Our first trip to Fore Street was on a weeknight, mid-winter, shortly after it opened. The food was fantastic, the room was fairly quiet (only about a third of the tables occupied), and we could hardly believe such a place existed. Now there are crowds even on a Tuesday in February, which is a testimony to the restaurant's success, but it's not quite as much fun. I think the quality of the food remains as high, although perhaps expectations have grown.
We ate at Natalie's in Camden in February or March, the night of a big snowstorm. We weren't transported but it might have been an off night. Eagerly awaiting your report.

John;

You can purchase Morse's sauerkraut locally. It is available at IGA in Cape Elizabeth and I am sure other places.

Thanks for including cost, John.

I couldn't agree more with your opinion on the front of the house.
I am glad to hear that things have changed. The last time we went there, we waited about 3 minutes to be greeted by the hostess (which in and of itself was no problem) but then when she finally greeted us, all she did was look at me. You know that look, eyebrows raised, with the look of "ya, what do you want?" she did not even have the courtesy to speak! I knew exactly what she meant of course, so I responded. It was a long wait anyway so we didn't end up staying, but I walked out of there angry, mostly at myself. If I had just not responded, then she would have had to speak.
But, (ok enough ranting, finally a forum to put these feelings)
But other than that, I like Fore Street. Sometimes it can be loud, and I have a hearing problem, so it's hard to understand my company. oh and one other nit pick thing I have with them. They used to, maybe they are not doing this any longer, but they would put the vegetable on one plate for the entire party. I want my own Brocolli!
I agree with the other comment, Fore Street is wonderful in the winter, less people, which means you can walk right in and get seated. I can hear, and it's so warm and inviting.
For what Fore st. does they do a fine job, they turn out a large amount of food each night and manage to keep the quality.

I've always enjoyed Fore Street and was a regular for several years and only would sit at the bar since I never made reservations (and I am a last minute diner). I no longer have the time to be a regular so do not go as often.

Much to John's point though relates directly to my own feelings. I refuse to go in the summer months due to the fact that, even at the bar, the wait can be substantial. I rarely see familiar faces although do enjoy chatting it up with tourists. With my schedule, this lengthy wait does me no service.

I do have to say that I thought food quality has degraded slightly. My last couple of meals were cool entrees instead of hot(this could be a service issue)and the new a la carte vegetables I find a huge turn off (this no doubt contributes to a much higher check average)but Sam will tell you it is because they were throwing away too many mashed potatoes. I can't see why they wouldn't just make less of them.

Overall I too enjoy Fore Street but concur that after Parent's Weekend in October is the time to return.

Oh John. Must we continue with all the pouting over Fore Street? Really now...is it because the host will not take your $20 bill to "squeeze you in" at at table which is being held for a reservation made months ago? You keep referring to the fact that you cannot walk-in to Fore Street, but what you neglect to mention is that you are probably walking in between 7pm and 8:00pm, the pinnacle time for a restaurant in ANY city (Paris, France notwithstanding). As I understand it, Fore Street takes 75% of the seating in reservations (for those who can plan ahead), and 25% for walk-ins (for those who cannot). Sounds fair to me. What would you prefer....for the restaurant to take 100% reservations and thus no one with any sense of spontaneity has a chance? Do what we all do when we can't get a table in the dining room...eat at the bar!

Question about Fore Street and/or other restaurants. I am driving down from Deer Isle to meet a dear friend from England to show her Maine for two weeks. She has a number of severe allergies and we have discovered the better the restaurant, the better the meal for her. If not Fore Street,can you recommend a few for us in the area? Thanks in advance

Hello John. I read your review of Fore Street and even I was shocked at the price of the dinner...so I did a little checking. Come to find out, the ACTUAL total on your check came to $136.50 for everything that you listed (with the addition of 3 Stolis and 3 glasses of wine - not 3 total as you had indicated). Alcohol will certainly add a "punch" to the bottom line. If you are going to write a review, then please, be fair and tell the honest-to-goodness truth. The inflated bill (it seems) was due to the indication of your tip ($30).
Much appreciated by the server I am sure.....however, no need to exacerbate the price to prove your point.
R. Violette, General Manager
Fore Street

Can someone knowledgable tell us what the blood-alcohol level would be for an average adult male after three Stolis or three glasses of wine? In past reviews, Mr. Golden has indicated that he drives to and from his restaurant dinners.

