Fore Street is one of the most raved about restaurants in the Portland area, and for good reason. This surely was one of the best and most meticulous meals I have had in a long time. The Tuna Tataki, while rather small for the price, was incredible. The oysters were fresh and flavorful. The mussels had a delicious sauce, which was perfect with the fresh bread that comes from the bakery below the restaurant. We went with the cod and the scallops for our entrees. The cod was perfectly cooked and had a tomato based sauce, but for me it was the scallops that stole the show. The blueberry pie was also incredible. Our server was kind and helpful, giving us recommendations and tips every step of the way. The restaurant is warm and charming, and I can't wait to go back. read more

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"If you're going to Portland you have to go to Fore Street" & so we went! We did the walk in right at 4:30, greeted warmly by the host as we made the cut and hung out at the bar until 5. This is our first night in Portland so let me say if this sets the tone for the rest of the trip then I might move here.... What we ordered: Foie gras - pancake was super light. Blue berry composed surprisingly well with the corn. The liver was charred to a lovely flavor. All combined made it an absolute delight. Hangar steak was cooked to perfection with a nice pink center and crispy edges. Again, the pairing of the eggplant made the dish superb. 10/10 will come back soon! read more

Fore Street - Hangar Wood Grilled Natural Hanger Steak - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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I went on a Saturday and lined up 20 minutes before opening. They allow you to get a walk-in reservation time for later that evening; I got one for about an hour later. The couple we chatted with in line usually come on Sundays and said there usually isn't a crazy line then, and they're able to just be seated at the bar. The ambiance and food was incredible--except one. The free bread from Standard Baking Co. was already a lovely start. The cured duck was a surprise stand out; I didn't expect to love it as much as I did but the tomatoes were excellent and the pine nuts paired wonderfully with the cured duck. The chicken was tender yet with a wonderfully crispy skin, the scallops perfectly seared, and the vegetables a nice balance. But the foie gras was an extreme let down. Far too sweet when paired with the cornbread and strawberry sauce, and overpowering. I think it was a mistake to pair such rich flavors together and lose the magic of the foie gras. I can still taste this dish--in a bad way. I communicated this feedback to our server, and she didn't do anything about it. read more

Fore Street - Cured duck, foie gras - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Obviously, this restaurant is the most popular restaurant in Portland, so it doesn't need my positive updated review. But, when restaurants get successful, I feel like they stop being places to gather and socialize and become very unfriendly. This restaurant has remained incredibly on point with all of their food and flavor profiles, as well as being accommodating to people who just wanna have something at the bar, have a light fair, or do the full-blown dining experience. I can't recommend this restaurant enough. read more

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THIS WAS THE BEST RESTAURANT IN PORTLAND!!!! We did not have a reservation, so we got in line on a Friday at 4:30 right when they opened. We were able to snag 3 bar seats right away or they gave us the option to come back for a table at 5:15. Both great options. Everything we got was seriously so amazing, you cannot go wrong ordering. My favorite was the tuna tartar & the roasted carrots side we ordered. I have never tasted for fresh tuna tartar in my life. The haddock was also cooked perfectly and smothered in an amazing sauce. All the drinks we got were great too. I'm normally not a cosmo girl but we saw these being brought to another table & they looked so good we had to order them. I'm so glad we did because they were delish! The chefs and bartenders really know what they are doing here. Cannot recommend this place enough!!!!! read more

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I day out in ME, we ended up at the Fore Street! Easy parking on a weekday, walked up the cut thru staircase from street below. Went in and it was jumping a lot of people, we opted to sneak pair of chairs at the bar, since dine in section was packed! Our bartender / server was super cool, he had great recommendations and everything felt rustic and savory in there dish wise. From farm to table I type establishment. We started with beef cheeks and it was so tender and a great start to our night with the smoky char from the flame grill. The complimentary bread with in house whipped butter was a delight. The lady enjoyed the oysters we grabbed a half dozen. No dollar oysters that day (not sure if they do it should have asked). We opted for our entrees to be the haddock fillet with roasted carrots on the side. Haddock fillets come in an iron skillet and mind you haha eat it quick, our fillets started to overcook in it. The sauce it came with was a light creamy sauce that paired well. I enjoyed the menu, def on the pricier side but a nice dinner! Would come back! read more

