John, Right on I agree We eat out to have something new and special.
My wife is a great cook so you look for that special meal when your spending all these bucks today.
We finally got to go to 555 for the first time. After hearing and reading all the hype we were looking forward to the dinner.
Well I have to say it was ordinary.
When I order steak at a restaurant it means that nothing else looked good to me.
And we had steak and scallops.
Both very well done but nothing special.
Why don't the local chefs do more special dishes with lobester?
You are so right we need more choices.

Bernie

John,

Your a name-dropping insecure little man, (aka, blogger) and some of your comments about portland dining are totally ridiculous and based not on orginal thought, but conformity. You are the one who should bring something new to the table, or 86 yourself and go back to the hamptons.

And Happy Holidays to you too. In my pretensious little world, at least when we insult we do it out in the open. Hiding behind an email account is in really bad taste.

I agree with John on this one. I wish more restaurants would vary their menus. I like the food at Ribollita, and would probably eat there more often, but they haven't changed their menu in years.

I love the idea of a set menu or a seasonal menu with nightly or even weekly specials.

I'm torn between going somewhere to get that one thing I always love and going out on the town for something entirely new and exciting.

It's not difficult to offer both.

I was wondering if anyone has seen the new website www.eatmeportland.com.

It is a blog site but laid out much better and well written. The ladies are definately "foodies with pens" but think there comment are more fair and understanding of how a restaurant opperates.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

James - I checked out that blog. I seee that they're featuring a very positive write-up about your restaurant. No wonder you like it! What, John doesn't give you enough love on this blog?!!?! :-) Seriously, though, some of their write-ups are interesting, and I'm glad they actually say critical things in some posts (but not in the Uffa post). I like John's style better, but I wish he'd go back to the pull-no-punches approach that he had before this year. Much more entertaining and believable!!

It is a little disturbing that James (the owner of Uffa) would give such a rave review to a website the gives him such a glowing review.

It is also a little difficult to take serious James' advice on how well written the site is when he managed to spell "operates" and "definitely" wrong, and managed to confuse "there" with "their".

While the website has some interesting points, they do not seem to discuss food in much detail. It appears to be a place to diss the servers in the city that they do not like – while that is an admirable goal - I think a little discussion of actual food would be nice.

I think you took it a little to literally. I, for the most part receive great reviews. My staff and I work hard for them.
I was just curious if anyone had seen it. People on this site talk a lot about infrequent post here. It appeared that eatmeportland.com was more regular. Maybe to soon to tell.
Whether it's John’s blog, eatme's blog or any of the other ones I read, I find it to be a very interesting this new media that is developing. I'm amazed at site's like city search (warning people say nice things about us there too) it is good to see John Q Public is really having a voice. I thing it will help the hospitality business.

James

P.S. I spelled checked this for you. Now just rip me on grammar

Aha, so our new blog, eatmeportland.com, has been picked up here on Food for Thought.

I am grateful that our site is being discussed at all. However, I take exception to the assertion that our goal is to "diss the servers". The objective of eatmeportland.com is to share and discuss our *experiences* in Portland restaurants.

To me, food and service are equally essential elements of dining out.

It seems to me that restaurant reviews frequently pay not enough attention to service. Perhaps if they did, I wouldn't have so many bad experiences to write about on eatmeportland.com.

I will certainly aim in future reviews to provide more equal billing to food. But I make no apologies for giving some much needed airtime to service.

Criticizing spelling and grammar in responses to blog posts is just plain petty and mean. And there's complete transparency in Chef James's promotion of www.eatmeportland.com; he could easily have posted using a pseudonym.

By the way, I think www.eatmeportland.com is doing a wonderful job. It seems quite balanced and thoughtful.

Tom,

Why would I use a pseudonym? I'm proud of who I am and what I accomplished. Personally, I think it is a shame that people have the option to rip apart or try to destroy someone's business, all while hiding behind screen names. Like you, I leave my name. I never have hid who I am nor will I. And let face it, as cool as this blog is or as interesting as eatmeportland is they are not going to fill my restaurant. That is the job for my staff and me to accomplish. Plus, it is Christmas to New Year's I am sold out anyways. Yeah, a Febuary review is helpful, in a newpaper, but not a review in the midst of your crazy season does little.

My original post just asked, “ if anyone had seen that new site?” A guest e-mailed me and told me about it. I never heard of the site, so I thought I would share it in this forum, to give all the people here another option to share thoughts about food in Portland. Also, most of you added comments to that site show your interest in it.

