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If you love seafood, then Street & Company needs to be on your list of restaurants to dine at in your lifetime.
First off, the candles, dim lighting, and brick walls really set the mood for a cozy and romantic dinner for me & my bf's anni celebration.
I actually do have to mention that the bread was delicious, hearty, and fresh (from Standard bakery?). And of course we had to start with an aphrodisiac ... raw oysters, which were good with a fresh ocean aftertaste. We shared the famous Lobster Fra Diavolo - seafood lover's heaven. For $42.95, you get a 1.5 lb.-lobster, 20 mussels, ginormous calamari, and several clams all over spicy linguine. All I can say is WOW! because it was cooked so perfectly. Although the waitress warned us that no couple ever finished this dish, we certainly ate all the seafood and had just about a cup of pasta left over. It took about 40 mins to arrive (she forewarned us), but was well worth it.
Service was fine. The waitress immediately assumed I was not of age to drink :( ...probably because the diners were generally older. However, she did make great wine recommendations.
Might not be my last meal on earth, but I'd certainly go back to Portland just for Street & Company's seafood and pasta.
This would be my last meal on earth, for sure. Street and Company's Lobster Fra Diavolo is just the epitome of fresh seafood prepared in the most extravagant way. I'm at a loss of words to say much else.
After a day of fresh sea air from the quaint town of Portland, Maine- grab a table in the kitchen (book it way in advance)... .. and prepare to have a meal of a lifetime. Everything on their menu is so inventive, fresh and dazzling. Fresh oysters and the lobster in linguine with a sea of garlic and butter sauce are also noteworthy... You cannot possibly make a bad choice.
My favorite restaurant. My favorite meal. I wish so much I could always go here for my birthday, at least. Now that I live in the Boston area, I have to remember it longingly. Someone just reminded me about it, because they were talking about restaurants in Portland.
The lobster fra diavlo -- yeah, everybody loves it. The environment is cozy and romantic, and beautiful. Copper, stone, wood, fire... Everyone looks beautiful in this lighting.
If you want the lobster, you must get in there early. Or, maybe you can call ahead, and give them your credit card and let them know what you want, so they save it for you. Otherwise... well, you can go across the street to Dimilo's. They have good lobster and the environment is fun. But, it will not be the dish like this. This is artfully crafted and luscious.
Sigh. I need to go back. Soon.
Awesome dinner! Best meal in Portland. Initially we had tried to get a table at Vignola, but it was filled.
After stumbling across this restaurant we were astoundingly surprised. One of the best scallop dishes I have tasted. Really enjoyed the touch of the meal being served in a frying pan.
The next night we returned for dessert. One of the best restaurant experiences I have had! The bartender went over and above all expectations even preheating my glass before serving the cordial.
One word... AMAZING!
A little bit of Fresh French Seafood heaven tucked away, hidden on Wharf Street. When you enter the restaurant, there is a nice little lounge/ bar to sit at and chat and catch up with friends...
But past the bar... and the amazing open kitchen... you enter a totally different world. Cozy little cabin feel... the dining area is very warm, with potted herbs on the window sills and lavender hanging from the ceiling... The rustic ambiance set the perfect mood.
The staff was sweet and very attentive. And DO make reservations!! This place packs up FAST!!
The Baked Lobster in garlic butter pasta was SO INCREDIBLY GOOD... The lobster was sweet and delicious... falling out of the shell. And the pasta wasn't the least bit heavy... the clarified butter and garlic was just enough to enhance the flavors of the lobster and bring you back to the pasta, served in a pan (which I loved even more).
The desserts were also fantastic! A light sweet touch to finish off the end of an amazing meal. I would travel all the way back to Portland, Maine JUST for this restaurant.
This place was "divine". I was craving lobster and this has got to be the best i've had yet. The lobsters are smaller this time of the year and that makes them sweeter and tastier. I ordered the Grilled Lobser on butter and garlic. It comes on the pan over linguini and is just delicious. The Sole Franscaise is also tasty -- very light, flakey and perfectly cooked.
The best however were the Oysters. There were 3 types all from the local area -- Northhaven, Wawenauk and Winterpoint. Fresh and delicious.