I happen to agree with John for the most part and I thank him for including the price of his meal. The last few times I have eaten at Fore St. I get the sensation that I am eating at Dimillos . Overpriced, touristy and impersonal. I don't understand any of Violette's objections to his review. Unless Fore Street has decided to include service with their bill, then it is entirely correct to include a tip in his price of dinner - all of us have to pay one when we eat at Fore St. I can only imagine that it was spite that encouraged you to list exactly what John had for drink - but yes alcohol is expensive and yes you over charge for it a Fore st. However, 95% of people who eat dinner at Fore st. consume alcohol with their dinner. His main point that Fore St. has become over priced would be disputed by very few local diners - I think it is clear to impartial diners that over the last few years the food at Fore St. has declined while the price has increased. Fore st. seems to be coasting on it well deserved reputation that it has earned. It is very difficult for a restaurant like Fore St. to maintain its edge after so many years. Its reputation is strong enough to carry if through some decline - however at some point the shine will begin to come off them. I used to love the restaurant so I actually find it disappointing. Hopefully some of the newer restaurants opening in Portland can make up for the decline of Fore st.

Does anyone else find it a bit creepy that the general manager of Fore Street researched what I'm assuming were credit card records to find John's name and then detail what he had to eat/drink that evening?

Doesn't bother me. If you are going to be in the business of writing reviews of restaurants whose very existence can live and die by the pen, then you should be called out on the false statements you make. Mr. G exaggerated for dramatic effect - at the expense of this restaurants reputation.

And I don't necessarily think the general manager had to research credit card records to get this information.

p.s. Aren't we in the "throes" of the tourist season, not the "throws"? Although I'm sure that is what you'd like to do to them.

And E. Johnson, you don't get the point. Mr. Golden left drinks that he had out of the review, but included it in the total price. And his tip might be called overly generous. If Golden is going to complain about the price, he should fully disclose all the drinks he had, AND the excessive tip he left.

Tourism in Maine is booming and I, for one, am not complaining... Sure, my drive to work would take half as long if the out of state plates in front of me weren't cruising Commerical St. at 3 MPH, and I might I have my choice of spots at Scarborough beach, but tourism is a major economic factor in Portland and throughout the state. I could probably getinto the likes of Fore Street if I was planning ahead as much as the "summer visitors", but it's only my loss if I don't... The Fore Street v. Dimillio's comparsion is completely laughable. Maybe you don't like the tourists, but their money makes our worlds go round.

At any rate, Mr. Golden, anyone just a couple years removed from being a tourist in Maine themselves has NO PLACE picking on those out of state folks. I say bring on the out of staters! They make me proud to being a Mainer and make me appreciate fall in Maine all the more!

I'm horrified by the response from the Fore St. GM. I think the restaurant has a right to defend their prices, but it's totally unnecessary to publicly disclose the details of someone else's bill. Is it legal?

R. Violette, you simply could have said, "The total of the things you've described actually came to $140. You seem to have left out a few things, including your generous tip."

Interestingly, my husband and I went out for our anniversary last night. We were up in the air about whether to go to Fore St. or Cinque Terre. I voted Cinque Terre because I thought it would be easier to get in and we hadn't been there in a long time.

The service and food at Cinque Terre were impeccable. Based on the totally inappropriate post of R. Violette, I'm SO GLAD we patronised a more civilized restaurant.

In fact, apparently the chef at Cinque Terre does not normally have a tasting menu on Wednesdays, but he prepared one just for us since it was a special occasion. Based on the response from the GM, I doubt you'd get such royal treatment at Fore St.

For those who are sticklers for price, we paid $55 each for the six-course tasting menu, and we each had a glass of wine and a glass of champagne for an additional $30.

It was a splurge for us, but it was all worth it because the staff was so gracious and the food was spectacular.

~Jes

Is it legal? No more illegal than writing a bogus review, unless there's libel involved. Heck, maybe this review IS illegal come to think of it.