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As a walk-in, we were told that the restaurant would be a wait and boy, it was worth it. This farm to table format allowed for fresh produce and a daily rotating menu. When in Portland, eat what the fisherman catch and what the farmers harvest, so that's what we did. The light cod was balanced well with a heavier lobster sauce making a great pairing. All the sides looked appealing but who can say no to cheese, potatoes, and cauliflower? Scallops were perfectly seared and did not need the lemon pea sauce at all It's on the pricier side, but is well worth the cost for quality. Service was attentive and we loved the rustic, low lighting atmosphere. It's a great place for a high-end meal, special occasion or romantic night out! Wish we also had time to check out the sister restaurant, Scales. read more

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Fore Street is one of the best restaurants I've been to by far. Their menu changes everyday which means I will definitely be coming back to try out a new dish in the future. Their website provided a great description on what to do if you do not have a reservation. For walk-ins, you'll need to be there before it opens, which we did on a Saturday and there was already a line even in the rain! So definitely keep that in mind if you did not make a reservation in advance. We arrived at 4:15pm and got a table for 5:15pm (you can go walk around old port once you put your name down). The server was amazing at providing explanations of the dishes and also providing amazing recommendations based on your taste. Two absolute favorites: meat pie and their maple sundae (this is by far the best sundae I've had in my life so no matter how full you are, I highly recommend it!!). Everything else we got - wood oven roasted haddock fillet, zucchini and summer squash, wood fire turn spit chicken were all very tasty as well. You can't go wrong with any of them. In the future, I'd probably make a reservation in advance and request to sit where the cooking is happening- it's really cool that you can see them do their magic by the wood oven. I also like how the seatings are nicely spaced for a very busy restaurant. I will say, we waited ~40 mins in between apps and entrees (wood oven roasted dishes), so keep that in mind if you have post dinner plans. read more

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The food scene in Portland is unreal, and Fore Street is no exception! After spending the day exploring Portland, dining here was a real treat. We honestly did not have anything planned for dinner but luckily, we were able to get a table for two without reservation. Something unique about this restaurant is that they have a large, open hearth with wood-burning oven + grill. A bunch of their menu offerings are cooked over hardwood and applewood fires, giving it a distinct flavor. Their menu changes often and they source their ingredients from local suppliers. Here's what we ordered: - Beef Cheeks (special of the day) - Half a Dozen Oysters - Haddock Fillet (x2) - Roasted Carrots (side) The beef cheeks were succulent and cooked perfectly. This dish came with broccolini, one of my favorite veggies! We were surprised how tender the beef cheeks were... pretty much falling apart with each bite. I'd totally get this again! I LOVE OYSTERS, so we definitely had to get a half a dozen of oysters to try hehe. All of the oysters were clean and tasted very fresh, great start to our meal. We both ended up getting a haddock fillet & I'm so happy we ordered this. It was flavorful and almost everything about this dish was on point. One thing that we both noticed was, since the haddock is in a cast iron skillet, the fish continues to cook as you eat. The fish basically started to get a little overcooked and dry, making it difficult to finish. BUT I do love cast iron skillet dishes because I love my food hot & it keeps the food hot until I'm finished eating haha. So there's definitely pros & cons to that. Lastly, we ordered a side of roasted carrots to share with our entree. I've never had carrots cooked so evenly through. I loved the texture of the carrots but wished it was more flavorful. I typically like my carrots maple/honey roasted for a touch of sweetness. While the carrots were nicely cooked, they fell a bit short for me, in terms of flavor. The haddock fillet and beef cheeks were definite highlights, and despite the carrots being the only dish that didn't quite wow us, I'd absolutely recommend Fore Street and look forward to returning on my next trip to Portland! read more

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A beautiful visit to this fine restaurant! Our server, Elizabeth, greeted us with a warm smile and information about the restaurant after learning it was our first time there. Husband started with a fresh lettuce salad that had a nice vinegar & oil with fresh garlic dressing on it. I ordered the Squash soup which was savory and perfect for a cool evening. Cod for me and halibut for him were the main entrees. Both were deliciously prepared and had wonderful flavor and didn't last long, even with a nice serving size! We added the mashed potatoes(OMG!) and carrots as side dishes and both complimented our mains perfectly. I'd let the staff know that it was my husband's birthday so when the Rhubarb Crisp came out, it included a birthday candle and Happy Birthday written in chocolate on the plate. Elizabeth was outstanding and a delight to meet. Fore Street has a great reputation that is well deserved. We spent $200 including tip which included one beer with our dinner. Highly recommend for future visits! read more