The inside is so quaint, french and beautiful that I would advice sitting indoors versus out. They were booked solid so I would advice making a reservation. Sitting at the bar is also a good option -- the bar is big and the service was really good and high end even at the bar.
I think I should change my last meal on earth to Street & Company because I could die happy right now after my meal. I'm in Portland right now for work and I figured while I'm here, might as well enjoy some Maine lobster on the company's dime!
I went straight to Yelp and found rave reviews about Street & Company. It's been awhile since I've had a 5 star meal and I am not disappointed at all! I had lobster served with linguine in a butter garlic sauce. Imagine a frying pan in front of you, filled with linguine swimming in butter garlic sauce. And then throw a WHOLE lobster on top of that. The shell was so easy to crack and peel so you know it's fresh lobster. And if my company didn't pay for it, this was only $30! What a steal for a whole lobster! Sorry, I'm still slightly intoxicated from all the cholesterol.
I also had a frisee salad on the side. Honestly, the lobster was so awesome that I don't even care (or remember) what the salad was like. Service was attentive and very quick. The sooner you get me my lobster, the better!
This place was amazing! It has it all, an open kitchen, great bar, eclectic seafood menu. I was overall impressed. We started off with a couple of nice glasses of wine. (Get there early have a drink at the bar as there is almost guaranteed a wait later) We began with the Turnip Salad which was amazing and the calamari straight from the kitchen in it's skillet!! For main courses we had scallops accompanied by black barley and broccoli (perfectly prepared) & Linguini with shrimp, tomato and capers. Both dishes were great we wish we had room for desert as the selection of pies etc sounded amazing! Can't wait to go back and do it all over again. Definitely a must do if you are in or near Portland.
Who runs out of LOBSTER in MAINE?!?!?
These guys do but that's where my complaints end. Having eaten there I now understand how they can run out of Lobster in Maine. The food was phenomenal! The service was top knotch!
This was the best meal I've had in Portland and the second best I've had in Maine. Since the other was at some seafood shack ten years ago whose name I've long since forgotten, I'll avoid getting sidetracked on that.
I had the Bluefish as my main course. It was savory and accompanied by buttery chopped zucchini and summer squash like you read about. I sampled the nomtastic Scallops in Pernod Cream sauce as well which came in skillet which I thought was novel (and efficient). The crab pastry thing left a little to be desired but I'm biased against the crab up north having grown up on the Chesapeake.
It's on Wharf Street in Old Port and based on the reviews it's a tourist favorite. But as I like to sit at the bar and eat, I was surprised to see a good number of locals patronize the establishment which is always the sign of a good place. The restaurant is more dinner and drinks than lunch although I suspect they do a brisk business at lunch. They serve mostly seafood dishes and a fair amount of sushi grade fish steaks (it seems to be their signature). I had the blackened sushi-grade tuna (very good), but I've lived in New Orleans (the place where blackened was perfected) and I've spent a fair amount of time in San Francisco (where sushi grade fish steaks are the standard), so it's really hard to impress me in this respect and I thought the spices were a tad overdone. I think I would have enjoyed the meat more blue than cooked.
What makes this place awesome is the wait staff. They are worthy of a 5 star rating. It's clear most of them have been there a loooong time and know the dishes (even the daily specials), so they are a good with suggestions for the best meal or a drink. (They paired my tuna with a wine seamlessly). Like most small restaurants, they act more like a family unit than just bunch of employees so service is also seamless. I suspect they would be accommodating for any special diet needs.
Surprisingly, the decor is casual and I didn't feel out of place in jeans. I went during a Monday and there were a fair amount of people there for the worst day of the week for restaurants, which makes me suspect that the place is crowded on weekend nights. Reservations (if they take them) would be a good idea, but there is a bar to sit at if you have to wait. Table space is at a premium but you won't be crowded. There is even outdoor seating for good weather. Parking is ALWAYS an issue in Old Port, so be prepared to trek to the restaurant. (Wharf Street is set up more as an alley and has no street parking anyway.) The sign for the restaurant isn't lighted or prominent, so it could be difficult to find if you don't know where you are going.
