddock with potatoes. Potatoes were a bit oversalted, but could've been b/c of all the capers in the dish. Still was very good. The fish was fantastic. Hubs got duck (as usual) and it was really great as well. My only complaint is that I didn't have room for dessert!

    (4)

  • Christopher M.

    One of the best restaurants I've eaten in. Everything was executed perfectly and everyone was very professional and helpful. The service was on point throughout the night. I think I enjoyed my appetizer the most - crispy pork belly - but that's no surprise because I order that dish anywhere I can get my hands on it. Entree was very good - duck - cooked perfectly, but wasn't a wow factor. Wine was excellent. Atmosphere was very cool with an open kitchen in the middle of the place. It was almost mesmerizing. Would I return? Yes. Is it expensive. Yes. My only complaint is that the menu is not very creative. But everything on the menu is executed with perfection.

    (4)

  • Fotogal V.

    Luckily a local friend knew we needed a reservation. We arrived a little early and had a drink in their bar/lounge area. Sat down at a comfy sofa across from a couple have drinks and food and chatted with them a bit til our table was ready. As mentioned, the menu changes daily and is not available online. Being a vegetarian, I had called ahead to make sure there would be something for me to eat. The service was excellent from the moment we walked in the door and were greeted to the moment we walked out and were thanked and wished a good evening. And the food was fantastic. Starting with the bread brought to the table served with butter and coarse salt and pepper. Butternut squash soup, pasta with apples and cheese (sounded a little boring and strange but it was fantastic), pizza with summer squash, beets with horseradish and chive cream, panacotta made with coconut yogurt and served with watermelon balls in a light syrup. It's not cheap in price but $130 for 3 for drinks, appetizers, main dishes, shared dessert, and coffee seemed very worth it. Great atmosphere, great food, great service!

    (5)

  • Blair H.

    Fore Play.

    (5)

  • Sarah L.

    After hearing such great things about Fore Street, both on yelp.com and from friends, I brought my family here for what I though would be quite a treat. Unfortunately, it was not to be. First off, as a vegetarian, while I don't expect most restaurants to cater to me, there was not a single vegetarian entrée on the menu, and I ended up having to order an appetizer and several side dishes. Disappointing to go to Fore Street and not be able to order a main dish, but oh well. The salad was good, but not awe-inspiring: apples, goat cheese, and a vinaigrette dressing made for a nice, but expected, combination. My parents are, however, not vegetarians, so they had more options on the menu. My mother ordered the spigot chicken, which looked appetizing on the menu, but when it got to us was completely raw. I'm not talking slightly undercooked - I mean r-a-w. She sent it back, only to have it return a few minutes later with an explanation from the hostess that "the pinkish color of the brine just makes it seem raw." Not true: the meat was not cooked. Turns out this happened to a friend of mine a few weeks ago too, and the same excuse was given to her. My father got the hanger steak, which he found to be great but not one of his all-time favorites. That being said, there were a few things we had which I found excellent: the sweet potato mash was deliciously spiced, as well as the mashed potatoes. In terms of other vegetables, we also order brussel sprouts, but they too were undercooked and very hard to bite into. Dessert was pretty good, too - a mini-cheescake and a crème brulée. Overall, a huge disappointment. I expected far better from a restaurant which such a quality reputation, and for the price, and I doubt I will return. Two stars instead of one because I loved the sweet potato mash so much.

    (2)

  • Michael S.

    One of the best restaurants in the country? At least the parts of the country that I have visited. It ranks right up there with Chez Panisse and Blue Hill at Stone Barns. The causual atmosphere is a huge positive and the reasonable pricing is just icing on the cake. And the staff is wonderful. What more could you ask.

    (5)

  • Geneva W.

    Fore Street will always be a pinnacle of perfectly cooked American rustic fare in a memorable, renovated-barn locale. However, good execution and fresh ingredients will not stand alone when not combined with innovation! When we dined recently at Fore Street there were no specials (which, to me, is the sure sign of a bored chef) and the dishes on the menu were almost exactly the same as our previous visit, with much time in between. I hate to give any restaurant who uses so much local produce anything less than 4 stars, but I remain less than impressed with Fore Street. They are like the classic under-achiever; they COULD be spectacular, but they settle for mediocre. However, I would not deter you from dining there (if you have the $$ for it) if you are in the mood for traditional, rustic fare. And the bread (from downstairs neighbor Standard Baking Co.) is worth a visit in itself.

    (3)

  • Tim W.

    I'd say probably still THE best meal available in Portland, ME (unless of course my BF is cooking). Fore Street excels in EVERY regard. The service is spot on..not only was the server knowledgeable about the wine and food she was EXCITED about it which is something that cannot be taught. She made excellent suggestions and coursed our weird orders (1 app first, 1 app and entree 2nd, 1 app third etc...) without batting an eye. I even took it upon myself to stop by the kitchen to thank the guys (and girl--the exectuive sous) for an excellent meal. Great job! Oh and Sam was sitting right across from us...a GOOD sign when the owner is eating and entertaing his own guests in his restaruant! The only negative is that you MUST plan in advacce to eat here while there ARE walk in tables they fill up quickly so reserve as far as you can in advance. I'd say AT LEAST 10-12 days in advance from April to October.

    (5)

  • Andrew T.

    Fore Street is the restaurant I would create if I were to create a restaurant. It is housed in an old mill-like building (brick, exposed post and beam, big windows, etc) with a cozy atmosphere made so by the literally open kitchen with roaring fire, and the candle lights at each table. The menu is very extensive, which is usually a turn off for me, but the dishes were organized by cooking style, and even though there were dozens of choices, I found it to be pretty manageable to pour through. Oh, and when I say literally open kitchen, I mean it. The kitchen is in the middle of the restaurant, and has no walls separating it from the dining area, so it is right out there and allows for total visibility into the cooking process. They also keep all of their produce in a little windowed (presumably chilled) room right off of the kitchen, which really added to the openness of everything in the kitchen area. The service was spot on and friendly, and the food was fantastic. I opted for a whole black sea bass (head, bones, etc) that was cooked in a lemon/caper/butter sauce which I would have consumed as a cocktail on it's own if it were feasible to do so. The whole dish was absolutely phenomenal. We finished off with a tart plum pastry with mango sorbet, which combined some flavors that I hadn't had before, but worked wonderfully. Definitely an excellent dining experience all around.

    (4)

  • Paul L.

    So I came here because I went to State Street which is owned by the same restaurateur. I was excited because it was a recommendation made by a culinary tour guide who supposedly knew her ins and outs, fore after all, she does make her living by knowing the outs and ins. I also went to State Street before and had a great time (ie. good service, better food). From the outside, it's very unassuming. Inside, it is happening. The kitchen is exposed to the main dining area and it's cool to see what the chefs are doing with your food to get to the finished product. To me, it says that they have nothing to hide and that they are truly proud of their chefs' work. The rest of the dining area is large, spacious, rustic yet clean, and dimly lit but not overly so. The food was great. Apparently their menu changes everyday to take advantage of the freshest foods available. On the night that I went, I came with a group of twelve people and we all ordered something different. Personally, I had the sea bass which was nice and big. My gf got a soft shell crab (awesome!) and we shared their pizza (also awesome, especially their crust). I saw others get the mussels which were great and a great value too ($10 for a large plate of very meaty mussels). I saw another get the hanger steak which looked immaculate and probably tasted like heaven. Most of us got the chilled seafood platter which I thought was kind of a rip off. It's more of a tasting plate of four different fishes and though it is very good, at $18 a dish, I just don't think it's worth it. I ain't no baller. It would probably be apt to change the name to "a taste of chilled seafood." "Platter" made it sound like it was going to be this huge dish but it wasn't. Nish nish. The service was good. The beers were favorably priced and they had some good selections. I like it when places don't charge more for the simple things like beer just because the rest of their farm-to-table food is priced higher. I would come back but not without going to State Street first.

    (3)

  • Nick C.

    Ate here on New Years Eve and what an experience. Service was excellent. My girlfriend is gluten free and our waitress went so far as to print off a description of one ingredient that was "related" to wheat so that my gf could decide if she still wanted the dish. The food was excellent and prepared exactly as we ordered (we had the salmon, duck, lamb, and a few apps). My description doesn't do the meals justice because it was too long ago to remember the exact descriptions. Menus are printed out daily and the ambiance is awesome. Would definitely go back.

    (5)

  • Mariah L.

    I really loved the service, design and atmosphere. I really appreciate that there wasn't any music playing too. The wine list is great, and the cocktail list was succinct and well designed. The fish, mussels and mushrooms were cooked just wonderfully, especially the halibut.. but there was just so much salt, oil and butter.. nothing else very interesting or to counterbalance the texture or flavors on any of our dishes.. I felt like it detracted from the quality of the cooking and ingredients. I see why it's busy, but I don't exactly need to come back.

    (3)

  • Gregory G.

    Best meal I've had in a very long time. The muscles were the best I've ever had and the goat Cheese Ravioli with wild mushrooms was so good I was sad when it was all gone. Great ambiance, great service... This place is awesome!

    (5)

  • Dan M.

    I had a terrific experience at Fore St last Saturday night with friends and family (party of 6). This is a very popular place so it's highly recommended you call as far in advance as you can for reservations. We had called the previous Tuesday and were told all they had left were reservations for 9:00. Luckily my sister-in-law was aware that you could get in line prior to their opening and get walk-in reservations (if they're available). They had something for us at 5:30, which was ideal. All of the food was perfect, including the mussels, chilled seafood platter, rib eye, hangar steak, scallops, and various sides we tried. I personally had the Atlantic swordfish loin; the size and shape of which could be compared to a filet mignon. It was agreed amongst my party to have been the best swordfish any of us had ever tasted before. The cocktails are good and the wine list is extensive (albeit a little too pricy in my opinion as compared with other nice restaurants). From start to finish the service was stellar. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting with a lot of action happening in their open kitchen. We watched as brilliant heirloom tomatoes were sliced for one of their side dishes which we later tried. We finished the evening with dessert and like everything else it was well worth it.

    (5)

  • Michael K.

    Nice room, horrible staff Would not deviate from menu or even cook fish in a different way from the menu Lots of hype but no substance I will definitely pass next time

    (1)

  • Jessica F.

    We enjoyed our meal here immensely, inviting our hosts with whom we were staying. Peter had been there several times, but it was a first for me, as well as our friend Mercer, who hadn't been there either. We had a great table right in front of the brick oven where they roast all the meats and fish. Our server was charming, attentive and informed. The service was excellent overall, with water, bread and the like all coming with precision. Food...well, honestly, it was all perfect. From fresh fish and mussels to pork and steak, nothing was less than stellar. The butter was fresh and room temperature, the wines were crisp and well priced, the cheese plate at the end was sublime and the whole experience nothing short of excellent. We eat a lot. We know food. Fine, fresh, impeccably prepared locally sourced ingredients in knowlegeable hands is what you get at Fore Street. This was good.

    (4)

  • pramod p.

    This place is quite an experience. The open kitchen concept if great, and the menu, espeically the seafood, is fabulous. The salmon was some of the best ive ever tasted. We also had their signature pork on a spit, which was decent. It was a large piece of meat, somewhat lacking in sides, but the flavour was delicous. I am not sure it is worth the price, but it was a lovely dinner. Quality food. ALSO: it is very tough to get a reservation, but they keep 1/3 of their place open for walk ins- the key to this is showing up at 5 when they start taking reservations, you are bound to get a table for that night!

    (4)

  • Justin R.

    When food is at its best, it transcends what is on the plate to become a metaphor for life's beauty. The best meals are gorgeous on the plate, surprising, joyous, best shared, and ultimately ephemeral: the enjoyment of eating is all too brief. Fore Street provides a wonderful culinary experience such as this. We started with the goat cheese and tomato tart, and each bite blissfully danced across my palette: light yet complex, and completely delicious. After asking the waitress how long the tart had been on the menu, she informed us that it's been a summer staple of the restaurant for years, but that the tomatoes this season had been less than ideal, so that if we had visited the night before, it wouldn't have been on the menu. Good timing. This dedication to only using the freshest and best ingredients was consistent across the restaurant. All of the cooking and prep takes place in the center of the restaurant, so that all diners can see exactly what is going into their food. A large glass closet to the side stores everything from fresh peppers to cheeses at their proper temperatures. Bread is fresh-baked and delivered from Standard Baking Company downstairs. Basically, if the ingredients aren't local, healthy, and ripe, Fore Street won't serve them. (It's sad that this high standard is such a surprise!) The most amazing aspect of Fore Street's dining is the simplicity of the offerings: each meal is a demonstration of perfect execution and sublime freshness. My halibut was cooked perfectly, and the accompanying gnocchi rivaled any I ate in Florence. My fiancee's spit-roasted chicken could not have been moister or more flavorful. And the side of roasted summer squash we ordered were caramelized to perfection. On top of the spectacular food, the service was prompt, courteous, intelligent, and welcoming. Since we could watch all of the comings-and-goings from the central kitchen, it was clearly apparent that dinners are Fore Street are an ensemble affair - the entire staff worked as a well-oiled machine. And did I mention that all of this wonderful eating (and great wine list) is available at AFFORDABLE prices? I've been fortunate enough to dine at a large number of great restaurants. Fore Street is my new favorite.

    (5)

  • Susan J.

    We really enjoyed our experience here. The restaurant has a great layout and the open kitchen was fun to watch. The pizza, swordfish, wine, and blueberry tart were the standouts of our meal. I appreciated that we were able to relax and enjoy each course without feeling rushed. All and all a great dinner to cap off our trip.

    (4)

  • Todd W.

    This is a heavily touted restaurant. But it is all hype. Reservations were merely a "suggestion" of time. Once seated, the service was akin to abandonment. The food was just mediocre and sitting next to the windows, it was cold before the fork hit our mouths. Water glasses were left empty and I finally had to ask the maitreD for the check so that we could leave, after we sat ignored for 15 minutes. No one checked on us after a person who was not our waiter brought us the food. Extremely disappointing. Definitely a place NOT to go! And, the mussels are much better at Sea Glass at Inn By the Sea...not to mention better service.

    (1)

  • Ken M.

    Why do people not understand that you have to get a reservation at a nice restaurant, it isn't a shit on the wall chain restaurant? That being said, I got reservations two months prior to Andy's birthday (the first day they take reservations for that day) and there were already limited spots available. Our reservation was for 6pm, but we arrived at about 5:30pm and were seated at 5:45. Our waitress was a little ...crazy/eccentric, but well intentioned and pretty nice. Fairly on top of things. The ambiance of the place is amazing, with exposed brick walls, high beamed ceilings, an exposed kitchen and produce walk in. The lighting is warm and the tables are nice and metallic. Special note: the wood floors were amazing, I don't know how they got that effect, but they were beautiful. The one detractor was that the bathrooms at the front of the restaurant look like an afterthought and are the only things clad in generic white painted drywall in the place, they don't mesh with the rest of the place. The waterboys and table runners were easy on the eyes. The food was delicious. From our salads to entrees to dessert, perfect. Mine was a spinach and carrot salad with goat cheese, pumpkin seeds and pickled onions followed by sea scallops on a bed of pureed turnip and swiss chard and finished with an apple and cranberry pastry. Accompanied by a nice dry reisling. Andy's was a beet and greens salad followed by spit roasted rabbit and finished with a pear cobbler. Overall a good time and worth the price for a special event. Points for not being as pretentious as most restaurants at this price point are. I didn't feel like I was looked down on if I asked a question.

    (5)

  • Marcus H.

    I made reservations a week in advance, for 9:30 p.m., and I ended up pretty disappointed in my meal. Maybe it's because nothing is in season now (I'm hoping that is the reason). I really wanted to love this place--I did. But, the pork chops were, eh, the chicken was nothing special, and the dessert was just o.k. The best part of the meal was the large bowl of HUGE mussels, which I enjoyed immensely.

    (3)

  • E. R.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants. They always use the freshest, highest quality ingredients. The service and decor are top notch. The chefs are creative and passionate. The waitstaff are friendly and knowledgeable.When you consider all of the things that make a great restaurant, the staff at Fore Street excel at almost every level.

    (4)

  • Nathen S.

    Went here for an Anniversary dinner and it was perfect. The waitress was wonderful and when I made reservations they had asked about special occasion. The waitress was attentive but not overbearing. Her recommendations for wine, and appetizers were a hit. We had duck foie gras a first for us both. It was amazing. We then had a wood fired mussels dish which was even better (if that is possible). Both entres were top shelf as well as our dessert. The menu changes often and they use local ingredients which makes this (for me) one of the best restaurants in Portland. Reservations are probably a good idea as it was packed and you wouldn't want to miss this place!

    (5)

  • Pat I.

    Pretentious menu, way overpriced for what it offers. The ambiance is very cool - but can be brutally cold if you end up under the air conditioning vents. Ordered the mussels which had a great broth but were very gritty. Flank steak was undercooked and too chewy. Duck fat roasted potatoes were ordinary. Maybe it was the Sunday night but everything felt off.

    (2)

  • Yegor M.

    It does not get any better than Fore Street in Portland. Try mussels - perfect broth made of white wine and garlic - paired with great bread from the bakery downstairs and you got yourself appetizer to rule them all. Also try any salad - freshly prepared with local ingredients - it will be a good start. I will always recommend the whole fish entree - you will not be disappointed, as it's to die for. Order a bottle of Neyers Chard and have them take out the bones. Chocolate tort always ends my meal - if you like dark chocolate the way I do - well, you are in heaven.

    (5)

  • Anna D.

    I visited Fore St for my birthday, a milestone 30th. My date and I sat at a very small two top by a window. If you're physically on the larger side, I'd suggest requesting a four top, just for the extra table top space. Our server was very attentive and greeted us within three or so minutes. I ordered a glass of white and he a summer ale of some sort. The complimentary bread basket and dipping oil was just enough to hold us over. To start we ordered the mussel appetizer. The flavor was wonderful, but the mussels were way too large for my liking. A mussel that I have to chew for more than 3 seconds is too big to be served, BUT that being said, I'm very aware that this all depends on the season and personal taste. I also tried the celery soup with fried onions on top - the flavor was perfect. For our main courses, I chose the white fish and he chose the steak. Mine was in a bit of a buttery sauce, but non the less, flaky and moist. His was cooked to the T.. I'm not much of a red meat eater and I would have chosen his steak over my fish to order a second time. Overall, the atmosphere, service and food combined was wonderful. A must visit for anyone in the area or visiting. I can't wait to return, if only for happy hour... and a bread basket.

    (4)

  • Andrew F.

    I used to go to Fore Street on a yearly basis but that stopped last decade because I no longer stopped in Portland. Today though I decided I had to go back. I drove to Portland from Mid-Coast Maine (about 1.5 hour drive...totally worth it), and headed over to Fore Street. Fortunately for me there was one seat empty at the bar and I got right in. The service was friendly and attentive from the start and when I saw the menu I got very excited. I'm a huge fan of corn chowder and I was delighted to see Corn and Vidalia Onion soup on the menu. I ordered that, a hangar steak, and a beer. The corn chowder was amazing, one of the best soups i've had anywhere. Just perfect and it came out very quickly which was nice because I was quite hungry. I enjoyed that alongside the great fresh bread and butter and noticed how overworked the bartender seemed. Despite the fact he was running all over the bar he kept a smile on his face and remained extremely attentive. Once i had the hangar steak in front of me I took the requisite pictures and then dover right in. I'm not usually a hangar steak fan but decided to give it a try. At first I feared it was going to taste heavily of char, but it turned out that every part that had sauce on it was absolutely amazing. Some of the most flavorful steak I have ever had (and if you look at my reviews you'll see about 1/3 of the places I've been to). The shallots/onions (not sure which) in the sauce where delightful and really complemented the steak very well. Once I was done with the steak I decided to venture in to dessert territory. A few years ago (about 10 years ago) I had the best dessert of my life at Fore Street, it was a berry topped panna cotta, and I've longed to taste the same item again, but alas never have had the chance. Well today I got close. The dessert I ordered was a strawberry crisp on top of panna cotta. I had planned to just eat the panna cotta but unfortunately the panna cotta was underneath the strawberry, ice cream and crisp. I ultimately finished about half of this deseert but can't say I would order it again. The only downside. This doesn't mean you shouldn't get dessert here, I've had awesome desserts her in the past and expect to in the future, this one just didn't hit on the expectations. Overall there is no doubt in my mind that Fore Street is one of the best restaurant experiences to be had in the US. I wish I could say it is the best but from what I've experienced Melisse in Los Angeles is better but Fore Street is definitely in the running for my top five.

    (5)

  • Lisa B.

    I was here for an office Christmas party. Our office is pretty small, so there were 5 of us. We made reservations for a Thursday evening in advance. They don't seat until 5:30. We all went directly after work so we were early and sat on some couches in the bar area and ordered cocktails. I ordered a fancy beverage that was served EXTREMELY full, even the waitress was spilling it everywhere! However, it was delicious and nicely strong. The food here was out of this world amazing!!! I had the pork chop. It was a little tough to cut, but the sauce and veggies and flavor were out of this world. My coworker let me try a bite of his steak (I almost ordered it, but went with the pork chop when the waiter said it was one of his top choices). That bite of steak melted in my mouth. I don't even have words to do it justice! We ordered a side of potatoes for the table and a side of squash. I could eat that squash for DAYSSS!!! The potatoes were vinegary, so not my preference, but they were cooked to perfection and others at the table loved them. I finished up with the sorbet for desert. Just do it. It was light, flavorful, some very sweet, some not super sweet, but delicious. I had a couple bites of the salted caramel mousse. That was so good too! In sum: you can't go wrong with anything. The ambiance was great, but it was even busy on a weekday with a bomb threat nearby. Treat yourself and have a go!

    (5)

  • J-a T.

    Get in and eat at the bar ,spot just on left with sofa after for a cosy time to chill. Food is excellent , need time to study their menu. Local products. Good bakery is downstairs , same owner also Street&Co. Been there few times , love it.

    (5)

  • Mike S.

    Two words... Ah mazing... It's one of those places you can't help but just be like mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..... Great variety of land and sea with a fantastic upscale atmosphere. Either come at opening (they reserve seating for walk ins) or make reservations as there's ALWAYS a line.

    (5)

  • Francesca D.

    Great food, super atmosphere. Loved cocktail space near bar with antique chairs and love seats. Menu changes daily. Had hanger steak. Beets and goat cheese and mashed potatoes. Would 1000% return

    (5)

  • Joe B.

    Lots of hype for this restaurant, it been on the Portland scene for years. Steady, dependable - not much has changed. Service is attentive. If you looking for true foodie experiences there are better choices in Portland.

    (3)

  • Richard W.

    Another fantastic dinner experience. We came without reservations and sank into those big plush seats in the bar, had some wine and great Conversation until a table was available at 7:30. The service was superb food delicious, and the atmosphere is unlike any other place I've ever been. The smells of the kitchen are in the air and the whole time you were there you are enjoying the food even if you're not eating it...

    (5)

  • Frank S.

    We went a few minutes before the doors opened and were able to reserve a seat at the bar for 5:30. Adam the bartender was incredibly knowledgeable and professional. Oysters were amazing and the tomato tart was to die for. Food was outstanding and perfectly cooked (we had halibut and scallops). Then we had the blueberry tart and berry crisp, and they were fantastic. Don't miss Fore St.

    (5)

  • Jessica C.

    I had to give this place a 1 star for the awful service we received after walking in. We were just winging it as we have dined our way through Portland, and had passed by this place a few times throughout our trip and knew at some point we wanted to check it out. We walked in at about 6pm and the place smelled amazing and were hoping to at least be able to eat there. We were approached a by a middle aged woman with dark hair who was either a hostess or manager, when asked what the wait was, she told us it would be an hour. And being from Miami, I have done my fair share of walk-ins and waited even two hours to dine, her demeanor was so off turning that we walked out. She told us it was an hour wait as if we were some nuances bothering her. I have never felt so offended walking into a restaurant trying to get a table. EspecIally being from one of the top food spots of the world, Miami. I will definitely be telling friends and people looking for places to eat in Maine to steer clear of this snooty place. Total disappointment.

    (1)

  • Molly G.

    We were told about this place from the woman who ran the bed and breakfast we stayed in this weekend and checked out the menu during the day. The options looked amazing, but after an attempt to make reservations we were wary that we'd actually get in -- understandably so, this place comes highly recommended in Portland. We walked in around 7 hoping to score a seat at the bar. The hostess said it would be up to an hour and a half, but suggested we put our names in, as things often change and people don't show up and tables for two are easier to come by. Not two minutes later did she have a spot for us right in the heart of this beautiful restaurant with an open kitchen. Our server was attentive and able to provide wine recommendations as needed. She never made us feel rushed in a restaurant that clearly has its fair share of table turnover. The food was unbelievable -- my boyfriend and are foodies and this superseded all of our expectations. He had the monkfish which was a perfect balance of rich and also flaky, and I had a steak that I will likely dream about for years to come. The wines that our server helped us select were absolutely perfect. I will most definitely come back!

    (5)

  • Christa H.

    This was a perfect meal from beginning to end. The appetizer of lamb croquettes with a roasted quail was delicious. I highly recommend the roasted half chicken that came with duck fat fried sour dough bread from Standard Baking. I just wanted to keep eating it and I was very sad when the last piece was gone. If you have extra pennies, splurge and go here. You won't regret it.

    (5)

  • Bill S.

    Great food, service and atmosphere!!- the muscles are out of this world.... you won't leave hungry

    (5)

  • Todd T.

    Make a reservation and come early to have a cocktail at the bar. We were seated on time with a window view. The service was professional, helpful and timely. We ordered so much and everything was good. Mussels, clams, chicken liver, salad and beet soup to start - all excellent. Entrees were lobster, blue fish, vegetable pasta, and whole sea bass. Well cooked and perfectly seasoned. We somehow managed desert. I had the single bite of chocolate mouse with white chocolate - it fantastic and really a perfect size after a huge dinner. Overall experience was fun, delicious, and very Maine. Come and eat here. You will not have any regrets.

    (5)

  • L F.

    Man, Fore Street is a hopping place! At first I was pretty disappointed that I wasn't able to make reservations for a group of 3 on a recent Saturday night. Then I read reviews, and perused Fore Street's website, it turns out they leave a bunch of tables open for walk-in reservations. My friend and I got to Fore Street before 5 pm. There was already a sizable line up the block. We were delighted to obtain a reservation for 9 pm. Fast forward four hours: We show up just before 9 and our table is all ready for us. Bam, we even got one next to a window! I like that Fore Street offers a different menu every day, and uses local and seasonal ingredients. We ordered a bottle of wine. My friends ordered the duck and a fish dish. I had the sea bass. We got sides of greens and the green beans with brown butter. We rounded out the night with espressos. Overall I was impressed with the ambiance and food. Although I can say without a doubt I have had more interesting meals in Boston, or even elsewhere in Maine (Primo in Rockland). I think the reason I'm only giving it a 4 star rating is we were a little turned off by our waitress' attitude. She was 'too cool for school.' To make small talk we asked if it was a typically busy night (to us it seemed busy, clearly all the tables were full). She goes, 'oh this is a slow night' (umm ok). And she wasn't particularly excited to sell us anything off of the menu. We probably could have been talked into dessert, but she made no effort to interest us in it. At the end of the night she definitely was quick to bring the check. I kind of doubt they were having more than one more seating, since it is Maine, and it was after 10 pm. Regardless, I do recommend checking out Fore Street if you're interested in eating some nice local food at a classy establishment.

    (4)

  • Ree R.

    Whenever I am in Portland I make sure to get a reservation for Fore Street, and I am never disappointed. The space is very warm and laid back with an open kitchen. All the staff are friendly, helpful, and attentive. The bread is delicious! The menu changes but the foie gras is always prepared perfectly and I've never been disappointed in any of the seafood or meat entrees.

    (5)

  • Victor D.

    My partner and I visited Portland as part of a longer Maine trip. We had an incredible time here. He had the mixed greens salad and I had the mushroom medley and we shared the oysters. Everything was amazing. For entrees we had the whole sea bass as well as the duck two ways. Food: incredible, service: more so. We had two tables to our left and right that were particularly difficult. Our server, Adam, dealt with them with poise and finesse and we had an amazing time despite their bitterness. Five stars for food, service and EVERTHING ELSE! Thank you all!!

    (5)

  • Lars B.

    No idea about their food as our experience stopped cold with the obnoxious "hostess". At 5:00 pm on an inclement evening, my wife and I stopped in to make reservations for 8:00 or 9:00 pm ...as I was perusing the menu, she began speaking with the hostess who was informing her that we could make a "walk in reservation" at 7:00pm only, after which it was walk in only. What?? When I asked for clarification , the hostess first debated whether she should address me at all, asked who I was, and when told the one paying the check, she repeated herself desultorily. Really?! You have, admittedly, no shortage of tables and a party of four, probable $500 tab or so, is an inconvenience? This is not Manhattan,NYC; this is Portland,ME in January- get a grip on yourself.

    (2)

  • Josie D.

    My husband found this place right before we left for vacation and we were so excited to try it! We attempted to make a reservation the day before and it was completely booked so he did some research and found we could try to get get one of their walk in reservations! We walked by at 4 and 430 and no one was waiting yet, but by 445 there was already a decent line - so make sure your definitely there by then if your planning to get a spot! The service was excellent, and the food was absolutely great. We weren't really into any if that nights appetizers, but they were really sweet and let us order the tomato and mozzarella side dish as our app! It was delicious! The tomatoes and mozzarella were so incredibly fresh. I also got their Grapefruit and Ginger cocktail which was great. For dinner, my husband got the hanger steak and mashed potatoes. Both were delicious! The steak was super tender and flavorful. I had the Marscarpone Ravioli. It was definitely good, very flavorful though, so I didn't finish all of them. For dessert my husband got the dark chocolate mousse and I had the pound cake. His was very good, but very intense! My was phenomenal. I'd be happy to have that for dessert every night for the rest of my life, no kidding! I told me husband not to show me the bill, but he said it was even nearly as bad as some of the other restaurants we've been to that didn't even have nearly as good food!

    (4)

  • Kelly O.

    Had a solid dinner here this weekend, can't say anything was really wrong with our food or experience (aside from the price tags which are a bit higher than they should be IMO) and I can see why this is a local favorite. That being said, I wasn't blown away, and didn't think it really lived up to all the hype... my $24 pollock was cooked perfectly and laden in a tasty broth with shitakes and spinach, but it wasn't mind-blowing IMO. Similarly, the boy's $34 half duckling and our split $7 side of carrots with pistachio butter were solidly tasty, but nothing amazing. Technically, nothing was wrong with our food or service or experience, but for the price and reputation, it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I'd be happy to return, but I don't think we'd go out of our way for a plan-ahead reservation or blow a whole paycheck here.

    (3)

  • Busra E.

    Great food, fancy atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    Visited July 11. Excellent food and service. Wood roasted mussels were the highlight. Thank you to Adam for two excellent wine recommendations... They made the meal. Special thanks for the chef with the purple bandana working then oven station... Even with the tickets raining in both our dishes from your station were cooked perfectly. Nice job. Can't wait to return to Portland.

    (5)

  • Brenda G.

    In all fairness we did go on New Years Eve. The staff was a little snooty. Loved the atmosphere and the service was good, even on a busy night like New Years. Food was underwhelming for the price. The bread was incredible, not suitable for young children, more for over 10 year olds.

    (3)

  • John Y.

    A good restaurant for extremely fresh tasting foods. We had the grilled squid, pork with sauerkraut, and hanger steak. The food itself was excellent, but service was a bit lack luster. This could be because the restaurant staff was extremely busy, but we were always fighting to get the waitresses attention. Recommended, but go at a non peak hour!

    (3)

  • Karen V.

    It's so rare for me to give a restaurant such a low number of stars but this place really was a disappointment. I dined at Fore St on May 31 a busy Friday. We asked for recommendations for a good restaurant at the executive air terminal in Portland. After getting rave reviews we decided to try it. We arrived without reservations but didn't mind waiting. Our party of four was escorted to a booth and our drink orders were promptly taken by a very lovely waitperson. She brought out butter and some salt and pepper and disappeared. Waitstaff was everywhere,when she returned after who knows how long we asked for bread,she scuttled off,still no bread. After about fifteen minutes the magical bread arrived which was fresh out of the refrigerator,yuck. We perused the menu which seemed really pricey,but we figured with all the rave reviews it must be worth it. Our order was finally taken and we waited. I ordered the black bass which I was warned in advance that it had bones in it. I love fish but I have never had a fish with bones in every bite,I was actually getting afraid I was going to choke on every mouthful. The sides that "are big enough to share"came out and I am not a big eater but with the size of them I really didn't want to share. My dining companions couldn't get over how small the portions were and how high the prices. In conclusion,this place is over hyped,expensive and not a good value. It's noisy and dark, the portions are small and the bread is cold, many other good restaurants in Portland that are worth considering and you don't need to take out a second mortgage to eat at.

    (2)

  • Larry C.

    Came to Portland for the weekend and was looking forward to checking out this restaurant after hearing all the great reviews. Line started to form around 445 pm and we were one of the first couples to arrive. Not sure why this restaurant doesn't allow those waiting first in line to choose when they want to eat, rather, the earlier you are in line the earlier your reservation. We had a late lunch so was hoping to get a later reservation but they said 530 pm only. So we went back in line and waited a second time, this time securing a 9 pm reservation . I started with a cocktail at the bar which was only okay. But I guess I am a bit spoiled with all the great cocktail options in NYC. The wine list was reasonable and prices decent with a fairly long list of less than 50 options. The food is good, though very pricey especially for the area. My lobster was cooked very well but for 40 bucks it seemed overpriced especially given the smaller portions. Service was great, very friendly and attentive. Overall, my chief complaint is the price as the quality is 4 stars but take 1 star off for price. Cocktail needs some work but wine list makes up for it. Service was 4 stars. Overall would give it 3.5 stars.

    (3)

  • Anna B.

    Not sure how you could have a bad experience here. We started with the grilled squid, and ordered our entrees - flounder and half chicken. Everything was amazing. The service was also fantastic. For dessert, we ordered the pot de creme and blueberry crisp. I may go so far as to say the pot de creme was a top-three-dessert-ever for me. Yes, it's expensive, but it is so worth it. This deserves five stars for sure.

    (5)

  • Diane K.

    Ok. Had a beet salad and the mussels. Absolutely delicious! Couldn't believe the amount of mussels. Service was excellent. Great restaurant

    (5)

  • Brian C.

    I've eaten here a few times and really think it sets the bar for restaurants in Portland and well even Boston for that matter. I've found that people in Boston understand very little about sports and even less about food. The food and service here are always top notch. While I will say on my trip here this weekend we did run into a snafu. My gf ordered a blackened sea bass which was basically a branzino. An Italian fella that sat down with his wife about 15 minutes after us must have coincidentally ordered the same thing. My pork loin came out and looked amazing but for some reason Kate's sea bass was delivered to the Italian guy. I was politely waiting for her to get her food but not this Italian fella. He went to town on the sea bass while his wife Kate and I watched. It did look really good though and he skillfully deboned it. It was almost good for Kate to see how to eat it. They recovered quickly and all was well. Kate swears she saw a spider too but I think she was confused by the ambiance being so nice.

    (5)

  • Eliza M.

    Last minute change of plans... on a Saturday night... "Let's go to Fore Street" In case you hadn't gathered from other reviews, this could have been a disaster. Line up outside, hope to get a walk in spot, etc. We were about 10th in line at 4:45, they open at 5:00 to start the roulette of reservations. We got to the front of the line - "We can either have you wait in the bar area and eat at the bar by 5:30/5:45 or so or 8:30 in the dining room" I expected this, so was not upset by it... It's really our own fault for changing our plans at 2:30 on the DAY OF. Silly us. We opted for the bar seating since it's the full menu and, at eight months pregnant, I had no interest in waiting until 8:30pm to eat. Early Bird Special! We had a great experience. Fore Street has a reputation that precedes itself... honestly, Portland has so many good restaurants, I find it hard to give out a 5 star to anyone because "Best thing I've ever eaten" status could be challenged at any time. The nitty gritty - since I know long reviews can be annoying: Atmosphere - great ambiance at the bar, not as loud as the dining room since it's further from the kitchen. Great, knowledgeable server/bar tender who has been at Fore Street for 17 years. Whoa. All food was nicely timed. Food - delish, as one would expect. The portions were not as "darling" as I expected them to be - my beet salad was HUGE, my husbands salad was also sizeable. Bread came out early. Our meals were smaller, but complemented the size of the apps well. I had hake (served in its own little cast iron dish, nicely prepared) and Hubs had the ravioli. This vegetarian option was good, smaller but absolutely striking in flavor. Dessert was an apple tart, shared between the two of us (who am I kidding, I inhaled most of it, while Hubs could only hope to get his fork in there in between my bites) Drinks - couldn't go wrong! Expansiveeeeee drink menu. All told - 2 apps, four alcoholic drinks, one non-alcoholic drink, 2 entrees (on the less expensive side - no $45 rib eye), 2 coffees, one dessert - WITH tip - $150. Not nearly as damaging to the wallet as I had anticipated. We were done by 7:30 and I went home and put on my pajamas. HA.

    (4)

  • Nate Y.

    One of your fine dining options in Portland, Fore Street fits the bill. Exposed brick and hard wood surfaces abound. Started with a cocktail and within 10-15 minutes our table was ready, even though we were early for our reservation. We were a large party therefore it provided the opportunity to order several appetizers shared family style. Salads are fresh, and the oysters were excellent. Main dishes are the meat/seafood alone with sides ordered separately. I had the lamb which was served two ways; in sausage form and thick lamb chop. Since it is new American the portions weren't big, but were satisfying. The hangar steak, which I had the opportunity to try, is a good size portion. All the meat was cooked as ordered. The mashed potatoes were buttery, but the broccolini was bit too firm for me. All in all an great meal. Service was fine.

    (4)

  • Dave C.

    This is an amazing restaurant! The mussels are by far the best I have had and the selections of fresh foods are wonderful. Great cheese, meats and speciality items make this place a must try.

    (5)

  • Izzie C.

    I loved everything about this restaurant! The decor and ambiance were awesome, and I loved the open kitchen! It was incredible to literally see and hear the kitchen cooking our dinners! The food is perfect, and the farm to table concept is cool because it allows the chef to change the menu daily! The steak was divine and so was the mushroom and corn salad! Two of my favorites of the night! Our waitress was extremely nice and comforting! She made excellent recommendations about what to order and even took something off of the bill because we weren't huge fans of that particular dish! I am trying to plan another trip to Portland so I can eat here again!

    (5)

  • Audrey T.

    My husband and I were blown AWAY with this restaurant. We loved how fresh the food is, how the menu changes daily based on their ingredients, and how romantic the interior is. It was a perfect dinner to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. Even though I knew it would be busy, we didn't make a reservation because we were travelling and couldn't estimate our arrival time. When we checked in at around 7pm, they told us the next available table wouldn't open until 9:30. We decided to just put out name down, and thank goodness we did, because they called us 15 minutes later to tell us a table had opened. Hallelujah! Our waiter was also very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu and helped me pick a dish that I would enjoy more. I must note that the flavors of their food is not outrageous. It's not particularly flavorful, but in a good way. That way the flavor of the fresh food really shone through. It was amazing. They didn't try to hide it at all. The mussels were the freshest we ever had - so soft and silky and the soup was amazing. For a $12 appetizer it was a very generous portion. We unfortunately were too full to partake of their dessert, but we already promised ourselves that we would return regularly on our anniversary! That's how much we loved it.

    (5)

  • Steve A.

    My favorite place to eat in Portland. Good food creations served in a warm friendly atmosphere Try the unique dishes not found elsewhere

    (4)

  • Bruce D.

    Great restaurant. Great space. Great staff. Wonderful food from a huge wood oasting over

    (5)

  • Rich T.

    Ok call me parochial west coaster, but my image of Maine (lobster shacks!) and stick-the-ribs food was forever changed by this place. It is in a renovated warehouse in downtown Portland and utterly charming. On the cold and rainy August night we went, it was absolutely packed to the gills and it is easy to see why. The lobster with crab that we had was terrific. The steaks were awesome and the desserts were fabulous. It is not the kind of place you can go every night, but a well prepared meal from local ingredients was just what the doctor ordered tonight :-)

    (5)

  • John C.

    We went to Fore Street based on the recommendations of several friends. The ambiance of the restaurant is wonderful--romantic and rustic. From the exposed brick, to the open kitchen, to the produce walk-in, all the details were purposeful and supported the idea of fresh, farm-to-table food. We had a glass of wine in the bar area while waiting for a table; the hostess and bar server were professional and attentive. We were seated shortly after arriving (we did have a reservation, it was a Monday evening but the restaurant was packed). It took some time for our server to make it to our table, and she appeared rather sporadically throughout the rest of the meal, but it was a very busy night, and anytime she was with us, she was very pleasant. We ordered two appetizers and two entrees. Fresh sourdough from the Standard Baking Co. was brought to the table, and it was excellent--worth a visit to the bakery the next day to get another loaf to take home. Unfortunately, the bread was the standout of the meal. All of the food was certainly prepared well, and the concepts seemed like they would be delicious, but the food left us underwhelmed. Nothing was as great as it seemed it would be on the menu; nothing was bad, per se, but it didn't meet our expectations. We left disappointed, because we had heard such great things about Fore Street, but ended up having much better meals elsewhere in Portland.

    (2)

  • Karen N.

    Our best meal in Maine. Went there on a cold rainy Sunday night and waited for 45 minutes to get in.No problem, we went across the street for a beer and watched football for a while. We sat near the kitchen and could almost feel the heat from the pizza oven. Great food and service, not stuffy either. Believe the hype, go.

    (4)

  • B B.

    Fresh food well cooked. We had the oven halibut and steak. Fantastic wine list & great draft beer offerings with great service. Blueberry dessert was magnificent. Must return often.

    (4)

  • Ben F.

    Once upon a time, there was a restaurant called Fore Street. It put Portland Maine on the foodie map. Several James Beard awards later, everyone who was anyone had eaten there. It was truly an excellent restaurant - best of its kind. Even made it to #16 in the US. Fast forward to 2014. Sam Hayward is long gone and so is the quality of the food. Once a signature dish, the mussels, were soggy and the shells were brittle (likely over cooked). The "lamb" that I ordered for $40!! came with 3 ribs and a slice of lamb bacon served over some under-cooked squash and beets. Squash soup was tasteless. The wood grill is still great, and if I'm being honest, it's probably around 3 stars, but I feel the need to offset the good reviews that this place USED to earn.

    (2)

  • William M.

    Fabulous meal and possibly the first 5-star rating I've given. Started with some great Maine brews. We enjoyed the beet salad as an appetizer and the bread (from Standard Baking Co. downstairs) was amazing! For mains we had a fish in a wonder white sauce, the roasted duck and sweatbreads. Our waitress was very profession but in a relaxed way. The ambiance was top - notch: open kitchen in the middle of the restaurant, nice large windows, overall comfortable but elegant feel. Definitely recommendable.

    (5)

  • Leslie G.

    One of the few places i'll wait...and wait they don't take reservations via opentable anymore. went with 2 friends on may 17. called at 6 and was told an hour wait. when we got there it was over an hour for the table and they now take reservations at the bar. we were seated at the bar an hour later - i prefer eating at the bar. everything was incredible - was a fiddlehead fern virgin until that night - they were interesting, not something seasonal i'd search out (like fried zucchini flowers) but interesting. i had the duck and the confit and breast were perfect. we all shared dessert - totally amazing. also should mention i fly 2400 miles and drive another 60 to eat there :).

    (5)

  • Corinne E.

    The wait was about 40 minutes but they made the waiting time enjoyable and comfortable with drinks and appetizers at the bar. Attentive and friendly service. The Arctic char was fabulous and their bread is fresh and delicious. The oysters were probably the very best I have ever had in my life :) Ambiance takes you straight to Europe and the view is hard to beat. Highly recommended!!

    (5)

  • Joyce H.

    Fore Street is an excellent place for local and fresh seafood. They change their menu daily and offer amazingly fresh specials. Making a reservation is really important here. You can't make a reservation the day of, so be sure to call in and make one ahead of time. You can also go in and put your name on a waitlist, which is what we did...we had about a 2-3 hour wait, so we explored Portland until our meal time (around 9pm). When we went in, they had a table open for two, so we gladly took it. Fore Street has a rustic but trendy / upscale feel. The main dining area is quite busy and loud, but we got a table for 2 in the back room which was quieter with a nice ambient feel. It's a dark and romantic restaurant. They also feature an open kitchen with lots of wood burning stoves. Mmm. We shared the raw fish sampler and the oven roasted sea food. It was well done with fresh fish, but the flavors were not super outstanding. I think it was pretty pricy as well. It's a dependable and solid restaurant and worth the visit... though I liked the atmosphere and food from their sister restaurant much better (Street & Co). I will say that service was a 5 for sure. All the servers are knowledgable and friendly.

    (4)

  • Aaron P.

    When a place is as hyped as Fore Street, I expect it to be perfect, or at least flawless. What I got was a mixed bag of triumphs and failures. We arrived precisely on time for our 7:45 reservation and were told that our table wasn't available. Apparently there was a table that had paid 30 minutes ago, and a table that had paid 45 minutes ago, and both were just sitting there. I understand that it's not a good practice to kick guests out, but regardless, we ended up waiting about 10 minutes for our table. They were nice enough about this, and once we were seated our server offered her apologies. Ok. Apology accepted. While I generally enjoyed the interior of the restaurant, we were seated at window that was directly opposite a parking garage. Not a huge deal, but also not a nice view. There's an open kitchen, and the room where they store their produce is right in the entrance area of the restaurant with a nice big window for you to ogle through. The menu was robust but confusing. Things were categorized by food type and preparation, such as "Wood Grilled Meats" and "Turnspit Roasted Meats," instead of by course, so I had to hunt for what I would consider an appetizer. I decided to go with a salad and a steak, but was split between two salads. I asked the server for her opinion on them, and she said something along the lines of, "All of our salads are so unique and creative. You should find one that speaks to you and go for that." Okaaaayyyyy. A comparison of their merits or some other useful information would have been nice instead of just complimenting the restaurant, but moving on. We placed our orders, and then waited. Then we waited some more. Eventually we caught the server's attention and asked for our bread. When it finally came, it was good, but nothing too special. The butter, however, was fantastic. The salads then arrived. The produce we had seen through that window was incredibly fresh and delicious, and everybody was happy with their choices. The same can't be said of the entrees. One of my party got a chicken dish that was so salty he had to send it back. I like salty foods, and even I didn't like it. The waitress said, "All the food is carefully vetted, but I'll let the kitchen know." I didn't like the defensive stance she took. When she came back, she was apologetic and made an excuse about how the brine can be tricky to control (note that it was described as marinated, not brined).. She then took his replacement order. He got the hake, and was that was great. I got the rib eye steak, which was the most expensive thing on the menu. It was cooked perfectly. Soft and delicious, but very fatty. The presentation was also lackluster, with a sauce and some potatoes somewhat messily tossed on top of the piece of meat. It was good. It was very good, but for $45 I want my eyelids to fold inside out and my brain to leak out of my ears. There was no brain leakage. My wife got the hanger steak, and it was tasty but a bit sinewy. The deserts were all perfect. This is the kind of excellence I expected from Fore Street. It's just too bad we had to wait until the end of the meal to get it. Fore Street was good, but it didn't come close to living up to the hype. I've had better meals for less money in the area, and in the end, there are other places I'd rather explore or return to before going back to Fore Street.

    (2)

  • Adam A.

    Recently ventured up to Portland for an extended weekend in the beginning of August and was blown away with dinner at Fore Street. Yes, reservations are hard to come by and people do line up outside the restaurant early, but once inside and enjoying the food you will understand why there is such a buzz about this place. If you were unable to make a reservation in advance, the restaurant saves tables for walk ins to either dine at the bar or in the dining area. Recommend showing up at 4:45pm, as others have mentioned, and let the hostess know whether you would prefer the bar or a table in the dining room. You will then have the ability of entering the restaurant at 5pm and sit at either option at 5:30pm after enjoying a cocktail at the bar and/or lounge area In terms of food, we wanted to try as much as possible...certainly succeeded in doing that. The menu constantly changes based on food availability, so it is hard to predict what you will have the option of ordering. For appetizers we had the tomatoes and mozzarella (in season), mussels (must have) and assortment of fresh seafood (scallops, salmon, mackerel). Everything was unbelievably fresh and tasty with the exception of the salmon that did not have a good texture to it. For entrees we had the scallops, lobster and lamb - all were exceptional! Dessert we shared the chocolate mousse and blueberry crumble cake, which were devoured by the three of us even after the massive amount of food we consumed earlier. Overall it was a great experience with the service, atmosphere, food, drinks, etc. Highly recommend eating here one night if you are visiting for the weekend.

    (5)

  • Evelyn S.

    Based on a friend's recommendation and glowing reviews, my husband and I decided to try Fore Street. We called for reservations, but were informed the next available was two weeks out. However, a third of the tables are reserved for walk-ins. As a result, we decided to take our chances and showed up at 8:00 on a Friday evening. Upon arrival we were informed it would be 30-45 minutes, and retired to the bar to await a table. Just as we received our drinks the hostess came to escort us to our table. ~10 minutes - not bad. The overall decor is quite rustic and the seats at our table were on the uncomfortable side, with rope seats and a ridge that cut into my legs. I have short legs, so it's my fault, but it did make for a less than great experience. Also, the table had one leg shorter than the others and we had to wait for a few minutes while cardboard was placed under the offending side. Once in place, we examined the menu. The menu changes daily, with a few standards. Definitely focused on fresh, local, sustainable fare, according to the menu. For an appetizer, we ordered the Grilled / Raw Seafood Sampler, which consisted of Ahi tuna, scallop ceviche, smoked mussels and salmon and an order of oysters on the half shell. The scallops were some of the best I've ever had, the salmon and tuna were good, but not extraordinary, and the mussels were gritty and laden with sand. The oysters were tiny and also gritty and full of pieces of shell. Maybe a shucker in training? Bread was served along with the appetizers and came with olive oil for dipping. The bread was tough and tasteless and the olive could have used some spices to bump it up. One piece was enough. For entrees, my husband had the dry-rubbed pork loin with sauerkraut and au jus and I opted for the seared sweetmeats and chicken liver appetizer with baby new potatoes. We also ordered the fat roasted new potatoes to share. This is when the evening took a nose dive. The emphasis on the pork loin was definitely the dry in dry-rubbed. It was the most over cooked pork either of us have ever encountered. When my husband asked the waiter if he could have some of the horseradish sauce he'd seen on the menu, the waiter responded that the horseradish sauce was strictly served with the hanger steak - no substitutions or modifications. Since the pork was inedible as it was, my husband finally convinced the waiter to bring more of the au jus. A tiny pitcher arrived, which almost lasted through the meal. The potato side dish was described as roasted in pork fat, but we didn't expect the 1/4 inch of cooling fat in the bottom of the dish. A few of the potato pieces were roasted, the rest were pale and barely cooked. The fat laden dish became quickly intolerable. For my dish, both the livers and the sweetmeats were raw. Not just rare (I typically eat my steaks 'blue' or as rare as allowed, so this doesn't bother me, typically), which is how this offal should be cooked, but actually raw. This is partially "shame on me" as I should have sent them back, but, having watched way too many episodes of "Top Chef," I over thought it. My reasoning was that a) maybe that's how they were supposed to be, b) sending them back would result in over cooking, which is completely intolerable, and c) being from Boston, I didn't want to be THAT M@sshole visiting Maine. I should have done / said something. I choked down the raw meats, which then started percolating in my stomach; whether in reality or in response to the thought of the raw flesh sliding down my throat, I'm not sure. Regardless, it was not pleasant from then on. Will admit that the sides that came with the entrees, the new potatoes and the sauerkraut, were quite good if scant. The waiter seemed upset that we weren't raving about the food and became obnoxious in attempting to wrangle a positive response from either my husband or me. That may be why we were rarely checked on, having to flag down waiters for water refills and service of any kind, but it's hard to say. We paid the check - an exorbitant one for the experience - and scurried out. Will most likely not return.

    (1)

  • Chad K.

    Mussels were excellent. Ribeye was very good and grilled perfectly. My wife ordered the rabbit and thought it was just okay. Complimentary bread was good. We also ordered dessert. My wife got the butterscotch pudding and I got the apple tart. Both were very good. Considering the price point, the service could have been better. I had to scan the dining room and wave down our waitress a few times because we needed refills, needed plates cleared, or wanted to order more. We didn't have a reservation. Frankly, I find the concept outdated. Their website said they reserve a third of their dining room for walk-ins and they would begin taking names at 5PM. We got there at 4:50 PM and there was already a line around the building. After we put our name on the list we were told to come back at 7:15 PM for a table. Overall, the food was very good and I highly recommend it. Service was just okay. For two people to dine with an appetizer, entrees, and dessert we spent $130.

    (4)

  • John D.

    Really a 3.5, four for the food, minus a half star for the small portions and high, Manhattan prices. We had the seafood sampler, which was a nice sampler. The duck was drier than it should have been, but tasty. Dessert was awful. Service fine. Whatever.

    (3)

  • Nicole M.

    5.5 years later, I make it back to Fore Street. I made reservations 3 months ago. 110% worth the wait. Sat near the windows, and my friend informed the rest of us: "we are DINING tonight." And dine we did. We took our time, with salads, wine, entrees, desserts, and more wine. It's the perfect place for a first date, a special occasion, a girls' dinner, a family dinner, etc etc etc. It's simply fantastic. I leave you with my 2 most important words: CHOCOLATE. TORT.

    (5)

  • Vincent D.

    On a recent visit to Portland a highly anticipated reservation turned out to be a big disappointment. Started with my martini which had a sweetness to it probably due to the fact that the shaker was not thoroughly rinsed after the bartender made my wife's grapefruit and ginger drink. My martini was promptly replaced. To start my wife ordered the tomato tart which had sweet tomatoes and a creamy goat cheese, problem was the tomato had to compete with an overly sweet pastry crust. My appetizer a mushroom salad, was fresh and nicely dressed. As a second course we shared the mussels in a garlic almond butter. I must admit the mussels were plump and beautiful but under cooked by 2 mins an eternity when cooking shell fish. For our main course my wife ordered seared sea scallops that came out 3 shades under luke warm and more resembled bay scallops on steroids then day boat scallops, lacking in both flavor and size. My wood roasted sea bass was left for dead in the oven. So dry was the flesh that even the abundance of pasty mushroom gravy it sat atop could not save it from adhering to the bottom of the copper pan it arrived in. Being a chocolate lover my wife ordered the hand made chocolates for dessert which arrived straight out of the refrigerator, (like cheese, that's a no no) so the flavor if there was any, was not allowed to shine through. I realize Fore Street gets accolades, but not on this night. 7/17/2015

    (2)

  • Alison L.

    Fore Street sits inconspicuously on - you guessed it - Fore Street. Tucked inside a brick building and two large wooden doors, you enter a cavernous, dimly-lit waiting area and foyer. Beautiful, exposed wooden beams and comfortable atmosphere. We arrived 5-10 minutes earlier than our reservation and were told we were right on track to be seated on time. We were. Our waiter was fabulous - super knowledgable and chatty, but not too chatty. The menu changes daily, which I love. We have a place back in CT (where we're from) that follows the same practice and it's really an exciting experience. The result is typically locally-foraged and fresh produce, and inventive dishes you can't find anywhere else. This was extremely true of Fore Street as well! My husband ordered a pork belly appetizer, and a few of us ordered salads to start. Mine was an "exotic mushroom" salad with buttermilk dressing. Lots of flavor and perfect seasoning. As an entree I ordered the mushroom ravioli, which was presented in a chevril-butter sauce that was savory and decadent. Everyone in our party (there were 7 of us) was absolutely floored by the mixture of fresh ingredients, gorgeous plating and quality of our choices. A few of us opted for dessert - the chocolate torte with wild cherry ice cream + chocolate macaron crumbs was a delight. Oh! And the bread baskets are full of fresh bread from the bakery next door, which proved to be some of the best homemade bread we'd ever had. A wonderfully satisfying, intoxicating experience. Will return for sure if we find ourselves in Portland again anytime soon!

    (5)

  • Sarah D.

    My boyfriend and I live in Boston, and I took him up to Portland for the weekend to celebrate his birthday. I decided on dinner at Fore Street, and we were both really happy with the experience. The ambiance was a nice mix of classy and energetic, and our waiter, David, was absolutely fantastic. He was personable, knowledgeable (apparently the staff get to go on field trips to visit the restaurant's local vendors), and had an incredible attention to detail despite the fact that we were there on a busy Friday night. All of our courses were well prepared (sweetbreads, lamb, blackfish, etc.), they carry Maine Beer Co. beer, which we love, and David's wine suggestions were excellent. The staff here takes obvious pride in what they do, and they should . . . this place just nails it.

    (5)

  • Stacie K.

    Great atmosphere, location, food and cocktails. Expect a wait but there's a nice cocktail lounge to enjoy while waiting. You can watch the cooks make your meals. Highly recommend the oysters, octopus, quail and flounder. If in the area its a great stop.

    (5)

  • Vanessa K.

    It's been awhile since I've been there so I can't remember exactly what I ordered. What I do remember was that it was delicious and I had a good time with my boyfriend. The parking was a little hard to find because it was during dinner time and snow was everywhere but manageable. I was almost not going to go here because of the prices but decided, hey, how often will we be in this part of the country? I remember ordering a cold appetizer that had different sauces and lobster and raw seafood and it was really good. Knowing me, I probably got some sort of scallops and enjoyed it immensely. My boyfriend ordered the mussels and liked it loads too. The waitress was nicer to me, more than to my bf for some reason and we found it odd but overall had a good time. Bottom line, come here, fresh seafood, reasonable prices, nice people, great atmosphere :)

    (4)

  • Jeffrey L.

    I want to like this place. The service was great (we dined at the bar), the food looked good, but the food just didn't taste good. It wasn't bad - as in unfresh. Rather, everything we had just did't taste as though someone had put any thought into the flavors. The trout's sauce was leaning so heavy on lemon, I felt as though I could have produced the same result by buying a few pounds of lemon. The halibut looked nice, but produced yawns.

    (2)

  • Patrick L.

    The wife and I thought Fore Street was great. The atmosphere as great and the waiter walked us from appetizers to desert at the right speed for a pleasant evening. Both of us had fish dishes and they were great and just the right size. Well worth it for a full evening dining experience. Either make reservations way in advance, or get there early to snag the few unreserved tables!

    (5)

  • Mark C.

    Outstanding. You need to call way ahead for a reservation. Food and service is five star.

    (5)

  • tina r.

    Across the board perfection! Every fish or meat is paired with a sauce, an essence, a green, a marinade that enhances an expertly prepared dish. Our server especially added to a wonderful evening. Eric was knowledgeable, helpful, friendly & went far beyond simple service of plates. He is what every restaurant owner should have in wait staff. DO NOT MISS THIS PLACE.

    (5)

  • Kiki P.

    We decided to stop by Fore Street during our day trip to Portland, ME. It popped up several times as one of the "best" restaurants in Portland. I called the restaurant earlier that day and they informed me they were fully booked and were not accepting any reservations. They suggested showing up a little early as a walk-in. We arrived at 6:00pm and it could not have been more perfect timing. There was a cancellation for the evening and we were able to be seated immediately. The restaurant was cozy with a nice ambiance. Unfortunately, the restaurant does not post a menu on the website since it changes everyday. I do wish they at least had a sample menu so that guests could get somewhat of an idea for the cuisine. The menu had a very wide selection of fresh seafood dishes to choose from...both cold and hot. There were a couple of vegetarian options, mainly salads. They also had several dishes with regular meats such as steak, duck, lamb etc. We started off our meal with the chilled seafood platter. This included sliced yellowfin tuna with pickled radish, sliced cape cod scallops with roasted sweet pepper and tomato, cured king salmon with sweet corn vinaigrette, and smoked mussels with sage mayonnaise. All of the seafood was fresh and tasty. The portion sizes in this dish were extremely small so it was difficult to share. The dish was $17 which I think is a bit expensive for the portions they serve. For dinner, I tried the summer flounder filet with wide morels, kale and garden puree, and port and herb butter sauce. My friend ordered the whole wild black bass with quinoa stuffing, sweet pepper, hon shimeji, tarragon and stripped bass butter sauce. Both dishes were fresh and the fish was perfectly cooked. I enjoyed the summer flounder much more than the whole bass. For dessert, I had the fore street dark chocolate torte. This was a chocolate cookie crust, with chocolate malt caramel sauce, peanut brittle, topped with caramel cacao nib ice cream. I am kind of obsessed with chocolate so this certainly hit the spot for me. On a dessert scale on all of the desserts I have ever had...I would have to rate it an average 3 out of 5 stars. Nothing special. Value: Pricey restaurant. The dishes are all served with fish or meat only. Therefore you have to order sides to supplement your dish. Side vegetables range from $7-10 which I think is rather expensive for simple veggies which should have been included in your main course to begin with. Overall, I had a great experience at Fore Street and recommend checking it out if you are in the Portland area. I probably would not dine here again since Portland has 100's of other restaurants to offer which I would love to try out next time!

    (4)

  • Amy T.

    My kids are bigger fans than I am - but that's because they are more adventurous eaters than I am. Amazing food - prepared superbly. Some of the choices are a bit out of my comfort zone.

    (4)

  • J T.

    This long-standing Portland staple did not disappoint! We were seated on time and charmed by the open atmosphere. Our waiter was both knowledgeable and understated - she expertly paired wine with our food and checked-in with us regularly without being intrusive. The daily printing of the two-sided menu didn't disappoint, with more delicious options than each of us could reasonably order, so we opted for many smaller dishes. The grilled squid and foie gras were outstanding, and of course the ever-popular mussels lived up to their reputation. We also had a chance to grab a digestif at the bar, and really enjoyed the drinks recommended by the expert bartender. I'd be excited to drop-in and eat at the bar next time!

    (5)

  • Erica E.

    My husband and I visited here on 12/22/14. We had a special date night as his Christmas gift to me. The evening started with a Limo ride from our home to Fore Street in Portland. We had a 6pm reservation and were promptly seated. I liked that they had a place to hang your coat so that you didn't have to hang it on the back of your chair. The server was very nice, she welcomed us warmly. The table we had was on the second level with a full view of the kitchen area. When one of the servers noticed that our tabled had a bit of a wobble to it, she came right over and fixed it. My husband and I had not even noticed it. Food: Appetizer: We both ordered the mixed green salad, it was delicious, the croutons were a bit on the saltier side but they balanced the vinaigrette on the salad well. For entrees: He ordered the hangar steak and I ordered the spit roasted half chicken (which is a huge amount of food) and a side of carrots to share. I was not able to finish my chicken and we had carrots left over. All of it was very delicious. Well seasoned, cooked correctly and presented beautifully. We shared a dessert of chocolate torte with cinnamon crunch ice cream. It was delectable. Service: The waitress was very pleasant, she wasn't overly attentive (which we prefer) but made sure we had what we needed. Because the tables for 2 are a bit small when you have a large amount of drinks or food on them she made sure the items we had finished with were removed from the table to allow for more room. She did seems a bit surprised at the amount we left as a tip (not a small amount) which seems odd to me considering the prices of things at this restaurant. Are the diners of Portland bad tippers? Atmosphere: The bustling atmosphere almost seems like it would be overwhelming but it's really not. It's very fun watching as the food is prepared. Seeing the person at the appetizer station blow torching sea food was fun. The noise level was up there but not to the point of not being able to hear the person sitting across from you. Overall: I look forward to eating here again and hope to do so soon.

    (5)

  • Kevin A.

    My wife and I have been dining here at least once a year for the last 15 or 16 years during our vacation trips to Maine. No doubt we will continue to keep the streak alive for as long as we are able. It is simply the best restaurant in Portland and certainly among the top in the country. It's a must visit! Besides the superb food at every course, there are three other things that make Fore Street such an exceptional restaurant. One of them is the incredible energy of the place. The open kitchen and the hustle and bustle of the wait staff make for a great side show if you are interested. Then there is the consistent inventiveness of the menu. Remarkable really. The other thing that amazes me is the consistency of the staff. The staff is so well trained that from our first visit to our most recent, we have never had bad experience. it is, truly, a remarkable restaurant.

