Tabitha Jean's

- REVIEW -I Ta1bi~lbaJJealUl'§

aomi King, daughter of novelists Stephen & Tabitha King, has taken an innovative approach to running her sevenyear~ld restaurant on 94 Free Street in Portland of late, and a recent visit shows that she's created a bonafide bestseller.

We started with her delicious Butternut Squash soup ($2.95) with toasted walnuts and a hint of sherry - a perfectly rich puree that chased the cold ofthe cityaway.We also shared a wonderful Caesar salad for two ($7) that wasnot too stingy or to heavy on itssignature dressing. It's certainly a classy alternative to the hot dogs & pretzel fare being served down the street at the Civic Center during Portland Pirates' games!

For dinner my companion could not resist the Risotto with Lamb Apricot Sausage ($11.95). As we've found before, this difficult dish can disappoint, but not on this night. Perfectly cooked with a creamy but not mushy texture, it was wonderfully flavored with the sausage, scallions, diced red pepper and thyme. I was just asdelighted with my choice of Grilled Filet Mignon ($18.95). Served with Gorgonzola vinaigrette, garlic mashed potatoes and crisp vegetables, this was just what a good comfort meal should be.

Other menu items (for lunch, try Jungle Curry ($7.95), "sauteed peppers, shitake mushrooms, scallions, basil, shallots, eggplant, and tofu tossed with a zesty Thai curry sauce served over rice noodles"; for dinner, how about Crabcake Portabello ($8.95), Duck a rOrange ($15.95), or Roasted Rack of Lamb ($19.50)) excited our taste buds for future visits.

Dessert was Chocolate Badino, chocolate cake with a warm soft interior and sprinkled with powdered sugar; as deliciously evil as a character in one of Steven King's stories. Tabitha Jean's is making a big jump into the upper echelon of Portland's eateries. 6-Phil Rogers

A Portland * *

Select Area Restaurants

At the Armory Renlunll1t in the Portland Regency Hotel, spectacular cuisine, Old Port charm, and Impeccable seNIce come together In an elegant yet casual atmosphere. AJong with fRlSh cinner speciaJs featuring foods from land and sea, the Annory chefs prepare unforgettable house specialties like Seafood Fettuccine with lobster, shrimp, crab, and mussels; Steak Diane, and Black Angus Sirloin. The Annory Restaurant is also open for breakfast and lunch. ReservatIons recommended. n4-4200.

David and Elizabeth Grant opened Aubergine BIstro-Wine B.r In November of 1997 and within 2 weeks began I8C8ivIng stunning local reviews and have since garnered national acclaim. Culslnler David Grant and Chef de Cuisine Gordon Cameron prepare French BIstro dishes such as Two-Texture Duck with C8ssis, Sweetbreads with Port and C8pes and Crispy Salmon with Spinach and Pemod and offer the 8I88'S only tralitionaI French Cheese Course. The menu changes daily and all wines are available by the glass. 555 Congress SIreet. Dimer served Tues.--8at. 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 pm. and French Sun. Bfunch 11:00 am. to 2:00 pm. (207) 874-0680. The Audubon Room at the 1m by the sea on Route n In cape Elizabeth combines breathtaking views of the Atlantic ocean with culinary masterpieces that feature fresh local produce, native seafood specialties, and exceptional handmade bI8ads and desserts pl8p8l8d on the premises. Some house favorites include: grilled crab and macadamia encrusted swordfish wi orange pepper basil coulls; saute of Maine lobster and veal on fresh angel hair wi roasted tomato beurre blanc; pan seared pesto salmon trapanese wi perfumed basil infusion; chocolate cashew crepe wi orange honey Ice cream and Grand Marnier sauce; handmade blackberry vodka sorbet. Patio dining, offpremise catering and carry-out available. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 767-0888. Situaled in an historic stone and brick building in the center of Portland's Deering oaks Park, The Bartdng SquIrrel C.f. offers patrons a wide selection of affordable homemade cuisine, from burgers, fries, and salads to southwestern crab cakes, lobster benedict, and mediterranean pasta. Serving brunch under $5, lunch around $6, and dinner around $10, The Barking Squirrel has earned a reputation as Portland's very affordable answer to New York's reknown "Tavern on the Green". Dine outdoors overlooking the park or el10Y a glass of wine indoors surrounded by murals and next to a wann fire. Open 7 daysIweek in the summer. Call for limited hours In the winter. Private parties and lobster bakes available. Located just of Exit 6-A (1-295). Free parking. Credit cards accepted. n4-5514. cafe Stroudwater, specializes in American bistro style cuisine with an emphasis on native Maine seafood & prime cuts of beef. It is five-star award winning chef William Boutwelrs creative touches-ilUCh as pine nut encrusted rack of lamb with fl8Sh ratatouille-that make this dining experience like no other in Portland. In addition to a spectacular, Grand Sunday Brunch, Cafe Stroudwater serves breakfast, luncheon and dinner daily. The cafe also offers Portland's only Chefs Table, and an innovative selection of wines & locally brewed beers. Located In the Embassy Suites Hotel, reservations suggested n5-0032. At David'. Reslalnftt you can sample four-star entrees featuring farm-fresh produce and native products like seafood sausage, sesame and coriander crusted tuna, or goat cheese packets with grilled vegetables (773-4340). D.vld' •• set In it converted open-air market building, boasts an abundant raw bar, 20 varieties of seafood, lobster, fresh pasta, mlcrobl8WS, and Maine's largest single malt scotches list (773-4340). Turlno· . Stone Oven Pizzarla combines wild mushrooms, prosciutto, artichoke hearts, and fl8Sh herbs to cl8llte authentic gourmet pizza from old Naples (780-6600). All three restaurants are located at 164 Middle Street

