164331 Fri May 26 14:29:01 -0700 2006 5 13 New England 0 878403 We love French food and have eaten at Hugo's and Bandol and loved both. Many have said that we MUST try Fore Street. How do all of you chowhounds feel? Fri May 26 14:29:01 -0700 2006 0 EllenS 1 878414 Fore Street is consistently excellent, although a bit loud, and a bit pretentious. It is certainly more open than its sister-restaurant Street & Company. You are NOT likely to be disapointed at Fore Street, but its not quite the fashionable choice that 555 is...Fore Street - same as Street & Co - is a great, safe choice to bring friends, business associates or inlaws. That being said, its no longer the most original choice on the Portland dining scene either. Fri May 26 18:21:32 -0700 2006 878403 0 Keefer Lucas 2 878429 Tell me about 555. I'm not familiar with it. Sat May 27 09:50:02 -0700 2006 878414 0 EllenS 1 878457 Fore Street is a good restaurant, but definitely not French. They try to find top-quality local meats and seafood and prepare them simply. If you're looking for fancy preparation/presentation you may be disappointed. Sun May 28 09:06:17 -0700 2006 878403 0 Chuck 2 878520 Let's not forget Sam Hayward won the James Beard Award for best chef in the Northeast in 2004. http://portlandme.about.com/cs/mainefood/a/BestChefJB.htm http://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/awards.php?year=2004&category=3#32 Wed May 31 19:51:55 -0700 2006 878457 0 willow 1 878560 Bandol is gone for now, but planning to reopen Fri Jun 02 10:53:33 -0700 2006 878403 0 DF