188 Middle Street
Portland, ME 04101
Cumberland County
Phone: (207) 773-6422
Fax: unknownWebsite: Visit our websiteEmail: no email on fileHours: unknown
by Sage P. on STK was cool a few years ago, but now it's kind of been taken over by the B&T meatpacking crowd. I came here most recently for a law event, and have to admit it's so much better for a private party (but then, what isn't?). The food is very good- considering the amount of people there, they managed to cook the skirt steak through almost equally. The mac and cheese and creamed spinach were also really good. There was nothing super memorable about any of it though. The setup is pretty cool, leather seats and pretty large space. Still, there is nothing to ever bring me back here again since I am not in the market to socialize with meatheads.
by Justin K. on Sometimes you don't go for the food -- you go for the atmosphere. At least that's what I told myself when the server handed me some unrecognizable food compressed into a lard puck (I mean burger) and lard rings (onion rings, of course.) While we were dining, we noticed a group of European tourists who somehow ended up at the Varsity - probably on recommendation from an Atlantan, as the Varsity and Coke World seem to be on everyone's Oh-Crikey-Aunt-Martha's-here-from-Baltimore-how-sh ould-we-entertain-her list. At first I considered advising the Europeans to go elsewhere. "Don't judge our cuisine by the Varsity -- this isn't a good representation of American food," I wanted to say. I considered directing them to a bistro or some place that served California fare -- anywhere less larded than the Varsity. Then I realized that for better or for worse, the Varsity is a good snippet of Americana. It's not representative, really, of our day to day meals. But it offers a little wisp of that American essence -- that story line we like to tell about ourselves. The Varsity is not healthy. It's not glamorous. It's not especially delicious. But the Varsity is the kind of no-frills restaurant that always serves comforting, if artery-clogging food. The Varsity is the kind of place that's always there for you. So even though I hardly ever visit the Varsity (or places like it) -- I'm glad they're around. And when I go, it's not so much the gourmet fries I'm after -- it's the feeling and the atmosphere. And I can say it should really be on anyone's Atlanta to-do list. Just don't expect to find anything too healthy.
