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New England

International restaurants in New England

  1. A

    Ten Tables

    True to its name, this gem has only 10 tables (you’ll need to reserve one of them). The emphasis here is on simplicity – appropriate for a restaurant that specializes in traditional cooking techniques. The menu is short but changes frequently to highlight local, organic produce, handmade pastas, fresh seafood and homemade sausages.

    reviewed

  2. Chef’s Table

    As home to one of the country’s finest cooking schools, the New England Culinary Institute, Montpelier is an excellent place to stop for a meal. NECI runs three restaurants in town. Since this upstairs, upscale restaurant is run by second-year NECI students, the food is generally somewhat more accomplished than at the Main St Bar & Grill. Specials change nightly but you’ll usually find some variant of veal chops, lamb dishes and rosemary-seared swordfish.

    reviewed

  3. Elements

    The setting in a former mill complements the novel menu, which uses local ingredients whenever possible. Try the polenta lasagna with eggplant over roasted vegetables, or trout cakes with tomato jam, wasabi and crème fraîche. Try to share so that you sample several dishes. Dried cranberries go into the cornbread pudding for dessert – a unique treat. Almost everything is made on the premises.

    reviewed

  4. B

    Blue Room

    Staff at the Blue Room takes pride in the restaurant's reliance on organic farms and 'mom-and-pop purveyors' as the source of produce and meats. They use them to create a menu that is constantly changing according to what's in season and fresh, but is always innovative and delicious. One of Cambridge's top-rated restaurants, the Blue Room still manages to maintain a casual, comfortable atmosphere.

    reviewed

  5. C

    Salts

    Come to Salts for a practically perfect dining experience, where the décor is elegant, but not stuffy, the waitstaff is attentive but not overbearing. And the food… the food is simple but utterly sublime. The French influenced menu changes frequently, but it always features the specialty cider-glazed roasted duck, a divine experience for two.

    reviewed

  6. D

    Ten Tables 2

    True to its name, this gem has only 10 tables (you’ll need to reserve one of them). The emphasis is on simplicity – appropriate for a restaurant that specializes in traditional cooking techniques. The menu is short but changes frequently to highlight local, organic produce, handmade pastas, fresh seafood and homemade sausages.

    reviewed

  7. E

    Vee Vee

    Vee Vee stands for Valachovic, the last name of the two creative genii behind this sweet spot on Centre St. The decor is minimalist and modern, but nothing too trendy for granola-loving Jamaica Plain. The menu is limited to seafood and vegetarian items, with the occasional meat special, but the focus is always on fresh and local.

    Veggies: come on Wednesday for a $25 three-course prix-fixe bargain.

    reviewed

  8. F

    Fore Street

    Still one of Portland’s best restaurants, award-winning Fore Street has a dining room of airy, exposed-brick and pine-paneling that faces an open kitchen. Owner and chef Sam Hayward has made apple-wood grilling and roasting his forte. The menu changes nightly, and features the best seasonal fruits of the land and sea.

    reviewed

  9. Solo Bistro

    This stylish, fairly new restaurant serves a small selection of expertly prepared dishes that change seasonally. Start off with a fresh goat cheese and tomato salad, followed by risotto or pan-seared wild salmon then raspberry cheesecake for dessert. The downstairs wine bar hosts live jazz and other events.

    reviewed

  10. Arrows

    One of the best restaurants in this part of Maine, Arrows features imaginative dishes such as herb-coated yellowfin tuna with Maine clams, potato pierogi and crispy prosciutto (that’s one dish). Arrows is 4 miles west of Ogunquit; reservations and jackets for men are recommended.

    reviewed

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  12. Gypsy Sweethearts

    In the heart of town, Gypsy Sweethearts serves unique dishes such as lobster quesadilla, cranberry-marinated pork tenderloin and sea scallops with tropical fruit compote. It’s set in a cozy dining room, with an outdoor deck for warm evenings.

    reviewed

  13. Gypsy Café

    This charming little café serves an eclectic assortment of cuisine from around the world. Favorite dishes include hummus, falafel sandwiches, pesto pasta and piping hot enchiladas. In the midst of a relative culinary void, this is a gem.

    reviewed

  14. G

    Poor Boy’s

    This locally owned favorite spreads an enormous menu of lobster, grilled fish and chicken dishes, roast meats, pastas, salads and a dozen desserts. It’s good value, and the quality is generally high.

    reviewed

  15. H

    Sonsie

    Upstairs, Sonsie is a trendy spot that continues to attract devotees with its interesting, eclectic menu, not to mention the eye candy that patronizes the place. Tiny, cafe-style tables are crammed into the front of the restaurant, offering a fabulous view through French windows onto Newbury St.

    If you're not into the scene, descend into the Wine Room @ Sonsie for a wonderful selection of wine, and bartenders that really know their stuff.

    reviewed

  16. Black Trumpet Bistro

    Chef-driven and oozing sophisticated ambience, Portsmouth's top bistro whips up inventive dishes like baharat-crusted dayboat scallops over whipped parsnips and olive oil cake with tiramisu and brandy espresso. Fab food, high energy and high-decibel levels.

    reviewed

  17. I

    Trident Booksellers & Café

    Is Trident a bookstore with an amazingly eclectic menu or a cafe with a super selection of reading material? The collection of books is wide but leans toward political and New Age themes. The food menu is equally varied, ranging from the comforting (muffins, soups, smoothies) to the daring (spinach arancini or rice balls, Tibetan dumplings). Vegetarians rejoice over the vegan cashew chili.

    reviewed