It's perfect for a date night, a drink, or a special meal. Considering the quality of the meal and service, this place is a steal at $30-45 per meal (most entrees top out at around $25), and I have zero reservations about recommending this place to others.
We had a decent meal but they ran out of lobster at the 9:30 seating. Kind of a bummer when we had friends in town who really wanted the official dish of Maine.
The service and dishes were very good. Just make reservations the day before. ;)
yes, the hype is true, this is an amazing seafood spot. cute atmosphere, attentive service, solid and affordable wine list, but really, the emphasis here should be and is on the amazing fish and shellfish. street and co operates with confidence, and it is well-earned and impacts the dining experience in an extremely positive way.
I had the special whole white fish in a cast iron pan with fennel, artichokes, baby bok choy, it was incredible. i would't usually order a whole fish, but i could tell this place would do me right. dining companions loved their lobster diav (for two). the portion sizes are generous and delicious. plus they handled my requests for no dairy with ease.
The oysters were really good. I am not a big fan of the lobster diablo, it is a bit large and spicy. The wait and bar staff are friendly. I would make a reservation a few days in advance in order to get a seat before 9:30 p.m.
I have to agree with Patrick F, it was weird to be told they ran out of lobster! However, I figured because we had a late reservation and there were many happy diners, we must have simply missed out :(
But did we really miss out? My opinion is no, because then I had the most succulent Scallops in Pernod Cream sauce that I would have otherwise passed over. I tasted the Bluefish and it was just fantastic. Our friends had equally tasty-looking dishes.
I am greatly looking forward to visiting Portland again, especially Street &Company to attempt to sample their take on lobster. Given what they did with the scallops and bluefish, I'm sure I'll be blown away!
I wasn't a huge fan of the Lobster Diavolo. I thought the sauce was bland and a bit heavy. Dining partner loved it though. We definitely couldn't finish it and had to take leftovers home. Everything else was great.
Fresh Maine Crabmeat Sauteed in Brown Butter with Mushrooms and Greens Over Puff Pastry = Delicious Melt in Your Mouth.
I was surprised to see the bill because it was much less than I expected. Friendly staff didn't rush us even though we were one of the last ones there. Liked the open kitchen. Dress code says casual but everyone was a tad bit dressed up especially at the lounge in the front.
The dinning experience at Street and Co. was great...glad that we made reservations because there were many walk in people looking for tables.
The lobsters were cooked perfect and our server was very helpful. As soon as my fiance mentioned I am allergic to prawns, she offered to check with the chef if the dish I want can be ordered without any risk of allergies...we did not even ask her to check. It was a very thoughtful gesture and part of good service in our eyes. The food took a long time to cook..maybe the preperation time is long but we waited 45 minutes for two lobsters...
We had the lobster in garlic butter sauce with linguine and lobster fra diavolo which they made for one person portion for us. Both dishes were yummm....
The ambience is very nice and food and service was excellent. The only sad part about this place is the prices...$30.00 for a lobster in Maine...you have to be kidding me...it was very expensive. We knew it was a high tag so were not shocked but do wish it was not so crazy.
I would go there again if I am in town which may not be that often...I would say go there for the ambience and the food.
I took my wife here for her birthday and it did not disappoint us one bit.
Of course you'll have to get the lobster, which is prepared a bit differently from most places. Instead of the traditionally steamed affair (which I think can be a bit bland), they grill their lobster in a french style butter sauce. We had the Lobster Diavolo which came with the most amazing pasta imaginable. Service was excellent and the wine that our waitress recommended was fantastic.
Overall this was a memorable experience, and I would definitely go there again. Just remember to make a reservation and enjoy the beautiful town of Portland, ME.
Oh dear God...I think I might now know what I want my last meal on Earth to be.
We were recommended this place from our B&B owner, which of course made me NOT want to go. I always imagine some slimy relationship, where each owner sends customers to the other, not even considering whether the service is any good or not. Despite any doubts, upon seeing this restaurant, I suddenly didn't care and had to try.
