Katahdin in Portland - anyone been lately?

[mainemal]

What with all the great choices in Portland, I haven't been to Katahdin for several years, and it seldom shows up in response to the many requests for Portland recs. Anyone had any recent experience?

[johnnydj]

I haven't been in at least three years. We blew $250 on four people without wine and I haven't been back since - which sucks because I had the best halibut special there a couple times but also a very unimaginative seared tuna. Great place but I can't afford it right now.

[joss2]

Lifestyle issues aside, we can't eat those, as a Chowhound are there any compelling reasons to return to Katahdin for the food?

[beaner2]

Katahdin used to be our favorite casual dining restaurant in Portland before it was sold several years ago. We used to dine there probably 3 or 4 times a year, and we were espcially fond of the blue plate special and the biscuits. We went back once or twice after the sale, but everything went a la carte, prices jumped, and eventually we found other restaurants we liked better. The last time we ate there was May or June of 2002. (I know the date because we came out of the restaurant and discovered that a seagull had unloaded all over the hood of our brand new convertible. I immediately went back in the restaurant and got a wet paper towel to remove it, but it had already etched into the paint).

[Keefer Lucas]

Katahdin has slowly evolved into Portland's leading alternative lifestyle restaurant. While its great that they have such a great and loyal following, it tends to explain why it has slowwwwwly disapeared from mainstream recommendations and reviews. Katahdin would be a GREAT choice before an Indigo Girls, Ani DeFranco or kd lang concert at either the Civic Center or Merrill Auditorium...

[beaner2]

Keefer - I've seen 2 of the 3 acts that you mentioned perform live, yet Katahdin hasn't been on my radar for dining in recent years. Maybe I should stop by for a drink, LOL!! That reminds me - does anyone know if that bartender still works there - the one who was famous for her martinis? Damn, what was her name?!?

[sciencediet]

I think her name was Gretchen, but I haven't been there in years either. Actually we went once for dessert after dinner at Yosaku (that place needs a pastry chef) and they basically ignored us, so we haven't been back.

[irwin]

Keefer: where you been....
You kinda sunk out of site for awhile !
Irwin

[joss2]

I've never had a bad experience there. I also haven't been in years. I live in the area so every couple of months I stop at the window, read the menu, check the prices, and end up at Caolla's, the Front Room, or the like. If there's a compelling reason for doing otherwise, I'd like to hear it too!

[Bunnyfood]

Nope- the last time I went, prob 2005, I was charged $15 for salad special(beets, greens and goat cheese). Granted, I did not ask the price of the salad when the server read the specials, because I was thinking- the ubiquitous beet goat cheese salad- can't be more than $8 dollars...My mistake! Yes the ingred were local, but that's no excuse...It just seemed ridiculous...Haven't been back since, but in my many visits there, that was the only "bad" experience...