    (5)

  • Alika Marie W.

    You, my friend have arrived. Make a reservation, sit and marvel. In moments you will in fact be served the most amazing, well prepared never over done comestibles available to the human palate. Divine. In every sense. All six because here the extra one is reserved for the awe factor. The staff is outstanding. The experience one in a million.

    (5)

  • Laurel D.

    We visited Portland from Boston this weekend and selected Fore Street for our Saturday night dinner. We had earlier reservations at Street & Co. but after hearing rave review after rave review for Fore Street, decided to stick with our 9:30 slot at this highly recommended dining destination. As the rating indicates, we were really disappointed. Things started to go downhill as soon as we took our seats, at which point our server placed ramekins of salt, pepper and butter on the table, only to then discover that there was a dirty, balled up napkin in the butter. She noticed right away, apologized profusely, and removed the butter. We laughed it off and focused on the lengthy menu in front of us. Little did we know it was just a sign of what was to come. We ordered a summer squash salad, the fried softshell crab, and the fresh linguini with homemade pesto (ramp?) and ricotta salata to start. The salad was fine, but the summer squash was an afterthought rather than the star of the show. It was basically lettuce with a ginger dressing. The soft shell crab was fine, but nothing to write home about and was a little on the dry side. The linguini was not cooked all the way through. We called the server over and brought it to her attention. Instead of apologizing and immediately bringing us a new dish, she said something along the lines of "Well, it's fresh pasta..." as if fresh pasta is always undercooked -- I understand that fresh pasta cooks almost immediately when it hits hot water, but this pasta was CRUNCHY. She finally removed the dish and returned with a fresh one. Again, nothing great -- I could have remade the dish at home and it would have been tastier. The presentation was also incredibly sloppy. It looked like a toddler had thrown everything onto a platter. We then ordered the halibut with a mustard sauce and israeli couscous for our entree, along with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. Garlic mashed potatoes are the kind of thing that MUST be delicious. Starch, butter, cream, garlic...you have free license to whip up an unhealthy side that is a real crowd pleaser. Not only were the potatoes a dismal portion size, but they tasted like they'd been sitting in someone's fridge and were zapped in the microwave for a few minutes. They weren't creamy or rich, and I don't recall any garlic flavor. The halibut was very well cooked and was nice and fresh. The sauce was light and brothy, but not as flavorful and I would have liked. I saved a piece of bread to mop up the sauce (who doesn't do that???) and didn't even end up using it -- ultimate fail. The israeli couscous was fine, but honestly, I don't even recall the menu mentioning it and it was an underwhelming accompaniment to the fish. To make matters worse, at one point I ordered a vodka, soda, splash of grapefruit juice and the server brought over a vodka soda. The cocktails were underwhelming and the glassware was ugly. We were so disappointed that we didn't DARE order dessert. We peaced out of there at 11:00, still in shock at how disappointing the entire experience was. Over hyped, over priced, poor service, and the space is honestly tired and outdated. The worst part of it all was that we missed an opportunity to try one of Portland's many other highly sought after dining establishments -- we cancelled a 7:30 reservation at Street & Co. so we could eat at Fore Street. We were seriously regretting that decision after our subpar meal at Fore Street.

    (2)

  • Tracy E.

    Pretty damn delicious farm to table restaurant in the heart of Portland, ME. I give it only 4 stars due to its relatively sparse vegetarian menu options. However, every meal that we ordered was absolutely delightful. Each dish offers large portions of well-crafted, fine-quality ingredients. The kitchen is open, so you can see the chef putting together each decadent dish. The restaurant is rather fancy, and pricey, without being too pretentious. The most redeeming qualifier of Fore Street is that the chefs obviously take great pride in each dish-- this means you can expect delish perfection. Above all, I loved the house chocolate dessert. I am a chocoholic, and I am stunned to report that their chocolate tort is the BEST CHOCOLATE DESSERT I have ever tasted. This is baffling, yet amazing. So, at about $60 a head, and even more pricey if you are enjoying drinks from their extensive wine and beer lists, this place is absolutely worth the trip. Definitely call ahead for reservations. *Sorry for the crummy photos-- they do not do the beautifully played dishes justice. The dim/ romantic lighting makes dishes difficult to photograph.

    (4)

  • J S.

    Ok, so EVERYONE tells you, "Go to Fore Street. You will love the food and ambiance." So I am here to tell you THEY ARE RIGHT! Go to Fore Street! The place is boisterous yet charming at the same time, with incredible dinner, dessert, and wine menus -- so creative and nicely balanced dishes, with the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients around. We started with the cold & smoked seafood plate and a couple glasses of cava rosé -- delicious, and well-loved flavors and preparation. The scallop ceviche with gin-citrus dressing was incredible. The house-smoked salmon was interesting, but too strong, gamey, and salty in comparison, but the other items on the plate were great. We also shared a fresh greens, cukes, and melon salad -- the sogginess threw us off a bit, but the flavors were nice and the complimentary sourdough bread from Standard Bakery was a nice complement. The highlight of the meal was an oven roasted whole black sea bass with a buttery, chervily, lemony, Madeira sauce. The fish was so fresh and expertly done -- so tender, sweet, and flavorful -- that it was one of those experiences where the noise of life just melts away with each delectable bite, until you are so satisfied that everything just seems right in the world. I am not exaggerating. This was a perfect dish. It would pair well with many white wines, but I chose a bolder varietal from Languedoc. The fish was stuffed with escarole and sourdough bread, and had the perfect amount of roastiness. We devoured the whole thing and were incredibly satisfied. We fished with a banana bread pudding with chocolate sorbet. Very good, too, but not nearly as memorable as the bass. As modern, local food goes, Fore Street is amazing. The only negative thing I can say is, man, it's hard to get a table here, and yes, it's expensive...probably overpriced overall, but whatever. Go to Fore Street. You will not be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Elinn C.

    I was exited to eat there after having heard about it for so many years, and can only say that I don't see what all the fuss was about. The menu is so minimalist it's uninspiring -- what we finally got was fine but that's it. Nothing was special about the quality of the fish, the presentation, or the ambience -- but it cost plenty. Can't even remember what fish we had, but the roasted local asparagus tasted overpoweringly of wood smoke. Who cares if produce is locally sourced if you can't taste it? The restaurant seems to care more about turning tables quickly than making sure its customers have an enjoyable meal. I've never seen so many "bus" stations in a restaurant that size, which are there for the convenience of the servers, not the eaters. I would prefer to wait the few extra seconds it would take for the staff to bring me water from the back than to listen to them crash around as they restock silverware, dishes and glassware for the next batch of customers, coming in tonight or even tomorrow. One other thing I noticed would be funny if it weren't gross; apparently Maine's health laws aren't as strict as ours in California, because this place hangs its extra chairs up on the wall right above one of the afore-mentioned bus stations. They were actually the only decoration in the room! Chairs used by a large group that had just left, picked up off the floor and hoisted onto hooks on the wall -- just think what might have fallen off their feet into all those water glasses waiting to be put out on tables?

    (2)

  • Geo J.

    While our expectations of Fore Street had been tempered from previous ' just Ok' experiences we booked a reservation for a celebratory meal. I don't think anyone from our group was super impressed. We started with oysters which were good; beautifully shucked and clean. None of the starters jumped out at us, so we went straight to entrees and vegetable sides. Between a wood grilled striped bass, a rib eye steak and the only vegetarian dish on the menu, the ravioli with farmers cheese and garlic was hands down the winner. It was savory, satisfying and beautify balanced. The pasta was 1/2 the price of the rib eye and 3 times as good. We ended the meal with deserts. Just like the entrees they spanned from mediocre to rather good. The cream brûlée was watery and reminiscent of boxed vanilla pudding. For me, the best thing was either the lemon curd cake or the banana toffee ice cream, which came with the flourless chocolate torte. When it comes down to it, we had a good time because we were in good company, and the wait staff was attentive and personable. I try to avoid fore street because they never hit the mark. It's reputation draws customers from all over, and I am sure they will continue to do good business. Every year or so a visiting friend books a reservation at fore street and they will get a few hundred of my hard earned dollars for a less than impressive meal. The best times i have had at Fore Street have been at the bar, where you can order a lovely array of small plates. If I have to come back anytime soon. that is what i am going to do.

    (3)

  • Keith H.

    Wow. I was in Portland for a few nights and my wife and her sister decided to try this place out. We were immediately impressed with how comfy the interior was. It felt very welcoming and I really liked how open the kitchen are was - it really makes you feel like the staff is really connected to the food and their customers. For context, my wife and I cook and go to a lot of restaurants in NYC which sometimes makes me feel like a food snob, but this experience at Fore Street made me realize that amazing food is everywhere. I took photos of the menu that night since it always changes, also so I could remember exactly what we had. In short : The salad app with mushrooms was amazing Wood Oven Roasted Pollock - so good Wood Grilled Hanger Steak with roasted oxtail - the oxtail was such an unexpected delight in this dish Dessert Bourbon Chocolate Layer Cake - I couldn't talk the entire time I was eating this it was so good. If you're in Portland, just go here. I think we got lucky and arrived at just the right time to get a table within 20 minutes. note: Our server was super knowledgeable and friendly. Do it!!

    (5)

  • Charlotte S.

    We have been coming here since it opened an it never disappoints. Silence usually our way of saying too good to be interrupted with talk. We had various game pate with great condiments, lamb combo of shank pate and stew, fresh sea scallops, buttered milk brocollini and a hazelnut chocolate mouse. Food we'd love to imitate at home because it is that new, different and lovely. The holy grail of our food quest!

    (5)

  • Becca L.

    If you're tired of the loud, touristy, everything's-made-with-lobster restaurants in Portland and just want a REALLY nice meal in a warm, intimate place, you'll love Fore Street! Reservations are recommended, but we were lucky enough to call a few minutes ahead and have a table for two immediately. Everyone was extra accommodating and very friendly. Nice, but not uppity place. Super tasty food - a real treat all around!

    (5)

  • L S.

    Wonderful, romantic dinner... But we both ended the night with a strange aftertaste that left us chugging water for the rest of the night... Strange... We had a reasonable wait time for a Saturday night (30 min) late dinner. Our server was a really friendly, just plain awesome guy who made the night really enjoyable. The restaurant is in a beautiful space you could write poems about. Onto the food: Bread basket - awesome, bread baked downstairs at Standard Baking Co. Appetizer - fettuccini - fresh pasta, warm oil for break dipping later - also awesome Entree: I got the stuffed sea bass and bf got flounder. They were both quite delicious, and I appreciated that they cooked the whole fish for me. My bass was in a lemony sauce.. Perhaps the sauce was the culprit? Dessert: chocolate torte with banana parfait - this dessert was out of this world. I'm pretty sure my boyfriend had a spiritual experience eating this dessert. All in all, wonderful enjoyable night but just that weird aftertaste through the rest of the night... What was it????

    (4)

  • Jessica I.

    When we visited Portland, we strapped on the feedbags like insatiable sows, and our meal at Fore Street stands out as our favorite. It was packed but we got on a list and wedged ourselves in at the bar at the appointed time. Excellent service, creative cooking and wonderful ingredients all made for a very special evening. The menus change all the time, but I would trust this kitchen again in any season.

    (5)

  • David C.

    Made a very last minute decision to pop into Portland on Saturday, and around 4:50 we stopped by the iconic Fore Street to see if we could possibly get a table or, at the very least, sit at the bar. So glad we did. This might be good to know: If you don't have a reservation, you can line up outside - when the doors open at 5pm sharp, chances of getting a table are actually decent as they hold a good number of them exclusively for walk-ins, plus they offer the full menu at the bar which is an inviting wide slab of stone (concrete?) which is spacious enough to enjoy your meal. We overheard that the people at the front of the line began to queue up outside around 4:15ish, and there were perhaps eight or so parties of varying sizes in front of us. We were told 6:15 for two - not too long of a wait, so we headed inside for a cocktail. Standing behind the bar area became a bit crowded, but a server floated through and promptly took our order. They have a terrific wine list as well as a good number of quality wines by the glass. I had a Manhattan and eventually a pair of comfy armchairs opened up. The bar server informed us that our table was ready, and we were seated right at 6:15 as promised. The main dining area, much like the food, is what I would describe as rustic elegance: open concept, with walls of exposed brick and a lofted ceiling with hewn timber beams, and the impressive kitchen is in full view from nearly every angle. There is also an adjacent room set apart with a half dozen tables, which happened to be where we were seated. Make a reservation if you want the main dining area. The locally sourced 'farm-to-table' menu changes daily, and it has a lot to choose from, listing various pan seared, wood oven roasted, and spitfired offerings that make for a difficult decision. Having ordered the mussels, duck, and rabbit on prior visits, I kept it simple this time and went with the apple and fennel salad over greens followed by the wood grilled rib eye ($45). My wife opted for the cabbage salad then pan roasted halibut. Sides are ordered separately, and we shared the fingerling potatoes and brussel sprouts. Across-the-board outstanding. Espresso was perfect and we shared the dark chocolate torte, a decadent finish to a splendid meal. Once again, Fore Street delivered a fabulous culinary experience. Bottom line: As good as ever. Fore Street is still my favorite Portland restaurant. Very highly recommended.

    (5)

  • David L.

    A great dining experience.... We had heard about this place from a few folks and were amazed that we actually needed to book for a Wednesday night in early January. We were however delighted with our evening out. We started with a selection of home produced meats like lambs tongue, frois gras and duck pate...all excellent. This was followed by a finnan haddie, a little too much cream in the sauce for my taste, and wood baked monkfish. Then being a lanky pig.....I rounded off the evening with a fresh wood baked sea bass and wood fired fingerling potatoes. Stuffed I was!!! A couple of excellent local New England beers and a glass of rose for the bidey in...and we left. All this came to less than $130 which we thought was superb value. But wait how could we fail to mention the bread....from the Standard baking Co. situated below the restaurant. We've had this before and my word...it is still excellent and how they continue to make such a simple staple of life taste so wonderful amazes us. Our waitress was chatty and interesting and the fact that you can see all the kitchen and hear the staff shouting as they cook only adds to the atmosphere. Book early and go visit....

    (5)

  • Igor C.

    Food is overpriced. Oysters are Half a dozen, from 3 reagions of Maine, were ok. Seafood platter 3 types of fish and mussles, tiny plate.

    (3)

  • Cons B.

    My expectations were high for this restaurant based on the reviews and the reservation procedure. Unfortunately I was let down. The food was way overpriced and very average. I would not return.

    (3)

  • Michael D.

    I really would like to like this restaurant. But every time we go something screwy happens or it just doesn't make the hype. Here for dinner on Tuesday. The room they brought us to was ridiculously hot. They realized it but couldn't offer us anything else. The salads were fine - the pea and pea shoot better than the mixed greens. Then it went down hill. The pork belly was not prepared with the top skin removed so it was impossible to cut and ended up macerated. The calamari dish was swimming in a deep pool of vinegar liquid drowned and then overwhelmed by picked shallots. More is not better. The cold seafood platter was weirdly tasteless. The flounder tartare was tasteless and the scallop mouse was drowned with a weird sauce that did not complement it at all. We had a cheese course at the end with two of the 3 very under ripe - like rubber. The service was let's say almost non existent and we felt left wondering if we ever were going to get a meal. Or even get to order. Overall for a restaurant that prides itself at the top of the Portland food heap this was a very consistently disappointing evening. The wine although expensive was good. 72 dollars for 4 glasses. A couple of times a year we keep thinking we will go to Fore Street and have a good meal and it's always disappointing. Adding the pretense to the entire circumstance this is something we will stop thinking about.

    (2)

  • Marta H.

    Had no problem getting a table for two on a Thursday night as a walk-in with no reservation. We just had to get our name on a list and eat a little early (5:45). We sat in a romantic spot in a room off the noisier main room. Our table was next to a window looking out toward the bay. Food: Flounder was good but the best part of the dish were the charred greens and squash purée that came with it - delicious. My husband's steak was cooked perfectly but was a bit bland. We ordered two side dishes to share (broccoli and mashed potatoes) which were both just ok. Cheese plate for dessert was tasty. Overall: I'm torn about this place. The atmosphere, decor, service and creativity of the food all made for an enjoyable dining experience but at over $30 each I don't think either entree was worth the price.

    (3)

  • Robin K.

    My boyfriend and I had dinner here a few nights ago. The heirloom tomato side, which I ordered as an appetizer, was amazing. The seasoning on top of tomatoes was delightful! My boyfriend ordered mussels appetizer; they were also quite tasty and in a fabulous sauce. As for entrees, I ordered scallops, sans the pasta because it was in chicken stock. There were 3 average-sized scallops that were good, but not worth $38. I was expecting mouth orgasm at that rate, and it just didn't happen. The bf had salmon, served with polenta and carrots. He was amazed! We ended with a blueberry cobbler dessert, which pleased even this gal who usually doesn't eat dessert without chocolate. Overall, it was a great atmosphere and good fresh food. I am glad I went, but probably won't go again if I'm in the area.

    (4)

  • Morgan M.

    Went to Fore Street on a Saturday night and arrived around 6:30. Was fortunate to find seating for three in the bar area and get seated for dinner by 7:30. We all ordered cocktails which were excellent and our server was great. We had the quail appetizer which was tasty but not my cup of tea. I ordered the halibut for dinner which was also great and again the service was exceptional. Will absolutely be going back when I'm back in Portland. I normally prefer sitting at the bar so will probably try that the next time.

    (4)

  • Michael D.

    Came here on a strong recommendation from friends but, honestly, the place just didn't blow us away compared to what we were expecting. I really liked the casual ambiance, there's no reason people should have to get dressed up for great food. The menu changes every day and there are plenty of options available (2 pages - 1 for starters, 1 for dinners) so picky eaters don't need to be concerned. My wife and I split fettuccine to start and it was ok. We were hoping it would replicate a great bowl of pasta we had on our last vacation but it didn't come close. From there, we moved onto the main dish - hanger steak, Alaskan salmon, and a side of fingerling potatoes. "Meh" to all three - they were all good but when you come here you are expecting great and they just didn't perform that night maybe. The sorbet for dessert was good but very sweet. I wasn't impressed to be honest, especially for the prices.

    (3)

  • Rachel G.

    The perfect little place! Call at least a week in advance if you want to make a reservation (and I recommend at least two weeks in advance for reservations during peak hours/weekends). I know what you're thinking. "Ain't nobody got time for that...." MAKE TIME! It is well worth the trouble of trying to get a table. My boyfriend and I had reservations for 9pm on a Friday night. They continued taking reservations until 10 and literally every table in the place was full until close. Great ambiance. Then open kitchen is quite the sight. Rabbits on a rotating spit. Wood grills. Cast irons in and out of the brick oven. Full pantry in plain view. It helps when your table is in the quiet corner of the balcony overlooking the kitchen. It was the perfect table. Romantic feel. Good selection of wine and craft/local beers. LOVE the rotating menu. I opted for a salmon dish and it was superb. The freshest ingredients and a fun, smart combination of flavor. Pricey, but the perfect place for a romantic date night. Wouldn't recommend for families with small children. Best dining experience I've had in a while!

    (5)

  • Zadie B.

    We had a really nice late meal here. We had a 9:15 reservation on a Friday, and were seated right away at a nice large table next to the window. The food was great. I had a rib eye, and my husband had arctic char. Both were delicious. The vegetable side dish was a little too salty but that was really the only complaint I could think of. Our handsome bearded waiter was gracious but understated. I had an excellent French wine, and he wrote down the name for me. The atmosphere is great. It's classy yet cozy and comfortable.

    (5)

  • Shermaine W.

    I was in Portland for a conference a few months back and after reading a few reviews about the local eateries, decided I definitely wanted to give Fore Street a try. Overall, I wasn't disappointed. My hotel was nearby, so I took my chances walking in around 7 for dinner without a reservation. I only had about a 15 minute wait, which was great! As soon as I stepped in, I was very pleased by the warm, inviting decor and the view of the kitchen and its roaring wood stove. My server was quite nice and attentive, and even though the place was pretty full (it was Saturday night) the service wasn't at all slow. Started out with the bread and butter while browsing the menu, and I have to say, the bread wasn't that amazing. I like a crusty bread, but this felt a tad dry, and I think that taste was amplified by it being a brown whole wheat kind of thing. No big deal though - no one needs a million carbs to fill up on before their meal. ;) I ordered a salad as my appetizer, which if I'm remembering correctly, had arugula, pears and apples in it. I loved the combination, but found that they went a bit heavy on the olive oil. For my main dish, I chose the oven roasted pork loin which was served on bed of finely sliced, stewed parsnips. The chop itself was hefty and fabulously cooked, but I think it lacked a bit of seasoning. I also think that the parsnip salad beneath would have greatly benefited from some apple to cut the richness of the pork. With a chop that thick, I think there should have been something a bit more substantial as a base. With the pork, I had a great Coutes du Rhone which was recommended to me by the server. It provided the acidity I felt I needed with the pork, and I couldn't help but think that a wine reduction/sauce would have been a fabulous complement. Although everything else was generally lovely, the dessert for me, however, was what really made this meal. It was a chocolate sorbet with a little fudgey chocolate cake topped with sea salt and little cubes of fried sweet potato. So amazing! A delicious mix of sweet and salty, and not at all overpowering. Although there were some hits and misses, I definitely loved the environment, wait staff, and meal. I would head back to Fore Street any time I happen to be in Portland, and look forward to trying other dishes in the future.

    (4)

  • Karla L.

    What an amazing meal my husband and I had last night! My "duck two ways" was hands down the best choice. The Maine blueberry crisp was "to-die-for". I plan on making this an annual event on our summer trip to Peaks Island.

    (5)

  • Nicole B.

    The first night was so good we went back the next night. We were advised by our hotel behind it that we would not be disappointed, we weren't. Warm atmosphere when we walked in, greeted by friendly staff. Waited at the bar, served by a knowledgeable bartender. Hostess came to seat us, we were enjoying our conversation & asked her if we could hold off, no problem. Waitstaff awesome. Hanger steak, Pork Chop, fish dish cooked to perfection & tasted amazing. Most impressive the black rice side dish, it's exquisite! I'm addicted. I need the recipe!

    (5)

  • Danielli C.

    I was very disappointed at the food here. we sat at the bar and had great service. the ambiance is nice. drinks are good. the problem was the food was way too salty. how can mess up my foie gras?!? I live in California and need my daily dose! I believe every chef must have a bad day, and this definitely was one of them. Just a tad less salt would've allowed me to taste your food!

    (3)

  • Kathleen L.

    My God. The ex-husband took me out for a Mother's Day/Birthday feast (because we've been successfully divorced co-parents for over a quarter century) and I have to say that Fore Street exceeded my very high expectations. In every way. I loved the open, high-end rustic space where you could see (and smell) the wood burning in the brick oven and watch the chefs perform their magic. Having made reservations, we were seated immediately and found the entire waitstaff to be very professional and friendly without being pretentious in the least. Our waiter was very attentive and seemed to anticipate our needs without being intrusive. He stealthily kept our glasses full of ice-cold water. We were offered a generous basket of bread from the ever-fabulous Standard Baking Co. (housed in the same building) with fresh, creamy butter, sea salt and pepper. They had a great beer/wine list and we settled on a selection from Oxbow Brewing, which was fabulous. We both decided on the half chicken with wilted spring greens and cubes of bread fried in duck fat. Since the chickens were roasting on a spit the waiter told us that they could be served with a very minimal wait. We did not order appetizers, so the chicken appeared right away. It was very tender, flavorful and juicy, and the skin was perfectly crisped. The plate also had just enough of a light broth to keep everything from drying out. We also split a side of broccolini in an onion cream sauce that was amazing. We were told the broccolini was cooked in the brick oven. This was a wise move. The portions were very generous, even for the ex who has a larger appetite than I do. Even though I was stuffed I could not resist dessert. That turned out to be even better than the meal. We ordered coffee and split a dark chocolate torte that was Out. Of. This. World. It was hands down the best dessert I've ever had and I've eaten a lot of desserts. Good desserts. Excellent desserts. But this chocolate torte was something else. It was a thing of beauty to look at, what with the artful presentation, and was perfectly creamy without losing its shape. There was a slight dusting of some very good cinnamon on top and it came with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream that was drizzled with even more cream and sprinkled with some sort of brittle. I wish I could recall exactly, but since they change their menu often, chances are it might be different the next time. And there will be many next times.

    (5)

  • Todd L.

    Fabulous dinner from start to finish. One of the highlights of our trip to Portland. When - not if - we return to Portland we will definitely dine there again.

    (5)

  • Laura A.

    Excellent service, outstanding flavors, plentiful portions. Ask for Matt (server). Table near the wood fire particularly nice on a cool night.

    (5)

  • M L.

    Great atmosphere with open kitchen that feels very welcoming. Fresh food but seems overpriced. Service wasn't great and the waitress kept interrupting literally like a few seconds later after each course was served to ask how the food is when I didn't even have a chance to try the food. When I actually needed her, she was not available or even when she saw me she would leave and not come back for a long time. Food was good but I've had better. My husband ordered a medium rare steak and it came out rare. My pork wasn't cooked all the way so I asked for well done but came back medium. The best thing about this restaurant was the bread and the atmosphere.

    (2)

  • Rachel P.

    Another Portland gem that definitely lived up to the hype. My boyfriend and I ate here on a Saturday night and the entire experience was great. We had a 9:30 reservation and had to wait for about 5 minutes. We were then seated at a nice table by the window where we could watch the snow fall. The open kitchen concept is great and I love the whole atmosphere of this restaurant. It's really a gorgeous place. I was surprised at the size as it is quite large. It can work great for larger parties but can still be somewhat intimate for two. As soon as we were seated the waiter brought to our attention that they were going to be closed over the next couple days and so they were uncharacteristically out of a few things on the menu, and also running low on other items. Normally I would knock a star off for this, but because the menu is so big and everything on it looks so good, I was actually kind of relieved that I got some help in narrowing down this array of delicious looking options. The waiter was also very upfront about it which I appreciated (nothing like setting your mind on something only to find out it's not an option after you attempt to order it). He even said if we let him know what we were interested in he would "hold" the things they were running low on. It was nice that he didn't make us feel rushed ordering, especially under these circumstances. We started with the oysters which were a very nice size and amazing flavor. I had the Shad fish which I had never even heard of but it was buttery perfection, rich and light at the same time, so savory and flavorful. My boyfriend had the hanger steak and loved every bite. We also shared garlic mashed potatoes which were delicious. They have a great cocktail list too. I had the bacon infused bourbon cocktail and it was great. Hope to go back again this summer!

    (5)

  • Joe M.

    I've spent my last two birthdays spending the weekend up in Portland ME. We have eaten at Fore Street and both occasions and it has been amazing both times. I would go so far as to say that it is my favorite restaurant anywhere, and they are responsible for #1 & #2 of the top ten meals of my life. Last time we went we had a local crab salad that was so fresh and crisp it was rediculous. I would definetely recommend getting something from the wood fire rotisserie. Also they make a mean Manhattan. My only warning about this place is that you will smell like a woodfire grill when you leave.... it made me hungry smelling my clothes the next morning though.

    (5)

  • Natalie W.

    Awwww....last time we were here, our server was not very nice. She was snooty and acted like we were a waste of her time. Too bad, we love coming here! I order rabbit frequently here and it was raw inside. I asked that server about it and she let me know that it is done that way at fore street as if I should know raw rabbit is the correct way to eat it. Maybe someone who had never had the good rabbit here might fall for her act. I was thoroughly disappointed as we have come to expect so much from our many good visits! Will try again on our next journey to Portland scheduled soon and will update accordingly. But the rabbit is now ruined for me forever!

    (4)

  • Lucinda W.

    Outstanding restaurant nestled in a beautiful old building in Portland's Old Port. Friday night was very busy, but we were warmly welcomed and dined at our leisure. Our waitperson, Neal, was friendly, efficient and extremely well versed on the menu options and wine selections. He was a major contributor to this amazing dining experience. The menu changes daily, based on the availability of fresh-from-market food; and what a menu it was!! The exotic mushroom and cabbage soup with chervil was the perfect start, a delicate blend of palate-pleasing tastes served with fresh bread. But my main course - half Peking duckling with herb, raclette and semolina polenta, dried cranberry and duck jus - was beyond belief and melted in my mouth. Perfectly cooked and beautifully presented, it is one of the best duck dishes I have ever eaten. The menu has a full range of options: pan seared and wood oven roasted seafood, grilled and turnspit roasted meats, and vegetarian selections. My friend enjoyed jumbo Atlantic sea scallops with seared Brussel sprouts and oyster mushrooms in a white wine pan butter sauce. Our sides were garlic mashed Maine organic potatoes and brown butter turnip mash. Nice selection of homemade desserts if you have room left after dinner. I highly recommend a reservation so that you won't miss this exceptional dining experience!

    (5)

  • Joan B.

    There are so many great restaurants in this 10 mile radius of Maine that I forgot to go back to the best of them -Fore Street. Plus wintertime is a bit easier to get a reso . Fantastic wonderful dinner experience enjoyed by all. Now I may have to make it a monthly experience at least. Hits were mussels shared as an app; pork staple on the menu and Durango?/mahi. Oh my.

    (5)

  • Bobby C.

    Came here on vacation from New York looking for a decent restaurant. I wasn't expecting much being that New York restaurants are supposed to be some of the best in the world and Maine is just lobster. But this place is just as good, if not better than many New York City restaurants. We started with the brick oven baked muscles which were cooked perfectly in a wood burning brick oven, served in a delicious, nutty, buttery sauce. They had a hint of smoked flavor from the burning wood which made these the best muscles I've ever had. Then came the tomato tart. The tomatoes were perfectly ripened, served on a delicious piece of buttery, flaky bread and the taste was tart with a hint of sweetness. Great texture. After that were the scallops. They were seared on one side, cooked perfectly and served in a delicious sauce that was a tiny bit sweet and a little bit sour. We ended it with the strawberry pie for dessert, which was also excellent. The space is unique. It has a very rustic feel. All the tables have copper tops and no table cloth. The kitchen is right in the middle of the restaurant with another portion in the back. It's cool to see the cook putting dishes in the brick oven and watching them cook amazingly fast. The service was also pretty good. This is probably one of the best restaurants that Maine has to offer. I'd definitely come back in the future.

    (4)

  • Keith M.

    Swordish, a salad , broccoli rab, roasted potatoes (a little dry), plus a chocolate brownie with something or other on it. Also got the chocolate assortment to bring home (still need to try those). I know, kind of vague, but they change the menu nightly and I can't look at the website. The food was very good, but I recall the selection being better the last time. Don't get me wrong, I liked it, but I wished there were more choices this time around. Next time I might look at the menu and make a game-time decision. A few people talked about making reservations weeks in advance, but they put aside 1/3 of the restaurant for walk-ins. It's not summer yet, so I imagine it will get busier later in the year.

    (4)

  • Janet W.

    It's been awhile since I outright ooh'ed and aah'ed about a meal, so thank you, Fore Street, for reminding me how delicious those moments are. Great bread. The wood-fired mussels - we can just stop right here. Large, succulent and the most remarkable broth. I had the lamb chop (which comes with a nice accompaniment of a zucchini blossom and smoked shoulder with beans); also tasty. I have new appreciation for a wood-fired oven now.

    (5)

  • Reagan C.

    Fore Street seems to be a stand out restaurant in Portland in terms of reputation. When we were planning our trip, this was the one place we made sure to reserve a table...after all, how can a foodie family come to Portland without visiting this mecca of local cuisine? We arrived around 6 for our dinner. I've resigned myself at this point to the fact that Portland has no parking whatsoever, but we found a spot for the car eventually and went in. From the outside, the restaurant looks like a refurbished warehouse or sorting house, with no large sign to indicate its status. It gives the impression that when you go to Fore Street, you go for Fore Street, you don't just wander past and happen in. Even without the sign, once we exited the car, we knew we were in the right place. The scent of wood-burning ovens and grills filled the air to lure us to the building. Once inside, the space is truly impressive. The bones of the old building are still there to see, but the new furnishings and touches highlight the casual, yet upscale atmosphere. The highlight of the restaurant is its open kitchen. Now when I say open, I don't mean a proscenium-type configuration. Think of the kitchen as a thrust stage, jutting out into the dining room, with wood-burning ovens along the wall and chef's platting dinners in the centre of the room between intermittently spaced tables. A produce shack stands behind the host station with windows on all sides as the chefs walk in and out with fresh local fruits and vegetables. The waiter arrived at our table and explained that the menu is changed daily, and most of the ingredients are sourced in Maine or other parts of New England. Indeed, beside each dish, the description included the part of New England from which the primary ingredients were sourced. We weren't terribly hungry, so my family and I decided to forgo appetizers in favor of entrees and desserts, as we had heard these were the highlights. We all had a very hard time deciding what to order. For a menu which changes daily, the selections were many and varied. I finally settled on the Wood Oven Roasted Duck Breast with Marinated Cucumbers and Peach Mascarpone. Other dishes at the table included the Hangar Steak, Wood Grilled Salmon, and Spit Roasted Quail. My family seemed to have mixed reviews on their entrees. I, however, was in heaven. My duck was cooked perfectly medium with a lovely pink centre. It was incredibly moist and juicy, and the fat on top was perfectly rendered, leaving a nicely seasoned, crisp skin. The marinated cucumbers added a delicate, slightly acidic element, and the peach mascarpone was remarkably light, adding just a hint of sweetness to the dish. It was one of the best duck dishes I have ever had the pleasure of eating, and I had no problem using the fresh bread at the table to mop up every last drop of jus on my plate. That being said, I had a bite of every one else's entrees, and I wasn't overly impressed. Everything was good, but not as vibrant or unique as I had expected. I was very grateful that I had chosen the dish that I did. The dessert menu was every bit as vast as the main menu, and I struggled to settle firmly on one dish. I finally chose the Summer Peach Cobbler with Lemon Balm Ice Cream, while my family members chose the Bittersweet Chocolate Creme Brulee, the Dark Chocolate Torte, and the cheese course. The desserts were an exact swap of our entrees. The cheese course was strong, the creme brulee met with rave reviews, and the chocolate torte was rich and velvety - everyone at the table went back for more. My dessert, on the other hand, was good...but not great. The peaches weren't quite as ripe as they could have been, and the cobbler was very heavy. I liked the taste, but regretted not choosing a different, lighter option. I ended up leaving half of the cobbler in the cast iron dish in which it was served. I can only judge this based on my experience, and my meal and experience, for the most part, was superb, however I found the standard to be quite inconsistent. I would definitely return, however for the price point, there are quite a few more places in Portland I would be likely to go to first without feeling that I am taking a risk of ordering a dish that doesn't blow my socks off. I suppose ideally this would be a 3.5 star review, but I'll round up based on the fact that, had I been dining alone, I would have had no idea that it was anything other than amazing.

    (4)

  • Brian W.

    Fore Street was highly recommended to us by several friends who had visited Portland. Let me start off with the great things about this place. The smell is out of this world - the kitchen is out in the open and there is this amazing scent of fresh baked bread and cooking food throughout the restaurant. The service is also excellent - sugar is brought with iced tea - waitresses don't disappear - all that good stuff. Finally the food itself is delicious, but there simply isn't enough of it. With all of the great smells and the fact that you can watch the chefs prepare the meals I just was so disappointed to see that my Halibut was the size of a computer mouse and that her plate only had 3 lonely scallops on it. The salads were also pretty disappointing - it's nice that they're made with local ingredients but the lettuce was so fresh that it actually tasted more like the soil it was growing in. Given the small portion sizes and inflated prices I'd recommend stopping in here for a drink and appetizer at the bar and eating an actual meal elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Scotty A.

    I usually try a restaurant a few times before writing a review, but I don't know how often I'll get a chance to visit Fore Street. But my first visit there was memorable in all the right ways. My friend and I walked in off the street, so there was a bit of a wait for a table. The bar was comfortable to get refreshment, relax, and check out the menu. As advertised, the kitchen is like a big busy centerpiece, and fascinating to watch. I wanted to try rabbit, but it was unavailable, so I got the roast chicken, and my friend got an enormous pork chop. We got sides of potatoes and Brussels sprouts. We both agreed they were the most delicious things we had ever had. The waiter was a friendly, helpful guy, and was satisfactorily attentive throughout the meal. This is the only restaurant I've been to that I really feel deserves five stars.

    (5)

  • John L.

    Ate alone at the bar on a Sunday evening in June while visiting Portland on work. So many places in Portland closed on a Sunday...I'd been to Fore Street before, so it felt like a bit of a splurge, and I was not elegantly attired, but I decided to go for it. I had 6 excellent oysters, followed by a salad with cherries and peaches, both excellent. I had pork belly, which was not as well executed as others I've had, a bit tough on one side, too slimy on the other, but still with some good taste. Dessert, strawberries, which sounded so perfect in June, turned out to be 8 or so supermarket strawberries with a very small plate of cream and sugar - should have been a no-brainer to nail if you're going to bother putting it on the menu - big disappointment. The bar was very quiet and the bartender was courteous and efficient but took no pains to chat or connect. I blasted right past my $50 dinner allowance to $53, $63 with tip.

    (3)

  • Jessica D.

    Love fore street and have visited many times. Most recent time was a bit disappointing compared to past. Service, particularly our waitress, was terrible. For a top notch restaurant the service should be excellent. This wasn't the case. Sea bass was great, pork chop was undercooked. Dessert (chocolate mousse) was delish. Would definitely go back but they need to step it up inthe service department...don't get too confident bc you serve great food - service is paramount.

    (4)

  • Kim K.

    Where to begin? From start to finish this meal was perfection. Self described American peasant food made with fresh daily local protein and produce. Wow! The ever changing menu was impressive. The bread basket was full of crusty french bread which was perfect with the unsalted fresh creamed table butter. We got the spinach and anchovy white pizza and herbed goat cheese tart for appetizers. The pizza was good, the garlic was perfectly subtle and the wood fire oven baked crust was as good as any New York pie. But the tart was divine, my favorite by far. The goat cheese was creamy and fresh, the puff pastry was buttery and flaky, and the tomatoes were the perfect combination of sweet and savory. For dinner I got the sea bass cooked in a pan sauce of wine and pancetta. The fish came whole, which admittedly freaked me out a bit, but the waiter offered to filet my fish for me and he did it with precision in about 3 seconds flat. The fish was amazing - light, mild flavor, and I have to admit, getting the whole fish offers a lot more meat. The sides of mashed potatoes and organic green beans were the perfect compliment. Finally for dessert the salted caramel upside down cake was any sweet tooth's dream. The homemade vanilla bean ice cream was so velvety and creamy. We even took a box of their homemade chocolates to go. It included two of the following: truffles, dark chocolate squares, pistachio park, and almond bark. Decadent yes - a must have, definite yes. The care and precision with which each ingredient and dish is prepared is unprecedented. Fore Street is dedicated to freshness, quality ingredients, and customer satisfaction. I have never experienced a restaurant that takes every detail as serious as they do. Perfect dining experience. Check out my pictures!

    (5)

  • David W.

    Good food not great in my one experience. Lovely ambience with attentive pleasant staff at bar where we ate as drop-ins. Me Fair wine list prices with god variety ( est ~ 2 x retail) Mussels cooked in almond butter - Great Bread - very good Duck - very tasty but very tough - very good Espresso chocolate crime brûlée - very good My wife Almond, nectarine salad - Okay Lobster - not special (this in a location where fresh lobster can be incredible. I have been to a couple of restaurants where each dish is a revelation. This was not one of them.

    (3)

  • Betsy B.

    For a James Beard award winner restaurant, this place is horrid. The women at the front desk were snotty and unfriendly, I have read other reviews and I agree, this place is so pretentious. There were four of us for dinner. I took one look at the eclectic menu and decided there would be no,dinner for me. Not one thing on the menu that appealed to me. Odd food, strange menu. So I ate bread. The others ordered the flounder. Extremely small serving and a big price tag. My husband and friends said the flounder was bland and boring. Come on, is this the best you have in Portland? Too bad because the restaurant and bar are attractive. Go elsewhere for a good meal, I would give it zero stars if I could.

    (1)

  • Anish M.

    There's nothing I can say about Fore Street that hasn't been said before, so I'll keep it short. From my first visit seven years ago to my most recent this past week, the fare has never been less than stellar nor the service short of charming. A night spent at Fore Street has a way of reviving one's spirits, and I look forward to another memorable meal the next time my travels lead me to Maine.

    (5)

  • Christopher K.

    I attended Fore Street with a large group, so didn't have to worry about the challenges of a reservation. The atmosphere was rustic and lovely, I didn't have a line of sight to the cooking area and fire, so I missed that part of the spectacle. Our group of about 15 was split between two tables that did not allow us to interact back and forth. The menu looked good, I had parsnip soup and roast chicken both of which tasted good. What I ordered was unexceptional, and looking around the table I had some buyers remorse. Service staff was great, and maybe was a little too enthusiastic with constant questions about how we were doing. Two stars means that it was fine, but I would try other places in the area before planning to go back.

    (2)

  • Nathen S.

    Went here for an Anniversary dinner and it was perfect. The waitress was wonderful and when I made reservations they had asked about special occasion. The waitress was attentive but not overbearing. Her recommendations for wine, and appetizers were a hit. We had duck foie gras a first for us both. It was amazing. We then had a wood fired mussels dish which was even better (if that is possible). Both entres were top shelf as well as our dessert. The menu changes often and they use local ingredients which makes this (for me) one of the best restaurants in Portland. Reservations are probably a good idea as it was packed and you wouldn't want to miss this place!

    (5)

  • Kelly M.

    I was told that any famous chef that happens to be in Maine - well, they stop in at Fore Street. There's a good reason for that. This is an embodiment of what this town is, where ingredients and community are both housed on an incredibly high plane. We had a lovely dinner at Fore Street... the open kitchen, the loud din or happy diners, the simple fare that is flawlessly executed - it was all awesome. By far our favorite dish was a special, which is far from helpful for you. But if they have Maine Shrimp three ways, order six and hide the leftovers in your napkin. You'll be thinking about the dish for days and will thank me.

    (5)

  • Anne J.

    Dropped by for dessert. Ended up having an appetizer AND dessert because we just couldn't resist. The appetizer was our choice of three small meat dishes from among a half dozen, mostly pate-like. Interesting, but wouldn't order again. The dessert was ricotta cheesecake. This was the best cheesecake I've ever had, probably because it wasn't a conventional cheese cake at all. No crust, no homogeneously smooth filling. Rather, a little mound of chunks of homemade ricotta held together with a lightly flavored binder of ricotta, sitting beneath a scoop of tart lemon granita. Incredible flavors and textures. The waitstaff was genuinely pleasant, unlike memories of years ago when arrogance was the norm. Glad we came back.

    (4)

  • C M.

    A gem I look forward to visiting whenever I'm in Maine. We're fish-eaters, no meat, and everything we've ever had here has been top quality. Even the meat-eaters we occasionally bring come away smiling in satisfaction. Hey, it's a waterfront town - mussels, scallops, clams and all kinds of fish are just perfect and treated with love. Veggies get the same attention to detail. Service can be harried but is always friendly and accommodating. It can be very loud (open kitchen) in the main dining room but you can also sit on sofas near the bar and get the full food service. YES, it's popular ... because it's so darn GOOD ... but even so you can sometimes score a table without a long wait as we did this past Spring. Or just sit on the sofa with your drinks and food on the "coffee" table as we've done before too. Must-have is the cauliflower. Comes in a small cast-iron frying pan hot from the oven and is just mouth-meltingly delish. Be prepared for the price -- but if you're a fan of high quality ingredients that are served "singing," this is your place!

    (4)

  • Megan W.

    The space is amazing, the service is excellent and the food is quite good. We had oven roasted mussels (yum), a roasted squash salad (OH MY GOD, AMAZING), oven roasted Bluefish (meh), oven roasted...some kind of fish (a tad salty but good), pumpkin cheesecake with goat cheese panna cotta and roasted apples (the panna cotta was the clear winner on this plate) and a caramel apple dessert (which was very good). I would definitely stop by again as it's a very pleasant and fulfilling dining experience.

    (4)

  • Roger T.

    Exposed brick, the smell of wood burning stoves, couches in the lounge... Who could ask for more. A delightful place to dine..

    (5)

  • Mike S.

    A couple colleagues and I decided to try dinner at Fore Street after it came highly recommended by a Maine locavore. It did not disappoint. What I like most about this place was the beautiful, rustic ambiance with it's open kitchen concept in the converted warehouse space. The kitchen oozed delicious smells. We found the service to be very professional, knowledgeable and helpful without being at all overbearing. The freshly baked breads with butter and course salt was fantastic. They had a nice little selection of local craft beer. I tried their hake fish special and the three of us split a few sides including brussel sprouts, fingerling potatoes, and winter squash. Everything was super fresh and prepared with care. Fore Street is a great place for a business dinner or for a date. I will certainly bring my lover ;) here if she joins me on a future trip to Maine. Fore was a score in my book.

    (5)

  • Julie D.

    Labor Day. Monday night. Don't normal people have to get up early in the morning and go to work? Common sense tells me that I do not need a reservation to dine in Portland, ME around 8 pm. I would be wrong. We checked in at the host desk and was advised of a 90 minute wait. When she saw our looks of pain, she referred us to the bar. Have you heard of a restaurant bar that reserves their bar stools? Me, either. We were able to belly up the bar after about a 15 - 25 minute wait. The bar area has nice cushy chairs and couches were you can wait. And they are kind enough to offer you beverages and even escort you to your bar stool when it becomes available. Every Yelper brags about the ambiance. I thought it was nice enough. Perhaps the dining area is more impressive then the bar. The bar tender, our server was very warm and friendly and willing to give recommendations and explanations, as needed. The menu changes every night, however they do retain popular items like mussels and hanger steak. So, don't try to review a menu on line. You won't see one there. Apparently the restaurant has had their share of accolades. In 2002, they were named Number 16 in Gourmet Magazine's Top Fifty Restaurants of the United States. I would say that is quite an amazing accomplishment. And in 2004, Chef/partner Sam Hayward was named Best Chef: Northeast by the James Beard Foundation. I am impressed. BJ enjoyed the mussels while I opted for the mushroom salad. Both dishes were awesome. The mussels were very fresh and the broth was good to the very last drop. They were so good, he was selling them to bar mates. My salad was one of the best that I have ever had. Loved the delicate flavor of the vinaigrette. And the accompanying bread was perfectly baked and so fresh and tasty. We had seconds. BJ got the hangar steak. He said it was perfectly cooked. I had cucumber soup for my meal. It was amazing. For dessert we shared a chocolate torte. Everything here is perfectly prepared. I will remember this restaurant as one of my top ten.

    (5)

  • Jay H.

    I'll give it to you street, this place is fore real. To start we had the spinach and mushroom salad. It was good, but I don't think it's fair to put bacon in salad. It's like hunting rabbits with an assault rifle. Next we had the mussels. They weren't too much outside the box, but they were extremely good, a textural delight. I'm also wondering if they came from near a nuclear power plant because they were humungous. Maybe they just worked out a lot... ba dum kshh For dinner I had the hanger steak, the least amazing part of the meal. It was still pretty good, but a little on the tough side. It's probably my fault for not ordering it rarer. Dessert was a chocolate torte with cocoa nib iced-cream and a caramel sauce, swirled on the plate as they do in fancy restaurants. It was freaking phenomenal. I may return solely for this dessert. The only complaint I'll log is that we weren't in the main dining room with a view of the kitchen, I was looking forward to that. Next time I guess.

    (5)

  • Gina B.

    Wow...this place is worth the wait. Loved the service, food, and drinks all were fantastic! I would recommend it and honestly I don't know why anyone would give it less than 4 stars. They do change their menu daily so recommending a dish will probably not work, but order what you like and you will probably not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Richard G.

    Amazing Food, service and atmosphere. Nice open kitchen. Expensive, but you know you're in one of Maine's hottest restaurants. Went there for my Birthday and they brought out 3 cookies with Happy Birthday spelled in Chocolate.

    (5)

  • A L.

    Especially after our disappointment at The Farmer's Table the night before, my dining companion and I thought Fore Street was amazing. We started with a heirloom tomato side dish as an appetizer and the tomatoes were both perfect and perfectly seasoned. I had a salad with baby squash and carrots, my dining companion had the chicken liver. Both were delicious. For the main course, we had the fettucine and duck breast. Again amazing. The dessert list is substantial and our picks, the chocolate torte and the blueberry compote, were also amazing! I want to go back to Portland just to eat here.

    (5)

  • Lee S.

    Went there on a visit to Portland last week. Not sure what Jay from NY's problem was, but I am from the metro New York area and have eaten in many of the finest restaurants that NY and NYC have to offer. Fore Street was without a doubt, one on the best meals of my life. Everything was five stars, from the ambiance, to the service, to the extensive and unusual menu to the friendly service provided by a team of older, professional wait staff. When I say that the bus staff was classier that most of the wait staff that I've encountered, you get the idea. We were disappointed that we could not taste everything on the menu. Every bite was great and its a memory my wife and i will keep for a long time. It's a five hour trip from NY to Me, but we will be making it again to savor this wonderful place.

    (5)

  • K S.

    another great meal in portland, but this one did stand out. a little pricey compared to other portland spots but not pricey at all for what you get. super fresh, super tasty. go with the seafood (one of our friends ordered the pork chop... still good but go for the seafood!). and don't forget the desserts... we fought over every last crumb from the chocolate cake to the crumble, honestly nothing was left behind. their menu changes daily with what is local and fresh. they take pride in every detail. a must in portland! just watch out for the butter on everything and the salads are a bit heavily dressed.

    (5)

  • Jef B.

    Overall, pretty amazing. Highlights were the smoky halibut and the truly extraordinary apple-banana tarte tatin. But to call the homemade pasta al dente was an overstatement - more like virtually uncooked. Even after we sent it back, it came back al-superdente. Definitely recommend a reservation over the tedious "arrive at 5 for a diner's scrum" followed by two hours wandering around town...

    (4)

  • Beau S.

    I've been here twice, and the service has been exceptional both times. The first time, everything was perfect - the appetizer, the dinner, the coffee - it was one of those magical dining experiences that a non-foodie like me really enjoys. When I went back, it was only very good - a real place and not something that dreams are made of. If you want fine dining in Portland ME, don't miss Fore Street.

    (5)

  • S J.

    Comforting warm surroundings in the dead of winter. Walked by Fore Street on my previous visit to Portland, and felt a buzz just looking in the windows. Glad I visited this trip. High quality food, daily menu and great wine. Enjoyed a AAA piece of summer flounder- thicker fillet cooked perfectly and served with shitake risotto and parsnip purée. Service at the bar, fantastic with great recommendations throughout. Appropriately priced for the quality of food.

    (4)

  • Shannon G.

    Only a block from the ocean, the beautifully maintained building looks to be a restored warehouse. Strikes a good balance between hip and rustic. Hard to get into, reservations book up fast in the summer. Luckily you can show up at opening time and put your name in for one of the slots they hold back until the day of. On the food front we were pretty much underwhelmed all the way through. Squid, Scallops, and the whole Fish were good, but nothing that really blew you away. The food lacked personality, it was kind of generic. Ingredients were very fresh, there's no doubting that. Local raspberries might have been the best part of the meal. I feel kind of sad being mean to Fore Street, but it just didn't do it for me.

    (3)

  • California S.

    FRESH!!!!!! Only been once...... Would go once a week if I lived in Portland.

    (5)

  • Kyle C.

    Dining at Fore Street makes me want to move to Portland. It's restaurants like this that confirm Portland's prominence in the food scene. It's a building that looks like a converted warehouse with a bar in the middle and exposed kitchen off to the right side. Even though 1/3 of the tables are reserved for walk-ins, it's probably a good bet to make reservations. Started off with a charcuterie plate with sliced beef tongue w/sauerkraut, foie gras terrine, and pork belly terrine. The beef tongue was amazingly tender, and the pork belly was rich...but I was really blown away by the foie gras. Rich and buttery without feeling overtly fatty. Does that make any sense? Sampled some of my co-worker's gigantic mussel appetizer. Not the best mussels I've had, but the broth was nicely garlicky and creamy. I'm normally not big on ordering chicken in restaurants, but I took a chance based on the server's suggestion and it was the juiciest [non-fried] chicken I've ever had. Marinated for 24 hours and spit-roasted in their wood-burning oven. Service was top-notch and the food was even better than I had hoped for (if you can't tell). I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Keith A.

    I have eaten here twice and both times did not disappoint. They serve fresh, local, seasonal fare so the menu changes.

    (4)

  • Timothy H.

    My sister-in-law and her boyfriend brought us here for our anniversary. This was such an amazing experience. The staff is knowledgable and give great recommendations. I don't like fish... at all. I had the Flounder and it changed the way I thought about fish. Top notch place

    (5)

  • Andrew F.

    It's all about atmosphere when you are considered the place to go in town, well, ya know, atmosphere and food. Nice, if not slightly dated in some ways, decor, with a beautiful open concept kitchen (kudos to whoever decided kitchens should be in the restaurant dining space, I dig it). Excellent service, serving some excellent food. Going over the menu seems silly since it changes every day, and isn't that kinda the point of Fore Street? The individualized experience? Either way, come with an empty stomach, ready to eat; and don't skip a course, you might miss something great.

    (4)

  • Jess S.

    Again, an amazing meal at Fore Street. Fantastic food, and the staff was accommodating of my baby! Great, world class food.

    (5)

  • Robin L.

    After all the hype I've read about this place for so long, I was a little disappointed. The food is very good, but in no way was I "wowed". The best thing we had was probably the tomato tart appetizer. My duck was okay, but the skin was not as crispy as I would have liked it. My husband's lobster meal was also fine, but certainly not memorable. They do have a good wine list, and our waitress recommended the Neyers Chardonnay whic was fabulous. As for the staff, I must say everone seemed just a little bit impressed with themselves. This place is expensive, and I just don't think it's really worth the price. There's a lot of great food to be eaten in Portland for far less money.

    (3)

  • L K.

    old factory building with wood floor and open beam ceilings. kitchen is on the open floor near diners. pro service and top notch ingredients artfully prepared. would recommend without hesitation

    (4)

  • Mrs. M.

    We had such high hopes to try Fore St for our anniversary dinner. Our party of 4 all agreed on these points. Food: while fresh and prepared nicely the entrees left us extremely underwhelemed. Expect to pay between 25-36 for most entrees, starters range 10-18, desserts 9. We all kind of agreed that the restaurant misrepresents the farm to fork category. It almost seems to us that they use that as a way to make themselves sound more exclusive not having a regular menu and have that infamous line out the door at 5pm. There wasn't any entree on the menu that a fine dining establishment would not be able to get access to on a regular basis. The starters and the desserts were the stand outs of the night. For starters we had the oysters (you do not get to select you get 3 types preselected) choice of 3 meats (boar, rabbit and duck pâté) and chilled seafood (lobster, smoked salmon, tuna and scallop ceviche). The meats were the stand outs especially the sinful pate. Oysters were fresh, sweet, briny, and perfectly shucked. The chilled seafood was mezza mezza. Out of our 4 entrees the duck breast was the best. The hanger steak was our second favorite and the lobster and rabbit dishes were tied for last. The duck breast was seasoned and cooked nicely, delicious. The hanger steak while cooked medium rare it was not the best piece of steak we have ever had and certainly not worth the hefty price. The lobster was unremarkable and quite a let down being in Maine. A chicken lobster for $36 served with about 4 green beans, small ramakin of sweet corn pudding and few slivers of rubbery mushrooms disappointing. The rabbit was under-cooked and somewhat rubbery, not the expected reflection of their famous spit roasted meats. The portion sizes I expected to be small based on the reviews but it was the accompanying dishes that were really minuscule and disappointing. As an example a 1 cup side of garlic mashed potatoes cost $7. We have been to plenty of a la carte restaurants but Fore St has to be the biggest rip off on sides. The deserts were a welcomed change to the entrees and made us feel happy to finish off a rather mixed bag dining experience on a more positive note. The wine list is ample and any diner should find something they enjoy. The Rioja red from Spain was a perfect, medium body, smooth choice for our party of 4, Service: nothing to write home about. Our waitress while polite didn't go out of her way to make the dining experience anything special. She wasn't really engaging. But she still earned her 20% tip ($52) for a 2 hour meal. The restaurant gave us a nice written not to welcome us for our anniversary dinner which was a cute touch but it didn't earn us a comped dessert. Atmosphere is probably one of the highlights here. The space is rustic, inviting and the open kitchen is cool to watch. Overall, it was an okay an experience. All the 5 star Yelp reviews had us going in expecting so much more. They let us down. Not many restaurants are at a 5 star level. I would not be running back to this place. 3 stars on Yelp = "I've Experienced Better" and that certainly is a proper account of our dinner.

    (3)

  • Carley B.

    Yes yes and yes. This is a place I go every time I have company in town to show it off. I have never tasted something I didn't think was fabulous. The environment is great with the open kitchen- I mean, you can SEE the fresh ingredients right there. It is not easy to get a table so plan way ahead and make yourself a reservation. It's worth it!

    (5)

  • Donald A.

    My wife and I went to fore street on our stop in Portland in May,2013; and, I have to say, it was one of the best meals I've ever eaten. The menu changes daily, but I started with a fried soft shelled crab with a house made mayo and fried parsnip chips. The crab was great, but the parsnip chips were the highlight. For my main, I had a wood roasted halibut in a garlic butter broth. The fish was cooked to perfection and the broth infused the flavor and the fat that the fish needed. Desert was a chocolate torte with homemade chocolate chip ice cream, and again, it didn't disappoint. My wife is a pescetarian, and we had read other reviews complaining about the lack of vegetarian friendly options, so she had planned on going with a fish dish. We were surprised to find a few veggie friendly options among the entrees though. She loved the ravioli, the pasta was house made and cooked al dente, and the cheese filling was very tasty. We shared a mashed parsnip side that we both enjoyed. We loved the rustic decor, and there were plenty of beers and wines to choose from. There were not many reservations to choose from, even though we were there for 6 days, we ended up with a Tuesday at 5:30, so if you're planning a trip, make reservations during your planning! Without a doubt a must go, and one of, of not the highlight of ur trip.

    (5)

  • Justin R.

    My girlfriend and I went to Fore Street on a whim. I had head good things about it through other yelpers, so we were walking by and decided to give it a shot. The layout of the restaurant was very nice. Open spaces, with lots of windows, and exposed brick. And the smell billowing out of the open kitchen was almost overwhelming. Our waitress was extremely polite and knowledgeable about the food they were serving. The bread that they bring to your table is awesome. Served with butter, sea salt and fresh ground black pepper. I had never seen bread served this way, but I am a huge fan now. For dinner we split a salad and the Alaskan salmon. The fish was to die for. It was served on a wood plank and cooked to a perfect medium temperature. I had never had a fillet of salmon cooked any way but well, but this was phenomenal. Something everyone should try! Somehow after all the bread, salad, and fish we were still hungry for more. So we ordered dessert. Something we hardly ever do, but I am so glad we did. We decided on the caramel cake with ice cream. Served in its own mini cast iron skillet, topped with maple ice cream and a side of sweet milky caramel sauce. Doesn't that just make your mouth water. Needless to say, my girlfriend took about four bites and I took about sixteen. There was no way I was going to let something the great get tossed into a trash can. If you want a good, fresh meal, Fore Street is where it's at.

    (5)

  • Sara N.

    This was our 2nd trip to Portland, and we made sure we had reservations at Fore Street! The ambiance and atmosphere are just perfect. With the big old mill windows, exposed beams, brick walls, and best of all, the completely open kitchen! And the food is also creative and delicious! It is a little pricey, but not too crazy, and totally worth it!

    (5)

  • Francis C.

    I struggled to give this 4 stars, but I think it is really a 3.5 star review. I sat at the bar, served by Greg, who was a fine bartender (mixed up a very nice White Lady), and took my order. I will give my reviews as each dish came up. First: - Seafood platter, of seared scallops, smoked salmon, flounder tartar, tuna tartar, and lobster. The platter was, in general, very tasty. The tuna had a condiment which was somewhat bitter, based on squash, I believe, and I didn't think it melded very well with the tuna. The lobster had a mayonnaise based sauce, which was a little distracting from the taste of the lobster, but otherwise good. The scallops were EXcellent. The smoked salmon had some fine leaves as a garnish, which tasted somewhat of arugula, and added a nice compliment to the salmon, but not mind blowing. The flounder was very nice, but it was served with some finely diced vegetable, which seemed to be red bell pepper. I could have been mistaken, as I do not partiuclarly care for raw red bell pepper, but it did not distract from the flounder as much as I thought red bell pepper would have. - Soup of cippolini onions and fennel Honestly, I was not a fan. I had originally asked for just a ramekin so I could just taste it, but they could not do it, so I ordered a whole bowl, which I did not finish. It was an interesting combination of flavors, but a rich, earthy tone dominated the dish which I just couldn't get behind. I will note that when I asked if it was decent, Greg said that a lot of people had been ordering it and liking it. Sorry to buck the trend! - Tomato tart with goat cheese on puff pastry This was a tough one to rate. On the one hand, it looked like they took two scoops of herbed goat cheese and just popped them right on top of some grilled tomatoes which had been placed in pre-baked puff pastry. The tomatoes ended up making the puff pastry a bit soggy, which is always the most difficult thing with puff pastry - I get that. However, on the plus side, I did use a goodly amount of the tasty bread that they provided to mob up the juices as well as slather it with the excess goat cheese! A tasty dish, even if it is not what I would have come out with for a tomato tart. - Cappuchino-vanilla pot de creme with a biscuit I could tell the biscuit was home made, since it had that texture where the surface adheres slightly to your fingers, just like many homemade pastries. This was delicious, and I finished every spoonful! Total bill with 2 glasses of wine (a nice Syrah) came to $65+11 tax = $76. Honestly, I would never pay this much for this meal, but since I'm on a business trip and I can expense more than half of the meal, I feel I came away with an execllent meal for $31. However, I don't think I would return if paying on my own dime - there are a lot of other places in Providence which can probably provide comparble food for a similar price.

    (3)

  • Mie T.

    This is a gorgeous place but the food and service are lacking. I found it to be overpriced and over rated. The final straw was our main course arriving with a dark hair imbedded in the sauce (my husband and I are fair haired) and a less than sympathetic waitress. Who acts put out when a customer politely says "I found a hair in my entree"? I just wasn't impressed at all and the bad taste from this experience is enough for me to never darken their door again.

    (1)

  • Susan M.

    Portland has many, many great restaurants, but Fore Street is hands-down our favorite of all the places we've eaten in the year since we moved here. We have been to Fore Street twice; once on our anniversary, and once on a Monday night we randomly had off. You NEED a reservation -- even on that Monday night, which was not a holiday, we had to wait half an hour and then sit at the bar. We had great service there, and I enjoyed the lively atmosphere, but we missed one of the best parts of the Fore Street experience, which is the most open kitchen I've ever seen in a restaurant. The kitchen is essentially in the middle of the dining room. You can see the rotisserie spit turning, all the bins and bowls full of ingredients and a little closet-sized room off to the side where all the fresh herbs and greens are kept. I loved watching the cooks work. Everything we've eaten at Fore Street has been completely delicious: from a salad with turnips to a wild mushroom pasta to fresh oysters from three different locations in Maine. The desserts are excellent, too. We split a tarte tatin on our first visit, and on the second my husband had a panna cotta with tropical fruits, about which he still raves. But the best dish, which is one of the few that's always on the menu, is the chicken. I hope that doesn't sound boring, because it's not; it was literally the best chicken I have ever eaten. It's cooked on the spit, and it comes with wilted greens (spinach, the night we were there) and cubes of sourdough bread sauteed in duck fat. The meat was SO tender and SO flavorful, and the accompaniments were perfect. Fore Street is expensive in absolute terms, but I feel that it provides great value, especially considering that this is a restaurant that would be a standout even in cities like New York and San Francisco. The portion sizes are generous, so both times we've been we've ordered two appetizers/salads, then split an entree. The second time I didn't even have room to partake in dessert. The fact that we can't afford to eat here every month makes it even more special, and I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • S. K.

    Came here for a birthday dinner and the food was really good. Had the pork belly appetizer, hanger steak, scallops, and garlic mash. Delicious. Great dim and cozy environment and great staff.

