Five Fifty-Five
Five Fifty-Five is a chic upscale venue serving multiple-course meals. It has been listed by "City Magazine" as the No. 6 restaurant in the United States, and it has won the "Wine Spectator" award of excellence for seven consecutive years as of 2009. Five Fifty-Five is a place to pamper yourself after enduring a long trek, but make sure to shower, change into some stylish clothes, and leave those dirty hiking boots in your room. Meals start out with an appetizer or "small plate." Diners then move through the green, savory, cheese and dessert courses. Go for the classic grilled veal porterhouse or try the truffled lobster mac and cheese for the main course. Five Fifty-Five is open daily for dinner and hosts a special Sunday brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Five Fifty-Five
555 Congress St.
Portland, ME 04101-3308
(207) 761-0555
fivefifty-five.com
RíRá
An Irish bistro set on the Portland waterfront, RíRá is decorated as a traditional Irish pub. The menu offers American fare with an Irish twist and some classic Irish dishes like beef and Guinness stew, chicken pot pie, fry-up Irish breakfast and corned beef with cabbage. The atmosphere is jovial yet classy, and RíRá is a place where locals enjoy going for a drink after work. During weekdays there is a happy hour where you can enjoy discounted drinks.
RíRá
72 Commercial St.
Portland, ME 41011
(207) 761-4446
rira.com
The Green Elephant
The Old Port bistro exudes a casual yet elegant atmosphere in the heart of Portland's bustling waterfront district. All meals on the menu are vegetarian, but don't be surprised when you see items listed like the "far east duck." "Meat" dishes are made with vegetarian soy protein, and many reviewers have noted that they couldn't tell the difference. The Green Elephant consistently receives rave reviews from diners; it's closed on Mondays. Thankfully, it is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday and lunch Tuesday through Saturday. Try the organic tea noodles, tofu tikka masala or Siamese curry noodles.
The Green Elephant
608 Congress St.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 347-3111
greenelephantmaine.com
Article Written By Heather Carreiro
Heather Carreiro is a certified English teacher who has been writing since 2008. The editor of Matador Abroad, her work has appeared online at BootsnAll, Matador Network, GoNOMAD, Journey Beyond Travel and Expat Women. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics and Middle Eastern studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is pursuing a Master of Arts in English at Bridgewater State University.
