Restaurant rec before concert at Merrill

Hi,

A friend and I will be traveling north for the Great Big Sea show next weekend (Sat, Nov 1)and are looking for good dinner recommendations. We will be headed up from CT on Saturday and checking into our hotel (Hampton Inn South Portland) before eating in either our hotel area or near the theater. Looking for moderate prices, no romantic atmosphere needed, seafood would be good, rather avoid chain food restaurants.

Any thoughts on whether it%26#39;s smarter to eat outside Portland and then go in to park somewhere for the show or head into the city, park near the show and find food in that area? I%26#39;m not sure how far our hotel is from the theater or what parking is like in Portland so any tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Jen

Restaurant rec before concert at Merrill

Merrill Auditorium is walking distance from a substantial number of restaurants in the downtown/Old Port area.

I strongly suggest going into Portland rather than eating near your hotel. There is on street parking and municipal lots nearby.

Not sure how you define ';moderate'; but a few good (walking distance) places that come to mind are David%26#39;s in Monument Square and Walter%26#39;s on Exchange St. (Entrees teens/low 20s)

Restaurant rec before concert at Merrill

Thanks! Yes - teens to twenties is in my moderate range.

Jen

P.S. any thoughts on Sebago Brewing Co? Is this a chain?

I don%26#39;t think you can really call Sebago Brewing Company a chain. It does have three locations, but the menus aren%26#39;t exactly the same and it%26#39;s not like the locations look exactly the same. I do like the South Portland place for dinner. Sebago Brewing is a microbrewery and I love a lot of their beers. Boathouse Brown Ale is probably my favorite. Food is fairly typical of a brewpub and is pretty good. Their onion rings are particularly good. They do have an online menu, which may help you decide.

Sebago Brewing Co. has some OK food options but I think of it as more of a burger at lunch kind of place.

If you%26#39;re looking for a pub atmosphere consider Bull Feeney%26#39;s...more reliable food options and fun place.

Thanks so much to both of you for the info!