As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, bloggers, and readers. We've already discussed Maine's most reliable standbys and best new restaurants, and now we wonder: how would you describe the Maine restaurant scene in 2012, in just one word? Readers, please add your thoughts to the comments.
Pocket Brunch: Bienvenue [Photo: PB Facebook/Zwickerhill Photography]
Q: Describe 2012 in just one word.
Alex Steed, Bourbon. Beer. Portland. Politics: Modular.
Natalie Ladd, columnist, The Portland Daily Sun: Transformative.
John Golden, The Golden Dish: Pivotal.
Kate McCarty, The Blueberry Files: Happy. (Simple, but I found my love! It made everything I did infused with happiness.)
Joe Ricchio, Food Coma TV: Unpredictable.
Nancy Heiser, freelance restaurant critic, food writer: Brussels sprouts. That's two words. I can count on one hand the restaurants that did not offer some form of the little cabbages. And where does the Brussels part come from anyway? Belgium? I've often wondered.
Susan Axelrod, editor Eater Maine: Oysters!