Reviews of Los Tapatios; Elsmere BBQ; Seabright; More

Shonna Milliken Humphrey ventures down to Biddeford hole-in-the-wall Los Tapatios for her Maine Sunday Telegram review. The Mexican restaurant "sort of smells like a basement with notes of corn tortilla. ... [A]nd it feels like a place that would appeal to undergraduates on a budget." It receives three stars, bolstered by its large helpings of homemade food and generous pours of cheap booze. " ... [T]here are great hole-in-the wall establishments, and then sometimes there are just holes in the wall. Los Tapatios shows glimmers of both." [MST]

Brian Duff of the Portland Phoenix hypothesizes that the end of meat consumption is coming, but in the meantime Elsmere BBQ & Wood Grill in South Portland is a good carnivore destination. "The pulled pork has a touch of maple sweetness over a rich just-smoky flavor. The brisket has a peppery rub and earthy flavor that works especially well with the mustard-based barbecue sauce. The chicken was, unusually, the smokiest of the meats — utterly infused with the flavor of the wood." [PP]

Katy Kelleher writes about Brian Hill's Seabright in Camden for Maine magazine's Eat Maine blog. "Take, for example, Hill's favorite pie. With roasted red curry squash, crumbly sweet bits of amaretti cookies, gently caramelized leeks, and a dressing of black pepper and honey, it's sweet without being overwhelmingly so, rich without feeling heavy." [Eat Maine]

John Golden tests out the newly opened Dockside Grill, which took over the Falmouth Sea Grill's spot last month, for his Golden Dish blog. He finds a place with promise, but also with some kinks to work out. "The duck had a beautifully burnished crisp skin glistening under a sauce of raisins and Madeira. The accompanying mashed yams with maple molasses were delicious. What we didn't understand was the pile of frisee sitting like a lump on the plate. Was it a garnish or a side dish?" [TGD]

Claire Jeffers checks out the drinking scene at Hot Suppa for the Press Herald's Bar Guide. "There are 11 wines and 11 cocktails to choose from (remember, all $1 off at happy hour), such as the New Fashioned (Maker's Mark, muddled orange, lemon and liquor-infused cherries, and Peychaud bitters over ice for $8.50). The drink isn't so much new as it is strong." [PPH]

Ray Routhier hit up Saco Island Deli for the Press Herald's Eat and Run review. "I had The Mainah sandwich, which was pan-seared chicken breast, crispy bacon, Cabot cheddar cheese, shredded romaine lettuce and maple aioli on a crusty roll, for $8.49. The chicken was cut in thick slices, piled high, and the bacon was especially crisp. The maple aioli was perfect – not too sweet. And the roll was thick and dense, but a little fluffy." [PPH]

The Booze, Fish & Coffee podcast/blog pulled off "The Italian Job" this week. From the synopsis: "This week the lads give you the full report on the new Italian family-style restaurant Piccolo. Next, they count down the top 5 things to get at Micucci's Italian grocery in Portland. And finally, for your beverage selection this week, they talk Italian reds." [BFC]
· All Week in Reviews [~EMAINE~]
Los Tapatios. [Photo: Facebook]