This place is fantastic with a capital F. The ambience is elegant, yet unpretentious and the food is spectacular, if not life changing. When you first get seated, you are brought some bread, butter and salt and pepper (in a special dish for dipping or sprinkling). Usually I'm not too excited by a bread basket, but this was not a normal bread basket. Delicious! I ate the Blue Fish special and my husband got the Blackened Ahi Tuna. Both meals were fantastic. Our waiter was also great (nevermind unbelievably hot) and helped us find a bottle of wine that perfectly complemented our meal. This place clearly knows the secrets to great food and great service.
Definitely check this place out on your next trip to Portland.
Perhaps we went on an off night - this was not one of the better meals we had during our visit to Maine. The setting is warm and cozy and likely a bit more cosmopolitan than the other options in town (this is Maine, btw). The food just didn't bowl us over. The one standout was the lobster and crab bread budding. I'm not sure I've ever had a savory bread pudding that didn't leave me wishing there was sugar and fruit hidden somewhere down in there. The lobster with butter, garlic, and linguine was literally a frying pan of butter with lobster and pasta thrown in - no extra points for ordering such a simple dish but no extra points for the dish itself either. The shrimp with tomatoes and capers was equally as tame. I realize the whole point is to let the stellar seafood shine through but it just seemed lost in such heavy and overwhelming presentations. Based on all the stellar reviews - it's worth a try. Just skip the really simple dishes - they are just as they sound - simple.
i was visiting friends in maine and they took me to this wonderful, wonderful restaurant for dinner one night. my palate is totally spoiled. the food AND service was amazing.
started off with the mussels and oysters and fell in love. we had the dinner specials and everything was SO SO good. the place is very quaint and rustic. i would drive another 6 hours just to eat at this place in an instant.
I would have given this place 4 stars if they had more than 1 vegetarin option ( primavera ) to be fair, it was a great primavera, but not what I was in the mood for. This place is super cute with an open kitchen and a great staff. My boos & co worked really enjoyed their blackened fish & scollops and pasta. Service was a touch over bearing. Can I take your drink order "we need a minute" 30 secons go by "Are you ready to order a drink" and so on.
We were the last people in the restaurant on a Tuesday night and sensed some urgency in finishing up but we were still offered coffee and dessert anyways, which was great.
We loved it. A little cramped in the center section, but I wouldn't have traded seats with anyone because of my view of the bustling kitchen. Warm and inviting. Love the cozy copper tables. We thought perhaps they use copper because the dishes are served right in the cookware, which is very hot!
We started with mussels, which were probably the best I've ever had, then split the Lobster Diavolo. Granted, we lapped up all the mussel broth with a basket of bread before the giant entree even appeared, but it was still a TON of food. Way more than enough for two people. The huge saucepan was full of lobster, clams, mussels, squid, and little tiny octopi atop a bed of linguine, all of it swimming in a spicy Diavolo marinara. It was fabulous, though I'd still say the mussels won my heart. Service was impeccable.
Lack of expectations can lead to delight. Such was my experience at Street & Co Sunday night.
My wife and I were on the return leg of a one day, 350 mile round trip to deliver our daughter to summer camp. We decided to stop in Portland for dinner. I frantically searched my blackberry for the right spot but was frustrated by slow download speeds. The only decent information I could find before giving up was the top 10 listing on Yelp.
Frustrated that we would end up in a mediocre joint of our random choosing, we set out. We stumbled upon Street & Co and I remembered that it was on the Yelp list. We perused the posted menu and agreed it looked promising, as well as a bit pricy. We stepped inside and were seated immediately. Lucky, I assume, because the place seemed full.
The atmosphere is casual, warm and even a bit cramped. There are three rooms - a bar, a dining room with a direct view into the kitchen and a separate dining room. We were seated in full view of the kitchen and it was fun watching the chef and his three sous working in a very tiny space. You could easily tell who was in charge - it was the guy with the scowl on his face.
The service was on the higher side of average. The maitre d' was prompt but a bit on the brusk side. Our waiter was knowledgeable and efficient but had an air of arrogance. These characteristics could have hurt the experience had the food not been so damn good.