It is that simple.

Merry Christmas all you diners and have a Happy New Year.

I didn't really mean to be criticizing Chef James. I think it's great that he posts his comments on this blog, and I don't think he really meant to be self-promoting when he gave the link to eatmeportland.com. So let's just end that discussion right now, 'kay?

I had Ejohnson in mind when I was writing, Veronica, not you. Your comment seemed good natured and slightly teasing. Okay. Next topic.

someone told me once, "a chef is only as good as his spelling is bad" dont let them get you down james....you shouldnt have to explain yourself.

god brings meat, the devil brings cooks

Ejohnson-what makes you so perfect?
James is a chef, and not a english major. Sorry, but you are so rude. Are you now correcting papers written by Chef's? You must have a lot of time to be prove your perfection!

Ezyjonsan "n" Don Goldfinger should create an island where everything is perfect, and they can wave their little magic wands in the air to make their perfect little island mistake free. Of course no human will inhabit this island, due to the fact that humans make mistakes. So they will build a robot army to populate there kindom(haha Ezyjonsan look a typo ohhhhh, whip out your red maker)....excuse me where was I....oh yes. In this kindom when the robots flip a switch or cut a wire(thus enabling a mishap), Ezyjonsan and Don Goldfinger have the robot melted down into gold which they have molded into diva crowns that are placed upon their heads(since they are kings of course). Now if any human should ever DARE come in contact with their Island they have dubbed ISlE 'O' PERFECTATRONIUMELITIST. They shall have them captured, marinated in lavender, and rosebud for 24 hours before they grill them outside in the bitter cold(a cold mind you that much resembles their petty little hearts and souls). After that they complain about how salty the dish was, and bitch about It back and forth on the internet. So my little boys have you noticed all my typos? Since I just wrote off the hook for the past five minutes? I'm sure you'll get really frustrated, take It out on your spouse. Then write some silly little comment back which really won't offend me. Let's say this....How about a duel or we can walk ten paces behind each others backs. Since you insist on acting like children. I'll just go get little blue bonnets for both of you. No wait I know let's have a fistfight down on the wharf with people screaming your names since thats what you really need in life is recognition. Please give me a reason to write more! Really please I have nothing better to do........................................I'm totally serious I'm just lounging around eatin grapes stuffed with blue cheese thinking of ways to be totally ridiculous and petty to my fellow man. Hey here's something to think about your not in a sandbox outside of Afghanistan starving. Or a scared child running from gunfire. So how about you try to relax and enjoy life a little. Maybe...I don't know donate some selfish time to a charity.I have plenty of time to waste on you two little wittle boys!

Ejohnson is a tool!Get over yourself!

So, Restaurant Oolong is becoming Top Chops? This is the link you get when you try to go to their website. http://www.topchops.com/
Just called and they said they were closed for "renovations."

paul russel is a moron

Eatmeportland.com was a useless blog and I'm glad it's finally gone!

Yep, Oolong is done. There is a full page ad on the back of the Phoenix for the new restaurant. What a terrible name, Portland's, and an awful 80's logo. Portland's? Where do you want to eat tonight? Oh, let's go to Portland's. Sounds more like a diner. I know they needed to change the formula there but they better have some good steak to compete with The Keg Steakhouse when that arrives.

Also, Quizno's in Monument Square closed tonight. That is what you called letting the people speak instead of making stupid bans on chains. Now Henry VIII's, who is the best sandwich shop basically ever, is going to start franchising himself. Oh wait, I guess he's not welcome here anymore than.

I somewhat agree with Dominic. Oolong's replacement is going to have to work hard to compete in Portland as a steakhouse. However, I don't think it was the "formula" that was wrong with Oolong - it was nice to have something new and a little different in Portland - it was just that the execution of Oolong's was off. The food sounded great but was often poorly conceived. Furthermore, the prices were higher than what was really deserved. I am not sure that changing the formula will change any of that.
I am always amazed that restaurateurs are always willing to risk large amounts of money opening a restaurant and feel comfortable with inflated prices and no clientele (which loses you money) but are not willing to risk deflated prices and lots of clientele (which loses you less money and allows you to slowly raise some prices till you’re profitable) To me the second scheme always seems less risky. Perhaps a chef's ego gets in the way.

Dominic is right about Quizno's. The market will always be a better gauge about what works in Portland than the City Council. This is why I have always respected the “Buy Local" campaign, which has always been about advocating for local business and has in fact been against restricting chains in Portland. The council's propositions on this stuff are outrageously complex and counter productive and perpetuate the idea that our local stores cannot compete with national chains, which as Quizno's demonstrates, is not true.

