brian duff

Latest Articles

Why parenthood is a bad model for government

Political theory has, for centuries, come down to an analogy of anatomy, or of family: the head of the government is the head of the body politic, or the head of the household.
Diagnosing democracy
By JEFF INGLIS | March 11, 2011

Beyond the State: What's reopening where

As we enter Portland's busy season, there are several comings-and-goings (we'll focus on the comings and less on the goings) to keep track of as we plan our summer outings and evenings on the town.
Venue Watch
By DEIRDRE FULTON | June 25, 2010

Playing Thai-alai

The writer Stephen Metcalf recently suggested that the cult of cultural authenticity has reached a tipping point analogous to our desperate search for oil.
Fast-moving small plates engage at Boda
By BRIAN DUFF | June 18, 2010

A new peak(1)

Only in a city as small as Portland can a move of a few blocks, like Katahdin’s recent relocation from High Street to Forest Avenue, seem like a significant change of neighborhood.
Katahdin relocates, gets even better
By BRIAN DUFF | June 11, 2010

A new peak

Katahdin relocates, gets even better
Katahdin relocates, gets even better
By BRIAN DUFF | June 05, 2010

Understated indulgence

In economic times like these, the decision to invest in a nice dinner out is not to be taken lightly.
The elegant new Walter’s
By BRIAN DUFF | May 21, 2010

Classic Italian

America has reached the point where strip-mall dining can make us nostalgic.
JP’s Bistro offers a trip back to the Gilded Age
By BRIAN DUFF | May 14, 2010

Gourmet kitchen

The gourmet recreation of classic deli cuisine, recently identified as a movement in the national media, has made an ambiguous appearance here in Portland in the form of Nosh Kitchen Bar.
Nosh satisfies with answers to many questions
By BRIAN DUFF | April 23, 2010

Second act

One of the fundamental principles of marketing is that since competition is inevitable, you might as well be your own rival.
Veranda opens an excellent Noodle Bar
By BRIAN DUFF | April 16, 2010

Go for the doughnuts

The French Press occupies the conceptual space matching its geographic location: to the left of Dunkin Donuts — more local, more artisanal, but hitting the same basic notes.
The French Press is making a name for itself
By BRIAN DUFF | March 26, 2010

Hearty and sweet

America's war on obesity is going nowhere.
Sonny's finds the right mix of flavors and textures
By BRIAN DUFF | March 19, 2010

Southern feel

As sandwich shops continue to proliferate during this down economy, the new Po' Boys & Pickles offers a formula for short-term buzz, and perhaps long-term loyalty.
Po' Boys & Pickles gets it just right
By BRIAN DUFF | February 26, 2010

How the other half eats?

Seeking to understand our once-and-future masters, I headed up to Falmouth, where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats, to examine how they eat. I followed some expensive sedans to Johnny's Bistro.
Sampling suburban fare in Falmouth
By BRIAN DUFF | February 19, 2010

Don't be chicken

Last year was a weird one for chicken wings.
Dig right in at Binga's Stadium
By BRIAN DUFF | January 29, 2010

A winter outing

All ideals are oppressive, and the ideal picnic is no exception.
Heading indoors at the Picnic Basket
By BRIAN DUFF | January 22, 2010

Start tasting

The events of the last decade have spoiled our taste for speculation.
New and renewed flavors in Portland's food scene
By BRIAN DUFF | January 01, 2010

Big starts

I kick off my highlights of 2009 with praise for a theater company that has just finished its inaugural season: The Legacy Theater Company, founded by former City Theater artistic director Steve Burnette.
2009 was full of newness + energy
By MEGAN GRUMBLING | December 25, 2009

2009 had some redeeming qualities - really

Let's get serious: For many Portlanders, 2009 was a crap year.
Don’t look back in anger
By DEIRDRE FULTON AND JEFF INGLIS | December 25, 2009

In with the new

This year represented a bittersweet end to a miserable decade for the nation.
And with the even newer — the year in Portland food
By Brian Duff | December 25, 2009

Busy options

For a place that is largely about performative hibachi dining and Asian kitsch, Kon is very into the Buddha.
Sampling Kon Asian's broad spectrum
By BRIAN DUFF | December 04, 2009

Some strong choices

A pan-Asian restaurant comes in handy if you are having trouble making a decision. But thanks to several openings in the last year, Portlanders looking for a menu with several Asian cuisines will have to make a choice.
Shima melds tastes, traditions well
By BRIAN DUFF | November 27, 2009

Triple shot

As a sign of difficult economic times, a turnover in cafés is a noisy indicator but a significant one.
Visiting three new Portland cafés
By BRIAN DUFF | November 06, 2009

Brave new world

How many marriages are born or nursed in our city’s bars?
Styxx’s management sets an oddly pleasant menu
By BRIAN DUFF | October 30, 2009

Solid food, found

The Lost Coin Café is unlike any other restaurant in Portland.
Hang on to your dosh -- visit the Lost Coin Café
By BRIAN DUFF | October 09, 2009

Gustation junction

Since all three of Harding Lee Smith's restaurants are on corners, one wonders why he chose to name his newest one The Corner Room.
Flavors mingle at The Corner Room
By BRIAN DUFF | October 02, 2009

Community appeal

It is tricky to manage the transition from cult of personality to a rationalized institution.
The Café at Pat's is a classic local spot
By BRIAN DUFF | September 18, 2009

Amazing Grace

Few of us bother to go to church, so Mainers must find ways to reuse our houses of worship, just as we do our riverside mills in this post-industrial age. While several restaurants have put mothballed mill buildings to use, Grace Restaurant's repurposin
Sweet tastes, beautiful building, heavenly reward
By BRIAN DUFF | September 04, 2009

Outdoor retreat

Portland's Old Port is most beautiful just when it is least hospitable — in the bitter cold of winter when the crowds dissipate and Pandora LaCasse's whimsical lights decorate the streets. Recently the Portland Regency Hotel has endeavored to capture s
Twenty Milk's excellent lawn-dining experience
By BRIAN DUFF | August 14, 2009

For serious kids

In last week's New York Times , David Brooks suggested that for people who are not parents there are "no grand designs..., no high ambitions. Politics becomes insignificant. Even words like justice lose meaning."
The Salt Exchange experiments with food
By BRIAN DUFF | August 07, 2009

A beam of light

We live in an era in which we are grateful when people get the big things right, even if the details are off. Too often these days we find the opposite: well-titled books with little insight, an economy that "grows" but produces nothing of actual value
El Rayo lets the ingredients shine
By BRIAN DUFF | July 10, 2009

Friends' Activity

Popular