Portland restaurant named one of America’s best brunch spots

It seems like every few weeks or so in this blog I’m highlighting the fact that another national magazine or organization has piled accolades onto Portland or one of its many establishments.

Coffee By Design was called one of the country’s 10 “coolest independent coffee shops” by Zagat.com last month, and soon thereafter Draft magazine labeled The Great Lost Bear and Novare Res Bier Cafe two of the nation’s best 100 beer bars.

Now, Travel + Leisure magazine is jumping back into the “praise Portland” fray (last year, Travel + Leisure named the Portland farmers’ market one of the country’s best) by adding the mid-morning meal served by 555 restaurant as one of “America’s Best Brunches.

Here’s what Travel + Leisure writer Joshua Pramis wrote about 555, which is located at 555 Congress St.:

http://www.travelandleisure.com

The vibe at this standout Maine bistro is simultaneously rustic and refined: exposed-brick walls and sleek mahogany wood furniture, with large picture windows lining two walls. Surprisingly for Maine, you won’t find an excess of seafood offerings on the menu, but the food is all locally sourced, so you know it’s über-fresh. Executive chef (and 2007 Food & Wine Best New Chef winner) Steve Corry serves up everything from nostalgia-inducing homemade “Fig Newton” bars to the more traditional hearty steak and eggs, and even an Asian-inspired burger topped with kimchi.

Pramis’ recommended dish? The “Traitor’s Eggs,” a local take on eggs Benedict:

Your poached eggs will be served atop spinach and fresh lobster and, of course, served with hollandaise — but with a crisp, lemony twist to complement the lobster.

Seth Koenig

About Seth Koenig

Seth has nearly a decade of professional journalism experience and writes about the greater Portland region.