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  • Fore Street

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Fore Street

Fore Street Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Dining
  • Website: http://www.forestreet.biz
  • Phone: (207) 775-2717
  • Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday: 5:30pm - 10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 5:30pm - 10:30pm, Sunday: 5:30pm - 10:00pm; Bar opens daily at 5:00pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Contemporary American, Organic, Seafood
  • Executive Chef: Sam Hayward
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Franklin and Pearl
  • Parking: Private Lot
  • Parking Details: Fore Street has free parking from 5pm to 12am in the parking lot behind the building, depending on availability. Street parking is available as well as customer paid parking in 2 parking garages within 1 block.
A word from Fore Street
Located in Portland's Old Port District, Fore Street opened in June, 1996. The interior surrounds a unique brick and soapstone hearth with a wood-burning oven, grill and turnspit; visible from most tables. We believe that good food travels the shortest possible distance between the farm and the… table. Our menu changes every day and is founded upon the very best raw materials from a community of Maine farmers, fisherman, foragers and cheese makers. Most of the Maine foods are organically grown or harvested wild, each brought to us at the peak of its season. In 2002 and again in 2007, Fore Street was named by Gourmet Magazine as one of the Top Fifty Restaurants in the United States. In 2004, Chef-Partner Sam Hayward was named Best Chef: Northeast by the James Beard Foundation.Continued
Foodspotting photos
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Ambiance
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Service
Diner Reviews
  • "Fore Street once again lives up to its reputation. Staff is helpful and friendly, the food is unbeatable, and the atmosphere is terrific. We enjoyed the finnan haddie and jonah crab for apps, followed by monkfish and scallops for mains. Excellent all around!"
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "Everyone who's ever been to Portland knows that Fore Street is THE place to go for foodie dining. Compared to other options available in Portland today, I will forego Fore Street in favor of some of the competitors popping up during my next stay. Of all the places I went in Portland on a weekend getaway, the Fore Street staff, inc our server, were the least friendly and welcoming. The noise level was overwhelming to the point that our server had difficulty hearing our orders. The food was certainly good, but was overshadowed by a less than remarkable dining experience."
    Dined on 3/1/2014
  • "Do not understand why this restaurant gets such great reviews. It's good; not great, and there are several better, less expensive options in Portland. Beans in the soup were undercooked. Glass of wine was skimpy for the cost."
    Dined on 2/26/2014
  • "Always a wonderful dining experience form beginning to end. Haven't been in a few years though and last night's dinner was even better than we remembered."
    Dined on 2/26/2014
  • "Outstanding food and service. This has to be one of the best meals I have had in a long time. I highly recommend it and it was worth every penny."
    Dined on 2/22/2014
  • "The food was elegant...the server provided answers to all of our many questions. Mike was pleasant, warm and knowledgable."
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "A flawless evening of relaxed dining where everything goes right-from service to food to drinks, ambience, and everything that makes a special night out enjoyable. Basically a restaurant without flaws......Keep up the good work!"
    Dined on 2/1/2014
  • "Fore Street is our favorite Portland, ME restaurant. They specialize in beautifully cooked local meats and produce, mainly from local purveyors.They also have fish, but we never tried any. Desserts are excellent too. The open kitchen with its rotisseries and grills is fun to watch and adds to the warm ambience. There is a nice looking bar and a good wine list."
    Dined on 12/19/2013
  • "Found the raw oysters to be on the small side and the accompanying sauce watery and unsatisfactory. Also we find that entrees priced in the high range when considering they offer no side with included, rather the sides are additional. This is not an attractive attribute on a menu. We travel quite extensively and this is very uncommon in our experience.Also my wifes ravioli was very good but the mushrooms accompanying the dish were severely over done. While the service was outstanding and the ambiance pleasurable, the food fell short of expectation based upon our research prior to the visit when considering the price point/value for $180."
    Dined on 1/17/2014
  • "Fore street is very expensive, but for a special occasion, it is a wonderful place to go. The food was great and there were many wonderful options to choose from. The lighting is low, but we still had no problem reading the menu. We were seated relatively close to the cooking area and I enjoyed watching the cooks using the wood fired brick oven. So many of the dishes are cooked in this oven! The fire adds to the ambience of the restaurant. The service was excellent and we were able to linger over coffee and dessert after the main meal."
    Dined on 1/14/2014
  • "The exposed brick and copper tables complimented each other. Our server was attentive and efficient, but not too intrusive. The organic mixed greens were a delicious starter. And the scallops were cooked to order and very tasty. Overall the dinner was very enjoyable."
    Dined on 1/13/2014
  • "Overall, this was a delicious meal. However, after hearing so much about Fore Street for so long, we expected a much better experience. Compared with 90% of restaurants, this is a great place. We would not put it in the top 10% by any means. For example, the grilled calamari appetizer was swimming in oil. The two main dishes were good, but not extraordinary. If we had not heard such rave reviews for such a long period of time, we may have rated this higher. Also, the prior night we dined at the 555 Congress Street, which is another Portland restaurant. That was extraordinary."