    (4)

  • Ginny P.

    Definitely not a good choice for someone that is not in love with eating meat. I always struggle to find something on the menu that I will actually eat. If you like rabbit, pheasant, goose liver, pork belly and skate this is the place for you. I've never understood the appeal of this place...other then the enjoyment of the open kitchen and wood fired oven.

    (3)

  • Meg M.

    This place is amazing. It is very romantic and smells wonderful inside! I love everything about the ambiance here. It is a bit pricey and the wait is CRAZY but well worth it- call ahead and make a reservation!

    (4)

  • Quincy W.

    It's a beautiful romantic place, and the waitress is so nice and friendly, I would never miss it when I visit Portland . I love the desserts , so rich n delicious.

    (4)

  • Matt E.

    Beautiful place on a beautiful street (guess what street it's on) with amazing food. The vibe/dress here is classy but casual. The space is fantastic and the open kitchen allows you to watch the chefs at work. The only thing not remarkable is the bathrooms which seemed very ordinary and didn't match with the rest of the decor. The menu is constantly changing to allow for the freshest ingredients possible (the menu mentions were the meat and seafood originate from- great touch) so it's not available on their website or online anywhere but you can be rest assured there will be at least a few things on the menu that will wet your appetite. I got the halibut from Nova Scotia ($28) and a side of garlic mashed potatoes as well as a dessert of cranberry vanilla bread pudding topped with apple compote served with a warm apple cider. I also tried the mussels. Everything I just mentioned were the best I've had in my life including the fresh warm bread from the Standard Baking Co who shares the same building. The only thing that I wasn't impressed with was the dessert. The apples in the compote were very firm almost raw and really overpowered the flavor of the bread pudding and although the entire menu was pricey the dessert was very expensive for what it was ($9 for the bread pudding the size of a small cupcake). Most of the entree items here are $25-30 so it's not cheap but you really are getting fantastic food. The mussels were amazing but 1/3 of the mussels didn't open and it seemed like a rip off (the waitress later explained that they threw more mussels in because this crop of mussels were stronger than normal and it would have balanced itself out- this would have been helpful to know before hand and I hope this is true). The only thing keeping the dining experience from being top notch was our waitress who seems very awkward and somewhat uncomfortable, it wasn't clear whether she was new or if that was just her personality, either way it was a little off putting and we definitely would have had a better dining experience with someone better. Over the week trip up the Maine coast this ended up being (not surprisingly) the best seafood I had and would definitely make a return trip in the future.

    (4)

  • Jolie F.

    A perfect restaurant to enjoy if you want fresh food with a menu that is ever changing! The food is oh so fresh and yummy to the last drop. But dont go to this restaurant with an empty stomach unless you plan to drop a lot money as the portions are small. But given the portions are small, it provides the perfect environment to nibble on a variety of food that includes pates, seafood and a selection of meat. Good to the last drop, especially with a nice glass of wine! And the lighting sets the stage for a perfect meal as it darkly lit by candles.

    (4)

  • Allison C.

    We came for my brother's birthday and they gave him amazing treatment and attention--a birthday card, a personalized dessert--wonderful. Bread from Standard Baking Co. was amazing, wines were delicious, and our waitress was attentive and fantastic. I was disappointed in my entree of marscapone ravioli--it had no freshness and was drowning in a sea of oil. Dessert of pineapple upside-down cake was IN.CRED.IBLE. If not for the lack-luster entree, this would have been five stars. Atmosphere cannot be beat.

    (3)

  • Doug D.

    When I am grappling between whether to give a place a 4 and 5 star review it quickly tips to 5 stars if I can still easily recall the flavors that crossed my palate. This was one of those places. There were 5 of us for a business dinner. Upon entering we sat in the relaxed lounge while waiting for our table. Here I observed the only weak point in the restaurant we experienced. The wine list is pretty good...not great. Given the caliber of the food I expected more. But there were certainly enough tasty selections to get by. Also, no wine steward on staff. Fortunately my knowledge sufficed for the table. We were seated in the corner. Far opposite the open kitchen, but this was okay as it was good for conversation. Our server was friendly and attentive enough. Not the best service I've had but far from poor. We started with the Chilled Seafood Platter; sliced scallops with salt cured shad roe, spring dug parsnip puree; cures arctic char belly, with lemon ripened cream; sliced yellowfin tuna with pickled ramps and acorn squash seed oil. That was accompanied by Wood Grilled Mulard Foie Gras! Wonderful. For my entree I broke with all sensibility and ordered Ribeye. Even though I am from Nebraska and can have great steak anytime, my neighbors steak kept taunting me. Natural Angus Beef from Montana, blood rare, celeriac puree, grilled wild spring ramps with mustard and sherry glazed cipollini. (Yes, I stole a menu). The best part of the evening was the desert. Cornmeal Pineapple Rum Upside Down Cake with Buttermilk Sherbert. Damn! Espresso was fantastic too. Enough said.

    (5)

  • Katherine W.

    Soy free and the food was really good.

    (3)

  • Jessica B.

    A lot of people had told me to check out Fore Street, and finally, I had an excuse. I wasn't disappointed. First off, the building itself is great; an unassuming exterior with windows that overlook Commercial Street, an open kitchen so you can see what the chefs are doing, classy, understated decor and it was nice and quiet for conversation. I also liked the huge vase of branches with bright pink flowers on them right near our table. The waitress was attentive and knowledgeable and the menu had a great selection of nice entrees. I had my usual, a martini and it was great: strong and dirty, just the way I like 'em. :) I ordered the onion/garlic soup as an appetizer and the mussels as an entree and my companion ordered the pasta and mushroom appetizer (which was enough to be a meal and it was delicious), the fingerling potatoes and the broccoli rabe. The mussels were delicious: fresh and there were a ton of them! I had sherry for dessert and my companion ordered espresso. Both were perfect finishers. All the rumors are true folks, Fore Street is delightful and if you have someone to impress or a special night to plan, I suggest you check it out.

    (5)

  • Don B.

    Visited again on July 4th during our semi-annual trip to Maine. It has become a tradition to go to Fore Street, easily the best restaurant in Portland, when you consider all of the variables that make a restaurant great. Two of my dining companions ordered the wild salmon and it looked and tasted (I was told) magnificent. My sea scallops were delectable, perfectly grilled with a complimentary sauce that had me looking for some bread to ensure I didn't miss a morsel of. Service is always top of the class, we will always come back here. They certainly more than made up for a mediocre experience last Winter.

    (5)

  • Lyndi S.

    I walked into Fore Street and breathed in a huge sigh of relief. Imagine exposed brick, high ceilings, a completely open kitchen, and delicious bread that was quite literally everywhere. The kitchen was completely open, and you could see the chef's working from anywhere in the restaurant. How cool! It was rustic, calming, and just down right awesome. And that's just the ambiance. Now on to the next... Our waitress was incredibly happy to be there. She was a helpful little ray of sunshine on a cold, rainy summer evening on my vacation. Her recommendations were spot on, and she even gave us tips on places to visit on our vacation! My water glass remained full, despite how much I drank after walking around the city all day. All in all, the service alone could probably get them at least 3/5 stars... But then the food... Mouthwatering. Literally. They bring out their fresh bread with New England butter, sea salt, and fresh ground black pepper. It's a sure sign that if they can make something that simple taste that amazing, then I trust them with the more complicated attempts. We had a salad to start, which had a pistachio vinaigrette dressing that was light and delicious. Then we moved on to the recommended Alaskan salmon that was cooked perfectly to medium, as was the chef's suggestion. It was outstanding. Perfectly seasoned and wood grilled, which gave it a fresh, outdoorsy flavor that made me feel like I caught the fish myself. Incredible. Did I mention we got this incredible caramel cake for dessert? It was in a small cast iron pan, and it was topped with homemade maple (I think?) ice cream. My mouth just watered typing that at the sheer memory of this awesome dessert. I wish I had a bigger stomach, but luckily boyfriend did, because we did not leave one drop of food on any of our plates. Fore Street really is as good as it gets.

    (5)

  • Chris W.

    This place is awesome. I wish that I had the money to eat here every night. Great menu, great food, and the restaurant itself is very nice.

    (5)

  • Clint W.

    A bit pricey, but unfound flavor and service. The restaurant has a remarkable ambiance especially with the gorgeous open kitchen. Service has always been nothing but exceptional. The menu is trendy and cooked to perfection. I highly recommend if you're looking for dinner in Portland you go to Fore Street.

    (5)

  • H. G.

    I'd put this as the #1 place I have ever been to in terms of ambiance. There is something just really beautiful and special about this place. I was slightly disappointed by the food though. We split the chicken under a brick and the halibut. The chicken was very tasty, but just a bit dry. I sort of think it needed a sauce. It came with sourdough bread cooked in duck fat (the first few bites were great, the last few were not). The fish was very good, but ultimately not memorable. The chocolate dessert was a bit too dark/bitter for me, but I recognize that other people love that sort of thing. As always, the service was excellent: friendly and approachable, but hands off and professional. In all honesty, the food was very good. I was just hoping for a "one of the best meals ever" kind of dinner. And that's probably too much to ask of most places. But I would definitely come back here in a heartbeat. And I would recommend it to others too.

    (4)

  • Cherie C.

    Thanks to OpenTable, we got a reservation with no problem, even after our original plans were rescheduled. I get the feeling that if you plan on a late dinner you should have no problems. We arrived 15 minutes early and hung at the bar (don't think you can schedule one time and show up early--they run on time). We sat down, and I noticed a note card and assumed it was 'reserved' sign. But it was actually a hand-written note wishing us a great first visit (OpenTable asks if it is your first time). It was a small, kind gesture that set the tone for a great evening. Our server was friendly but not overbearing. He was always on hand if we needed him but did not hover. We had salads (delicious trevioso salad with dates and nuts, as well as my mixed greens with a lemony dressing), charcuterie, pork tenderloin, and john dory. Cocktails were well made. Our server guided us through the menu, as we weren't sure if we were ordering too much. The charcuterie was good; one of our items was not what we'd requested, but it ended up be a favorite. Who knew that I'd love wild boar terrine? The grilled pork was a HUGE portion, but the flavors were excellent. The john dory was prepared simply but a good, flavorful fish. Fore Streets emphasis on fresh, local food on the grill or in the wood oven means the meals aren't overly spiced. It was just good meat cooked to emphasize it's natural flavor. Despite being full, we found room to share a glass of superb Sauternes and key lime mousse with blood orange granita. I especially enjoyed the granita, which was full of flavor I don't recall experiencing with blood orange beore. We promptly went home and crashed out in a blissful food coma.

    (4)

  • Ansley W.

    Fore Street offers a world class eating experience. The roasted and grill finished chicken is luciously moist and flavorful. Please order the crab stuffed tomato as an appetizer. All crab meat should be so tender. Not one bit of food was mediocre and the service was just as good. Our waitress was helpful, attentive and didnt interrupt our conversation. The open kitchen and warm, lively dining room is beautiful but still casual and inviting. Dinner for two with drinks with cost you $150 or so but it is money well spent.

    (5)

  • George S.

    Holy hell! This place is delicious! Pork belly appetizer, with black bass, and halibut entrees.... Great space as well.

    (4)

  • Darrell B.

    We had such a GREAT experience! We initially made an Open Table reservation with Spread but due to their hosting a charitable event, they canceled us! So we happened to walk up to Fore Street. Not only did they find us a table on a very busy night but they also gave us the most excellent service and food. It was just wonderful! And as we left, the woman that sat us (I didn't catch her name...darn it!) gave us 4 of their home-made cookies as a gift. Again...such a great place and we'll definitely go back again and again when we're in Portland!!

    (5)

  • Martin L.

    Who would have thought there is such a great restaurant in the heart of Portland Maine (of all places!?!). I went on a Monday night, hoping for a last minute reservation at 5:30 pm and found out i was lucky to come in as I did. By 5:45 pm, the restaurant was already about 70% full and by 6:15 pm, already at full capacity (YES, this is a MONDAY NIGHT). There's something special about this place. It's so vibrant, and full of energy. I've never seen an opened kitchen in this manner before. It's as if you have front row seat in the kitchen. I'm literally watching the chefs chop tomatoes and cut the meat. It's all right in front of you for everyone's viewing pleasure as they enjoy their dinner. They even have a brick oven with the fire burning beautifully (sure beats the hell out of simple candle lighting. Besides the open kitchen, the restaurant was very simple in the design, i'm guessing not to take the attention away from the kitchen which is clearly the center piece. Not too much going on besides exposed bricks and wooden chairs, although everything appears to be quite tastefully put together. Was told that their menu changes daily, with some staple offerings such as turns pit chicken/pork loin/beef. Was told the mussels and chilled meat spreads. Decided to go for some raw seafood as I didn't feel right not to eat seafood when I'm in Portland. Finally settled on the raw seafood tasting platter, which offers salmon, scallops, tuna, and lobster, all either marinated or ceviche. All delicious, especially the scallop ceviche which was so creamy and soft in texture. Also had the turns pit roasted chicken, which the waiter applauded my choice as he claimed that when theres leftover, the chicken is what they fight over at the end of the night. I dare say that i've never had chicken breast so juicy and flavorful and the skin had this lovely smokiness of having been cooked over an open fire. Even though i was super full, couldn't resist buying some hand made chocolate to go. Have to say that i was pretty blown away by fore street and the complete dining experience that it provided. Wish this place was closer so i can go there more often to try their ever changing menu. My only concern is to have to strategize to make reservations ahead of time (possibly for multiple nights) next time I venture to Portland, Maine.

    (5)

  • John K.

    I wish I could review the food but I wasn't even able to get in there. We were told we could wait for an hour if we wanted to eat at the bar, which I had no problem with, except there was NO PLACE to sit while waiting to get into the bar! I will say this I have worked in the restaurant business in the past and I have never met a bigger bunch of pretenous, arrogant "foodie" types. I guess you can get away with treating people badly as long as there are plenty of hipster losers who don't expect any better.

    (1)

  • moe s.

    I'm with Jay! The smarmy "hurry up and leave" attitude from the twits that work here have ensured that I will never step foot in this place again

    (1)

  • Mark T.

    This is definitely a place to visit. Note there is an appetizer menu, separate from the restaurant menu. Frankly for the price, this is one of the best restaurants we have visited. We started with the chilled and smoked seafood platter. It was very good. For the first time, my wife loved the mussels. Much different than you may have had before. Then we had the chilled meats. Also very good. Followed by the Atlantic squid, which was excellent. If this restaurant were closer to home, I'd be here every week. Anybody can throw sauce on a protein or pasta, but I like how they cook. Good food.

    (5)

  • Sandy N.

    Delicious food, courteous and knowledgable staff, modern but cozy ambiance. Menu changes daily so there is always something new to try. Squid app: grilled squid mixed with eggplant and kale. A very unique and delicious combination topped with a tangy vinaigrette that ties all the ingredients together. The squid was a touch chewy hence 4 stars. Lobster entree: tender lobster topped with seasoned brown butter. Comes with a s use of the most delicious corn pudding I've ever had. The onions in the pudding and the hint of spice really elevate the natural sweetness of the corn. Peach tart: huge portion of flaky and buttery pastry surrounding delicious caramelized peaches topped with caramel corn ice cream. AMAZING but heavy. Probably mean for one but I ate it all by myself

    (4)

  • Rebecca W.

    Went here for date night with a gift certifcate. The prices are not cheap, but it is worth the vetnure. We made reservations ahead of time. We came early and enjoyed the cozy bar, complete with comfy couches. The drinks were balanced and refreshing. We relaxed in there chatting to other patrons until out table was ready. Our waittress was fully versed in the menu and very attentive, without feeling like she was lurking over us. We ordered roasted potaoes, scallops and roasted fingerling potatoes. The scallops were moist and sweet, cooked perfectly. The steak was juicy and the horseradish sauce that accompanied it was wonderful. The potatoes had a nice crispy outer layer with the peels and inside was soft comfort food. We got chocolates as dessert, which was a wonderful sweet end.

    (4)

  • Chris S.

    Made reservations 3 weeks in advance (by calling the restaurant) and were so happy we did so. This restaurant is a must!! The food was amazing. Had the salmon and a pork neck steak and vinegar potatoes, we split everything and it was cooked to perfection. The staff is great and the open kitchen is so cool to watch. The atmosphere is comfortable, restaurant located in a great location. Simply put, one of the best restaurants we have ever been to (expect it to be pricey but its worth it)

    (5)

  • David A.

    Excellent food, but not quite worth the price. We ordered the Atlantic squid as an appetizer, and it was good, but I kept thinking that it didn't quite match the yaki-ika from Yosaku down the street, in either flavor or price. For entrees, we got the scallops and the swordfish, and they were amazing. They were cooked well and the flavor profiles were creative and well-blended. But the portions were a bit small- normally I expect to be satisfied with just an entree, and full if there's also an appetizer, but instead I felt like the entree alone wouldn't have been enough. And that's after eating two portions of the bread (from Standard Bakery downstairs, which I adore). Now, I did end up full after also having dessert. I'm embarrassed to say I've forgotten the names of the dishes, but we had a rich chocolate cake, as well as a sweet, flan-like dessert. It was a delicious and decadent end to the meal, and would highly recommend either of them. All in all, we had a wonderful restaurant experience. Nothing mind-blowing like Hugo's, but it was a very nice meal. We came because we had a gift certificate, and if we received another gift certificate, I'm sure we would be back. In the meantime, there are a lot of other wonderful restaurants in Portland that we can enjoy just as much on a lower budget.

    (4)

  • Natalie P.

    In portland for one night so had dinner at Fore Street. We didn't have reservations so we walked in and put our names down. They were able to seat us in about an hour so we walked around and came back. The restaurant is beautiful on the inside. There is an open kitchen that looks very rustic and it overall has a great feel to it. The menu changes daily. That evening we ordered the smoked and chilled seafood platter that had a variety of smoked fish. It was very tasty. The smoked bluefish and herring were very good. We also ordered the roasted cauliflower salad, veal sweetbreads and chicken livers, and duck foie gras with musk melon. Foie gras was very rich but good. I liked the sweetbreads the most. The chicken livers were okay but probably just not my thing. Everything was good overall and beautifully presented. Service was also good. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. Would definitely come back to try new things if ever back in the city.

    (4)

  • Victor D.

    My partner and I visited Portland as part of a longer Maine trip. We had an incredible time here. He had the mixed greens salad and I had the mushroom medley and we shared the oysters. Everything was amazing. For entrees we had the whole sea bass as well as the duck two ways. Food: incredible, service: more so. We had two tables to our left and right that were particularly difficult. Our server, Adam, dealt with them with poise and finesse and we had an amazing time despite their bitterness. Five stars for food, service and EVERTHING ELSE! Thank you all!!

    (5)

  • Rich T.

    Ok call me parochial west coaster, but my image of Maine (lobster shacks!) and stick-the-ribs food was forever changed by this place. It is in a renovated warehouse in downtown Portland and utterly charming. On the cold and rainy August night we went, it was absolutely packed to the gills and it is easy to see why. The lobster with crab that we had was terrific. The steaks were awesome and the desserts were fabulous. It is not the kind of place you can go every night, but a well prepared meal from local ingredients was just what the doctor ordered tonight :-)

    (5)

  • Dan D.

    This is about the experience, not the food, as I wasn't worthy. Take the scenario - our 36th anniversary. We picked Portland Maine because we love the city. We ask the hotel - so where should we celebrate with our dinner? We're given a few names, but near the top is Fore Street. We're wandering Old Port, and stop at Fore Street. It goes downhill from there. I ask a very fussy lady (the maître d'?, Hostess? whatever) if I could see a menu. "It's late, we're no longer seating." I say I understand, but was wondering if we could celebrate our anniversary with them the next evening. "What?" you could see her nose rise into the air, as she huffed, "We're taking reservations 3-4 weeks from now. Tomorrow? We're the 16th best..." (my mind had already dismissed the rest of her comments, I'm afraid, as I was already thinking of the rest of the list.) I nod, and say I understand. There are restaurants this haughty, and that's OK, it just won't fit our needs. I pocket the menu. That's not why 1 star, not yet, many restaurants work this way. She could see I was "moving on", but just had to "win" in her mind. If you MUST dine with us, we do leave a few tables open each day for 'walk-ins' (oh, the demeaning way she said that). But you must arrive early, and sign a list, and MAYBE you will be seated at some point. I considered this for a moment, and said - so when, and how long? The guardian of the gate smiled and showed her teeth, since I had taken the bait. "Oh, if you arrive at 4:45pm, and sign in, you MIGHT be seated in an hour or two, or whenever. We never know how many sign-ins will arrive... (We are Fore Street, after all - no she didn't say that, but it indeed sat in the air.) For our anniversary? Not so much. I thanked the fussy lady, the guardian of the gate, and left. Of course we did not return. I admit, I looked at the menu that evening, and was intrigued. They served organ meats. Many would say ugh, but we love such. Still, even though they served offal, the experience was too awful to revisit. The guardian of the gate had stayed off yet another unworthy pair.

    (1)

  • Paul A.

    This is among my top restaurants in all of New England. Last night was our fourth time eating at Fore Street and it was easy to see why this is still a must-visit Portland eatery. An amazingly beautiful, industrial interior with a well-lit centrally located kitchen sets off the flawless food, which comes at a pretty decent price considering the quality. Reservations have to be made a few weeks in advance (or you can get in line and leave your name at 5 pm) but it is worth it for this kind of experience. The quail is usually our favorite starter here but it wasn't available the day we came. This was not surprising since the menu changes daily but we ended up with some pretty awesome stuff anyway. A squid, sausage and kale dish was delicious as was a buttery parsnip soup. The turnspit roasted half-chicken was also incredible garnished by big cubes of duck fat fried croutons. I've had the turnspit roasted pork here and this was equally good. The fish is always legit and this time we got a somewhat muted, but actually pretty good olive oil poached monkfish. Probably the weakest dish of the night. However, we'd never tried the pasta here so we got this vegetarian ravioli dish topped by radicchio and pecans that was Insaaaannee. Def go for it if you like pasta. And finally, what makes this place a stone cold 5-star spot is that dessert is almost always as nuts as the main. We got three: the chocolate torte, a cinnamon semifreddo, and a frozen banana cream pie bon bon. All were amazing, with maybe the cinnamon one being the best. I have no negatives here. Come at 5 and get in line to leave your name, or a make a reservation well in advance. Either way, yum.

    (5)

  • Cindy N.

    This is place was really great!!! Food was delicious. OK so here is the run down. If you can make a reservation in advance. We didn't and just showed up, we were able to get on a stand by list but the wait was about 90 minutes. We weren't starving and wanted to walk around so it wasn't a problem. They took a cell number and we left. When we got the call and arrived back at the restaurant, we got the best seat in the house as far as I was concerned (and the rest of my party who all love to cook including my two kids), by being right in front of the open space kitchen. Love watching the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. Our server, Matt was attentive, very nice and explained everything we needed him to. It makes a huge difference when you have a great server and Matt was just that. Our table had the John Dory, Roasted Chicken, steamed muscles, clams and the Heritage Pork. My daughter and I shared the Bluefish (which we had never had). Matt explained the taste and texture perfectly so we knew pretty much what to expect with a new fish. Form the reports around the table, everything was delicious. I can not finish this review without bringing up the desserts...YUM!!!!! We ordered three desserts: the parfait (which my dad said was the best he has ever eaten), a triple chocolate dessert and a nectarine and strawberry cobbler with sweet corn ice cream. WOW!!!!! That cobbler was amazing and the sweet corn ice cream sounds weird but was delicious. I make a lot of ice cream at home and can't wait to try to replicate it. This was hands down the best dinner we had on our vacation. Thank you Fore Street for an amazing meal and great service!!! Wish we lived closer, we would definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Mariah L.

    I really loved the service, design and atmosphere. I really appreciate that there wasn't any music playing too. The wine list is great, and the cocktail list was succinct and well designed. The fish, mussels and mushrooms were cooked just wonderfully, especially the halibut.. but there was just so much salt, oil and butter.. nothing else very interesting or to counterbalance the texture or flavors on any of our dishes.. I felt like it detracted from the quality of the cooking and ingredients. I see why it's busy, but I don't exactly need to come back.

    (3)

  • Gregory G.

    Best meal I've had in a very long time. The muscles were the best I've ever had and the goat Cheese Ravioli with wild mushrooms was so good I was sad when it was all gone. Great ambiance, great service... This place is awesome!

    (5)

  • Francesca D.

    Great food, super atmosphere. Loved cocktail space near bar with antique chairs and love seats. Menu changes daily. Had hanger steak. Beets and goat cheese and mashed potatoes. Would 1000% return

    (5)

  • Joe B.

    Lots of hype for this restaurant, it been on the Portland scene for years. Steady, dependable - not much has changed. Service is attentive. If you looking for true foodie experiences there are better choices in Portland.

    (3)

  • Richard W.

    Another fantastic dinner experience. We came without reservations and sank into those big plush seats in the bar, had some wine and great Conversation until a table was available at 7:30. The service was superb food delicious, and the atmosphere is unlike any other place I've ever been. The smells of the kitchen are in the air and the whole time you were there you are enjoying the food even if you're not eating it...

    (5)

  • Erick O.

    I had Fore Street bookmarked for my trip to Maine. I was looking forward to eating here since several of the locals a while back in a chat advised me I needed to eat here since the food was spectacular. Saturday night we came here since it's only about a 5 minute walk from our hotel. Walking up to the restaurant I was excited! I didn't see anyone waiting outside so the I figured the wait isn't long or we can be seated right away. There was a young girl in the front that was helping a couple in front of us to there table. As we waited there was a middle aged female which looked to be a manager or maybe even a hostess. I am not exactly sure but she was on the older side, not to be rude. She went to the podium in a hurry where the young girl was before. You know where they write your name down and tell you how long the wait is or if your like to sit at the bar etc. She didn't acknowledge us at all as it seems she was in quite the hurry to write something down on some paper she had with her. We stood there until the wifey caught her attention. She didn't move her body at all only rolled her eyes in our direction as Jess said " A table for two " her reply "about 1 hour" and rolled her eyes back down and made a smirk with her lips and cheek. Jess and I looked at each other kinda wondering what was going on. Mind you there restaurant was busy but I counted at least 2 tables empty and space at the bar. I felt so belittled and disrespected we just left and had dinner at The Flatbread. I mean tell me if we would like to wait or if we want to have a wait at the bar and enjoy a drink or look for a solution to gain our business. Nope nothing... We just walked out and refused to make a excuse to eat there or go back the two days we had left in town. Maybe I caught her in a bad day or moment. Nevertheless, it was just enough of a lack of hospitality to steer me away regardless of how good I am sure the food is based on the reviews.

    (1)

  • Lauren F.

    Fore Street is not to be missed in Portland. The service is exceptional and the open kitchen is spectacular. The menu is split into a page of small plates/appetizers and a page of entrees. We had the mussels and mushroom pasta to start. The mushroom pasta was fantastic. If I lived in Portland I'd eat that regularly. I had the scallops as my entree and they were cooked to perfection. We finished with the blueberry cobbler and chocolate terrine. Both were outstanding, but the terrine is very very rich. We took home some of the homemade chocolates which were fabulous. We will be back to Fore Street next time were in Portland.

    (5)

  • Christopher P.

    I finally got a chance to eat here for my birthday earlier this month. The draw for me is the quality of ingredients and they change the menu daily. The prices were no surprise as I'm from NYC where everything is over-priced. The servers were informative, attentive, and happy to help with whatever we needed. Now for the food; we had the Black Bass and Arctic Char for our main course. Both were perfectly cooked and delicious. I really appreciate a restaurant that sources locally and puts a lot of attention and care into what they do. It's not just about eating at a cool restaurant here, it's about the overall experience!

    (4)

  • Jenn R.

    The pork belly was the best part of the meal!!! Delicious. I got the wahoo which was good but was a tad over cooked. My husband got the haddock and it was cooked perfectly. Our server was excellent and we enjoyed the whole dining experience.

    (4)

  • Amy D.

    Oh MY. What can I say about Fore Street, that may not have been said already? One of America's greatest restaurants? Unquestionably? A trip to the moon on gossamer wings? Cole Porter would agree. Fore Street should be in every journal or book of "places to eat before you die." Long before "Farm To Table" and Locavorian culture became a standard, Fore Street were making their bones doing exactly that since roughly 1996. Fore Street, is about amazing ingredients concocted in something that resembles heaven on a plate. Enough hyperbole. The food? Well let's just say I might be ruined for chicken forever, a bourbon brined one was so juicy, so ethereal with a crispy skin and this insane cornbread, and I was fearful that I was going to eat the plate that held them. Their bread, from Standard Baking Company (which the owners also own, along with the equally excellent Street and Co.), is UNREAL. They have an amazing whisky selection! They have EVERYTHING. It's EVERYTHING! BOOK. A. TABLE.

    (5)

  • Dani W.

    Beet salad and hangar steak was perfection. Salad was very fresh and bright. Steak, perfectly cooked medium rare, portion was perfect. Oh and lemon cake plate for dessert was very creative with a small cup of shaved ice that tasted like lime, very cool, fluffy and refreshing; along side, candied orange peel that made this plate even more heavenly. EAT HERE!

    (5)

  • Kevin H.

    A solid 4 for Fore Street. Given the hype, the weeks (if not months) of advance reservations, and the high price... It's good, but not great. I have been here twice now, and this feeling of being satisfied - but not blown away - is consistent. The decor is fantastic, especially on a cold Maine winter night. The fiery ovens are in full public view, the bread is warm and crispy. The service is good (but not in a bend-over-backwards kind of way). The food is tasty, though the menu never seems to serve things that I 'really' want. I'd consider myself a foodie, and Portland ME has so many incredible options. For a bit less money, you'd have yourself a comparable (if not superior) meal at East Ender or Eventide.

    (4)

  • Bill K.

    If you are a foodie, you'll love everything about this place We were lucky to sit near the open kitchen where you can see it all happen Fascinating ! Bread excellent Waitress very good We had the pork chop special and the halibut special Both were terrific Definitely will be back soon

    (5)

  • Deni T.

    When you come here you will have a dining experience not just dinner. Settle in and let the smells, staff and food take you away. The biggest complaint is often that you can't get a reservation before 9, you can. You just have to plan. The open prep area with the "humidor" for the veggies, the wood fire oven and fresh bread from Standard Bakery are the focal point around which the seating is placed. There are windows overlooking Commercial Street and the bay. In the Winter it is cozy and warm. The menu has some standard dishes but much of it is created day of since they make the menu based on what was delivered from the network of farms and fisheries that they deal with. One day rabbit might be there and next it is not but venison could be. I have never had a bad meal not bad service here. Eat a light lunch, you will want to save yourself for this!

    (5)

  • Joe H.

    You probably already know that the James Beard Foundation Awards recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields, and emphasize the Foundation's mission to celebrate, nurture, and honor America's diverse culinary heritage - award winning Fore Street Restaurant in Portland, Maine represents strongly - no question! Start with a grapefruit and ginger cocktail - next browse the appetizers - please do not pass on the soft shell crab if available. Shaved fennel salad with Medjool dates and goat cheese...shut the front door! What a menu - printed fresh each day. Entrees are stunning - too much fantastic stuff to choose from. The breads are fresh from the bakery downstairs - probably handed down from angels in heaven. The service was excellent as was the wine. Our choice, Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) opened with aromas of plum, black cherry, and violets, followed by subtle flavors of strawberry and allspice, making it ideal for a variety of food pairings. We dined on pork roast, delicate halibut, fiddleheads, and scrumptious potatoes. Cannot say enough about this fine dining experience; dessert...you had me at rhubarb - INCREDIBLE. . I've visited several times and Fore Street always delivers. Word to the wise...make your reservations in advance.

    (5)

  • Jesse T.

    I think this is the first time that I have been disappointed by the Yelp hive mind. I feel...betrayed. I had the steak, pork belly, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. I am not sure what happened; was I being punished for ordering such safe dishes? The steak (rare) tasted like a $20 cut; the potatoes and Brussels sprouts were terrible (completely lacking in flavor). How do you mess up potatoes and Brussels sprouts? They are amongst the most un-mess-up-able dishes! I genuinely believe I could have prepared better potatoes and sprouts, and I am far from a chef. The pork belly was okay, but unspectacular. Regarding the ambiance, I thought the interior was gorgeous (great cozy, industrial vibe) and the open-kitchen concept was clever...at first. Thing you have to realize with an open kitchen is while it is visually appealing, creates an inviting atmosphere, and provides entertainment to the patrons watching the chefs at work...you also fill the entire space with an obnoxious amalgam of smells. Yes, they have industrial fans, but with an open kitchen concept, the smells will inevitably linger in the air.

    (2)

  • Jesse T.

    Good food. Good service. A bit overpriced. Best dishes were the tomato tart and the fettuccine!!

    (4)

  • Tamara A.

    Everything and everyone we experienced in this restaurant was top notch food is outstanding and the servers and bartenders make you feel so welcome to the point perfect strangers are talking at the bar and sharing apps and desserts it is an amazing dinning experience all around. If every in Old Port go here!!! Make a reservation if you want to sit in the tables booth or just wait for a seat at the bar you will not be disappointed!!

    (5)

  • Alyssa B.

    For all the hype, and my expectations, it was not quite up to snuff for the price paid, though still very, very good. We arrived at around 4:40 and were 3rd in line for walk-in reservations. Promptly at 5, we were put on the list and told we would be seated around 5:45. This gave us enough time to have a drink and linger at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and the drinks were made very well (an old fashioned for him and a dirty martini for me). We were then seated at a very small two-person table located inches from the tables to both sides. I do think this negatively impacted our experience, as the wait staff could barely fit in between the tables, so as items arrived at any of the nearby tables, we felt like sardines. With that said, service was very good and professional, as I would have expected. Loved the sourdough bread and butter with salt and pepper, pretty much every meal should start like this! The mussels were fantastic. I have made their mussels based on a recipe from a fellow food blogger (who somehow snagged the inside scoop), and theirs were WAYYYY better (obviously!). Andrew had some sort of tomahawk steak (I can't remember the exact cut, but it was on the bone and he had a caveman experience). My fish was good, but not too memorable. We ended the night with a box of chocolates to take home, as we were too full for dessert. I do hope to come back and have a full 5-star experience.

    (4)

  • Marian E.

    What an experience! We scored an 8:00 reservation the day of (which I wouldn't count on...we were there during a snowstorm...reserve ahead of time) and were thrilled! I've been wanting to eat here for some time and finally made it. Now I can't wait to go back! The atmosphere of the open kitchen is very welcoming and warm, the food was stellar, and the service was delightful but didn't hover. Also, the drinks were quite lovely and not overpriced (for a fine dining establishment). We started with our drinks (Old Fashioneds- his with Woodford Reserve and mine with Maker's Mark - mine was good but his was beyond smooth!) They have a bakery (Standard) and offered sourdough and wheat bread with butter and salt and pepper (a nice touch). I didn't have room for the wheat, but the sourdough was perfect. Our starters were seared pork belly that had a gorgeous flavor and a quail dish that was divine. The portions were quite generous, for starters. We were told that the quail would be 15 minutes, but we were in no hurry. Speaking of which, the pace of the meal was very nice, and we didn't feel like they were trying to turn over the table - always a plus! Our entrees were the Hanger steak and the Halibut. The steak was wonderful (just smokey enough, cooked just the way my husband likes) and served with some nice greens and a horseradish jus. My fish was divine. It was served in a cast iron pan (which many dishes here are...big wood oven) and had a carrot puree with it that I couldn't get enough of. There was beet butter on top, which gave it a gorgeous color, and also rusk crumbs for a perfect crunch. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! I wasn't in love with the lentils that were on the side, but I'm not really a lentil girl. We did order the fingerlings with raclette to share. There were some roasted carrots that looked quite nice, but we had plenty of food! We didn't have dessert, but they had some lovely options. The toffee pudding looked, especially, nice. The menu does change based on what's available that night. I have included a pic of the menu on the night that we went just to give you a sense. We will be back, and I will say that next time I'd like to spend more time in the cozy bar area. Yes, the price point makes it a place for a special occasion. However, the next time you have on...Go Here! You won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Lindsay W.

    I hate to say that a few friends were right and I was slightly disappointed, but it's true. I'm still giving 4 stars because overall, it was still a great above-average dining experience. I tried making a reservation for July a while back with no luck ofcourse so I actually showed up there right when they opened at 5:30ish to put our name down for 4. I was ready to stay there until the table was ready and could get the rest of my party there but luckily she said we'd have a table at 8 and to come back at 7:45. Ideally we would have a reservation but this was okay. The dining room and space is beautiful. The service was impeccable. The oysters were probably the best I/we have ever had. I just didn't think my meal (and it didn't seem that everybody else's meals) blew them away. Nothing was bad and you can tell the food/fish is excellent quality but it just wouldn't be a meal I'd remember if it weren't for the great company, atmosphere and lovely bottle of wine. My halibut was a bit dry, my mother and I were slightly unimpressed by the foie gras and nobody raved about their mains. It was also quite loud. I don't usually mind loud, but my stepfather REALLY does, and it was definitely very hard to hear the other side of the table. The chocolates at the end we're a nice treat. I definitely hope to come back but for one of the more upscale dining experience so far in Portland, I wouldn't say it was my best.

    (4)

  • Maura H.

    I've been going to Fore Street at least once a year (it's a bit pricy for me) for more than 15 years and I have never been disappointed. LOVE this place!!!! Love the bar, the ambience of the restaurant, the staff and the food. With all the new restaurants that have come to Portland in the last five to ten years this one still reigns supreme in my book. And they have free parking!

    (5)

  • Frank S.

    We went a few minutes before the doors opened and were able to reserve a seat at the bar for 5:30. Adam the bartender was incredibly knowledgeable and professional. Oysters were amazing and the tomato tart was to die for. Food was outstanding and perfectly cooked (we had halibut and scallops). Then we had the blueberry tart and berry crisp, and they were fantastic. Don't miss Fore St.

    (5)

  • Jessica C.

    I had to give this place a 1 star for the awful service we received after walking in. We were just winging it as we have dined our way through Portland, and had passed by this place a few times throughout our trip and knew at some point we wanted to check it out. We walked in at about 6pm and the place smelled amazing and were hoping to at least be able to eat there. We were approached a by a middle aged woman with dark hair who was either a hostess or manager, when asked what the wait was, she told us it would be an hour. And being from Miami, I have done my fair share of walk-ins and waited even two hours to dine, her demeanor was so off turning that we walked out. She told us it was an hour wait as if we were some nuances bothering her. I have never felt so offended walking into a restaurant trying to get a table. EspecIally being from one of the top food spots of the world, Miami. I will definitely be telling friends and people looking for places to eat in Maine to steer clear of this snooty place. Total disappointment.

    (1)

  • Shane L.

    If you are looking for a place that you can grab a quick bite to eat at a cheaper price, this is not the place for you. With that being said, our experience at this establishment was wonderful. The ambiance of the restaraunt was one that was warm and inviting with a feel of antiques around the room and it felt cozy to come in here on a cold December evening. We had a large party but they sat us in a large booth in the corner of the restaraunt and it was great from water in the beginning to the after dinner wine at the end. The serve was great and attentive even with having to serve his many tables and our needy and festive group we were. But we started off with a wide range of drinks from Maine brewed blueberry beer for some, to Allagash for me and some cosmos and martinis for others. The sour dough bread that they served with the meal was a perfect addition to the two plates of mussels that we ordered. These mussels were not laced and overpowered by garlic but rather an almond cream sauce that was to die for. The sour dough dipped right into the serving dish complimented each other perfectly. We then got right into the entrees and the menu changes all the time but on this evening we had a wide range of food ordered with Arctic char and hangar steak being the main things ordered and there were nothing but compliments around the table. Mine imparticular was the arctic char that was cooked to perfect medium rare temp sitting on top of their bacon pollenta that was rich and complimented the fish perfectly. We ordered a bunch of side dishes that everyone dug into like a thanksgiving feast at home. There was broccolini that was a little salty but I think it was meant to be that way and mashed potatoes that were scrumptious and turnips that were grilled to perfection. After all the meal was done everyone was pretty full so we skipped on the dessert but there was a wide range of goodies to pick from and I am sure with the way that the dinner was, they were amazing. I will be coming back here on a date night with the wife after this experience. But bring some extra money because it is not for the light of heart when it comes to the final bill at the end of the night.

    (5)

  • Tim W.

    I've been to Fore Street three times before tonight and it's consistently awesome. The open fire grill makes for a nice atmosphere and the menu, although it changes each day, offers some regulars that are hard to beat. The sea bass is a good choice, and don't forget to add a side of mussels!

    (5)

  • karina g.

    This is my go-to for consistent excellent local foods. Atmosphere is fantastic, they have large open kitchen with root cellar room and giant brick oven. Overlooks the ocean and old port. Very romantic. Great local foods - the best place to celebrate in Portland.

    (5)

  • Jim P.

    Fantastic! Daily menu with some staples as others have mentioned. I enjoyed the Hake and my wife scallops. We had oysters for an appetizer and tasty homemade bread. Strong service and good wines and cocktails. Enjoyable environment with open kitchen.

    (5)

  • Brett F.

    Oh Fore Street, the one that started it all. Before the deluge of upscale, trendy, famous restaurants a few years ago, this was the first. I had been several times to the bar area before. It's seat yourself and you can order off the full restaurant menu. The wine list is pages long and the cocktails are strong. A couple of small plates and a drink or two won't break the bank and is a solid, classy happy hour. But last night was my birthday dinner and I decided to give the dining room a shot. Parking is free at the Standard Bakery lot on Commercial Street if you tell the entry guard that you're eating at Fore Street. This is key in the summer. Arriving at 5:45, we may have been the first ones there. Our server was professional (though basically silent) and sat us at a prime table near the windows. A "Happy Birthday" card was already on the table. A nice touch. The menu is a full two pages long and my first instinct was "Thank god I'm not paying." The average entree price is probably $35, and several go much higher. For most locals I'd imagine this is a special occasion (or business) type of restaurant. Tourists love it and it didn't take long to begin filling up, even on an April Tuesday. If you're a vegetarian or vegan, I envy your healthy diet. Don't come here. The menu consists nearly entirely of fish and meats. Curiously, while at least 5 different species of fish were on the menu, salmon wasn't one of them. For non adventurous eaters, the roasted chicken and hanger steak are probably the safest bet. An overflowing bread bowl from Standard promptly arrived at the table. Both the wheat and white were delicious with the homemade butter and salt and pepper, but olive oil would have been nice. Next came the wine and cocktails. My Manhattan quickly had me thankful I didn't drive. For entrees, I ordered the duck two ways, my mom ordered the roasted chicken, my dad the hanger steak, and my girlfriend (a vegetarian) a basic salad. The table ordered sides of roasted carrots, fingerling potatoes and garlic mashed potato. So, how was it? My duck ($32) was perhaps the best I've ever had. There was a breast accompanied by steak-like slices of meat over greens and duck-fat fried pita bread. I had heard from several people that this is the dish to order here. It didn't disappoint. My mom's chicken ($27) was enormous. It was flavorful roasted chicken. The problem is, I wouldn't come to Fore Street to order a glorified Texas Road House entree. My dad's hanger steak looked great and he said he enjoyed it, but he wasn't raving. The garlic mashed potatoes are as delicious as you'll find. The fingerling potatoes were ok. The carrots were terrible. They were rock hard and didn't appear cooked at all. Fore Street is known for their desserts. We ordered the chocolate torte with chocolate ice cream and the lemon cake. The torte arrived on a plate with "Happy Birthday" written in icing, another thoughtful touch. It was very, very rich. So was the ice cream. Too rich for me. The lemon cake and lemon ice cream were perfection. The total bill of 3 drinks, 3 entrees, 2 salads, 3 sides and 2 desserts was $230 after tip. The service felt a little rushed. The quiet server brought the bill quickly and unsolicited, not giving us the option to linger. The whole experience from walking in to leaving was barely over an hour. Overall, I had a great birthday dinner. It's a very good pick for tourists and solid for special occasions. The menu has far more variety than Street and Company. But the steep prices, rushed service and a few food misses keep it from being the very best in my opinion. It's still the original and top notch, and it's definitely worth a visit.

    (4)

  • Valerie N.

    After doing plenty of research on where to dine on our one night out in Portland, I finally settled on Fore Street. I made my OpenTable booking during the requisite time in advance. We came on a Saturday night in September and were seated in the main dining room on an upper level. Our waitress was attentive and quickly returned with cocktails for us. We ordered razor clams for our appetizer to share, which were flavored great but super sandy. We ordered fish as a main, but I really can't recall the dish. Everything was good, but nothing knock-my-socks-off memorable as I was expecting (unlike the salted dark chocolate donut across the street at Holy Donut - that I remember! Yum!)... I will note that we had a pitcher of water spilt on us, but the staff quickly remedied the situation and even gave us a box of chocolates to make it up to us. Very classy move! Service was really great!

    (4)

  • Genna P.

    Honestly it was good but not stellar. Of course good is still fine. We came ahead of our reservation and enjoy some drinks in the lounge then headed to our table later. Because the kitchen is open you have mostly a great view to the action but also very warm. Come in layers if you can. We enjoyed the calamari - which I do recommend - to start off with. The menu is fresh every night but this seems to be a staple. I ordered the monkfish and while it was prepared fresh and light, other dishes looked more appealing later on. The garlic mashed potatoes were season well and the service was good. I will certainly return but ask the server for recommendations next time. The wine list was very well done. For the price it was slightly lacking. Also I left smelling like a camp fire due to the open kitchen.

    (4)

  • Hannah S.

    Must try! We didn't have a reservation but got on the walk in list and were seated within 15 minutes! Great ambience, great food, great drinks.

    (5)

  • Adam S.

    The perfect restaurant. Service was amazing. The space was amazing. But most of all, the food was beyond compare. Grilled calamari. Halibut. Hanger steak. All incredible.

    (5)

  • Lulu T.

    Seafood Platter, with tuna sashimi, smoked salmon, scallop ceviche, smoked ģ grilled mussels. Good to the last piece of pickled radish. Everything was very fresh. Atlantic Sea Scallops, perfectly seared. Accompanied by beets and fennel. Wasn't too sure about the beets but the more I ate, the more I liked it and wanted more. Hanger Steak, cooked to perfecting with this amazing sauce and onion pearls. Green Beans with Yogurt Dull Sauce, crisp french beans. Under seasoned. We added salt and pepper at the table. Maine Blueberry Crisp, think pie in a jar. Awesome. Lemon Cheesecake, light and flavorful. Awesome. Great atmosphere for a romantic evening out :) Attentive staff.

    (4)

  • Jen H.

    This is a must for anyone visiting Portland with Love for great food. The open kitchen with wood fire grill is not only entertaining but it adds so much charm. The exposed bricks and big windows also add to the ambience. The food is wonderful and the menu changes frequently so it would be impossible to get bored. The duck was especially delicious. We love the locally sourced ingredients. The wait staff was friendly and professional. We live in Ohio but can't wait to come back to Portland to eat here again.

    (5)

  • Victoria E.

    You show up at 4:40 and you are not even the first one in line for a walk in dinner that will starts at 6. But once you are on the list, head over to the lounge area and be like every other fabulous person in the room, thinking, "thank goodness I got in." My friend T just left the bay area and arrived in New York. I asked where to eat and he sent me here. Charcuterie - fabulous with house cured sausage and duck, plus foie gras which is well, not available in California since it was banned. Onto the chilled seafood appetizer, a bit like sashimi arrangement with tuna, lobster, scallops and mussels. Such dish would cost half a day of your salary back in the West Coast, not so much here. Onto the mains. Chicken with mash, halibut baked with crust, hake with potatoes and onions. Hake! I had never heard of one such fish, having grown up in the West Coast. It's apparently a white fish, mild in flavor but delicious and flaky. It must have been THE restaurant for Portland, ME. It's amazingly crowded and definitely a crowd pleaser. One thing that the West Coast restaurants have done away was serving abundant basket of bread. Here they kept on filling the basket up with house made bread. Very delicious and tempting for those of us who are more carbs conscious. Side dish of mash potatoes came in a baked skillet and super crunchy. I get why this is popular. It's good and consistent with great service. I would like to try their duck and steak next, but alas, I'm a West Coaster and any sort of Maine seafood would take priorities over any land creatures. Certainly worth trekking here. And yes return hastily if you could.

    (4)

  • Jinyoung S.

    I and my husband had 2 days off and decided to come to Portland from our home Boston. And this restaurant is the one that made us feel so excited. We started with cocktails and beers. And we had charcuterie, grilled squid and pork belly, chicken liver for appetizers. Everything was really great but the pork belly and polenta was bit salty for us. My husband's favorite was charcuterie, and Mine was chicken liver. And we had halibut and pork loin with 2 sides (fingerling potatoes and chard) halibut goes well with beets and fingerling was so delicious. And our waitstaff has knowledge about food and restaurant a lot, so very helpful and kind. He told us that everybody in the kitchen comes with the menu daily. So menu changes really often. Isn't that really cool?? I would definitely want to come again here!! We made reservation for 8:45pm and the restaurant closes at 10:00 so we can't have dessert but Next time I would love to have one for sure :) thank you, Fore st. We had great experience here.

    (4)

  • Patrick M.

    Outstanding shell fish - oven roasted musscles and dozen local oysters! This is my go-to spot in Portland, ME Warm room and open kitchen so inviting

    (5)

  • Mo S.

    The freshness and quality of the meals is first rate. I recommend the marinated squid and the arugula and date salad to begin with. The local lamb dish served beautifully is not to be missed.

    (5)

  • Sarah H.

    Yikes - i can see I'm writing a dissenting opinion here. I am pretty conflicted about placing this review because, reading all the raves and also realizing Fore Street's broader reputation as being sterling, I'm questioning my own judgment! Unfortunately I cannot deny that I've had three experiences here now that have all varied between just ok and somewhat bad. At best, I find this place forgettable. My qualms: - It is so dark it is hard to read the menu. I love an intimate setting but it shouldn't be necessary to shroud everything in darkness. - Very little available for a vegetarian. Thankfully I am pescetarian so the seafood options opened it up a bit for me, but if you are a straight veggie you should look elsewhere. - I made a bad choice in selecting a seafood dish that was the whole fish; a server (not our main server, but the one who brought the food) helped me tremendously by removing many of the bones, but I still found the fish unpleasant to eat with a fine bone in literally every single bite. I just don't get how you can enjoy a meal when you are continually pulling the inedible bits out of your mouth. I do realize this isn't necessarily indicative of the restaurant itself. - A la carte sides just didn't impress....at all. Potatoes were dry and flavorless, and other veggies seemed over salted. This is not only the case at a single visit but all the times we've been. - Missing the little touches in terms of service that elevate the experience, which you should be able to expect when you're paying so much. Things like missing silverware, being really slow to refill water, being loud and distracting at the server station, and generally disinterested, like they can't imagine you're having anything other than an AMAZING time. - Expensive - with all the above factors, it was painful to pull out my wallet and pay top dollar for an all-around disappointing meal. I have friends who love it, so I'm bound to be back and hope they actually deliver an experience to match their rep. Overall, my assessment is that this eatery is over-rated, and may now be resting too much on its reputation.

    (2)

  • Mark R.

    We enjoyed several items from their menu tonight. The chilled seafood plate was very enjoyable. The salmon entrée was nice as well. The highlight of our night was the scallop entrée. Perhaps the best scallops I've been ever encountered. Oh, and the chocolate terrine was incredible as well. Service was excellent as well.

    (5)

  • Joe Y.

    An excellent choice for locals or visitors that have a reservation. If you show up around 5pm you can get your name on the list and be seated by 7pm if you dont have a reservation. I had the a whole bass meal and the server filleted it right at the table. Overall I was happy with the service and the ambience. Just make sure you dont mind a wait or have a reservation.

    (4)

  • Sara T.

    Oooh Fore Street :-/ I was so excited to try you! Flew up from Baltimore, checked in and ran over. Was greeted with a 30 minute wait...at the bar...by myself...on a Wednesday. I'm sure your food is amazing, but I've eaten at AMAZING restaurants in NYC and haven't faced a 30 minute wait at the bar. It's Portland...MAINE. Reality check.

    (2)

  • Jason G.

    Fore Street was a great culinary experience, with excellent service, and a great atmosphere. We showed up at 4:40pm, after hearing about the line for walk-in tables. Four parties were there ahead of us, sitting in the waiting area. I felt pretty good at this point that we were going to get in. (FYI this was a Sunday night, so it may be easier than getting a table on a Friday or Saturday night). As we waited for them to open the doors at 5pm and begin taking walk-in reservations, the line grew and grew and grew. So, I guess my message is get there early. We got in on one of the 5:30 walk-in tables. Now, you might be thinking that's kind of early for dinner, but it really isn't at this place. Simply because they have a daily special, in this case it was lobster fresh out of the bay across the street, and by 6:00 it was gone. So, earlier rather than later is probably best if you want to try the freshest thing on the menu. The walk-in reservations start at 5pm with the first tables being sat at 5:30 when the dining room opens, but you're welcome to hang out in the bar area before then. If you head out to walk around Old Port you have to be back 5 minutes before your reservation time. One we got sat, we had a great window table in the back room with a view of the ferries, the water and Commercial Street. We had a very friendly and excellent waiter, and he was able to give us some tips on the menu. To start my Wife had the Maine Greens Salad, it was light an refreshing. I went with the Tomato Tart which was fresh goat cheese, warm fresh tomato on top of a butter pastry - it was delicious. They also give you some bread which comes straight up from the Standard Baking Co. downstairs. Entree wise my Wife went with the Duck Two Ways. It was a large portion, and it featured the leg and duck breast. The duck breast was great, very flavorful, almost had a bacon type taste. I had the Lobster Special. It was taken out of the shell, served with onions, mushrooms and a corn pudding. The lobster melted in your mouth. For dessert we went with the dark chocolate torte. It came along with some coffee ice cream, and as with everything else was great. So, go here, but don't despair if you cannot get a reservation. Just make sure to line up early enough to get a table.

    (5)

  • Eduard G.

    We came here for our Anniversary on a Saturday night. Very busy place so a reservation is needed. Very nice and attentive staff. The wood stove creates a very inviting atmosphere. I had the squid appetizer. It was excellent and so was the Lamb dish. A must come again destination!

    (5)

  • Ted K.

    Hands down the best restaurant in Portland. Which says a lot since Portland is a food Mecca. Farm to table raised to the power of infinity. Great bar atmosphere, super wine list, local Maine beers, cocktails to appease anyone's hankerin'. Fun kitchen to observe what Sam Hayward has imparted on this fine foodie scene. Pay the bucks and go to Fore. It's entirely worth it.

    (5)

  • LeighAnne T.

    Pretty damn good. Awesome waiter who would chat with us when we wanted to pry him for information and would leave us alone when we wanted to talk about the intracacies of life amongst ourselves. The food was wonderful. I mean Portland is full of incredible and creative chefs, and I haven't sampled very many, so I wouldn't be so ignorant to say that the menu was better than any other but I don't doubt that Fore Street keeps up. Just go, enjoy the atmosphere, be with people you love and the food will innevitably taste great.

    (5)

  • Anna D.

    I visited Fore St for my birthday, a milestone 30th. My date and I sat at a very small two top by a window. If you're physically on the larger side, I'd suggest requesting a four top, just for the extra table top space. Our server was very attentive and greeted us within three or so minutes. I ordered a glass of white and he a summer ale of some sort. The complimentary bread basket and dipping oil was just enough to hold us over. To start we ordered the mussel appetizer. The flavor was wonderful, but the mussels were way too large for my liking. A mussel that I have to chew for more than 3 seconds is too big to be served, BUT that being said, I'm very aware that this all depends on the season and personal taste. I also tried the celery soup with fried onions on top - the flavor was perfect. For our main courses, I chose the white fish and he chose the steak. Mine was in a bit of a buttery sauce, but non the less, flaky and moist. His was cooked to the T.. I'm not much of a red meat eater and I would have chosen his steak over my fish to order a second time. Overall, the atmosphere, service and food combined was wonderful. A must visit for anyone in the area or visiting. I can't wait to return, if only for happy hour... and a bread basket.

    (4)

  • Andrew F.

    I used to go to Fore Street on a yearly basis but that stopped last decade because I no longer stopped in Portland. Today though I decided I had to go back. I drove to Portland from Mid-Coast Maine (about 1.5 hour drive...totally worth it), and headed over to Fore Street. Fortunately for me there was one seat empty at the bar and I got right in. The service was friendly and attentive from the start and when I saw the menu I got very excited. I'm a huge fan of corn chowder and I was delighted to see Corn and Vidalia Onion soup on the menu. I ordered that, a hangar steak, and a beer. The corn chowder was amazing, one of the best soups i've had anywhere. Just perfect and it came out very quickly which was nice because I was quite hungry. I enjoyed that alongside the great fresh bread and butter and noticed how overworked the bartender seemed. Despite the fact he was running all over the bar he kept a smile on his face and remained extremely attentive. Once i had the hangar steak in front of me I took the requisite pictures and then dover right in. I'm not usually a hangar steak fan but decided to give it a try. At first I feared it was going to taste heavily of char, but it turned out that every part that had sauce on it was absolutely amazing. Some of the most flavorful steak I have ever had (and if you look at my reviews you'll see about 1/3 of the places I've been to). The shallots/onions (not sure which) in the sauce where delightful and really complemented the steak very well. Once I was done with the steak I decided to venture in to dessert territory. A few years ago (about 10 years ago) I had the best dessert of my life at Fore Street, it was a berry topped panna cotta, and I've longed to taste the same item again, but alas never have had the chance. Well today I got close. The dessert I ordered was a strawberry crisp on top of panna cotta. I had planned to just eat the panna cotta but unfortunately the panna cotta was underneath the strawberry, ice cream and crisp. I ultimately finished about half of this deseert but can't say I would order it again. The only downside. This doesn't mean you shouldn't get dessert here, I've had awesome desserts her in the past and expect to in the future, this one just didn't hit on the expectations. Overall there is no doubt in my mind that Fore Street is one of the best restaurant experiences to be had in the US. I wish I could say it is the best but from what I've experienced Melisse in Los Angeles is better but Fore Street is definitely in the running for my top five.

    (5)

  • Kate R.

    Decor: Absolutely beautiful. The ambiance was relaxing, the chair comfortable, and the open kitchen was a huge plus. The most enjoyable section was the lounge area by the bar. Service: Lackluster for what you're paying. The server in the lounge was friendly and efficient but the server in the dining room was not very attentive and totally fucked up the de-boning of my fish. Food: Excellent, but perhaps not worth the price. I had a wood-fired whole fish (cannot remember for the life of me what kind because I had been drinking for the past four days straight) with mussels, poleta things, and an amazing sauce. My boyfriend had the steak, which he raved about and was cooked perfectly. We split mashed potatoes and broccoli, which were both delicious but not worth $16. I did love that they don't have a set menu and change it nearly every day. tl; dr: While the food, drinks, and atmosphere were phenomenal, the warm fuzzies were laced with the type of discomfort that only a tourist hotspot with a disinterested waitstaff can provide.

    (3)

  • M C.

    We didn't have a reservation so we figured we'd get there early to try to secure a table. (party of 7) We went at 445 PM on a Tuesday evening and was second on the list. After a drink at the bar, we were seated at 545. The appetizers, the bread, and the main course were all unbelievable! The staff was very pleasant and informative and the prices were great! I would highly recommend Fore Street.

    (5)

  • Lisa B.

    I was here for an office Christmas party. Our office is pretty small, so there were 5 of us. We made reservations for a Thursday evening in advance. They don't seat until 5:30. We all went directly after work so we were early and sat on some couches in the bar area and ordered cocktails. I ordered a fancy beverage that was served EXTREMELY full, even the waitress was spilling it everywhere! However, it was delicious and nicely strong. The food here was out of this world amazing!!! I had the pork chop. It was a little tough to cut, but the sauce and veggies and flavor were out of this world. My coworker let me try a bite of his steak (I almost ordered it, but went with the pork chop when the waiter said it was one of his top choices). That bite of steak melted in my mouth. I don't even have words to do it justice! We ordered a side of potatoes for the table and a side of squash. I could eat that squash for DAYSSS!!! The potatoes were vinegary, so not my preference, but they were cooked to perfection and others at the table loved them. I finished up with the sorbet for desert. Just do it. It was light, flavorful, some very sweet, some not super sweet, but delicious. I had a couple bites of the salted caramel mousse. That was so good too! In sum: you can't go wrong with anything. The ambiance was great, but it was even busy on a weekday with a bomb threat nearby. Treat yourself and have a go!

    (5)

  • J-a T.

    Get in and eat at the bar ,spot just on left with sofa after for a cosy time to chill. Food is excellent , need time to study their menu. Local products. Good bakery is downstairs , same owner also Street&Co. Been there few times , love it.

    (5)

  • Mike S.

    Two words... Ah mazing... It's one of those places you can't help but just be like mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..... Great variety of land and sea with a fantastic upscale atmosphere. Either come at opening (they reserve seating for walk ins) or make reservations as there's ALWAYS a line.

    (5)

  • Molly G.

    We were told about this place from the woman who ran the bed and breakfast we stayed in this weekend and checked out the menu during the day. The options looked amazing, but after an attempt to make reservations we were wary that we'd actually get in -- understandably so, this place comes highly recommended in Portland. We walked in around 7 hoping to score a seat at the bar. The hostess said it would be up to an hour and a half, but suggested we put our names in, as things often change and people don't show up and tables for two are easier to come by. Not two minutes later did she have a spot for us right in the heart of this beautiful restaurant with an open kitchen. Our server was attentive and able to provide wine recommendations as needed. She never made us feel rushed in a restaurant that clearly has its fair share of table turnover. The food was unbelievable -- my boyfriend and are foodies and this superseded all of our expectations. He had the monkfish which was a perfect balance of rich and also flaky, and I had a steak that I will likely dream about for years to come. The wines that our server helped us select were absolutely perfect. I will most definitely come back!

    (5)

  • L F.

    Man, Fore Street is a hopping place! At first I was pretty disappointed that I wasn't able to make reservations for a group of 3 on a recent Saturday night. Then I read reviews, and perused Fore Street's website, it turns out they leave a bunch of tables open for walk-in reservations. My friend and I got to Fore Street before 5 pm. There was already a sizable line up the block. We were delighted to obtain a reservation for 9 pm. Fast forward four hours: We show up just before 9 and our table is all ready for us. Bam, we even got one next to a window! I like that Fore Street offers a different menu every day, and uses local and seasonal ingredients. We ordered a bottle of wine. My friends ordered the duck and a fish dish. I had the sea bass. We got sides of greens and the green beans with brown butter. We rounded out the night with espressos. Overall I was impressed with the ambiance and food. Although I can say without a doubt I have had more interesting meals in Boston, or even elsewhere in Maine (Primo in Rockland). I think the reason I'm only giving it a 4 star rating is we were a little turned off by our waitress' attitude. She was 'too cool for school.' To make small talk we asked if it was a typically busy night (to us it seemed busy, clearly all the tables were full). She goes, 'oh this is a slow night' (umm ok). And she wasn't particularly excited to sell us anything off of the menu. We probably could have been talked into dessert, but she made no effort to interest us in it. At the end of the night she definitely was quick to bring the check. I kind of doubt they were having more than one more seating, since it is Maine, and it was after 10 pm. Regardless, I do recommend checking out Fore Street if you're interested in eating some nice local food at a classy establishment.

    (4)

  • Ree R.

    Whenever I am in Portland I make sure to get a reservation for Fore Street, and I am never disappointed. The space is very warm and laid back with an open kitchen. All the staff are friendly, helpful, and attentive. The bread is delicious! The menu changes but the foie gras is always prepared perfectly and I've never been disappointed in any of the seafood or meat entrees.

    (5)

  • Lars B.

    No idea about their food as our experience stopped cold with the obnoxious "hostess". At 5:00 pm on an inclement evening, my wife and I stopped in to make reservations for 8:00 or 9:00 pm ...as I was perusing the menu, she began speaking with the hostess who was informing her that we could make a "walk in reservation" at 7:00pm only, after which it was walk in only. What?? When I asked for clarification , the hostess first debated whether she should address me at all, asked who I was, and when told the one paying the check, she repeated herself desultorily. Really?! You have, admittedly, no shortage of tables and a party of four, probable $500 tab or so, is an inconvenience? This is not Manhattan,NYC; this is Portland,ME in January- get a grip on yourself.

