Hungry Travels

You know it’s summer when you’ve got a lobster roll in one hand and a cold beer in the other.  I took a quick trip to Portland, Maine over the weekend for work, so I scurried over to Chowhound.com beforehand to look for a good seafood restaurant (a somewhat futile exercise since readers on Chowhound never seem to agree on anything).  But I did come away with some ideas for local restaurants.  Monday night my co-workers and I ate at J’s Oyster Bar, a divey little place on the pier (and when I say “divey” I mean that as a compliment).  We wolfed down excellent and surprisingly simple lobster rolls— just chunks of undressed lobster on a bun with mayo on the side.  I hit mine with a tiny bit of mayo, a drizzle of lemon, and it was good to go.  Peter said his lobster stew was the best he’d ever had.   He’s from Key West, Florida so I’m taking his word for it.

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Yesterday we had lunch at Gilbert’s Chowder House.  Another success.  The name pretty much says it all— this place does some excellent chowder.  Just the right thickness and expertly seasoned with herbs, clams and bacon.  Who cares that it was 75 degrees outside.   Really, is there ever a bad time for chowder?

Yup, I enjoyed Maine.

J’s Oyster Bar
5 Portland Pier
Portland, ME 04101
207-772-4828

Gilbert’s Chowder House
92 Commercial St.
Portland, ME 04101
207-871-5636