Fromviandoux Gets Four Stars; Enoteca Athena; More

Despite the menage-a-trois gone weird of French culinary terms used to create its name, Fromviandoux in Camden is worth a visit, according to Nancy Heiser's Maine Sunday Telegram review. It's a place where "understated elegance prevails," and she gives it four stars (out of a possible five), though with the disclaimer that it's not a place for big eaters.

The food follows the modern premise: Uncluttered, arty plates with tastes of charcuterie, cheese, and this and that. Diners who like a big entree to sink into, who crave a three-napkin, lick-your-fingers dinner, will be downright unhappy.

A few of the small plates that Heiser enjoyed were house-cured salmon served with cucumber-avocado relish and lime creme fraiche, pan-roasted scallops with diced potatoes and a lemon-pepper vinaigrette, and a warm duck confit salad. Service was also excellent: "Our primary waitress described the nuances among several cheeses on the menu. When I picked out a wine, she knew a little of its backstory." [MST]

Self-described "avid wine swiller" Katy Kelleher finds herself a gem in Enoteca Athena in Brunswick, which she reviewed for Maine magazine's Eat Maine blog. She finds that the "little sister" of Trattoria Athena is a casual wine bar with a playful take on Greek and Italian cuisine featuring items like Greek nachos. "While the wine takes center stage for me, as perhaps it should, the food left nothing lacking. And thanks to a huge glass window and a cheerful, open interior, this is a perfect place to gather with a few coworkers and friends for after-work wine and dressed-up nachos." [Eat Maine]

Comida Latin Kitchen in Camden has "the best Mexican food I've had in Maine," writes John Golden in his Golden Dish blog. Chef Tom Sigler's small spot charms the figurative pants off Golden. On the mojo pork flautas: "It was authentic, simple and utterly flavorful like the best of Latin home cooking honed by an abuela in the kitchen practicing generational standards and techniques."

Golden also reviewed a few suburban eateries. He has breakfast at Jack's Place in Windham and says "it's better than run-of-the-mill, but only if you're really famished and any kind of grub will do the dirty." He's more impressed with Rose's Old World Restaurant and Pizzeria, also in Windham: "I would go there again if I were asked. As this kind of cuisine goes, it's Mama Mia heaven." He also finds things to like at Blue Burrito in Westbrook: "I don't know who's doing the cooking but it's respectable." [TGD]

Cia's Cafe in South Portland received four stars from the Press Herald's anonymous Eat and Run reviewer. "The chicken salad sandwich was simple and fresh, and there was something about it that really gave off that homemade vibe -- I felt like I was in my own kitchen eating a sandwich I'd made myself." [PPH]

Claire Jeffers implores readers to check out the new Portland & Rochester Public House in Bayside in the Press Herald's Bar Guide. "Starting with the long chalkboard attached to the front of the building as you walk in, which boasts oysters, trout, burgers and soups, and the door that's propped open inviting your patronage, you'll feel as though you've been whisked away to a quaint seaside hamlet in Ireland." [PPH]

From the Bloggers:
· The (207) Foodie declares "Otto is the best pizza that I've ever had."
Fromviandoux. [Photo: Facebook]