One incident with the waiter was pretty disturbing though. He was half way through describing the specials when he said, "Excuse me, the chef is yelling at me." He turned on his heals and ran the 10 feet to the kitchen to receive his lashings. I know chefs can be temperamental but I think they cross the line of customer service when they are yelling across the restaurant to pull a waiter from a customer. He could see us, after all.
That aside, the rest of the experience was fantastic. My wife had a beet salad over vinegary greens and topped with a wonderfully crunchy and nutty picada.(a ground blend of roasted nuts, toasted bread, garlic and parsley; held together with a bit of olive oil). The beets were perfectly cooked - firm but quickly yielding. The picada added a nice counter point.
I had 4 raw oysters on the half shell that were expectantly served on a bed of crushed ice but unexpectedly served without cocktail sauce. Only a mignonette sauce and lemon accompanied the now uni-valves. This struck me as a cocky thumbing of the nose to Joe Six-Pack by the chef. I wasn't unhappy about the sauce's absence, a mignonette is more fitting and less overpowering than the ubiquitous red stuff.
Street & Co. offered three choices of oysters this evening and I chose the briniest and most local - from Bath, ME. They were small to medium sized and as fresh tasting as you could want. Perfect.
Our entrees were served in the pans in which they were cooked. An interesting and rustic touch to match the woody room and copper topped tables. My wife had clams in white sauce over linguini. A hearty serving with clams still in the shell. The waiter dutifully, and without prompting, delivered bowls to hold the discarded shells. The white sauce could have meant many things...many bad things...from too much cream to too much cheese. Not here, the kitchen used a light touch of white wine, juice of the clams, garlic and a bit of butter (okay, maybe a lot of butter). The clams were plump and delicious and the dish was disappointingly too large to finish.
I had an evening special the waiter called 'seafood stew.' I envisioned something akin to cioppino but did not ask for details. When it arrived I was not surprised to see several each of clams, mussels, shrimp and bite-sized chunks of swordfish. But I was surprised to see these morsels with their toes in the sauce-pool rather than swimming in it. This looked more like a mixed grill of seafood with a sauce than a true stew.
As soon as I tasted it I knew why the kitchen held back. The sauce was an incredibly rich (butter anyone?) emulsion of bold shrimp stock, saffron and butter. Did I mention the sauce had butter in it? It was absolutely delicious. The stew also included a small handful of white beans and some tomato concasse. Again, all the seafood was cooked to perfection - nothing dry or chewy.
Deserts sounded tempting but we had to hit the road and my cholesterol count was already high enough.
These stew surprises were not disappointments. They were just another challenge to expectations, or the lack thereof. I will look forward to our trip to pick up my daughter at camp so that I can try Street & Co again. This time with high expectations firmly in place.
My co-worker recommended this restaurant with rave reviews saying that if I wanted seafood, this was the place to go to. She also suggested I make reservations in advance because it could get packed.
We called earlier in the day for a table and found out that they didn't have anything until 9pm! They did mention though that they reserved 1/3 of their seats for walk-ins. So we went early and were still pleasantly surprised that if we wanted to wait for table, it would be 2 hours. Talk about being popular!
Instead of waiting, we decided to eat at the bar, which turned out to be just fine. One of the coolest things about sitting at the bar was that we were able to watch the oyster chef (?) cut open and prepare the fresh oysters right on the spot. I'm NOT a fan of oysters, but my wife convinced me to try some. I'm still not a fan, but they were really quite good.
Enough about oysters and the bar...let's get on to the food! I had their salmon special that was excellent! Very tender and with a butter sauce that was fabulously complemented with brussel sprouts (which I don't normally like either). My wife had a shrimp linguine that came in a saucier pan, which I thought was unique, and it also was very good. They loaded up on garlic for her dish, which I love, but may not be to the liking of others.
Overall, a great place for seafood with prices that are on par with other seafood restaurants. Would like to try their sister restaurant Fore St....
