Press Chickn Sandwich Served with French Fries with a Liner from the “Portland Press Herald”du Jour.

Executive Chef Josh Berry Dices and Slices the “Portland Press Herald” to be Used as a Liner for French Fries Served to a Guest. .

The Dining Area is a Tasteful Blend of Contemporary Design with Rustic Touches;  A Nice View of Street Traffic for People Watchers.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,305)

The Press Chicken Sandwich at the new UNION Restaurant is wonderful.  Although mhn.com is not a food critic (just ask Chef Harding L. Smith of Boone’s), this blogger does know a great sandwich when served one! A house sauce that was tangy and savory was apparent in the sandwich and added flavor that complimented the chicken perfectly.  French fries that were great were a side dish. Notable and a touch of irony not lost on this blogger was the use of a scrap of the “Portland Press Herald” as a dish liner for the delicious French fries.  An additional use found for our daily newspaper – that can only be a good thing for the publisher of our  daily newspaper. With a declining circulation, maybe it will become a new marketing strategy for restaurants and retail stores in the Old Port –  inspired by the fish and chips model.  .  That marketing strategy could offset the declining circulation of the paper and buy it more time.

The wait staff was very professional and attentive.  The cost of the meal was $18.00 plus a tip.  That included a diet soda. The luncheon menu is small, but will be expanding in the coming days. Some dishes are being experimented with and adjusted to peoples‘ tastes. MHN.com was assured that this chicken sandwich is a keeper and will stay on the luncheon menu. That’s good news! Furthermore, Executive Chef Berry, a Maine native, who is very accessible in the nearby kitchen, is particularly dedicated  to using local food sources wherever possible.

The irony of course is that the newly opened UNION restaurant is sited in the new “Press Hotel” in downtown Portland.  The building is the former newsroom offices for the “Portland Press Herald” during  better days.  It’s clear though that the UNION is a restaurant in a hotel – not a hotel with a restaurant.  Jim Brady owns The Press Hotel.

Meredith Goad, food writer for the “Portland Press Herald” –  Eat Your Heart Out – this lowly blogger  scooped you but good!  (Some people just don’t have a sense of humor.)