Dimer, if I could add my two cents. As you know, I ran an 84 room resort on the ocean in Maine for the last 2 yrs- The Black Point Inn. Great place (downsizing to 84 rooms) but probably a little pricey...well worth it in that it is one of only a couple of Inn's right on the ocean. Located 8 miles south of Portland and you can see OOB across the bay. Great sunset with Mt. Washington 90 miles away on a clear day. Very quaint and quiet now that they are downsizing. You can also try Inn by the Sea, halfway between BPI and Portland in Cape Elizabeth, which is very nice, mre family oriented. There is also the Colony in Kennebunkport.
As for dining, Portland has great restaurants. My wife and I love to go to great restaurants and we spent a lot of time in Portland at night, especially an area called the Old Port. Most of the better restaurants, you better make reservations 2-3 weeks in advance. Some of the better one's- Old Port Sea Grille (we would eat at the bar, excellent food and very good wine list), Fore Strret (widely recognized as the best restaurant in Portland), Street & Company (same Exec Chef as Fore Street, all seafood), Cinque Terra (Italian), Sapporo (sushi), Bintliffs (awesome Brunch), The Good Table (in Cape Elizabeth, very 'Maine' diner type brunch place with really good food), Natasha's (in the heart of the Old Port, excellent food), Ri Ra's (Irish Bar on the water that has very good bar food). DO NOT GO TO DiMillo's...everyone sends the tourists there as it is a floating boat, but the food is not good. Joe's Boathouse is another really nice place for Brunch.
Keep in mind, Portland is very casual and even in the best restaurants, jeans are fine and in many cases, the staff wears jeans. Wayne is right, Portland lacks a good steak house. There is one in the Regency Hotel (I forget the name) that has gotten decent reviews. Let me know if I cann help in any other way.
John
As for dining, Portland has great restaurants. My wife and I love to go to great restaurants and we spent a lot of time in Portland at night, especially an area called the Old Port. Most of the better restaurants, you better make reservations 2-3 weeks in advance. Some of the better one's- Old Port Sea Grille (we would eat at the bar, excellent food and very good wine list), Fore Strret (widely recognized as the best restaurant in Portland), Street & Company (same Exec Chef as Fore Street, all seafood), Cinque Terra (Italian), Sapporo (sushi), Bintliffs (awesome Brunch), The Good Table (in Cape Elizabeth, very 'Maine' diner type brunch place with really good food), Natasha's (in the heart of the Old Port, excellent food), Ri Ra's (Irish Bar on the water that has very good bar food). DO NOT GO TO DiMillo's...everyone sends the tourists there as it is a floating boat, but the food is not good. Joe's Boathouse is another really nice place for Brunch.
Keep in mind, Portland is very casual and even in the best restaurants, jeans are fine and in many cases, the staff wears jeans. Wayne is right, Portland lacks a good steak house. There is one in the Regency Hotel (I forget the name) that has gotten decent reviews. Let me know if I cann help in any other way.
John
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