It’s been far too long since I’ve been to Duckfat and its probably a good thing I don’t live in Portland as it would be in heavy lunch rotation. Again a wait and unamused family members that I made stick it out. Maybe I will have to visit Maine in the winter.

Roasted beet and turnip salad – herbed goat cheese, toasted walnuts, local greens, apple vinaigrette

Smoked duck breast and spicy corn salad – cherry tomato, kale, red pepper, basil, sour cream vinaigrette

Fries of course

House smoked turkey panini – apple jalapeño relish, Monterey Jack, honey mustard

Homemade meatloaf panini – lettuce, tomato, cheddar, spicy special sauce

Robert’s Maine Grill
I never order lobster rolls because they are typically disappointing and always too expensive to be so. But as Robert’s won TT’s Lobster Rumble 2014 I made the family stop for lunch. They all made poor menu choices as I was the only one to order it. Their loss and my gain as it was fantastic. Butter not mayo.

Portland Hunt & Alpine Club
Pre-dinner drinks while waiting for a dinner table. Such a cute space and good cocktails. But most importantly we have found our Christmas ham for this year (as well as Christmas gifts). The ham from Olympic Provisions (the other Portland) on the Hunter bord was amazing and both the pickle and sausage of the month programs are going on my list.

Central Povisions

I knew there would be a substantial wait at Central Provisions as it is tiny and has received a lot of great press recently. When told it was 2 hours my brother and sister-in-law were definitely not amused and were looking at me for a plan B. But I held my ground (and maybe had a bit of a mini temper tantrum). I’m glad I did and I think they are too.

Cantaloupe and figs – lardo, black olive, jalapeño

Roasted squash salad – Rosemary, pomegranate, ricotta salata

Spicy beef salad – sriracha, cilantro, peanuts (So good that we ordered a second!)

Carmelized sheep’s cheese – peaches, 15 year aged balsamic

Smoked carrots – cinnamon, house goat cheese, pistachio

Confit local potatoes – foie gras butter, farm egg, garlic scape

Suckling pig – apple, brown butter, Marcona almond

Tart – key lime