    (2)

  • Christa H.

    This was a perfect meal from beginning to end. The appetizer of lamb croquettes with a roasted quail was delicious. I highly recommend the roasted half chicken that came with duck fat fried sour dough bread from Standard Baking. I just wanted to keep eating it and I was very sad when the last piece was gone. If you have extra pennies, splurge and go here. You won't regret it.

    (5)

  • Bill S.

    Great food, service and atmosphere!!- the muscles are out of this world.... you won't leave hungry

    (5)

  • Todd T.

    Make a reservation and come early to have a cocktail at the bar. We were seated on time with a window view. The service was professional, helpful and timely. We ordered so much and everything was good. Mussels, clams, chicken liver, salad and beet soup to start - all excellent. Entrees were lobster, blue fish, vegetable pasta, and whole sea bass. Well cooked and perfectly seasoned. We somehow managed desert. I had the single bite of chocolate mouse with white chocolate - it fantastic and really a perfect size after a huge dinner. Overall experience was fun, delicious, and very Maine. Come and eat here. You will not have any regrets.

    (5)

  • Josie D.

    My husband found this place right before we left for vacation and we were so excited to try it! We attempted to make a reservation the day before and it was completely booked so he did some research and found we could try to get get one of their walk in reservations! We walked by at 4 and 430 and no one was waiting yet, but by 445 there was already a decent line - so make sure your definitely there by then if your planning to get a spot! The service was excellent, and the food was absolutely great. We weren't really into any if that nights appetizers, but they were really sweet and let us order the tomato and mozzarella side dish as our app! It was delicious! The tomatoes and mozzarella were so incredibly fresh. I also got their Grapefruit and Ginger cocktail which was great. For dinner, my husband got the hanger steak and mashed potatoes. Both were delicious! The steak was super tender and flavorful. I had the Marscarpone Ravioli. It was definitely good, very flavorful though, so I didn't finish all of them. For dessert my husband got the dark chocolate mousse and I had the pound cake. His was very good, but very intense! My was phenomenal. I'd be happy to have that for dessert every night for the rest of my life, no kidding! I told me husband not to show me the bill, but he said it was even nearly as bad as some of the other restaurants we've been to that didn't even have nearly as good food!

    (4)

  • Kelly O.

    Had a solid dinner here this weekend, can't say anything was really wrong with our food or experience (aside from the price tags which are a bit higher than they should be IMO) and I can see why this is a local favorite. That being said, I wasn't blown away, and didn't think it really lived up to all the hype... my $24 pollock was cooked perfectly and laden in a tasty broth with shitakes and spinach, but it wasn't mind-blowing IMO. Similarly, the boy's $34 half duckling and our split $7 side of carrots with pistachio butter were solidly tasty, but nothing amazing. Technically, nothing was wrong with our food or service or experience, but for the price and reputation, it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I'd be happy to return, but I don't think we'd go out of our way for a plan-ahead reservation or blow a whole paycheck here.

    (3)

  • Busra E.

    Great food, fancy atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    Visited July 11. Excellent food and service. Wood roasted mussels were the highlight. Thank you to Adam for two excellent wine recommendations... They made the meal. Special thanks for the chef with the purple bandana working then oven station... Even with the tickets raining in both our dishes from your station were cooked perfectly. Nice job. Can't wait to return to Portland.

    (5)

  • Karen V.

    It's so rare for me to give a restaurant such a low number of stars but this place really was a disappointment. I dined at Fore St on May 31 a busy Friday. We asked for recommendations for a good restaurant at the executive air terminal in Portland. After getting rave reviews we decided to try it. We arrived without reservations but didn't mind waiting. Our party of four was escorted to a booth and our drink orders were promptly taken by a very lovely waitperson. She brought out butter and some salt and pepper and disappeared. Waitstaff was everywhere,when she returned after who knows how long we asked for bread,she scuttled off,still no bread. After about fifteen minutes the magical bread arrived which was fresh out of the refrigerator,yuck. We perused the menu which seemed really pricey,but we figured with all the rave reviews it must be worth it. Our order was finally taken and we waited. I ordered the black bass which I was warned in advance that it had bones in it. I love fish but I have never had a fish with bones in every bite,I was actually getting afraid I was going to choke on every mouthful. The sides that "are big enough to share"came out and I am not a big eater but with the size of them I really didn't want to share. My dining companions couldn't get over how small the portions were and how high the prices. In conclusion,this place is over hyped,expensive and not a good value. It's noisy and dark, the portions are small and the bread is cold, many other good restaurants in Portland that are worth considering and you don't need to take out a second mortgage to eat at.

    (2)

  • Larry C.

    Came to Portland for the weekend and was looking forward to checking out this restaurant after hearing all the great reviews. Line started to form around 445 pm and we were one of the first couples to arrive. Not sure why this restaurant doesn't allow those waiting first in line to choose when they want to eat, rather, the earlier you are in line the earlier your reservation. We had a late lunch so was hoping to get a later reservation but they said 530 pm only. So we went back in line and waited a second time, this time securing a 9 pm reservation . I started with a cocktail at the bar which was only okay. But I guess I am a bit spoiled with all the great cocktail options in NYC. The wine list was reasonable and prices decent with a fairly long list of less than 50 options. The food is good, though very pricey especially for the area. My lobster was cooked very well but for 40 bucks it seemed overpriced especially given the smaller portions. Service was great, very friendly and attentive. Overall, my chief complaint is the price as the quality is 4 stars but take 1 star off for price. Cocktail needs some work but wine list makes up for it. Service was 4 stars. Overall would give it 3.5 stars.

    (3)

  • Brian C.

    I've eaten here a few times and really think it sets the bar for restaurants in Portland and well even Boston for that matter. I've found that people in Boston understand very little about sports and even less about food. The food and service here are always top notch. While I will say on my trip here this weekend we did run into a snafu. My gf ordered a blackened sea bass which was basically a branzino. An Italian fella that sat down with his wife about 15 minutes after us must have coincidentally ordered the same thing. My pork loin came out and looked amazing but for some reason Kate's sea bass was delivered to the Italian guy. I was politely waiting for her to get her food but not this Italian fella. He went to town on the sea bass while his wife Kate and I watched. It did look really good though and he skillfully deboned it. It was almost good for Kate to see how to eat it. They recovered quickly and all was well. Kate swears she saw a spider too but I think she was confused by the ambiance being so nice.

    (5)

  • Izzie C.

    I loved everything about this restaurant! The decor and ambiance were awesome, and I loved the open kitchen! It was incredible to literally see and hear the kitchen cooking our dinners! The food is perfect, and the farm to table concept is cool because it allows the chef to change the menu daily! The steak was divine and so was the mushroom and corn salad! Two of my favorites of the night! Our waitress was extremely nice and comforting! She made excellent recommendations about what to order and even took something off of the bill because we weren't huge fans of that particular dish! I am trying to plan another trip to Portland so I can eat here again!

    (5)

  • Eliza M.

    Last minute change of plans... on a Saturday night... "Let's go to Fore Street" In case you hadn't gathered from other reviews, this could have been a disaster. Line up outside, hope to get a walk in spot, etc. We were about 10th in line at 4:45, they open at 5:00 to start the roulette of reservations. We got to the front of the line - "We can either have you wait in the bar area and eat at the bar by 5:30/5:45 or so or 8:30 in the dining room" I expected this, so was not upset by it... It's really our own fault for changing our plans at 2:30 on the DAY OF. Silly us. We opted for the bar seating since it's the full menu and, at eight months pregnant, I had no interest in waiting until 8:30pm to eat. Early Bird Special! We had a great experience. Fore Street has a reputation that precedes itself... honestly, Portland has so many good restaurants, I find it hard to give out a 5 star to anyone because "Best thing I've ever eaten" status could be challenged at any time. The nitty gritty - since I know long reviews can be annoying: Atmosphere - great ambiance at the bar, not as loud as the dining room since it's further from the kitchen. Great, knowledgeable server/bar tender who has been at Fore Street for 17 years. Whoa. All food was nicely timed. Food - delish, as one would expect. The portions were not as "darling" as I expected them to be - my beet salad was HUGE, my husbands salad was also sizeable. Bread came out early. Our meals were smaller, but complemented the size of the apps well. I had hake (served in its own little cast iron dish, nicely prepared) and Hubs had the ravioli. This vegetarian option was good, smaller but absolutely striking in flavor. Dessert was an apple tart, shared between the two of us (who am I kidding, I inhaled most of it, while Hubs could only hope to get his fork in there in between my bites) Drinks - couldn't go wrong! Expansiveeeeee drink menu. All told - 2 apps, four alcoholic drinks, one non-alcoholic drink, 2 entrees (on the less expensive side - no $45 rib eye), 2 coffees, one dessert - WITH tip - $150. Not nearly as damaging to the wallet as I had anticipated. We were done by 7:30 and I went home and put on my pajamas. HA.

    (4)

  • Nate Y.

    One of your fine dining options in Portland, Fore Street fits the bill. Exposed brick and hard wood surfaces abound. Started with a cocktail and within 10-15 minutes our table was ready, even though we were early for our reservation. We were a large party therefore it provided the opportunity to order several appetizers shared family style. Salads are fresh, and the oysters were excellent. Main dishes are the meat/seafood alone with sides ordered separately. I had the lamb which was served two ways; in sausage form and thick lamb chop. Since it is new American the portions weren't big, but were satisfying. The hangar steak, which I had the opportunity to try, is a good size portion. All the meat was cooked as ordered. The mashed potatoes were buttery, but the broccolini was bit too firm for me. All in all an great meal. Service was fine.

    (4)

  • Dave C.

    This is an amazing restaurant! The mussels are by far the best I have had and the selections of fresh foods are wonderful. Great cheese, meats and speciality items make this place a must try.

    (5)

  • Audrey T.

    My husband and I were blown AWAY with this restaurant. We loved how fresh the food is, how the menu changes daily based on their ingredients, and how romantic the interior is. It was a perfect dinner to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. Even though I knew it would be busy, we didn't make a reservation because we were travelling and couldn't estimate our arrival time. When we checked in at around 7pm, they told us the next available table wouldn't open until 9:30. We decided to just put out name down, and thank goodness we did, because they called us 15 minutes later to tell us a table had opened. Hallelujah! Our waiter was also very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu and helped me pick a dish that I would enjoy more. I must note that the flavors of their food is not outrageous. It's not particularly flavorful, but in a good way. That way the flavor of the fresh food really shone through. It was amazing. They didn't try to hide it at all. The mussels were the freshest we ever had - so soft and silky and the soup was amazing. For a $12 appetizer it was a very generous portion. We unfortunately were too full to partake of their dessert, but we already promised ourselves that we would return regularly on our anniversary! That's how much we loved it.

    (5)

  • Steve A.

    My favorite place to eat in Portland. Good food creations served in a warm friendly atmosphere Try the unique dishes not found elsewhere

    (4)

  • Bruce D.

    Great restaurant. Great space. Great staff. Wonderful food from a huge wood oasting over

    (5)

  • Brenda G.

    In all fairness we did go on New Years Eve. The staff was a little snooty. Loved the atmosphere and the service was good, even on a busy night like New Years. Food was underwhelming for the price. The bread was incredible, not suitable for young children, more for over 10 year olds.

    (3)

  • John Y.

    A good restaurant for extremely fresh tasting foods. We had the grilled squid, pork with sauerkraut, and hanger steak. The food itself was excellent, but service was a bit lack luster. This could be because the restaurant staff was extremely busy, but we were always fighting to get the waitresses attention. Recommended, but go at a non peak hour!

    (3)

  • Anna B.

    Not sure how you could have a bad experience here. We started with the grilled squid, and ordered our entrees - flounder and half chicken. Everything was amazing. The service was also fantastic. For dessert, we ordered the pot de creme and blueberry crisp. I may go so far as to say the pot de creme was a top-three-dessert-ever for me. Yes, it's expensive, but it is so worth it. This deserves five stars for sure.

    (5)

  • Diane K.

    Ok. Had a beet salad and the mussels. Absolutely delicious! Couldn't believe the amount of mussels. Service was excellent. Great restaurant

    (5)

  • John C.

    We went to Fore Street based on the recommendations of several friends. The ambiance of the restaurant is wonderful--romantic and rustic. From the exposed brick, to the open kitchen, to the produce walk-in, all the details were purposeful and supported the idea of fresh, farm-to-table food. We had a glass of wine in the bar area while waiting for a table; the hostess and bar server were professional and attentive. We were seated shortly after arriving (we did have a reservation, it was a Monday evening but the restaurant was packed). It took some time for our server to make it to our table, and she appeared rather sporadically throughout the rest of the meal, but it was a very busy night, and anytime she was with us, she was very pleasant. We ordered two appetizers and two entrees. Fresh sourdough from the Standard Baking Co. was brought to the table, and it was excellent--worth a visit to the bakery the next day to get another loaf to take home. Unfortunately, the bread was the standout of the meal. All of the food was certainly prepared well, and the concepts seemed like they would be delicious, but the food left us underwhelmed. Nothing was as great as it seemed it would be on the menu; nothing was bad, per se, but it didn't meet our expectations. We left disappointed, because we had heard such great things about Fore Street, but ended up having much better meals elsewhere in Portland.

    (2)

  • Jason S.

    Overpriced and horrible, insulting service. Avoid and spend your money elsewhere. So many better options. I don't get it at all. Go to Street & Co instead.

    (2)

  • Paul C.

    The muscles are fantastic here probably the best that I've ever had anywhere. The service is always on cue and the people are very friendly. The rest of the food menu here doesn't really impressed me much other then the flank steak. The baked fish that we had was bland and half duck was uneventful. Way better duck Peking style at veranda or Hong Kong market at 10 times less! Been here 3 times and it has always disappointed. Always wish I would get a phenomenal meal here for the money that I'm paying but every time it seems like I'm getting a mediocre meal for top NYC prices....

    (3)

  • Brock F.

    The bar/lounge area and restrooms are getting a bit grubby, but we come for the food and service which never disappoints.

    (4)

  • Kelsey K.

    Cozy atmosphere, the place is beautiful and I wanted to sit in there forever! Just stopped in for a glass of wine and some appetizers before dinner. Our server(we sat at the bar) put on this embarrassing show of disappointment when we ordered only wine, oysters, and salads. The salads were great-seasonal and full of flavor, and the oysters were the freshest I've had! I'd give 4-5 stars I'd it weren't for the disinterested waitstaff-seemed pervasive to all the servers, not only ours. I wanted to order the grilled octopus after seeing the guy next to me get it, but I couldn't bring myself to ask the server. I wanted out!!

    (3)

  • Matt W.

    Amazing meal!!! The wait staff are friendly and their pork loin was one of the best I have had. Well worth the wait if you didn't make reservations.

    (5)

  • Damien G.

    What can I say. Not much actually. We were looking forward to it since we tried to stop in last time we were in Portland (we visit quite often) but there was no room. The wine was excellent, a half bottle of billecart rose and a bottle of bandol, which were both great. The service was friendly although we poured our wine the entire meal. Not a huge deal, but when you're paying $300.00+ for dinner, it's the little touches that elevate from good to great. Also, being sat by the station where servers are slamming the drawers everytime they get silverware doesn't add to the ambiance either. Now then. We had booked for 9.15 on a Monady evening, which was all they had. I asked that if anything came up earlier, we'd love to come earlier. They didn't, I guess, so we went at 9.15. When we arrived at 9pm, the place was 3/4 empty. So it seemed surprising that they had nothing earlier, but whatever. The food is where it really went down hill. As starters, we had a salad with turnips, squash and mixed leaves. Perhaps the produce was freshly picked by a farmer that they knew, that morning, but it was completely uninspiring. Murky flavours and no textural contrast and overall quite dull. There was a tagliatelle with oyster mushrooms, cream and butter which was good, and actually the best thing we ate. Foie gras next as a mid course. We were looking forward to it, the waiter gave it a great spiel but it was so disjointed it bordered on laughable! The liver was seared but cold (if that's how it's served, my bad) on a bed of cranberries that looked like it came from a can and should accompany the thanksgiving turkey. The foie itself was very gelatinous and didn't have the lovely creamy texture that one might expect. There was a stack of carrots on a bed of frisee aside it which didn't make much sense. Since they sold out of all the delicious sounding entrees (I guess that's what happens when you can only get a 9.15), we went with fish. Monkfish for the lady which was very overcooked and had a rubbery texture. I don't remember what came with it, but it wasn't memorable. Wolfish for me on the server's recommendation which was well cooked but it came with mushy roasted squash, something else bitter and a giant pile of julienned radicchio. The fish was very delicate in flavour, so I scraped the bitter raddichio off and ate the fish. Very disappointing. The server had checked in about the food, but at that point we were a table of 2 sitting in a near empty room with a party of 8 so we really couldn't be bothered. Maybe it was our fault? Maybe we ordered all the misses on the menu. I don't know. I see a bunch of excellent reviews and maybe we did just get a bad night. But I do know there are a bunch of great options in Portland like PJ, 555, Hugos, sur lie etc where the food is mind blowing. The food here was meh at best.

    (1)

  • Chris C.

    Fore Street is the best restaurant in Portland, and that is saying a lot given the food scene in this great little city! I have been here quite a few times over the years, well before Yelp, so about time a pit a review out there! I had their classic signature dish of the roasted pork loin tonight. Simple and solid blend of comfort food and fine cooking, roasted in the open wood burning oven. Fore Street is a must go to spot for the local or traveling foodie!

    (5)

  • Margaret B.

    Great ambiance and really good food. Had mashed potatoes, asparagus, and a delicious fettuccine dish. Would come again.

    (4)

  • Jen S.

    I was torn between giving 4 stars, but given the price of the bill for 3 people without drinks, I would have expected a bit better service and quality of the main entrees. Ambience and atmosphere of Fore Street is definitely a 5. Everything was cute about the restaurant. You can spot their fresh produce and breads right up front (the bread by the way is amazing). The kitchen is right out in the open and it smells delicious in there. The service is friendly too, and we were merrily on our way to ordering the best mussels I've ever had. They were so good. The garlic almond butter sauce was so great that we kept dipping our bread in the sauce over and over again. We were spooning the sauce. If we hadn't ordered an entree each, we would probably have asked for a second basket of bread to drain the rest of the sauce. The waitress even offered to put it in a cup for us to drink; it was that good. The mussels appetizer by itself would have warranted a 6 star review. But our high expectations were soured by the entrees. While the lamb was cooked perfectly, it was overly salted and the risotto with it was also too salty. My hanger steak was also cooked perfectly medium rare, but was unimpressive in taste while the vegetables were so salty, I couldn't handle it. The Peking duck was probably the best well balanced dish but still a bit too salty. The portions are large though, so 3 people could easily share 2 appetizers and an entree. We packed our food since it was too salty to finish and enjoyed washing our meal down with the creative pudding cake dessert. Service is a bit slow here, so you have to be comfortable asking other waiters or waitresses for things you might need. They're all really nice, but if we weren't proactive, we could've been waiting quite a while for our waitress to notice us trying to flag her down. All in all, still a great experience, and it would have been a 5 if the entrees were $15 less each for what we had... or if we knew to ask them to hold the salt. I would definitely give it a second try!

    (3)

  • Chad K.

    Mussels were excellent. Ribeye was very good and grilled perfectly. My wife ordered the rabbit and thought it was just okay. Complimentary bread was good. We also ordered dessert. My wife got the butterscotch pudding and I got the apple tart. Both were very good. Considering the price point, the service could have been better. I had to scan the dining room and wave down our waitress a few times because we needed refills, needed plates cleared, or wanted to order more. We didn't have a reservation. Frankly, I find the concept outdated. Their website said they reserve a third of their dining room for walk-ins and they would begin taking names at 5PM. We got there at 4:50 PM and there was already a line around the building. After we put our name on the list we were told to come back at 7:15 PM for a table. Overall, the food was very good and I highly recommend it. Service was just okay. For two people to dine with an appetizer, entrees, and dessert we spent $130.

    (4)

  • John D.

    Really a 3.5, four for the food, minus a half star for the small portions and high, Manhattan prices. We had the seafood sampler, which was a nice sampler. The duck was drier than it should have been, but tasty. Dessert was awful. Service fine. Whatever.

    (3)

  • Nicole M.

    5.5 years later, I make it back to Fore Street. I made reservations 3 months ago. 110% worth the wait. Sat near the windows, and my friend informed the rest of us: "we are DINING tonight." And dine we did. We took our time, with salads, wine, entrees, desserts, and more wine. It's the perfect place for a first date, a special occasion, a girls' dinner, a family dinner, etc etc etc. It's simply fantastic. I leave you with my 2 most important words: CHOCOLATE. TORT.

    (5)

  • Vincent D.

    On a recent visit to Portland a highly anticipated reservation turned out to be a big disappointment. Started with my martini which had a sweetness to it probably due to the fact that the shaker was not thoroughly rinsed after the bartender made my wife's grapefruit and ginger drink. My martini was promptly replaced. To start my wife ordered the tomato tart which had sweet tomatoes and a creamy goat cheese, problem was the tomato had to compete with an overly sweet pastry crust. My appetizer a mushroom salad, was fresh and nicely dressed. As a second course we shared the mussels in a garlic almond butter. I must admit the mussels were plump and beautiful but under cooked by 2 mins an eternity when cooking shell fish. For our main course my wife ordered seared sea scallops that came out 3 shades under luke warm and more resembled bay scallops on steroids then day boat scallops, lacking in both flavor and size. My wood roasted sea bass was left for dead in the oven. So dry was the flesh that even the abundance of pasty mushroom gravy it sat atop could not save it from adhering to the bottom of the copper pan it arrived in. Being a chocolate lover my wife ordered the hand made chocolates for dessert which arrived straight out of the refrigerator, (like cheese, that's a no no) so the flavor if there was any, was not allowed to shine through. I realize Fore Street gets accolades, but not on this night. 7/17/2015

    (2)

  • Alison L.

    Fore Street sits inconspicuously on - you guessed it - Fore Street. Tucked inside a brick building and two large wooden doors, you enter a cavernous, dimly-lit waiting area and foyer. Beautiful, exposed wooden beams and comfortable atmosphere. We arrived 5-10 minutes earlier than our reservation and were told we were right on track to be seated on time. We were. Our waiter was fabulous - super knowledgable and chatty, but not too chatty. The menu changes daily, which I love. We have a place back in CT (where we're from) that follows the same practice and it's really an exciting experience. The result is typically locally-foraged and fresh produce, and inventive dishes you can't find anywhere else. This was extremely true of Fore Street as well! My husband ordered a pork belly appetizer, and a few of us ordered salads to start. Mine was an "exotic mushroom" salad with buttermilk dressing. Lots of flavor and perfect seasoning. As an entree I ordered the mushroom ravioli, which was presented in a chevril-butter sauce that was savory and decadent. Everyone in our party (there were 7 of us) was absolutely floored by the mixture of fresh ingredients, gorgeous plating and quality of our choices. A few of us opted for dessert - the chocolate torte with wild cherry ice cream + chocolate macaron crumbs was a delight. Oh! And the bread baskets are full of fresh bread from the bakery next door, which proved to be some of the best homemade bread we'd ever had. A wonderfully satisfying, intoxicating experience. Will return for sure if we find ourselves in Portland again anytime soon!

    (5)

  • Sarah D.

    My boyfriend and I live in Boston, and I took him up to Portland for the weekend to celebrate his birthday. I decided on dinner at Fore Street, and we were both really happy with the experience. The ambiance was a nice mix of classy and energetic, and our waiter, David, was absolutely fantastic. He was personable, knowledgeable (apparently the staff get to go on field trips to visit the restaurant's local vendors), and had an incredible attention to detail despite the fact that we were there on a busy Friday night. All of our courses were well prepared (sweetbreads, lamb, blackfish, etc.), they carry Maine Beer Co. beer, which we love, and David's wine suggestions were excellent. The staff here takes obvious pride in what they do, and they should . . . this place just nails it.

    (5)

  • Stacie K.

    Great atmosphere, location, food and cocktails. Expect a wait but there's a nice cocktail lounge to enjoy while waiting. You can watch the cooks make your meals. Highly recommend the oysters, octopus, quail and flounder. If in the area its a great stop.

    (5)

  • Vanessa K.

    It's been awhile since I've been there so I can't remember exactly what I ordered. What I do remember was that it was delicious and I had a good time with my boyfriend. The parking was a little hard to find because it was during dinner time and snow was everywhere but manageable. I was almost not going to go here because of the prices but decided, hey, how often will we be in this part of the country? I remember ordering a cold appetizer that had different sauces and lobster and raw seafood and it was really good. Knowing me, I probably got some sort of scallops and enjoyed it immensely. My boyfriend ordered the mussels and liked it loads too. The waitress was nicer to me, more than to my bf for some reason and we found it odd but overall had a good time. Bottom line, come here, fresh seafood, reasonable prices, nice people, great atmosphere :)

    (4)

  • Mark C.

    Outstanding. You need to call way ahead for a reservation. Food and service is five star.

    (5)

  • tina r.

    Across the board perfection! Every fish or meat is paired with a sauce, an essence, a green, a marinade that enhances an expertly prepared dish. Our server especially added to a wonderful evening. Eric was knowledgeable, helpful, friendly & went far beyond simple service of plates. He is what every restaurant owner should have in wait staff. DO NOT MISS THIS PLACE.

    (5)

  • Amy T.

    My kids are bigger fans than I am - but that's because they are more adventurous eaters than I am. Amazing food - prepared superbly. Some of the choices are a bit out of my comfort zone.

    (4)

  • Kiki P.

    We decided to stop by Fore Street during our day trip to Portland, ME. It popped up several times as one of the "best" restaurants in Portland. I called the restaurant earlier that day and they informed me they were fully booked and were not accepting any reservations. They suggested showing up a little early as a walk-in. We arrived at 6:00pm and it could not have been more perfect timing. There was a cancellation for the evening and we were able to be seated immediately. The restaurant was cozy with a nice ambiance. Unfortunately, the restaurant does not post a menu on the website since it changes everyday. I do wish they at least had a sample menu so that guests could get somewhat of an idea for the cuisine. The menu had a very wide selection of fresh seafood dishes to choose from...both cold and hot. There were a couple of vegetarian options, mainly salads. They also had several dishes with regular meats such as steak, duck, lamb etc. We started off our meal with the chilled seafood platter. This included sliced yellowfin tuna with pickled radish, sliced cape cod scallops with roasted sweet pepper and tomato, cured king salmon with sweet corn vinaigrette, and smoked mussels with sage mayonnaise. All of the seafood was fresh and tasty. The portion sizes in this dish were extremely small so it was difficult to share. The dish was $17 which I think is a bit expensive for the portions they serve. For dinner, I tried the summer flounder filet with wide morels, kale and garden puree, and port and herb butter sauce. My friend ordered the whole wild black bass with quinoa stuffing, sweet pepper, hon shimeji, tarragon and stripped bass butter sauce. Both dishes were fresh and the fish was perfectly cooked. I enjoyed the summer flounder much more than the whole bass. For dessert, I had the fore street dark chocolate torte. This was a chocolate cookie crust, with chocolate malt caramel sauce, peanut brittle, topped with caramel cacao nib ice cream. I am kind of obsessed with chocolate so this certainly hit the spot for me. On a dessert scale on all of the desserts I have ever had...I would have to rate it an average 3 out of 5 stars. Nothing special. Value: Pricey restaurant. The dishes are all served with fish or meat only. Therefore you have to order sides to supplement your dish. Side vegetables range from $7-10 which I think is rather expensive for simple veggies which should have been included in your main course to begin with. Overall, I had a great experience at Fore Street and recommend checking it out if you are in the Portland area. I probably would not dine here again since Portland has 100's of other restaurants to offer which I would love to try out next time!

    (4)

  • Jeffrey L.

    I want to like this place. The service was great (we dined at the bar), the food looked good, but the food just didn't taste good. It wasn't bad - as in unfresh. Rather, everything we had just did't taste as though someone had put any thought into the flavors. The trout's sauce was leaning so heavy on lemon, I felt as though I could have produced the same result by buying a few pounds of lemon. The halibut looked nice, but produced yawns.

    (2)

  • Patrick L.

    The wife and I thought Fore Street was great. The atmosphere as great and the waiter walked us from appetizers to desert at the right speed for a pleasant evening. Both of us had fish dishes and they were great and just the right size. Well worth it for a full evening dining experience. Either make reservations way in advance, or get there early to snag the few unreserved tables!

    (5)

  • Erica E.

    My husband and I visited here on 12/22/14. We had a special date night as his Christmas gift to me. The evening started with a Limo ride from our home to Fore Street in Portland. We had a 6pm reservation and were promptly seated. I liked that they had a place to hang your coat so that you didn't have to hang it on the back of your chair. The server was very nice, she welcomed us warmly. The table we had was on the second level with a full view of the kitchen area. When one of the servers noticed that our tabled had a bit of a wobble to it, she came right over and fixed it. My husband and I had not even noticed it. Food: Appetizer: We both ordered the mixed green salad, it was delicious, the croutons were a bit on the saltier side but they balanced the vinaigrette on the salad well. For entrees: He ordered the hangar steak and I ordered the spit roasted half chicken (which is a huge amount of food) and a side of carrots to share. I was not able to finish my chicken and we had carrots left over. All of it was very delicious. Well seasoned, cooked correctly and presented beautifully. We shared a dessert of chocolate torte with cinnamon crunch ice cream. It was delectable. Service: The waitress was very pleasant, she wasn't overly attentive (which we prefer) but made sure we had what we needed. Because the tables for 2 are a bit small when you have a large amount of drinks or food on them she made sure the items we had finished with were removed from the table to allow for more room. She did seems a bit surprised at the amount we left as a tip (not a small amount) which seems odd to me considering the prices of things at this restaurant. Are the diners of Portland bad tippers? Atmosphere: The bustling atmosphere almost seems like it would be overwhelming but it's really not. It's very fun watching as the food is prepared. Seeing the person at the appetizer station blow torching sea food was fun. The noise level was up there but not to the point of not being able to hear the person sitting across from you. Overall: I look forward to eating here again and hope to do so soon.

    (5)

  • Kevin A.

    My wife and I have been dining here at least once a year for the last 15 or 16 years during our vacation trips to Maine. No doubt we will continue to keep the streak alive for as long as we are able. It is simply the best restaurant in Portland and certainly among the top in the country. It's a must visit! Besides the superb food at every course, there are three other things that make Fore Street such an exceptional restaurant. One of them is the incredible energy of the place. The open kitchen and the hustle and bustle of the wait staff make for a great side show if you are interested. Then there is the consistent inventiveness of the menu. Remarkable really. The other thing that amazes me is the consistency of the staff. The staff is so well trained that from our first visit to our most recent, we have never had bad experience. it is, truly, a remarkable restaurant.

    (5)

  • Alika Marie W.

    You, my friend have arrived. Make a reservation, sit and marvel. In moments you will in fact be served the most amazing, well prepared never over done comestibles available to the human palate. Divine. In every sense. All six because here the extra one is reserved for the awe factor. The staff is outstanding. The experience one in a million.

    (5)

  • Laurel D.

    We visited Portland from Boston this weekend and selected Fore Street for our Saturday night dinner. We had earlier reservations at Street & Co. but after hearing rave review after rave review for Fore Street, decided to stick with our 9:30 slot at this highly recommended dining destination. As the rating indicates, we were really disappointed. Things started to go downhill as soon as we took our seats, at which point our server placed ramekins of salt, pepper and butter on the table, only to then discover that there was a dirty, balled up napkin in the butter. She noticed right away, apologized profusely, and removed the butter. We laughed it off and focused on the lengthy menu in front of us. Little did we know it was just a sign of what was to come. We ordered a summer squash salad, the fried softshell crab, and the fresh linguini with homemade pesto (ramp?) and ricotta salata to start. The salad was fine, but the summer squash was an afterthought rather than the star of the show. It was basically lettuce with a ginger dressing. The soft shell crab was fine, but nothing to write home about and was a little on the dry side. The linguini was not cooked all the way through. We called the server over and brought it to her attention. Instead of apologizing and immediately bringing us a new dish, she said something along the lines of "Well, it's fresh pasta..." as if fresh pasta is always undercooked -- I understand that fresh pasta cooks almost immediately when it hits hot water, but this pasta was CRUNCHY. She finally removed the dish and returned with a fresh one. Again, nothing great -- I could have remade the dish at home and it would have been tastier. The presentation was also incredibly sloppy. It looked like a toddler had thrown everything onto a platter. We then ordered the halibut with a mustard sauce and israeli couscous for our entree, along with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. Garlic mashed potatoes are the kind of thing that MUST be delicious. Starch, butter, cream, garlic...you have free license to whip up an unhealthy side that is a real crowd pleaser. Not only were the potatoes a dismal portion size, but they tasted like they'd been sitting in someone's fridge and were zapped in the microwave for a few minutes. They weren't creamy or rich, and I don't recall any garlic flavor. The halibut was very well cooked and was nice and fresh. The sauce was light and brothy, but not as flavorful and I would have liked. I saved a piece of bread to mop up the sauce (who doesn't do that???) and didn't even end up using it -- ultimate fail. The israeli couscous was fine, but honestly, I don't even recall the menu mentioning it and it was an underwhelming accompaniment to the fish. To make matters worse, at one point I ordered a vodka, soda, splash of grapefruit juice and the server brought over a vodka soda. The cocktails were underwhelming and the glassware was ugly. We were so disappointed that we didn't DARE order dessert. We peaced out of there at 11:00, still in shock at how disappointing the entire experience was. Over hyped, over priced, poor service, and the space is honestly tired and outdated. The worst part of it all was that we missed an opportunity to try one of Portland's many other highly sought after dining establishments -- we cancelled a 7:30 reservation at Street & Co. so we could eat at Fore Street. We were seriously regretting that decision after our subpar meal at Fore Street.

    (2)

  • Tracy E.

    Pretty damn delicious farm to table restaurant in the heart of Portland, ME. I give it only 4 stars due to its relatively sparse vegetarian menu options. However, every meal that we ordered was absolutely delightful. Each dish offers large portions of well-crafted, fine-quality ingredients. The kitchen is open, so you can see the chef putting together each decadent dish. The restaurant is rather fancy, and pricey, without being too pretentious. The most redeeming qualifier of Fore Street is that the chefs obviously take great pride in each dish-- this means you can expect delish perfection. Above all, I loved the house chocolate dessert. I am a chocoholic, and I am stunned to report that their chocolate tort is the BEST CHOCOLATE DESSERT I have ever tasted. This is baffling, yet amazing. So, at about $60 a head, and even more pricey if you are enjoying drinks from their extensive wine and beer lists, this place is absolutely worth the trip. Definitely call ahead for reservations. *Sorry for the crummy photos-- they do not do the beautifully played dishes justice. The dim/ romantic lighting makes dishes difficult to photograph.

    (4)

  • J S.

    Ok, so EVERYONE tells you, "Go to Fore Street. You will love the food and ambiance." So I am here to tell you THEY ARE RIGHT! Go to Fore Street! The place is boisterous yet charming at the same time, with incredible dinner, dessert, and wine menus -- so creative and nicely balanced dishes, with the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients around. We started with the cold & smoked seafood plate and a couple glasses of cava rosé -- delicious, and well-loved flavors and preparation. The scallop ceviche with gin-citrus dressing was incredible. The house-smoked salmon was interesting, but too strong, gamey, and salty in comparison, but the other items on the plate were great. We also shared a fresh greens, cukes, and melon salad -- the sogginess threw us off a bit, but the flavors were nice and the complimentary sourdough bread from Standard Bakery was a nice complement. The highlight of the meal was an oven roasted whole black sea bass with a buttery, chervily, lemony, Madeira sauce. The fish was so fresh and expertly done -- so tender, sweet, and flavorful -- that it was one of those experiences where the noise of life just melts away with each delectable bite, until you are so satisfied that everything just seems right in the world. I am not exaggerating. This was a perfect dish. It would pair well with many white wines, but I chose a bolder varietal from Languedoc. The fish was stuffed with escarole and sourdough bread, and had the perfect amount of roastiness. We devoured the whole thing and were incredibly satisfied. We fished with a banana bread pudding with chocolate sorbet. Very good, too, but not nearly as memorable as the bass. As modern, local food goes, Fore Street is amazing. The only negative thing I can say is, man, it's hard to get a table here, and yes, it's expensive...probably overpriced overall, but whatever. Go to Fore Street. You will not be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Elinn C.

    I was exited to eat there after having heard about it for so many years, and can only say that I don't see what all the fuss was about. The menu is so minimalist it's uninspiring -- what we finally got was fine but that's it. Nothing was special about the quality of the fish, the presentation, or the ambience -- but it cost plenty. Can't even remember what fish we had, but the roasted local asparagus tasted overpoweringly of wood smoke. Who cares if produce is locally sourced if you can't taste it? The restaurant seems to care more about turning tables quickly than making sure its customers have an enjoyable meal. I've never seen so many "bus" stations in a restaurant that size, which are there for the convenience of the servers, not the eaters. I would prefer to wait the few extra seconds it would take for the staff to bring me water from the back than to listen to them crash around as they restock silverware, dishes and glassware for the next batch of customers, coming in tonight or even tomorrow. One other thing I noticed would be funny if it weren't gross; apparently Maine's health laws aren't as strict as ours in California, because this place hangs its extra chairs up on the wall right above one of the afore-mentioned bus stations. They were actually the only decoration in the room! Chairs used by a large group that had just left, picked up off the floor and hoisted onto hooks on the wall -- just think what might have fallen off their feet into all those water glasses waiting to be put out on tables?

    (2)

  • Geo J.

    While our expectations of Fore Street had been tempered from previous ' just Ok' experiences we booked a reservation for a celebratory meal. I don't think anyone from our group was super impressed. We started with oysters which were good; beautifully shucked and clean. None of the starters jumped out at us, so we went straight to entrees and vegetable sides. Between a wood grilled striped bass, a rib eye steak and the only vegetarian dish on the menu, the ravioli with farmers cheese and garlic was hands down the winner. It was savory, satisfying and beautify balanced. The pasta was 1/2 the price of the rib eye and 3 times as good. We ended the meal with deserts. Just like the entrees they spanned from mediocre to rather good. The cream brûlée was watery and reminiscent of boxed vanilla pudding. For me, the best thing was either the lemon curd cake or the banana toffee ice cream, which came with the flourless chocolate torte. When it comes down to it, we had a good time because we were in good company, and the wait staff was attentive and personable. I try to avoid fore street because they never hit the mark. It's reputation draws customers from all over, and I am sure they will continue to do good business. Every year or so a visiting friend books a reservation at fore street and they will get a few hundred of my hard earned dollars for a less than impressive meal. The best times i have had at Fore Street have been at the bar, where you can order a lovely array of small plates. If I have to come back anytime soon. that is what i am going to do.

    (3)

  • Keith H.

    Wow. I was in Portland for a few nights and my wife and her sister decided to try this place out. We were immediately impressed with how comfy the interior was. It felt very welcoming and I really liked how open the kitchen are was - it really makes you feel like the staff is really connected to the food and their customers. For context, my wife and I cook and go to a lot of restaurants in NYC which sometimes makes me feel like a food snob, but this experience at Fore Street made me realize that amazing food is everywhere. I took photos of the menu that night since it always changes, also so I could remember exactly what we had. In short : The salad app with mushrooms was amazing Wood Oven Roasted Pollock - so good Wood Grilled Hanger Steak with roasted oxtail - the oxtail was such an unexpected delight in this dish Dessert Bourbon Chocolate Layer Cake - I couldn't talk the entire time I was eating this it was so good. If you're in Portland, just go here. I think we got lucky and arrived at just the right time to get a table within 20 minutes. note: Our server was super knowledgeable and friendly. Do it!!

    (5)

  • Charlotte S.

    We have been coming here since it opened an it never disappoints. Silence usually our way of saying too good to be interrupted with talk. We had various game pate with great condiments, lamb combo of shank pate and stew, fresh sea scallops, buttered milk brocollini and a hazelnut chocolate mouse. Food we'd love to imitate at home because it is that new, different and lovely. The holy grail of our food quest!

    (5)

  • Becca L.

    If you're tired of the loud, touristy, everything's-made-with-lobster restaurants in Portland and just want a REALLY nice meal in a warm, intimate place, you'll love Fore Street! Reservations are recommended, but we were lucky enough to call a few minutes ahead and have a table for two immediately. Everyone was extra accommodating and very friendly. Nice, but not uppity place. Super tasty food - a real treat all around!

    (5)

  • L S.

    Wonderful, romantic dinner... But we both ended the night with a strange aftertaste that left us chugging water for the rest of the night... Strange... We had a reasonable wait time for a Saturday night (30 min) late dinner. Our server was a really friendly, just plain awesome guy who made the night really enjoyable. The restaurant is in a beautiful space you could write poems about. Onto the food: Bread basket - awesome, bread baked downstairs at Standard Baking Co. Appetizer - fettuccini - fresh pasta, warm oil for break dipping later - also awesome Entree: I got the stuffed sea bass and bf got flounder. They were both quite delicious, and I appreciated that they cooked the whole fish for me. My bass was in a lemony sauce.. Perhaps the sauce was the culprit? Dessert: chocolate torte with banana parfait - this dessert was out of this world. I'm pretty sure my boyfriend had a spiritual experience eating this dessert. All in all, wonderful enjoyable night but just that weird aftertaste through the rest of the night... What was it????

    (4)

  • Jessica I.

    When we visited Portland, we strapped on the feedbags like insatiable sows, and our meal at Fore Street stands out as our favorite. It was packed but we got on a list and wedged ourselves in at the bar at the appointed time. Excellent service, creative cooking and wonderful ingredients all made for a very special evening. The menus change all the time, but I would trust this kitchen again in any season.

    (5)

  • David C.

    Made a very last minute decision to pop into Portland on Saturday, and around 4:50 we stopped by the iconic Fore Street to see if we could possibly get a table or, at the very least, sit at the bar. So glad we did. This might be good to know: If you don't have a reservation, you can line up outside - when the doors open at 5pm sharp, chances of getting a table are actually decent as they hold a good number of them exclusively for walk-ins, plus they offer the full menu at the bar which is an inviting wide slab of stone (concrete?) which is spacious enough to enjoy your meal. We overheard that the people at the front of the line began to queue up outside around 4:15ish, and there were perhaps eight or so parties of varying sizes in front of us. We were told 6:15 for two - not too long of a wait, so we headed inside for a cocktail. Standing behind the bar area became a bit crowded, but a server floated through and promptly took our order. They have a terrific wine list as well as a good number of quality wines by the glass. I had a Manhattan and eventually a pair of comfy armchairs opened up. The bar server informed us that our table was ready, and we were seated right at 6:15 as promised. The main dining area, much like the food, is what I would describe as rustic elegance: open concept, with walls of exposed brick and a lofted ceiling with hewn timber beams, and the impressive kitchen is in full view from nearly every angle. There is also an adjacent room set apart with a half dozen tables, which happened to be where we were seated. Make a reservation if you want the main dining area. The locally sourced 'farm-to-table' menu changes daily, and it has a lot to choose from, listing various pan seared, wood oven roasted, and spitfired offerings that make for a difficult decision. Having ordered the mussels, duck, and rabbit on prior visits, I kept it simple this time and went with the apple and fennel salad over greens followed by the wood grilled rib eye ($45). My wife opted for the cabbage salad then pan roasted halibut. Sides are ordered separately, and we shared the fingerling potatoes and brussel sprouts. Across-the-board outstanding. Espresso was perfect and we shared the dark chocolate torte, a decadent finish to a splendid meal. Once again, Fore Street delivered a fabulous culinary experience. Bottom line: As good as ever. Fore Street is still my favorite Portland restaurant. Very highly recommended.

    (5)

  • David L.

    A great dining experience.... We had heard about this place from a few folks and were amazed that we actually needed to book for a Wednesday night in early January. We were however delighted with our evening out. We started with a selection of home produced meats like lambs tongue, frois gras and duck pate...all excellent. This was followed by a finnan haddie, a little too much cream in the sauce for my taste, and wood baked monkfish. Then being a lanky pig.....I rounded off the evening with a fresh wood baked sea bass and wood fired fingerling potatoes. Stuffed I was!!! A couple of excellent local New England beers and a glass of rose for the bidey in...and we left. All this came to less than $130 which we thought was superb value. But wait how could we fail to mention the bread....from the Standard baking Co. situated below the restaurant. We've had this before and my word...it is still excellent and how they continue to make such a simple staple of life taste so wonderful amazes us. Our waitress was chatty and interesting and the fact that you can see all the kitchen and hear the staff shouting as they cook only adds to the atmosphere. Book early and go visit....

    (5)

  • J T.

    This long-standing Portland staple did not disappoint! We were seated on time and charmed by the open atmosphere. Our waiter was both knowledgeable and understated - she expertly paired wine with our food and checked-in with us regularly without being intrusive. The daily printing of the two-sided menu didn't disappoint, with more delicious options than each of us could reasonably order, so we opted for many smaller dishes. The grilled squid and foie gras were outstanding, and of course the ever-popular mussels lived up to their reputation. We also had a chance to grab a digestif at the bar, and really enjoyed the drinks recommended by the expert bartender. I'd be excited to drop-in and eat at the bar next time!

    (5)

  • Igor C.

    Food is overpriced. Oysters are Half a dozen, from 3 reagions of Maine, were ok. Seafood platter 3 types of fish and mussles, tiny plate.

    (3)

  • Cons B.

    My expectations were high for this restaurant based on the reviews and the reservation procedure. Unfortunately I was let down. The food was way overpriced and very average. I would not return.

    (3)

  • Michael D.

    I really would like to like this restaurant. But every time we go something screwy happens or it just doesn't make the hype. Here for dinner on Tuesday. The room they brought us to was ridiculously hot. They realized it but couldn't offer us anything else. The salads were fine - the pea and pea shoot better than the mixed greens. Then it went down hill. The pork belly was not prepared with the top skin removed so it was impossible to cut and ended up macerated. The calamari dish was swimming in a deep pool of vinegar liquid drowned and then overwhelmed by picked shallots. More is not better. The cold seafood platter was weirdly tasteless. The flounder tartare was tasteless and the scallop mouse was drowned with a weird sauce that did not complement it at all. We had a cheese course at the end with two of the 3 very under ripe - like rubber. The service was let's say almost non existent and we felt left wondering if we ever were going to get a meal. Or even get to order. Overall for a restaurant that prides itself at the top of the Portland food heap this was a very consistently disappointing evening. The wine although expensive was good. 72 dollars for 4 glasses. A couple of times a year we keep thinking we will go to Fore Street and have a good meal and it's always disappointing. Adding the pretense to the entire circumstance this is something we will stop thinking about.

    (2)

  • Marta H.

    Had no problem getting a table for two on a Thursday night as a walk-in with no reservation. We just had to get our name on a list and eat a little early (5:45). We sat in a romantic spot in a room off the noisier main room. Our table was next to a window looking out toward the bay. Food: Flounder was good but the best part of the dish were the charred greens and squash purée that came with it - delicious. My husband's steak was cooked perfectly but was a bit bland. We ordered two side dishes to share (broccoli and mashed potatoes) which were both just ok. Cheese plate for dessert was tasty. Overall: I'm torn about this place. The atmosphere, decor, service and creativity of the food all made for an enjoyable dining experience but at over $30 each I don't think either entree was worth the price.

    (3)

  • Robin K.

    My boyfriend and I had dinner here a few nights ago. The heirloom tomato side, which I ordered as an appetizer, was amazing. The seasoning on top of tomatoes was delightful! My boyfriend ordered mussels appetizer; they were also quite tasty and in a fabulous sauce. As for entrees, I ordered scallops, sans the pasta because it was in chicken stock. There were 3 average-sized scallops that were good, but not worth $38. I was expecting mouth orgasm at that rate, and it just didn't happen. The bf had salmon, served with polenta and carrots. He was amazed! We ended with a blueberry cobbler dessert, which pleased even this gal who usually doesn't eat dessert without chocolate. Overall, it was a great atmosphere and good fresh food. I am glad I went, but probably won't go again if I'm in the area.

    (4)

  • Morgan M.

    Went to Fore Street on a Saturday night and arrived around 6:30. Was fortunate to find seating for three in the bar area and get seated for dinner by 7:30. We all ordered cocktails which were excellent and our server was great. We had the quail appetizer which was tasty but not my cup of tea. I ordered the halibut for dinner which was also great and again the service was exceptional. Will absolutely be going back when I'm back in Portland. I normally prefer sitting at the bar so will probably try that the next time.

    (4)

  • Michael D.

    Came here on a strong recommendation from friends but, honestly, the place just didn't blow us away compared to what we were expecting. I really liked the casual ambiance, there's no reason people should have to get dressed up for great food. The menu changes every day and there are plenty of options available (2 pages - 1 for starters, 1 for dinners) so picky eaters don't need to be concerned. My wife and I split fettuccine to start and it was ok. We were hoping it would replicate a great bowl of pasta we had on our last vacation but it didn't come close. From there, we moved onto the main dish - hanger steak, Alaskan salmon, and a side of fingerling potatoes. "Meh" to all three - they were all good but when you come here you are expecting great and they just didn't perform that night maybe. The sorbet for dessert was good but very sweet. I wasn't impressed to be honest, especially for the prices.

    (3)

  • Rachel G.

    The perfect little place! Call at least a week in advance if you want to make a reservation (and I recommend at least two weeks in advance for reservations during peak hours/weekends). I know what you're thinking. "Ain't nobody got time for that...." MAKE TIME! It is well worth the trouble of trying to get a table. My boyfriend and I had reservations for 9pm on a Friday night. They continued taking reservations until 10 and literally every table in the place was full until close. Great ambiance. Then open kitchen is quite the sight. Rabbits on a rotating spit. Wood grills. Cast irons in and out of the brick oven. Full pantry in plain view. It helps when your table is in the quiet corner of the balcony overlooking the kitchen. It was the perfect table. Romantic feel. Good selection of wine and craft/local beers. LOVE the rotating menu. I opted for a salmon dish and it was superb. The freshest ingredients and a fun, smart combination of flavor. Pricey, but the perfect place for a romantic date night. Wouldn't recommend for families with small children. Best dining experience I've had in a while!

    (5)

  • Shermaine W.

    I was in Portland for a conference a few months back and after reading a few reviews about the local eateries, decided I definitely wanted to give Fore Street a try. Overall, I wasn't disappointed. My hotel was nearby, so I took my chances walking in around 7 for dinner without a reservation. I only had about a 15 minute wait, which was great! As soon as I stepped in, I was very pleased by the warm, inviting decor and the view of the kitchen and its roaring wood stove. My server was quite nice and attentive, and even though the place was pretty full (it was Saturday night) the service wasn't at all slow. Started out with the bread and butter while browsing the menu, and I have to say, the bread wasn't that amazing. I like a crusty bread, but this felt a tad dry, and I think that taste was amplified by it being a brown whole wheat kind of thing. No big deal though - no one needs a million carbs to fill up on before their meal. ;) I ordered a salad as my appetizer, which if I'm remembering correctly, had arugula, pears and apples in it. I loved the combination, but found that they went a bit heavy on the olive oil. For my main dish, I chose the oven roasted pork loin which was served on bed of finely sliced, stewed parsnips. The chop itself was hefty and fabulously cooked, but I think it lacked a bit of seasoning. I also think that the parsnip salad beneath would have greatly benefited from some apple to cut the richness of the pork. With a chop that thick, I think there should have been something a bit more substantial as a base. With the pork, I had a great Coutes du Rhone which was recommended to me by the server. It provided the acidity I felt I needed with the pork, and I couldn't help but think that a wine reduction/sauce would have been a fabulous complement. Although everything else was generally lovely, the dessert for me, however, was what really made this meal. It was a chocolate sorbet with a little fudgey chocolate cake topped with sea salt and little cubes of fried sweet potato. So amazing! A delicious mix of sweet and salty, and not at all overpowering. Although there were some hits and misses, I definitely loved the environment, wait staff, and meal. I would head back to Fore Street any time I happen to be in Portland, and look forward to trying other dishes in the future.

    (4)

  • Karla L.

    What an amazing meal my husband and I had last night! My "duck two ways" was hands down the best choice. The Maine blueberry crisp was "to-die-for". I plan on making this an annual event on our summer trip to Peaks Island.

    (5)

  • Nicole B.

    The first night was so good we went back the next night. We were advised by our hotel behind it that we would not be disappointed, we weren't. Warm atmosphere when we walked in, greeted by friendly staff. Waited at the bar, served by a knowledgeable bartender. Hostess came to seat us, we were enjoying our conversation & asked her if we could hold off, no problem. Waitstaff awesome. Hanger steak, Pork Chop, fish dish cooked to perfection & tasted amazing. Most impressive the black rice side dish, it's exquisite! I'm addicted. I need the recipe!

    (5)

  • Danielli C.

    I was very disappointed at the food here. we sat at the bar and had great service. the ambiance is nice. drinks are good. the problem was the food was way too salty. how can mess up my foie gras?!? I live in California and need my daily dose! I believe every chef must have a bad day, and this definitely was one of them. Just a tad less salt would've allowed me to taste your food!

    (3)

  • Kathleen L.

    My God. The ex-husband took me out for a Mother's Day/Birthday feast (because we've been successfully divorced co-parents for over a quarter century) and I have to say that Fore Street exceeded my very high expectations. In every way. I loved the open, high-end rustic space where you could see (and smell) the wood burning in the brick oven and watch the chefs perform their magic. Having made reservations, we were seated immediately and found the entire waitstaff to be very professional and friendly without being pretentious in the least. Our waiter was very attentive and seemed to anticipate our needs without being intrusive. He stealthily kept our glasses full of ice-cold water. We were offered a generous basket of bread from the ever-fabulous Standard Baking Co. (housed in the same building) with fresh, creamy butter, sea salt and pepper. They had a great beer/wine list and we settled on a selection from Oxbow Brewing, which was fabulous. We both decided on the half chicken with wilted spring greens and cubes of bread fried in duck fat. Since the chickens were roasting on a spit the waiter told us that they could be served with a very minimal wait. We did not order appetizers, so the chicken appeared right away. It was very tender, flavorful and juicy, and the skin was perfectly crisped. The plate also had just enough of a light broth to keep everything from drying out. We also split a side of broccolini in an onion cream sauce that was amazing. We were told the broccolini was cooked in the brick oven. This was a wise move. The portions were very generous, even for the ex who has a larger appetite than I do. Even though I was stuffed I could not resist dessert. That turned out to be even better than the meal. We ordered coffee and split a dark chocolate torte that was Out. Of. This. World. It was hands down the best dessert I've ever had and I've eaten a lot of desserts. Good desserts. Excellent desserts. But this chocolate torte was something else. It was a thing of beauty to look at, what with the artful presentation, and was perfectly creamy without losing its shape. There was a slight dusting of some very good cinnamon on top and it came with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream that was drizzled with even more cream and sprinkled with some sort of brittle. I wish I could recall exactly, but since they change their menu often, chances are it might be different the next time. And there will be many next times.

    (5)

  • Todd L.

    Fabulous dinner from start to finish. One of the highlights of our trip to Portland. When - not if - we return to Portland we will definitely dine there again.

    (5)

  • Laura A.

    Excellent service, outstanding flavors, plentiful portions. Ask for Matt (server). Table near the wood fire particularly nice on a cool night.

    (5)

  • M L.

    Great atmosphere with open kitchen that feels very welcoming. Fresh food but seems overpriced. Service wasn't great and the waitress kept interrupting literally like a few seconds later after each course was served to ask how the food is when I didn't even have a chance to try the food. When I actually needed her, she was not available or even when she saw me she would leave and not come back for a long time. Food was good but I've had better. My husband ordered a medium rare steak and it came out rare. My pork wasn't cooked all the way so I asked for well done but came back medium. The best thing about this restaurant was the bread and the atmosphere.

    (2)

  • Rachel P.

    Another Portland gem that definitely lived up to the hype. My boyfriend and I ate here on a Saturday night and the entire experience was great. We had a 9:30 reservation and had to wait for about 5 minutes. We were then seated at a nice table by the window where we could watch the snow fall. The open kitchen concept is great and I love the whole atmosphere of this restaurant. It's really a gorgeous place. I was surprised at the size as it is quite large. It can work great for larger parties but can still be somewhat intimate for two. As soon as we were seated the waiter brought to our attention that they were going to be closed over the next couple days and so they were uncharacteristically out of a few things on the menu, and also running low on other items. Normally I would knock a star off for this, but because the menu is so big and everything on it looks so good, I was actually kind of relieved that I got some help in narrowing down this array of delicious looking options. The waiter was also very upfront about it which I appreciated (nothing like setting your mind on something only to find out it's not an option after you attempt to order it). He even said if we let him know what we were interested in he would "hold" the things they were running low on. It was nice that he didn't make us feel rushed ordering, especially under these circumstances. We started with the oysters which were a very nice size and amazing flavor. I had the Shad fish which I had never even heard of but it was buttery perfection, rich and light at the same time, so savory and flavorful. My boyfriend had the hanger steak and loved every bite. We also shared garlic mashed potatoes which were delicious. They have a great cocktail list too. I had the bacon infused bourbon cocktail and it was great. Hope to go back again this summer!

    (5)

  • Joe M.

    I've spent my last two birthdays spending the weekend up in Portland ME. We have eaten at Fore Street and both occasions and it has been amazing both times. I would go so far as to say that it is my favorite restaurant anywhere, and they are responsible for #1 & #2 of the top ten meals of my life. Last time we went we had a local crab salad that was so fresh and crisp it was rediculous. I would definetely recommend getting something from the wood fire rotisserie. Also they make a mean Manhattan. My only warning about this place is that you will smell like a woodfire grill when you leave.... it made me hungry smelling my clothes the next morning though.

    (5)

  • Allison C.

    We came for my brother's birthday and they gave him amazing treatment and attention--a birthday card, a personalized dessert--wonderful. Bread from Standard Baking Co. was amazing, wines were delicious, and our waitress was attentive and fantastic. I was disappointed in my entree of marscapone ravioli--it had no freshness and was drowning in a sea of oil. Dessert of pineapple upside-down cake was IN.CRED.IBLE. If not for the lack-luster entree, this would have been five stars. Atmosphere cannot be beat.

    (3)

  • Lauren C.

    Despite not having reservations on a busy night, we had no trouble walking in and being seated. Huge and very cute space. The giant glass fridge was pretty cool and we really liked watching the cooks go in and get ingredients and guess what they were going to make with them. Next time I find myself in Portland, I'll definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Lucinda W.

    Outstanding restaurant nestled in a beautiful old building in Portland's Old Port. Friday night was very busy, but we were warmly welcomed and dined at our leisure. Our waitperson, Neal, was friendly, efficient and extremely well versed on the menu options and wine selections. He was a major contributor to this amazing dining experience. The menu changes daily, based on the availability of fresh-from-market food; and what a menu it was!! The exotic mushroom and cabbage soup with chervil was the perfect start, a delicate blend of palate-pleasing tastes served with fresh bread. But my main course - half Peking duckling with herb, raclette and semolina polenta, dried cranberry and duck jus - was beyond belief and melted in my mouth. Perfectly cooked and beautifully presented, it is one of the best duck dishes I have ever eaten. The menu has a full range of options: pan seared and wood oven roasted seafood, grilled and turnspit roasted meats, and vegetarian selections. My friend enjoyed jumbo Atlantic sea scallops with seared Brussel sprouts and oyster mushrooms in a white wine pan butter sauce. Our sides were garlic mashed Maine organic potatoes and brown butter turnip mash. Nice selection of homemade desserts if you have room left after dinner. I highly recommend a reservation so that you won't miss this exceptional dining experience!

    (5)

  • Joan B.

    There are so many great restaurants in this 10 mile radius of Maine that I forgot to go back to the best of them -Fore Street. Plus wintertime is a bit easier to get a reso . Fantastic wonderful dinner experience enjoyed by all. Now I may have to make it a monthly experience at least. Hits were mussels shared as an app; pork staple on the menu and Durango?/mahi. Oh my.

    (5)

  • Sean R.

    This restaurant is in Portland, ME. Finding a place to park is always a challenge however once that portion of the evening is completed then the rest is a sheer delight. Ours was a party of six so we were seated at a booth which was quite spacious. I have given this restaurant 4 stars however that is based on quality of the food and not as much as on quality of the service. Our reservation was at 6PM and the restaurant was packed. The service was spotty at times. Our server took the orders on time however was slow on delivering at times. The highlights of the dishes were the Port Steak and the Duck. These two are cooked just right and lightly spiced. The Duck just melts in your mouth. We also had little neck clams and Oysters which this places makes to perfection. One thing to note and that is if you plan to eat here then ensure that your reservations are made at least two weeks ahead of time. This will ensure that you have the seating on the day that you plan to go there.

    (4)

  • Emily C.

    We went here in search of portland's best mussels. Even the waiter agreed they were not. I can see the appeal to this place with the open kitchen and nightly menu, but that menu was so pretensious we literally didn't find anything that appealed to us. We enjoyed the mussels and bread and then went somewhere a little more down to earth for dinner.

    (3)

  • Bartholomew K.

    Major food porn. Mind completely blown. You should be jealous. Totally unassuming outside, incredibly impressive inside. Exposed brick, wooden beams, booths, tables, gorgeous open kitchen - fantastic staff! We love Maine so much and haven't been in a couple of years. Tried an Inn right outside of Portland and what a gem this town is when it comes to places to eat. I mean, seriously! This must have been one of the top 5 ultimate best dinners we ever had. Ever. I knew shit was about to get real when my Tito's martini was just spot on and arrived with a bread basket. Ok, I grew up in Poland, we had awesome bread back in the day when there was only one kind of bread. That was it. I know my bread. This bread tasted like it should now and did in Poland when I was a kid. Crusty on the outside, semi-soft on the inside, butter was beyond unreal, cracked pepper, salt - the works. Umm, perfection. Started with oysters - so clean, fresh and tasty, I could have easily had a few more dozen. Chilled meats. We went with the foie gras, rabbit terrine with pancetta and pate. All of them were crazy good. Sizes were just right, too, which I am learning to appreciate as my waist expands with each amazing dinner under my belt (literally). Jonah crab meat - freshest salsa on the side, grilled romaine leaves I believe were also on the plate - the entire dish was ideal. Before our entrees we ordered a tomato salad to share. Just to cleanse the palette. Or to eat more and try as many dishes as possible. I'm not sure how it's possible, but I never had tomatoes this sweet. Even the basil was better than what we grow in CT. You think tomatoes, whatever, easy/good/simple - you get this salad and you rethink tomatoes. Not lying. Boyfriend had the salmon, which was great but what was the most amazing thing we had all night were my scallops. The sear was PERFECT. No idea what kinda glaze they were in but it rocked my world. We also split a side order of green beans with chanterelles and honey or maple syrup - don't remember now. They were wonderful: snappy, green and full of flavor without tasting heavy. Peach upside down cake. I die. Crepes with ricotta, blackberries and brown sugar. JE DIE!!! Finished the meal with a glass of Vin Santo. Our dinner here couldn't have been any better. If you are ever in Portland, make a resy, don't look at prices, go crazy and enjoy. P.S. Menu changes daily (that's what he said).

    (5)

  • Brandy S.

    I was recommended Fore Street by someone at a bar I was hanging out at. They told me I HAD to get the mussels, and they weren't wrong. My friend and I love this place. We had mussels, pasta and the pork (loin?). It was all great and the perfect amount of food. The staff was nice, the space was really unique to this city and it capped off a great visit to Maine! I'd definitely recommend this place to friends who go and visit Maine.

    (4)

  • Yegor M.

    It does not get any better than Fore Street in Portland. Try mussels - perfect broth made of white wine and garlic - paired with great bread from the bakery downstairs and you got yourself appetizer to rule them all. Also try any salad - freshly prepared with local ingredients - it will be a good start. I will always recommend the whole fish entree - you will not be disappointed, as it's to die for. Order a bottle of Neyers Chard and have them take out the bones. Chocolate tort always ends my meal - if you like dark chocolate the way I do - well, you are in heaven.

    (5)

  • Lynn B.

