Two Portland eateries have been named to the New York Times’ list of its 50 favorite restaurants of the year.
Leeward, which was chosen as a James Beard Award semifinalist in the “best new restaurant category” this year, made the list this year, as well as Twelve, which opened in July on Thames Street.
Leeward, which opened in March 2020 on Free Street, was praised for its versatile approach to both summer staples and dishes that stray from the typical tastes associated with Maine seafood.
“The owners, Raquel and Jake Stevens (who is also the chef), have managed to capture the essence of a season on the water, where everything feels like golden hour,” NYT Cooking contributor Tanya Sichynsky wrote.
Twelve made the list for its straight-laced, no-nonsense approach to its prix-fixe menu. Sichynsky noted that for chef Colin Wyatt, the “deliciousness is in the details” of his highly-structured menus.
Regards, another Portland eatery that opened this year, was chosen as one of Bon Appetit’s top 50 new restaurants in the nation in early September.