    Dined on 1/8/2014
  • "Oh those Mussels! Perfection. Tender, sweet goodness in a broth you want to tip up to your mouth in a very unlady-like manner. Go."
    Dined on 12/12/2013
  • "It had been a longtime between visits and we sure hope to get back sooner than later! It was a delightful dining experience, nicely presented and perfectly hot when served......."
    Dined on 1/1/2014
  • "We started with the oysters which were crisp and delicious, then moved on to the famous oven roasted mussels which lived up to the raves on Yelp. My husband ordered the duck and while he liked it, he felt a more petite duck might have had more tender flavor. I ordered the pan seared flounder with some beautiful mushrooms, the fish was perfectly cooked and the exterior had a beautiful brown sear on it. The woodsy earthy flavor of the mushrooms, along with lentils in a buttery sauce was a perfect counterpoint to the delicate white fish. Our other guest ordered the pork loin, which had an impressive char and juicy flavor. The sticky toffee pudding dessert is a must! Fore Street does not disappoint!"
    Dined on 12/27/2013
  • "We try to dine at Fore St. regularly & yet are rewarded with not only the old favorites but new refreshing features. The food is fresh & delicious although sometimes a little on the salty side. The wait staff are attentive yet not intrusive & very knowledgeable about the food options. We are rarely disappointed no matter what we chose to eat & the wines are great!"
    Dined on 12/21/2013
  • "received a gift certificate from our son for a speical evening out. we found the service, the specialty menu ( changes daily), and the setting very enjoyable. meal selection was unique and delicious. look forward to dining at Fore Street again."
    Dined on 12/18/2013
  • "My only complaint is that I had a dish labeled "summer flounder". Summer flounder is actually fluke....a flat fish cousin of the flounder. The dish I got was not summer flounder but some other fish. It was good....but not what I expected."
    Dined on 6/20/2013
  • "We ate at Fore Street on our honeymoon in Portland. The food was spectacular, the service was great and we would definitely return there. The only downsides were the noise level in the restaurant and how close we were seated to the tables next to us. We were speaking loudly to be able to hear each other and I am sure that our 2 neighboring tables heard our entire conversation. We were there on a Saturday night, but I would assume that it might be quieter on a weeknight."
    Dined on 12/7/2013
  • "Have been there many times when we visit Portland and always forget menu does not have "plain" food. Always have to ask for sauce on side. Would be nice to have plain roasted chicken rather than something with "extras" I do not care for. Also they have a policy of no substitution. Need better lighting at some tables - could not read menu with one small candle and no overhead lights. Took out small flashlight, but felt ridiculous doing it."
    Dined on 11/27/2013
  • "Restaurant was warm. With wood oven burning away; the wait staff was great, stopping periodically to check in with us. Food was superb! Greens salad was just right; a sampling of raw oysters from various waters near & in Portland; our waitress explained in detail. The crusty bread was wonderful. I had flounder, the filet was thicker & seared to perfection with a small dollap of root vegetable hash, for a differing taste, was a nice addition. My husband had a med. rare ribeye steak; again, cooked to perfection, accompanied by a side of chunky garlic mashed potatoes; the best steak ever! I ended my meal with a samplers plate of locally made chocolates; the ones taken to go never made it to daylight! Just a great experience."
    Dined on 11/21/2013
  • "I had been waiting to eat at Fore Street for over three years and the experience did not disappoint! All menus are created that day with local ingredients with shows the dedication and skill they put into their kitchen. The mussels are by far the best I have ever had and the fish and meat options were great. The ambience is fun and romantic at the same time."
    Dined on 11/16/2013
  • "Loved Fore Street! Good was amazing and the service by everyone including the hostess was fantastic. Highly recommend!"
    Dined on 11/9/2013
  • "It's a great restaurant with inventive and delicious food. But we had the misfortune of sitting at a table next to an incredibly loud group of inebriated people, one of whom whistled through her fingers piercingly and repeatedly, as if summoning a cab. While it was not the fault of the restaurant, they probably should have done something to ameliorate the situation, as it was disturbing to many of the diners and definitely affected our experience."
    Dined on 11/8/2013
  • "Nov 7th. Arrived at 5:40 for a 6pm reservation. Seated at the back of the restaurant at 6:20. I asked for a better table. Snobby hostess stuck my husband and I in between four people. There were other tables available. Food was very good except for the $45 rib-eye steak (rib-eye is not supposed to be tough). Waitress was excellent. Spent $400 for just the two of us. Personally I will not return to this restaurant because of the way we were treated."
    Dined on 11/7/2013
  • "Loved some of the choices on the Fore Street menu which changes nightly. I sampled for the first time ever, despite spending months along the seashore every year, razor clams baked in a very tasty sauce. Lots of choices for adventuresome eaters, and for more typical diners too. My husband loved his pork loin. Our waiter gave good recommendations for a wine, and was very friendly. Prices not bad at all for the quality of the food and atmosphere. Delicious homemade bread. Would love to go again, next tie I am in Portland."
    Dined on 10/31/2013
  • "The restaurant had an old world charm. The meals were excellent and the restaurant was charming."
