So the food impressed. Chef et al.’s fate, however, will largely depend upon the public’s reaction to its location and slightly odd building (an old automechanic's, now colored dulce de leche inside and out). That USM neighborhood is populated by students, who are basically still kids, and people who are raising kids of their own. Each group probably cares less about how elegant a room looks than the childless adults downtown they sandwich demographically. Chef et al. offers the first good elegant meal in their neighborhood. Students, teachers (including professors), and restaurant workers get sizeable discounts after 10, which is a good idea. If it is to flourish as a neighborhood place, it would really help to find a way to knock about $4 off the entrée prices (and see the profits from the bar tick up?).
Brian Duff can be reached atbduff@une.edu.
Related:
Letters to the Portland editor: September 22, 2006, Letters to the Portland Editor, May 5, 2006, Bright flavors, More 
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Topics:
Restaurant Reviews
, Culture and Lifestyle, Food and Cooking, Foods, More
, Culture and Lifestyle, Food and Cooking, Foods, Fruits and Vegetables, Desserts, Lisa Loeb, University of Southern Maine, Clark Frasier, CHEF ET AL, CHEF ET AL, Less
