Visit Local Venues on a Budget!

With the economy the way it is I know that my family and friends are all going out far less than we did just 6 months ago!
The problem? I absolutely love to go out!
The only way I can justify it is by being frugal...very frugal!
Being a small business owner myself I personally know the struggle and I support local business every chance I get! Here are some ideas of ways to still enjoy going out while spending far less and supporting local eateries!

Siano's Pizzeria in Deering Center is an outstanding neighborhood jaunt! I can't tell you much I love this place! It is warm and cozy. The wood fire smells so inviting and the food is...well, in three words...fan tas tic! The portions are enormous! In this economy that is a real plus! I love to eat in their dining room but on an evening when you just don't want to cook or you find Idol is coming on and you haven't even started dinner call Siano's and get dinner to go! 771-7878. We order the chicken parmesan and the lasagna with meatballs. They each come with the customary side salad. These two meals feed three of us dinner and there is at least enough left over for two lunches! It is not just the portions that Siano's provides that are appealing! The food is fresh, fulfilling and flavorful!

The Great Lost Bear. You all know and love this fantastic, Forest Avenue, locally owned gem, of that I am sure! But did you know that every Thursday night The Great Lost Bear showcases a brewery, a style of beer or hosts a battle between rivals?
They have annual seasonal beer introductions and Microbreweries debut their beers at the Bear! Thurs. nights they offer beer specials and give out fun prizes! Mondays and Tuesdays are short beer nights! They serve 23 ounce beers at pint prices!
The Bear's extensive menu offers mouthwatering burgers, tasty salads, wings, wraps and sandwiches all at reasonable prices. On a night when funds might be scarce go to The Great Lost Bear and order the nachos! They are the best I have ever had and will literally fill up you and your family, or several of your friends, all for under $12! Get there early if going on short beer or microbrew nights because they are usaully packed!
The staff and owners are all fun and terrific! Good times are in the air at Thee Great Lost Bear! http://www.greatlostbear.com/

Una Wine Bar, is on Fore Street in the Old Port, around the corner from Brian Boru. This is a nice place to go for a great drink. I know, what you're thinking! Everyone is always telling me that they are too expensive! But not if you know when to go! Every Monday through Saturday from 4:30pm – 7pm and all night Tuesday, úna hosts an unbeatable Happy Hour! There have special happy prices on everything! At 4:30 the martini menu has many offerings from the classic (with an olive or a twist) to exotic for just $4! Pretty impressive, right? During this happy time, they also have a number of wines by the glass on special for $4 each! Their chef offers Happy Hour favorites such as cheese plates, marinated olives, and fresh rosemary foccacia, in portions meant for sharing, all at special prices! Cosmo anyone? http://www.unawinebar.com/


The Dogfish Cafe. This darling little place on the corner of Congress and Saint John Street is one of our favorites! We love to go and sit at the bar and share an appetizer. Their Mozzarella is out of this world! This dish is fresh mozzarella breaded and topped with fresh parmesan cheese and marinara sauce. They serve it with a generous amount of fresh bread for $8.99. Their open faced quesadilla is topped with marinated chicken, diced bacon, tomatoes, scallions, black beans, cheddar cheese, topped with seasoned sour cream & fresh mango salsa ($9.99)If you happen to be at The Dogfish when they have beef stew DO get it! You will not be disappointed!(You can thank me later!) The bartenders and wait staff alike are all incredibly friendly and very entertaining! http://www.thedogfishcafe.com/menu.html

North Star Cafe up on the hill, Munjoy that is, is a rather exciting, eclectic place to go for a delightful sandwich, soup or salad! They offer local, fresh, organic and vegan ingredients! Their sandwiches come with, not fries or chips but with a small salad! I love that! You could easily cut the cost and share a sandwich with a friend and I am sure you would both be full and satisfied, only wanting more because of the taste not your tummy! They have live entertainment, open mic nights and even tango lessons! Fun to watch or learn! Here is a link to their calendar of events! http://pub14.bravenet.com/calendar/show.php?usernum=1135125992

You cannot beat White Heart for a great drink but have you ever eaten there? Holy Toledo! The food and prices are amazing at this cozy, but oddly spacious, bar at 55 Congress Street in downtown Portland! Let's start with the drinks! Monday nights, with a few exceptions, they offer half price bottles of wine! Wed. nights are $3 well drinks. Everynight they have what they call Happy White or Happy Red for $5 a glass! Saturday's drink special is $5 martinis and during Sunday Brunch they have $2 bloody Marys! That's bloody incredible, wouldn't you say? While I am on the subject of brunch theirs is one of my favorites! Delicious, fresh and well presented and again, reasonaly priced from $5-$9! Their breakfast dish called The White Heart is terrific! It is eggwhites, brie, tomato and fresh herbs along with homefries, bread or a muffin for $7. Now onto app's and dinner offerings! Their appetizer of 3 mini teriyaki burgers topped with grilled pineapple, red onion and chipotle catsup comes with homemade pesto tortellini salad for $9! White Heart's signature app. is Sweet Potato Cakes. These are outstanding! They are sautéed and topped with a garlic aioli ($6) For dinner you can get a roasted quarter of a chicken, mashed potato, veggies and homemade gravy for...drum roll please...$9!
My husbands' favorite is an oh-so-tender 6 oz. flank steak with a teriyaki sauce and wasabi mashed potato for $10! (yum!)
Although their dessert selection is limited they all sound divine and are each only $5! I don't believe children are allowed at White Heart morning, noon, or night so get a sitter! http://www.thewhiteheart.com/menus.html

The Empire Dine and Dance, also on Congress, not only has fabulous live music and entertainment BUT their entire menu from soup to entrees is $4-$12! You can support the arts and a local eatery at the same time! Need I say more? For a list of artists and event prices go to http://portlandempire.ning.com/

I know that it is just so darn nice for your mind and spirit to get out from time to time and mingle with friends and family even when money is tight! So pick that one thing you long for, be it a martini or a dessert and just get that one thing! Or share or split something! Not only will it help our waist lines, it will help our wallets, too! Some restaurants allow you to split an entree for a minimal fee. If looking for a healthier option, soups, chili and house salads are offered virtually everywhere and are often inexpensive. Sometimes I will get a salad and my husband the soup and we share! Also, getting your favorite meals to go is a great idea anytime! You won't have that temptation to order those appealing drinks, or fattening appetizers or desserts! Remember, tap water is free and good for you! I know that the restaurants would prefer that we drink sodas, beer and wine, too, but my theory is better some business than no business at all!

If you frequent a locally owned eatery with great food or drinks at fair prices, or know of a great Happy hour tell us about it! We want to know!

And please don't forget about this fantistic event! http://www.restaurantweekme.com/index.htm
RestaurantWeekME™ is a ten-day dining event -- Sunday, March 1, through Tuesday, March 10, 2009. The idea is really very simple. During the event, chefs will be serving specially priced, three-course meals. Everyone is invited to take advantage of this opportunity to sample new restaurants or visit their favorite spots.

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