    Dined on 10/8/2013
  • "Wow. Dining at Fore Street was definitely a memorable experience. After talking to several people familiar with Portland, and reading the reviews, my expectations were definitely high. The experience delivered and then some, with fantastic ingredients, sublimely prepared food, knowledgeable service, and beautiful atmosphere. We walked in about ten minutes before our reservation, and were immediately ushered to a sweet two-top that I would have picked myself if given the choice. This was a highlight of our visit to super foodie Portland! Fore Street is clearly a fantastic restaurant with people who care deeply about what they do. If you have the chance, go! I hope to visit many more times to taste many seasons worth of wonderful food."
    Dined on 10/26/2013
  • "If there were not so many great choices on Portland I'd send people here. Too many other choices for the money we spent here. A bit pretentious. 2 top seating is terribly uncomfortable, people who were walk in got larger tables eventhough we had a reservation for a month. Served brown mushy apples in a $12 salad. We expecteded more based on the reviews."
    Dined on 10/23/2013
  • "This was an incredible special occasion dinner for us! The food was delicious on a chilly fall night in Portland. We will definitely return when we are back in Portland."
    Dined on 10/22/2013
  • "We have been to Fore St. several times now. The food is, of course, very good. But it seems to lack soul, I feel like we are in a factory-line, there is no personality. It is so loud, feels very impersonal, staged. I don't know that I would go back again. Ambience, quiet, mood is as important as the food and Fore St just doesn't seem to care much about that. And particularly because it is not inexpensive, all of those things need to be attended to to make a place worthwhile for me."
    Dined on 10/15/2013
  • "What an amazing place, ambiance and food is spectacular. Excellent wine list and dinner was fabulous. I would definitely recommend!"
    Dined on 10/22/2013
  • "For my husband and I, it was our second time at your place! But, for our friends , it was the first visit! They found it extraordinary! We also sent some friends there in the last few years! Thanks to Josée Di Stasio who made your restaurant discover! We certaińly continue to recommand your place to anyone who wants to visit Portland! It is such a wonderful place!"
    Dined on 10/13/2013
  • "I've tried to go to Fore street a few times and I'm so glad we made it. The seared foie gras was incredible. Rib eye delicious and pork loin was scrumptious. The staff was so friendly - treated so very special for our anniversary. And wine list was plentiful with fantastic wines."
    Dined on 10/13/2013
  • "No visit to Portland would be complete without dinner at Fore Street! We enjoyed a wonderful dinner and excellent service. This restaurant is apparently one of the top rated in the country and it certainly lives up to that!"
    Dined on 10/8/2013
  • "We had reservations at Fore Street for our 10th anniversary. It was our first time there and was even better than expected. We arrived early, had a drink at the bar, were seated right on time. Our waiter was attentive and friendly. The food was amazing! From appetite to dessert we loved every single bite! Would highly recommend! Hope to go back to Portland one day and eat here again!"
    Dined on 10/4/2013
  • "Fore Street is consistently good. The food is locally sourced, well prepared, nicely plated and well served. However, if you are looking for GREAT (which is what we are) it isn't here. A rocket & apple salad, greens were fresh, apples were tasty, nothing special.. The quail appetizer was well prepared but lacked seasoning & cauliflower puree was cold. Oven roasted mussels were good with a well seasoned sauce. Halibut was a bit overdone and for $36, the portion was small and served with no vegetable. The roasted beets were good, but again lacked salt & pepper. tarte tatin - delicious w/cinnamon ice cream. Nothing wrong with Fore Street but after Grace and Street & Co. this week, the comparison is natural."
    Dined on 10/11/2013
  • "Relaxed atmosphere- great service. Food was very fresh. We both loved our salads. Hake was excellent- salmon was good. Prices a bit high, but will visit again."
    Dined on 10/9/2013
  • "I've been to Fore st many times and typically the food is excellent. I'll certainly be back but the dinner I had this past weekend was not the best I have had there. I ordered the soup (delicious), the clams (also wonderful) and the duck as my entree. The Duck was very good but it came on a bed of wild rice mixed with a sauce that had way too much honey(?) in it. It did not compliment the duck at all and seemed like a real "miss" from the kitchen. I mentioned this to my server and she apologized but did not offer any sort of consolation - I'm not the type to complain for perks but I think in my case it was warranted. That said, Fore st is almost always amazing. Just not that night :("
    Dined on 10/6/2013
  • "Made a reservation at Fore Street based on reviews I read online. I was skeptical since there was no posted menu to preview and I am a foodie, wanted to be sure this was going to be a great dinner. Upon arrival we immediately loved the ambiance. A beautiful space with large windows, lots of wood, soft lighting and a view of the open ovens and spit. Meats, fish, and vegetables are either locally farmed and/or organic. Our waiter was very calm, informative and suggested a spectacular wine to accompany our dinner. I had pacific roasted salmon with a cassoulet of cured pork and duck confit that was off the map in terms of flavor composition. Amazing! My husband had duck breast with wild rice and delicious sweet berry glaze. Exquisite!"
    Dined on 10/6/2013
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • Maine Winners
  • Best Overall
  • Best Ambiance
  • Best Service
  • Contemporary American
  • Fit for Foodies
Learn more ›