"Street" as I warmly refer to this place is hands down my favorite restaurant in Portland...and believe me I have been to them all. It is the coziest atmosphere on those cold winter nights and it is breezy and fresh with the french doors open to the patio on cobblestone wharf st during warm summer nights. The menu is definitely something to write home about. It is short and simple, but the seafood is as fresh as it gets and always flavorful. My meal of choice is the Lobster Diavolo (for two)...it's loaded with spicy red sauce, linguine and all the seafood you can imagine, including a whole lobster. If you like garlic, you have come to the right place (order the mussels!). The wine list has a good deal of variety to it, so it should suit every taste and budget and if you are unsure the waitstaff is friendly and always has good recommendations.
I definitely would make a reservation, although sometimes it is easy to walk in and not wait long. The bar area is a great option too, it is small but has a nice lounge area and good bartenders. If in Portland, go to Street!
I ate here with my girlfriend and the place was great from the start. We had a couple of items off the tasting menu to start and they came out quickly and were excellent. Once we were seated in the dining area and saw the food coming out we knew we picked a good spot. The Lobster Diavlo for 2 was the perfect meal for us. The bread was also great and the waitress picked a perfect bottle of wine for us which was also one of the cheapest. The only bad thing was that staff in the dining area wasn't the most attentive, but it was a non-issue for us.
It was a stormy night in the old port. The two of us were huddled under an umbrella looking to grab some dinner. We had called Street and Co earlier in the day looking for a res but they had none although we were informed over the phone that they leave 30% of they're tables for walk ins.
So we walk in, and out the rain. Slightly wet but still in a good mood. Its about 9pm, and they have a table opening at 945, while its a bit late for me, after hearing about the "best seafood in all of the old port" whats another 45 minutes. My hot young date and I sit at the bar and share a few cocktails while we wait for a table. As the cocktails start to wear away the stress from the day, everything comes together in this cozy little bar area. The ambiance in the bar area was really nice. It was quiet, dimly lit, there was exposed wood beams on the ceiling and all the wooden furniture looked ancient. The staff there was also very attentive.
They had a bar menu so we sampled a few "tastes." One of the tastes was a Manchego topped with membrillo. So good, what a great balance of savory and sweet. I mean anything would have been good, since it was 9pm and we were both starving. We also had some goat cheese, honey and hazelnuts which was good and then there was a poblano pepper stuffed with crab meat. Quality crab meat, big lumps... you know what I'm talking about.
After a few cocktails and appetizers, we were finally seated into the main dining room which was connected to an open kitchen. A very loud open kitchen. When I go back and I will, I will request to be seated in the smaller, more secluded, intimate dining room.
She had some shrimp in linguine, while I had a blackened tuna. I ordered my tuna extra rare, and it was barely cooked, just how I like it. Her dish came out of the kitchen in a sauce pan. I think that was a first for me. I don't see that in a lot of places in Boston. Regardless, the portions were massive.
We also split a bottle of wine for dinner. The wine list went from about 40- the sky's the limit. The entrees were 25- 35 which is what I'd expect from a place with this atmosphere, service and quality.
I had a great time at Steet and Co but i think it had more to do with the company than the food.
Outstanding, phenomenal and perfection are the three words I would use to describe our experience at Street & Company. We were in Portland Maine for a long-needed vacation and stumbled upon this wonderful restaurant. We snuck in under the wire because someone didn't show up for their reservations-lucky us, poor them!
There are two dining areas (as far as we could tell). The one we sat in has a great view of the kitchen-if you are a Food Network fan-this is the place for you. On one side of the kitchen the guys were sauteing and cooking, on the other side there were two ladies making the salads and plating the desserts. There is another room to the side that is quieter and more sedate. The restaurant itself is well decorated and cozy.
Our server was excellent-really on top of his game, and the food, mmmmmmmmm-what can I say? Delicious. My husband and I both had the Seasonal Salad to start-this is not your basic iceberg-this is tasty, crunchy, mixed greens, veggies and a great dressing. He had the blackened halibut which came with broccoli and mashed potatoes on the side. They cut the broccoli into tiny little florets so you don't have to wrestle them with a knife and fork like at other places. He said the fish was amazing. The broccoli and mashed potatoes were both well seasoned and tasty (I stole some of his). I had the Pasta Primavera which had fresh crunchy vegetables and a light yummy tomato sauce.
