Gauchos Churrascaria Brazilia
Gauchos is not your typical steakhouse. Instead of ordering individual plates, all diners pay a flat fee for continuous table-side service. Waiters promenade the dining room offering freshly cooked skewers of rotisserie cooked meat. There are 12 different types of meat available, including prime rib, flank steak, chicken, turkey wrapped in bacon, and lamb. Try the roasted chicken-hearts if you feel daring. Gauchos was only open for dinner as of 2009. Doors open at 4 p.m. and dinner is served until 9 p.m. Gauchos has a second location in Manchester, New Hampshire. The atmosphere is relaxed yet elegant, with South American music playing in the background and the aroma of freshly cooked meat wafting through the warmly decorated dining room.
Gauchos Churrascaria Brazilia
100 Commercial St.
Portland, ME 04101-4712
(207) 774-9460
gauchosbraziliansteakhouse.com
Brian Boru
One of Portland's traditional Irish pubs, Brian Boru stands out with its commitment to live entertainment. On Sundays from 3 to 7 p.m. guests can enjoy live Irish music at the pub. Brian Boru is open daily; Sunday has a special brunch menu. Try the Irish stew or the cassoulet if you like hearty, warm soup. Go for the beef and beer or the duck BLT for something hearty yet different. Prices are moderate. As of 2009, you could get a sandwich for under $10 and most entrees for under $15.
Brian Boru
57 Center St
Portland, ME 41011
(207) 780-1506
brianboruportland.com
Olive Cafe
Olive Cafe offers casual Mediterranean dining. Owned and operated by a Lebanese family, the restaurant offers Lebanese favorites like hummus, tabouli, falafel and shawarma. Enjoy Mediterranean style salads, wraps, pizzas and meat skewers. Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner. The cafe is also open for brunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday.
Olive Cafe
127 Commercial St.
Portland, ME 41011
(207) 772-6200
olivecafeportland.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.