Why is everyone giving Golden a pass on this one?

No one's getting a pass. I think Mr. Golden was criticized for leaving some things off his tab, and so he should be.

I also think it's horrid of a local proprietor to behave the way Fore St.'s GM has. It was, in my opinion, childish and did nothing to further the cause of the restaurant. They could have said what they said in a much more professional way, just as John should have been more professional. It's counterintuitive to point out someone else being unprofessional by behaving badly yourself.

So why are you so determined to have other people criticize the reviewer? If it's your opinion that he messed up, then say so.

It's a blog. It's John Golden's experiences and opinions. The responses are the reflections of the readers. Why care if there's anyone else on your side?

~Jes

Maybe I'll start a blog about how you like to dress up in women's underwear.

Or should I stick to the truth?

Call it a blog, call it a review, call it a critique. Whatever. Words have consequences...especially when somebody (or something's) reputation is on the line.

Hey Stick - Jes is a woman, as she clearly indicated in her previous post about dinner with her husband. So your pathetic attempt at mockery falls a bit flat. I would assume that she does like to dress up in women's underwear. But maybe she likes to wear men's boxers, too! There's a scandal for you. Considering you're such as stickler, it's really lame that you made such an obvious mistake. What's that...you say it's human nature to make a mistake once in a while? Then maybe you can understand that John--like the rest of us, including you--is bound to make a mistake every so often. At least he admits it. And at least he uses his real name, while you cower in anonymity. Judging by your comments, you're angry at John because he wrote something negative about your restaurant. Get over it. Rather than letting your anger consume you and annoy us, how about finding a new hobby, like dressing up in women's clothes.

Wow--so many comments! I've been out of computer reach this week but I see I have some catching up to do. First of all, let's get to that bill. Quite frankly I'm a bit shocked over the publication of my dinner bill. I'm glad my credit card number wasnt given out. Why the waiter did that is beyond me.

I've been going to Fore Street for years, and I love the restaurant, but I think this was totally uncalled for.

As for the bill, I didn't leave out anything. It was, as I recall, $178(or somewhere near that figure) which included a very generous tip. My personal alcohol consumption was one cocktail and one glass of wine. My dinner mate made up the rest(what can I say?). Even though I try to tell it like it is in these reviews, words have a habit of getting misread and misconstrued.

My reaction was that I was a little annoyed at paying so much for a meal that was very nice but not extraordinary. Granted, the liquor portion really adds up, but then, again, that's how restaurants make their money. And I believe I mentioned our liquor portion too.

Imagine paying $8 for a glass of wine when you know the bottle costs about $18. Nice mark up.But that's the way it is.

As far as I'm concerned it's all part of the tab of going out to dinner.

I think we all realize that eating out is expensive. Imagine what my weekly tab is going out as often as I do. So sometimes when the cost doesn't quite add up to the experience I'll feel compelled to comment.

I love Fore Street and I hold it to high standards. If it occasionally falls short--which any good restaurant can do--then I'll cite it.

Of course these negative comments here are annooying. Some people just love to instigate. It's unfortunate for any of us to have to read such drivel.

On a happier note, I went to Primo last night, that wonderful dining establishment in Rockland.

Dinner was $150 which included my usual mix of cocktails and wine(though I kept it to a minimum since I was the designated driver, with a 15 mile trip back home).

I left a $40 tip and would have gladly accepted the bill to be twice that amount because the food was so good. But I'll get to that soon in Food for Thought.

Meanwhile, boys and girls, have a nice day.

I'm not in the business of ruining people's reputations...so my mistake doesn't really hurt anybody now does it?

Except you apparently. I guess we're all supposed to lavish praise on every single blog Golden writes. Sorry for not being on board.

Interesting thread! Mssrs. Golden, Johson and others who castigate Fore St. have that right. Would that that review be fair and reflect more than that one occasion at an establishment. And further, perhaps it would be more appropriate to list only the foods consumed in listing prices so those who do not imbibe have an accurate sense of just how expensive the place may be.