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The ambience here is really nice, the interior is super beautiful. Our service was so good, the waiter was super helpful! The mushroom toast was my favorite, everything from presentation to flavor to texture, was insane. I loved the oysters as well and the scallops had such good texture to it. The haddock was also cooked amazingly but the chowder it was in was a little bland. The sundae was so good and the maple flavor was strong! Loved the crunch!! read more

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My family and I have gone to this restaurant for years but unfortunately they have gone down hill. It's all about turnover and profits. Also, at the bar you cannot orders just a few apps on a week day at 5pm with not a singular group waiting in the area. You must order apps and entrees.. sorry but that's ridiculous rule at a bar. If you like rude staff I recommend going here, otherwise take your money elsewhere. read more

Service was friendly but a bit slow. I think the chefs were cooking it fresh in their oven so not too bad. They were very attentive in filling water. The longest wait was from the appetizer to the meal which was about 40min; we did order the half chicken so that may be why it was taking so long. The bread starter was good but kind of standard. The appetizer phyllo meat pie was S+ tier, very very good. The haddock fillet with scallop stuffing was S tier in taste but a bit small. The white wine and fennel brined half chicken was a good smokiness to it but did remind me of the turkey legs you would get at amusement parks. This however was not dry and cooked well. It did end up helping to fill us up but I would give it a A tier. Zucchini and yellow squash veggie dish was good, A tier. We aren't dessert people but decided to get the maple Sunday with the brown butter ice cream. Very glad we got it, it was amazing; S+ tier. Did make me question if we should've also tried the rhubarb creme brûlée in addition to it since it might also have been fantastic. Would come again. read more

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We finally made it to Fore Street. We've tried on previous visits to Portland, but we've never been able to get in. The experience lived up to its reputation. The room has a warm, energetic feel, with the wood-fired ovens and open kitchen setting the tone for the evening. We started with oysters -- cold, clean, and briny, served with a house-made mignonette with shallots that added just the right amount of brightness. Exactly how we like them, and a great way to kick things off. From there, we shared the wood-fire "seared" foie gras served over a small waffle, which was rich and indulgent without feeling overdone. We also ordered the Swedish Christmas sausage special appetizer -- partly out of curiosity and partly because my parents were from Sweden -- and I'm glad we did. It was flavorful, comforting, and felt thoughtfully prepared rather than gimmicky. For mains, my partner had the stuffed manicotti, which was hearty and well-balanced, while I went with the wood-fire-oven roasted chicken. The chicken was beautifully cooked, with that subtle depth of flavor you only get from a wood oven -- simple, confident cooking done really well. Service was excellent throughout. Our server, Sydney, was fantastic: attentive, knowledgeable, and perfectly paced without ever feeling intrusive. Overall, the meal felt intentional and grounded in great ingredients, with the fire playing a supporting role rather than overpowering everything. It's easy to see why Fore Street is such a staple in Portland, and we'd absolutely return. read more

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I am not sure if this is because my expectations are sky high coming from NYC, but I have tried many popular/acclaimed restaurants in the area and left disappointed. I was about to give up on Portland's dining scene until Fore Street. I ordered the foie gras, pork loin, and the tartlette with crème fraîche ice cream. Everything was impeccable. The flavors were carefully considered and beautifully balanced, allowing the quality of the ingredients to shine without relying on aggressive acidity or overpowering seasoning. The foie gras came with a compote that was slightly too sweet, but I can't complain because it was so delicious. The pork loin was beautifully cooked and juicy, and paired wonderfully with the sauce. The dessert was the standout. The ice cream had the perfect consistency and balance, and the tartlette with its lard crust was so good. The service was surprisingly friendly despite how busy and bustling the restaurant was. Finally, a restaurant that delivers and isn't just hype. read more

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Another great evening at Fore Street. The ambiance is always great and the food outstanding and innovative. Our waiter, Lukas, was amazing. He was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and food in general. He steered me towards the tuna tartare and the haddock main dish. Both were so delicious. The husk cherries added a nice flavor to the tuna tartare and the corn and lobster chowder complemented the haddock perfectly. Will definitely be back. read more

Good was excellent, drinks were just perfect and the service was great. Place was very busy to be middle of the week - would suggest reservations if possible. Restaurant has a nice ambiance - kind of rustic with a modern touch. read more

