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Updating the Eater Maine Heatmap, May 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 Top of the East and Blaze, and we add Small Axe Truck and Ebenezer's Brew Pub.

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

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Ebenezer's Brew Pub

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Chris Lively's revamp and rebrand of the Lion's Pride (the sister pub of the renowned Ebenezer's Pub in Lovell) has beer aficionados pumped, as it now pours the brews of the new and attached Lively Brewing Company. An elevated pub menu accompanies the creative and diverse beers from veteran brewer Michael LaCharite.

Small Axe Truck

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After a winter hibernation, Eater Maine's 2013 Food Truck of the Year from chefs Karl Deuben and Bill Leavy has a prime new location in Congress Square to offer up its scratch-made, locally sourced fare. Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with evening service at the same spot on Wednesday through Friday starting at 5 p.m.

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.

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.

Easy Day

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A bowling alley, restaurant and lounge all in one, this spot offers diners water views. There's a focus on fresh, local ingredients, "Detroit-style" pizza (with the sauce over the toppings and cheese), 10 lanes to bowl and a full bar with a solid draft beer selection.

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.

Miyake Diner

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The original Miyake Food Factory has been reborn as a 16-seat izakaya-style sake bar. With local food celeb Joe Ricchio on the bar most nights and an all-star crew in the kitchen, Masa Miyake's latest venture has generated a huge buzz despite its diminutive size.

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.

Ebenezer's Brew Pub

Chris Lively's revamp and rebrand of the Lion's Pride (the sister pub of the renowned Ebenezer's Pub in Lovell) has beer aficionados pumped, as it now pours the brews of the new and attached Lively Brewing Company. An elevated pub menu accompanies the creative and diverse beers from veteran brewer Michael LaCharite.

Small Axe Truck

After a winter hibernation, Eater Maine's 2013 Food Truck of the Year from chefs Karl Deuben and Bill Leavy has a prime new location in Congress Square to offer up its scratch-made, locally sourced fare. Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with evening service at the same spot on Wednesday through Friday starting at 5 p.m.

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.

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.

Easy Day

A bowling alley, restaurant and lounge all in one, this spot offers diners water views. There's a focus on fresh, local ingredients, "Detroit-style" pizza (with the sauce over the toppings and cheese), 10 lanes to bowl and a full bar with a solid draft beer selection.

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.

Miyake Diner

The original Miyake Food Factory has been reborn as a 16-seat izakaya-style sake bar. With local food celeb Joe Ricchio on the bar most nights and an all-star crew in the kitchen, Masa Miyake's latest venture has generated a huge buzz despite its diminutive size.

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.