    Excellent service with average food and decadent dessert.

    (4)

  • Cash K.

    We came to Fore Street for our "fancy dinner" splurge night during our 3 day stay in Portland.The atmosphere was warm and beautiful, the open kitchen, inviting and and the service spectacular. We ordered the oysters and the charcuterie plate to start. The plate was nice, though I wasn't a fan of the foie gras paring with the apricot, little too sweet for me. For dinner I ordered the Wolfish as per the recommendation of our server. I'd never had it before but our server explained it as a bottom. This night it was served with teeny tiny lovely Brussels sprouts and roasted potatoes and a horseradish cream. I was not disappointed and it was easily my favorite fish dish we had our entire trip! (I'm currently researching where to get fresh wolfish on a separate tab.) The man had the hanger-steak, medium rare and it was outstanding. Thank god for the fresh bread they had given us because the oxtail and horseradish jus was so good we would have licked it off the plate otherwise. All in all a great experience, worth the money and the staff's knowledge of the food was invaluable in helping us make the right decisions for ordering. Thank You guys!

    (5)

  • Trista G.

    A truly special restaurant. Not pretentious, great food, friendly staff, casual atmosphere. We got there at 5 and ate dinner at the bar. Oysters, braised greens, mushroom & pea salad, all great. Grapefruit drink was smooth and delightful. A definite must go if you're in Portland, Maine.

    (5)

  • Pam T.

    I knew we were at the right place when I saw the perfectly chopped wood getting wheeled into the kitchen. My marinated rabbit roasted over wood was amazing, as were the oysters and the substance you can no longer buy in California restaurants, which I had both sauteed and pated. Helpful hint: we learned that if you line up at 5:00 p.m., you can score a reservation, though you will have to be flexible as to time. They reserve 1/3 of their tables for "walk-ins," but you have to be willing to accept the time slot they offer.

    (5)

  • Steven W.

    My wife and I went here because we knew it was a ME favorite that many compare to Chez Panisse here in the Bay Area in that it was the foundation of the local culinary scene and highlights fresh local ingredients. Plus, when we asked for recommendations for places to eat in Portland, Fore Street frequently came up. That said, we were not thrilled with our food. It wasn't bad--it just didn't blow us away like all of the other places we ate in Maine. The foie gras was a bit of a disappointment in presentation and flavor--given how hard it is to get foie gras in CA, I went on a bit of a binge in ME, and became a bit of an expert IMHO. The mussels were great, but our entrees were forgettable--again not bad, but they didn't leave a lasting impression. Given the great setting and warm staff, I would be willing to go back, but it wasn't the best dining experience.

    (3)

  • Anne H.

    Fore Street is just a wonderful restaurant, and I go every chance I get. And I always leave feeling that I can't wait to go back. It's still a toss-up for favorite restaurant between Fore Street and The Ordinary in Charleston, SC, and maybe the food at The Ordinary is more consistently perfect (the only place I've ever eaten where I wanted to lick the plate), but Fore Street probably edges it out just because of its atmosphere and service. Also, the noise level at Fore Street is lively but not deafening. So, for total experience, I'm going to have to go with Fore Street. And the food. Well, there are a few misses once in a while. For example, our side the other night of greens and pork belly had so little pork belly that my husband asked what it looks like. The one or two tiny pieces that managed to get into the dish were, however, perfectly cooked. Cold comfort. The greens were great, but we really did want more of that pork belly! The scallops and the salmon were absolutely delicious. So chewy and flavorful that you just don't want the meal to ever end. Little neck clams were juicy and briny and did not need the (very delicious) homemade seafood sauce. And the bread is simply amazing. I mean amazing! Turns out, it is made by the Standard Baking Co., which is located right below the restaurant, and which is owned by the restaurant as well. The desserts -- berry cobbler and pieces of chocolate -- were just fair, but to be honest, we were so full by then that I think our taste buds were comatose. I saved my chocolate pieces for the next day, and they were really quite good. Not heavenly, but good. They needed to be a little warmer to bring out the spices and herbs. But, based on these two, I would skip dessert. Order more seafood instead! Fore Street gets one thing right that absolutely no one else does: they know how to balance the salt. It is just enough and never too much. You taste the salt, but in a good way. It heightens the natural flavor of the food without ever overshadowing it. Magical. There is a waitress here who is a dead ringer for Doris Kearns Goodwin. Only in Portland, ME! The waiters and staff are all good-humored and friendly. And they smile. OK, our waiter went a little overboard in the unctuousness department, but hey, everyone has to make a living. I've had worse. He was a nice man. We were running a little late, and I called from the road. The hostess could not have been nicer, both on the telephone and in person when we arrived. And this was a Saturday night that was fully booked two months ahead! I don't know of a single restaurant that could not learn from her. And it. We will be back on my birthday: it's a big one----one that demands a great meal! Happy Birthday to me!

    (4)

  • Sam F.

    Had a fabulous blowout dinner here on a Monday evening as walkins. Took about twenty minutes for a table but we then had a great view of the central kitchen and prep areas- great dinner theatre. The food was awesome- totally impressive cooking. The service was a teensy bit overwhelmed - which does get one wondering how it must be on a peak night. The seafood and veggies were amazing and quite reasonable in price for the prep and freshness. Drinks were a tad spendy but very well curated- love a single glass of champagne w a shared dessert!

    (5)

  • Debra C.

    Quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Maine. If you can't get a last minute reservation, show up at the door early (4:30pm), and you may get lucky when they open their doors at 5pm and land a 6/6:30pm table. My huz and I come here each time we're in Maine, and we've loved it each and every time. EVERYTHING here is delicious. Beautifully plated and delicious. The mussels are a must-order. I've NEVER had better. The foie gras we ordered (paired with heirloom tomatoes) was crazy-fantastic (who would've thunk to pair the two?!). The massive pork loin (meant to be shared) makes me feel sorry for vegetarians (so flavorful and moist), and their house-bread (served warm alongside olive oil, sea salt and pepper) is what dreams are made of. The restaurant isn't the least bit stuffy. Handsome with an open-kitchen. Fore Street is a truly wonderful restaurant with a friendly and attentive staff, and most importantly, food that will make your tummy smile. Note: This isn't the greatest place for young children (no high chairs, no boosters), but we because we were on vacation in Maine, we brought our little one (20 months) along, and she coped just fine with the aid of an iPad.

    (5)

  • Esther K.

    My parents and I came on a busy night of August, I just wanted something for dessert since we ate elsewhere. Wow, I was surprised at how packed it was, but luckily we got the seats in the lounges quickly. I must say this place is nicely designed with dimmed lights and I absolutely love the open kitchen where you see everything is age fresh. The desserts were fantastic and the waiter was very friendly, can't get better than that!

    (5)

  • Betty G.

    My husband and I ate at Fore Street this evening. We had a 7:45 pm reservation on a Saturday nite. The restaurant was filled when we arrived, but we were seated on time. Our dinners were excellent but our main complaint was the rushed service. (I assume they were planning on a later seating.) My husband's soup was presented within three minutes of placing our orders before the wine was served. From start to finished we just felt rushed, with an eye on our plates and removing them promptly. Or waiter was cheerful but limited in conversation. For the money, I would have appreciated a more relaxed evening

    (3)

  • New F.

    The food is pricey and it is well-worth it. It's locally sourced and the menu changes with the seasons. Fore Street has a great reputation for a reason. The only thing preventing me from giving it 5 stars is it isn't the best meal I've ever had and many people put it on that level. Upon looking back at the past few times I've been there, I can't remember what I ate, which is the sign of an extraordinary meal.

    (4)

  • Kat S.

    This place was fantastic. There is a lot of great food in Portland, but this place was just so fresh and delicious. A bunch of friends and I were visiting for the weekend, and we chose this place based off of friends' recommendations and the fact that their menu changes daily. We were a little late for our reservation, but they were very accommodating for our party of 5. I got the bass, which was amazing, but to my surprise I had actually ordered an entire fish... head and all! Luckily, our fabulous waitress quickly filleted it for me, likely saving me from eating half the bones. This place has a really cozy feel to it, and I hope to come back in the winter when it's snowy. One tip: Don't eat too much bread! It's SO good that it's hard not to, but it's worth waiting for the entree.

    (5)

  • Paul T.

    Portland was added to our New England trip (at the expense of two days in Boston) after we heard Anthony Bourgain's "No Reservations" assertion that the place had more restaurants, per capita, than San Francisco (and, going to other websites, I realized that was with 1/10th the population). Later, I found out that one of the places Bourdain had so enthusiastically recommended didn't even serve local lobster, and sourced much of the rest of its stuff from as far away as Chesapeake bay, so there you are. Whatever, I got what I wanted, an excuse to go to Original Portland, and went (I grew up in Other Portland). Statistics aside, it didn't seem like Portland was exactly popping its seams with restaurants; and paring down the list of the best was far easier than wading through the extensive menu at Fore St. One top joint had such precious food as truffled mac n cheese or some such kiddie garbage. Then again, on the demographics side, it was fascinating to survey the dining room at Fore Street: Unlike most places here in SF, where I'm one of a handful of Over 50s, the crowd was mostly middle aged, and while not ethically or racially diverse per se, rather spectacularly diverse between the genders, with a whole lot of women about, not always paired with men (or that obviously with women, either). Fore Street has a very big menu for a modern establishment, and it's not filled with the sort of kiddy food so many places have added to get the younger set out, although hangar steak was offered. Everything we had, was on a par with what I'd expect from a fine dining establishment, although there wasn't a "wow" moment in anything we had. The dining room was quite large, upstairs above a parking lot and bakery, which produces their excellent bread, and the view is mostly architectural (the waterfront is across the street and behind the building on the far side, and that is beyond a parking lot below the restaurant) I would imagine that you'd want to request seating in the back (as you enter) so you're looking over said parking lot towards the water-area. We were seated inland, near the railing on the left side of the restaurant. Like many others, we found the service a bit wanting----not for actual service though, our server was there whenever we needed something---and the place was full---but any question seemed to make her reach into her pocket full of paper for a response----she didn't know the menu as well as a server in a fine dining establishment should. Then again, it's a town of 67,000 people, so how deep is the well of available workers? One of my favorite restaurants here (in SF) almost always screws something up, and I've sent countless emails alerting them to their service failures, and their response, while empathetic, is never followed through.... Nothing went wrong at Fore Street. All in all a nice evening with wonderful food.

    (4)

  • Bill D.

    Don't buy the hype. The food is solid but way overrated and over priced. If you go and don't have reservations show up at 4:45 to stand in line to put your name in. At five the line is down the street. We got a reservation for 7:30. The waitress was aloof appeared to want to be elsewhere. Not warm or welcoming. She talked me into a medium steak, i wanted pink, but it was well done. The menu looked interesting but the food was a bland and didn't match the reviews. We didn't find a better restaurant in Portland so maybe it is the best in Portland.

    (3)

  • Stan S.

    Exceptional food and service.a truly great dining experience.It does get a little loud at times.Great variety and wines. One of my favorites for 15 years.

    (5)

  • Nikki M.

    Came to this place with my boyfriend and we both had high expectations from reading the reviews. We arrived at 6.45pm and was told there would be around a 1 hour wait, which was fine, so we went and sat in the lounge and ordered a cocktail each. I ordered a cocktail I can't even remember what it's called and frankly I wasn't impressed with it- but it had vodka, pomegranate, a lemon twist and something else. My boyfriend ordered a bourbon based cocktail that he couldn't finish and gave him a headache... We got seated at 730pm, so 15 minutes earlier than we were told which was nice. The bread we were given was nice. We ordered our mains - I got the hangar steak and my boyfriend got the duck. My steak was very well cooked and tender, however very under seasoned, which was disappointing. My boyfriend enjoyed the duck, but it wasn't the best cooked duck he's ever had. We also ordered a side of broccolini and mash potato, both of which were tasty, well seasoned and enjoyable to eat. For dessert I had the mini chocolate cheesecake which I enjoyed and James had the chocolate mousse like cake (can't remember the name) and he liked that too. Overall the food was over priced for what you got and you can get better value elsewhere... won't be coming back here in a rush.

    (3)

  • Vivian C.

    On our first trip to Maine, there were quite a few restaurants that we had anticipated visiting but just couldn't squeeze in, due to some combination of lack of time, reservations and/or stomach space. High on that list was Fore Street, the James Beard-winning restaurant that's been ranked among New England's best for years. This trip we were committed to making it happen and ended up getting lucky when I called two days prior to our departure and discovered that an 8:45pm had just opened up due to a cancellation. Fantastic! Note: If you can't get a reservation, Fore Street does hold one-third of the restaurant for walk-ins. They begin taking walk-ins at 5pm on a first-come, first-serve basis. As we walked into Fore Street, we found a wide, open layout. The open kitchen with wood-fired brick oven was in the middle of the dining room for everyone to see. The space was dark and romantic, complete with wood-beamed ceilings and candles at every table, a perfect spot for a date or special occasion. We were lucky enough to get a table in the back, right next to a window looking out into downtown Portland. OK, it was more the parking lot of a hotel but a window is a window and we enjoyed the privacy that a corner table allowed. One great thing about Fore Street is that the menu changes daily. The restaurant is focused on local and organic food (and has been before it was the thing to do) and changes with what is in season. Their website states that there are a few items that are always on the menu such as the mussels, pork loin and hanger steak, but most items change daily based on what is available and fresh. The menu is quite long and we assumed it was one-sided at first, so we decided on all of the dishes based on what we saw...only to all-of-a-sudden realize that there was an entire back side as well! Our server also confirmed that we had a chance to peruse the back since many diners miss it. At least we weren't the only ones! After looking through both sides of the menu, we decided to go with 3 appetizers, 2 mains and 2 sides. It was a lot but everything sounded so good! If it was up to me, I probably would have ordered half of the menu! We decided on a glass of pinot noir to start our meal. Shortly after ordering, we were presented with a bread basket consisting of sourdough and multigrain bread. The bread was great, with a crunchy exterior and a soft and chewy interior. Only complaint - I wish it was warm - but if it was I probably wouldn't have had any room for any of the dishes that were soon to arrive. We started with a sweet corn soup ($8) that came with parsley leaf and smoked pepper ripened cream. The corn was super sweet and you could tell it was very fresh. I prefer my soups a bit thicker, and even with the cream, it had a consistency that was thinner than I usually prefer. We both love mushrooms so when we saw the exotic mushroom and fennel salad ($13), we definitely wanted to get it. The varieties of mushrooms consisted of shiitake, chanterelle, cremini (and probably a couple other varieties) mixed with spinach and pancetta breadcrumbs, dressed in a mustard and buttermilk dressing. The mushrooms all tasted really fresh and had a great umami that went well with the bite from the fennel. While the dressing was good, I felt that it was a bit heavy-handed, leading to a heavier-than-anticipated appetizer. The table next to us had been eating the wood oven roasted mussels ($12) when we sat down, which completely sold us on getting it. We were so glad we did. This was definitely one of the highlights of the meal and probably the best mussels we have ever had! The mussels were from nearby Casco Bay and cooked in a garlic almond butter. It was a twist on the classic due to the almond but it wasn't just that that made this dish so fantastic: these were the largest, plumpest, juiciest, most luscious mussels we have ever had. Usually, there's at least a few that a) don't open all the way b) seem a bit dried out/small c) don't come out of the shell easily. Every single one of these were the exact opposite of the above characteristics. Good quality mussels with a to-die-for butter sauce (so good with the provided bread, save some!) and the added textural contrast from the chopped almonds just made this one of those really memorable dishes. We both understood why this dish is always on their menu. For the rest of the review and photos: adamandvivian.com

    (5)

  • Rob W.

    Yup, this is the place. Not sure what they burn in that oven, but everything that goes in there comes out incredible. We just happened to sneak in on a minutes notice before the 5:30 reservations began. We had the mussels, a hake dish, sea bass, and a couple salads as well. Great wine and beer selection... Everything that came out was dead on and delicious. The bread was so good we came back in the morning and got some snacks at the standard baking co. down stairs... Overall you better save up to eat here, you'll pay, but as far as im concerned the money is well worth it at Fore St.

    (5)

  • Tony N.

    Went here last not with a group of ten people. Nothing has changed since my review a year ago. Amazing, amazing food. Top notch service. Seriously need to come here more often....

    (5)

  • Lisa W.

    I was so impressed with this place as the site of my first meal in Portland. The restaurant was charming in space, views and layout and my meal was so delicious. The bread was fresh and chewy on the inside and crusty on the outside. The mussels were amazing; so plump and juicy and the broth was divine. I was disappointed they had some sort of monkfish debacle where it fell on the floor and was no longer being served but my second choice halibut was great. The halibut was firm and crusty on top and the rich buttery sauce combined with the wild rice, mushroom, and radish salad was delightful. The mushroom bake was also tasty as was the lamb and squash blossoms which I had a little taste of. If I lived in Portland, I'd want to work here kneading bread so I could eat here all the time.

    (5)

  • Vince R.

    Great place! Nice atmosphere. Went here after a long 7 hour drive and found it to be very refreshing. Staff was super friendly. My partner had the duck. Was impressed with the Confit but said the magret just wasn't up to par. I had goat cheese ravioli, big mistake. I wanted to go no meat. I always go with a meat dish at nice restaurants and wanted to mix things up a bit. It just didn't blend with itself. The raviolis were ok... But they were with broccoli and tomatoes, nothing complimented each other... Good place to go, I think next time I would go meat!

    (3)

  • Doug K.

    Absolutely amazing! Oyster ... Delicious! Lentils ... Delicious! Arctic Char ... Delicious! Fingerling potatoes ... Delicious! Broccolini ... Delicious! Gin martini ... Delicious! Ok ... Really ... One of the most memorable meals in a long long time. The kitchen is located in the middle if the floor and viewable from the entire restaurant. Our waiter was excellent. Knowledgeable and patient with a side of sense of humor. The hostess was great ... Seated six of us with no reservation at 6pm on a Monday ... However ... I would def make reservations ... Wouldn't want to miss this place! Phenomenal!!!

    (5)

  • Amanda G.

    High quality food but small portions. Everything sold separately. Pleasant atmosphere. Paid $26 for a plate of FIVE raviolis without any sides. Thank goodness I had ordered a salad prior or I would have still been hungry.

    (3)

  • Molly H.

    Sorry Portland, I don't get this place. I've been here twice. The first time was ok the 2nd time was not. I don't get why everyone raves about it. The best thing is their bread which is really good. The 2nd time I ordered the whole fish, they brought out this little fish that if I had caught it, I would have thrown back. It was mostly bones. I can't imagine that it was legal size. I left hungry. The 1st time I went I got the hanger steak which was ok. I've had their calamari twice as an app (once was great, 2nd time terrible). It's a casual place, the waiters wear jeans. Too inconsistent and expensive.

    (2)

  • Winston G.

    Had this salad with spinach and arugula with blueberries and aged cheddar that was out of this world good. Really enjoyed it. For the main entree I got the wood grilled halibut. Decent, but ended up being a bit dry and also a very small portion for a $30+ entree. Didn't really like the value and didn't find the fish to be that spectacular. Overall, food was solid. Service was a bit lacking though, as the server forgot one of our orders (never ended up getting it, which was fine cause I was full) and didn't bring plates out until we asked.

    (4)

  • Kate D.

    Great ambiance, great food, great service. We have been to other restaurants in Portland, but this one stands alone. My only complaint was that the cocktail list is lacking. I decided on a classic cosmo, but it tasted like it was made with low-grade vodka. Will definitely return and hopefully they will upgrade their cocktail list.

    (4)

  • Iggy S.

    Fore Street is amazing because the food is fresh, seasonal, extremely well curated and delicious. Drinks are on point and service is exceptional more often than not. The last time I went was for long weekend in January with my boyfriend. Started at the bar and were served by a cocktail server who was super helpful, charming and quick. He made useful recommendations when I was being indecisive and knew we had a reservation so he was super efficient. We started with oysters and a salad. Both were delicious. I had a pollock (yes the fish stick fish) dish with Pemaquid oyster whip on top of it that was incredible. The portion was small but perfectly sized for richness of the food. Fish was delicate and smooth and was enriched with some pork lardo. I don't totally recall what my boyfriend had because I had entree tunnel vision and literally almost stabbed him in the hand when he asked for a bite. The ambiance is great. It's intimate yet open. Comfortable yet a little industrial and totally fitting into the Portland scene. Our only issue, and this hasn't been the case in the past, was the dining room server. She wasn't especially friendly or chatty and that's totally fine but she seemed super distracted. Being in the service industry in past, I wanted to cut her some slack. She didn't refill our waters or ask if we wanted more drinks during meal. She also tried to clear my plate when I was clearly not finished with my entree. Finally she did not offer dessert. I had to ask for the dessert menu. We asked for an espresso martini and she said "we don't do that here, sorry". That's odd because we just had one at the bar before dinner. Hmmm. Ok. So we settle on the lattes and dessert. All of this is tolerable as we are on a food high but then the final straw. Dessert is delivered and I'm literally dipping my spoon in the first bite of pumpkin creme brûlée (delicious) when she comes over and drops the check. Um seriously? No one asked for it, it wasn't even close to closing, and the lattes were still being prepared. Maybe she got cut early and wanted to leave but frankly I was sick of defending her amateur-hour service all night to my boyfriend who saw it for what it was, unprofessional. Fore street has amazing food and usually incredible service, so while this was off-putting, didn't ruin the overall fondness for this place. A must try for dinner and drinks (at the bar lounge).

    (5)

  • Debora C.

    I have definitely experienced better, especially at these prices. I've been to Fore Street twice. I had duck both times. My husband had the pork both times. First time. Very good. This time - MEH. For a restaurant to be successful, it needs to be consistent. I won't go back. The duck was extra fatty requiring a lot of dissecting to extract the meat from the fat. The pork loin was flavorless and dry.

    (2)

  • Carleigh B.

    Loved this place. Would recommend to anyone (as long as they don't plan to bring kids). Would and probably will absolutely go back. We sat in the bar area at one of the tables in the window. I ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, which I thought was lovely. For food, we weren't very hungry so we split the english pea and turnip salad, the three cheese platter (we chose the cheddar, the goat's milk, and the really soft cheese that I believe was the first choice on the list), and the raw fish tasting plate. All the food was delicious and extremely fresh. Ambience and service was wonderful. I am a big fan of this place!

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    As soon as I found out I was going to Portland on business, I knew I'd be at Fore Street for dinner - I've been wanting to visit for years. I actually wanted to not like it as much as I did for a few reasons you'll read below, but it won me over in the end. It's Wednesday, I headed over just past 8pm, and the place was slammed. There was a wait for both a bar seat and a table. 15 min wait for a table, 20 for the bar, so I picked the latter since I was alone. 30 minutes later, no one was even paying their check at the bar! I went back to the hostess who said it will still be a 15 minute wait for a table if I wanted to put my name on the list at that moment. Ugh. Not a great start to the experience. WHY they have a separate person handle the waitlist for the bar seating vs. the table seating is beyond me, but it seems unnecessary and complicated. Also, this place is so popular/well-known they don't really have to change things that work for them but don't work for patrons. Oh well. When I asked the woman who handled the bar waitlist about her terrible timing estimate (in nicer words) she kind of shrugged and gave me a "there's-nothing-I-can-do" answer. I was less than pleased. But, she got lucky and someone paid their bill 5 minutes later and she was very kind and attentive from that point on. I suppose she redeemed herself. Another peculiar element of my experience - the menu is HUGE, but there were VERY few things I actually wanted to order. When they say it's fresh and local, they mean it, but it also means that a few ingredients tend to dominate the menu. I don't like ramps, I'm not huge into mushrooms or artichokes, and I'm not going to order a seafood or offal platter app for just me nor an expensive cut of steak on work's dime, sooo there goes half the menu (or more). It was kind of sad. I wanted to want an appetizer, but I just didn't. I ended up ordering the chicken with a side of broccolini with goat cheese and shallot vinaigrette. The food was awesome. Awesome awesome. So so good. Second best chicken I've ever had (first place goes to Gordon Hammersley) and the portion was quite large for $23 (though none of the entrees come with sides). They don't make their own bread and the break basket was meh, but at least there was one. The whipped butter and salt provided was a nice touch. The bartender is so freakin' busy, this is not the kind of place you come to get chatted up or kept company by the staff, so you best be friendly with your fellow bar diners or willing to have a quiet meal alone. Couldn't resist dessert, so I got the two bite size offerings (malted chocolate somethingorother and caramelized banana cheesecake with peanuts). I got them to go, and am eating them right now. The chocolate was good - decadent and delicious, though really not malty enough to warrant the title. The cheesecake is awesome. I just had my first bite, and I'm going to try to make it last more than the next 3 minutes...

    (4)

  • Ryan H.

    Featured one of my favorite entrees of 2013 in the goat cheese ravioli. Also sampled the duck breast which while delicious, did not reach the level seen in the goat cheese ravioli. The creme brulee exceeded expectations to mark the end to a terrific meal. It should be noted to paint a picture of the entire experience that the waitress was a bit void of input/suggestions (a Michigan grad who worked the back area) but the real stars of the show resided in the open kitchen where works of culinary art were being repetitively churned out.

    (4)

  • Christine P.

    I realized our foodie hobby had stooped to a new low when we found ourselves standing in line at 4:45 on a Sunday in the hopes of scoring a reservation for dinner that night. However, our patience paid off; not long after the restaurant opened at 5 we found ourselves with a 7:15 reservation, total score for our last night of vacation! Dinner was great; we had a nice table for two in the back room (away from the open kitchen action, but hey, beggars can't be choosers!). We enjoyed dinner with one of our favorites, Duckhorn sauvignon blanc. We started with the chilled seafood platter - all excellent, but the scallops were top notch - and the wild mushroom tasting platter (loved the black trumpets). Our meals were fantastic. I had the rabbit, and my husband had the duck. Both dishes exemplified what the restaurant is all about - fresh, high quality, and full of flavor. We ended the meal with some lovely port and the blueberry cobbler in a mason jar - sublime evening and and to our vacation.

    (5)

  • Caroline C.

    Fore Street was an amazing part of our visit to Portland. I wish we lived closer so we could become regulars here. But if we are ever back in Maine we will be making reservations at Fore Street. We stopped for the night in Portland on our way back from Bar Harbor and stopped in for a drink. We realized there was a buzz of people in the restaurant anxiously waiting for tables so we decided to put our names in for seats at the bar. That was probably one the best change dining decisions I'll ever make...yay for being lazy. From drinks to dessert it was one of the best meals I've had in awhile with no flaws. Everything was extremely fresh and truly embodied the farm to table concept.

    (5)

  • Shamik T.

    It may have been the many Guinesses we had across the street at Ri Ra, but I think our waitress condescended to us. That was my only (maybe?) complaint about Fore Street. Honestly, it doesn't get much better than this place (though I think, personally, Grace on Congress St. gives Fore Street a run for its money). Came here with two others, both close friends from law school, for the celebration of one of them getting hitched. The two bottles of wine may have been excessive, especially after the long afternoon (see above). But truly, the fare was sublime. Best sorbet I've ever had. Hands down. The little pasta dish, with the hazelnut cream sauce, was very filling, and very good. The $20 glass of grappa -- not so much at 10:45 at night. I'll be back. With less time spent at Ri Ra, that is.

    (4)

  • Andrew F.

    It's all about atmosphere when you are considered the place to go in town, well, ya know, atmosphere and food. Nice, if not slightly dated in some ways, decor, with a beautiful open concept kitchen (kudos to whoever decided kitchens should be in the restaurant dining space, I dig it). Excellent service, serving some excellent food. Going over the menu seems silly since it changes every day, and isn't that kinda the point of Fore Street? The individualized experience? Either way, come with an empty stomach, ready to eat; and don't skip a course, you might miss something great.

    (4)

  • Jess S.

    Again, an amazing meal at Fore Street. Fantastic food, and the staff was accommodating of my baby! Great, world class food.

    (5)

  • Amanda M.

    We were visiting Portland for the weekend, and we only had one night to eat at any restaurant in town. This was not going to be easy. Portland is filled with awesome places! We decided on Fore Street after a friend told us it was "the best meal of her life." I mean, how could we not go based on that recommendation??? Let me tell you, she was not exaggerating. This place was all that, and then some, and then...some more. We showed up expecting a long wait. It was a Saturday night after all, we had no reservation, and we'd read the reviews. We put our name in and were told it would be about an hour and a half. No big thing. We used that time to walk around, taking in the city in all it's snowy, christmasy glory. The time flew by. We were seated at a small table for two in the back room. The place was packed, but I didn't feel we were seated on top of anyone. Our waitress was one of the nicest people I have ever spoken with. Maybe I'm jaded coming from NY and Boston, but she really seemed to care about our dining experience, the food they were serving, and making sure everything was flawless. Was it ever. I ordered the flounder with risotto, my girlfriend had the linguine -- they were accommodating of her being a vegetarian in a very meat-heavy restaurant, and cooked up a double serving of the linguine appetizer so she could have it as an entree. Awesome. Both meals were spectacular. I felt like I was a judge on Top Chef, talking about how I could taste every flavor uniquely and how well it all blended together and... stuff like that. I was kind of in love with the food. You get what you pay for and Fore Street isn't cheap, but it is definitely, definitely worth the price and any accompanying wait time. I would pay double and wait three times as long to have this restaurant a bunch of miles closer to Boston.

    (5)

  • Kyung R.

    Avoid this place like the plague. I guess this place used to be great, but by the time I visited there with a few friends, it was simply awful. The mussels were under cooked, the waitress was condescending, and the food was sub par. The blue fish was probably the best dinner entree out of the Rabbit/Chicken/Hangar steak/Pork, but not worth the price tag. The pork was salty enough to be rendered completely inedible. Stay away. If you want mediocre American fare with good ingredients, try Saltwater Grille, even though you won't be wowed by that place, but at least the food was edible.

    (1)

  • Ahmad A.

    This was my first meal in Portland and it did not disappoint. You get what you pay for here. Everything was fresh and cooked properly. We had the mussels to start, two entrees, a side dish, and a few cocktails. Everything was perfect and worth every dollar.

    (5)

  • Lee N.

    Excellent food, well prepared, and menu changes daily. The atmosphere was very cozy, perfect place for a nice romantic dinner.

    (5)

  • Vivian C.

    Entering this darkly lit establishment, you pass by the open kitchen on your right. However, seeing as we were seated on a far corner of the higher level, we quickly forgot to look that a way. While waiting for our meal, we were occupied with a chewy sourdough, served with a super soft butter. I also took to dipping some of this bread in a friend's mussel pan to sop up some of the garlicky sauce. They also let me have a few mussels - tasty but unfortunately sandy. As for my own dishes, the Maine Jonah Crab Bisque $14 was tasty, not particularly thick yet creamy, and filled with a good portion of shell-free crab meat. I preferred it over the appetizer of Wood grilled Harlequin Quail $14.50, which was quite difficult to eat off the bone - the best bite of this bird was the tender meat by the little drumstick. The entree Smoked Maine Island Lamb Shoulder Ragout $26 muscongus bay, paccheri, green tomatoes, savory vegetables, rich lamb jus, duck fat toasted sourdough, fresh herbs sounded much better to me that it ended up being. The paccheri was large tube shaped pastas, cooked al dente. The lamb meat were decently large shredded chunks. The stand out part of this dish was the rich piece of toast. But I was kind of full by then, and didn't particularly enjoy this entree. I would order something else on a future trip (although no worries with this, since the menu at this establishment changes daily). The mashed squash side $6 was good and portioned for two but a touch peppery. For desserts, I preferred the light citrusy Warm Yuzu Steamed Pudding, Lemon Verbena-Raspberry Custard Sauce, Lemon Ice Cream with Vanilla Shortbread Cookie Crumble $9 over the Dark Chocolate and Cacao Nib Mousse, Dark Chocolate sauce, Coconut-Mint ice cream filled profiterole $9. I have confirmed that I'm not a profiterole-girl. And I already knew I was more of a fruit girl that a chocoholic, but this too was re-confirmed. I particularly enjoyed the surprising bits in the lemon ice cream (yeah, I forgot about the vanilla shortbread cookie crumbles mentioned on the menu). Between Fore Street and Street & Co - I'd go back to Street & Co first.

    (3)

  • Jennifer T.

    What a wonderful meal for my family and I's first meal in Portland! We arrived later on in the evening and had to wait about 30 mins, but it was worth the wait. The food was delicious and well prepared. I had a steak, which was cooked to my liking, while my family had different dishes with fish and other types of seafood. Everything tasted wonderful. The dessert that evening, sorbet, was very good, as well!

    (5)

  • Imo M.

    Several locals I asked raved about the place, so I tried it. Food is definitely good. Service is OK. Overall, trendy -- for sure. It's a nice place to sit for a while and nibble on other people's cooking. Fish (Halibut) portions are on the small side. If you have an appetite, make sure to order a side of veggies (Yes, everything is a la carte). Their signature martini, the grapefruit-ginger, is OK, but would probably be better at brunch instead of a Mimosa. Frankly, I wish I ordered a Hendrick's. The staff, in their white aprons, is running all around the room, visually adding to the chaos too much. Not sure the open kitchen gives it cred, or just makes it more gimmicky. Try it and see Fore yourself.

    (3)

  • Lori A.

    This place has a great atmosphere, over all. The ambience and lighting is perfect, except for reading your menu. Our server was very knowledgeable with every question we asked her and keep in mind, the menu is HUGE! We had the assortment of 3 app spreads, including foie gras and lamb terrine. The lamb spread was just ok, the others were very good. The bread is quite good! I ordered a ginger martini which was very light and tasty. My husband has Duck for dinner which he said was 4/5 and I had the Halibut 3.5/5. The presentation in the cast iron pans is a nice touch. Semi-casual dress is appropriate here. If you sit on the top level, it has a cool breeze by the window, to me, when the temps outside were 43degrees. The martini and wine warmed me fast! The lounge area with the couches at the window (if you are lucky to get one as we were) is inviting. This place is definitely on the top dinner stop while in Portland, Maine.

    (4)

  • Aaron Z.

    Quite possibly one of the best restaurants ever. Love everything about it. Try to go two nights in a row to really work your way through the amazing menu.

    (5)

  • Lee L.

    We had a great dinner @ Fore Street, food very local, well prepared on the open fire- salads excellent- good wine selection! Service staff is attentive, definitely worth the effort to get a reservation.

    (4)

  • Judy L.

    Service was very attentive. Loved the layout of the restaurant - you can see the different stations. Romantic ambience. The entire restaurant smelled delicious because of the open oven in the middle of the space. Special menu every night. We ordered seafood platter (interesting. Not quite sure how to describe it. On the sour side), John Dory (very tender. Not dry. On a bed of extremely flavorful mushrooms.), and pork loin chop (huge portion. Pretty tasty. With potato croquette). Seems like the place to go in Maine. Price is on the higher side.

    (4)

  • Kate P.

    Fore Street was a unique and memorable dining experience. The entire night, from cocktails at the bar to dinner next to the open style kitchen, was unlike any place I have dined before. The menu is new each day based on what fresh local ingredients are available. It was incredible watching the entire restaurant operate. Although the food was exquisite the atmosphere was casual and relaxed. I cannot wait to go again!

    (5)

  • Brian B.

    Fore Street is my favorite restaurant in Portland, and, if it was located in the middle of the West Village, it would be my favorite restaurant in New York City. Great fresh ingredients, a menu that changes with the seasons, and no one flavor that will ever dominate a meal are all staples of this open-kitchened delight near the waterfront. Reservations during peak hours are a must, but I've usually been able to sneak in by the bar only waiting 20 minutes or so. Any of their seafood is where I'd look first if I was here for the first time, with the hake being particularly soft and melt-in-your-mouthy. They also do a good job incorporating some nice cheeses into their salads, and have good wine and beer selections. The prices are $20-$40 for mains and $12ish for starters.

    (5)

  • Jorge C.

    Fore Street is my favorite restaurant in ME and one of my favorite in New England. Nestled in a renovated warehouse space, it's warm and inviting. It can get loud, but I'm not a fan of stuffy restaurants. I'll take bubbly and fun any day. Service here is on point, every time. They do a fantastic job of training their staff. I remember bringing a date in once and she ordered a fish dish (bass?) and was floored when the fish was brought to the table in its entirety. I thought that I was going to have to cone to her rescue, but our server picked up on it immediately and filleted the fish for her. If the pork loin is on the menu, I recommend it. They do an amazing job with pork. My biggest recommendation though is to be wary of their bread. Once you start eating it, you may not be able to stop.

    (5)

  • Melissa A.

    My friends and I decided to go here because we liked the sound of locally sourced, organic, fresh food (all information we gleaned from their website), and we'd never been to Portland, Maine before, so mostly we were just guessing. Anyway, we got there and ordered some drinks in the lounge, which were unimpressive, and then were finally seated. Our waitress was condescending and snooty. The quality of the food itself was good, but the menu was pretentious and bizarre, and incredibly overpriced. It was around $25-35 per entree on an a la carte menu, plus another $7-8 for a vegetable side. For that kind of price, I would have expected something a little more memorable, but the duck that I ordered (all three bites of it) was nothing particularly exciting, and my friend's flounder, though well cooked, was bland. The broccolini was good, but the asparagus, which was cooked, and then chilled, and soaked in some sort of vile vinegar sauce, was pretentious and overdone. I wouldn't recommend this place, unless you enjoy being sneered at my wait staff, and dishes that are more about stroking the chef's ego than taste.

    (2)

  • Becky M.

    My BF treated me to a trip to Portland for my b'day just so that we could go back for dinner at Fore Street. The squid appetizer special was amazing -- pan-seared (not fried) squid in a sauce that I wanted to lick off the plate. This particular night our server was over-the-top good. He and I happen to share a birthday and he wrote happy birthday on my dessert plate in dark chocolate ganache. Yes, ganache. He didn't sing to me (thank goodness), but went out of his way to make our evening special. I love the open kitchen with the wood-fired oven. My BF tells anyone that he knows going near Portland to try Fore Street. I suspect that we will make another trip to Portland to be able to go again.

    (5)

  • Margot P.

    This place is overpriced and has an ego. I am in Maine, the lobster State and they had the nerve to charge $40 for a grilled lobster dinner that consisted of less than half a lobster, a few mushrooms, charred beyond recognition garlic scapes, and a small corn pudding. The waitress could tell we were frustrated and instead of acknowledging it, ignored us. The appetizers were overcooked and lacking flare. Save your dollars and get a croissant at standard baking co downstairs in the morning!

    (1)

  • Alex R.

    Fore street is great. The food is awesome. It's pretty pricy but definitely worth it!!

    (4)

  • Robb R.

    I loved this place. I sat at the bar and ate on a snowy February night. The bartender was friendly and very, very professional. I had a nicely made house Manhatten that showed skill in the drinks department. For dinner I had a very tasty warm mushroom salad that had a perfect vinagrette dressing it. I absolutely loved the gigantic Pork Loin. The bone in cut was very nicely crusted and carmelized with a rub and then roasted and served perfectly done on the border of Medium Rare and Medium. The result was super moist, tender, and tasty pork. The pork was served on very nice saurkruat with a pan reduction jus. I added a side order of carrots that came with a light raita sauce. These were a perfect compliment to the pork. The carrot side, and particularly the Pork were generous servings, enough so that I would drop the price from expensive to moderate just based on value. I was intrigued by a number of items on the menu and will be back. Nice meal.

    (5)

  • Peter W.

    We made reservations and had a great seat overlooking the cooking area. There are three main stations - stove top for pan searing, wood grill with turning spit, and wood oven with lots of cast iron dishes. We had the trio of pates (rabbit, duck, foie gras) and pork belly for appetizers. They were all rich and flavorful. For main course we had the pan seared flounder accompanied by some smoked product (roe?) and turn spit rabbit. The flounder had deep flavor and cooked perfectly. The rabbit was succulent, and you really should use your hands to eat it and get every bit from the nooks. The wine (Merlot and Malbec) and drinks (Makers and Grappa) were very good as well. For dessert the passion fruit creme brulee was refreshing with a nice tanginess to it. Our server was good and very attentive. The only precaution - your clothes will smell of all the great smokiness from the cooking in the open kitchen.

    (4)

  • Cynthia G.

    This place has a definite rural chic vibe. The facade is weathered wood, the tables have copper tops, and the bar area has comfy over sized chairs/sofas. The food was yummy. The wood smoked mussel appetizer was generously portioned and enough to share. The foie gras appetizer was not as nicely portioned, but was cooked well and tasty. We both had the lobster entree with cream corn pudding. The lobster was perfectly cooked and presented out of the shell and the cream corn pudding was like crack! It was really yummy (sorry can't really describe so go try for yourself). We shared the roasted beets, which were cold but came out in a sizzling iron pan??? Anyway, it got warm by the end of the meal. Skip dessert because they sound yummier than they taste and we wished we had. I had the pumpkin caramel custard and hubby had cheesecake; both were just okay and kinda was a buzz kill on our food high. Instead, just book it downstairs to the Standard Baking Co before they close to pick up a tasty treat.

    (4)

  • Ms Google G.

    Great food, Great Concept, Great Open Kitchen. You can see them prepare the food and there are no hidden secrets. Clean and Honest. Local Garden Harvested Foods. Menu created daily based on what is fresh. All organic and local. Customer service was fair but other then that it was well worth the visit and extra cash.

    (4)

  • Jen R.

    Perfect from the first bite to the last. We went there last Monday and David was our waiter. He was very genuine, professional and enthusiastic. Who wouldn't be, working at a place with so much integrity and passion? The atmosphere is beautiful, all exposed brick and windows. I am SO impressed that they do a new menu every night. That alone made me want to go back again and again. The wine list was excellent, lots of good French wines. We started out with grilled squid, which I devoured. It was so tasty, a little sweet. The sauce was very complimentary to the squid. We each had a salad. Both were incredible. One with pears and watermelon radish, the other with mushrooms and spinach (a bit salty, but still very good). When a restaurant can do such an impressionable salad, they are tops in my book, and they did on both of them. A+ Finally, we had the hangar steak and I had the fettuccine with leeks and mascarpone. as my entree. Yum! Thanks David and Fore Street for a really memorable experience!

    (5)

  • Joe B.

    From start to finish, I was underwhelmed with Fore Street. When we arrived the hostess was ... odd. She seemed to be looking down her nose at us a bit, and took a really long time to figure out a table. We waited about 10 minutes to be seated. When we were called, she spent about 2 minutes fiddling with the computer and basically was off-putting. She wasn't unpleasant, precisely, but she was a bit clinical. We were seated in a back corner and handed menus. Immediately spotted the lobster, and decided to order that. My girlfriend found a few things she was interested in. Tried to order iced tea, they don't have it. Tried to order the lobster, they were out (at about 8 p.m. on Friday night). The food is good, if not spectacular. My girlfriend was happier with her course than I was with mine. I ordered scallops and we shared a side dish of mashed potatoes. (I forget what my girlfriend had as her entree.) The servings were a bit skimpy. The sides are meant to be shared, but for two people they were a bit skimpy. The entree was also stingy - the scallops consisted of four medium-sized scallops plus a lentil-based addition. (I forget what it was called). The scallops were cooked well (not over-done) but a tad bland. The prices were pretty hefty considering the portions. Really don't recommend this place.

    (2)

  • RK B.

    We recently went to Fore Street after receiving a recommendation from my father. We had to wait an hour, it was Labor Day, but we were in no rush and were comfortably sat in the lounge with cocktails while we waited. We got sat in the side room which was very romantic. The food was delicious, we will be back for sure! Great wine too!

    (5)

  • Alex A.

    My plane out of Portland got canceled. Thank you United!! ! An additional night in Portland to go again to Fore Street. Its warm thoughtful, intimate, rustic, open, .. everything I like about food is conveyed at Fore Street. Food is prepared in an open space that gives the feeling you are eating in a old house kitchen. Wook fires the cooking and you feel it with every bite. Obe suggestion, go with the chicken. I never order chicken, never. At fore street I had it three nights. It's humble and excessive at the same time (duck fat toasted bread, yeahh!!). Who knew that after all these years of search, chicken would be the answer. Thank you Fore Street!!

    (5)

  • Gerold S.

    Wow, Fore Street is absolutely convincing. My new favorite restaurant - the best I ever had in the US. My family and I tried almost every different kind of food from the menu. Of course we have been here several times, we didnt eat everything at one visit. We had Soup, Appetizers, Fish, White Meat, Red Meat, Sides and the great bread from the bakery downstairs. One time we had to wait 2:30h and we were so glad that we waited and didnt go somewhere else. Im giving 5 stars for the food, five stars for the service, five stars for the ambiance and five stars for the value for money. Please read other reviews about the atmosphere, food quality and so on because I dont want to repeat everything. ***HIGHLY RECOMMENDED***

    (5)

  • Crystal L.

    I think everything that needs to be said about this place has already been said... however I found it important to let everyone know a few things. We showed up around 7:30 on a Friday with no reservations and were seated around 8:10, not a bad wait. I had the best lobster of my life at this place... it was delicate and melted in your mouth. It was truly an amazing meal. This place is a legit... Portland, ME is lucky to have it! Nice wine list too!

    (5)

  • Von E.

    We came here on our recent visit to Portland. We were able to walk right in on a Friday night around 7:30 w/o a reservation. The Food: Ordered the house salad: perfect, fresh, green, Meat Plate: creamy liver, salty, bread, savory Steamed Muscles: tasty, wine, fresh, garlic Pork Belly: savor, tender, rich, mouthwatering Fresh Berries w/ balsamic, maple, cream Chocolate Torte, sweet and bitter Service: Great service, polite, answered questions, made suggestions Atmosphere: casual, candle lit, mixed crowd, open kitchen

    (5)

  • Thomas N.

    warm cozy smallish place wiith an attactive bar in the front, dinner there recently, have been here before and thought it was great but some problems this time, wife had the mussels which i think is one of the featured items and they were great, and big and tasty, but then my wife said i could haave the last one.........awful, don't ever eat a bad mussel, you can't get the taste out of your mouth....service was great my steak very good but............................

    (3)

  • Lara L.

    This place was great. We though our two hour wait was well worth it day of. We pleasantly waited in the bar with some snacks and drinks. The lounge server was very pleasant despite the super-packed atmosphere. We loved everything. Cheese plate. Grilled foie gras (awesome!!). Pork belly. Scallops. Sides. Great bottle of Bourdeaux under $30. Great time :)

    (5)

  • Maria L.

    The food at Fore Street is not terrible. It's average. During my most recent visit, the waiter in the bar was amazing and paid attention to all the details, even turning the bottle of ginger ale so the front label was facing me. The wait staff in the restaurant was less than impressive. The waitress slammed my glass down splashing water out on my bread, the girl delivering my salad was rude and rolled her eyes when I said "thank you" and I felt obligated to eat in a rush. With so many amazing eateries in Portland, Fore Street has lost its edge and it's starting to show.

    (2)

  • Bryan T.

    Went to Fore Street last night for a dinner with clients. Unfortunately, our client's flight was a little late. The hostess let us know that their policy is not to seat until the full party has arrived, which I understand considering how busy they always are. The hostess then approached us no less than five times in a fifteen minute period to ask when our party would arrive. We let her know that we couldn't control the airport or traffic, but they were in route. We asked if we could be seated and would order apps and meals for those on their way. I thought all would be fine, but while we were being seated the hostess reiterated to the waitress that we would be ordering for the entire party, and let us know that this made her very nervous. Did she think we were lying? We came to the realization that they really did not want our business, and went to the Grill Room, who despite being busy, sat us and we had a wonderful dinner. I can honestly say that I have never been treated more rudely by a person in the service industry. I guess that's the difference between a restaurant that feels they simply deserve your business, and one that despite being great, still cares about their customers. I will absolutely never go to Fore Street again. Much happier to make a significant investment in dinner for a restaurant that appreciates it. It's unfortunate because Fore Street has great food, but I'm also paying for service. I guess Fore Street has become to big to care. Their loss!

    (1)

  • Matt T.

    This is seriously as good as it gets. Amazing well thought out food utilizing high quality local ingredients. Home baked breads, great wine list and cocktails. Fantastic welcome and great bar atmosphere...... Highly professional and yet very friendly casual staff matching very intimate surroundings. If only I lived closer to Portland ME. If visiting Portland this is a must see and I'm guessing reservations are definitely needed - it was full on a Monday night, yet it never detracted from either the atmosphere, temperature or quality of the dishes we were served. Love the idea of no menus and just utilizing the best, freshest local ingredients everyday. Keep it going guys from a foodie Brits!

    (5)

  • Eric W.

    Wow! A co-worker and I were in town for business and he knew of this restaurant. We were seated at the end of the bar for dinner. Started with small bite seafood plate of scallops, tuna, salmon and lobster. Pretty simple in design and presentation but huge on flavor! We went with the mussels and again hit a home run. Perfect sized mussels in a ridiculous good sauce with some wine, garlic and almonds(?). Fantastic! I went with the pork loin chop in pickling spices. It came out looking like a beautiful Fred Flintstone brontosaurus chop. Big and thick(don't go there...). It was cooked perfectly and was tender and moist throughout. Finished with the dark chocolate torte (another ridiculous indulgence) and the mixed sorbets. The raspberry sorbet with the torte was sinful. Yep, it was that good!

    (5)

  • Ted K.

    Make reservations well ahead of time, or show up early (4:30-5:00) as they save a lot of tables for walk-ins. Parking nearby is somewhat difficult, but there is a pay lot right across the street. LIked the space, modern yet rustic warehouse-type space with an open kitchen. Felt like an inviting wayside inn, just on steroids. No steroids in the food though, all the purveyors are listed on the menu, mostly local except for the beef. Pristine local oysters foretold a great meal. Best to order anything from the enormous wood oven/grill. We had the grilled foie gras which was heavenly. Also liked the grilled chicken livers and squid. For entrees I had the wood oven roasted halibut which was fabulous (smoky yet tender at the same time). Had the ribeye the last time I was here which was great, but liked the halibut better. The grilled hanger steak was superb, as was the wood roasted mackerel (but you have to like mackerel in the first place). The sauces complement but not overpower the meats. Most of the entrees come with some type of vegetables but there are also side vegetables on the side. We had the greens with bacon ... great bacon, a little heavy on the vinegar for my tastes. Good wine list by the glass. The grapefruit and ginger cocktail was surprisingly good (vanilla vodka, Canton ginger liquor, candied ginger, grapefruit juice) Will come back again fore sure.

    (5)

  • Kathi T.

    An amazing dining experience. I honestly think I'm addicted to their mussels. I had them once for an appetizer & next time I went it was my main course. The open kitchen make the atmosphere warm and inviting. The bar area is a bit small and can get quite crowded on weekend nights as people wait for tables. I highly recommend a reservation.

    (5)

  • Reagan P.

    could not have asked for a better meal. we got a chilled crab appetizer that was great. shaved fennel salad might have been the highlight. great service and the quality of food is outstanding. definitely a must try

    (5)

  • Ronald M.

    I was impressed with the wait staff and their knowledge of the menu.We started off with mussels in white wine sauce and oysters on the half shell.The waiter pointed out the three different types of oysters on the plate and described where they came from in maine.Very cool.The poached egg salad was very good and most of the table opted for the hanger steak I went for the ribeye that melted in your mouth.Great atmosphere and really good food!

    (5)

  • NYkrr B.

    Not sure what's happening here. This is the second time in a month I've taken visitors to Fore Street and been disappointed. The wood roasted mussels were undercooked and the hanger steak, while tender, was tasteless. And I love beets...but we're these unpeeled? They were very gritty. I don't know but for a place with such a high reputation, I knock it down to 3 stars.

    (3)

  • Tory B.

    Came here for a work dinner in March. I'd go back, this place is one of the best. Great food with a large ever changing menu. The staff and overall design of the place was so warm and welcoming. A must in Portland!!

    (5)

  • Jennifer A.

    I would drive 4 hours back to Portland JUST for this restaurant! I recently traveled to Portland for a bachelorette weekend and had an amazing dinner at Fore Street. The bride-to-be and several other of our party members are big on farm-to-table restaurants so when we were researching places to eat before our trip, Fore Street seemed like an obvious choice! When you first walk in, you are immediately greeted with such amazing smells. The open kitchen and wood burning ovens create such a wonderful atmosphere. We had a party of eight and our server was delightfully sweet and was very helpful in wine selections and answering any questions about the menu. A few of us shared some of the starters...fire roasted pork belly with a spicy slaw, a chilled seafood sampler (with scallop ceviche, lobster, yellow-fin tuna and salmon), an heirloom tomato salad, and fresh oysters on the half shell. Everything was perfection! (The pork belly being my personal favorite!) The majority of our table ordered the Maine lobster entree that was roasted with chantrelles & butter and served with a corn pudding. The lobster was cooked so perfectly that it melted in your mouth. The combination of the succulent lobster, mushrooms and light butter sauce had our rowdy table of women all quiet down savoring every bite! The bride-to-be ordered the halibut that was served with roasted beets and she was equally as impressed! We also ordered a few vegetable sides to split amongst the table since it was a la carte. The sides are big enough for 2-3 people to share. We had potatoes roasted in duck fat and baby carrots in a light dill cream sauce. Fantastic! As if our minds weren't already completely blown, we then ordered dessert. I ordered a devils food cake with a homemade toasted marshmallow topping, a Bing cherry compote and amazing vanilla bean ice cream. Some of the other ladies ordered a dark chocolate torte with coffee ice cream that they all agreed was amazing and others ordered a pistachio pound cake with yellow peaches and a honey ice cream, which I was able to sample and agree that that was great too! I honestly cannot think of one negative thing to say about this place. It was perfection from beginning to end!

    (5)

  • Eric D.

    such food. wow.

    (5)

  • Emily W.

    Was in Portland for the weekend and was looking for a good place to eat dinner for my birthday.. We drove by here and it has a tiny sign and is pretty hidden- we went in and they told us it would be almost a 3 hour wait. Luckily we had time to waste and I'm glad we did. The service was amazing, the food was fabulous and the atmosphere was perfect. The menu changes every day but if you can, try the pork belly- it was the best thing I've ever eaten.. Definitely finish the meal with the pumpkin cheesecake too... I definitely recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Anthony P.

    Thank you to the staff at Fore St for a terrific meal. We had a great time as always. Perfection!

    (5)

  • Katie F.

    Being from Portland, I've been to Fore Street a hand full of times. I love the warm cozy vibe of the place that goes along perfectly with the semi-hearty menu. It had been a couple years since I'd been back (since Portland has so many new places to try these days) but it was my mother's birthday and it's her favorite so we made reservations in advance to celebrate. They were great about accommodating her birthday with a written note on the table, a candle in her dessert with "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate. It was all very sweet. The food was good, as usual. We went through the gauntlet of entrees, veggies, and desserts between the 6 of us and everyone finished their meals (except for the person who ordered the pork loin who had to take half home because it's HUGE). My only complaint is I desperately wanted a lighter option as I wasn't feeling too well. A entree salad or a risotto or something would have been a nice addition the menu.

    (4)

  • Caitlin A.

    We decided to take a mini vacation to Portland, ME for the weekend. It turned out to be more of a foodie tour than anything else, but that's a-o-kay with me. Once we settled on Fore Street for dinner, we got in the car and got close enough to the Old Port to park and walk the rest of the distance. We hadn't made a reservation because we planned on arriving as soon as the restaurant opened (5:30). We got there around 5:28. The doors were open and there were already people waiting in the bar area and eating in the small lounge which opens at 5. We were told they had no walk in tables until 7:15. We decided to wait for two seats at the bar instead, and sat at a lounge table to order a drink and an appetizer. The decor and the atmosphere is sophisticated, yet inviting. There is a kitchen with wood ovens in the middle of the dining room. Dark, warm wood surrounds the bar. As we sat and waited for bar seats to open up I ordered a Baxter Brewing Company Stowaway IPA and we got the Chilled Seafood Tasting Platter. By the time our app was ready we were already sitting at the bar! The platter consisted of scallop ceviche, flounder tartar, yellow fin tuna, and lobster with a tarragon mayo. The fish was of the best quality, with tasty vinegars accompanying them. The bread they offer is baked fresh downstairs and is served warm. For dinner the boy got the Three Cuts of Main Farm Russian Boar. He got a cut of leg with mustard and molasses, confit shoulder with spicy pepper, and tasso cornbread. The leg was so tender and delicious, with just the right amount of spice in the mustard. The confit shoulder was lean and full of flavor and the cornbread was also very good and flavorful. I got the Fore Street Dry Rub Pork Loin cooked on the turn spit with sauerkraut and pickling spices. The pork was lean and sitting in a amazing broth atop the sauerkraut. The sauerkraut was unlike anything I've ever had. Eaten together; pure heaven. As a vegetable we shared the Heirloom tomato with thyme vinegar, oil and basil. So simple, so clean, so fresh. This dinner; the food, the atmosphere, the service and of course the company, was better than any other dinner I have eaten in a restaurant. If I ever again find myself in Portland, I will be sure to stop in at Fore Street for a drink and some eats (but I'll be sure to make a reservation!)

    (5)

  • Liz A.

    If you are visiting Portland, plan ahead and reserve a table. I didn't plan far enough ahead and so we had a 5:30 dinner reservation. It was either that, or a 9:30, and we are just too old/uncool for that. And never mind cool. Because that place was packed to the RAFTERS with "unfashionably early" 5:30 dinner reservations. And I'd do it again. 4:30? No problem. I'll have dinner there for breakfast. Seriously, though, it helped that the overall PACE of the service/experience was NOT rushed. We were there for just over two hours. Our server was perfect -- able to answer questions, offer options. When one of us wasn't entirely pleased with the appetizer (more a matter of the diner's taste than any actual problem with the food), our server took it off the bill. (She said she regretted that we hadn't mentioned anything earlier, because she would have happily brought a substitute. Top notch. Made us feel well cared for in all ways.) So. Where was I? Service was outstanding. Pace of service was outstanding. No rush, no hovering, magically always there when we needed her. But let me back up and say -- the place is beautiful. The bar is beautiful. The tables are beautiful The open kitchen with the wood-fired brick oven is beautiful. The hostess was nice and efficient. We had a short wait in the bar, where to my delight I discovered the first sign (of many) that this was a great place for me. Their signature Manhattan. The Manhattan is my drink. The Fore Street Manhattan is my new standard. Blanton's (my favorite!!) small batch bourbon INFUSED WITH VANILLA BEAN (no, those aren't crumbs of DIRT in your cocktail), house made Seville Orange Bitters (I started using orange bitters in my Manhattans a year ago and haven't gone back), and an orange wedge (!) served on the rocks. Really, Fore? You had me at "Blantons." So that was lovely, as was the server-recommended glass of wine with dinner. Second sign: the perfect bread (served with butter, and sea salt, and fresh cracked pepper, YES!) -- from the Standard Bakery, located downstairs from Fore Street. Nom. We wisely said "no thank you" when they offered to bring more. We would have eaten that second basket in a Portland minute. Now, they do a new menu each day, but if you ever see any of what I'm about to describe on your visit to Fore Street (have you made those reservations yet?), I recommend it. I started with a salad of English peas and shaved carrots over arugula, with toasted hazelnuts and a nasturtium vinaigrette. Peppery and fresh and yum. For an entree, I had Maine farmed lamb (a leg steak), served with a little bit of spinach and a fantastic lamb shoulder gravy which was rich rich rich. It was accompanied by two almond crusted pancetta "arancini" (risotto balls!) which were divine. Everything's a la carte, and they offer a variety of vegetable sides (portion enough for two people), but since we both had starters and wanted dessert, we decided to skip and were not disappointed. Portions on both of our meals were generous. Plates looked nice. For dessert, the WOW just kept coming, with a trio of sorbets (passion fruit/lemon/mango, pineapple coconut, and citrus black pepper) accompanied by a chocolate chip cookie. AMAZING sorbet, especially the citrus black pepper. The chocolate chip cookie was very good, though I suppose I was surprised it wasn't, like, a ginger cookie, or a lacy suger cookie. And that is as close to a complaint as this review will get. Which isn't very close, because it WAS a good cookie. I saw several other items on the menu, from starters to entrees to desserts, that I'd love to try. Whenever I visit Portland again, I will eat at Fore Street again. I will recommend it with the glazed-over ecstasy-eyes of a newly-minted cult member. Join us. JOIN UUUUUSSSS.

    (5)

  • Jimmy H.

    I have been here three times over the past two years and have never been impressed. We had some clients visiting from another state that wanted to try them out and that is why I gave them a third chance. We had 11 people in our group and they were adamant about the fact that they cannot seat 11 people even though their back private room has plenty of space. We even told them that we didn't mind things being a little tight. The attitude of the bartender and a couple of waitresses were pretentious and arrogant at best. They were more interested in churning tables then giving their customers a perfect dining experience that they pay for. There were a few of the staff that was very professional personable and attentive. Our muscles either were undercooked or they were bad muscles because a lot of them didn't open up. The ones that did didn't taste fresh at all. The squid was bland and tasted like it was boiled and just dipped in butter and that was it. My $55 steak was ordered medium rare and came medium well. The chilled asparagus was okay but tasted like bits of charcoal all over it which makes me think they didn't clean the grill that well. My previous two experience was that this place is extremely pricey ,okay food if not subpar for its reputation, and the third experience reaffirms all this! My clients had a good time but because they're with good company and the alcohol was flowing ....There are a lot of other great places like the Grill room or the Back Bay Grill that I would choose over this any day!

    (2)

  • Howard L.

    I've been here three times now, each time hoping for a better experience but let down in the end. Service is great, drinks, and atmosphere are great, but the food is just not worth it. It's good, but not consistently great. On our last visit I had lamb three ways: the braised shoulder was amazing, the chop was cooked fairly well but was nothing special, and the belly had zero meat on it - just coiled up fat with some pecans and sauce on top. My wife is not picky, but she never gave me the "Oh my gosh this is wonderful" look that one expects from a relatively expensive dinner. The menu reads well but they don't deliver and I refuse to join in the hype.

    (3)

  • Joshua B.

    Although the food was excellent, I felt the service from the waitress, along with her attitude was very poor. When asked what she recommended, "An entree.", was the response. Really?

    (2)

  • Deb C.

    Dinner at Fore Street is without a doubt - excellent! Great choices on the menu, food and wine. Staff is efficient and really pleasant. I highly recommend Fore Street!

    (5)

  • Joanna F.

    I have to say, when I read my first review before going back to Fore Street, I wasn't sure if it was going to be as good as I originally thought. I didn't know how it could be. But my original review was right. From start to finish, the meal was fantastic. Absolutely everything I ate was not just good... It was outstanding. The appetizers and dessert may have been the stars of our meal (with the entree being a close second). We got the chilled seafood platter and the veal sweetmeats and rabbit livers as appetizers. All of the food sounded a little funky but it was some of the best stuff I've ever eaten. Seriously. The service was spectacular also, as usual. Our waitress was so informative about all of our questions and even described in detail to me what bluefish was when I ordered. I guess to some people it's overwhelmingly fishy, but it was delicious. I'll be back every time I come to Portland from now on.

    (5)

  • Katkat N.

    Simply among the best meals I've ever had in my life. Yes, it's THAT good. My boyfriend and I were in Portland for one day, and my friend recommended this place to me. The menu changes daily based on what's fresh and in season, so that's a huge plus. Everything that we ordered was amazing: - Freshly made bread - among the most memorable breads I've ever had. That's saying a lot because I've traveled to France several times. Baked by the adjoining bakery, the bread has the perfect balance of airiness and chewiness. These go perfectly with the mussels! - Mussels - this is one of the few menu items that doesn't change, and it's so good that I could eat these every day of my life. The wood oven that they are roasted in at a tremendously high heat gives the dish a great flavor, and is complemented by the garlic and white wine. - Exotic mushroom salad and arugula - at least 3 different mushroom types, arugula, and a few other ingredients - dressed in the right amount of sherry vinaigrette. It's amazing how a few simple fresh ingredients can make a salad so heavenly. I'm so used to tossing everything under the kitchen sink into my homemade salads, but my experience here changed that. - Whole black sea bass in brown butter sauce - YUM! Because of the cast iron skillet it's prepared in, the skin is just crispy and divine. The brown butter sauce lends a great richness to the dish. -Roasted cauliflower - seriously, the best roasted veggies evah! Deep caramelization with onions, served in a small cast iron skillet. -Dark chocolate torte with berry ice cream - the chocolate is oh-so rich and divine, and the ice cream is a must-have to add balance and lighten the taste on your palate The next time we return to Portland, we will definitely come back! It's very rare when every item I've eaten is this sublime and delicious. Truly among the top meals of my life!