Fore Street - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

This is an amazing restaurant. Beautiful ambiance. I love everything about it, from their food to their service. Came here for dinner and was seated at the bar. The server was very nice and accommodating! Their menu changes daily. That night, we ordered poached pear salad, Pekin Duck Ragu, Wood Grilled Hanger steak, and Venison. The pear salad was fresh with right level of sweetness. The pear was refreshing! Tender and juicy and actually tasted good with the pistachio! The Pekin Duck Ragu was very interesting! It had a lot of deep flavors and that ragu was so so good! It felt so much like a comfort food and it was absolutely delicious. Wood Grilled Hanger steak was medium rare and it was just so juicy and flavorful. Loved every bite of this! The Venison was another great dish. It was prepared rare as requested by the server and it tasted so tender and juicy! Loved every bite. It was not gamey or anything. It was rich and totally melted in my mouth. We also had their cornbread and it felt like dessert! It was sweet, moist, and had that great crumb that just melts in your mouth. An amazing side order to request! The only downside was that it was hard to get reservations. Calls often went to voicemail and even when someone called back, it would still go straight to voicemail. I did leave my preferred date and time, and eventually they were able to confirm a reservation for me, so it worked out in the end! read more

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What an incredible meal. Everything was delicious and each member of our group thoroughly enjoyed their dishes. The ingredients are very fresh, and therefore the menu changes daily based on what's available. The bread service is sourdough from Standard Baking, which is next door so it's very fresh as they get the fresh baked bread daily. Service was excellent. Our server was knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. Offered some great recommendations. The space is warm and inviting. Creative design with an open kitchen concept. The kitchen right behind the host station as soon as you walk in. Can even see the fresh vegetables for the day through the windowed pantry. I won't go into details on the dishes since the menu changes daily and they may not be available. I don't think you could go wrong with any choice here. My 2 favorites were the crab stuffed haddock and autumn squash creme brulee. Fore Street is definitely a must visit! read more

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Well wow. What an impressive meal. Lived up to all our expectations. Ryan at the bar was wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed a dinner with drinks before dining room service even began. Come at 4:10 to queue up for walk-in service and you're probably set!!! read more

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Is there a restaurant that smells better when you walk in than fore street? I don't believe so. We went recently. Split the ham and snap pea salad as well as the steak tartare. Both were epic and top 3 steak tartare we've ever had. My husband had the hanger steak and I had the lamb and house made cavatelli with an insanely delicious pesto. I wish I could remember the name of the dessert we had. Something with Carmel and butterscotch (i think). Not a huge dessert person but I think it's literally the best I've had. Our server was friendly, attentive, informative. Just a nice guy that I didn't hate to see coming. This was our second time in Portland and it was the first reservation I made because we knew we HAD to come back. When in Portland, you MUST go to fore street!!! read more

Four of us met up for an evening of sharing and catching up while being served extraordinary cuisine by a most attentive server. I wish I had pics to share but it was phones-away evening while we dived into conversation. We all dined and shared tastes of crab stuffed haddock, flank steak, pork and sharing garlic mashed potatoes and the corn bread, that would be an alternative to dessert (wow! D'lish), but no...we didn't stop there...a couple of desserts were shared, too. A must try for this restaurant where the menu changes frequently as they source locally and throughout Maine and utilize what's available. read more

It has been almost a decade since my last dining experience at Fore Street but I will not be waiting that long in between visits again! We were in town for one week this summer but I forgot to make a reservation well in advance and was SOL. My husband and I decided to try our luck walking in early on Monday evening. We arrived around 5:30pm and were able to be seating at a table by the kitchen right away. I had forgotten what a cozy restaurant this is and love the vibe of the open kitchen in the glassed in produce pantry. Service was exceptional and our waitress even ended up taking a dish off the meal because I had mentioned that it was overly salty. Standout dishes that we loved were the wood grilled pork tenderloin with polenta fries and the turnspit roasted half chicken. The strawberry shortcake with local strawberries was absolutely incredible and insanely fresh. I also highly recommend getting a box of the chocolates to take home. read more

