Caiola's Restaurant
Located in Portland's West End neighborhood, Caiola's chef Abby Harmon uses ingredients from Maine farms and producers to craft a menu with Italian and American dishes. Caiola's is closed Monday, serving dinner six nights a week beginning at 5:30 p.m. and a Sunday brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The menu, which varies seasonally depending on the availability of items, includes a wide selection of appetizers such as polenta fries with smoke paprika, cheddar cheese, tomato and red pepper relish; house-marinated olives with orange and fennel; a cheese board served with fruit and nuts; and a large antipasto plate with vegetables and cured meats. In addition there are salads and soups, including a black and white bean soup with summer vegetables and basil.
For the main course, Caiola's features house-made cannelloni with ricotta, sweet peppers and spinach in a tomato sauce with Parmesan cheese; chicken Marsala with roasted shallots, mushrooms and tomato tubettini, and pan-sauteed spicy scallops with a beet and tomato gazpacho. American dishes include a grilled hanger steak and grilled barbecue pork chop.
Caiola's also offers a full bar and wine selections.
Caiola's
58 Pine St.
Portland, Maine 04102
(207) 772-1110
caiola.com
Anthony's Italian Kitchen
Located in the Old Port section of the city, Anthony's Italian Kitchen is a run by a fourth-generation Italian family boasting a menu of sandwiches, pasta and pizza that includes new twists on old favorites and large portions, which inspires the house motto, "We won't be leaving room for dessert!"
Italian sandwiches, a staple of the menu, are served in 8-inch or 10-inch varieties served on Piantedosi rolls. For a simple meal try a meatball sandwich, made with Anthony's homemade meatballs or a roast beef sub. Specialty sandwiches include a Maine Italian, a traditional ham and cheese sub with veggies, and a Tony Soprano, a combination of Genoa salami, prosciutto and imported provolone cheese.
The menu also includes panini, served on a crusty baguette, including the Italian roast beef, with sauteed green peppers, onions and provolone; and the Italian chicken, with strips of chicken cutlet, provolone, tomato and romaine lettuce.
Sandwiches can also be turned into a melt, served on a white or wheat wrap with melted provolone, Swiss or American cheese.
Anthony's also offers pasta, your choice of spaghetti, ziti, linguine, fettuccine or fuscilli, with one of nine sauces served with garlic bread as well as Italian dinners, such as jumbo cheese ravioli and six-cheese lasagna.
There are also 10-inch and 16-inch pizzas with your choice of toppings, and single slices are also available.
Anthony's, which is closed Sundays, also features a wine list and beer.
Anthony's Italian Kitchen
151 Middle St.
Portland, Maine 04101
(207) 774-8668
anthonysitaliankitchen.com
Ribollita
Located between the Old Port and the East End, Ribollita has been serving artisan Italian dishes for more than a decade. Diners will enjoy authentic cuisine made with fresh, local ingredients by chef-owner Kevin Quint served in an intimate setting.
Ribollita offers an opening antipasti course with tantalizing appetizers including steamed mussels with pistachio butter; a caramelized onion tart served with black olives and goat cheese; polenta-crusted calamari and a antipasto plate served with fresh meats and cheeses.
Salad and soup options include panzanella, a tomato and bread salad; caprese, a fresh mozzarella and tomato salad; a house soup with Tuscan vegetables; and tortellini en brodo, hand-filled pasta served in a rich chicken broth.
For the main course, Ribollita features hand-filled cannelloni; eggplant rollantini filled with spinach and ricotta cheese; and North End linguine, served with your choice of scallops, clams, mussels or calamari simmered in red or white sauce.
There is also homemade white bean and tomano ravioli; pan-seared gnocchi and fettuccine served with scallops and prosecco cream.
For non-pasta options, try the radicchio wrapped salmon, braised beef short rib or the Tuscan fish stew.
Ribollita has a wine list that features exclusively Italian varieties and a full bar. It is open Monday through Saturday serving dinner nightly at 5 p.m.
Ribollita
41 Middle St.
Portland, Maine 04101
(207) 774-2972
ribollitamaine.com
