Room for Improvement

Why Hot Dogs in Maine Are Bright Red

"That mildness won out in taste tests at Room for Improvement, a cocktail bar gaining national acclaim for its clever approach to nostalgia on Portland’s notoriously drunken Wharf Street. The menu lists cocktails familiar enough for people who would order those drinks anyway but distinct enough to attract geeks who appreciate a Martini with multiple types of vermouth plus a splash of apricot liqueur. Kept warm on a 7-Eleven-style roller in a tiny kitchen the staff calls “the hot dog closet,” the Rice’s red snappers come on buns made by Biddeford, Maine-based Little Spruce Baking Co. with toppings like chili crisp from another local company, Little Brother Chinese Food, and Cheez Whiz." - Adam H. Callaghan