    (5)

  • Cassie M.

    I came here on a recommendation. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be returning. The menu was a little lackluster-there wasn't a lot of variety. We decided to order a couple appetizers and some wine instead. The muscles were good but nothing amazing and the soft crab was okay. I was pretty neutral at this point...then our check came. I had ordered two glasses of pinot grigio but was overcharged (for a different wine) on one of the glasses. No big deal-I pointed it out the the waiter and the the waiter argued with me, stating that I had ordered two different wines. What?? He offered to get a manager. Really? It was only a few dollars difference and I figured it was a just simple mistake. I told him it was fine and paid the bill and left. Will not be returning or recommending this restaurant.

    (2)

  • Janet W.

    It's been awhile since I outright ooh'ed and aah'ed about a meal, so thank you, Fore Street, for reminding me how delicious those moments are. Great bread. The wood-fired mussels - we can just stop right here. Large, succulent and the most remarkable broth. I had the lamb chop (which comes with a nice accompaniment of a zucchini blossom and smoked shoulder with beans); also tasty. I have new appreciation for a wood-fired oven now.

    (5)

  • Reagan C.

    Fore Street seems to be a stand out restaurant in Portland in terms of reputation. When we were planning our trip, this was the one place we made sure to reserve a table...after all, how can a foodie family come to Portland without visiting this mecca of local cuisine? We arrived around 6 for our dinner. I've resigned myself at this point to the fact that Portland has no parking whatsoever, but we found a spot for the car eventually and went in. From the outside, the restaurant looks like a refurbished warehouse or sorting house, with no large sign to indicate its status. It gives the impression that when you go to Fore Street, you go for Fore Street, you don't just wander past and happen in. Even without the sign, once we exited the car, we knew we were in the right place. The scent of wood-burning ovens and grills filled the air to lure us to the building. Once inside, the space is truly impressive. The bones of the old building are still there to see, but the new furnishings and touches highlight the casual, yet upscale atmosphere. The highlight of the restaurant is its open kitchen. Now when I say open, I don't mean a proscenium-type configuration. Think of the kitchen as a thrust stage, jutting out into the dining room, with wood-burning ovens along the wall and chef's platting dinners in the centre of the room between intermittently spaced tables. A produce shack stands behind the host station with windows on all sides as the chefs walk in and out with fresh local fruits and vegetables. The waiter arrived at our table and explained that the menu is changed daily, and most of the ingredients are sourced in Maine or other parts of New England. Indeed, beside each dish, the description included the part of New England from which the primary ingredients were sourced. We weren't terribly hungry, so my family and I decided to forgo appetizers in favor of entrees and desserts, as we had heard these were the highlights. We all had a very hard time deciding what to order. For a menu which changes daily, the selections were many and varied. I finally settled on the Wood Oven Roasted Duck Breast with Marinated Cucumbers and Peach Mascarpone. Other dishes at the table included the Hangar Steak, Wood Grilled Salmon, and Spit Roasted Quail. My family seemed to have mixed reviews on their entrees. I, however, was in heaven. My duck was cooked perfectly medium with a lovely pink centre. It was incredibly moist and juicy, and the fat on top was perfectly rendered, leaving a nicely seasoned, crisp skin. The marinated cucumbers added a delicate, slightly acidic element, and the peach mascarpone was remarkably light, adding just a hint of sweetness to the dish. It was one of the best duck dishes I have ever had the pleasure of eating, and I had no problem using the fresh bread at the table to mop up every last drop of jus on my plate. That being said, I had a bite of every one else's entrees, and I wasn't overly impressed. Everything was good, but not as vibrant or unique as I had expected. I was very grateful that I had chosen the dish that I did. The dessert menu was every bit as vast as the main menu, and I struggled to settle firmly on one dish. I finally chose the Summer Peach Cobbler with Lemon Balm Ice Cream, while my family members chose the Bittersweet Chocolate Creme Brulee, the Dark Chocolate Torte, and the cheese course. The desserts were an exact swap of our entrees. The cheese course was strong, the creme brulee met with rave reviews, and the chocolate torte was rich and velvety - everyone at the table went back for more. My dessert, on the other hand, was good...but not great. The peaches weren't quite as ripe as they could have been, and the cobbler was very heavy. I liked the taste, but regretted not choosing a different, lighter option. I ended up leaving half of the cobbler in the cast iron dish in which it was served. I can only judge this based on my experience, and my meal and experience, for the most part, was superb, however I found the standard to be quite inconsistent. I would definitely return, however for the price point, there are quite a few more places in Portland I would be likely to go to first without feeling that I am taking a risk of ordering a dish that doesn't blow my socks off. I suppose ideally this would be a 3.5 star review, but I'll round up based on the fact that, had I been dining alone, I would have had no idea that it was anything other than amazing.

    (4)

  • samuel c.

    Pretty much the best restaurant in Maine. I came here 4 times during my recent work trip. It was both wonderful and right down the street from my hotel. They have a certain number of walk-ins every night, but try to reserve or go early to be safe! Fabulous staff, timely services, and the food is absolutely wonderful. The menu changes every day - so it is hard to remember exactly what was in each dish. But the wood fire oven produces some of the best flavor I have tasted among all seafood/meat serving establishment. The Foie Gras small dish they prepared was one of the very best. I made a point to try out a roasted fish - strip bass with a broth - and a meat, their signature pork chop. Both were packed with flavor - the pork was intense and the bass more subtle. The open kitchen was very interesting and gives the place a homey vibe. The mushrooms salad was also a great creation - just the right balance of ingredients. I had the sorbets - they are handcrafted and great blend of fruits and herbs. great for special occasion, larger groups, romantic dinner or just even eat at the bar. Can't say enough good things about the place!

    (5)

  • Jeff F.

    Of all the places I ate at on this first journey to Portland, Fore Street is at the top of the list for a return visit: -M.J. is in a class unto herself in terms of being a great server - Awesome -the menu blows away most of what you find at top-rated restaurants in Portland and in New England (for the most part) -I'm a sucker for Sardines and the fact that they offered Oven Roasted Sardines from the Home Land with beets and duck fat fried croutons already put them on a pedestal in my book -The Oysters were great since there were none of the usual suspects: Nonesuch River, Mill Cove and Muscongus Bay (the last two here being the most memorable) -Incredible selection of cheeses: we sampled four and for me the Hahn's End Golden Ridge was spectacular - do it. My only regret was this was the 3rd stop on our 2 man roaming dinner/drinking tour of Portland. Had it been the 1st stop, we would have never left. I need to get back here and have a proper full meal. Returned August 2014 and food was still amazing. Note to self: no changing tables

    (5)

  • Enzo S.

    Great across the board, unique menu. Salads overdressed

    (4)

  • James B.

    Fore Street was really tasty, right next my hotel, Old Port Portland is really nice to walk around. Really enjoyed dinner, the service was great, the price wasn't outrageous (though I guess this is Portland and not NYC). All around solid experience!

    (4)

  • Joel S.

    We went back to Fore Street and everything clicked. The space is still gorgeous and the service is still excellent. All of the food that we ordered was right on the money. It was all characterized by an intensity and complexity of flavor. There was no deconstruction or molecular gastronomy, which was fine with us. Even a dish as simple as flounder was elevated to something subtle and excellent. I won't bother going over the individual dishes, because the offerings always change. The bottom line is that you are assured of a very good meal here. Depending on the offerings that night and your palate, you have a chance to have a special meal.

    (5)

  • Julia H.

    Definitely a must visit if you are in Portland, Maine. Love the open concept kitchen, that allows you to see what the chefs are doing in the kitchen. My boyfriend and I went there to celebrate his birthday - and they gave us really good seats that we were able to see both the kitchen and the waterfront view - although we were more intrigued with what was going on in the kitchen! We started off with a cold seafood platter and the wood oven mussels. The wood oven mussels is one of two items they keep on their menu all year long. Definitely a must-try! In terms of the cold seafood platter - we could have done without - it was a cross between sashimi and seafood salad (without the greens). Next we had the special of the night, which was Lamb three ways - grilled, pan seared and wood oven baked. Here we were able to try out the three different styles, which was really good. We also shared a Wood Oven Baked Whole Black Bass - which was really tasty and the server came to de-bone most of the fish in front of you. We also tried the Wood Oven Roasted Beets - which was really popular, as we watched the chef make a few of those in the 2.5 hours we were there. At the end of the night, we finished off with the chocolate torte cake with hazelnut brittle ice cream - also a consistent item on the menu. Really rich and definitely meant for sharing - especially after a big meal! Anyone who knows they will be in Portland in advance, definitely needs to make a stop here, but make sure you make reservations! We had to make reservations 3 weeks in advance! And when you get there, make sure you allocate 2.5 hours for the meal, as Fore Street has a relaxing atmosphere, that allows you to take your time to eat. Not to mention that everything on the menu sounds so good that it takes a good 20 mins to decide on what to order! =)

    (4)

  • Kevin D.

    This place was absolutely incredible both In it's service, cuisine, and authentic flair. I actually went in with a 1 year old in a stroller and they couldn't have been more accommodating. We walked in at 5:20 and they actually sat us at about 5:45. From what I hear this is a miracle. The place was filled up both at the bar and restaurant. I loved the open kitchen, it really made you feel like you were in a 5 star chefs rustic kitchen. The menu changes frequently, but we had the pork belly (amazing), pea and mushroom salad (amazing), veal sweetbread (not for non-veal lovers), arctic char (one of the best pieces of fish I've ever had), and fresh goat cheese ravioli which was just marvelously delectable. A white beer and a glass of Champagne, and that meal was a perfect 10. We came up from Boston to spend a night, but id make the drive if I ever wanted to really impress someone. If the restaurant reads this, thanks for making the whole trip worthwhile, you have an incredible staff.

    (5)

  • Alexander M.

    This is a solid 4 stars. Lovely ambiance, polite waitstaff, and well-plated dishes. But with each dish we ordered we highlighted something...off. The fettuccini was interesting and delicate, but over-salted. The quail was lovely, but the fritter that came with it was greasy tasting. We had an amazing artichoke and summer squash salad, though, that garnered no complaints. And we certainly stuck around for dessert and dessert drinks: 3 custards, port, and limoncello. No regrets at all there. The drinks were epic--the limoncello is house made. And the custards were scrape-the-ramekin good. The things that Fore Street does right, they *really* do right!

    (4)

  • Erik D.

    First order of business...make a reservation weeks, even more, in advance if you're looking for a Friday or Saturday (even Sunday) night dinner. It's great for parties of 4-6 or an intimate dinner of 2. Save up because it can get particularly pricey if you want to treat yourself. If you go ALL out, like we did (wine, apps, entree, etc) you're looking between $150-175. Its probably easy to have a cheaper meal if you get a glass of wine and a meal leaving out all the other stuff. The ambiance is killer - very rustic, down home, coast of Maine...but in a very classy way. Classy in Maine is different than classy in a place like Boston (not a knock to Maine, it's actually the thing I love most about a city like Portland). Men can wear jeans, sweater/button down...probably even shorts in the summer. First you get a bread basket with amazing fresh baked bread (I believe it's from the bakery downstairs from the restaraunt). Don't eat too much, limit yourself to 1 or 2 pieces. We started off with some oyster appetizers that were local within the state. They were fresh, came with a wonderful brine, and slid perfectly off the shell. We started with glasses of white to compliment and it couldn't have been tastier. Then for entrees we ordered the steak and lamb. The menu changes DAILY so you know it's fresh and local. My lamb was amazing - steak was cooked perfectly. I cannot remember the sides (since I'm writing this a couple of weeks after the fact) but trust me...nothing you get will taste bad. We also got a side of the carrots that were cooked in some kind of maple, I believe? They weren't mushy, had a nice crunch to them and tasted like they came right from the area. We did skip dessert since were were eying out a frozen yogurt shop earlier. The service was attentive and simple. If you're looking for a very nice dinner with amazing food, and have the opportunity to splurge, call and make a reservation (or do open table) well in advance.

    (4)

  • Nina W.

    We only had appetizers because the place was obnoxiously full to capacity for the night. The host was kind enough to tell me that she was about to collect the bill for a table in the lounge area so my parents and I were able to sit on comfy sofa like chairs. We just decided to order a bunch of small plates as the lounge area is limited to a certain menu. LUCKILY the items are mini entrees: -Mussels -Raw fish sampler (smoked mussels, scallops, tuna sashimi) -Squid salad was ok - too rubbery though. More of a char on it would have helped that, but good flavors -The bread they offer is pretty good also. Hope this helps give a better idea of the lounge experience.

    (3)

  • Buford T. J.

    Really good restaurant with nice selection. The pork was really nice. It is a place I will stop whenever I am in town.

    (4)

  • Velyn S.

    My husband and I met up some good friends for dinner and they recommended this place. It was fantastic!!! The staff was friendly and the food superb!! My husband and I both agreed that the lamb steak was outstanding. The meat was perfectly prepared and melted in our mouths. The duck wasn't bad either but our favorite was definitely the lamb!

    (5)

  • Lauren M.

    Food was fantastic but service was just average. We went to Fore Street for my sister's 21st birthday dinner. We had heard fabulous things about this place and were expecting it. The menu and food meet and exceeded our expectations but the service did not. We made reservations about a week in advance on OpenTable and the one time left on Saturday night was 530pm so make your reservations as soon as you can (I believe they open up two months in advance). The wine and beer list is very good. We ordered the quail appetizer and blueberry corn salad to start. Delicious! I could've eaten four more of those yummy little quails for dinner and been satisfied. The salad of rocket, wild blueberries, sweet corn, and aged chedder was also delicious. I have the scallops for my entree. Awesome! The scallops were cooked perfectly, melt-in-your-mouth! Everyone else at the table also thoroughly enjoyed their entrees. The only down fall was the service. The server was not on top of her game. Forgot to bring small plates for sharing the appetizers. Took forever to come back to take our dessert order, so we decided to skip it. All in all, we spent about $60 per person. I would definitely go back, and may be they can earn that 5 star review from me.

    (4)

  • Sean M.

    This was literally the best meal of my life. First off, MJ is an amazing server. A great cocktail list is a must, luckily they have one. Making a decision on what to order is extremely tough. We chose the mussels and pork belly to start. Both were perfect. For our main course, haddock and lobster. Perfect as well. Desert was amazing as well. You simply cannot go wrong here.

    (5)

  • Chewie L.

    This place is AMAZING. I love the decor, I love the open kitchen, I love, love, love the food. From the beginning, their bread is amazing and I'm a fan that it comes with butter as well as salt and pepper in bowls for you to sprinkle on your own. Portions are great, service is fantastic. I yearned for months on end for their wood-grilled rib-eye, so tender and flavorful. The grilled whole-fish is also quite good, the skin crispy and super tasty. The price is also really, really reasonable for the quality and quantity. One of my favorite steaks of all time, one of my favorite restaurant overall. Will come and come again.

    (5)

  • Matt M.

    Outstanding. Easily the best meal in Portland, and maybe even Maine. Fresh and local, cooked to perfection. Great ambiance. Go here - it is well worth it.

    (5)

  • David F.

    Excellent dining experience with consistently delicious cuisine. The crusty bread is fresh & chewy; sprinkle it with some butter & sea salt; you won't be able to eat just one slice. We ordered the scallops entree, which was perfectly cooked. The mussels tasted more than fresh - like they were just caught a few hours earlier. The nectarine crumble with basil ice cream is worth a visit in and of itself.

    (5)

  • Patrick H.

    The girlfriend and I went here after everyone I work with suggested we try to get in. The trick is to get there at 5pm so you can get a table starting at 5:30pm. They save 1/3 of their tables for walk-ins, but you need to be there at 5pm otherwise it's really hard. The food was amazing and the drinks are strong. Also, if you get dessert make sure to get coffee too! It's REALLY good stuff.

    (5)

  • Bobby C.

    Came here on vacation from New York looking for a decent restaurant. I wasn't expecting much being that New York restaurants are supposed to be some of the best in the world and Maine is just lobster. But this place is just as good, if not better than many New York City restaurants. We started with the brick oven baked muscles which were cooked perfectly in a wood burning brick oven, served in a delicious, nutty, buttery sauce. They had a hint of smoked flavor from the burning wood which made these the best muscles I've ever had. Then came the tomato tart. The tomatoes were perfectly ripened, served on a delicious piece of buttery, flaky bread and the taste was tart with a hint of sweetness. Great texture. After that were the scallops. They were seared on one side, cooked perfectly and served in a delicious sauce that was a tiny bit sweet and a little bit sour. We ended it with the strawberry pie for dessert, which was also excellent. The space is unique. It has a very rustic feel. All the tables have copper tops and no table cloth. The kitchen is right in the middle of the restaurant with another portion in the back. It's cool to see the cook putting dishes in the brick oven and watching them cook amazingly fast. The service was also pretty good. This is probably one of the best restaurants that Maine has to offer. I'd definitely come back in the future.

    (4)

  • Zadie B.

    We had a really nice late meal here. We had a 9:15 reservation on a Friday, and were seated right away at a nice large table next to the window. The food was great. I had a rib eye, and my husband had arctic char. Both were delicious. The vegetable side dish was a little too salty but that was really the only complaint I could think of. Our handsome bearded waiter was gracious but understated. I had an excellent French wine, and he wrote down the name for me. The atmosphere is great. It's classy yet cozy and comfortable.

    (5)

  • Natalie W.

    Awwww....last time we were here, our server was not very nice. She was snooty and acted like we were a waste of her time. Too bad, we love coming here! I order rabbit frequently here and it was raw inside. I asked that server about it and she let me know that it is done that way at fore street as if I should know raw rabbit is the correct way to eat it. Maybe someone who had never had the good rabbit here might fall for her act. I was thoroughly disappointed as we have come to expect so much from our many good visits! Will try again on our next journey to Portland scheduled soon and will update accordingly. But the rabbit is now ruined for me forever!

    (4)

  • Keith M.

    Swordish, a salad , broccoli rab, roasted potatoes (a little dry), plus a chocolate brownie with something or other on it. Also got the chocolate assortment to bring home (still need to try those). I know, kind of vague, but they change the menu nightly and I can't look at the website. The food was very good, but I recall the selection being better the last time. Don't get me wrong, I liked it, but I wished there were more choices this time around. Next time I might look at the menu and make a game-time decision. A few people talked about making reservations weeks in advance, but they put aside 1/3 of the restaurant for walk-ins. It's not summer yet, so I imagine it will get busier later in the year.

    (4)

  • Brian W.

    Fore Street was highly recommended to us by several friends who had visited Portland. Let me start off with the great things about this place. The smell is out of this world - the kitchen is out in the open and there is this amazing scent of fresh baked bread and cooking food throughout the restaurant. The service is also excellent - sugar is brought with iced tea - waitresses don't disappear - all that good stuff. Finally the food itself is delicious, but there simply isn't enough of it. With all of the great smells and the fact that you can watch the chefs prepare the meals I just was so disappointed to see that my Halibut was the size of a computer mouse and that her plate only had 3 lonely scallops on it. The salads were also pretty disappointing - it's nice that they're made with local ingredients but the lettuce was so fresh that it actually tasted more like the soil it was growing in. Given the small portion sizes and inflated prices I'd recommend stopping in here for a drink and appetizer at the bar and eating an actual meal elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Scotty A.

    I usually try a restaurant a few times before writing a review, but I don't know how often I'll get a chance to visit Fore Street. But my first visit there was memorable in all the right ways. My friend and I walked in off the street, so there was a bit of a wait for a table. The bar was comfortable to get refreshment, relax, and check out the menu. As advertised, the kitchen is like a big busy centerpiece, and fascinating to watch. I wanted to try rabbit, but it was unavailable, so I got the roast chicken, and my friend got an enormous pork chop. We got sides of potatoes and Brussels sprouts. We both agreed they were the most delicious things we had ever had. The waiter was a friendly, helpful guy, and was satisfactorily attentive throughout the meal. This is the only restaurant I've been to that I really feel deserves five stars.

    (5)

  • John L.

    Ate alone at the bar on a Sunday evening in June while visiting Portland on work. So many places in Portland closed on a Sunday...I'd been to Fore Street before, so it felt like a bit of a splurge, and I was not elegantly attired, but I decided to go for it. I had 6 excellent oysters, followed by a salad with cherries and peaches, both excellent. I had pork belly, which was not as well executed as others I've had, a bit tough on one side, too slimy on the other, but still with some good taste. Dessert, strawberries, which sounded so perfect in June, turned out to be 8 or so supermarket strawberries with a very small plate of cream and sugar - should have been a no-brainer to nail if you're going to bother putting it on the menu - big disappointment. The bar was very quiet and the bartender was courteous and efficient but took no pains to chat or connect. I blasted right past my $50 dinner allowance to $53, $63 with tip.

    (3)

  • Jessica D.

    Love fore street and have visited many times. Most recent time was a bit disappointing compared to past. Service, particularly our waitress, was terrible. For a top notch restaurant the service should be excellent. This wasn't the case. Sea bass was great, pork chop was undercooked. Dessert (chocolate mousse) was delish. Would definitely go back but they need to step it up inthe service department...don't get too confident bc you serve great food - service is paramount.

    (4)

  • Kim K.

    Where to begin? From start to finish this meal was perfection. Self described American peasant food made with fresh daily local protein and produce. Wow! The ever changing menu was impressive. The bread basket was full of crusty french bread which was perfect with the unsalted fresh creamed table butter. We got the spinach and anchovy white pizza and herbed goat cheese tart for appetizers. The pizza was good, the garlic was perfectly subtle and the wood fire oven baked crust was as good as any New York pie. But the tart was divine, my favorite by far. The goat cheese was creamy and fresh, the puff pastry was buttery and flaky, and the tomatoes were the perfect combination of sweet and savory. For dinner I got the sea bass cooked in a pan sauce of wine and pancetta. The fish came whole, which admittedly freaked me out a bit, but the waiter offered to filet my fish for me and he did it with precision in about 3 seconds flat. The fish was amazing - light, mild flavor, and I have to admit, getting the whole fish offers a lot more meat. The sides of mashed potatoes and organic green beans were the perfect compliment. Finally for dessert the salted caramel upside down cake was any sweet tooth's dream. The homemade vanilla bean ice cream was so velvety and creamy. We even took a box of their homemade chocolates to go. It included two of the following: truffles, dark chocolate squares, pistachio park, and almond bark. Decadent yes - a must have, definite yes. The care and precision with which each ingredient and dish is prepared is unprecedented. Fore Street is dedicated to freshness, quality ingredients, and customer satisfaction. I have never experienced a restaurant that takes every detail as serious as they do. Perfect dining experience. Check out my pictures!

    (5)

  • David W.

    Good food not great in my one experience. Lovely ambience with attentive pleasant staff at bar where we ate as drop-ins. Me Fair wine list prices with god variety ( est ~ 2 x retail) Mussels cooked in almond butter - Great Bread - very good Duck - very tasty but very tough - very good Espresso chocolate crime brûlée - very good My wife Almond, nectarine salad - Okay Lobster - not special (this in a location where fresh lobster can be incredible. I have been to a couple of restaurants where each dish is a revelation. This was not one of them.

    (3)

  • Betsy B.

    For a James Beard award winner restaurant, this place is horrid. The women at the front desk were snotty and unfriendly, I have read other reviews and I agree, this place is so pretentious. There were four of us for dinner. I took one look at the eclectic menu and decided there would be no,dinner for me. Not one thing on the menu that appealed to me. Odd food, strange menu. So I ate bread. The others ordered the flounder. Extremely small serving and a big price tag. My husband and friends said the flounder was bland and boring. Come on, is this the best you have in Portland? Too bad because the restaurant and bar are attractive. Go elsewhere for a good meal, I would give it zero stars if I could.

    (1)

  • Anish M.

    There's nothing I can say about Fore Street that hasn't been said before, so I'll keep it short. From my first visit seven years ago to my most recent this past week, the fare has never been less than stellar nor the service short of charming. A night spent at Fore Street has a way of reviving one's spirits, and I look forward to another memorable meal the next time my travels lead me to Maine.

    (5)

  • Christopher K.

    I attended Fore Street with a large group, so didn't have to worry about the challenges of a reservation. The atmosphere was rustic and lovely, I didn't have a line of sight to the cooking area and fire, so I missed that part of the spectacle. Our group of about 15 was split between two tables that did not allow us to interact back and forth. The menu looked good, I had parsnip soup and roast chicken both of which tasted good. What I ordered was unexceptional, and looking around the table I had some buyers remorse. Service staff was great, and maybe was a little too enthusiastic with constant questions about how we were doing. Two stars means that it was fine, but I would try other places in the area before planning to go back.

    (2)

  • C M.

    A gem I look forward to visiting whenever I'm in Maine. We're fish-eaters, no meat, and everything we've ever had here has been top quality. Even the meat-eaters we occasionally bring come away smiling in satisfaction. Hey, it's a waterfront town - mussels, scallops, clams and all kinds of fish are just perfect and treated with love. Veggies get the same attention to detail. Service can be harried but is always friendly and accommodating. It can be very loud (open kitchen) in the main dining room but you can also sit on sofas near the bar and get the full food service. YES, it's popular ... because it's so darn GOOD ... but even so you can sometimes score a table without a long wait as we did this past Spring. Or just sit on the sofa with your drinks and food on the "coffee" table as we've done before too. Must-have is the cauliflower. Comes in a small cast-iron frying pan hot from the oven and is just mouth-meltingly delish. Be prepared for the price -- but if you're a fan of high quality ingredients that are served "singing," this is your place!

    (4)

  • Megan W.

    The space is amazing, the service is excellent and the food is quite good. We had oven roasted mussels (yum), a roasted squash salad (OH MY GOD, AMAZING), oven roasted Bluefish (meh), oven roasted...some kind of fish (a tad salty but good), pumpkin cheesecake with goat cheese panna cotta and roasted apples (the panna cotta was the clear winner on this plate) and a caramel apple dessert (which was very good). I would definitely stop by again as it's a very pleasant and fulfilling dining experience.

    (4)

  • Roger T.

    Exposed brick, the smell of wood burning stoves, couches in the lounge... Who could ask for more. A delightful place to dine..

    (5)

  • Mike S.

    A couple colleagues and I decided to try dinner at Fore Street after it came highly recommended by a Maine locavore. It did not disappoint. What I like most about this place was the beautiful, rustic ambiance with it's open kitchen concept in the converted warehouse space. The kitchen oozed delicious smells. We found the service to be very professional, knowledgeable and helpful without being at all overbearing. The freshly baked breads with butter and course salt was fantastic. They had a nice little selection of local craft beer. I tried their hake fish special and the three of us split a few sides including brussel sprouts, fingerling potatoes, and winter squash. Everything was super fresh and prepared with care. Fore Street is a great place for a business dinner or for a date. I will certainly bring my lover ;) here if she joins me on a future trip to Maine. Fore was a score in my book.

    (5)

  • Julie D.

    Labor Day. Monday night. Don't normal people have to get up early in the morning and go to work? Common sense tells me that I do not need a reservation to dine in Portland, ME around 8 pm. I would be wrong. We checked in at the host desk and was advised of a 90 minute wait. When she saw our looks of pain, she referred us to the bar. Have you heard of a restaurant bar that reserves their bar stools? Me, either. We were able to belly up the bar after about a 15 - 25 minute wait. The bar area has nice cushy chairs and couches were you can wait. And they are kind enough to offer you beverages and even escort you to your bar stool when it becomes available. Every Yelper brags about the ambiance. I thought it was nice enough. Perhaps the dining area is more impressive then the bar. The bar tender, our server was very warm and friendly and willing to give recommendations and explanations, as needed. The menu changes every night, however they do retain popular items like mussels and hanger steak. So, don't try to review a menu on line. You won't see one there. Apparently the restaurant has had their share of accolades. In 2002, they were named Number 16 in Gourmet Magazine's Top Fifty Restaurants of the United States. I would say that is quite an amazing accomplishment. And in 2004, Chef/partner Sam Hayward was named Best Chef: Northeast by the James Beard Foundation. I am impressed. BJ enjoyed the mussels while I opted for the mushroom salad. Both dishes were awesome. The mussels were very fresh and the broth was good to the very last drop. They were so good, he was selling them to bar mates. My salad was one of the best that I have ever had. Loved the delicate flavor of the vinaigrette. And the accompanying bread was perfectly baked and so fresh and tasty. We had seconds. BJ got the hangar steak. He said it was perfectly cooked. I had cucumber soup for my meal. It was amazing. For dessert we shared a chocolate torte. Everything here is perfectly prepared. I will remember this restaurant as one of my top ten.

    (5)

  • Eric W.

    Couldn't make reservations for tonight so we gambled for getting a walk-in spot...and we made it! (Hint: walk-in reservations begin being taken at 5pm. Get there before 4:45 if you want to be one of the first in line.) For starters we had the mussels (excellent) and the pork belly (OMG). Get extra bread to dip in the mussel broth! For dinner I had the duck and my wife had the hanger steak. Both were superb! We highly recommend both. For dessert I had the apple pie and my wife had the blueberry crisp. Again, both were worth saving room for.

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    Fore Street is always good. Be sure to make a reservation well in advance. I like the rope-grown wood-roasted mussels.

    (5)

  • Angela D.

    For the last pit stop of our Maine detour we had a delicious dinner @ Fore Street. The table bread was amazing but of course it is because the makers of Fore Street also own Standard Baking Co. Everything we had there was on point. Seafood platter and orchiette pasta to start. I had the Steak which was good except that it was overcooked for my liking. I originally ordered Rare but the waiter convinced me I should get Med Rare (because how they cook it is like Rare at other restaurants). The steak came out Medium...... ::SAD FACE:: Aside from that the Pork Chop and Scallop dishes my family ordered were delicious. The best part was DESSERT! The chocolate torte was to die for delectable!!! And we brought home some homemade chocolates :) Attentive staff and great food! Thumbs up!

    (4)

  • J. F.

    I really wanted to love this place and was rather shocked to realize as we were leaving that I really didn't. For starters, the restaurant is rustic and beautiful and the service was top-notch the entire evening. We arrived early for our reservation and enjoyed a beer in the lounge area and the transition from lounge to table was handled very smoothly and attentively. My fiancee had also mentioned on the phone making the reservation that it was my birthday and they had a happy birthday card waiting for me at the table. Alas, my issues were with the food. Truthfully, it was clearly made with excellent ingredients but it was also pretty boring. I ordered the rabbit. It came out beautifully cooked and succulent, but it was also seemingly without much flair at all. Farm-raised rabbit is a very neutrally-flavored meat, possibly even more so than chicken, and what I received just lacked flavor. Our two vegetable sides (fingerling potatoes and roasted cauliflower) were also similarly bland, most especially the potatoes which appeared to be seasoned with nothing more than sea salt. They're potatoes, they need some help, fresh herbs, something. It has slipped my mind what my fiancee ordered although I think she did enjoy it more than I enjoyed mine. However, she didn't disagree with my assessment of the place afterwards. I probably would go back and give Fore Street another chance if I found myself in Portland again with enough advanced notice to get a reservation. I almost feel like I visited a great restaurant where I made the mistake of ordering all the wrong things.

    (3)

  • Kyle C.

    Dining at Fore Street makes me want to move to Portland. It's restaurants like this that confirm Portland's prominence in the food scene. It's a building that looks like a converted warehouse with a bar in the middle and exposed kitchen off to the right side. Even though 1/3 of the tables are reserved for walk-ins, it's probably a good bet to make reservations. Started off with a charcuterie plate with sliced beef tongue w/sauerkraut, foie gras terrine, and pork belly terrine. The beef tongue was amazingly tender, and the pork belly was rich...but I was really blown away by the foie gras. Rich and buttery without feeling overtly fatty. Does that make any sense? Sampled some of my co-worker's gigantic mussel appetizer. Not the best mussels I've had, but the broth was nicely garlicky and creamy. I'm normally not big on ordering chicken in restaurants, but I took a chance based on the server's suggestion and it was the juiciest [non-fried] chicken I've ever had. Marinated for 24 hours and spit-roasted in their wood-burning oven. Service was top-notch and the food was even better than I had hoped for (if you can't tell). I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Keith A.

    I have eaten here twice and both times did not disappoint. They serve fresh, local, seasonal fare so the menu changes.

    (4)

  • Timothy H.

    My sister-in-law and her boyfriend brought us here for our anniversary. This was such an amazing experience. The staff is knowledgable and give great recommendations. I don't like fish... at all. I had the Flounder and it changed the way I thought about fish. Top notch place

    (5)

  • Lauren V.

    One of the best meals of my life. My companion and I planned a rather last-minute weekend getaway to Portland (I'd never been, but he had), and he was told when trying to make a Saturday night reservation that it was completely booked up for two months. Thankfully we're both a) super into good food and b) always up for a challenge, so we showed up around 6:30 to see if there'd been any cancellations, and it was our lucky day. We had just enough time to grab a cocktail at the bar before we were seated (SORRY SUCKERS!). We decided to order a number of things and share, so we started with a wild mushroom salad (and the house bread, of course). The salad was amazing - super fresh and flavorful and a really good bar-setter for the rest of the meal. I'm pretty sure the house butter was still in the cow earlier that day - unreal, especially on that hot, crusty sourdough. The next round was oysters, which were perfect - served on ice with no frills - just lemon wedges and basic mignonette. Perfect, meaty, briny, delicious. For our main course, we shared the pork belly and three sides (all easily large enough for two people) - roasted cauliflower, some incredible smoky, crispy-on-the-edges greens, and (these deserve their own separate review, frankly) mashed potatoes that literally changed my life. After the first bite, I had to set my fork down, breathe, and resist the urge to smoke a proverbial cigarette. They're that good. The voodoo here probably isn't much more than butter and garlic (and a thin, crispy layer of cheese on top), but whatever it is, just sack up and order them. I want to be married in a wedding dress and buried in a mausoleum made of that stuff. ANYWAY, the pork belly was flawless - tender and rich as expected. I think it may have been on a bed of wilted greens of some sort (or maybe cauliflower?) I'm not a huge meat-eater, but my companion was pretty passionate about how delicious this was. We initially planned on wrapping up with a cheese plate, but upon seeing the dessert menu, opted for that instead. I got the strawberry rhubard crumble, and he got something vanilla-y, I think (it should probably be noted that the cocktails here are strong). Both were delicious and seasonal and rich enough to be sexy but not enough to overpower everything else we'd just eaten. Aside from the mashed potatoes, the real shocker here was the bill -- for everything (salad, oysters, entree, several sides, two desserts, and two cocktails apiece), the total was just under $150. Good luck getting a reservation, or try your hand like we did - wonderful meal, wonderful space, wonderful service. Can't wait to come back here.

    (5)

  • Ross B.

    The Emperor has no clothes! This overly-praised restaurant around which a kind of cult has formed has feet of clay. When I think about the many fine restaurants in Portland that do not require at least a six-week advance reservation for a 5:30 seating which is like a cattle-call, I really have to think that I was blind-sided by the hype. Aside from a very nice double-cut pork chop, the meal was ordinary--not bad--but truly disappointing. My wife's meal had no redeeming items at all. The sockeye salmon was ordinary and the broccoli side was skimpy. Wine portions were meager and pricey. If all you can say about a highly-touted restaurant is that is served great bread, that's pretty skimpy praise. A note to the hostess who was really snotty: learn a little about hospitality and graciousness.

    (3)

  • California S.

    FRESH!!!!!! Only been once...... Would go once a week if I lived in Portland.

    (5)

  • Mrs. M.

    We had such high hopes to try Fore St for our anniversary dinner. Our party of 4 all agreed on these points. Food: while fresh and prepared nicely the entrees left us extremely underwhelemed. Expect to pay between 25-36 for most entrees, starters range 10-18, desserts 9. We all kind of agreed that the restaurant misrepresents the farm to fork category. It almost seems to us that they use that as a way to make themselves sound more exclusive not having a regular menu and have that infamous line out the door at 5pm. There wasn't any entree on the menu that a fine dining establishment would not be able to get access to on a regular basis. The starters and the desserts were the stand outs of the night. For starters we had the oysters (you do not get to select you get 3 types preselected) choice of 3 meats (boar, rabbit and duck pâté) and chilled seafood (lobster, smoked salmon, tuna and scallop ceviche). The meats were the stand outs especially the sinful pate. Oysters were fresh, sweet, briny, and perfectly shucked. The chilled seafood was mezza mezza. Out of our 4 entrees the duck breast was the best. The hanger steak was our second favorite and the lobster and rabbit dishes were tied for last. The duck breast was seasoned and cooked nicely, delicious. The hanger steak while cooked medium rare it was not the best piece of steak we have ever had and certainly not worth the hefty price. The lobster was unremarkable and quite a let down being in Maine. A chicken lobster for $36 served with about 4 green beans, small ramakin of sweet corn pudding and few slivers of rubbery mushrooms disappointing. The rabbit was under-cooked and somewhat rubbery, not the expected reflection of their famous spit roasted meats. The portion sizes I expected to be small based on the reviews but it was the accompanying dishes that were really minuscule and disappointing. As an example a 1 cup side of garlic mashed potatoes cost $7. We have been to plenty of a la carte restaurants but Fore St has to be the biggest rip off on sides. The deserts were a welcomed change to the entrees and made us feel happy to finish off a rather mixed bag dining experience on a more positive note. The wine list is ample and any diner should find something they enjoy. The Rioja red from Spain was a perfect, medium body, smooth choice for our party of 4, Service: nothing to write home about. Our waitress while polite didn't go out of her way to make the dining experience anything special. She wasn't really engaging. But she still earned her 20% tip ($52) for a 2 hour meal. The restaurant gave us a nice written not to welcome us for our anniversary dinner which was a cute touch but it didn't earn us a comped dessert. Atmosphere is probably one of the highlights here. The space is rustic, inviting and the open kitchen is cool to watch. Overall, it was an okay an experience. All the 5 star Yelp reviews had us going in expecting so much more. They let us down. Not many restaurants are at a 5 star level. I would not be running back to this place. 3 stars on Yelp = "I've Experienced Better" and that certainly is a proper account of our dinner.

    (3)

  • Carley B.

    Yes yes and yes. This is a place I go every time I have company in town to show it off. I have never tasted something I didn't think was fabulous. The environment is great with the open kitchen- I mean, you can SEE the fresh ingredients right there. It is not easy to get a table so plan way ahead and make yourself a reservation. It's worth it!

    (5)

  • Donald A.

    My wife and I went to fore street on our stop in Portland in May,2013; and, I have to say, it was one of the best meals I've ever eaten. The menu changes daily, but I started with a fried soft shelled crab with a house made mayo and fried parsnip chips. The crab was great, but the parsnip chips were the highlight. For my main, I had a wood roasted halibut in a garlic butter broth. The fish was cooked to perfection and the broth infused the flavor and the fat that the fish needed. Desert was a chocolate torte with homemade chocolate chip ice cream, and again, it didn't disappoint. My wife is a pescetarian, and we had read other reviews complaining about the lack of vegetarian friendly options, so she had planned on going with a fish dish. We were surprised to find a few veggie friendly options among the entrees though. She loved the ravioli, the pasta was house made and cooked al dente, and the cheese filling was very tasty. We shared a mashed parsnip side that we both enjoyed. We loved the rustic decor, and there were plenty of beers and wines to choose from. There were not many reservations to choose from, even though we were there for 6 days, we ended up with a Tuesday at 5:30, so if you're planning a trip, make reservations during your planning! Without a doubt a must go, and one of, of not the highlight of ur trip.

    (5)

  • Justin R.

    My girlfriend and I went to Fore Street on a whim. I had head good things about it through other yelpers, so we were walking by and decided to give it a shot. The layout of the restaurant was very nice. Open spaces, with lots of windows, and exposed brick. And the smell billowing out of the open kitchen was almost overwhelming. Our waitress was extremely polite and knowledgeable about the food they were serving. The bread that they bring to your table is awesome. Served with butter, sea salt and fresh ground black pepper. I had never seen bread served this way, but I am a huge fan now. For dinner we split a salad and the Alaskan salmon. The fish was to die for. It was served on a wood plank and cooked to a perfect medium temperature. I had never had a fillet of salmon cooked any way but well, but this was phenomenal. Something everyone should try! Somehow after all the bread, salad, and fish we were still hungry for more. So we ordered dessert. Something we hardly ever do, but I am so glad we did. We decided on the caramel cake with ice cream. Served in its own mini cast iron skillet, topped with maple ice cream and a side of sweet milky caramel sauce. Doesn't that just make your mouth water. Needless to say, my girlfriend took about four bites and I took about sixteen. There was no way I was going to let something the great get tossed into a trash can. If you want a good, fresh meal, Fore Street is where it's at.

    (5)

  • L K.

    old factory building with wood floor and open beam ceilings. kitchen is on the open floor near diners. pro service and top notch ingredients artfully prepared. would recommend without hesitation

    (4)

  • S. K.

    Came here for a birthday dinner and the food was really good. Had the pork belly appetizer, hanger steak, scallops, and garlic mash. Delicious. Great dim and cozy environment and great staff.

    (4)

  • Francis C.

    I struggled to give this 4 stars, but I think it is really a 3.5 star review. I sat at the bar, served by Greg, who was a fine bartender (mixed up a very nice White Lady), and took my order. I will give my reviews as each dish came up. First: - Seafood platter, of seared scallops, smoked salmon, flounder tartar, tuna tartar, and lobster. The platter was, in general, very tasty. The tuna had a condiment which was somewhat bitter, based on squash, I believe, and I didn't think it melded very well with the tuna. The lobster had a mayonnaise based sauce, which was a little distracting from the taste of the lobster, but otherwise good. The scallops were EXcellent. The smoked salmon had some fine leaves as a garnish, which tasted somewhat of arugula, and added a nice compliment to the salmon, but not mind blowing. The flounder was very nice, but it was served with some finely diced vegetable, which seemed to be red bell pepper. I could have been mistaken, as I do not partiuclarly care for raw red bell pepper, but it did not distract from the flounder as much as I thought red bell pepper would have. - Soup of cippolini onions and fennel Honestly, I was not a fan. I had originally asked for just a ramekin so I could just taste it, but they could not do it, so I ordered a whole bowl, which I did not finish. It was an interesting combination of flavors, but a rich, earthy tone dominated the dish which I just couldn't get behind. I will note that when I asked if it was decent, Greg said that a lot of people had been ordering it and liking it. Sorry to buck the trend! - Tomato tart with goat cheese on puff pastry This was a tough one to rate. On the one hand, it looked like they took two scoops of herbed goat cheese and just popped them right on top of some grilled tomatoes which had been placed in pre-baked puff pastry. The tomatoes ended up making the puff pastry a bit soggy, which is always the most difficult thing with puff pastry - I get that. However, on the plus side, I did use a goodly amount of the tasty bread that they provided to mob up the juices as well as slather it with the excess goat cheese! A tasty dish, even if it is not what I would have come out with for a tomato tart. - Cappuchino-vanilla pot de creme with a biscuit I could tell the biscuit was home made, since it had that texture where the surface adheres slightly to your fingers, just like many homemade pastries. This was delicious, and I finished every spoonful! Total bill with 2 glasses of wine (a nice Syrah) came to $65+11 tax = $76. Honestly, I would never pay this much for this meal, but since I'm on a business trip and I can expense more than half of the meal, I feel I came away with an execllent meal for $31. However, I don't think I would return if paying on my own dime - there are a lot of other places in Providence which can probably provide comparble food for a similar price.

    (3)

  • Sara N.

    This was our 2nd trip to Portland, and we made sure we had reservations at Fore Street! The ambiance and atmosphere are just perfect. With the big old mill windows, exposed beams, brick walls, and best of all, the completely open kitchen! And the food is also creative and delicious! It is a little pricey, but not too crazy, and totally worth it!

    (5)

  • Susan M.

    Portland has many, many great restaurants, but Fore Street is hands-down our favorite of all the places we've eaten in the year since we moved here. We have been to Fore Street twice; once on our anniversary, and once on a Monday night we randomly had off. You NEED a reservation -- even on that Monday night, which was not a holiday, we had to wait half an hour and then sit at the bar. We had great service there, and I enjoyed the lively atmosphere, but we missed one of the best parts of the Fore Street experience, which is the most open kitchen I've ever seen in a restaurant. The kitchen is essentially in the middle of the dining room. You can see the rotisserie spit turning, all the bins and bowls full of ingredients and a little closet-sized room off to the side where all the fresh herbs and greens are kept. I loved watching the cooks work. Everything we've eaten at Fore Street has been completely delicious: from a salad with turnips to a wild mushroom pasta to fresh oysters from three different locations in Maine. The desserts are excellent, too. We split a tarte tatin on our first visit, and on the second my husband had a panna cotta with tropical fruits, about which he still raves. But the best dish, which is one of the few that's always on the menu, is the chicken. I hope that doesn't sound boring, because it's not; it was literally the best chicken I have ever eaten. It's cooked on the spit, and it comes with wilted greens (spinach, the night we were there) and cubes of sourdough bread sauteed in duck fat. The meat was SO tender and SO flavorful, and the accompaniments were perfect. Fore Street is expensive in absolute terms, but I feel that it provides great value, especially considering that this is a restaurant that would be a standout even in cities like New York and San Francisco. The portion sizes are generous, so both times we've been we've ordered two appetizers/salads, then split an entree. The second time I didn't even have room to partake in dessert. The fact that we can't afford to eat here every month makes it even more special, and I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • David R.

    Probably one of my top 10 restaurants. I am sure there are places that have better food and a fancier experience, but for my tastes this place is near perfection. I really like the open kitchen design and feel for the interior of the restaurant. They also featured local ingredients and our server had great recommendations. I thought the food was prepared well and had great flavor. I would highly recommend this place to others. In fact, I almost drove from Boston with my wife just to eat here again on a recent visit.

    (5)

  • J W.

    Came here two consecutive nights in a row while I was in town. This place is great! The bread was fantastic! I heard it was from the bakery in the same building. First night, had an apple and turnip soup for starters and the lamb-3 ways for an entree. Most tender lamb I've ever had. The next night i had the strozzipretzi(sp?). It was basically the best mac and cheese dish I've ever had. Then I had the hangar steak. This is also the best hangar steak I've ever had and it was better than the lamb from the night before.

    (4)

  • Matt E.

    Beautiful place on a beautiful street (guess what street it's on) with amazing food. The vibe/dress here is classy but casual. The space is fantastic and the open kitchen allows you to watch the chefs at work. The only thing not remarkable is the bathrooms which seemed very ordinary and didn't match with the rest of the decor. The menu is constantly changing to allow for the freshest ingredients possible (the menu mentions were the meat and seafood originate from- great touch) so it's not available on their website or online anywhere but you can be rest assured there will be at least a few things on the menu that will wet your appetite. I got the halibut from Nova Scotia ($28) and a side of garlic mashed potatoes as well as a dessert of cranberry vanilla bread pudding topped with apple compote served with a warm apple cider. I also tried the mussels. Everything I just mentioned were the best I've had in my life including the fresh warm bread from the Standard Baking Co who shares the same building. The only thing that I wasn't impressed with was the dessert. The apples in the compote were very firm almost raw and really overpowered the flavor of the bread pudding and although the entire menu was pricey the dessert was very expensive for what it was ($9 for the bread pudding the size of a small cupcake). Most of the entree items here are $25-30 so it's not cheap but you really are getting fantastic food. The mussels were amazing but 1/3 of the mussels didn't open and it seemed like a rip off (the waitress later explained that they threw more mussels in because this crop of mussels were stronger than normal and it would have balanced itself out- this would have been helpful to know before hand and I hope this is true). The only thing keeping the dining experience from being top notch was our waitress who seems very awkward and somewhat uncomfortable, it wasn't clear whether she was new or if that was just her personality, either way it was a little off putting and we definitely would have had a better dining experience with someone better. Over the week trip up the Maine coast this ended up being (not surprisingly) the best seafood I had and would definitely make a return trip in the future.

    (4)

  • Jolie F.

    A perfect restaurant to enjoy if you want fresh food with a menu that is ever changing! The food is oh so fresh and yummy to the last drop. But dont go to this restaurant with an empty stomach unless you plan to drop a lot money as the portions are small. But given the portions are small, it provides the perfect environment to nibble on a variety of food that includes pates, seafood and a selection of meat. Good to the last drop, especially with a nice glass of wine! And the lighting sets the stage for a perfect meal as it darkly lit by candles.

    (4)

  • Robin L.

    After all the hype I've read about this place for so long, I was a little disappointed. The food is very good, but in no way was I "wowed". The best thing we had was probably the tomato tart appetizer. My duck was okay, but the skin was not as crispy as I would have liked it. My husband's lobster meal was also fine, but certainly not memorable. They do have a good wine list, and our waitress recommended the Neyers Chardonnay whic was fabulous. As for the staff, I must say everone seemed just a little bit impressed with themselves. This place is expensive, and I just don't think it's really worth the price. There's a lot of great food to be eaten in Portland for far less money.

    (3)

  • Doug D.

    When I am grappling between whether to give a place a 4 and 5 star review it quickly tips to 5 stars if I can still easily recall the flavors that crossed my palate. This was one of those places. There were 5 of us for a business dinner. Upon entering we sat in the relaxed lounge while waiting for our table. Here I observed the only weak point in the restaurant we experienced. The wine list is pretty good...not great. Given the caliber of the food I expected more. But there were certainly enough tasty selections to get by. Also, no wine steward on staff. Fortunately my knowledge sufficed for the table. We were seated in the corner. Far opposite the open kitchen, but this was okay as it was good for conversation. Our server was friendly and attentive enough. Not the best service I've had but far from poor. We started with the Chilled Seafood Platter; sliced scallops with salt cured shad roe, spring dug parsnip puree; cures arctic char belly, with lemon ripened cream; sliced yellowfin tuna with pickled ramps and acorn squash seed oil. That was accompanied by Wood Grilled Mulard Foie Gras! Wonderful. For my entree I broke with all sensibility and ordered Ribeye. Even though I am from Nebraska and can have great steak anytime, my neighbors steak kept taunting me. Natural Angus Beef from Montana, blood rare, celeriac puree, grilled wild spring ramps with mustard and sherry glazed cipollini. (Yes, I stole a menu). The best part of the evening was the desert. Cornmeal Pineapple Rum Upside Down Cake with Buttermilk Sherbert. Damn! Espresso was fantastic too. Enough said.

    (5)

  • Katherine W.

    Soy free and the food was really good.

    (3)

  • Jessica B.

    A lot of people had told me to check out Fore Street, and finally, I had an excuse. I wasn't disappointed. First off, the building itself is great; an unassuming exterior with windows that overlook Commercial Street, an open kitchen so you can see what the chefs are doing, classy, understated decor and it was nice and quiet for conversation. I also liked the huge vase of branches with bright pink flowers on them right near our table. The waitress was attentive and knowledgeable and the menu had a great selection of nice entrees. I had my usual, a martini and it was great: strong and dirty, just the way I like 'em. :) I ordered the onion/garlic soup as an appetizer and the mussels as an entree and my companion ordered the pasta and mushroom appetizer (which was enough to be a meal and it was delicious), the fingerling potatoes and the broccoli rabe. The mussels were delicious: fresh and there were a ton of them! I had sherry for dessert and my companion ordered espresso. Both were perfect finishers. All the rumors are true folks, Fore Street is delightful and if you have someone to impress or a special night to plan, I suggest you check it out.

    (5)

  • Don B.

    Visited again on July 4th during our semi-annual trip to Maine. It has become a tradition to go to Fore Street, easily the best restaurant in Portland, when you consider all of the variables that make a restaurant great. Two of my dining companions ordered the wild salmon and it looked and tasted (I was told) magnificent. My sea scallops were delectable, perfectly grilled with a complimentary sauce that had me looking for some bread to ensure I didn't miss a morsel of. Service is always top of the class, we will always come back here. They certainly more than made up for a mediocre experience last Winter.

    (5)

  • Lyndi S.

    I walked into Fore Street and breathed in a huge sigh of relief. Imagine exposed brick, high ceilings, a completely open kitchen, and delicious bread that was quite literally everywhere. The kitchen was completely open, and you could see the chef's working from anywhere in the restaurant. How cool! It was rustic, calming, and just down right awesome. And that's just the ambiance. Now on to the next... Our waitress was incredibly happy to be there. She was a helpful little ray of sunshine on a cold, rainy summer evening on my vacation. Her recommendations were spot on, and she even gave us tips on places to visit on our vacation! My water glass remained full, despite how much I drank after walking around the city all day. All in all, the service alone could probably get them at least 3/5 stars... But then the food... Mouthwatering. Literally. They bring out their fresh bread with New England butter, sea salt, and fresh ground black pepper. It's a sure sign that if they can make something that simple taste that amazing, then I trust them with the more complicated attempts. We had a salad to start, which had a pistachio vinaigrette dressing that was light and delicious. Then we moved on to the recommended Alaskan salmon that was cooked perfectly to medium, as was the chef's suggestion. It was outstanding. Perfectly seasoned and wood grilled, which gave it a fresh, outdoorsy flavor that made me feel like I caught the fish myself. Incredible. Did I mention we got this incredible caramel cake for dessert? It was in a small cast iron pan, and it was topped with homemade maple (I think?) ice cream. My mouth just watered typing that at the sheer memory of this awesome dessert. I wish I had a bigger stomach, but luckily boyfriend did, because we did not leave one drop of food on any of our plates. Fore Street really is as good as it gets.

    (5)

  • Chris W.

    This place is awesome. I wish that I had the money to eat here every night. Great menu, great food, and the restaurant itself is very nice.

    (5)

  • Clint W.

    A bit pricey, but unfound flavor and service. The restaurant has a remarkable ambiance especially with the gorgeous open kitchen. Service has always been nothing but exceptional. The menu is trendy and cooked to perfection. I highly recommend if you're looking for dinner in Portland you go to Fore Street.

    (5)

  • H. G.

    I'd put this as the #1 place I have ever been to in terms of ambiance. There is something just really beautiful and special about this place. I was slightly disappointed by the food though. We split the chicken under a brick and the halibut. The chicken was very tasty, but just a bit dry. I sort of think it needed a sauce. It came with sourdough bread cooked in duck fat (the first few bites were great, the last few were not). The fish was very good, but ultimately not memorable. The chocolate dessert was a bit too dark/bitter for me, but I recognize that other people love that sort of thing. As always, the service was excellent: friendly and approachable, but hands off and professional. In all honesty, the food was very good. I was just hoping for a "one of the best meals ever" kind of dinner. And that's probably too much to ask of most places. But I would definitely come back here in a heartbeat. And I would recommend it to others too.

    (4)

  • Cherie C.

    Thanks to OpenTable, we got a reservation with no problem, even after our original plans were rescheduled. I get the feeling that if you plan on a late dinner you should have no problems. We arrived 15 minutes early and hung at the bar (don't think you can schedule one time and show up early--they run on time). We sat down, and I noticed a note card and assumed it was 'reserved' sign. But it was actually a hand-written note wishing us a great first visit (OpenTable asks if it is your first time). It was a small, kind gesture that set the tone for a great evening. Our server was friendly but not overbearing. He was always on hand if we needed him but did not hover. We had salads (delicious trevioso salad with dates and nuts, as well as my mixed greens with a lemony dressing), charcuterie, pork tenderloin, and john dory. Cocktails were well made. Our server guided us through the menu, as we weren't sure if we were ordering too much. The charcuterie was good; one of our items was not what we'd requested, but it ended up be a favorite. Who knew that I'd love wild boar terrine? The grilled pork was a HUGE portion, but the flavors were excellent. The john dory was prepared simply but a good, flavorful fish. Fore Streets emphasis on fresh, local food on the grill or in the wood oven means the meals aren't overly spiced. It was just good meat cooked to emphasize it's natural flavor. Despite being full, we found room to share a glass of superb Sauternes and key lime mousse with blood orange granita. I especially enjoyed the granita, which was full of flavor I don't recall experiencing with blood orange beore. We promptly went home and crashed out in a blissful food coma.

    (4)

  • Ansley W.

    Fore Street offers a world class eating experience. The roasted and grill finished chicken is luciously moist and flavorful. Please order the crab stuffed tomato as an appetizer. All crab meat should be so tender. Not one bit of food was mediocre and the service was just as good. Our waitress was helpful, attentive and didnt interrupt our conversation. The open kitchen and warm, lively dining room is beautiful but still casual and inviting. Dinner for two with drinks with cost you $150 or so but it is money well spent.

    (5)

  • George S.

    Holy hell! This place is delicious! Pork belly appetizer, with black bass, and halibut entrees.... Great space as well.

    (4)

  • Reid F.

    Quality from start to finish. We sat at the bar, which usually diminishes the dining experience, but the bartender was very knowledgable and his recommendations were right on target. Among those recommendations were the duck and the halibut, both prepared perfectly and deliciously. The ingredients were fresh and the tastes were clean and on-target. This would be a world-class restaurant anywhere.

    (5)

  • L M.

    Our hotel and a local merchant recommended Fore. We dined there on the last night of our 4-day weekend. It was delicious. Our table (to us) was the best in the house...adjacent to the kitchen and the wood burning stove. Two of us faced the gorgeous windows. The other two faced the busy kitchen. Good energy. Everything was yummy: - Roasted chicken: moist and cooked to perfection - Scallops: perfect - Crab meat: fresh - Risotto: yummy pesto topping. mushrooms inside. Would love the recipe. - Goat cheese cheesecake w/ cherries and almonds (topped w/ a lemon sauce): gone in 60 seconds - Rhubarb / Orange crisp: would've been perfect except for the basil ice cream pairing (it was delicious too but wouldn't pair together again). - Grasshopper pie: a surprise item on the menu. Refreshing - gone in 60 seconds also. Would absolutely recommend this dining experience. Overall, it capped off a great weekend in Portland (where, in fact, no meal was disappointing).

    (5)

  • Justin F.

    This place has a very modern take on food with a unique atmosphere. they have a bunch of people cooking and making sure that everything is getting done from a food standpoint. The food was good but I wasn't completely blown away by it. I had a bluefish. A bit on the pricey side, I was hoping for just a bit more. Especially for the food, the atmosphere was great though.

    (3)

  • Mel L.

    Came by on a Sat evening around 5.30 and were told by the friendly staff that a table wouldn't be available til 9pm, but a seat at the bar was about an hour so we put our names down and wandered Old Port while we waited. We ate the mushroom and leek salad, squid and pork belly as appetizers. The mushroom salad was good, if not lacking in leeks and a tad too vinegary, it was still a fresh salad. The grilled squid was tasty in a sweet/tangy sauce. The pork belly was a bit burnt on top, very fatty and probably too heavy for the two of us given we ordered so much food. On the waiters recommendation we ordered the halibut and flounder as entrees. The halibut was so fresh, tender and juicy, a thick cut of fish that was very well cooked. the flounder was a thin cut and slightly crispy, covered in walnuts it was also a great dish. They cook their fish well here. We skipped dessert but the guy next to us was very much enjoying his chocolate torte which looked incredibly rich and molten. With tip it came to $165 between the two of us. About as expected in price for what we knew was one of the top rated restaurants in Portland. Great service, good fish.

    (4)

  • Arron C.

    Great Ambiance. The inside looks like a converted mill with an open kitchen for those that like to watch their food being cooked. One of the first things you'll notice is the smoke in the air. One of the best parts of Fore Street is the Wood Oven Grille. The items prepared this way (app's and entrees) are definitely the way too go. This time I had the wood oven grilled mussels with a garlic wine sauce. The smoke from the wood grill complemented the mussels beautifully. For the entree, I had the skirt steak (also wood oven grilled) and the flavor was amazing. We got a side of cauliflower that was...WOOD OVEN GRILLED what else? I never had cauliflower that tasted this good. Simply heaven. I always make a point to stop here when I am in Portland. For a nice dinner with friends or a significant other, you can't go wrong.

    (4)

  • Molly P.

    I am finishing this review from a meal we had at Fore Street in AUG 2010. The hostess was super snotty. Made us feel like they did not need any customers and we were lucky to even be seated. We ended up at a table with a great view of the open kitchen -- it was like a front seat at a show. The waiter was excellent and made up for the rude hostess. I am not a big seafood fan so I was not that impressed with the choices. I did order a couple sides for my meal. One side was pasta and it was mediocre and I barely ate it. When the waited asked me what was wrong with the pasta I told him is was nothing special and he took it off our bill. We had a nice bottle of wine and some port for dessert. Would I go back? Probably not.

    (2)

  • ACally C.

    My husband and I chose this restaurant because of its reviews & a friend's personal recommendation. Unfortunately, we were really disappointed in everything but the service. The front of the menu was all appetizers & the second page main courses & sides. I chose 3 appetizers (the entrees did not sound that great) - roasted cauliflower on mixed greens (very disappointing - 2 tiny pieces of cauliflower on an over-dressed salad), maine crab with spring pea salad (quite good) and wood-fired mussels (so bad I had to spit 2 out & was too afraid to eat the rest) with a side of rapini (ok but laden with butter). My husband ordered the cauliflower soup (arrived lukewarm), spit-roasted rabbit (tender but with no seasoning) and cider-braised parsnips (best part of the meal). The wine list was ok but the beer offerings were sorry to say the least. How can you be in Portland and not have a decent selection of microbrews? Personally, I am not sure what all the hype is about. We had a much more memorable experience at SeaGlass restaurant the night before and at the Pom's Thai that afternoon for lunch. I do have to say that our server was attentive and felt very badly about the mussels. She did not charge us for the dish and seemed genuinely concerned that they were bad. Still, not enough to recommend.

    (2)

  • John C.

    We expected a high quality experience and we were not disappointed. Our wait person was very personable and knowledgeable. I asked her to compare two pinot noir's on the wine list and without hesitation answered with detailed and accurate explanations after we tasted the wine. She also was most helpful with her explanation of the special entree' - lamb steak. The caliber of the meal was also first rate. The environment was open kitchen with a very comfortable feel. It made for a truly enjoyable evening. We would recommend it without hesitation.

    (5)

  • Lily R.

    I was not impressed with Fore Street overall. The servcice was actually quite terrible; and the waiter seemed condescending and unhappy in general. I was not blown away by the food. I ordered the Rib Eye.which was pretty good, but was chargrilled to a point of bitterness that marred the beautiful taste of the steak. I especially disliked the potatoes which were undercooked, flavorless and cold. The wine that I inquired about and the Malbec I received was not up to par. Overall, I really don't like this place and find it to be striving for something other than quality food.

    (3)

  • meghan c.

    It could have been 5 stars, but almost became 3 stars.....The food was really great - you could tell everything was fresh and well put together. The menu was creative without being "fu-fu" and the atmosphere was nice without being pretentious. So why could it have been 5 stars? Started with the bread and what seemed like homemade butter, or at least butter of a consistency and flavor unlike the land-o-lakes I am used to....I was also hungry so maybe over glamourizing the taste. Then the salad with spinach leaves that were the size of my head, delicious beets, and delectable goat cheese. The dinner I had was scallopps served over some veggies, and the scallops were to die for. It was my third night in a row of having scallops - I had been having a hankering. Night 1 was in the boston area at a pizza joint - bad idea! NIght 2 was across from fore street at sago brewery and that was just average - now this 3rd night of scallops they were so large and tender and cooked to perfoection - I was thrilled and my hankering resolved So why was it almost 3 stars? I sat at the bar for dinner, and there were lots of other people dining solo. Since I was by myself, I had nothing else to do but take notice of what (and when) the fellow patrons around me were ordering. The lady to my left ordered about 5 minutes after me and her dish came about 15 minutes before mine. The people at the end of the bar on my right sat down about 10 minutes after I had ordered and their food also came before mine....now I cant fault the waiter/bartender for slow kitchen service, but after 40 minutes had passed since I ordered my entree I said "Is my entree coming?" and he said "Yes" in a dismissive fashion and waited on someone else. I was travelling for work (so I wasnt paying), but it seemed my order had somehow been forgotten, misplaced or just deprioritized....now my beet salad and the bread and butter were amazing, but not so much so that I didnt want my appetizer. Other places I have gone, if something like that happens, offering you a comp'ed glass of wine, dessert, or at least another bread basket was in order....