Now the dessert-they had the usual Tiramisu, Chocolate Lava cake, berries and some other desserts, but what intrigued me was the Dates Marinated in Coffee and Cinnamon with a thick tasty Greek yogurt along side (with cinnamon sprinkled on it). Out of this world good.
If you are ever in Portland, Street & Company is a good bet for a great meal. It is a good idea to make reservations.
A wonderful restaurant! Their seafood is just delicious! We had tuna and scallops, and they tasted excellent, and portions were just right!
Very warm service, too. We had to make a last-minute reservation during the busiest time of their evening, but the bartenders, greeters, and waitstaff all made us feel so very welcome and at home.
It was fantastic, just go!!!
First off-- you want reservations. Second off-- Call Fore St. first. It's just better. Hard to put your finger on, but the ambiance at Fore St. works, and here it's just-- lacking?, despite the fact that it's done a little pedestrian cobblestone street in the heart of the Old Port and Fore St. is across from a decrepit furniture store that's filled to the ceiling on a crummy corner.
They're owned by the same people, although the menus are different, the price is still up there as compared to other Maine venues, but the quality backs it up. The funny thing is, Fore St. gets the accolades, Street & Co. does not. I had the Lobster al Diavolo, which was a revelation. Having been born and breed in Portland, I had not encountered lobster done in anyway except salad, newburg, stew or straight up, with butter on the side. The spice was titillating.
The only lobster I've ever had that rivaled it was at Michel Bras, which is one of the top 10 restaurants in the world, and takes a pilgrimage to find in no-man's land france. So I'll take the Street & Co. option if I get a hankering.
In the end the moral of this story is, go to Street & Co. for these reasons:
1) If you've done Fore Street too many times
2) If you can't get reservations at Fore Street when you want to eat
3) If you're a tourist
4) If you're under 25 and it doesn't make you feel uncomfortable/not excited to be dining with a bunch of geezers for good food
5) Your parents have never used their gift certificate there because they'd rather go to Fore St.
My fiance and I were up in Portland last weekend and are both foodies...especially love seafood, so we were both excited to try Street and Company.
We had an 8:30 reservation and were seated promptly. Our server was pleasant and helpful with the menu. We started off with the mussels and the crab filled pepper...both were delicious. We didn't order our entrees right away as we were still deciding what we wanted and then seemed to be waiting for quite awhile since our apps came out right away. When we asked our server she says that happens when you don't order entrees right away....there was no "i'm sorry..let me check on that." Then we waited another 10 minutes (this was bordering on 45 altogether) and the manager said that was a usual wait time, but the table next to us got their entree in no time. Again no apologies.
We were not in a rush, but simply did not want to wait until almost 10 pm for our meals, which were delicious! The food speaks for itself. I got the grilled tuna and it was wonderful. My fiance had the grilled lobster over pasta and it was also delicious. We finished with a chocolate dessert and the meal would have been perfect if those in charge simply recognized a problem....
My boyfriend and I went to spend the day in Portland, and we had been recommended Fore St for dinner by my parents. While picking up a bottle of wine, we conversed with the very friendly store owner who recommended Street & Company instead since we both love seafood.
Its located on the side street right behind the wine store we went to, very out of the way - I probably wouldn't have noticed it if he hadn't directed us to it. You definitely need reservations to eat there, we were lucky to even get ours. But the staff was very friendly and helpful, and when we arrived 30 minutes early we were able to get seated immediately anyway.
I loved the ambiance; a bar and lounge area to sit and enjoy cocktails and nibble, and two dining areas. We were seated in the one right by the open-air kitchen, a design feature that I personally love as a foodie. The interior is so warm, earthy and cozy - a little crowded though, I felt bad for the waiters who were trying to maneuver hot dishes around the diners.
It was so hard to choose what to have, but we ended up sharing the Lobster Diavolo, and it was definitely the best dish in the house. The spicy tomato sauce was the perfect accompaniment to the lobster, mussels, clams and calamari over linguini. However, while it says its for two people, it could easily have served 3-4 people. Didn't really matter, we managed to finish it between the two of us, and then split a delicious panna cotta dessert. Of course, afterwards we were so stuffed we could barely move. But it was worth it. And the price was rather reasonable considering the amount of food we got and the quality. I would definitely recommend Street & Company.