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We had the good fortune to find a table at the storied Fore Street restaurant on the eve of the great snowstorm of 2026. We trudged over to Fore Street from our Airbnb and entered into the warmest, cozy dining room and shed our layers in their cloak room. We were warmly welcomed by the host and our server to a generous booth overlooking the open kitchen. We started with a non-alcoholic amaro that was especially refreshing. We ordered the following spectacular dishes: Raw Little Neck Clams Honey Roasted Dragon Carrot Salad with Cara Cara Supremes, Endive, Pomegranate Arils, and a Pistachio Labneh Sauce was a flavor and texture of fireworks. Wood-Grilled Squid with a Meyer Lemon Aioli and Olive Tapenade, OMG what a great dish! The squid was perfectly cooked and transported us to Greece. Dry-Rubbed Roasted Pork Loin with Braised Red Cabbage, was pure heaven! Perfect cold winter night entree. Pan Seared Skate Wing with Sunchokes and Leeks in a Lobster Newberg Sauce. This dish was a feat! The skate wing was cooked to perfection with a golden caramelization on both sides. The fried Sunchoke Chips and roasted Sunchoke were such great textural contrasts. The creamy lobster newborn sauce was so luxurious. Dinner was stupendous from beginning to end! The service was gracious and refined. As a former chef, I had many questions about the preparations, and our server responded immediately, with a proud sense of ownership. Dining at Fore Street has been a dream since opening in 1996, and it fully rose to the occasion of our maiden voyage. Thank you for taking us in on the evening of a massive blizzard when everything else was closed, and most bears were at home hibernating. read more

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We stopped by here 2 nights previously & it was packed with a 1 hour wait. It smelled so delicious that I made a reservation for Sunday night however last night we went late a little after 9 when we got off work & got lucky to get bar seating. The hostess was super nice & seated us right away. I love the atmosphere which is warm & inviting. I got hot tea because I was frozen. I ordered the bean & ham soup which hit the spot. My husband started with pork belly & beef cheeks which he thoroughly enjoyed. The bartender brought sourdough bread & butter all fresh & locally sourced. My entree was crab topped grilled haddock which was light & flaky & so delicious with the creamy sauce. My husband had the hangar steak & he said it was so tender & flavorful. We both very much enjoyed it & are excited to go back on Sunday. read more

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We came here while in town for our honeymoon. We made the reservation a month and a half ago and it didn't disappoint. I would highly recommend trying to make a reservation at least a month in advance otherwise I don't think you'll get in. I ordered the scallops which were cooked perfectly. My husband got the lamb shoulder with couscous which was also incredible. Sometimes when people cook lamb wrong it tastes like a pot roast but this was not that way. It was very tender but didn't resemble a roast. The meals were so filling we almost didn't need the sides but they still hit the spot! read more

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This was a cozy refuge after a chilly, rainy day. Our server, Greg, was great. My husband's fois gras was phenomenal- came with currants and a reduction that was so damn tasty. Oysters were also very good. His pork chop was massive and moist. I loved my smoked salmon appetizer and then had the roasted squash with sausage and spiced walnuts atop polenta cake. Very tasty as well. So even though there were no misses, the food wasn't as inventive or tasty as Central Provisions. read more

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I'm shocked I haven't reviewed Fore Street before! It's my actual favorite restaurant in Portland. The chicken, pork, and steak are all amazing and worth it. Honestly, just follow your heart because you really can't go wrong. Our most recent trip we got a rabbit schnitzel that was incredible. The foie gras, sweetbreads, etc. are also not worth missing here. Desserts are also amazing. We went on a Sunday recently with a reservation (we had to book 2 months out too) but there was plenty of space in the bar/lounge area in case you need to pop in for a quick bite. All of this to say, this is a *MUST* try in Portland, and your enjoyment to price ratio will blow any of the trendy small plates places out of the water. Just go! read more

wow the resys were booked out for a month and a half but we decided to try to do a walk in around 9:10 and WOW. best american food i've ever had!!! eveything is sourced from local farms daily, menu changes everyday!! mussels: super plump and juicy scallops ceviche: very fresh but flavor was ight. dish was small too haddock fillet: the fish was super soft and juicy. it was deliciousssss!! the sauce was lobster cream sauce with bits of lobster -- it was so rich and decadent. the fish also had a crumble top. you could tell it was seared then slow cooked. pork loin: WOAH -- this one was so surprising bc i didn't think pork could be this good lolol it was slightly pink on the inside which was intentional and it was so juicy and flavorful hanger steak: it was done rare and slightly cold lolol but it was yummy lame shoulder: the boys say it's soooo good but i just don't like lamb at all. it's super tender and soft read more

