160619 Sun Jun 20 09:07:20 -0700 2004 9 13 New England 0 861516 That's our plan - the last two weeks in July. We'll be staying in Southwest Harbor on the island and passing through Portland on the way home. And so to the inevitable questions: 1. Are there any don't miss places on Mt. Desert? 2. Are there any be sure to miss places there? 3. We'll have a house and so can cook. Any good markets? Does it matter where we buy fresh lobster? 4. What's the "one" place we should go in Portland? Thanks VERY much in advance. Andrew Sun Jun 20 09:07:20 -0700 2004 0 weinhen 1 861533 In SW Harbor there is a waterside Mexican place called XYZ that is one of my favorite Mexican places of all time. The name consists of the first initial of three Mexican states where the regional cuisine hails from. I just heard this weekend it has been sold to new owners, but it appears that it is going to continue as a Mexican restaurant. I hope that is the case and they don't change the menu. The food is amazing and very authentic , ranging from quesos fundidos with shredded pork to grilled tongue. The menu is quite a surprise in sleepy, quintissentially downeast, SW Harbor. Coupled with an idyllic setting directly on Manset harbor overlooking the mountains of Mt Dessert in the background, and great margaritas, I look forward to it all year long. On the Main Street of SW Harbor there is a gourmet grocery store across the street from a high-end wine and cheese purveyor. For lobster try Beal's. It's a fish shop as well as lobster pound, so you can eat-in or take it home either steamerd or unprepared. Seating is outdoors at picknick tables. Good beer selection. For more atmosphere try Thurstons lobster pound, which I think is in Bass Harbor. In Portland you can't go wrong with Fore Street. Have fun. Mon Jun 21 09:33:52 -0700 2004 861516 0 MackDaddySweetness 2 861576 Well, that's not good news about XYZ. We were on MDI last Sept. and they had apparently closed for the season- we were hopping to get there when we returned this August. Hope it will still be worth seaching out. Tue Jun 22 09:25:17 -0700 2004 861533 0 Liz K 2 861621 Indeed, my friend, you CAN go wrong with fore street. what was once a wonderful food and wine experience has turned into borderline fast food. the K-Mart of restaurants. Burnt, fatty pieces of meat, overcooked fish, no seasoning, horrible service, angry staff. there are PLENTY of better restaurants in Portland. Bandol, 555, Hugos, all three different, but all surpassing Fore Skin 100% Wed Jun 23 11:21:25 -0700 2004 861533 0 darby 3 861647 Yo I enjoyed Fore St when I was there last on New Year's Eve this year. Maybe I hit them on a good night. Wed Jun 23 17:36:06 -0700 2004 861621 0 MackDaddySweetness 3 861648 Yo I enjoyed Fore St when I was there most recently on New Years Eve. Wed Jun 23 17:37:21 -0700 2004 861621 0 MackDaddySweetness 3 861662 Darby: you did a wonderful job writing this article about food in Portland and about Fore-skin. Good words, and I agree 100%. Street & Co. is so much better and has the same owner. Thu Jun 24 10:23:20 -0700 2004 861621 0 Irwin 2 862133 I eat at Fore Street about once a year, and it is always worth every penny. I've been eating Sam Hayward's food since moving to Maine 20 years ago, and it is always wonderfully fresh, unpretentious, and delicious, although not cheap. He's a great guy, too. And I've always found the service very friendly, and love the atmosphere. Downstairs, on Commercial Street, is Standard Baking Co., with excellent artisan breads and pastries. I also love Federal Spice for cheap, yummy eats, on Federal Street, of course. Yes, Street and Co. is also delicious for seafood, and Walter's is good, too (on Exchange) Sun Jul 11 13:52:27 -0700 2004 861533 0 MangiaMuse 1 861625 I agree that Fore St. is overrated, although their apps are still great. I think Hugo's is THE place in POrtland. Make your reservations now. It's prob. already too late for Fore St. anyway. Also good is Street & Co., for fish. Wed Jun 23 12:29:38 -0700 2004 861516 0 DF 2 861661 Fore St is overated........ Street & Co. & Hugo's is excellent choices Thu Jun 24 10:18:11 -0700 2004 861625 0 Irwin