I am sorry to see that eatmeportland.com is off-line. I think that many of us ordinary diners feel the same way about many of the dining choices in the Portland area...many, many choices but there seems to be this underlying theme among the staff that :they are better then the customer" and that "they are doing us a huge favor" by simply taking our order correctly and bringing what we arder to us in a timely, friendly manner. I have experienced this "high & mighty" attitude at Fore Street, Hugo's 555, Street & Compnay, Vignola's, The Front Room, Mimm's, Salt Water Grill, Old Port Sea Grill, and Natasha's. The only places where I have dined and been treated like I mattered in Portland in the past 3 years are Back Bay Grill, Uffa's, Milk Street and Blue Spoon. Why is it so hard to find good food in a comfortable setting with decent service in Portland? AT this point my firneds and I go out of the city to have a great meal. I for one am sorry to see "eatmeportland.com" go away...it possibly would have done some good.

I too am sorry to see that eatmeportland is gone as I thought that they where writing about my own personal experiences here in Portland.
Like Toby, above, I have had the worst service expereinces in Portland over the past 3 - 4 years that I simply have decided to dine outside of the city limits.
I do not expect to be treated like royalty but also, I do not expect to be treated like trash by some military boot wearing, tatooed and pierced high school drop-out who can't even begin to do his or her job adequately. I cannot believe that this is the best that Portland has to offer.
Yes there are some places doing decent food, but mediocre food never makes up for horrible service, and seldomly does fantastic food!!!
Wake up Portland restaurant owners...have any one of you thought about training your floorstaff?
Why can't restaurants like Arrow's, Primo's and Windows come to Portland and show us how it's done?

Hey Sandee why don't you move to North Korea, where all the other communists are. It's good to know there are complete idiots like you out there who judge people on how they appear. Maybe its your negative vibe your giving off, and thats why people treat you like a high maintenance child, cause thats what you are. I hear corporate restaurants make everyone dress and look the same, go and eat there! As for Tobeee your going to experience bad service once and awhile, especially when you put off a bad vibe as well. That website was a cowardly anonymous name caller. Why don't all of you time wasting losers find something better to do. Rather than complain on the internet. I think standing up for yourself when you feel wronged would be better than hiding behind a screen complaining about how your world should be. I think you should go live on the island with Ezyjonson, and Don Goldfinger. Cause your pathetic. Why don't you volunteer down at Preble St., rather than be complete losers on the inernet. Cry babies. Hold on I'll get you your pacifiers for you and dip them in honey before i stick them in your cute little whining mouths.WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, I don't get treated the way I want to all the time. Thats life people have bad days. Accept It, god you live in america, you have everything. When people have everything they get bored. When they get bored they start to complain. When they complain they start up ridiculous blogs. Move to North Korea Babies!!!!

Wake up Sandee your a racist!

I bet that website was yours wasn't It, sure sounds like you. Maybe you should start up a service training company. Than you'll get rich off all of this. Portland restaurant owners will be throwing money at your feet. You should have a tattoo on your head that says "I have a high school diploma but I ain't knowing how to spell TATTOOED".....Idiot!

Check for typo's!

She's racist? Narrow minded, maybe, but not racist.

Portland's will have the same fate as Oolong. This is unfortunate because we could really use a good affordable steakhouse. The reason, Paul J Russell, restauranteur, is an utter moron, with no concept of what people who eat out regularly in Portland want. 36 dollars for a NY Sirloin is not it. Perhaps Paul and Natasha Durham would be good partners! Ripping people off is something they are both adept at.
And by the way, from what I have heard, The Keg is no longer coming to us.

Yes, but what about the $7 fried onion doughnut?!? Surely, you'll want that. Nothing says class like an Outback knockoff.

When you judge someone on how they appear It's just another form of racism....you moron...pardon me, since you want to get technical will say prejudice. Huh=Dumb! Thats you!

By the way I have a typo for Ezyjonson to find. It will give him, and Huh something to do since they have plenty of time to waste.

Mr. Dictionary says:

rac·ism /ˈreɪsɪzəm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[rey-siz-uhm] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

Sandee said:
"military boot wearing, tatooed and pierced high school drop-out"

Now, where is race mentioned in Sandee's post? Not even the color of the ink in the tattoo is mentioned. Classist? Perhaps.. Sterotyping of the workforce? Maybe a smidge..

