Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88 Page 89 Page 90 Page 91 Page 92 Page 93 Page 94 Page 95 Page 96 Page 97 Page 98 Page 99 Page 100 Page 101 Page 102 Page 103 Page 104 Page 105 Page 106 Page 107 Page 108 Page 109 Page 110 Page 111 Page 112 Page 113 Page 114 Page 115 Page 116 Page 117 Page 118 Page 119 Page 120 Page 121 Page 122 Page 123 Page 124 Page 125 Page 126 Page 127 Page 128 Page 129 Page 130 Page 131 Page 132 Page 133 Page 134 Page 135 Page 136 Page 137 Page 138 Page 139 Page 140day at 11AM, Commercial St., Old Port. 772- 2216. Always FREE PARKING while aboard. El Rodeo, an incredibly authentic Mexican Restaurant and Bar, is locally-owned and family-operated at their convenient South Portland location. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Tableside guacamole, sizzling fajitas, delicious margaritas, and live Latin music are to be enjoyed. See Facebook for daily specials. 147 Western Ave., South Portland, 773-8851 Eve’s at the Garden, an oasis of calm and great food in the middle of the Old Port. The perfect spot for meetings, special occasions, and a cocktail. Ingredients from Maine’s waters and farms: jumbo scallops, natural, sustainable pork, beef, fish, and shellfish, and Maine lobster. Home to the annual Ice Bar, Eve’s garden is perfect for outdoor dining in season. Happy Hour Mon. - Fri.; free valet parking. Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Dinner 5-9:30 pm. 468 Fore St., Portland, 775-9090, evesatthegarden.com J’s Oyster is a premier seafood destination and locals’ favorite with indoor and outdoor waterfront seating on one of Portland’s scenic piers. Established in 1977, J’s offers classic favorites and friendly service. Coastal Living claimed J’s one of “America’s Best Seafood Dives 2016.” Find us on Facebook. 772-4828 Kon Asian Bistro Steakhouse & Sushi Bar is upscale Asian with modern flair. Japanese, Sushi, Thai, Chinese–or try our hibachi tables. Our private party room accommodates groups from business meetings to birthday parties. Choose fresh, delicious items and enjoy our entertaining chefs preparing your meal in front of you. Family friendly; open Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri. to 11 p.m., Sat. 1 p.m-11 p.m., Sun. 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. 874-0000, konasianbistrome.com Maria’s Ristorante is Portland’s original classic Italian Restaurant. Greg and Tony Napolitano are always in house prepar- ing classics like Zuppa de Pesce, Eggplant Parmigian, Grilled Veal Sausages, Veal Chop Milanese, homemade cavatelli pas- tas, Pistachio Gelato, Limoncello Cake, and Maine’s Best Meatballs. Prices $11.95 - $22.95. Tue.-Sat. starting at 5 p.m. Catering always available. 337 Cumberland Ave. 772-9232, mariasrestaurant.com Pedro’s focuses on simple yet full-fla- vored Mexican and Latino food. Offering tacos, burritos and an impressive array of margaritas, sangria, beer, and wine. Especiales de la semana (specials of the week) keep the menu varied and fresh and showcase different Latino cultures. Seasonal outdoor dining available. Open daily, 12 p.m. - 10 p.m. 181 Port Rd., Kennebunk, 967-5544, pedrosmaine.com Pier 77 & The Ramp Bar & Grill Pier 77 has a formal dining room with stunning views of Cape Porpoise Harbor & live music each weekend, while the Ramp is more casual, with its own bar menu at hard-to-beat prices. Open year-round. 77 Pier Rd., Kennebunkport, 967-8500, pier77restaurant.com * Rivalries Sports Pub & Grill An upscale sports bar serving creative pub food in a fun and comfortable atmosphere. Known for some of Portland’s best casual food, Rivalries’ menu has something for everyone. And with 30+ HD TVs and every major pro and college sports package, you won’t miss a game! Con- veniently located in Portland’s Historic Old Port District. 774-6044, rivalriesmaine.com *reservations recommended s e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 6 1 1 7 RestauRant Review Diane Hudson RestauRant Review Diane Hudson Erin LittLE The Italian Job S liding into Solo Italiano early on a weeknight, we’re lucky to secure a ta- ble amid the bustle. Delicious por- tents–diners obviously adore this place! The jovial atmosphere makes the vast room feel less cavernous and more intimate, helped by the presence of the attractive new raw bar that juts into the dining area. Watching the skilled crudo chefs at work is all the encouragement we need to order the Carpaccio di Capesante ($12), thin- sliced local scallops basking in basil oil and tomato coulis, topped with a dusting of fennel pollen. The taste is fresh, luxuri- ous, and downright unique. We follow with Antipasti, an Italian farm board with robi- ola cheese, coppa, sopressata, speck, finoc- chiona, salami di tartufo, wild boar, rabbit liver pate, and guanciale. We’d return for this plate again and again but for the menu changing almost daily. Next, we try Vitel- lo Tonnato ($14), braised veal bathed in vel- vety tomato sauce (made with tuna, though you’d never guess), paired with baby kale, extra virgin olive oil, and sea salt. The meat is as tender as it gets. You won’t want to miss out on the fresh house-made pastas or the prize-winning pesto–a recipe made in col- laboration with Paolo Laboa, winner of the World Pesto Championship. We pair both of these by ordering the Pansotti alle Noci ($18), meaty tortellini stuffed with ricot- ta, walnuts, spinach, chard, kale, and bor- age, and topped with a spell-binding wal- nut pesto. The enjoyment doesn’t end with the main course (treats on the drinks menu in- clude the Vesper, a concoction of gin, vodka, and kina, $12). For dessert we choose Baci Di Dama, “lady’s kisses.” These delicate ha- zelnut cookies jolted by a layer of dark choc- olate are a fitting ending to a delightful re- past. Grazie Solo Italiano–may your reign on 100 Commercial Street be long! n SoloItaliano,100CommercialStreet,Portland. MondaythroughSunday,5p.m.to10p.m.Visit soloitalianorestaurant.com,780-0227. the mission: Create a ristorante raffinato in a former waterfront warehouse. Check.