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.
"Fore Street was highly recommended by several friends. It lived up to its billing! Everything was outstanding. We felt like we needed about 4 nights in a row there to get through all the wonderful dishes. Can't wait to return!"
Dined on 6/17/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"I really enjoyed the mussel appetizer and the sable fish entree. All in all a great meal. I would recommend the food to others. The only quibble is that the food is a little salty."
Dined on 6/10/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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"My girlfriend and I love Fore Street . We went last weekend for my birthday and dined there the year before. Great dining, ambience and service - yet relaxed and informal. Last year we spent a week in San Francisco and Napa valley going to the best restaurants the area has to offer. Most were very good and a few were great. None surpassed Fore Street in my opinion. I think Fore Street is one of the best restaurants in the country and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone. Book early."
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"After being disappointed over many years in restaurant experiences we were "astounded" by everything. The waitress, the hostess and the obvious good feelings among the staff in the open kitchen left us with a memory capped only by the quality of our meals."
Dined on 6/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"On first entering the restaurant I was struck by its "warehouse" look. I instantly thought "they haven't spent much on the décor." The restaurant lacks warmth and charm. After being seated everyone commented on how uncomfortable the chairs were. As the restaurant filled up the noise level made one feel that they were at a Springsteen concert. Although Fore Street charges "wow" prices, only one dish (the mussels) received a wow rating. Two of us shared a rib eye steak for two and we both commented on how tough it was. As for the service, we were served our appetizers in twenty minutes and then waited over an hour for our entrees. Given the ambiance, the noise level and the chairs, why one would spend a $100 a person for dinner is baffling."
Dined on 6/01/2013
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"This is truly a special place. The menu changes daily, the food is incredibly fresh, the atmosphere is incredible and the cooking stands out. Food is cooked and immediately served scorching hot. The wine list is extensive and the beer list is interesting. Be prepared to shell out some money. It is virtually impossible to not order apps (there is an entire menu dedicated to starters) and drinks/mains are very ($34 for halibut) pricey. That said, it is worth it."
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, hot spot, special occasion
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"Fore was a wonderful dining experience. Our waitress, Katharine, was A++. She was very knowledgable about food and how it is prepared and had a very friendly and welcoming manner. The menu is varied and well laid out for those looking for fa ood experience. The meal is served with little wait time. We did not feel rushed as we lingered over coffee and an amazing dessert."
Dined on 5/29/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Fore Street is consistently excellent! Occasionally it can be a bit on the loud side as it is primarily one large open room with grill, roasting oven, and salad prep on view to patrons. There is a smaller room off to the side, but it frequently has larger parties - and it too can get loud. That said, it remains one of my favorite restaurants."
Dined on 5/22/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, hot spot, special occasion
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"I have been going to Fore Street for years. It is always outstanding. The menu is large, fresh and delicious. One of my favorite restaurants anywhere in the country."
Dined on 5/20/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Everything except the mussels was perfect. We asked our waitperson and she said this is their spawning time so they are more mushy and white. We found this at another restaurant recently."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot, special occasion
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"The title says it all. My family went to Portland for the weekend to go to Fore Street and enjoy the great city. We heard nothing but great things about Fore Street. It was good, but certainly not great. I've had better drinks, dinner, and wine at much less expensive restaurants."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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"We went twice in a row. One with reservations; the other without. They treated us Splendidly both times. The food was superb both fish and pork tenderloin. Service was not too rushed nor did they forget us. A Mecca for foodies in New England."
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, romantic, notable wine list, neighborhood gem
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"We have been to Fore Street a couple times over the years. It has been over a year since we've been last and this past Saturday night (April 2013), was amazing. There have been so many changes that have really perfected this place. The menu is wonderful and well laid out, being separated by type of food (the sea, the farm, veggies, etc). The food isn't drenched in butter, fats, oils; instead, it's just really good tasting food with really nice quality ingredients that don't need to be covered up! Spot on, Fore Street To top it all off, the vibe of the restaurant is the best; good conversation, an open kitchen and up beat servers."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"Fore Street is on everyone's must eat list who visits Portland. Year after year they consistently provide amazing meals. I try and visit at least 2 x a year. Would absolutely frequent more often but it is one of the priciest spots in my beloved Maine."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Exceptional atmosphere. The moment you enter you are enveloped in the wonderful smells of the wood stoves. The open kitchen is the perfect background to a perfect meal that is always served by expert hands. Have never had a bad experience and always look forward to my next visit."
Dined on 04/09/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"not to be missed: oven roasted mussels w/ garlic almond butter sauce. ask for extra bread ( their own; baked downstairs @ Standard Bakery) to mop up whatever is left after you enjoy those plump juicy mussels. Service was warm and professional. We return to Fore St. as often as possible - worth the trip -"
Dined on 04/05/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"We always stop here on vacation and are always pleased with the experience. The menu changes daily except for certain well-known staples. We shared the mussels as an appetizer. They were velvety in texture and tasted superb. My husband got a large portion of perfectly prepared roast pork loin. I loved the artic char. The waitress recommended a perfect Malbec and expertly explained the differences between similar choices. Don't miss dinner here!"
Dined on 04/01/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"Pretty great as usual! Food was excellent but my organic greens were a bit salty. Our meat was cooked to perfection and the pineapple upside down cake was to die for. The atmosphere was a bit noisy and less romantic than past visits but we'll still be back."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"Nice ambiance great food, stick with the cooked meats though the raw dish wasn't nearly as fantastic as the wood oven cooking. Good service the only downside was we felt a little rushed. Would certainly recommend."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"Great ambiance in a restored warehouse with exposed brick, copper top tables far enough apart to allow for private conversations, nice sized bar area, and an open kitchen with wood burning oven that filled the room with a light smoky deliciousness. Lighting was so low that I had to use a mini flashlight to read the menu. The meal began with fantastic sourdough bread that was a perfect combination of chewy crust and soft inside. Appetizer salad with kale was very good and an unusual combination of flavors. Mussels were fantastic, large and meaty with a delicious broth, though not as much liquid as is usually served. Husband had flounder which was piping hot, moist and delicious. Heavy snowfall kept us from lingering longer, but will return!"
Dined on 02/27/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"Good food, great bread to start! The waiter was rather pretentious and not very fun, especially given the fact that we spent nearly $350. The ribeye was solid as was the lamb. The olives in the martini were lousy. They had pits in them! Overall, a good experience."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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"My husband and I recently dined at Fore St to celebrate our 10th anniversary. There was a card at the table awaiting us and they even wrote Happy 10th Anniversary in chocolate on our dessert plates! Nice touch. The food is fabulous, the waiter attentive, knowledgeable and just plain terrific. Is it pricey? Sure, but no more than any other restaurant on this level. The only thing I would comment in the negative on, and this is a small one is that the pork dish is reaallly a big hunk of pork. If you're looking for leftovers, it's great but if you're visiting, it's too much for one meal. Tasty, but not enough to eat this much! :) I would have loved it sliced in half with a more interesting side. Overall, worth the splurge!"
Dined on 02/21/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Beautiful space and mostly good service, although the bartender ignored me for way too long when I arrived while casually chatting with a person next to me at the bar. He refused to make eye contact and I waited a good 5 minutes for another bartender to approach, even though the people that I was meeting (on the other side of me) had already been served.
The space is great and the menu is exciting.
We found, though, that the actual food was not nearly as exciting as the menu. We really wanted to like it, but it was just ho-hum and certainly not worth the price."
Dined on 02/18/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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