But, in all of your infinite wisdom, you've only managed to prove that you're more ignorant than she is.

Good on you.

And, btw, I'm not Sandee. Just one of those tattooed, boot wearing miscreants she is attacking. I have my diploma, though.

Wow And It looks like your defending her, In my mind any type of prejudice towards the way you look is a form of racism. Sorry you had to go ahead and show how conformed you are by copying and pasting the definition out of wikipedia, your the ignorant dork.....ohhhhh, I have tattooes, and wear boots also. Try hader next time honey. It's gonna take much more to push any buttons here. If anything I was amused by your little snip back. Very sophomoric....no no wait let me do something for you Mr./Ms. I think I can pull a nice insult by being a complete petty ignorant tattooed military boot wearing high school diploma having conformist....Ignorance 1) is not a lack of knowledge. Stupidity is the lack of knowledge, and is not the fault of the person who is stupid, though stupidity is not a desired trait. Ignorance is only, and should only be, used to describe a "state of being ignorant" or intentionally unaware/uninformed. In short, ignorance is the single most despicable trait a human being can display or be attributed with having. IGNORANCE=EVIL. Not only is it evil, it is also the only evil, and all other forms of evil simply stem from it, and would not be a problem if ignorance were abolished. Therein lies the problem however, since ignorance is not something that can be alleviated by educating the people, for ignorance is a state which a person chooses to live in, is voluntary, and said individual will do whatever they deem necessary to remain in said state. Because their ignorance is in most cases the only comfort these individuals can claim to feel, and will unfortunately not only see to it that they remain in a state of ignorance to the point that they will even extend their state upon others until the entirety of humanity is engulfed in a flood of ignorance. Such will be the downfall of man. For many do, even now, sit in their ignorance, which permeates from them like a never-ending divulgence of apathy and indifference, and no one, not one from the vanguard of humanity, neither politician, nor philosopher, nor philanthropist, nor any who seek for any reason to better mankind, whether of truly genuine motives or for their own gain, or even if they do so only for personal reasons, have, as of yet, set forth any possible solution for most prevalent, nay the only, threat humanity now faces, or will ultimately ever face. Collectively, our ignorance will be the end of us. KNOW THY ENEMY, FOR THEY KNOW YOU. And the only enemy we need fear, is the one we face every morning in the mirror.
Ex: "In debate class Bill lost the debate because he was ignorant in (without knowledge of) that subject." In such a case the term is not pejorative, and may even be used as a self–descriptive term, as in "I am ignorant of (some subject or topic)". Ignorance can also be more than a lack of knowledge.
(pejorative definition) Ignorance 2) is the choice to not act or behave in accordance with regard to certain information in order to suit ones own needs/beliefs."I know better but I choose to ignore that and do/say/act in a way that behooves me."
In politics, it is almost always used as a pejorative label, but some political movements have raised it to an ideal, for instance some peasant and agrarian movements. This is usually simply a rejection of academia and professions and other power structures that assume they are intellectual superiors, that should be accorded deference by others.

