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Updating the Eater Maine Heatmap, July 2014

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More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have one question: Where should I eat right freaking now? Restaurant obsessives want to know what's new, what's hot. And while the Eater 18 is a crucial resource covering old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the state, it is not a chronicle of the 'it' places of the moment. Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change continually to always highlight where the crowds are flocking to at the moment. This month, we say goodbye to Timber, Miyake DIner, and Small Axe Truck, and we add Slab, Thurston's Wicked Good Burgers, and Anju Noodle Bar.

Did we miss your personal favorite blisteringly hot restaurant? By all means, let us know in the comments. Know of a hot upcoming opening? Hit up the tipline. The anonymous tip form is also there for all forms of correspondence.



12/6/12 Added: Gather, Yarmouth; Tao, Brunswick; Zen Bistro, Buck's Naked BBQ and David's Opus Ten, Portland.
1/3/13 Added: Otto (Arts District), Portland
2/7/13 Added: Owen's Farmhouse, Kennebunk
4/4/13 Added: In'finiti Fermentation & Distillation, The North Point, Little Tap House, Blue Rooster Food Co.,
7/11/13 Added: David's KPT, Hugo's, Seabright
8/1/13 Added: Portland & Rochester Public House, MJ's Wine Bar
9/5/13 Added: Elsmere BBQ & Wood Grill, Salvage BBQ, Boone's Fish House & Oyster Room, Portland Hunt & Alpine Club
10/3/13 Added: Piccolo, Empire Chinese Kitchen, b.good
11/7/13 Added: Seaport Fish and Orchid Thai
12/5/13 Added: Verve and Otto (South Portland)
1/2/14 Added: Top of the East and Vinland
2/6/14 Added: Central Provisions, Miyake Diner, Blaze (Bangor)
3/6/14 Added: Easy Day
4/3/14 Added: Mill 67, Palace Diner and Fresh
5/1/13 Added: Ebenezer's Brew Pub and Small Axe Truck
6/5/14 Added: Lolita Vinoteca + Asador and Timber Steakhouse and Rotisserie
7/3/14 Added: Slab, Thurston's Wicked Good Burgers, Anju Noodle Bar

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Slab Sicilian Street Food

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It's finally here: Named for the famous one-pound "slabs" of pizza created by co-owner Stephen Lanzalotta, Slab also comes equipped with a huge beer garden and impressive draft list. Take-out and delivery options also available.

Palace Diner

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Chad Conley and Greg Mitchell reopened Maine's oldest diner, keeping the classic feel while elevating the menu with scratch-made diner standards, like corned beef that's brined and braised in-house using local, grass-fed beef.

Mill 67

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Situated in the renovated Sanford Mill overlooking the Mousam River, Mill 67 offers a locally-focused menu of gourmet pub food in an industrial-chic setting. It gives the unheralded Sanford dining scene an exciting new option.

Anju Noodle Bar

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Owners Gary Kim and Julian Armstrong borrowed kitchen space from The Black Birch to start Son-Mat Foods, which makes kim-chi now carried in Whole Foods. Their follow-up, a traditional noodle bar, is the latest worthy addition to the booming Kittery Foreside neighborhood, where hearty bowls of ramen pair beautifully with a variety of house-made kim-chi.

Vinland

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David Levi's restaurant is taking local to a whole new level. The food is 100% locally sourced, organic and gluten-free. That means there are no kitchen staples like black pepper, olive oil or lemons. There are creative, beautiful plates served from the open kitchen.
Spiritual successor to Bar Lola, slightly more casual Lolita Vinoteca + Asador has locals eager to stop in for a drink or snack without committing to an entire multi-course meal. The venture is a partnership between Guy and Stella Hernandez and Neil Reiter. Local sourcing, wood-fired grill, "Ferrari-red slicer;" need we say more?

Central Provisions

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Chris Gould's brand new Old Port spot features a wide-ranging small plates menu, pre-Prohibition cocktails, an impressive wine program and local craft beers on tap, all in a beautifully renovated space that captures the character of the historic building in which it resides.
During the off-season, chef Steve Steeves and his wife bought and renovated the waterfront restaurant. The revamped and reinvigorated menu has Mediterranean and Balkan influences and showcases fresh, local ingredients.

Thurston's Wicked Good Burgers

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A pet project of longtime KFC and Taco Bell franchisee Frederick R. Thurston, this new burger joint is getting plenty of positive attention from sources as surprising as reviewer John Golden. The refrain from fans: “Come for the burger, stay for the frozen custard.”

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Slab Sicilian Street Food

It's finally here: Named for the famous one-pound "slabs" of pizza created by co-owner Stephen Lanzalotta, Slab also comes equipped with a huge beer garden and impressive draft list. Take-out and delivery options also available.

Palace Diner

Chad Conley and Greg Mitchell reopened Maine's oldest diner, keeping the classic feel while elevating the menu with scratch-made diner standards, like corned beef that's brined and braised in-house using local, grass-fed beef.

Mill 67

Situated in the renovated Sanford Mill overlooking the Mousam River, Mill 67 offers a locally-focused menu of gourmet pub food in an industrial-chic setting. It gives the unheralded Sanford dining scene an exciting new option.

Anju Noodle Bar

Owners Gary Kim and Julian Armstrong borrowed kitchen space from The Black Birch to start Son-Mat Foods, which makes kim-chi now carried in Whole Foods. Their follow-up, a traditional noodle bar, is the latest worthy addition to the booming Kittery Foreside neighborhood, where hearty bowls of ramen pair beautifully with a variety of house-made kim-chi.

Vinland

David Levi's restaurant is taking local to a whole new level. The food is 100% locally sourced, organic and gluten-free. That means there are no kitchen staples like black pepper, olive oil or lemons. There are creative, beautiful plates served from the open kitchen.

Lolita

Spiritual successor to Bar Lola, slightly more casual Lolita Vinoteca + Asador has locals eager to stop in for a drink or snack without committing to an entire multi-course meal. The venture is a partnership between Guy and Stella Hernandez and Neil Reiter. Local sourcing, wood-fired grill, "Ferrari-red slicer;" need we say more?

Central Provisions

Chris Gould's brand new Old Port spot features a wide-ranging small plates menu, pre-Prohibition cocktails, an impressive wine program and local craft beers on tap, all in a beautifully renovated space that captures the character of the historic building in which it resides.

Fresh

During the off-season, chef Steve Steeves and his wife bought and renovated the waterfront restaurant. The revamped and reinvigorated menu has Mediterranean and Balkan influences and showcases fresh, local ingredients.

Thurston's Wicked Good Burgers

A pet project of longtime KFC and Taco Bell franchisee Frederick R. Thurston, this new burger joint is getting plenty of positive attention from sources as surprising as reviewer John Golden. The refrain from fans: “Come for the burger, stay for the frozen custard.”