    (4)

  • Sam A.

    After searching for the perfect restaurant to cap off 2 days spent in Portland, I chose Fore Street after reading the numerous acclaim it has received both here on Yelp and around the web. After making a reservation a week in advance, we arrived for our meal a few minutes early and waited around while our table was prepped. The atmosphere of this place is rustic elegance, with wait staff wearing white shirts, jeans, black shoes and aprons. The focal point of the main dining room is the open kitchen where chefs and wait staff blend together to keep the level of service at exceptional heights. After being seated our waiter Brian was kind enough to take us through the menu, appetizers on the front, mains and sides on the back. My dining partner and I opted for passing on a bottle of wine, but Brian did let us know we'd be welcome to bring it home if we couldn't finish it. We couldn't make a decision so I opted for a glass of their featured white, and my partner went for a Guiness. After bringing us some freshly cut bread (we could see the large basket from our table into the kitchen) we both remarked we'd be happy at that point eating it for the rest of our meal. Soft and delicate on the outside, with a perfect crust around the edges, this was bread heaven. Thankfully our appetizers of wood-fire roasted mussels and exotic mushroom pizza arrived shortly and we got over our bread infatuation. The mussels were said to be hand picked from Maine and cooked in a large amount of garlic butter, needless to say thetasted fantastic. The pizza was small enough to share among the both of us, with a unique combination of carrot puree (as a base), red onions, cheddar, and mushrooms. We had a little longer wait for our dinner, but Brian checked in with us numerous times and apologized for the wait, as the kitchen was backed up. This had no level of annoyance for us, as we could see every move from out seat. The entertainment we got out watching the chefs tossing pizza dough, churning out salads I regretted not ordering and running back and forth to the glass-walled produce fridge was enough to keep us occupied until our mains arrived. Brian had made us aware that were a few dishes that Fore Street is known for and are usually on the menu all year long. Between the spit roasted chicken and pork, my partner opted for the hanger steak. I opted for the striped sea bass. We chose to share a side of wood-fire roasted cauliflower. Every bite was savoured, everything fresh, well seasoned and cooked to perfection. Upon satiation from the savoury delights, we both knew that we couldn't pass up dessert having seen it pass our table a few times during our meal. I ordered a vanilla bean cheesecake and my partner ordered the blueberry crumble, both maintaining the fantastic level of presentation and taste our previous courses had afford us. A cappuccino and espresso topped off our meal, and I was ready to make the 8 hour trip back next month to see what they could do with a fall harvest. Unpretentious, professional, entertaining, energetic, fresh, and honest are the words that come to mind as I reflect a week later from our meal at Fore Street. I've now told everyone I've talked to about our trip to Portland being one of the best food experiences I've ever had, and Fore Street is a big part of that. At $170+ including tip and drinks, this is not a meal I can afford to eat often, but was a splurge well worth it. No buyer's remorse here as we were treated impeccably from the phone call reservation to walking out the door. I just wish I had the appetite to try everything I didn't. A reservation may not be needed as 1/3 of the restaurant is reserved for walk-ins, but I would recommend it if only to get a great view of the kitchen. The team behind Fore Street have a lot to be proud of, it was an inspiring meal.

    (5)

  • Amy M.

    This place is Incredible. My boyfriend and I came here on a recommendation , and made a res a week in advance (a part of the recommendation). We walked in and were struck by the casual atmosphere - 'foodie' restaurants elsewhere are so often snobby and expensive. The bread was awesome, chewy and fresh. We ordered right: salad with sautéed mushrooms , goat cheese and asparagus, seafood sampler, clams, and browned cauliflower. It was clear that the ingredients were fresh & probably local (I feel like a portlandia character but it really counted). Everything about the experience was right: our waitress, the vibe, the flavors, the prices. It also felt indulgently lengthy over an hour and a half, with things arriving right before you got antsy and dishes disappearing a few minutes after you're done. Proof that you don't need to be in a big city to have an awesome meal.

    (5)

  • MiChin L.

    Fore Street stands out as the most memorable dining experience on our 3-week honeymoon all over New England and Canada. I love the open kitchen space and aspire to someday have one of those awesome glass door and window refrigerators where you can see the day's produce beautifully laid out. Any restaurant that allows you to see their chefs in action must know it's serving up quality. We had a pate course, a couple cocktails and a couple glasses of wine during our hour long wait on a Saturday evening. When we were finally seated at the bar, it was well worth the wait. The bartender provided some of the best service we've ever experienced, was friendly but not intrusive, and had awesome suggestions for food and wine pairings. The oven roasted halibut was heavenly; the sweet potatoes and greens on the side were a perfect match. We shared a roasted pear torte dessert which was a great ending to a down-to-earth yet in-your-face awesome meal. I don't see myself going back to Portland for awhile, but Fore Street will always be a top recommendation for anyone heading that way.

    (5)

  • Rob C.

    Two stars looks so bad on Yelp, but the descriptor is: "Meh. I've experienced better." And that's exactly how I felt after dinner here. I'm often guilty of setting my expectations too high and being disappointed; maybe I can chalk it up to this, but I was not blown away by the atmosphere, staff or the food... especially for the prices they charge. Yelper seem to love this place, and I love Yelp - so try it for yourself, maybe you'll have a better experience than my wife and I did. If you do go, make sure you try the cider braised parsnips - they are memorable. Everything else, meh.

    (2)

  • Rox F.

    This place really does deserve all the good reviews it has gotten on here. Over the years on yelp I have discovered some of the 'fancier' places get muddled reviews due to the hype that surrounds the restaurant, I think it sways people's opinons to the extreme ends of the spectrum...anyhow, this is not so at Fore Street. I loved this place! My husband and I have made a point of trying out many restaurants in Portland since we moved here about 6 months ago. Some were great and some were really underwhelming. Fore Street is our favourite thus far! We made rese3rvations for 6pm on a Tuesday evening. I am glad we made the reservations well in advance because the place was packed. I don't mean that there were more full tables than empty, I mean EVERY single seat was filled so, the moral of the story is, even if you want to go here on a weeknight make a reservation. The place is a nice warm converted warehouse. The kitchen is open which I like a lot. I like to watch the action. The whole place has a lovely smell from the open wood fire as well. Someone complained in one review that it was too dark to read the menus but I had no problem. I think the ambiance and lighting were great. It was relaxed and casual yet refined. with the open kitchen and full tables it was pretty boisterous and loud but that did not detract from our experience. The service was outstanding. The timing was spot on, I mean, I think our server was psychic because every time our glasses needed to be filled or we were about ready for another course, there she was. I hate when places are pretentious or condescending with their service, Fore Street was professional but welcoming and not at all snooty. Ok ok enough blah blah, now how about the food? It was Very Very Very good. I have only every been to one other fine dining establishment (flagstaff house in Colorado) that I can really place above Fore Street. For appetizers we had the Fois gras (as usual) and the raw seafood platter. The seafood platter was really interesting; there were periwinkles, shrimp with Meyer lemon sauce and my favourite, the scallop with kumquat slices and arctic char with pickled beets (I think it was pickled anyhow). The char was fishy but not too fishy and the scallop and kumquat went so well together. The fois gras was crispy on the outside and unctuous (yeah I hate when people over use that word but I am using it anyhow, okay? good) and warm on the inside. It came with some sort of gourd puree and toast. I could have eaten more of it but the portions of both were generous. For entrees I ordered the Pheasant. It was juicy and delicious. It came with some grilled cauliflower. I also ordered a side of beets. THOSE BEETS!! they were awesome. Please do order the beets. I was not sure how the portions would be so I got them as an extra, I didn't really need them, the portion of pheasant was rather huge, but I am so glad I got them. My husband loved them as well. He ordered the Hangar steak. We like our meat bloody and as close to breathing as possible (nope, no vegetarians here) so he asked for it rare, the server cautioned us against this because, at Fore Street, unlike most restaurants, when you say Rare they take you seriously and serve it charred ont he outside and cool in the center, instead he got it medium rare and that was perfect. It was nicely charred on the outside and warm and red on the inside. Delicious and tender. I am not sure what I got for dessert since my husband ordered for me, but ohmygod it was a chocolate freaks dream! it was a chocolate torte with a sweet almost, but not quite, maple like sauce with a dollop of chocolate ice cream. It was not normal chocolate though, it was like the pure, unadulterated essence of chocolate distilled onto my plate. Let's just say, I think I have sated my chocolate cravings for the next 6 months. My husband had a bite size cup of something to do with hazelnut. I am not sure what his was called either, but it was much more than bite size and was also very good. Oh and we had a bottle of Barolo. I believe it was the only one on the list and it was great, in fact it was the same one we had at our wedding and it was not marked up sky high either. In the end our bill was about $180 including the wine, not including tip. For the quality of the food, service and ambiance I think Fore Street is an outstanding value. Go there!

    (5)

  • James M.

    Absolutely outstanding. Everything about this place is excellent.

    (5)

  • Pat I.

    Pretentious menu, way overpriced for what it offers. The ambiance is very cool - but can be brutally cold if you end up under the air conditioning vents. Ordered the mussels which had a great broth but were very gritty. Flank steak was undercooked and too chewy. Duck fat roasted potatoes were ordinary. Maybe it was the Sunday night but everything felt off.

    (2)

  • Jen S.

    Had made reservations many weeks prior to dining on opentable. Glad that we did because this place is difficult to get a reservation. They accept walk-ins, but be prepared for a long wait if you try this. We arrived about 20 minutes early and we waited in the bar area until our table was ready for us. During this time, we saw many people come in and try to get a table. They were told that the wait would be at least an hour to dine in the bar area and up to an hour and a half for the dining room. We were seated promptly at our reservation time at a table for two overlooking the open kitchen. Great view. After looking at the many delicious appetizers we decided on having the Vidalia Onion Soup and my husband had some of the selections from the homemade meats that they make. The soup was hot and delicious. A little on the sweet side, but that's vidalia onions there! My husband enjoyed his selection of prepared meats. For dinner I selected the Halibut and my husband had the ribeye. Both arrived quickly and hot. They were both delicious. We also ordered a side of roasted fingerling potatoes. Everything was very good. The halibut and potatoes has some noticeable strong salt presence. I was fine with it, but caution people who may be watching their salt intake on both of these dishes. Service was very attentive and each time I would need my water glass refilled, it was done before I had to even ask. We dined at a nice pace and took a break between entrees and dessert and never once felt rushed to make a decision. For dessert we decided on the vanilla bean pots de creme served with a homemade chocolate chip cookie. Delicious!!!! I wish more places served this! Overall a nice experience. Enjoyed watching the kitchen!

    (4)

  • John L.

    we liked this restaurant, but hoped for more of a connection. we had heard and read a lot of great things, and we kept waiting for them as the courses arrived. there was nothing wrong with anything, but it was not as memorable as their standard baking co, which gets 5 stars.

    (3)

  • Amanda S.

    For financial reasons, you can't go here every night, or even every month. But that one night you do go will be a palette roller coaster. Even if you disregard the inspired, eclectic items like lamb heart and roasted rabbit, you will be sure to delight in the variety of seafood available. All of the fish is cooked and seasoned perfectly. I had the hake, and it nearly melted in my mouth it was so buttery and flakey. The wait staff is also really helpful and friendly.

    (5)

  • Bill E.

    We arrived early for our reservation and sat at the bar for a cocktail. The bar was well stocked and the bartender was very friendly. We met a couple who were waiting for their crew from their yacht to join them for dinner. Really enjoyed their stories. Once seated we were pleasantly surprised that the menu was more extensive than shown online. There were enough appetizers to provide a tapas meal but we elected to just share the foie gras and sweet breads and then move onto the entree. I had the hanger steak and J had the flounder. We then had the flourless chocolate tort and the apple strudel. Everything was fantastic. The service was great. The noise level in the restaurant was a little loud but not so we had to yell to hear each other. The wine list has all flavors and prices. Would go back anytime.

    (5)

  • Cassie M.

    Great ambiance, great service, wonderful food. A must in Portland. Everything you'd hope for when seeking a rustic, authentic but high quality restaurant in New England. It's wonderful to watch the kitchen work in front of you and then gaze out the large windows and take in Portland's harbor. Smart, friendly staff only add to the experience. My only qualm was that it was just sooo busy. We went on a Saturday night, so you expect busy. But we had to wait a while for our table (even though we had a reservation) and the bar was so packed that it was tough to get a drink. Not a huge problem, it's just too nice a restaurant to have the staff running around frantic and clearly somewhat stressed by the crowd. Also, I found a piece of parchment paper on my potatoes that the chef was clearly supposed to remove before serving. Again, when it's busy that happens. Just another sign that they were a bit frantic that night. But ultimately: go early and go often. It's a great spot.

    (4)

  • Jaima S.

    I read great things about Fore Street before heading to Portland, Maine. A James Beard award, multiple national cooking show spots, farm to table, a commitment to local and sustainable seafood. So, my husband and I showed up as walk-ins at 5pm. We sat in the bar and waited until 530 when dinner service starts and we seated in a private room with a slight view of the harbor. Our waitress was great, very helpful and informative. They brought out bread, which seemed to be a wheatberry sourdough and rustic white bread. It was accompanied by sea salt, fresh ground pepper, and whipped butter. My husband and I enjoyed the white bread with whipped butter. I started with the market salad, which was mixed greens with an apple cider vinagrette. It came to the table and I took one bite....HOLY salt. I made my husband taste it and he choked on the salt. We told the waitress and in no time I had a new plate of salad. This one had no salt and was delicious. I ordered the crab and tomato bisque for my entree and my husband ordered the chicken entree of the evening. A word to the wise, you need to order entree sides separately and my husband got the garlic mashed potato special. I wish we were in the main dining room so we could have seen the kitchen in action, but alas our room was fine once the sun set and the lights were glistening over the harbor. Ok, back to the entrees. The tomato and crab bisque was TINY. It was also $15. It had brioche croutons in it, which were good, but the bisque itself was again overly salted and almost sour. The portion of lump crab was generous, but not even that could bring back this bisque. My husband's half chicken was roasted nicely and sat over thinly sliced squash. But, his mashed potato side was totally bitter. I think they burned the garlic or something. The table next to us ordered them as well and had the same complaint. Overall, I enjoyed the atmosphere, but I have to say for all the kudos I'd heard about this place going into it I was thoroughly disappointed. Sam Hayward was not in the kitchen and the James Beard award was in 2004, but I expected more.

    (2)

  • Karmel K.

    Doesn't look like this place needs more positive reviews, but what they hey, i'm going to do it anyway.... Great overall experience. Food was fantastic, service was great and I love the atmosphere, especially the wide open kitchen. Started with a beet and rocket salad. Husband had an appy that included chilled lobster with a tarragon sauce, mackeral tartare, winkles (not one of our favs), and crab. For main, had wood grilled haddock with potatoes. Potatoes were a bit oversalted, but could've been b/c of all the capers in the dish. Still was very good. The fish was fantastic. Hubs got duck (as usual) and it was really great as well. My only complaint is that I didn't have room for dessert!

    (4)

  • Christopher M.

    One of the best restaurants I've eaten in. Everything was executed perfectly and everyone was very professional and helpful. The service was on point throughout the night. I think I enjoyed my appetizer the most - crispy pork belly - but that's no surprise because I order that dish anywhere I can get my hands on it. Entree was very good - duck - cooked perfectly, but wasn't a wow factor. Wine was excellent. Atmosphere was very cool with an open kitchen in the middle of the place. It was almost mesmerizing. Would I return? Yes. Is it expensive. Yes. My only complaint is that the menu is not very creative. But everything on the menu is executed with perfection.

    (4)

  • Fotogal V.

    Luckily a local friend knew we needed a reservation. We arrived a little early and had a drink in their bar/lounge area. Sat down at a comfy sofa across from a couple have drinks and food and chatted with them a bit til our table was ready. As mentioned, the menu changes daily and is not available online. Being a vegetarian, I had called ahead to make sure there would be something for me to eat. The service was excellent from the moment we walked in the door and were greeted to the moment we walked out and were thanked and wished a good evening. And the food was fantastic. Starting with the bread brought to the table served with butter and coarse salt and pepper. Butternut squash soup, pasta with apples and cheese (sounded a little boring and strange but it was fantastic), pizza with summer squash, beets with horseradish and chive cream, panacotta made with coconut yogurt and served with watermelon balls in a light syrup. It's not cheap in price but $130 for 3 for drinks, appetizers, main dishes, shared dessert, and coffee seemed very worth it. Great atmosphere, great food, great service!

    (5)

  • Blair H.

    Fore Play.

    (5)

  • Kat D.

    YUM! My hubby and I were able to go out without the kiddos one night and we really enjoyed ourselves. Great atmosphere and service. The food was good local american food. We loved the potatoes in the cast iron. My husband loved the fish and I got the chicken dish.

    (5)

  • Leah B.

    This is pretty much my favorite restaurant in the world and has been since a chance encounter in 2004. Ever since that day, I can't drive past Portland without my car involuntarily taking me to Fore Street. Love the fresh and local ingredients--I pine for a glass walk-in like the one in their open kitchen. The menu: farm-to-table perfection. One of New England's finest restaurants.

    (5)

  • Sarah L.

    After hearing such great things about Fore Street, both on yelp.com and from friends, I brought my family here for what I though would be quite a treat. Unfortunately, it was not to be. First off, as a vegetarian, while I don't expect most restaurants to cater to me, there was not a single vegetarian entrée on the menu, and I ended up having to order an appetizer and several side dishes. Disappointing to go to Fore Street and not be able to order a main dish, but oh well. The salad was good, but not awe-inspiring: apples, goat cheese, and a vinaigrette dressing made for a nice, but expected, combination. My parents are, however, not vegetarians, so they had more options on the menu. My mother ordered the spigot chicken, which looked appetizing on the menu, but when it got to us was completely raw. I'm not talking slightly undercooked - I mean r-a-w. She sent it back, only to have it return a few minutes later with an explanation from the hostess that "the pinkish color of the brine just makes it seem raw." Not true: the meat was not cooked. Turns out this happened to a friend of mine a few weeks ago too, and the same excuse was given to her. My father got the hanger steak, which he found to be great but not one of his all-time favorites. That being said, there were a few things we had which I found excellent: the sweet potato mash was deliciously spiced, as well as the mashed potatoes. In terms of other vegetables, we also order brussel sprouts, but they too were undercooked and very hard to bite into. Dessert was pretty good, too - a mini-cheescake and a crème brulée. Overall, a huge disappointment. I expected far better from a restaurant which such a quality reputation, and for the price, and I doubt I will return. Two stars instead of one because I loved the sweet potato mash so much.

    (2)

  • Michael S.

    One of the best restaurants in the country? At least the parts of the country that I have visited. It ranks right up there with Chez Panisse and Blue Hill at Stone Barns. The causual atmosphere is a huge positive and the reasonable pricing is just icing on the cake. And the staff is wonderful. What more could you ask.

    (5)

  • Geneva W.

    Fore Street will always be a pinnacle of perfectly cooked American rustic fare in a memorable, renovated-barn locale. However, good execution and fresh ingredients will not stand alone when not combined with innovation! When we dined recently at Fore Street there were no specials (which, to me, is the sure sign of a bored chef) and the dishes on the menu were almost exactly the same as our previous visit, with much time in between. I hate to give any restaurant who uses so much local produce anything less than 4 stars, but I remain less than impressed with Fore Street. They are like the classic under-achiever; they COULD be spectacular, but they settle for mediocre. However, I would not deter you from dining there (if you have the $$ for it) if you are in the mood for traditional, rustic fare. And the bread (from downstairs neighbor Standard Baking Co.) is worth a visit in itself.

    (3)

  • Tim W.

    I'd say probably still THE best meal available in Portland, ME (unless of course my BF is cooking). Fore Street excels in EVERY regard. The service is spot on..not only was the server knowledgeable about the wine and food she was EXCITED about it which is something that cannot be taught. She made excellent suggestions and coursed our weird orders (1 app first, 1 app and entree 2nd, 1 app third etc...) without batting an eye. I even took it upon myself to stop by the kitchen to thank the guys (and girl--the exectuive sous) for an excellent meal. Great job! Oh and Sam was sitting right across from us...a GOOD sign when the owner is eating and entertaing his own guests in his restaruant! The only negative is that you MUST plan in advacce to eat here while there ARE walk in tables they fill up quickly so reserve as far as you can in advance. I'd say AT LEAST 10-12 days in advance from April to October.

    (5)

  • Andrew T.

    Fore Street is the restaurant I would create if I were to create a restaurant. It is housed in an old mill-like building (brick, exposed post and beam, big windows, etc) with a cozy atmosphere made so by the literally open kitchen with roaring fire, and the candle lights at each table. The menu is very extensive, which is usually a turn off for me, but the dishes were organized by cooking style, and even though there were dozens of choices, I found it to be pretty manageable to pour through. Oh, and when I say literally open kitchen, I mean it. The kitchen is in the middle of the restaurant, and has no walls separating it from the dining area, so it is right out there and allows for total visibility into the cooking process. They also keep all of their produce in a little windowed (presumably chilled) room right off of the kitchen, which really added to the openness of everything in the kitchen area. The service was spot on and friendly, and the food was fantastic. I opted for a whole black sea bass (head, bones, etc) that was cooked in a lemon/caper/butter sauce which I would have consumed as a cocktail on it's own if it were feasible to do so. The whole dish was absolutely phenomenal. We finished off with a tart plum pastry with mango sorbet, which combined some flavors that I hadn't had before, but worked wonderfully. Definitely an excellent dining experience all around.

    (4)

  • Paul L.

    So I came here because I went to State Street which is owned by the same restaurateur. I was excited because it was a recommendation made by a culinary tour guide who supposedly knew her ins and outs, fore after all, she does make her living by knowing the outs and ins. I also went to State Street before and had a great time (ie. good service, better food). From the outside, it's very unassuming. Inside, it is happening. The kitchen is exposed to the main dining area and it's cool to see what the chefs are doing with your food to get to the finished product. To me, it says that they have nothing to hide and that they are truly proud of their chefs' work. The rest of the dining area is large, spacious, rustic yet clean, and dimly lit but not overly so. The food was great. Apparently their menu changes everyday to take advantage of the freshest foods available. On the night that I went, I came with a group of twelve people and we all ordered something different. Personally, I had the sea bass which was nice and big. My gf got a soft shell crab (awesome!) and we shared their pizza (also awesome, especially their crust). I saw others get the mussels which were great and a great value too ($10 for a large plate of very meaty mussels). I saw another get the hanger steak which looked immaculate and probably tasted like heaven. Most of us got the chilled seafood platter which I thought was kind of a rip off. It's more of a tasting plate of four different fishes and though it is very good, at $18 a dish, I just don't think it's worth it. I ain't no baller. It would probably be apt to change the name to "a taste of chilled seafood." "Platter" made it sound like it was going to be this huge dish but it wasn't. Nish nish. The service was good. The beers were favorably priced and they had some good selections. I like it when places don't charge more for the simple things like beer just because the rest of their farm-to-table food is priced higher. I would come back but not without going to State Street first.

    (3)

  • Nick C.

    Ate here on New Years Eve and what an experience. Service was excellent. My girlfriend is gluten free and our waitress went so far as to print off a description of one ingredient that was "related" to wheat so that my gf could decide if she still wanted the dish. The food was excellent and prepared exactly as we ordered (we had the salmon, duck, lamb, and a few apps). My description doesn't do the meals justice because it was too long ago to remember the exact descriptions. Menus are printed out daily and the ambiance is awesome. Would definitely go back.

    (5)

  • Jen S.

    I found this place while on travel for work. It stuck out in my mind as one of the best places I've ever eaten, and that is saying something. Really, I rate it higher than Nobu even. You get the impression that good food and good ingredients, really matter to these people. The dishes were just very high quality. I think you have to try it to understand.

    (5)

  • Dan M.

    I had a terrific experience at Fore St last Saturday night with friends and family (party of 6). This is a very popular place so it's highly recommended you call as far in advance as you can for reservations. We had called the previous Tuesday and were told all they had left were reservations for 9:00. Luckily my sister-in-law was aware that you could get in line prior to their opening and get walk-in reservations (if they're available). They had something for us at 5:30, which was ideal. All of the food was perfect, including the mussels, chilled seafood platter, rib eye, hangar steak, scallops, and various sides we tried. I personally had the Atlantic swordfish loin; the size and shape of which could be compared to a filet mignon. It was agreed amongst my party to have been the best swordfish any of us had ever tasted before. The cocktails are good and the wine list is extensive (albeit a little too pricy in my opinion as compared with other nice restaurants). From start to finish the service was stellar. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting with a lot of action happening in their open kitchen. We watched as brilliant heirloom tomatoes were sliced for one of their side dishes which we later tried. We finished the evening with dessert and like everything else it was well worth it.

    (5)

  • Michael K.

    Nice room, horrible staff Would not deviate from menu or even cook fish in a different way from the menu Lots of hype but no substance I will definitely pass next time

    (1)

  • Jessica F.

    We enjoyed our meal here immensely, inviting our hosts with whom we were staying. Peter had been there several times, but it was a first for me, as well as our friend Mercer, who hadn't been there either. We had a great table right in front of the brick oven where they roast all the meats and fish. Our server was charming, attentive and informed. The service was excellent overall, with water, bread and the like all coming with precision. Food...well, honestly, it was all perfect. From fresh fish and mussels to pork and steak, nothing was less than stellar. The butter was fresh and room temperature, the wines were crisp and well priced, the cheese plate at the end was sublime and the whole experience nothing short of excellent. We eat a lot. We know food. Fine, fresh, impeccably prepared locally sourced ingredients in knowlegeable hands is what you get at Fore Street. This was good.

    (4)

  • pramod p.

    This place is quite an experience. The open kitchen concept if great, and the menu, espeically the seafood, is fabulous. The salmon was some of the best ive ever tasted. We also had their signature pork on a spit, which was decent. It was a large piece of meat, somewhat lacking in sides, but the flavour was delicous. I am not sure it is worth the price, but it was a lovely dinner. Quality food. ALSO: it is very tough to get a reservation, but they keep 1/3 of their place open for walk ins- the key to this is showing up at 5 when they start taking reservations, you are bound to get a table for that night!

    (4)

  • Justin R.

    When food is at its best, it transcends what is on the plate to become a metaphor for life's beauty. The best meals are gorgeous on the plate, surprising, joyous, best shared, and ultimately ephemeral: the enjoyment of eating is all too brief. Fore Street provides a wonderful culinary experience such as this. We started with the goat cheese and tomato tart, and each bite blissfully danced across my palette: light yet complex, and completely delicious. After asking the waitress how long the tart had been on the menu, she informed us that it's been a summer staple of the restaurant for years, but that the tomatoes this season had been less than ideal, so that if we had visited the night before, it wouldn't have been on the menu. Good timing. This dedication to only using the freshest and best ingredients was consistent across the restaurant. All of the cooking and prep takes place in the center of the restaurant, so that all diners can see exactly what is going into their food. A large glass closet to the side stores everything from fresh peppers to cheeses at their proper temperatures. Bread is fresh-baked and delivered from Standard Baking Company downstairs. Basically, if the ingredients aren't local, healthy, and ripe, Fore Street won't serve them. (It's sad that this high standard is such a surprise!) The most amazing aspect of Fore Street's dining is the simplicity of the offerings: each meal is a demonstration of perfect execution and sublime freshness. My halibut was cooked perfectly, and the accompanying gnocchi rivaled any I ate in Florence. My fiancee's spit-roasted chicken could not have been moister or more flavorful. And the side of roasted summer squash we ordered were caramelized to perfection. On top of the spectacular food, the service was prompt, courteous, intelligent, and welcoming. Since we could watch all of the comings-and-goings from the central kitchen, it was clearly apparent that dinners are Fore Street are an ensemble affair - the entire staff worked as a well-oiled machine. And did I mention that all of this wonderful eating (and great wine list) is available at AFFORDABLE prices? I've been fortunate enough to dine at a large number of great restaurants. Fore Street is my new favorite.

    (5)

  • Susan J.

    We really enjoyed our experience here. The restaurant has a great layout and the open kitchen was fun to watch. The pizza, swordfish, wine, and blueberry tart were the standouts of our meal. I appreciated that we were able to relax and enjoy each course without feeling rushed. All and all a great dinner to cap off our trip.

    (4)

  • Todd W.

    This is a heavily touted restaurant. But it is all hype. Reservations were merely a "suggestion" of time. Once seated, the service was akin to abandonment. The food was just mediocre and sitting next to the windows, it was cold before the fork hit our mouths. Water glasses were left empty and I finally had to ask the maitreD for the check so that we could leave, after we sat ignored for 15 minutes. No one checked on us after a person who was not our waiter brought us the food. Extremely disappointing. Definitely a place NOT to go! And, the mussels are much better at Sea Glass at Inn By the Sea...not to mention better service.

    (1)

  • Ken M.

    Why do people not understand that you have to get a reservation at a nice restaurant, it isn't a shit on the wall chain restaurant? That being said, I got reservations two months prior to Andy's birthday (the first day they take reservations for that day) and there were already limited spots available. Our reservation was for 6pm, but we arrived at about 5:30pm and were seated at 5:45. Our waitress was a little ...crazy/eccentric, but well intentioned and pretty nice. Fairly on top of things. The ambiance of the place is amazing, with exposed brick walls, high beamed ceilings, an exposed kitchen and produce walk in. The lighting is warm and the tables are nice and metallic. Special note: the wood floors were amazing, I don't know how they got that effect, but they were beautiful. The one detractor was that the bathrooms at the front of the restaurant look like an afterthought and are the only things clad in generic white painted drywall in the place, they don't mesh with the rest of the place. The waterboys and table runners were easy on the eyes. The food was delicious. From our salads to entrees to dessert, perfect. Mine was a spinach and carrot salad with goat cheese, pumpkin seeds and pickled onions followed by sea scallops on a bed of pureed turnip and swiss chard and finished with an apple and cranberry pastry. Accompanied by a nice dry reisling. Andy's was a beet and greens salad followed by spit roasted rabbit and finished with a pear cobbler. Overall a good time and worth the price for a special event. Points for not being as pretentious as most restaurants at this price point are. I didn't feel like I was looked down on if I asked a question.

    (5)

  • Marcus H.

    I made reservations a week in advance, for 9:30 p.m., and I ended up pretty disappointed in my meal. Maybe it's because nothing is in season now (I'm hoping that is the reason). I really wanted to love this place--I did. But, the pork chops were, eh, the chicken was nothing special, and the dessert was just o.k. The best part of the meal was the large bowl of HUGE mussels, which I enjoyed immensely.

    (3)

  • Ibrahim A.

    There are so many things I did like about this spot I find it hard to count the ways...although I was very disappointed by one very specific thing; the rib eye for $40.00 that my wife received. When I think of a rib eye I think of a steak that's incredibly juicy, usually not drenched in a sauce that takes over the steak, and seared to perfection. And not to mention that they're usually at least thicker than a slice of generic Wonder Bread...unfortunately this was not the case with our $40.00 Steak. We were so excited to splurge on ourselves! My Duck that I ordered was phenomenal. The Greens were great and the Sweet Mash was beautiful. The mussels were good too. Everything was perfect until this very sad state of affairs that was her steak came to the table. It was drenched...DRENCHED in a mushroom sauce and super rare (she ordered medium/well because she might be with child *too early to tell exactly* but that's why she ordered it that way so don't get my case about it). On top of that it was literally 1/2 inch thick. Excuse me but when you hear the words "Rib EYE" you expect certain things and for $40.00 ( which I expect to pay when getting a proper steak) you better get an awesome steak . The chef should be embarrassed for putting this on a plate and serving it. The sauce killed all the steak flavor...all she tasted was this mushroom concoction and not the beautiful flavor of a properly salt and peppered seared steak. It was a big disappointment . Were we giving the wrong order? Was the server too embarrassed to tell us that possibly f'ed up and just gave us what she had, hoping that we wouldn't notice? I'm confused.

    (3)

  • Christa G.

    Fantastic restaurant. One of my favorites. My friends and I drive up from Boston just to eat here. This was my fourth trip. The mussels are a must try (or at least dip your bread in the sauce they come in); I hated mussels all my life until I ate them here. The service is always incredible and extremely knowledgeable. The bartender makes a mean dirty martini. The menu changes daily. Be prepared to spend some dough and make reservations weeks in advance if possible.

    (5)

  • L P.

    By now it's overrun with tourists and foodies, (guilty here) but it's still one of the best dining experiences that you can have. The first time I was there it was amazing. I had a near-religious experience with the oven-roasted whole fish. It was moist and had that wood-fired taste. The reduction sauce that it came in made the dish. The salad was also memorable. It was kept in a humidity controlled wooden walk-in cooler type of contraption and dressed very lightly. The greens were crisp and fresh it made a huge difference. Their breads are always good the foccacia is a favorite. The chef made a special gnocchi dish in a spring vegetable broth for my boyfriend that was light and hearty at the same time. It was absolutely amazing. They never had it again. My second visit was less amazing but still good. I had the sweetbreads over risotto. Not the best sweetbreads I have ever had. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because the food is not always consistent due to how busy they are. But if you enjoy good food you'll enjoy Fore Street.

    (4)

  • Curt L.

    I thought this was an excelllent restaurant..............and here is why: FOOD: Farm to plate business model here. I went with the waiter suggested Roasted Pear and Romaine Salad. Maytag cheese and roasted almonds complimented nicely the balsamico and olive oil dressing. The greens, roasted celeriac and roasted pear made for a refeshing starter. Enjoyed the summer flounder filet that was beautifully cooked. Tender and juicy on the inside with a nice outer crunch. Dressed nicely with a chive butter sauce and comlimented with a braised endive. We all shared the mashed parsnips that were sweet and crunchy as they included caramelzied onions. Before dinner we also shared a pan of mussels that were very plump and juicy. Some of the finest and freshest mussels that I have ever had. Delicious. Please pass the fresh bread as "I have some dippin' to do". Yes.............always room for desert which in my book as to include chocolate. They have a four item hand made chocolate plate here that was unusual & tasty. The offering (2 of each) include a tarragon ganache bon bon, a candied pecan bark, a dried cherry with pink peppercorn and smoked sea salt bark (that was my favorite) and a spiced orange and almond ganache truffle. My colleauge order the cheese plate which I liberally "stole" from. SERVICE: Our waitron was a true pro. She expertly guided us thru the menu highlights. She was attentive but not obstrusive. The servings and take aways were beautifully timed. AMBIANCE: This was a Monday night but the place was packed. Not noisy at all just a really good vibe. A seperate bar area allowed for a pre meal beverage. This is a first class place. When in Portland ME you must give Fore a try. You will not be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Shannon T.

    Great atmosphere and cool open kitchen. Went there for our anniversary and the food and service was excellent. The bread is fresh daily from their bakery downstairs which is also fabulous. The menu changes daily so you can't look online at a menu but there is something for everyone. When making my reservation I was asked if it was a special occasion and after telling them it was our anniversary they gave us a little card when we were seated and the dessert plate and cheese plate had happy anniversary written on the plate in chocolate....nice touch. Overall it was a great meal, very pricey but worth it for special occasions and great atmosphere and vibe.

    (4)

  • J S L.

    Don't miss when in town. This restaurant and its bakery downstairs would succeed in an US urban center.

    (4)

  • E. R.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants. They always use the freshest, highest quality ingredients. The service and decor are top notch. The chefs are creative and passionate. The waitstaff are friendly and knowledgeable.When you consider all of the things that make a great restaurant, the staff at Fore Street excel at almost every level.

    (4)

  • Sonia K.

    The dinning experience at Fore Street was great...glad that we made reservations. We were not very hungry and almost cancelled the reservation. But on hindsight glad that we went. We had mussels..cooked perfectly and raw clams and swordfish steaks. We still are raving about the swordfish steak..it was exemplary. The only part of food we did not like was the risotto with the swordfish..it was undercooked and just did not taste right. The ambiance is of course very nice wit the open kitchen and food and service was excellent. Plus I am a sucker for country looking restaurants with old wood floors, brick walls and exposed plumbing and lighting. You know what I am talking about ;) It gets my vote for a great meal in Portland....

    (4)

  • Lauren W.

    What I loved at Fore Street: I loved the ambiance. The low lighting and the candles provide a very intimate scene. What was mediocre: Maybe I'm spoiled, living in Boston, surrounded by excellent food?! But I only thought the food only deserved 4 stars, at the most. I was also surprised at how expensive it was to eat here! A bad sign is that the only thing that I really remember about my meal were the mussels. The mussels were delicious! I would go back for a glass of white wine and an order of the mussels, all for myself, anytime! But the rest of the meal was forget-able. I also remember being slightly disappointed in the wine list. My husband and I met my family here for a family dinner. My dad was so excited because he had heard/read rave reviews for Fore Street (he's an avid fan of Phantom Gourmet and goes out of his way to try mentioned places). At the end of the night my dad left a little sad and disappointed and out of a couple hundred dollars... this is why Fore Street only gets an "A-OK".

    (3)

  • Caitlin S.

    Whenever my BF and I visit Portland, Fore Street is our fancy-schmancy, go-all-out, eat-as-much-as-you-can dinner date location. It's perfect. This place is so quintessentially down-east Maine with it's casual ambiance, casual dress, amazing food and unpretentious attitude. Everything is so fresh and delicious. I had a duck dish that was divine, my BF had beef, also divine. Top it off with a bottle of Brunello, and yup, we're in heaven. The serving staff is friendly and accommodating, the acoustics loud but not too loud (there's a pleasant energy to the place, the creaking of the floors, the laughter of guests and the clanging of happy forks!!). The building is great, too-- with the exposed bricks, wine display and open kitchen. The smell of fresh bread and cooking is intoxicating. All in all, an amazing place, offering local meats, local produce, local flavor... definitely worth the splurge.

    (5)

  • Zuzzi E.

    Open kitchen, warm brick walls, beautiful views, fresh new menu everyday... A very thoughtful person put this restaurant together. My biggest gripe is lack of vegetarian entrees (instead, I put together 3 sides). But altogether, a fantastic place to share a bottle of wine and delicious food with someone you love.

    (4)

  • M M.

    Love this place, love this place, love this place. I want a second stomach so I can eat more. Save room for dessert, the apple upside down cake is to die for! Two minor complaint, the bread is too good, I always eat too much of it and the waitress always refills it. It can get a little chilly if you are sitting by the windows.

    (5)

  • Jordan N.

    Everything they do is amazing.

    (5)

  • Jay B.

    Came here on a Sunday night for dinner. Great facility and ambiance- love the open kitchen and the laid back feel. No pretentiousness here! Service was prompt and excellent. Had small plates for dinner. Started with the roasted squash salad- simple and delicious. Maybe a touch too much dressing but thats nitpicking. Followed with the crab bisque. WOW. Simply the best crab bisque I've ever had- rich without being heavy or thick, and with perfect nuggets of crab meat. Next was the carrot puree pizza- again simple, rustic, and perfectly done. Very savory. We saved room for dessert and had the chocolate torte- so decadent we couldn't finish it but sooooo good- and the apple tarte tatin- once again, the best version I've ever tasted. All of this and wine for surprisingly little, which was the icing on this culinary cake- it's totally affordable!

    (5)

  • Pam C.

    A pretty spectacular place! Amazing service, very prompt, informed and helpful. The roasted Sardines, which are not your Norwegian-out-of -the can variety, but REAL fish, were delectable. Roasted mussels were killer--so fresh, perfectly prepared, moist and delicious. Since the menu changes often (daily?) it's hard to get hung up on favorites. The beauty of the restaurant is their commitment to serving the freshest local food available. And as far as we are concerned, they excel at this endeavor!

    (5)

  • TJ S.

    Overrated and overpriced. Continuously purported as the premier restaurant in Portland. Service was odd and unknowledgeable. They are obviously used to patrons who have a bit of dining experience, but a limited depth about food & drink. Did not have as many variations on traditional dishes as I thought it would. I know they are known for simple food done really well, but sooooo many restaurants do that at a better price point, not to mention while attracting a way less stuffy clientele. The menu doesn't really vary as much as you think it would considering their focus on local and seasonal ingredients. I'd say the chef's here are doing what they are told, and are doing it very well, though I think the head chef's/owners have put this place on autopilot a long time ago (well done), but have lost their edge on the menu and supervision of the restaurant (their bad). Long wait even with a reservation. They take reservations for the bar as well. Space is nicely designed with a focus on making their staff comfortable and showing the process a little bit. Once a former leader in a burgeoning restaurant scene, this place now seems like more of a tourist spot for "the best of Portland". They are making money hand over fist here, I recommend spending your money somewhere else. You'll be disappointed if you've eaten this fare in other cities.

    (2)

  • Matteo M.

    One of my top five restaurants in the USA, I have only been here once but was blown away. The setting itself is excellent, as is the atmosphere. The menu changes frequently, I simply ordered what was recommended and fresh and could not have been more happy (particularly the fresh fruit based desert). I was very surprised to find such a good restaurant in Portland.

    (5)

  • Edward B.

    Great staff. Prices are way to high. Montreal prices but not in that league for value.

    (3)

  • Mara R.

    Yes, it's that good. If you want to have a foodie experience this is the place. First of all the location is is kind of discreet and non-pretentious. The concept is simple- open kitchen and the food is the star. The food and the preparation are what you focus on. You also can wear what I call "upscale casual" attire on to eat here. This makes the experience again- non pretentious and genuine. They feature a menu that changes frequently which always keeps it interesting and exciting. Yet, rest assure it will always be good. Fresh, local, "farm-to-table" ingredients with gourmet flare. Presentation is simple yet with sophisticated flavors. We venture to Portland JUST to eat here. One of our favorites!!!

    (5)

  • Eileen R.

    Went here last wednesday. Made a reservation...and was glad I did. It was busy! The room is beautiful. Cool rustic decor with an open kitchen in the center of the room. It gives it a super nice atmosphere with the dishes clinking and everyone talking. It's not too loud though. Our server was so nice too. I had a wild mushroom salad to start. Hubby had a sweetbread special. Both were absolutely delicious! For dinner we got the halibut special and the rib eye. To finish we shared the chocolate cake that was like lava cake with just the lava. amazing. This was the best dinner we had while in Portland. We will be back for sure. If you had one day to spend in this city, this is the place you want to have dinner.

    (5)

  • D T.

    the open kitchen and exposed beams will remind you of a rustic, cozy cabin in the mountains. the menu changes every night, but if it is any bit as good as the one last week you will have a great meal here. our very friendly waiter advised us not to order too much, so we stuck with the appetizers and salads, which kept things reasonable...the food -- crusty bread and fresh butter, roasted fiddleheads (!), mussels roasted in the wood oven, a Mediterranean cous cous salad, fresh crab-meat atop chilled asparagus with a quail egg -- was pure bliss (as was the dessert, delicious chocolate torte).

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    Decent food.. maybe little overpriced for the quality... and so-so desert. But this place does have a great variety of fish that are not often available at many other places in portland (to my surprise).

    (3)

  • Sarah A.

    Great staff, delicious food, great wine, if I can make it back to Portland I would love to come back here!

    (5)

  • Lynda M.

    Dined here last night, and it was very good. Our server, Lance, was outstanding. They serve the freshest ingredients, and our food was superb. I had the seafood stew, and my fiance the hanger steak. Nice atmosphere with exposed brick and an open feel. Nice wine list. I took off a star because they ran out of too many of the entrees (of course one was what my fiance wanted). C'mon, it was a busy Saturday night, you should have planned a bit better!

    (4)

  • laney d.

    based on multiple visits over the past few years...standouts include --amazing roast chicken, lamb,mussels and offal! plus the service is exceptional! my only wish is that it would be a little less pricey.

    (5)

  • Candi S.

    i have been to this restaurant times and both times were disappointments. this last time was by far the worst! being a small business owner myself, i understand that some days can be bad days, etc. but really fore street? our server was terrible and really ruined the night for us. things started out promising, she welcomed us and took our order but. when our starters came, we were missing a dish my husband had ordered, and when we pointed that out to her and tried to re-order it, she argued with us that we did not order that dish and then walked away, so my husband just gave up and did not get a starter. the starters were delicious, crab bisque and quail. and mussels. 7 of the mussels (practically half the dish) unfortunately were d.o.a. which happens but really is unacceptable; and though we did not want to complain to our waitress who was at that point ignoring us, we all thought it was odd when she asked us if we were still working on the pile of dead mussels floating in the broth when she finally came to clear our table as the entrees were being brought out. we ordered lots of food and in between our salads and entrees we sat unattended to for over 45 minutes. during that time we finished our bottle of wine, all of the water at the table and beer; our waitress literally ignored us. we had intended on ordering another bottle of wine and round of beer but never had a chance to. the entrees were not that great. fish and pork and chicken all served cold, including the accoutrements. we chalked it up to having something to do with the long wait in between the salads and entrees (about an hour). our waitress then disappeared entirely and someone else brought us our check. i'm giving it 2 stars because the desserts were amazingly delicious! wonderful presentation...apple crisp, bread pudding...so amazing. overall our dinner was about $450.00, and we would have loved to have spent more and had wine and drinks throughout dinner had we had a server.. we decided next time we will go somewhere else though... we did tip 20% though to try to encourage better service for other people.

    (2)

  • Mary H.

    Excellent dinner, very pleasant helpful staff. Walked in around 4:30 and asked for reservations for 7:45 - no problems. Place was hoppin' when we got there for our dinner. The waitress helped with my wine selection, none of that wine snootiness you sometimes get, just honest info. Salads were as fresh as you can get, I had the mixed greens and the dressing was just noticeable, really let the greens come through. Bread was great quality. I had flounder with mashed parsnips, husband had grilled duck confit with duck breast. Mine was very good, not too fancy, but that's what I was aiming for. The husband's was outstanding! Again, when he wanted a suggestion for wine, the waitress helped him out with honest discussion. I wished I had more parsnips with my flounder, it was really more of sauce than anything like a helping. Husband and I shared the lemon pie dessert - there wasn't anything wrong with it, but I didn't enjoy it - I'm definitely more of a creme brulee, chocolate cake type. All in all, excellent food - a bit pricey, so be prepared!

    (4)

  • Mandy H.

    Fore Street is quite delicious. The ambiance is cozy and comfortable without being too laidback or sloppy , spare without being boring or unimaginative ( check out the chandeliers with real votives--even Prince would be proud!). The whole place gives off a feeling of warmth, as if you are having dinner in a giant brick fireplace-an especially appealing feeling when looking out onto the chilly November streets. I dug the accessible views of the chefs and prep area as well as the "greenhouse" area where the veggies were stored, sauna-like. Boyfriend and I tried the squash soup ( sweet-but very, very good), the crab salad ( a little small for two people to share, be warned), and the chicken livers as appetizers. Now I know you are thinkin: "God, Mandy, chicken livers? Blech!" But served in a cherry sauce with fennel, they were DAMN good. Boyfriend also got the sardines as an appetizer, but I try not to eat things that still have faces (he made me try a teensy bit---they *were* good, in a "I-still-have-a-face" kinda way, but that's my personal hangup so, oh well) For our entree we got the Butler Steak. Hot damn. What a great experience, so tender that if you merely touched it with your fork , there were indentations. It's served on a bed of barley which was also nice and unexpected. Finally for dessert we had the toffee pudding, which nearly brought tears to my eyes. Heavenly. It is served with a mug of hot chocolate. This is not Swiss Miss powered garbage. This is the genuine article.Chocolat Chaud. It's like drinking a melted Hershey's bar. Our waiter was nice and attentive. He also presented himself in a very professional manner, which made the important distinction between salesman and server--I felt like I was at Bloomingdales being presented with fabulous jewelry to try on rather than at a restaurant. Also: Oh my, The Bread. Oh me, The Butter. Please indulge and ask for more as your meal progresses. I will never have bread that good again.

    (4)

  • A. K.

    Delicious bread. Cocktail was a bit small. Excellent apple and endive salad--a large portion. Rabbit was delicious as was the hake. Excellent service. Loved the warm squash. Enjoyed the artic char cold appetizer. Only real complaint was that the restaurant was way too warm. We will be back. Excellent cappucino (sp).

    (4)

  • James R.

    Close to New Years and decide to visit Portland,we needed a martini and decided to visit Fore St. We started out with sweet breads and grilled mussels. The sweet breads were prepared with care and the mussels were grilled perfectly. The bar was a nice place to be and the service was great. We decided to order the rabbit livers with risotto, which was a nice ending to our night. The bar service was excellent.

    (4)

  • liz k.

    Must have been an off night, or a busy night that created a less than warm mood in the bar.... but our experience was a not what i would have expected. While waiting for our table, we went to the bar for a drink. The bartender was so focused on those with seats that he gave us a very cold and short message that drinks were only available from waitress. Isn't it common to get a drink from the bar? We just didn't know the game. Food was good. Some dishes better than others. Waitress was wonderful. Hope it was just a bad night.....

    (3)

  • T.H. J.

    Consistently the best in town and I have eaten at all of them. Fresh, local food. You must eat the kale (no joke)

    (5)

  • Eric W.

    A group of 4 we picked up reservations for early Wednesday evening on a Tuesday. I was here about 2yrs ago and it was good as I remember, but this trip was just so so. My martini had 3 olives as I ordered... but with the pits, which gives the vodka no flavor from them. My roasted shitake mushroom and spinach salad was killed by the mustard vinagrette and barely a trace of bacon, and the shitakes tasted as though they were steamed, not roasted. My ribeye (36$ for a 12-14oz off bone cut), was unspectacular. I cook them better on my grill at home. Just flavorless. I ate half and gave the other half to one of our guests for her dog. I ordered my ribeye (which comes on a bed of shitakes and fingerling potatoes) rare and it came that way, but the other two who ordered it went with medium-well, and medium-well to well done, and both came medium rare (and we ordered them based on what the waitress said was their cooking methods), so one sent his back to be cooked more. We had the turnips and carrots for sides. The turnips, just ok. The carrots were barely cooked. My scallop appetizer, which I would normally expect to be 2 or 3 medium to large, came as a saucer of about 15 very small ones in a decent sauce, which weren't bad at all. Our bill for 8 drinks, 3 salads, a soup, 3 ribeyes, swordfish, scallop app, one dessert and a cappucino, came to just short of 300$. Definately NOT worth the price. The menu itself was not all that impressive. The only things out of the ordinary were a quail meal and a Maine lamb tongue. Other than that it was standard meats and fish, pork dishes, etc. With as many choices as there are around town, I'll most assuredly try other places before I ever come here again. We were there about 2hrs so don't come here if you want quick service. On a side note, our waitress was very nice and informative, not rude at all. The dress is casual to dressy. I was in jeans and a polo, but there were some in t-shirts and some in casual dress to suits. The open kitchen is nice, but nothing out of the ordinary for high end restaurants these days. Before you start thinking 'this guy doesn't know good food', note I've been traveling all over the US for the last 4-5yrs and have eaten at everything from the local greasy spoons to more Ruth's Chris, Morton's, and DelMonico's than I can shake a stick at in every major city and many dinky ones you've never heard of. It just didn't impress me at all this go round.. YMMV.

    (2)

  • Robert R.

    Brief update. I returned with friends from Pasadena, CA this month and obtained a 6:00 PM reservation before July 4th weekend at last minute. We sat next to the open kitchen, by the wood burning oven, warm, but nice action. OK, much better service this time, and no yahoos after the meal slamming down Makers' (we did leave before the closing bell). All in all, it redeemed itself on service and the food was excellent on this occasion. I am not increasing my Star count from 3 to 4 just yet, but it was a more pleasant experience this time.

    (3)

  • Scott S.

    Yum Yum Yum Christmas last year with my sister and brother in law. I don't recall eating anything other than cheese but they had the most wonderful selection of champagne. I think the bottle that did us in was the Rose Vueve Clicot Library selection. You only live once! I enjoyed the lounge area. I did go back a couple weeks later and the Hanger steak was excellent, very difficult to find a place that cooks the hanger correctly.

    (4)

  • Matt M.

    Easily a Top 20 dining experience in my life, and creeping up on a top 10. If you don't know about this place, you are probably not that into food and can Google the whole 411 on the place. We were in Portland for a bachelor party and did not have reservations. Someone in our group stood in line at the first sign of the doors being open. We snagged a table for 8 at 8:45 PM. TIP - they apparently hold a few tables everynight for walkups. Did I mention we had the captain's table right next to the kitchen? I had a piece of pork that was like the best piece of swine I have ever had. Everything is Ala carte, so we just ordered meat and cocktails. The only slightly bad experience was telling our waiter to surprise us with a shot for the bachelor. They mixed up lawn clippings, dandelions, and dirt...I don't know what is was but it tasted like some herbal remedy your grandmother would give you. Amazing food, great ambiance, and one of the better places you are going to dine at.

    (5)

  • minky m.

    My fiance brought me here for a birthday drinks and appetizers. If you want to skip the wait you can eat at the bar. The oysters were great and the cold meat trio. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting....and the beer is really cheap from the standpoint of someone who lives in nyc. black and tans were only $4.50 if you want to experience this place without the hefty price tag, drinks and appetizers is a good way to go...

    (4)

  • Greg M.

    As soon as I walked in and the smell of the brick oven hit me, I knew I was in for something special. Fore Street is surprisingly intimate for such an open, large space. It looks like remodeled warehouse with dim lighting and warm tones. I got the pork loin and my girlfriend got the duckling. Both were outstanding. They did run out of a few seafood options, but that didn't bother us any because their meat selection was very good. I could go on and on about this place. The food, the atmosphere, the service, but I feel like its been covered in other reviews. One thing I'll add is the value: This is fine dining. Gourmet ranked it the 26th best restaurant in the country. Yet, we got a bottle of wine, two of the best entrees I've ever tasted, two sides, and split an impeccible vanilla creme brulee and the bill came to $100! Incredible. Another place could have gotten away with charging twice that and (wealthy) gourmets wouldn't flinch.

    (5)

  • Faylinda K.

    My, my, my - this was great. Beautifully presented, fresh ingredients and a well-informed waitstaff to offer guidance. Having the open kitchen turned the night into dinner and a movie. Husband and I were mesmerized by the activity in the kitchen along with the flaring 1000 degree open oven. (Don't forget to go outside and down the stairs. Underneath is Standard Bakery, everythng is delicious but we particularly enjoyed the olive rolls.)

    (5)

  • Karen N.

    Our best meal in Maine. Went there on a cold rainy Sunday night and waited for 45 minutes to get in.No problem, we went across the street for a beer and watched football for a while. We sat near the kitchen and could almost feel the heat from the pizza oven. Great food and service, not stuffy either. Believe the hype, go.

    (4)

  • B B.

    Fresh food well cooked. We had the oven halibut and steak. Fantastic wine list & great draft beer offerings with great service. Blueberry dessert was magnificent. Must return often.

    (4)

  • Jason P.

    We really liked this place. Read the 4 stars as 4.5, as I'll very rarely give 5. Our reservation was late in the evening, so getting a table wasn't too much trouble. Even so, we arrived a bit early, and sat at the bar for a nice glass of Bordeaux. Not a bad by-glass wine, but not outstanding, either. The bartender was very personable, giving us menu copies to peruse while we waited. The hostess was able to snag a table well before our reserved time, and we headed into the dining room... The restaurant itself has a great red-brick industrial feel to it, with the central kitchen/ fire pit reminiscent of engine-room scenes from the Titanic. There is something earthy and primordial to the dim lights in the room occasionally over-flashed by a burst of flame rising from the fire pit to lick tendrils around a huge slab of beef dripping fats from a grate high above the wood pile below. Our waitress was great -- helpful and friendly without being obsequious... And very willing to offer suggestions from the menu, with her own impressions of the food. On to the dinner... First, get the mussels. Unless you blow up like a pink balloon from shellfish, you want to feast your mouth on these semi-divine creatures. These were better than any I had in Paris... a touch of wood smoke giving them just a bit more rich depth than the white wine and garlic and shallot sauce would alone. Second, ask for another serving of the very tasty bread, because you will want to sop up as much of that sauce as you can, including from all the fingerprint ridges of your first-knuckle drenched fingers. Moving onto the entrée... One of the advantages of specializing in local foods is that you can focus on the best of what is available for every season. On the other hand, that also means that veggie choices are a little limited as you head into late November. My girlfriend had the fresh Atlantic Char, which was very simply prepared, but deliciously moist, with the trout-like bold flavor taking center stage. I had the Wild Boar loin chop -- again, simply but perfectly cooked, licked with woody flames, but very moist and perfectly seasoned. Since the entrées come relatively a-la-carte, you'll need to order a side dish, sized to share. We had the butternut squash, which was prepared with a hint of Maine maple syrup (what else), nutmeg and pepper. Not bad, but sweeter than I like. Unfortunately, there wasn't much choice, given the season. All in all, a nice food showing... following their stated goal of not complicating the food, and letting the simple preparation allow the ingredients to shine through. You're not going to get complex layers of complementary (or clashing) flavors that will knock your socks off with their originality... It's not that kind of place. You will get great quality ingredients, simply and well prepared. The biggest surprise came at the end of the meal, however. In Boston, I would have expected a bottom line cresting $150 for a dinner this good. Less wine, we ended up in the $85 range.

    (4)

  • Bill E.

    This is a really cool old building with outstanding food. Sat at the bar and only had a few appetizers, everything was delicious. I would love to return and will do so next time I'm in town.

    (5)

  • Linda B.

    TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTING!! We have been patronizing Fore Street since 1996 and haven't been in a few years...what happened! Server had attitude, salad vinaigrette was bitter and inedible, menu was not exciting (lots of organ meats) old stand by pork loin was reheated from yesterday and served luke warm. And it was expensive! What was once one of the most exciting places for us to dine is off the list and will never again be visited.

    (1)

  • Laura G.

    I was very nervous after a few of the reviews left the impression that the staff was overly pretentious. Wanted a special occassion dinner, so we risked it. SO worth it. The restaurant is very comfortable with exposed brick and wood beams. The smell of the roasted meats were a wonderful welcome on a cold, damp night. Started out with the three selections of chilled meats ($14) : rabbit liver pate, foie gras and quince terrine, and duck rillettes. A lovely way to start the meal. I had the pheasant ($29) for an entree, my companion the rabbit ($27). Both were perfectly cooked and seasoned. Ended dinner with a pumpkin whoopie pie, and a fantastic chocolate desert. Only negatives: although our server was very friendly and helpful, we would have appreciated being checked on a bit more. Also, because we were so full, we inquired about getting a desert "to-go", and were told that the "Pastry chef does not allow that". I am glad we went ahead and had desert there, but didn't appreciate the comment. A simple "we don't do to-go" would have set better with me. From the five stars you can see that the positives outweighed the negatives. Another plus is that we had had an appetizer, two entrees, two deserts, and two beers each for right at $100 bucks. This was one of my "Top 5" meals, and we are already planning our next trip to Portland just to dine at Fore Street again.

    (5)

  • Andrew M.

    Best seafood I have had maybe ever! I grew up in Cape Elizabeth but moved away before I could eat at the finer places in Portland. The menu changes daily and the staff is very knowledgeable. The fresh produce is displayed right as you walk in and the atmosphere of open kitchen is wonderful. It's not cheap but well worth it do your taste buds a favor!

    (5)

  • Amanda G.

    If 4.5 stars were a option, I would give it that. Instead, this is an enthusiastic 4. We didn't have reservations, and the wait was much shorter than we were told... The decor is simple and at home with the rustic feel to the place - the table was unadorned steel and the waitstaff was in jeans. The bread was excellent - I believe from the fantastic Standard Baking Company on the first floor. The menu is very large for this kind of place - tons of choices. However, if you get there late (as we did), be aware that some of the more popular items will be sold out. I got a soup of shiitake mushrooms and corn to start. I thought it would be like corn chowder with some mushrooms - but I was COMPLETELY wrong. It was more like a mushroom broth with some corn, and totally delicious. The husband got a house salad that was exactly as advertised and quite tasty. However, he also ordered the foie gras appetizer, which failed to show up. However, my hangar steak (yum) did, the green beans (with almonds and again yum) did, and his rabbit entree (which he described as markedly different than previously enjoyed braised offerings, and one that could stand alone without a fancy sauce and in my words, yum) did. We got many apologies on the missing appetizer, and if the waitress could have offered self-immolation, I am pretty sure she would have. Instead, we got a comped glass of dessert wine, a gift certificate, and a box of chocolates. The apology was plenty, but the other stuff was certainly appreciated. Besides the food being yummy, the service will ensure our return visit the next time we are in Portland.

    (4)

  • D. C.

    Fresh, local ingredients. We ordered some of the veggies that we've never even heard of before. But everything was delicious. I think they make it a point to use local ingredients and really highlight the food. You can tell they think about their dishes and what they put on the menu. We got mussels to start, a delicious salad of mixed local greens and an entree that had 3 different cuts of lamb. I've only ever had lamb chops before so it was enlightening to taste and feel the different textures of the different cuts of lamb. (who's had lamb shoulder before? it had the texture of pulled pork and melt-in-your-mouth delicious) The waitress was really nice and knowledgeable about the food. The decor was awesome with an ocean view on one side and the open kitchen view on the other.

    (5)

  • Matthew R.

    One of the best dinners I've ever had! The location is beautiful, relaxed yet elegant. The menu is very creative, and the wine list interesting and varied with a lot of choice by the glass. I had an exotic mushroom salad to start, followed by duck and then sticky toffee pudding. The wine recommendations from the waitress worked very well. I will definitely come back if/when I'm back in Portland.

    (5)

  • Laurie B.

    4 of us dined here on a Thursday and we were ready for a great meal. Unfortunately, they did not deliver. Highlights were the sardine appetizer and the bread. The foie GRAS was tasty but an exceptionally small slice for the price. The chilled seafood platter at $17 was overpriced and not very exciting, tasting mainly of mustard. For main dishes 2 had the lamb, I had the hake and the other woman the risotto. The risotto was undercooked, the hake was undercooked and the lamb was just ok, and again I need to harp on the portion sizes - the lamb was $38 and no larger than the palm of my hand. I'm no philistine, I'm not looking for huge/gross quantities, but when you leave a restaurant looking for a snack after having spent over $200/couple, well, that's just wrong. Desserts were no better. The bill was atrocious for what we had (3bottles of wine were in the mix as well). Our server was wonderful, ambience was delightful as well. It was just the food that was lacking. And that's why we were there. We love to dine out, we love to experience new places and tastes and we are usually happily entertained. Not so here. Hope they just had an off night.

    (2)

  • J C.

    The James Beard Society has rated Fore Street one of the best restaurants in America and you won't be disappointed. It competed with five others for their outstanding restaurant award characterized as follows: "A restaurant in the United States that serves as a national standard-bearer for consistent quality and excellence in food, atmosphere, and service. Candidates must have been in operation for at least 10 or more consecutive years." Check the awards out here: jbfawards.com/winners.ht… Jean Georges in NYC won the award and Fore Street was one of four runners up. Visit this Portland gem and experience its imaginative daily menu, expertly prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. We go every year when we drive through Portland and look forward to it. Our experience with the wait staff has been consistently great... They are knowledgeable, friendly and just the right mix of attentiveness without being intrusive. Don't miss an opportunity to try this one!

    (5)

  • Jim R.

    We had an excellent meal here last night. Arrived at 830 and put our name in for a seat at the bar seeing that the next table would not be available until 10pm. We were seated at the bar at 9pm and received excellent recommendations from our bartender. We went with the crab meat appetizer along with the peach and goat cheese salad. The crab meat app was served on top of a puff pastry and was the tastiest crab meat I have ever had. The peach salad was light and crisp, perfect on summer night. For our meals, we had the seared scallops (which were cooked perfectly) and the flounder dish. We also had the chard as a side dish. The flounder was heartier than I expected-not flaky as I have had in the past-and it was excellent. The chard was a perfect complement to both dishes. We left full and happy with no room left for dessert feeling that Fore Street is worthy of all the positive reviews.

    (5)

  • K S.

    another great meal in portland, but this one did stand out. a little pricey compared to other portland spots but not pricey at all for what you get. super fresh, super tasty. go with the seafood (one of our friends ordered the pork chop... still good but go for the seafood!). and don't forget the desserts... we fought over every last crumb from the chocolate cake to the crumble, honestly nothing was left behind. their menu changes daily with what is local and fresh. they take pride in every detail. a must in portland! just watch out for the butter on everything and the salads are a bit heavily dressed.