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We heard the hype and had to try to get in as a walk-in on our vaca in Portland. The menu was great. We started with the baby squash/zucchini salad and the ratatouille. The salad was ok but missed the lemon that was supposed to be on it so it was oiled up with no acid. I asked for a lemon wedge and it was better. Pistachios did nothing for the salad. The ratatouille was more like puree it didn't have but one little chunk of eggplant and mostly onions and filler of some sort but not the nice chunky veggies typical. Also bland. We then ordered the lamb shank and the scallops. The lamb was actually a bit dry and it was literally covered in the cold yogurt sauce which made the meat cold. It would have been better in the au jus that the potatoes were sitting in instead of the lamb. Perhaps the yogurt sauce on the side. The potatoes were also bland and didn't have that roasted caramelized outer. The scallops were the only thing impressing but even those could have used another component besides pea everything. Scallops were cooked perfectly. Wine menu was good but universal wine glasses for red and white is a no go especially for a high end restaurant. Service was great. Wouldn't go back. We had a dinner at Scales the evening before that blew Fore Street out of the water! read more

After indulging in too many of Portland's craft beers and lobster, we decided to try out this upscale restaurant. We walked in on a Wednesday around 5 to find that the first round of seating was full and that we could be slotted in at 6:30. We returned a couple minutes before 6:30 and they were able to seat us right away. Upon entering there is a large bar and lounge. It's a full bar with a varied selection of whiskeys. Once past the bar, we entered the main space with an open kitchen seemingly occupying half the restaurant. There's a huge wood burning oven, a rotisserie, and a grill creating quite the spectacle of heat. Kudos to whomever designed the ventilation here. There are high ceilings and the restaurant was dimly lit. It creates a dark and intimate atmosphere In addition to the whiskeys mentioned earlier, there is a great wine list, some intriguing cocktails, and craft beers. I started with their spin on a martini: an apricot cocktail made with local gin. It was liquor forward and boozy in a sweet fashion. Fun take but I switched over to glass of skin contact wine from Slovenia for my second beverage later on. Food wise, we started with heirloom tomato salad. Three different tomatoes appropriately quartered and halved. They were plated over a light layer of ricotta with pesto sauce. I haven't seen heirlooms at my local grocery the last month, so I was delighted to stumble upon these. I believe there were some pine nuts too. For the next course, we shared the mussels. These mussels were perfectly cooked. The texture was the best that I've had; meaty yet not chewy. They were served in a delicious broth of butter, garlic, and surprisingly nuts. They waitress kindly brought over more complimentary bread furnished from standard baking downstairs for us to sponge up as much of the broth as possible. For our main course, we paired the haddock with garlic mashed potatoes. Haddock was served in a thin pool of lobster chowder. While the pool was shallow, the portion of lobster was generous and made me wonder how I missed the lobster as a component of this dish on the menu. It was served in a cast iron pan with slightly glazed sides. I made sure to deglaze every bit of goodness with the reminders of the chowder broth! The mashed potatoes were tasty but too runny in my opinion. We finished off the meal with an immaculate slice of blueberry pie. It was so wonderful that I considered a second. Dream like crust which was flakey yet sturdy. It was almost like a cookie crust. The pie filling was sweet and robost. It showcases the sweetness and tartness of the berries. It was plated a with a scoop of creamy ice cream which made for an excellent temperatural and textural contrast. Service was attentive, knowledgeable, and hospitable. There were gendered restrooms plus a single occupancy restroom which was handicap accessible. read more

Best dinner of the year. A family celebration ..make sure to make reservations. We enjoyed the Cornish hens..best I have ever had..scallops were delish, and so we're the short ribs...fresh bread from the bakery down stairs...the deserts were the capstone. From service to food to the warmest ambience...can't recommend enough read more

