Portland Restaurant: Beast

Up until last Friday, the best meal I had ever eaten at a restaurant was the press dinner I was (probably accidentally) invited to at Craigie on Main last spring. I feasted on squid, eel, crispy pig's tails, perfectly cooked scallops, a bourbon ice torte with bacon crust, hot chocolate with cardamom and homemade almond roca.

After the dinner, I got home and called all my friends, spellbound over the meal I had just eaten. Could it get any better than Tony Maws? I didn't think so.

But then Doug surprised me with one of the best birthday presents ever: dinner at Naomi Pomeroy's Beast. And it was wonderful. Amazing. Spectacular.

I don't like to be on blogger duty during special meals like that one, so I don't have any photos from the evening, but I will share that night's menu as well as the advice to go to Beast if you can. Guaranteed it will be one of best meals you've ever had. It certainly was for me.

 BEAST'S MENU FOR FRIDAY, SEPT 23:

End of Summer Tomato-Thyme Soup

Charcuterie Plate:

Foie-Gras Bon-Bon, Sauternes Geleé

Chicken Liver Mousse, Leaf Lard Cracker

Pork Rillettes En Croute

Steak Tartare, Quail Egg Toast

Sweet Sopressata

Lava Lake Lamb Loin Chop

Eggplant, Pepper, & Sheep Cheese Tian

Basil & Mint Sauce Vert

Veal & Duck Demi-Glace

Seared Giant Scallop

Ribbons Of Early Fall Vegetables

Lobster Aioli

Cheeses From Steve At Cheese Bar

Armagnac Poached Prune, Fried Almonds

Cardamom Shortbread

Pistachio Pots De Crème

Huckleberry Gelee

Smoked Salt Tuille