    (5)

  • Martin L.

    Who would have thought there is such a great restaurant in the heart of Portland Maine (of all places!?!). I went on a Monday night, hoping for a last minute reservation at 5:30 pm and found out i was lucky to come in as I did. By 5:45 pm, the restaurant was already about 70% full and by 6:15 pm, already at full capacity (YES, this is a MONDAY NIGHT). There's something special about this place. It's so vibrant, and full of energy. I've never seen an opened kitchen in this manner before. It's as if you have front row seat in the kitchen. I'm literally watching the chefs chop tomatoes and cut the meat. It's all right in front of you for everyone's viewing pleasure as they enjoy their dinner. They even have a brick oven with the fire burning beautifully (sure beats the hell out of simple candle lighting. Besides the open kitchen, the restaurant was very simple in the design, i'm guessing not to take the attention away from the kitchen which is clearly the center piece. Not too much going on besides exposed bricks and wooden chairs, although everything appears to be quite tastefully put together. Was told that their menu changes daily, with some staple offerings such as turns pit chicken/pork loin/beef. Was told the mussels and chilled meat spreads. Decided to go for some raw seafood as I didn't feel right not to eat seafood when I'm in Portland. Finally settled on the raw seafood tasting platter, which offers salmon, scallops, tuna, and lobster, all either marinated or ceviche. All delicious, especially the scallop ceviche which was so creamy and soft in texture. Also had the turns pit roasted chicken, which the waiter applauded my choice as he claimed that when theres leftover, the chicken is what they fight over at the end of the night. I dare say that i've never had chicken breast so juicy and flavorful and the skin had this lovely smokiness of having been cooked over an open fire. Even though i was super full, couldn't resist buying some hand made chocolate to go. Have to say that i was pretty blown away by fore street and the complete dining experience that it provided. Wish this place was closer so i can go there more often to try their ever changing menu. My only concern is to have to strategize to make reservations ahead of time (possibly for multiple nights) next time I venture to Portland, Maine.

    (5)

  • John K.

    I wish I could review the food but I wasn't even able to get in there. We were told we could wait for an hour if we wanted to eat at the bar, which I had no problem with, except there was NO PLACE to sit while waiting to get into the bar! I will say this I have worked in the restaurant business in the past and I have never met a bigger bunch of pretenous, arrogant "foodie" types. I guess you can get away with treating people badly as long as there are plenty of hipster losers who don't expect any better.

    (1)

  • moe s.

    I'm with Jay! The smarmy "hurry up and leave" attitude from the twits that work here have ensured that I will never step foot in this place again

    (1)

  • John S.

    This is not a five star review. This is a eight and a half star review. I've taped an additional three and a half stars to my computer screen. Fore Street gave me the best meal I've eaten in a year, without a close second. The place books up a month in advance, so the anticipation for this meal started about five weeks prior when I snagged one of the last Labor Day Weekend reservations. The eagerness increased when I arrived in town and walked past the wood and brick building. I peered through the windows and saw the nicely appointed bar, with patrons tucked into every nook and cranny eating and drinking. And the excitement peaked when I finally strolled in for my 5:45 reservation, and saw that the kitchen, built around it's massive wood burning brick oven, sat in the middle of the restaurant for all to see. We were among the first to get seated, which was a good thing because the waiting would've killed me. Our table was along the wall of the restaurant on a raised part of the floor that allowed us to see into this vast kitchen set-up. The dominant feature, aside from the oven, was the massive vegetable prep area. Ingredients were out on the wooden and stone tables; the restaurant wanted to proudly display their freshness. And I don't blame them. Their menu changes daily based on what they buy from local farms and fishermen. I doubt the place has a freezer. The service was immediately attentive and extremely friendly. A wide-smiled young man showed up, welcomed us, talked about Portland for a little while and filled up our water glasses before our waiter showed up to give us the menu and the specials. "I just want to let you know that we have a really great trio of Heritage pork. There's a chop, that we've caramelized the outside of and cook to order. There's a homemade chorizo and there's a smoked pulled pork. I really...." "I'll take it. You had me at 'homemade chorizo.'" The bread - several nice earthy slice - arrived and our water glasses were refilled at least twice during the next several minutes as we waited for our first course to come out. After a reasonable amount of time (that was still excruciatingly painful to sit through due to the expectation of immanent deliciousness), out came the white pizza with garlic and anchovies and the warm tomato tart with herbed goat cheese. The char on the pizza was excellent, and clearly the result of high temperature brick oven cooking. The flavors on both the pizza and the tart were unreal. Everything was fresh and the spices popped. The pizza's crust had a great soothing doughiness, and the goat cheese was a fantastic zesty complement to the smokey tomatoes on the tart. Despite putting food in my body, I was somehow made more hungry. And then the pork happened. At this point, I started muttering things like "this is unfair" and "I can't give out five star reviews anymore." There is no doubt that I looked unhinged, as I kept shaking my head and trying to hold back tears. This was eating. I felt as if I never truly ate before that moment. After trying to decide between the salted caramel upside down cake and the homemade truffles, I opted for both. The truffles were the low point of the meal, as they were merely "exceptional" instead of "transcendent." I asked the waiter if it'd be possible to make reservations for February of 2009 right now. He lamented that the reservation book only opens up two months in advance. Despite this, I still tried to make a Valentine's Day reservation at the front desk upon leaving. I had to settle for scribbling a furious "CALL FORE STREET" reminder in my day planner. Within twelve hours of leaving the restaurant, I had already made sleeping accommodations in Portland for my target return weekend. Now I just have to wait three and a half months before I can get the table. Such is the extent of the transformation that I have gone through.

    (5)

  • E L.

    This place blew me away. Did not have a reservation so our wait was something close to 1.5 hours on a night in August. No worries we just walked around the downtown area and came back for our seats. It was great to sit in the rustic dining room by the open kitchen and watch the chefs put the freshest ingredients, with simple preparation, together in a dish before putting it into the wood stove. I have never had pork loin that was so juicy and succulent, and my significant other loved her quail dish. Very attentive service I must add. I say this place is better than 99% of the so called fancy restaurants in Boston without the pretense, which I do not miss at all. Quite possibly the best meal I had in 2007.

    (5)

  • Kevin N.

    We sat in Fore Street for what seemed like the better (and I do mean the better) part of an evening that saw the skies open up and drench downtown Portland in a veritable sea of torrent onto the streets below. I don't know that the power went out (and I don't believe that it did), but had it, who would have been surprised -- this was no ordinary thunderstorm. Instead, the lights shifted low and the glow of the hearth that captures the center of this upscale eatery took center stage: I found myself staring down an impressive duck plate atop a sort of cherry compote: they focus on featuring fresh ingredients here, or at least that's the party line, and in my experience, it wasn't bluster: my meal was fresh, well prepped, and the duck brimming with flavor. By the time that dessert arrived, I was plenty satiated via dinner and a pair of Allagash whites, but made room for a puff pastry featuring local berries, whipped cream and berry sauce. In all, the best among the many meals I had in Maine this week. And as I'll make it back to town, you can bet I'll make it back here.

    (5)

  • Stephanie H.

    Fabulous fresh local food. Need I say more?

    (4)

  • Katie B.

    After making a reservation two weeks in advance and reading wonderful reviews I was pretty disappointed. I can't say I had a bad experience but for the price I would of expected more. Really did not enjoy my meal or the sides, found it very tasteless, will most likely not be returning to fore street.

    (3)

  • Stacy K.

    Gorgeous ambiance. Really just loved the space, set-up, decor, etc. I commented while we were there that I'd have loved to make that space into an apartment. Also really liked the concept, changing the menu regularly depending on what's fresh and in season. However, in my opinion, the food didn't quite live up to my expectations. I had the mixed greens salad, the swordfish, and the nectarine tart, all of which were good, but not knock-your-socks-off; best-meal-ever kind of good, at least for me. My dining companions seemed a bit more impressed with their food than I was with mine, and I will admit that I'm a bit on the pickier side, so that might've had something to do with it. If I lived in Portland I'd be willing to give them another chance, but since I only get up there every now and then and there are so many wonderful restaurants in that area, I don't think I'd make a special effort to go back. At least not until I've tried some of the other Portland restaurants I'm interested in. Also, VERY pricey, but this was expected.

    (3)

  • Andrew F.

    My wife and I spent a week in Portland for a quaint honeymoon. Portland has a fantastic foodie and beer scene, and Fore Street was the highlight of our culinary excursion. If you get the chance, go. Service is incredible, and the food is everything you hoped and dreamed it could be. The building is very cozy, despite large open rooms. If I had to think of a shortcoming, it would be the proximity of tables to each other. Which brings me to my next point... A word of caution about food snobbery. I love food as much as the next guy, and maybe even a bit more. You may experience the need to rave about your food while eating here. That is fantastic. But do everyone else around you a solid and keep your table talk regarding the virtues and sins of your meal to yourself. The table next to us sounded like a academic lecture entitled, "Food: clearly I know more about it than other people in this room care to hear about."

    (4)

  • Eva G.

    So, two weeks prior to my coming here, all tables had already been reserved. I had high hopes when I heard that a third of the tables are available for walk-ins without reservations, but when I got there at their opening time, 5:30pm, they told me there will no tables until 8pm. Even though the tables were empty. After I asked, they mention that there are the tables by the entrance, in which we could sit and order only appetizers/drinks (these tables were occupied and we'd still have to wait 20 minutes for a table). This place looks nice, with a huge kitchen and grocery stock on display (it looks like the set of Ratatouille), but it looks like it only has about 20 booths. Poop... I'd advise you to reserve months in advance. I gave 4 stars because I didn't want to change the ratings, having not eaten here myself.

    (4)

  • Justin H.

    Bangin'! Great layout (I love the cook/server area), excellent service, and amazing food. VERY pricey, but well worth it for a nice evening out.

    (5)

  • Jef B.

    Overall, pretty amazing. Highlights were the smoky halibut and the truly extraordinary apple-banana tarte tatin. But to call the homemade pasta al dente was an overstatement - more like virtually uncooked. Even after we sent it back, it came back al-superdente. Definitely recommend a reservation over the tedious "arrive at 5 for a diner's scrum" followed by two hours wandering around town...

    (4)

  • Beau S.

    I've been here twice, and the service has been exceptional both times. The first time, everything was perfect - the appetizer, the dinner, the coffee - it was one of those magical dining experiences that a non-foodie like me really enjoys. When I went back, it was only very good - a real place and not something that dreams are made of. If you want fine dining in Portland ME, don't miss Fore Street.

    (5)

  • S J.

    Comforting warm surroundings in the dead of winter. Walked by Fore Street on my previous visit to Portland, and felt a buzz just looking in the windows. Glad I visited this trip. High quality food, daily menu and great wine. Enjoyed a AAA piece of summer flounder- thicker fillet cooked perfectly and served with shitake risotto and parsnip purée. Service at the bar, fantastic with great recommendations throughout. Appropriately priced for the quality of food.

    (4)

  • Veronica C.

    I usually only take the time to write reviews about great places and service, but this is one case where I have to make an exception. My husband and I went to Fore Street about a year ago, and to say it was sub par would be generous. Perhaps someone new was on the grill--the person that was on there looked frazzled, and everything we ordered that would have been prepared on that station was terrible. My husband's lamb was awful--burnt on the outside and raw on the inside. Last time I checked black and blue is not an acceptable way to prepare lamb... Since it may have just been an off night we decided to give it another try this week when we were staying up there. Their website mentions that they leave 1/3 of the restaurant open without reservations to accommodate walk ins. We thought this would work out perfectly for us since we were going on an off night and we were bringing our 9 month old--we wanted to bring him fresh from a nap when he wouldn't bother anyone. We waited behind a few other parties, who were seated right away. We were relieved when we looked around the restaurant and saw a large number of tables open so we figured there wouldn't be a wait. But there was a wait--for us at least. The hostess took one look at us, gave my son a dirty look and told us it would be an hour and a half wait. Let me mention my child was not screaming, writhing, or looking in the least disruptive. He's eaten in some of the best restaurants in Boston, and since I come well prepared, is never a bother to anyone. He rarely makes a peep. Luckily Hugo's was more than happy to serve us. I wouldn't say it's a child-friendly place (they don't have high chairs) but the servers had no problem with us being there and came over to play with and say hi to my son. When we walked by Fore Street an hour and a half later the restaurant was still half empty. I will NEVER give Fore Street that second chance. I would gladly give my money to 555 Congress and Petit Jacqueline (it's sister location) any time we are in Portland--they serve some of the best food I've had anywhere.

    (1)

  • Lola N.

    I walked into the bar and had dessert with my parents. Maybe the best dessert I've ever had, and with strange combinations like basil-lime and stuff. Usually I'm not into too many dessert shenanigans, but they really pulled it off well. I had the bananas foster-like dessert, and my mouth waters every time I think about it. I'm taking off one star because when we walked into the restaurant at 10pm on a Tuesday and asked for a table to have dessert, the lady told us they couldn't seat us at a table because "We're still seating for dinner." Alright, lady, I live here, and I don't care if you ARE the Great Fore Street, everyone knows there isn't a wait for tables at 10pm on a Tuesday in Portland,ME. It was pretty stupid and they should have seated us so we could have looked at each other while we talked and ate. The bar was kind of quiet and we didn't love it. But the dessert was amazing and I'd love to go back to have the food.

    (4)

  • Steve V.

    When I had ask the women that I now date out two years ago on a dating site had made plans to eat at another place and I just happened to walk by this place and it smelled so good.So when we met I said plans have changed she was sort of skeptical at first we have now been there three times on our anniversary and it is just as good as the first the wait staff is awesome the food is just out this world and it still smells incredible great place

    (5)

  • Tania A.

    Friendly, attentive service, especially for a single girl at the bar. The ambiance was nice as well. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to expectations. The mussels were not cleaned properly - beards! shell bits! - and the sauce was only so-so. Almond butter doesn't really work when it's bits of whole almond floating in butter. This is also the second place that didn't provide a spoon with the mussels - aren't you proud of your broth? The terrine trio was OK, but I was looking for something a little more rustic, I guess. The flavours were good and the tomato jam was especially delicious. The server recommended a nice wine pairing, so yeah for that. All in all, it was an expensive solo meal and I wish I'd spent my money elsewhere. Not horrific, but disappointing.

    (3)

  • J M.

    This just happens to more of a 'destination' for us, as we are out of state (but always willing to return) as the food as certainly lived up to the hype and hasnt disappointed one bit. Very nice space..open concept, wood fired grills, standalone glass organic vegetable room. busy, a bit noisy on a weekend night..bar is often standing room only. Warm inviting smells lure you in on a cold winter night. Reservations are pretty much a must, as it ranges from tourists and local foodies and fills up quick. Ive often heard mumblings of a dropoff in quality but have not seen it in all my times/visits. Fish, beef, chicken and an array of euro fusion appetizers and nice salads. Prepared fresh, in season/organic vegetables (on display in glassed in cooler/crisper) and great desserts and cheeses. Love this place and will continue to make the trek from NH to get to one of my favorites.

    (5)

  • A.K. B.

    Top of my Portland list! Warm, lively and pretty fantastic atmosphere from the moment you walk in the door. Everything was tasty - from the delicious fresh bread to the interesting local-grown salads to the extensive meat and seafood entrees. Friendly staff too! Some entrees (eg salmon) seemed overly pricey but all worth it. Be sure to stop by the Standard Bakery downstairs for a delicious start to your morning!

    (5)

  • Morgen B.

    Well, perhaps if we had actually gotten to eat here the review would be better. Portland Maine is the LEAST handicap accessible place in the country. When we finally found Fore Street AND could actually get into the restaurant we were overjoyed. However, we walked in at 6pm and were told we couldn't be served until 9:45! Needless to say we found another place to eat. Must be that Fore Street is delicious!

    (2)

  • M J.

    Everything was amazing! The food was incredible from the bread, to the sashimi appetizer to the many entrees we tried. The service was wonderful. We came with our 4 kids and they happily offered us half orders for the kids (who, by the way, also loved the restaurant). Loved the ambience and the great smoky smell. Would definitely, very happily, return next time we're in Portland.

    (5)

  • Jay H.

    I'll give it to you street, this place is fore real. To start we had the spinach and mushroom salad. It was good, but I don't think it's fair to put bacon in salad. It's like hunting rabbits with an assault rifle. Next we had the mussels. They weren't too much outside the box, but they were extremely good, a textural delight. I'm also wondering if they came from near a nuclear power plant because they were humungous. Maybe they just worked out a lot... ba dum kshh For dinner I had the hanger steak, the least amazing part of the meal. It was still pretty good, but a little on the tough side. It's probably my fault for not ordering it rarer. Dessert was a chocolate torte with cocoa nib iced-cream and a caramel sauce, swirled on the plate as they do in fancy restaurants. It was freaking phenomenal. I may return solely for this dessert. The only complaint I'll log is that we weren't in the main dining room with a view of the kitchen, I was looking forward to that. Next time I guess.

    (5)

  • Gina B.

    Wow...this place is worth the wait. Loved the service, food, and drinks all were fantastic! I would recommend it and honestly I don't know why anyone would give it less than 4 stars. They do change their menu daily so recommending a dish will probably not work, but order what you like and you will probably not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Richard G.

    Amazing Food, service and atmosphere. Nice open kitchen. Expensive, but you know you're in one of Maine's hottest restaurants. Went there for my Birthday and they brought out 3 cookies with Happy Birthday spelled in Chocolate.

    (5)

  • A L.

    Especially after our disappointment at The Farmer's Table the night before, my dining companion and I thought Fore Street was amazing. We started with a heirloom tomato side dish as an appetizer and the tomatoes were both perfect and perfectly seasoned. I had a salad with baby squash and carrots, my dining companion had the chicken liver. Both were delicious. For the main course, we had the fettucine and duck breast. Again amazing. The dessert list is substantial and our picks, the chocolate torte and the blueberry compote, were also amazing! I want to go back to Portland just to eat here.

    (5)

  • Lee S.

    Went there on a visit to Portland last week. Not sure what Jay from NY's problem was, but I am from the metro New York area and have eaten in many of the finest restaurants that NY and NYC have to offer. Fore Street was without a doubt, one on the best meals of my life. Everything was five stars, from the ambiance, to the service, to the extensive and unusual menu to the friendly service provided by a team of older, professional wait staff. When I say that the bus staff was classier that most of the wait staff that I've encountered, you get the idea. We were disappointed that we could not taste everything on the menu. Every bite was great and its a memory my wife and i will keep for a long time. It's a five hour trip from NY to Me, but we will be making it again to savor this wonderful place.

    (5)

  • Shannon G.

    Only a block from the ocean, the beautifully maintained building looks to be a restored warehouse. Strikes a good balance between hip and rustic. Hard to get into, reservations book up fast in the summer. Luckily you can show up at opening time and put your name in for one of the slots they hold back until the day of. On the food front we were pretty much underwhelmed all the way through. Squid, Scallops, and the whole Fish were good, but nothing that really blew you away. The food lacked personality, it was kind of generic. Ingredients were very fresh, there's no doubting that. Local raspberries might have been the best part of the meal. I feel kind of sad being mean to Fore Street, but it just didn't do it for me.

    (3)

  • Julie T.

    We have been trying to get in here forever and I finally made a reservation 2 months in advance for last night. It exceeded our expectations in every way. The atmosphere is cozy and warm. The food was beyond fabulous. We started with a nice salad of arugula, roasted brussel sprouts, beets and carrots...perfect start. We followed that up with a chilled seafood assortment - smoked bluefish, lobster, scallop and smoked char - all served with the most amazing sauces/accompaniments - I feel in love with this place over this selection. My husband had the pan seared scallops and I had the halibut - I consider myself very picky when dining out and I don't remember ever enjoying a meal as much as I did this one. We will be going back very soon. If I had only one criticism to make (and this is a stretch) - for a $14.00 glass of house wine - they were a bit stingy on the pour - I can live with that though just for the incredible food, service and atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Bethany F.

    Went here because of a recommendation from a close friend (who is almost always spot on with restaurant recommendations) and thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of my experience at Fore Street. My boyfriend and I were in Portland for a weekend away and came here for dinner. We loooved the warm atmosphere, which was buzzing with excitement (but not overly loud or anything) and were lucky enough to sit right next to the literally warm open kitchen. Best seats in my opinion! From the brick walls to the nice wood accents, the decor was perfectly inviting without being pretentious. We ordered the oyster appetizer - delish and super fresh tasting then moved onto our dinner (i had the rabbit, he had the hangar steak, both were just mouth-watering and cooked to perfection) The service was good. Our server was clearly busy, so she didn't spend tons of time with us, but was attentive when necessary (and that's all that matters to me anyway). We opted to not order dessert but I regret it. Also, they take reservations but also hold 1/3 of their restaurant for walk-ins. This is good for the off-season (no need to make reservations if you don't know exactly what time you want to eat) but I would recommend making reservations for peak time like the summer.

    (5)

  • Jonathan W.

    This place was on my list this summer when I was visiting Maine. It did not disappoint but did not impress either. The ambiance and restaurant are beautiful. Open kitchen with a great view of the kitchen at work. The best part is that they reserve a few tables for walk-ins which we were happy to find out. The food was well prepared but I had high expectations given the reviews I read. The mussels were excellent but everything else seemed adequate. Still a great place to eat but I really love good food above all.

    (4)

  • C G.

    I had great expectations of this place because of all the rave my friends had given me of this place. I thoroughly enjoyed the steak and the mashed potatoes. The seafood platter was A-OK (Probably wouldn't order that one again). I've also had the flatbread pizza-- This was very good. On my second visit, I ordered fish-- I believe it was cod. This was very good. Great flavor and the perfect portion. Our party was on the larger side, 7 people, and we sat in the corner on the upper level. The layout of the restaurant was done well. Very discreet from the outside, but inside you have the pleasure of dining in an open kitchen with lots of windows and exposed brick. Service was a bit dodgy. Our waitress wasn't attentive and had a bit of an attitude to her. I would go back, just because I enjoyed the food so much. This is a great treat!

    (3)

  • A. James T.

    I've eaten at Fore Street some half dozen times over the past five years. Usually I reserve this price point for special occasions. I've always experienced good customer service and very good to great food. I highly recommend Fore Street. One caution however, when there recently (10/23/12) I experienced my first unpleasant service. Beware the bearded bar man, he is rather rude. Otherwise, always a great experience and awesome food. Reservations recommended any day of the week unless you don't mind waiting an hour or so.

    (4)

  • Darrell B.

    We had such a GREAT experience! We initially made an Open Table reservation with Spread but due to their hosting a charitable event, they canceled us! So we happened to walk up to Fore Street. Not only did they find us a table on a very busy night but they also gave us the most excellent service and food. It was just wonderful! And as we left, the woman that sat us (I didn't catch her name...darn it!) gave us 4 of their home-made cookies as a gift. Again...such a great place and we'll definitely go back again and again when we're in Portland!!

    (5)

  • Ginny P.

    Definitely not a good choice for someone that is not in love with eating meat. I always struggle to find something on the menu that I will actually eat. If you like rabbit, pheasant, goose liver, pork belly and skate this is the place for you. I've never understood the appeal of this place...other then the enjoyment of the open kitchen and wood fired oven.

    (3)

  • Meg M.

    This place is amazing. It is very romantic and smells wonderful inside! I love everything about the ambiance here. It is a bit pricey and the wait is CRAZY but well worth it- call ahead and make a reservation!

    (4)

  • Quincy W.

    It's a beautiful romantic place, and the waitress is so nice and friendly, I would never miss it when I visit Portland . I love the desserts , so rich n delicious.

    (4)

  • Mie T.

    This is a gorgeous place but the food and service are lacking. I found it to be overpriced and over rated. The final straw was our main course arriving with a dark hair imbedded in the sauce (my husband and I are fair haired) and a less than sympathetic waitress. Who acts put out when a customer politely says "I found a hair in my entree"? I just wasn't impressed at all and the bad taste from this experience is enough for me to never darken their door again.

    (1)

  • Ben G.

    I have been hearing about Fore Street for quite some time now. Every time I tell a friend I'm going to or having recently returned from Portland, the question always surfaces, "So did you make it over to Fore Street?" Well on this most recent trip, to celebrate a friend's birthday, I finally made it over to Fore Street. Last night, while waiting for my friends to arrive, I sat at the bar and enjoyed a Grapefruit and Ginger (vodka, canton, and grapefruit juice with a piece of candied ginger -12$). It was a perfect drink after a long day at the office. The locals sitting at the bar as well as Tina the bartender were super friendly. As we got talking to some locals, we learned of a new drink. This woman had sampled this drink in Mexico as she proudly proclaimed that she was there last month for her daughter's wedding. It had vodka, simple syrup, lime juice shaken and then topped w/ red wine served with a piece of fruit. It was quite tasty and shouldn't be too hard to recreate at home. When our other dining companions arrived, we left the beautiful bar and the company of Tina and our new friends to move into the wonderful dining room. Exposed brick walls, ancient looking wood beams, a giant wood fired oven and a VERY OPEN kitchen were all candy for the eyes. This place was upscale without being pretentious. It felt like home and invoked a calm comfortable vibe. There were younger people in jeans as well as older folks in jackets and ties. This is truly place where you can come, relax, and enjoy a great meal, no matter where you just came from. After catching up with the birthday boy the appetizers were already on their way out and it only felt like we had been sitting there for mere minutes. Local raw oysters and some beautifully steamed mussels came out. The oysters were so fresh, the taste of the sea was evident in that little slurpy bite. The mussels were steamed in a white wine, garlic, butter and fennel liquid. It was begging for us to dip the bread in it. I almost forgot the bread, from what I've been told the best bakery in all of Portland in underneath Fore Street restaurant. So the bread was a rustic hearty Italian loaf cut up into fist sized pieces that quickly disappeared. So at this point, after having a few cocktails, some killer apps and enjoying the company of my dining buddies, I have to say I was one happy clam. Oh but wait... there's more. Out of the five of us, three ordered the swordfish loin for our entrée. It came on a bed of lentils, pancetta, oranges, dressed with some type of vinaigrette. The swordfish was grilled in the wood oven that imparted a smokey/earthy flavor to the delish piece of fish which was cooked to perfection. The lentil salad was not my favorite. The seasoning was a little off as it seemed super salty to me. Maybe the acid in the vinaigrette was supposed to cut the salty flavor but it didn't. I still ate all of it. The table shared, honey glazed carrots that were a little under done as well as some mashed potatoes which were incredible. These must have had some cream folded into them cause they tasted soo creamy and buttery. YUM. Others at the table had bluefish and chicken both of which really enjoyed their plates. As the meal was winding down, our waitress brought over the dessert menu and there were a few items that and this is no exaggeration, screamed to us. Peanut butter and chocolate mousse, coconut cheesecake and there was one more, but at this point I was a few too many cocktails in and well... I forget. The pastry was unreal. That and a cappuccino was the perfect ending to a birthday dinner. Happy Birthday George and thanks for dinner Angelo! I will certainly be coming back to Fore Street on my next visit to Portland.

    (4)

  • Baer T.

    Comfy space starts well / Poor service, overcooking / Dooms the hyped dinner.

    (2)

  • Will S.

    Fore Street - Four Stars. You know, Fore Street has a lot of hype. Thus, I was very excited to go my first time. I was pleased to see that venison was on the menu and I ordered it medium rare. It was, safe to say, one of the finest pieces of meat I've ever eaten. Cooked and seasoned to perfection, it was pure delight. Every slice was better than the last. That night, I drank a lot of wine, enjoyed the company of my work associates, and really lived it up.... leaving more than satisfied. To go into further detail, the waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. Not the speediest on the planet, but it was busy that night. All in all, satisfying success. The SECOND time I went, I was with my girlfriend. I was hoping that they still had venison but I was out of luck. The waitress was nice, but seemingly uninterested in her job... I listened to the specials and the Pork loin sounded delightful. I had heard accolades of their hanger steak (a staple there), so against my better judgment, that's what I ordered. My girlfriend, of course, ordered the pork. The steak was not my favorite. By any means. I was actually regretting it - Never a good thing for a piece of meat that costs 20 dollars. I had to quickly scold my girlfriend "making love" to the pork and groaning with ecstasy about how great it was. I took a bite and was quickly wishing I had ordered the same. Long story short - the food is wonderful. American fusion at it's best. The atmosphere is great, the staff is solid, and the prices - I've seen worse given the portion size at Fore Street. I can almost truly call Fore Street a solid benchmark for Portland cuisine. Not five stars, but a more than solid four. My advice is as follows: Listen hard to the specials. (order Venison immediately) Get the creme brulee trio. Drink lots of wine, and enjoy the culinary ride that is 'Fore Street.'

    (4)

  • Cami S.

    Hands down, a favorite of ours in Portland! We live up on Munjoy Hill and frequent Fore St. for special occasions as well as when we just want a sure thing. The menu changes daily and the truly innovative combinations never cease to amaze! They set the bar with unique dishes. You won't find bacon wrapped scallops or other been-there-done-that menu items. Nope, Fore Street is much more creative with their food pairings. Very inspiring! The only reason for not giving 5 stars is because of a recent experience with one of the bartenders. The personality did not fit the energy that Fore usually evokes. His 'request' for where to sit at the bar (an empty bar at 5 pm) and other experiences while ordering food and drinks from him left us thinking that this is not how Fore St would want to be represented. Bartenders have an opportunity to embrace the culture of the restaurant and make their patrons feel uber special. All in all, we'll be back but may opt for the restaurant area over the cozy bar lounge. Fore Street is a must if visiting Portland or if you live here and have never tried it.

    (4)

  • Elaine S.

    Have to say that dinner at Fore Street Friday night was not as good as we had expected. Having been there twice before (4 years ago) we were really looking forward to our dinner. We started with the mussels. Previously they had been fantastic. Friday night's were just ok. The overpowering garlic taste was a turnoff. My husband had the pork loin which was good but not great. And I had the halibut which was very fresh and good but nothing spectacular. All in all a disappointment in comparison to our previous visits.

    (3)

  • Kate F.

    In a warm brick warehouse there is an open kitchen, from which you might imagine enough heat to warm the entire high-ceilinged space emanates from a fiery wood grill and oven. You might be right. Led by a friendly and attentive manager, the just right combination of busy business and ample space give a preemptive glimmer of a great meal to come. Locals sipping a fine glass of wine and a side of friendly conversation with the bartender at his bustling but graciously proportioned bar. Date nights linger over candle lit rustic plank tables laden with a shared plate of wood roasted mussels, or perhaps a half dozen oysters with mignonette. Groups of 6 enjoy well-proportioned booths starting with soft butter and individual salt and pepper pinch bowls brought fresh upon arrival, with crusty perfectly chewy-tender bread. My mom and me at a small corner table in the back, exploring the extensive and ever changing menu, with friendly guidance from a server who has worked there 5 of their 13 years, a good sign. The salad with pomegranate seeds, fennel and tarragon, woke up our mouths at the start. A soup, traditionally hard to make sing, hummed a nice tune of shitake and parsnip. The fish was all fresh, usually served with a dollop of flavor to take that freshness and lift it up to a next level of mouth watering goodness. The Belgian white beer with a French name that will remain a mystery to my food induced brain coma, was one of the best I've had - sparkling, light and slightly fogged by wheat. Upon returning I plan to make a meal out of two appetizers, both to expand my experimenting and allow for the bill to stay under $30 a person, always a nice goal when eating and drinking well. Though for these special occasions with wine, Belgian beer, oysters, salad, soup, halibut, haddock, and coffee... $60 per person is well worth the evening... even if I do feel like asking if they have "roll you to your car service" on my way out.

    (4)

  • Syd C.

    Love that the menu changes daily. I had the flounder it was amazing.i opted for a cheese plate for desert the selection was good. I had two glasses of wine and thought my bill was a little steep at $90 for all of this! However all in all it was a good experience and I would go back. They have a wait list at the bar and was made to feel like a common criminal when I sat after asking the bartender and being approached by a member of the waitstaff awkwardly. This system might leave something to be desired. Perhaps reserved markings until folks are sated if indeed the seat is taken. In my case I had permission and was given the go ahead from the bartender but the waiter assumed this was not the case. Parking across the street is very convenient and affordable.

    (4)

  • Joe T.

    if looking for a great place to have a romantic dinner while visiting Portland with your favorite/special person - you MUST choose Fore Street. awesome setting, great food and excellent service! menu chances daily so you are always sure to find the freshest foods, prepared in and open kitchen set up. go, be adventurous and have a blast, the wine list is extensive. bon appetit!!

    (5)

  • Cory S.

    Yeah it's expensive, but well worth the price point

    (5)

  • Andy P.

    This review is long over due for my Yelp page. Back in May I took an adventure to Portland, with great intention to dine at Fore Street. At the time I was still living in Seattle, and had served some guest who suggested to some day dine at Fore Street Restaurant. I could write a novel about the many things that my friend and I had for our MANY courses. We both being restaurant industry, decided to make an early Sunday evening reservation. We chose this to not be the jerks that keep the servers too late. Of course, after our pate course, salad course, entree course, dessert course, cheese course, a bottle of wine and great conversation with our server... we closed the place down. I have been in the restaurant industry for 22 years. The meal, the energy of the restaurant and staff, just breathtaking! This was by far the best experience in a restaurant that I have EVER had! Great job!

    (5)

  • Colm M.

    Suffice to say this is a very good and very consistent restaurant with some of the last real waiters on the planet. Real pro's.

    (5)

  • Joe Bill S.

    Nice interior with big open kitchen, but the food was not very good and very expensive! Weak wine list . Scallops were seared on only one side and cold raw inside. Halibut was boring baked with bell peppers. I would definitely not go back or recommend this tourist trap.

    (2)

  • Irena C.

    This place was recommended to me by many. So we put it on the list of restaurants to try when we were in Portland for the weekend. We first arrived at 5pm and were told that the next seating was at 7:30pm. We decided to decline and tried again at 9pm. We were invited back at 10pm, which worked out perfectly as we made a stop at J Oyster nearby for 2 dozen oysters first. We started with 3 selections for $16. The duck liver pate was delicious, but the sweetbreads and the liver rolls were mediocre. I would definitely recommend only getting the duck liver pate from that list. We also got the mussells - I can honestly say they were the best mussels I've ever had. Another outstanding dish was the rabbit. Juicy and cooked to perfection. The service and ambiance were outstanding as well. I would definitely recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Michael K.

    Always a special treat to dine at Fore Street when in Portland. We have 8 year old twins who can be fussy eaters and they even love the "adult" entrees here. We live in NYC and Fore Street holds its own against our best spots. Service, food atmosphere are all wonderful.

    (5)

  • William P.

    If it isn't broken, don't fix it, this place is a testament to that. 10 years now, no guessing when you walk in the door here. You know you're in for some great cuisine, both surf and turf, all kissed by wood fire and/or smoke. Order meats from the spit and the big chilled raw fish platter to start. Beyond that just soak it all in. This place was borderline revolutionary 10 years ,which normally means dated by now, but not Fore Street, she continues to age nicely and taste great. Thanks, guys, for years of great meals after a day at the beach

    (4)

  • jenilee p.

    i feel like i've dreamt about fore street, and just never knew where to find it. a restaurant with flawless rustic fare. casual and attentive service. a setting that puts one at ease, from the first step into the brick building, to the open kitchen, to the copper table tops, to the final "have a good evening." for the record, the scent of apples permeates the entrance of the building, a fine "how do you do", and only gives way to the savory essence of roasting game meats, gracefully wafting to every nook and cranny of the restaurant. it is truly intoxicating. this is exactly what i want out of a restaurant that has been forged in the beautiful state of maine. now fore street doesn't list its menu on its website as it changes very very frequently. but if you are so lucky to grab a reservation, then i advise you to indulge in any one of their local game offerings, and any of the charcuterie items as a sharable appetizer (or not... reluctance to share is a common occurance here). when last at fore street, we happily dug into a plate of three offal items: foie gras stuffed pork trotter, calf's brain and pistachio terrine, and cockscomb terrine. all three were paragons of well-executed uses of offal, and i encourage you to try their more unusual offerings to see how wonderful the nasty bits can be. of the three, the calf's brain terrine was the star, smeared on a piece of crostini with a lovely slice of pickle. crunch + rich texture, and a little sour pickle. my bigger half giggled with delight as his appetizer of roasted quail arrived. crispy skin, and one succulent little bird, picked to the bone. the main courses were as delicious as the appetizers. my roasted rabbit, which i must have spied rolling without hurry on a spit in the hearth, was the best rabbit i've ever had. piercing the skin and the meat gave way to warm juice running onto the plate. and each bite, from the darker meat of the leg to the lighter loin area, had deep flavor and none of that stringy dryness that typically accompanies many game meats. my husband dug into his choice of a wild boar dish. fatty and rich, a pink spit-roasted item with savoy cabbage and apples, it balanced all savory, acidic, and sweet flavors. think of a perfect piece of pork, but with more flavor, a nice crust on the outside, and all the elements to dig into the perfect bite. another wonderful item. for dessert, a chocolate/caramel/espresso cake with a hazelnut creme anglais. bursting at the seams, and basically jousting with the king of sweet tooths, i ate very little of this item. but it was good. i'd compare fore street to restaurants like craigie on main in cambridge or cochon in new orleans. portland is an incredible food city, and i'd make a trip out of it, anchoring your outing with a visit to the lovely restaurant. very rustic, casual, and just overall a welcoming setting, with food cooked like someone really gave a damn.

    (5)

  • Alexander K.

    The place is professional and understated. The sign, 12 inch by 12 inches of iron lettering, is all there is to distinguish it from a run down old brick building getting on out toward the edge of the old port. From the back its a little less unassuming, being about the only place in town with a private lot. Not to mention the glow from inside the massive windows, that look out toward the harbor if not actually over it, calling out to passerbys. Once inside there is little to dissapoint other than the hit or miss nature of getting in without a reservation there. Bet against it if going on a weekend, in fact start thinking about making the reservation the weekend before. I have to admit I like this aspect of it too though, every town needs a restaurant with a wait especially when it is actually worth it. Besides, with a full dining room you might find yourself in the bar/lounge which is intimate and fun and maybe a better option on some nights than the dining room. Take a look at the painting on the wall. Its remarkably strange. Then theres the dining room. Take in the fresh breads laid out, the open prep counter, the solid earthy feel, thick blocks of wood everywhere, beautiful produce that looks as if it were picked from the backyard farm even if the two feet of snow on the ground make you know thats just not possible. I went with a Fore Street Veteran who knew Portland before the days of the generic bank that sits on the corner next to the resaraunt. Together we made some good choices. There was not a lot that didn't look good. For vegetarians there is not a lot as far as entrees go, but the appetizers are thoughtul, interesting and most importantly filling. The shitake, leek, arugala (?) pie was fantastic. The richness of the cheese set off nicely by the greens. Didn't notice the shitakes much and it wasn't untill the last piece that my beautiful associate fingered the mushrooms as the mushy chewy things that both of us kept feeling in our mouths but couldn't quite place taste wise. The service was awesome. You can tell theyve been doing it for a while and they know the food is good. Theres not a whole lot of flash, just a lot of professionalism and confidence. On a whole its a great place. It doesn't need a big sign to draw a crowd, its safe to say its position as a Portland landmark is steady and its got the feel of a classic European restaurant where they have simply mastered the whole dining experience. kit and kaboodle.

    (4)

  • Joe R.

    Just went for my 1 year anniversary. Welcomed with a card on our table saying thank you for coming. The waiter was one the best ever. The ambiance couldn't be better. Everything was looking like we made the best choice. The appetizer came and they were really good but not great. The meal came and they were just ok. We ordered the lamb and the rabbit. Yes, it was cooked to perfection, presentation was great, but the taste just soso. It is sooo hard to cook a perfect meal at that level. I understand. Maybe if everything was $20 I would have been fine with the meal but when you spend $80 per person I want perfection. Some things were perfect. The dessert was the best dessert I have ever had (made at a parent company), I wish the bread was an endless basket (made at a parent company) and the wine (recommended by the waiter). Great experience even though the food did not meet my expectations. I will still recommend this place to out of town guest but I think I am out for the count.

    (4)

  • Chelsea B.

    I am so sad not to get first dibs on this one. I haven't been to the White Barn Inn, so this gets my vote as best meal in Maine (if you don't count my Nana's cooking on the rocks, back shore, Peaks Is.). Bar none, the best place to eat Maine Mussels in the world! Order extra bread just so you can soak up every last bit of broth. I've had to control myself from picking up the bowl and slurping. They will tell you all the ingredients-- it's not substance, but style that makes them magic. They have a special way of cooking the crustaceans that's nearly impossible to replicate at home. In terms of decor. Definitely Maine, definitely it's own thing-- not trying to impress anybody. Very spacious. If you have, you know, visiting dignitaries to entertain, take them here for classy, but authentic flavor. Great business cards too. Too bad the website isn't similarly styled.

    (5)

  • JR J.

    In addition to spectacular food, stellar service and a great wine list, you will be wowed by their AMAZING professionalism. EVERYTHING about this restaurant ROCKS.I'm sure it is EXTREMELY rare when something goes wrong, but the Dining Room Manager is so "in tune" to the operation she aces an issue! She was everywhere she could possibly be..... hostessing, running food and performing table visits. I was totally impressed by the teamwork....... thanks for an amazing meal and a great evening!

    (5)

  • Lynette M.

    This was fabulous. Fabulous service aka Evan Beck our waitress with a boys name. The salmon was simple yet indescribably yummy. The buck breast tasted like a marbled ribeye. The almond butter mussels were divine. The wine was even delish. The dessert was the only mediocre thing we ordered.

    (5)

  • Paige B.

    Why is it that at Fore Street servers look at young adults as unimportant customers? They think we are young, careless, will not care about the specifics of the restaurant menu and will not tip well? As a server one of the first lessons that you learn is that you cannot judge a book by its cover. Yes, the food was good at Fore, but the service was some of the worst I have ever experienced. I couldn't wait to leave. It is frustrating and humiliating when your server turns to you after giving fabulous wine service to the other (older) couple next to you and blurts out "are you ready yet?" She put our beers on the table without a 'you're welcome' and walks away without checking if we have any questions or are even ready to order yet! My boyfriend and I went to Fore for our anniversary, we are both 22 years old and have worked in restaurant since we turned 16. We never leave less than a 20% tip because we know what it's like to make

    (1)

  • Paul W.

    We were a party of 4 on a Sunday night with reservations for 6:30 PM. No problem, we were seated immediately. We had a window seat looking toward the water. My girlfriend and I had the brick oven roasted mussels which were a real treat. I had the spit-roasted pork which was a knock out. The pork dinner was way better than the pork I had a couple of days before at a pretty good Italinan restaurant in North Boston. Our waiter was enthusiastic and knew the menu pretty well. It changes daily. I think there is a bakery downstairs so we had good crusty bread. We rated the dinner as a good experience.

    (5)

  • Jim C.

    Fore Street is located in an unassuming one-story brick building a block from the Casco Bay in downtown Portland. Although there are no water views, the sounds of seagulls permeate the air as you approach the venue. We arrived a few minutes before 5PM on a Saturday to wait in line for the walk-in reservations that the restaurant awards the aficionados. You literally cannot get a reservation unless you book weeks, even months, in advance, we're told by a fellow line mate, so the stand-by ritual is one's only option. Nonetheless, our 15-minute wait is rewarded by a reservation at "around 6:15 PM". Painless, really. So we have an hour to burn, and do so browsing the numerous nearby shops. We arrive back at 6:05, check in with the hostess, and she remembers me: "Jim? Your table will be ready in about 5 minutes. Feel free to have a seat in our lounge (bar), and we'll call you." Sure enough, in 5 minutes, the hostess collects us and brings us to our table for two. So what's all the fuss about? Really, this place is good. A little noisy, a bit rustic, but good. The menu is quite original, consisting of dishes all made from locally bred meats and locally grown produce. They serve wonderfully fresh breads (not sure they bake them on prem, but wouldn't be surprised), and they have a first rate wine list. The waitstaff are knowledgeable and reasonably friendly. My wife had the mixed greens salad and the organic spit-roasted chicken. I had the salad as well, and the hangar steak medium rare. We shared the carrots in ginger butter, served family-style. Everything was cooked to perfection, and nicely if simply presented. That, and the noise factor, were perhaps the only reasons we gave them four rather than five stars. To close the meal we finished with espressos and the chocolate pudding cake with walnuts and coffee ice cream. With tip, the whole rip came to $142, but that did include a couple glasses each of some very good wines. So, yes, highly recommended!

    (4)

  • Michelle C.

    This place did not live up to my expectations. While the ambiance is nice and cozy, the food was bland and portions were small. Way overpriced for what you get.

    (2)

  • C S.

    Maybe everyone who doesn't think fore street is "all that great" should try hitting up one of the lesser establishments in Portland, sayyy Becky's diner? that would probably be more your style. ANYWAYS, the food here was awesome. My boyfriend and I wanted to try the food here since we moved to Portland a few months ago. It's right around the corner from our apartment so we went one weekend night. They didn't have any reservations open but we were seated righted away anyway. The menu changes day to day but this night we had penne with squash and kale as an appetizer, it didn't take us long to scoff that down. I wasn't in the mood for a full chicken or fish dish so I ordered the pizza off of the appetizer menu, this consisted of caramelized onions, squash, and spinach, sooo good. I hadn't eaten a lot so i ordered dessert to go - a peach tart which i finished about 30 minutes after returning home. Oh and the bf had the duck - which he inhaled by the time i finished by third slice of pizza. The best part was the bill, for a "fancy" restaurant it wasn't that expensive, especially compared to some places in Boston. We'll definitely be back again :)

    (4)

  • Chrissy L.

    This is my husband's as well as my favorite restaurant of all time. I would gladly save all my fine dining budget for the year and use it here. We came here for our wedding anniversary last year and went again this year. The service is excellent, unobtrusive, yet helpful. Water glasses were constantly filled. Open kitchen is mesmorizing to watch. The food is out of this world. Everything we've ever had has been perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned. This time around we tried the grilled squid appetizer as well as the quail, had the hake entree and the spit-roasted rabbit entree. Topped it off with their house-made sorbet trio which was just a perfect way to end the meal. We also had their greens side dish. All that for $100! We've spent so much more on subpar meals in larger cities (Boston, NYC, Milan, etc.) and never come out this satisfied in every possible way. Just don't make reservations even harder for us to get :)

    (5)

  • John C.

    Outstanding! Fantastic food and great atmosphere. I was there with a large group and the service was a little slow, but the superb food made up for that. Wonderful desserts as well. Anything you order will be of the highest quality. I was pleasantly surprised to find a restaurant of this quality in Portland, Maine.

    (5)

  • Julie T.

    Really enjoyed dinner here. Made reservations weeks before we arrived in the area for the weekend. Relaxed in the bar area for a drink before dinner, our table was ready and waiting for us. We sat in the back room at a small table next to the window. It was quiet, the atmosphere more rustic than pretentious. Had a great server who actually sprinted to the kitchen area twice to reserve the last portion of two items we ordered. The husband started with mussels, best he has had. I started with a great baby boston biibb salad with fresh peas, pancetta,homemade ricotta and buttermilk dressing- nice and lite, everything so fresh! For dinner, wood grilled scallops and wood grilled striped bass, shared a side of fantastic mashed potatoes. Food was fabulous. great wine and draft beer offerings. The carrot cake pudding dessert was ok, not nearly as fabulous as everything else-maybe we were just full. I didnt find the prices outrageous as some have mentioned, I think our dinners were in the $28 range but sides are a la carte. Will definitely return next time we are in the area. The bread that is served is from the local Standard Baking co. Best bread ever!!! We found it easier to park in the parking garages in the area rather than trying to find on street parking- its a busy little area!

    (5)

  • chuck m.

    what happened to one of our favorite restaurants on the planet?!?!? we go to Fore St a couple of times a year, and until now it was always perfect: great from bread through dessert. we went last week, and while the bread and salads were very good, both of our fish entrees - and everything on the plates - were soaked in butter and almost inedible. this used to be a place at which you could dine and leave feeling well-fed and healthy, but our last visit left us queasy for 24 hours. GET RID OF THE BUTTER AND GET BACK TO FRESH FISH GRILLED SIMPLY AND PREPARED HEALTHFULLY!!! a major disappointment, especially given the steep prices.

    (2)

  • Dan O.

    Fore Street was good, not great. The atmosphere was very nice, cozy and comfortable. Our server was quite friendly and knowledgable. The spinach and Point Reyes Blue salad was delicious, as was the shocked shrimp and smoked scallop salad. However, the roasted mushroom salad was forgettable. The duck breast was cooked nicely, but it wasn't very flavorful. The confit alongside the breast was much better, but the wing was tough and chewy. The applesauce on the plate tasted like Mott's. The whole fish had good flavors, but the fish itself was a little mushy. The grass fed Butler steak tasted like grass and was tough(gimme a piece of Midwestern grain-fed beef anytime!!!). For sides, we ordered the mashed potatoes and roasted squash. The mashed pots were the highlight of the dinner, great flavor and texture. The squash was good - standard flavors. For dessert, we ordered a cheese plate and handmade chocolates, both of which were average. The place was packed, so they're obviously doing something right; I've just had better meals elsewhere for the same money.

    (3)

  • PAJ J.

    I have been visiting Portland regularly lately as my girlfriend lives there, and I have come to admire its restaurant culture (recently chronicled by the New York Times). We like to conclude our weekend visits with a fine dinner and have enjoyed a number of excellent restaurants. But Fore Street's magical combination of space and cuisine remains the one to beat. (I don't recommend dining at the bar; take a table in the beautiful dining room/open kitchen!) Its changing menu is packed with local ingredients and imaginative, fresh, flavorful dishes, starting with the delightful appetizers--I usually go for the offal/pâté trio and sometimes have a second appetizer rather than an entree. Both meat and fish entrees, again with lots of local choices, prepared near you in the open kitchen, are filled with the enthralling smells and flavors of fresh seasonal ingredients. The vegetable side dishes are always a treat and the bread is the best you will find anywhere (I have been known to take the remainder with me for the next morning). By the time we finish, we no longer crave desert, so I haven't experienced that part of the menu yet. But the combination of space, food, and service is beyond reproach and uniquely satisfying. The only drawback of Fore Street is... the need to reserve early--and that is not a bad sign.

    (5)

  • sara m.

    Oh man, the staff was just so dismissive here! I can't believe I'm giving them 4 stars. We almost left. It took us asking 3 different people if there was a wait list at the bar and if we could get our name on it, so people that came in after us were seated before us. Not cool! We stayed because we found seats in the lounge to wait and the cocktail waitress brought us some perfect summer drinks. The velour sweat suit wearing divorcee's that sat on top of us bitching about their ex's almost ruined that. After about an hour we were seated at the bar and the tall bartender with the Mr. Clean head fixed everything for us. He was whatever the exact opposite of obnoxious is. He had the best recommendations, 2 perfect fish dishes and great wine to go with it. We also had the chocolate torte and I think I would drive all the way back just for that ooey gooey madness.

    (4)

  • Mike M.

    I went here with my at the time girlfriend for her birthday or our anniversary, I don't remember which. Maybe it was Christmastime. Don't judge me, it was a while ago. As college students, this was a pricey place. Most of the diners here are either a family of tourists up for the weekend or a married couple out for a night of dinner and drinks. It's located on the far eastern side of what one would call "downtown" Portland. Parking can be tough, but you can try to sneak into the parking lot across the street if it's late enough. If you're there for the day, I'd suggest the parking garage relatively nearby, that way you can walk around the awesome cobblestone and see the shops to work up an appetite for your soon to be dinner. The interior is dim for ambiance, which I liked. It's a candles on the table, bottle of expensive water awaiting you kind of place. In terms of the menu, I honestly have to say they do turf well, but the surf wasn't up to "expensive restaurant in Maine" standards. Or maybe I'm just a spoiled brat when it comes to the creatures of the sea. Either way, duck is my recommendation, and she liked her pate...if you're into that. ..which you probably are 'cuz you're at Fore St. Yes, there is a bit of pretench here. That is, if you failed your "how to eat like an adult" course Senior year in college, you might feel like this is your retake exam. All this said, it was a nice meal and we didn't get in a fight or anything, so I'd go back there again for a special occasion. Seriously, stop judging me, I bet she can't remember either.

    (4)

  • Tyler T.

    Expensive but worth every penny. It is a must if you are in Portland. My favorite restaurant.

    (5)

  • Carles D.

    It is not cheap, but it is a must if you are in Portland. I've had to travel three times to Portland and each time I go there. Their menu changes every time, and they always have something new and sophisticated to try, but I am still dreaming on the Tart Tatin I had the first time.

    (5)

  • Bill C.

    This is one of the best restaurant in Portland. Serious food without the snobbishness. The wood oven and open kitchen are delightful especially on a cold Maine evening. My only bone to pick is that for an establishment takes their craft so seriously, the bar is unexceptional. First time there ordering a Manhattan they mixed it with Canadian Club (and no bitters)

    (4)

  • Dana F.

    Not impressed. Everyone raved about this restaurant so my boyfriend and I went last year, honestly, won't be returning this year. Food did not live up to the hype. Atmosphere was fine. Can definitely be skipped.

    (2)

  • Neir E.

    We're serious foodies, and we were blown away by Fore Street. We got a lovely table overlooking the wood-burning stove, and the night just got better from there. The salad with brussel sprouts, squash, and turnips was fantastic, but the crab and squash bique was even better. I don't remember the last time I enjoyed a soup so much. For the main courses, we got a big beautiful pork loin and half a roasted duck with cider-roasted apples that were to die for. Finally came the caramel-black pepper sourdough bread pudding. Yummy! The drinks were also great (don't miss the grapefruit crystallized ginger cocktail), and the service impeccable. We couldn't finish our entrees, so we asked them to pack the food up for us. Before we turned around, the box was already filled and on the table. Bravo! Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Ben F.

    Once upon a time, there was a restaurant called Fore Street. It put Portland Maine on the foodie map. Several James Beard awards later, everyone who was anyone had eaten there. It was truly an excellent restaurant - best of its kind. Even made it to #16 in the US. Fast forward to 2014. Sam Hayward is long gone and so is the quality of the food. Once a signature dish, the mussels, were soggy and the shells were brittle (likely over cooked). The "lamb" that I ordered for $40!! came with 3 ribs and a slice of lamb bacon served over some under-cooked squash and beets. Squash soup was tasteless. The wood grill is still great, and if I'm being honest, it's probably around 3 stars, but I feel the need to offset the good reviews that this place USED to earn.

    (2)

  • William M.

    Fabulous meal and possibly the first 5-star rating I've given. Started with some great Maine brews. We enjoyed the beet salad as an appetizer and the bread (from Standard Baking Co. downstairs) was amazing! For mains we had a fish in a wonder white sauce, the roasted duck and sweatbreads. Our waitress was very profession but in a relaxed way. The ambiance was top - notch: open kitchen in the middle of the restaurant, nice large windows, overall comfortable but elegant feel. Definitely recommendable.

    (5)

  • Leslie G.

    One of the few places i'll wait...and wait they don't take reservations via opentable anymore. went with 2 friends on may 17. called at 6 and was told an hour wait. when we got there it was over an hour for the table and they now take reservations at the bar. we were seated at the bar an hour later - i prefer eating at the bar. everything was incredible - was a fiddlehead fern virgin until that night - they were interesting, not something seasonal i'd search out (like fried zucchini flowers) but interesting. i had the duck and the confit and breast were perfect. we all shared dessert - totally amazing. also should mention i fly 2400 miles and drive another 60 to eat there :).

    (5)

  • Corinne E.

    The wait was about 40 minutes but they made the waiting time enjoyable and comfortable with drinks and appetizers at the bar. Attentive and friendly service. The Arctic char was fabulous and their bread is fresh and delicious. The oysters were probably the very best I have ever had in my life :) Ambiance takes you straight to Europe and the view is hard to beat. Highly recommended!!

    (5)

  • Aaron P.

    When a place is as hyped as Fore Street, I expect it to be perfect, or at least flawless. What I got was a mixed bag of triumphs and failures. We arrived precisely on time for our 7:45 reservation and were told that our table wasn't available. Apparently there was a table that had paid 30 minutes ago, and a table that had paid 45 minutes ago, and both were just sitting there. I understand that it's not a good practice to kick guests out, but regardless, we ended up waiting about 10 minutes for our table. They were nice enough about this, and once we were seated our server offered her apologies. Ok. Apology accepted. While I generally enjoyed the interior of the restaurant, we were seated at window that was directly opposite a parking garage. Not a huge deal, but also not a nice view. There's an open kitchen, and the room where they store their produce is right in the entrance area of the restaurant with a nice big window for you to ogle through. The menu was robust but confusing. Things were categorized by food type and preparation, such as "Wood Grilled Meats" and "Turnspit Roasted Meats," instead of by course, so I had to hunt for what I would consider an appetizer. I decided to go with a salad and a steak, but was split between two salads. I asked the server for her opinion on them, and she said something along the lines of, "All of our salads are so unique and creative. You should find one that speaks to you and go for that." Okaaaayyyyy. A comparison of their merits or some other useful information would have been nice instead of just complimenting the restaurant, but moving on. We placed our orders, and then waited. Then we waited some more. Eventually we caught the server's attention and asked for our bread. When it finally came, it was good, but nothing too special. The butter, however, was fantastic. The salads then arrived. The produce we had seen through that window was incredibly fresh and delicious, and everybody was happy with their choices. The same can't be said of the entrees. One of my party got a chicken dish that was so salty he had to send it back. I like salty foods, and even I didn't like it. The waitress said, "All the food is carefully vetted, but I'll let the kitchen know." I didn't like the defensive stance she took. When she came back, she was apologetic and made an excuse about how the brine can be tricky to control (note that it was described as marinated, not brined).. She then took his replacement order. He got the hake, and was that was great. I got the rib eye steak, which was the most expensive thing on the menu. It was cooked perfectly. Soft and delicious, but very fatty. The presentation was also lackluster, with a sauce and some potatoes somewhat messily tossed on top of the piece of meat. It was good. It was very good, but for $45 I want my eyelids to fold inside out and my brain to leak out of my ears. There was no brain leakage. My wife got the hanger steak, and it was tasty but a bit sinewy. The deserts were all perfect. This is the kind of excellence I expected from Fore Street. It's just too bad we had to wait until the end of the meal to get it. Fore Street was good, but it didn't come close to living up to the hype. I've had better meals for less money in the area, and in the end, there are other places I'd rather explore or return to before going back to Fore Street.

    (2)

  • Joyce H.

    Fore Street is an excellent place for local and fresh seafood. They change their menu daily and offer amazingly fresh specials. Making a reservation is really important here. You can't make a reservation the day of, so be sure to call in and make one ahead of time. You can also go in and put your name on a waitlist, which is what we did...we had about a 2-3 hour wait, so we explored Portland until our meal time (around 9pm). When we went in, they had a table open for two, so we gladly took it. Fore Street has a rustic but trendy / upscale feel. The main dining area is quite busy and loud, but we got a table for 2 in the back room which was quieter with a nice ambient feel. It's a dark and romantic restaurant. They also feature an open kitchen with lots of wood burning stoves. Mmm. We shared the raw fish sampler and the oven roasted sea food. It was well done with fresh fish, but the flavors were not super outstanding. I think it was pretty pricy as well. It's a dependable and solid restaurant and worth the visit... though I liked the atmosphere and food from their sister restaurant much better (Street & Co). I will say that service was a 5 for sure. All the servers are knowledgable and friendly.

    (4)

  • Adam A.

    Recently ventured up to Portland for an extended weekend in the beginning of August and was blown away with dinner at Fore Street. Yes, reservations are hard to come by and people do line up outside the restaurant early, but once inside and enjoying the food you will understand why there is such a buzz about this place. If you were unable to make a reservation in advance, the restaurant saves tables for walk ins to either dine at the bar or in the dining area. Recommend showing up at 4:45pm, as others have mentioned, and let the hostess know whether you would prefer the bar or a table in the dining room. You will then have the ability of entering the restaurant at 5pm and sit at either option at 5:30pm after enjoying a cocktail at the bar and/or lounge area In terms of food, we wanted to try as much as possible...certainly succeeded in doing that. The menu constantly changes based on food availability, so it is hard to predict what you will have the option of ordering. For appetizers we had the tomatoes and mozzarella (in season), mussels (must have) and assortment of fresh seafood (scallops, salmon, mackerel). Everything was unbelievably fresh and tasty with the exception of the salmon that did not have a good texture to it. For entrees we had the scallops, lobster and lamb - all were exceptional! Dessert we shared the chocolate mousse and blueberry crumble cake, which were devoured by the three of us even after the massive amount of food we consumed earlier. Overall it was a great experience with the service, atmosphere, food, drinks, etc. Highly recommend eating here one night if you are visiting for the weekend.

    (5)

  • Evelyn S.

    Based on a friend's recommendation and glowing reviews, my husband and I decided to try Fore Street. We called for reservations, but were informed the next available was two weeks out. However, a third of the tables are reserved for walk-ins. As a result, we decided to take our chances and showed up at 8:00 on a Friday evening. Upon arrival we were informed it would be 30-45 minutes, and retired to the bar to await a table. Just as we received our drinks the hostess came to escort us to our table. ~10 minutes - not bad. The overall decor is quite rustic and the seats at our table were on the uncomfortable side, with rope seats and a ridge that cut into my legs. I have short legs, so it's my fault, but it did make for a less than great experience. Also, the table had one leg shorter than the others and we had to wait for a few minutes while cardboard was placed under the offending side. Once in place, we examined the menu. The menu changes daily, with a few standards. Definitely focused on fresh, local, sustainable fare, according to the menu. For an appetizer, we ordered the Grilled / Raw Seafood Sampler, which consisted of Ahi tuna, scallop ceviche, smoked mussels and salmon and an order of oysters on the half shell. The scallops were some of the best I've ever had, the salmon and tuna were good, but not extraordinary, and the mussels were gritty and laden with sand. The oysters were tiny and also gritty and full of pieces of shell. Maybe a shucker in training? Bread was served along with the appetizers and came with olive oil for dipping. The bread was tough and tasteless and the olive could have used some spices to bump it up. One piece was enough. For entrees, my husband had the dry-rubbed pork loin with sauerkraut and au jus and I opted for the seared sweetmeats and chicken liver appetizer with baby new potatoes. We also ordered the fat roasted new potatoes to share. This is when the evening took a nose dive. The emphasis on the pork loin was definitely the dry in dry-rubbed. It was the most over cooked pork either of us have ever encountered. When my husband asked the waiter if he could have some of the horseradish sauce he'd seen on the menu, the waiter responded that the horseradish sauce was strictly served with the hanger steak - no substitutions or modifications. Since the pork was inedible as it was, my husband finally convinced the waiter to bring more of the au jus. A tiny pitcher arrived, which almost lasted through the meal. The potato side dish was described as roasted in pork fat, but we didn't expect the 1/4 inch of cooling fat in the bottom of the dish. A few of the potato pieces were roasted, the rest were pale and barely cooked. The fat laden dish became quickly intolerable. For my dish, both the livers and the sweetmeats were raw. Not just rare (I typically eat my steaks 'blue' or as rare as allowed, so this doesn't bother me, typically), which is how this offal should be cooked, but actually raw. This is partially "shame on me" as I should have sent them back, but, having watched way too many episodes of "Top Chef," I over thought it. My reasoning was that a) maybe that's how they were supposed to be, b) sending them back would result in over cooking, which is completely intolerable, and c) being from Boston, I didn't want to be THAT M@sshole visiting Maine. I should have done / said something. I choked down the raw meats, which then started percolating in my stomach; whether in reality or in response to the thought of the raw flesh sliding down my throat, I'm not sure. Regardless, it was not pleasant from then on. Will admit that the sides that came with the entrees, the new potatoes and the sauerkraut, were quite good if scant. The waiter seemed upset that we weren't raving about the food and became obnoxious in attempting to wrangle a positive response from either my husband or me. That may be why we were rarely checked on, having to flag down waiters for water refills and service of any kind, but it's hard to say. We paid the check - an exorbitant one for the experience - and scurried out. Will most likely not return.

    (1)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm
  • Mon : 5:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street, Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Classy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Fore Street

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