
Jing Yay Tavern, 90 Congress Street, on Munjoy Hill Recognized by YANKEE Magazine for Its Distinctive Repuation in the Area.

Cong Tu Bot, 57 Washington Avenue, in the Historic J. J. Nissan Building. Formerly, it was a Bakery That Employed Many on Munjoy Hill – Back in the Day.
YANKEE Magazine, the prestigious monthly publication that chronicles the northeast, has applauded three east end restaurants for more than upholding Portland’s reputation as a “foodie beacon” – in its current March-April issue that is still on newstands in Portland.
The first of three to be applauded is Jing Yan Tavern, 90 Congress Street. Almost four years old, this Asian inspired venue has an interesting history of its own. It also occuies the space of a former Spanish bisro. For more backgroud information, please visit posts herein dated November 17, 2020 and November 16, 2013.
The second restaurant from the east end of Portland to be so-honored is Cong Tu Bot, 57 Washington Avenue. It likewise serves an Asian cuisine for which it is highly regarded. It is located in the historic J. J. Nissen (Bakery) Building, 75 Washington Avenue, which houses a variety of specialty shops and tasting rooms that are giving the Exchange Street shoppig district some serious competition.. For more background information on this history of the landmark bulding in the east end of Portland, please visit post herein dated July 11, 2018. .
The third and maybe the best known restaurant on Munjoy Hill recognized in the YANKEE magazine blurb is the Front Room, located at 73 Congress Street.
The Front Room is a very popular neighborhood restaurant with patrons coming from all over southern Maine to enjoy its good food and warm hospitality. It is the creation of Chef Harding Lee Smith who converted a large storage bin into the first of his series of restaurant “rooms” in Portland. It’s also the only one of the three restaurants at which this blogger has eaten. So, I highly recommend its fresh salmon. For more background information, please read posts herein dated January 9, 2010 and August 9, 2023.
“Maine’s biggest city has long been seen as a foodie beacon and the MunjoyHill/East End neighborhood more than upholds that reputation….” The YANKEE blurb also acknowledges views of Casco Bay as the backdrop for some of the city’s best food trucks.
When you’ve got recognition like ths from YANKEE, who needs the James Beard’s Awards? I can say that because my late first cousin was Beard’s editor for his cookbooks!