Business Details
30 Years
experience
Award-Winning Wood-Fired Dining in Portland, ME
Since 1996, Fore Street has been a cornerstone of Portland's culinary scene, dedicated to showcasing the finest local ingredients through innovative wood-fired cooking. Our menu evolves daily, reflecting the freshest offerings from regional farmers, fishermen, and foragers, all prepared over an open wood-fired grill or in our custom wood-fired oven. Recognized nationally in Gourmet Magazine's Top Fifty Restaurants and honored with James Beard Foundation awards, our team of experienced chefs and hospitality professionals remains committed to sustainability and excellence.Led by Executive Chef Frederic Eliot and a cadre of skilled culinary experts, we offer a distinctive dining experience centered on craftsmanship, seasonality, and community partnerships. Our historic Old Port District location features a striking brick and soapstone hearth, visible from most tables, creating an atmosphere as memorable as our cuisine.
Services
Dine-In Menu
Bar Service
Private Events
Seasonal Cuisine
Wood-Fired Cooking
Details
- Year established: 1996
Highlights and features
- We source ingredients daily from local farmers, fishermen, and foragers
- Our wood-fired cooking techniques enhance natural flavors uniquely
- Award-winning team with James Beard Foundation recognition
- Historic brick and soapstone hearth creates distinctive dining atmosphere
- Menu changes daily to showcase seasonal Maine ingredients
What people say
Wood-fired flavors
Seasonal menu creativity
Award-winning service
Local ingredient focus
Unique hearth cooking
Services
Dine-In Menu
Our ever-changing menu features dishes crafted from daily-sourced local ingredients. Prepared over wood-fired grills and in custom ovens, each meal highlights seasonal produce, seafood, and meats. The dining room offers views of our signature hearth cooking area.
Bar Service
The bar offers curated wine selections and craft cocktails alongside small plates from our wood-fired kitchen. Bar Coordinator Ryan McElfresh leads a team providing expert beverage pairings with our seasonal cuisine.
Private Events
Our historic Old Port District location accommodates special events with customized menus. The space features exposed brick and a central hearth, creating a unique atmosphere for celebrations and corporate gatherings.
Seasonal Cuisine
Daily menus reflect available local ingredients from Maine producers. Dishes like wood-grilled moulard foie gras and turnspit-roasted meats showcase our commitment to seasonal cooking and traditional preparation methods.
Wood-Fired Cooking
Our signature brick and soapstone hearth features wood-fired ovens and grills. This traditional cooking method imparts unique flavors to seafood, meats, and vegetables, creating distinctive dishes that define our culinary approach.
People
Frederic Eliot
Executive Chef
Leading our culinary team with decades of experience, Frederic Eliot brings refined expertise to our wood-fired cooking techniques and seasonal menu development.
Matt Stewart
General Manager
With extensive hospitality experience, Matt Stewart oversees operations ensuring exceptional service standards in our James Beard award-winning establishment.
Sam Hayward
Chef-Partner
Recipient of the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef Northeast award, Sam Hayward pioneered our commitment to local sourcing and sustainability since the restaurant's founding.
Questions
What type of cuisine does Fore Street serve?
We specialize in seasonal American cuisine using locally sourced ingredients prepared over wood-fired grills and ovens.
Do you offer vegetarian options?
Yes, our rotating menu regularly features vegetable-forward dishes like our Mixed Organic Greens salad and wood-grilled vegetable preparations.
Can I make reservations?
Reservations are available through our website or by calling 207-775-2717. We recommend booking in advance for peak dining hours.
What awards has Fore Street won?
We've been named in Gourmet Magazine's Top Fifty Restaurants twice and received James Beard Foundation recognition for our chef team's excellence.
Is there a dress code?
We maintain a smart casual dress code to complement our fine dining atmosphere while ensuring guest comfort.
Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Our kitchen can often adapt dishes for dietary needs - please inform us of requirements when making reservations or upon arrival.