Ebenezer Scrooge encounters "Ignorance" and "Want" in A Christmas Carol
In philosophy, the study of ignorance is paired with the study of knowledge, both of which are central to epistemology. Secular philosophies generally condemn ignorance as illustrated in the classic story, A Christmas Carol where the Ghost of Christmas Present reveals to Scrooge the childlike personifications of the major afflictions of the world, Want and Ignorance, and the fact that the latter is more harmful.
In ethics, some thinkers divide ignorance into two kinds: invincible ignorance and vincible ignorance. Invincible ignorance is such that a person can not remove it by diligence reasonable to the circumstance; a person who commits a wrong action does not incur guilt if invincibly ignorant that the act is wrong. Vincible ignorance could have been removed. It may mitigate guilt, but the less the more ignorance was voluntary.
Despite the popular phrase "ignorance is bliss" (coined by Thomas Gray in 1742), most religions are adamant that it does more harm than good. For instance, Islam views ignorance as a particular and unique evil that can and should easily be dispelled: "Seek knowledge, even as far as China." - Muhammad.
In a society with a strong hierarchy or caste system, ignorance of the concerns of those one does not work or deal with directly may aid labour specialization, reduce jealousy and dissent, and otherwise serve the interests of social harmony. In such a society, any mass media tends to be carefully controlled, and inquiry into forbidden knowledge tends to be punished severely.
When cultures meet, ignorance can become particularly dangerous, as one's inability to comprehend the customs of others can lead to offense and thus harm. When Europeans began colonization of North America, there were many incidents in which conflict arose from unintended misunderstandings. There were of course also many bona fide clashes of values and bigotry - a byproduct of ignorance being racism and intolerance.
What is different is by and large seen as dangerous and threatening in animal cognition.
In humans, ignorance of another's lifeways or circumstances, failure to empathize with his or her experience, is cited in political science as one of the most common causes of conflict. Thus to build common experiences, e.g. to plant olive trees in regions where they have been torn up due to conflict, and learn at the same time, is thought to be one of the most effective forms of education and also of peacemaking. Crick's political virtues emphasize this kind of skill and activity where it is difficult or impossible to actually share perspectives.
Ignorance is often misinterpreted as a synonym of Stupidity, and is as thus often taken as an insult, when really it is, in its correct form, not an insult at all but more of a criticism. Hence the derogatory aphorism "You can fix ignorance but you can't fix stupid."
For instance, saying, "I'm not ignorant, i just don't know things," is a prime example of ignorance..............................................................................Now your the idiot, and I'm laughing so f-ing hard that you actually cut, and pasted the definition.....oooohhhhhhh, looks like you got me....Go tattoo poser on your forehead....than you and Sandee can be lovers. Kisses....next time try harder....If you can pull yourself away from Miami Ink that is.....hahahahahahahahahahaha...Loser!...Can't wait wait for what you have in store for me next....with all your cut "n" paste you should have a masters degree in Racism.

EzyJonson check for typo's......Tattooed dictionary carrying nerd who needs to get more boots......check for improper definitions..hahahahahahahahahaha.....you have to know me before you can get the string, to bad you already showed yours.See you on the playground.Kids!

btw I have a diploma though lol bob bff nerd! Defending those who despise you....I mean I'm glad I'm just ignorant...not a slug who sticks up for my oppressor. Hit me with your best shot fire away.....dahnahnahnahnahnahnah

Again, Bravo. Continue to show yourself to be the embodiment of the ignorant fool you try to paint others as.

Rail against me for a cut and paste from Dictionary.com and you post some completely unrelated diatribe from Wikipedia yourself.
And, you rail against Sandee for attacking people and then you attack me. I'm seeing a pattern of hypocrisy here. Only, I never set out to defend her, I was just merely pointing out that you had NO concept of racism and it's obvious that you still don't and you use someone elses words to attack me for YOUR ignorance. Even your attacking me for having tattoos and a healthy intellect, calling me a nerd and a poser, is embodying everything that you copy/pasted from Wikipedia as a way to attack the 'system'(you know, the more coherant parts of your post).

But, it's not nice to taunt those who can't defend themselves, so I'll leave you be. Perhaps you'll leave the keyboard and go and pick up a book on Racism or Ignorance or, better yet, maybe you'll have an original thought to defend yourself rather than just using Wikipedia--which, really, you should have cited that you used it because not doing so and trying to pass of their words as yours is just pathetic.

Someone is actually arguing that racism means just judging someones appearance? You severely diminish the impact of true racism when you just throw the word around. As someone not of the lighter side of the spectrum I say shame on you.

hmmm....... not to interupt, but, I like eggs. Does anyone else like eggs? I thought this was the food blog?

Just to keep this board nominally on topic, I would like to second the belief in the early demise of "Portland's" - my only disagreement is that its fate will come quicker than Oolong's. The last thing Portland needs is an overpriced steakhouse. We already have Twenty Milk Street and I imagine that the food at Portland's will be much worse.

It is telling that the Head Chef is coming from Mim's and Haraseeket, which are two of the worst restaurants in the greater Portland area. I assume Portland's will be no better.
It is unfortunate as it is a great space and a great location.

As someone said before - there is nothing worse than eating Outback steakhouse food at Twenty Milk Street prices.

It should be noted that Portland's "Chef" was only partially responsible for the demise of MIMS. He was the sous chef there under Harding Smith when the place was the hottest thing going and very busy, and he carried on quite capably for a while when Harding opened the Front Room. So you know he has a good background. Most of MIMS problems seem to have come from a crazy owner, Natasha Durham. Does everyone know that Mims is no longer opened for dinner? As for Harrasaket you are so right, very poor. Unless of course you like more vegetables than vodka in your Bloody Mary! The problem with the new Oolong will probably not be the food, but the prices and the moronic owner, whose ego appears taller than the onion donut tower.

Does anyone know if John is going to post again, or has this blog gone the way of From Away?