We were really excited to try this restaurant after hearing great things. We ordered drinks, three appetizers, and an entrée. While we were eating one of the appetizers--a salad--we noticed something moving in it. It was a live worm. We immediately brought it to our waitress's attention. She apologized and told us the salad would be comped. A little while later, she asked if we still wanted our entrée, but we declined because after finding a live worm in our food, we had completely lost our appetite. We were more than willing to pay for our drinks. In the moment, we didn't think to take a picture or video because we were honestly in shock. We also assumed the restaurant would make the situation right, so documenting it wasn't our first thought. When we asked if anything else could be done, our waitress said she would speak with the manager. We would gladly pay for our drinks which we said, but the food no. Our waitress even screamed when we showed her. Instead, the hostess came over and identified herself as the floor coordinator. Unfortunately, this was where the experience became even more disappointing. Rather than showing empathy or sincerely apologizing, she was dismissive and unwilling to help. Her explanation was that they are a farm-to-table restaurant and that our entrée would have been cooked anyway. That completely missed the point. Finding a live worm in a salad that is served raw is unacceptable, and the fact that a cooked entrée wouldn't have had the same issue doesn't change what had already happened or the fact that we no longer felt comfortable eating there. What upset us most wasn't even the worm anymore--it was how the situation was handled. We remained respectful throughout the conversation, but instead of trying to resolve the situation, we were met with a rude attitude and told to hand over our credit card and pay. We understand that restaurants can make mistakes, especially when using fresh produce. However, customer service and accountability matter. A sincere apology and a genuine effort to make things right would have gone a long way. Instead, the lack of empathy and professionalism from management turned what could have been an unfortunate mistake into an experience that left us with no desire to return. read more

We had a wonderful meal! The open kitchen concept is fun and interesting to observe. The kitchen staff flow throughout the kitchen like a choreographed dance. There is a small room where the person can be seen preparing the oysters. The oysters were unbelievable, we ended up ordering a 2nd half dozen. I had the Artichoke & Spinach Lasagna and my husband had the Cod and they were both spectacular. We both agree that the winner for the night was the lasagna. We have been craving it ever since that night. Service is top notch, just be prepared that their goal is to sell you and ours was a little pushy in that respect. We were there to experience great food and this was the first night of our trip and had no intentions on blowing our budget on night one. We did not get drinks, sides or dessert but we left very happy and we plan to go back on our next trip. I am sure anyone will be happy with the food at Fore Street, my only advise would be to know ahead of time that it is pricey but with some thought you can have a fantastic meal and spend as little or as much as you wish. I just hope that everyone can experience the talented chefs at this resteraunt no matter your budget. read more

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Although I live in Portland, I had never been to Fore St. and had always wanted to. A friend had a gift card and asked me to go with her on June 23. She had made a reservation for 5 and whether it stated we had a 2-hr limit, I don't know. We were seated about 5:05. We had drinks, dinner, dessert and paid. We then lingered a few more minutes to finish our conversation. Our waitperson was efficient, pleasant and knowledgeable. Then suddenly, the pleasant atmosphere changed. The dining room manager came rushing over to our table and abruptly said, "I hate to ask you to leave, but we need the table."!! We got up to leave and I looked at the clock - 7:10. Yes, there probably was another reservation,but we had not been told that in advance. And wasn't there a nicer way of saying that? Or suggesting we could go to the bar? I was insulted by being asked to leave. But I did; however, I will never return. For the price you pay to dine there, you should leave with a positive feeling, not feeling you were dismissed. read more

The service and atmosphere is casual and welcoming. Open dining room with wood windows all around. The food is great, local farm to table seasonal cooking and open fire cookery is an experience that everyone should try. read more

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Unbelievable The reception to the desert The farm to table curated food is a monumental success These people know what they are doing read more

I celebrated my birthday here, and it was absolutely incredible. From the moment my husband and I arrived, everything felt special. We started with fresh oysters and beef tongue, both prepared to perfection. The flavors were rich and unique, and you could tell every ingredient was chosen with care. We enjoyed a particular wine that paired beautifully with the meal, along with the house special, which truly showcased the chef's creativity. To top it all off, dessert was delicious--a sweet finish to a perfect evening. The service was outstanding--warm, attentive, and professional. Every detail was thoughtful, and our waiter made my birthday dinner feel so memorable. We've dined at many great places, but Fore Street is now our top restaurant overall. It's the kind of experience that stays with you, and we can't wait to go back. read more

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I came in with no reservation around 5:30 and was seated quickly. The service was so friendly & provided lots of details about all the dishes of the day. read more

Fore Street - New American Near Me - Portland, Maine

We keep coming back here every time we are in Portland and there is a reason. The food is some of the best in New England. The knowledge of the staff is first rate. The wine list is detailed and complete and you should not miss the opportunity to dine here. Sydney our server was impeccable. We look forward to coming back. read more