You can't beat the location of DIMl1Io'. Floating Restaurant at 25 Long Wharf off Commercial Streat for fabulous water views of Portland Harbor. Escape from the '-'stIe and bustle of the city by watching the boats go by as you enjoy fresh Maine lobster served year-round, steak, seafood dishes, and more. Open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a children's menu available. For drinks and a lighter menu, try their Portside Lounge. 772-2216. Welcome to F. Partr8r Reidy'., site of the original Portland Savings Bank built In 1866 at 83 Exchange Street. Established in 1976 during the renaissance of the Old Port area, F. Parker Reidy's has become a Portland fine dining tradition, specializing In steaks and fl8Sh seafood, but also offering pasta, chicken, and salads, with prime rib featured on weekends. Tum-of-the-century decor, personalized service, and great food create a wann and congenlaJ atmosphere popular for both business and Intimate dining. 773-4731. Deep In the heart of the mysterious Woodfords 8188 at 540 FOI8StAvenue is the Gnat Lost Bear, where you'Ufind a full ber featuring over 50 (that's right, five-o) draught beers, predominanUy from local micro-breweries. Accompanying them is an enonnous menu with everything from soups, salads, and sandwiches to steaks and ribs, as wei as a large vegetarian seIectlon and the best nachos and buffalo wings in town. Discover where the natives go when they're I88lle6sI 8elving from 11:30 am. to 11:30 p.m. SEMlf'I days a week. 772-0300. VisIt us on-line at: htIp:llwww.ime.netIbearI Hugo'. Ponl.nd BI.tro, accessibly located at the intersection of Middle Street and Franklin Artery, was Portland Dining Guide's 1996 Gold Medal Winner. The innovative menu changes monthly and features fresh seafood and interesting vegetarian dishes. Crab cakell are a house specialty, and parking is availablel serving dinner only Tuesday-5aturday, with live plano music nightly. For reservations caDn4-8538.

Mozon M1dcIIe's melting pot approach to nouvelle cuisine blends American Ingredients with classical techniques. Some favorite menu items are a Maine lobster and goat cheese burrito with tomatilo sauce and mango salsa; grIIed filet mignon over oven-roasted red potatoes with a pannesan crisp and vintage port demi-glace; and fresh native tuna wrapped in sun-dried tomato pesto and Italian prosciutto with a basil buetre blanc. Their Bellini cocktail Is the highlight of a unique selection of wines and IIqLlors. Parking and terrace dining 818available at 47 Middle Street. Open Tuesday-Sunday at 5 p.m. for dinner. n4-9399. Na••• h.· •• Portland's newest restaurant featUring New American-styIe menus for brunch, lunch and dimer prepared with the freshest ingredients, including pastas, local fish, griled meats, and many vegetarian selections. Lunch Tu-F, 11-2:30; Dimer Tu-Th, 5-9; F-5a, 5-10; Bfunch sa-Su, 8-3.40 Port1andSt., n4-4004. HandIcapped accessible. The P.pperclub is a prize-winning restaurant ("Best Vegetarian" and "Best Value" in Frommer's Guide to New England) featuring creative world cuisine. Its blackboard menu typically lists five vegetarian, three fish, and threa meat entrees, including a superb organic beef burger. Pepperclub offers relaxed, colorful, unusually affordable dining on the edge of the Old Port with easy, free parking and good wines and beers. Open nlghUy at 5 p.m.; payment by cash or personal check. 78 Middle Street, near Franklin Artery. n2-o531. saIgon 11llnh Thanh, 608 Congress Street, Portland. "Of the 137 restaurants listed in the 1996-97 edition, Saigon Thin Thanh is a four-star restaurant ranked first in value. Saigon Thin Thanh is Maine's-and probably New England's-finest Vietnamese restaurant."-Portland Dining Guide. "Four stars for food, service, and value for money. With good, healthy, flavorful food and quick service in a pleasant, clean atmosphere, saigon Thin Thanh Is worth investtgating."-P18SS Herald. 773·2932. Tabitha Jean'. R•••• urant Maine's most cosmopolitan restaurant offering an eclectic menu including the freshest In seafood, grilled and vegetarian dishes, friendly service, and extensive wine list. Lunch: Mon.-sat., 11:30 am.-3 p.m. Dinner: 7 nights starting at 5 p.m. All major credit cards. Handicapped accessible. Smoke free. Member Park and Shop. 94 Free Street, Portland. 780-8966. Tonlll. FI.t has been serving New Englanders fine Mexican food and drink for over 25 years. At 1871 FOI8St Avenue in Portland you can find favorites like nachos, fajitas, chimichangas, tamales, burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and frozen margarltas seven days a week, as well as seafood, steak, pork, and chicken cooked with a Mexican flair. With lunch specials starting at $3.95, a children's menu, nighUy specials, a Chill Happy Hour, a scl8et'led-ln deck, and take-out, Tortilla Flat Is a memorable Mexican experience you can afford any time. 797-8729.