Joe is a great Chef and a stand-up guy. If anything, he kept Mims going, which in my opinion, was a very difficult thing to do. He never quit, worked his notice and always did a great job faced with what he was given to work with.

If you are not a chef/owner, you have your hands tied. As was his case. You have to build a resume and time at a job that is what sells you when you move. If Mims can't open for dinner it more of an example of how well he did.

He was also the Sous down at Pesce Blue(sp?) in NH. That restaurant received many glowing reviews while he was there. I have cooked many hours (and drank many pints) with Joe. I have learned a thing or two from him: like making salt ovens. He is a great chef and would toast many of chefs, in town, in a one on one competition.

Thanks,

James

P.S. Keep it about food and service no need to get so personal. It is a new year after all.

I think that John Golden is too busy dealing with the fall out from his unethical real estate practices to attend to this blog. If Portland is lucky, he'll be moving on soon.

What happen to the other post about Cape Elizabeth? Say something bad about Jon's business and he pulls it down?

Got to tell you, I was at the Boot and Buckle on Warren Ave the other night. Good music and very polite staff. I was refreshing to be at a bar at close and not be scream at to "Drink them Up" or to step on the sidewalk only to be house down by a water truck. The drinks where very well priced to. Nice place to see live music. The owner was saying how they are mixing up the shows more. Not just country. Sly Chi played that night. It was packed and fun.

Later James

it's funny that this post is called "variety is vital" and we haven't seen a new one in almost 2 monthes.maybe someone else should start one- I wonder how you get this gig with the papers website

I wonder how one gets such a gig, as well. As we've seen, it must not require good writing skills and insightfulness.

James, type in this URL and you can still see the Cape Elizabeth post: http://entertainment.mainetoday.com/dining/diningdiary/2007_01.html

Who knows why it has been removed from the blog index, though...Perhaps the comments were too nasty for MaineToday.com's sensibilities.

Speaking of nasty, I noticed that the person who posted under the name "nyc"with a comment about John's "unethical real estate practices" entered their email address as tammie@maine.rr.com

Maybe that's the same person who posted the nasty personal comments on the now-hidden Cape Elizabeth blog entry.

Anyway, I've been reading this blog almost since it first began, and I have to say that it has gone from being interesting and provocative to just plain boring and repetitive. Seems like John has lost his interest in it. Perhaps it's just as well if this December 06 blog entry turns out to be the last one.

this is dumb stuff

All you troublemakers should look no further than our very own Channel 6 WCSH News and you'll meet the culprits who have tried to destroy our blogger's reputation. I've met them on occasion and they're a slimy couple who think they're important in this two-bit town. They stop at nothing.

Concerned Citizen, would you please elaborate on your reference to WCSH? I've been to their website but found nothing. Did they produce some kind of story?

The story is that they used their public sway in a private matter.

I don't watch WCSH and also looked on their website and found nothing that seemed to be related to this discussion. So who used their public sway in a private matter?

thank you concerned citizen for referring to portland as a "two bit town". I'm sure a lot of readers who are either from here or choose to move here for the quality of life really appreciate your comments. Some of us try make the best of the day- other like to point out what others are doing wrong. Pick your path.

Can we get someone else to write this if John's not going to update in 2 months?

John:
Where are you?

WOW.

I just stumbled onto this morass. How pathetic can a small town and its critics get?

We have here the "Waiting for Guffman" of food criticism.

OH: BTW that steakhouse that occupies Oolong's space?

It's pathetic.

Where's Brett Weir when you need him?

Maybe he should take over this food blog....

At least Brett would post SOMETHING. 3 Months and nothing more than a blank stare back from the screen. The editors of the online paper need to either set a standard as far as a quota for John to write, have someone fill in while he gets his life together or hire someone new all together(maybe the gentleman who writes for the Pheonix?) because this just looks bad.
I don't care if he was relevant to the food scene in the 1970's and 1980's with his writing, but this is just unprofessional. How do you have a featured blog on a meager website and don't update for 3 months?

Here is a little substitute to John.

http://portlandpsst.blogspot.com/

Is that you're writing ej? I just came across that site looking for info on a new restaurat.

Hi Mom. I'm keeping my powder dry, just in case Golden Boy returns from purgatory/hell/wherever he is.

That is known that cash can make us free. But how to act if someone does not have money? The one way only is to try to get the loans and just car loan.

I received 1 st credit loans when I was a teenager and this supported my relatives very much. But, I need the car loan again.