Friday Food Insider: A Portland restaurant among New York Times’ 50 best restaurants

Douro, a Portuguese restaurant that opened in Portland less than a year ago, has been named to the New York Times' 2026 "Restaurant List." The dining spot, which opened in October 2025, is the only Maine establishment on the list. The Times' annual selection is compiled by critics and reporters. The list includes 50 restaurants presented without numerical ranking. Douro is located on the East End, at 110 Thames St., across the street from a sister restaurant, Twelve. Melissa Clark, a food reporter and columnist for the New York Times, described the restaurant as a "meeting point between Portugal and Maine." She highlighted its tinned fish, grilled octopus and salt cod croquettes. The team behind Douro is Prentice Hospitality Group, which includes chefs Colin Wyatt and Jim Stein; executive pastry chef Georgia Macon; general manager Aaron Wood; lead bartender and cocktail menu creator Matt Im; and Carrie Nolan, who oversees the wine program. The restaurant was designed in partnership with Woodhull, a Portland design firm. The 3,300-square-foot restaurant can accommodate approximately 100 guests and features a private dining space. Fair food awaits The Common Ground Country Fair is turning 50, and it's bringing plenty of food to the celebration. The fair, which is hosted by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, runs Sept. 25-27 at the Common Ground Education Center in Unity. More than 1,000 exhibitors and speakers are expected. At least 40 vendors will serve everything from oysters to wood-fired pizza, donuts, cider, ice cream and fish and chips. Vendors include Deer Isle Oyster Co., Spark Bagel, Tinder Hearth, Falafal Mafia, Port Harbor Jamaican Grill and Taste of Taj India. Maine Cheese Guild winners More than 100 cheeses in 10 categories were judged at the 2026 Maine Cheese Awards at the recent Maine Cheese Festival in Pittsfield. Haymay Creamery's Pudge won Best in Show and first place in the washed-rind category. Spring Day Creamery won two first-place awards for Evangeline and Spring Day Blues. Other winners include Fredrikson Farm, Narrow Gate Creamery, Three Charm Farm, Fuzzy Udder Creamery, Crooked Face Creamery, Josh Pond Farm and Pumpkin Vine Family Farm. The cheeses were judged by chefs, cheese mongers, retailers, media representatives and other industry professionals. Reader Feedback What new restaurants in other parts of the state should be on our radar? The Mainebiz Food Insider wants to hear from you! Contact Alexis Wells at awells@mainebiz.biz.