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Duckfat
43 Middle St.
Portland, Maine
207-774-8080
www.duckfat.com
Open Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Don't miss this friendly little place, with high stools and a curving counter, for the best fries in Portland and extraordinary panini, beignets, and shakes.
Duck gravy complements the poutine ($6.25), fries and cheddar curds in a molten extravaganza that benefits from crisp, dark brown fries cooked in oil that is partially duck fat. Panini are crisp, grilled rectangular rolls pressed tight on their contents, beef short ribs with gorgonzola for one, or haddock, house tartar sauce and chopped egg. The special salad is sure to be good but one on the regular menu, duck confit with sliced green apple, greens, and pecans, is perfect. Soups cold in summer and hot and rich in winter are intense and full of clear flavors, the tomato fennel like summer in any season.
A glass of wine from the Rhone or other earthy place or beer or homemade soda work satisfy thirst any time of day.
Breakfast would be sublime with fig jam and marscapone on grilled brioche, or a fresh beignet ($3.75). Iced coffee and hot are rich deep brews.
Any time is the right time for a milk shake ($4) so thick each freezing sip satisfies the love of cold, sweet, rich perfection in coffee, choclate, strawberry, vanilla, mocha and blueberry.