Excellent food in a great setting in Portland. My wife had an assortment of fresh oysters, which she thought were the best she had ever had. I had some salmon. We split some salad.
One of the best meals we had on our trip.
Love the previous reviews. They raised several important issues:
1)Is Street and Co the Ugly Step-Child to Fore Street. I think, No. The menu is completely different. Not only in specialties; quite obviously there is the seafood focus at street, but also in the sheer minimalism at street. The focus is on the fish and every diner there is better off for it.
2)Ambiance: Personally I love both. Yes. Fore Street gives you a bit more of that king of the world type feel. It has high ceilings those windows looking out over the harbour. But, I'll still take the ambiance at street over fore street. I feel like I am stepping into a Charles Dicken's novel every time I step into that little waiting area/bar. There are the low slung ceiling with the exposed beams and the beautiful carpets. I tend to be dissappointed when I am forced to proceed to the table, although how can you beat copper table tops and an open kitchen either. It makes me feel loved just thinking about it.
3) There is one major beef that I have regarding Street that I am surprised no one brought up. The have the most amazingly classic fruit cobbler everynight for desert, and everytime I order it all I can think of is man this would be better with ice cream. The catch is Street does not sell ice cream. Help me out with this issue and bug the manager. Cobbler should never be eaten alone.
My favorite restaurant in Portland, hands down. Unlike the other reviewers, I haven't been to Fore Street so I can't compare it, but definitely had no problems with the ambiance. Quite the contrary, in fact.
Took a girl here in November, were seated without reservations, and had a great dinner. Highly recommended, though it's pricey for Maine.
Been here on bizness a couple times and I gotta say, Street is some of the best seafood in Portland. Service is good, atmosphere is great. Its nestled in old downtown Portland a block off the pier. Nice.
The freshest seafood anywhere. The place is in an old building, lots of low wooden beams, great atmosphere. Copper topped tables so the food can be served on really hot platters. Very good food and service.
Let me just say that I had a great meal here. The only downside of my evening here was the ambiance. I was hoping for something a bit more romantic with some darkness and candles. Another drawback is that the middle sitting area can get quite loud. Try to stay near the cozy bar on one side or the little dining area on the other side.
hmm. i sort of disagree with the last review. i like the ambiance of street and company better than that at fore street. it's not really fair to judge on location -- obviously street and company has a better venue -- but the open-air aspect of street and company, along with their refreshingly nouveau american versions of some italian classics make it my choice, and i'm also under 25.
if you want a good meal, haute cuisine, in portland, you kinda have to search it out. katahdin is also a really good restaurant to go to -- and it reminds me of street and company. i found fore street too dark, too much brick (and i NEVER say that, ever...) and wood hanging over you -- street and company just seems airier. i'd go there for a nice drink and a fresh plate of muscles, back when i lived in portland (sigh).
also, the waitstaff is very nice and accomodating, even when i went with a large party of people on one occasion. i don't think this is a tourist spot, unless the tourists are willing to shell out a lot of cash for dinner and have discerning taste (have you ever seen tourists in portland? they generally want blueberry and moose knicknacks)
. i guess this is kinda a yarmouth-falmouth old boys clubby type spot -- but there's nowhere else quite as fine in portland. oh and the last time i went i had to make reservations far in advance, because like fore street, street and company DOES book quite quickly.
ps -- i WISH my parents had an unused gift certificate.
I don't eat seafood and yet even I love Street & Company. From the cobble stone streets to the warm and cozy bar room - the atmosphere is amazing. I don't really understand all the comparisons to Fore Street as I would never group the two together - different vibe for each. I do highly recommend making reservations and asking for the fab corner booth in the back room. Aside from that enjoy and follow dinner with a drink at Vignola's on Dana Street.
Portland, ME
Category: American (New)
Portland, ME
Category: Breakfast & Brunch
Portland, ME
Category: Seafood
Portland, ME
Category: American (New)
Portland, ME
Category: Restaurants
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