The mention of the great majority of patrons being tourists is interesting. Is it fair to assume the above-menioned critics must know everyone within a fifty mile radius to be able to make that claim? They would know if their fellow diners were from away or local.

Regarding wait lists and reservations, I have dined at Fore Street 2-3 times per year for several years - always making a reservation. I know enough to do so since the place is always packed. Too, since I live some 50 miles away (I'll bet he'd think I am a tourist)it serves my purposes very well to plan and make a resevration. If something comes up at the last minute and I want to go to Fore Street I will call or strop by and check availabilty but I will not indict Fore Street, nor any restaurant, if they cannot meet my unplanned needs.

The mention of wine pricing is a joke. Fore Street not only has a very well balanced wine list that is fairly priced and by the glass compares with nearly all similar establishments. If you select a premier wine by the glass you will pay a premier price. We're not talking Vendange or Gallo here.

Finally, in nearly all we face every day the same hold true. "Familiarity breeds contempt". Isn't it strange that our society suggests if someone or some firm is successful, they somehow have either gained that success illegally or have decreased in quality (usually at our expense).

One of my 2-3 times for dining at Fore Street is upcoming and I relish the thought daily.

Tom

Cinque Terre? Last time I was in there, we ordered a tasting menu, and the waiter proceeded to look through the menu at the server station, and "design" a menu on his own behalf....you have to be kidding me....the place is absolutely amateur, and the chef is a hack

I would have to say that I have seen Fore Street written up in almost every culinary magazine around as well as in the New York Times. Also, didn't Sam Hayward win the James Beard award last year? It does not surprise me at all that thier reservations book up so far in advance as people travelling to Maine mark Fore Street as a destination point of interest. I find it refreshing that they still keep space open for walk in diners. With all they are known for I imagine if they were reservation only I would never get in!
I will say that I have actually found the food to be better as of late and I love the a la carte side dishes as now I am no longer stuck with the parsnips I hate or the mashed potatoes I shouldn't eat. As for the mark up in price I see it everywhere. Gas is up, groceries are up, organic produce is up, it only makes sense.
I will continue to frequent Fore Street as it's by far the best food and service in town. The hostess/manager Star has always recognized us and taken great care of us and we frequently have Mary Jane as our waitress who is wonderful. Thanks Fore Street!

Are we talking semantics now? Criticize the review but not the reviewer? Shoot the message and not the messenger?

He lied (or at a miniumum withheld information) to make an exaggerated point.

Why is it so hard for people to take criticism? What a boring blog this would be without it.

I have never been to this blog before, but glad I stopped by.

My wife and I had eaten at Forestreet since it first opened. On a whim we tried, but couldn't get into Street and Company and were sent to Fore Street. We live 70 miles from Portland, but get to town a few times a week. Since then, except on a few rare occasions we have had excellent meals. We know it is going to be hard to get in, so we either make a reservation, or sit at the bar/lounge. All understandable.

We even ate there on our wedding day for a very special meal. I told them it was our wedding day when I made the reservation, hoping to get a booth, but of course, the don't make special arrangements (not as understandable, but ok).

What isn't understandable is the staff who greats you (or lack there of a greeting as one poster commented) with contempt that you could actually want to know how long a wait it would be for one of the 25% of the tables. We haven't been back in a while because we are trying all of the other little restaurants around Portland that friends have told us about from Shays to Norm's to Mims to the Pepper Club to many other different places. We called this weekend for a reservation, as we were headed there this past Monday but couldn’t get one except maybe 9pm, so we were prepared for the 45-60 minute wait. Since we know the menu changes, I figured I would take a peak and see what he menu was like. The entree prices haven't gone up noticeably, but now you pay $6-$8 for your starch and vegetable. For me that can easily ad $14 to my meal without drinks or an app. Granted Mims is doing it, and a great job of it, but did Forestreet have to copy that?

All of these things together, with what other posters have commented have changed what was our favorite restaurant into one we will probably rarely, if ever would have headed back to. Now that I, by I change read these posts, and have seen the managers comments, know that I will never be back, and never recommend it again to anyone I send to Portland. On the plus side, we have found many other great spots not in Portland to thoroughly enjoy. Don't miss the Kawanhee Inn in Weld, the new owners are doing a GREAT job (no affiliation).

I'm totally confused here. I did not say anything bad about Fore Street. My only comment was I thought it was somewhat expensive for a meal that didn't send me over the edge. And that's that. This thing seems to have taken a life of its own, way beyond what I wrote or said.

For anyone who's read my blog here knows, I always heap praise on Fore Street.

My mentioning of Lance taking on front of the room duties was a compliment and I don't know why no one else has picked up on that.

It used to be Robin who held sway at the front desk, but she has moved on to other duties. When she was there the place ran like clockwork. The young women who are at the desk are there just perfunctorily.

Restaurants either need an owner overseeing operations or a hands on general manager. who's there to greet regulars and newcomers with equal aplomb.

IN terms of the liquor adding on to the bill, well it does thateverywhere. I didn't omit anything.

I just don't understand why so many of you are nitpiciking about what I said. I think Fore Street is a great restaurant. I guess it's not aways 100 percent and perhaps I caught it at an off night.

It's nice to know that so many of your hold it in such high regard, treating it as it should be. Well, let's move on.

My wife and I have eaten at the Fore many times, but we agree with the writer's comments. The meals are very expensive, quality and consitency have declined. The family -style veggies were a real dissapointment. The final meal for us was the mystery-fish special which I could not eat. Called Sam he said, "we fix all problem meals." We haven't been back. Too risky for the price. . . Oh the GM's note, bad idea.

I have never eaten at Fore St., although we have planned to several times and never gotten around to it. I still desire to go there; that is, until I read the post by their manager. I no longer intend to dine at an establishment that so casually makes public the details of a diner's bill. It's insanity, and Mr. G should be furious.

The GM's publication of Mr. Golden's bill is perhaps symptomatic of an arrogance that I have come to associate with this restaurant. The review in question was neither hostile nor unfair. I can't find anything in it that would constitute a smear on the reputation of the restaurant. That was, in fact, accomplished by the GM, who aside from being wildly indiscreet is also unable to read Mr. Golden's review. Woe to the customer who tries to register a complaint or criticism however well-deserved - if your bill doesn't get trumpeted about maybe you'll end up on some kind of blacklist. Actually, the GM's comment is very helpful to me - I won't go there again; there are too many other good restaurants in the area that actually care about their customers.

By publishing Mr. Golden's bill, the general manager has completely ruined the reputation of this restaurant.

At the very least, the owners need to call or write Mr. Golden and apologiize and refund his money for the meal.

Of course, the best thing they could do is fire that GM.

If think you deserve to have your life on a Blog, then you should expect to hear from those that question your views and reviews.

Please don't take this as an attack, but you need to hold yourself to higher journalistic standards of accuracy. You could easily have avoided the backlash if you had:

1. reduced the total price of the meal by the cost of the unmentioned drinks; and

2. omitted the cost of the tip, since this is discretionary.

It was misleading and damaging to the restaurant to leave these points ambiguous. Of course in the whole scheme of things, it won't precipitate the end of the world, but the onus was on you for clarity and accuracy.

All I can say is wow. I agree with most of the points in the original blog..review whatever, but all this craziness from the management at Fore Street over his bill has really turned me off.

We visit Portland at least 10 times a year, and we used to go to Fore Street every time, but more recently we began trying other restaurants. While we still love Fore Street's food and atmosphere, the last 3 times we went we felt that the quality was not quite what it once had been. The front of the house was also a sticking point for me. It was always unwelcoming, 1 woman/girl in particular was especially unpleasant. I am happy that they have a new person running the front. Despite these issues, we would most definitely have returned had I not read the blog posting from the restaurant.

Overall I must say, it is not the total of the bill noted in the review that has turned me away from visiting again, it is the manager's undignified responses in this blog. You say his reviews have consequences..please note that your responses have the biggest consequences. You won't be seeing us again. We will take our money and spend just as much as the reviewer but at Uffa instead!

Regardless of Mr. Golden's "omissions", there is no excuse for the GM's actions. Highly unprofessional. I think I'll just forget my upcoming reservations. There are too many other fine restaurants in the Portland area.