Evo Kitchen + Bar

📌This restaurant offers a regular menu with choices of small cold and hot plates as we as large plates. In addition, one can choose a tasting experience which is $88 pp and includes 2 spreads, 3 cold app, 2 hot app, 1 kebab, 1 large plate, and a dessert. ➡️We choose the tasting experience and let me tell you, its almost impossible to finish all the courses - its a lot of food! I captured all the dishes in my pictures to show the verity and sizes except for the beet salad and dessert that didnt make it to the picture. ❤️our favorite dishes were spreads, Moroccan carrots🥕, sweet potato, scallops, and lamb shack. 👌we generally enjoyed the testing menu experience. We were very lucky with our waiter Lyam who had an excellent sense of humor and made our food journey a lot of fun! Thank you, Lyam!!! 🌟

Food: Amazing! Ordered a little bit of everything off the different sections of the menu. The Tuna Crudo was the favorite! The avocado toum it was paired with was equally creamy and garlicky. Moroccan Carrots, Cauliflower, and Skordalia dip were also super good. Also the server recommended Passion fruit Sour cocktail and she was right! Great balance of sweet, tart, and a little bit of the gin comes through if you're looking for something less alcohol forward. My partner got the Figgy Pop mocktail and she loved that too. Service: Definitely get a reservation! Note that reservations don't open until about 2 and half weeks out. Otherwise, availability won't show up on your preferred date. While there, all the staff were very kind, accommodating, and helpful. Had lots of questions and our server took time to explain everything and make recommendations. Atmosphere: We opted for the mezzanine dining for a quieter atmosphere and more privacy. It was a little more snug, but they have an area to hang coats and whatnot to make more space. Also note! Bathroom is sliding door so make sure its closed all the way before locking. Otherwise, someone may still be able to to open it while you're in there!

What a fantastic restaurant, great execution on blending Mediterranean and the Maine. I recommend the tuna, the lamb, the carrots, the chickpea fries and all the spreads. Only off note was the slightly too salty cod. I find most restaurants over salt but Evo did not, which is why the otherwise perfectly cooked cod stood out. Recommendation was for 6 to 10 dishes for a party of four and that seemed right.

Same owners as Twelve, but came away with a different impression at the end of the night. Service was very good. Cool, modern space with a nice vibe. Good selection of cocktails and wines by the glass. On the food front, went for the Evo Experience (tasting menu). It’s a lot of food, so you definitely won’t leave feeling hungry. Many of the dishes are outstanding - the baba ghanoush, Skordalia - whipped potatoes with garlic and almonds, pole beans, and Moroccan carrots were standouts. In fact, all of the vegetable dishes featured veggies cooked to perfection. The sauce on the cauliflower (golden raisin and tahini) was too sweet and didn’t work for me. The lamb shank was not cooked long enough, and so missed that fall off the bone tenderness I usually associate with the dish. Also wasn’t especially juicy and the exterior crust made it seem like it was dropped in the deep fryer at some point - really would have benefited from a fruity dipping sauce (apricot, cherry, pomegranate). Would not get again. The dessert sampler was disappointing. A couple pieces of cinnamon Challah bread and a brownie. So many delicious desserts in the Levant and this was the offering? Needs to be completely rethought. I would have been happy with a piece of baklava TBH. Whereas I proclaimed Twelve to be one of the best restaurants in the US a couple nights ago, its sibling is fine, but not close to being in the same league.

Bustling downtown Portland eatery near the Hyatt. Delicious Mediterranean dishes. We shared several plates of baba ganoush, cauliflower, hoummus. The drinks were terrific too. Attentive service, city vibe.

Fantastic food! The staff are great. Plenty of options for gluten-free folks. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options. There is some fish/meat on the menu too. Plates are medium size so you'll want to order a couple things per person. We really wanted to try a bunch of things so we each got three things each to share with each other and got pretty stuffed. Next time we'll have to save room for dessert because the desserts sounded amazing. Best things I had were the chickpea fries and the asparagus dish. After that, my next favorites were the labneh and the beet dish. A friend ordered the scallops and said they were the best scallops she had ever had in her life. There are some great happy hour deals. I think you should really plan $30 per person for a modest meal. You could spend under $20 if you just get one dish or you could spend a lot more if you want to have extra dishes or some of the nice meat dishes plus drinks. We were at the bar aka the chef's table and got a front row seat to see the folks working in the kitchen which was a lot of fun! You can also sit elsewhere or upstairs on the mezzanine. Really fun experience. I highly recommend.

Had high hopes for this place based on the reviews, so came here to end our Portland vacation. Unfortunately left disappointed, putting a damper to the end of our trip. First off, service was great. The food was fine, but honestly nothing to write home about. There was one dish that reminded me of the taste of canned meat—not inherently a bad thing, but just not what you’d expect from a high end restaurant. The detractor of it all was the ambience. It is very noisy and we were sat in a cramped area (window counter right by the front door). Unfortunately would not return, just wasn’t for us!

Gorgeous ambiance with even more delicious food! The long windows provided such great lighting to take some beautiful pictures of the food we ate and honestly I probably didn’t need the light to show how gorgeous these plates were set up! From the spreads to the entrees and the desserts everything was a 10/10! Their chickpea fries were the perfect consistency felt fluffy and airy on the inside but such a crispy crunch on the outside! Their skordalia spread with garlic almond and jalapeño with their house pita bread was such a great way to start a meal. Their carrots are by far one of my favorite carrot dishes I have had yet dining out. The scallops with potato, green garlic and brown butter were cooked perfectly! And their baklava cheesecake was super tasty! I will definitely be heading back soon for a round two!

Probably my favorite restaurant in the Old Port, I've been here a number of times - usually had the Evo Experience / chefs tasting & wine pairing. I've had so much off their menu that I can honestly say there's nothing but stellar options. The service is always friendly & prompt, I highly recommend reservations - especially on popular nights out. It's a really great modern aesthetic inside, you can either sit at the bar, which is my favorite because you get to watch your food being made & can order drinks a little faster, or sitting along the sides facing the Old Port watching the strip - I believe there's also a terrace upstairs but I've never gone up. Highly recommend experiencing this place at least once.

My friends and I came here for a big group dinner. We had a reservation and got a nice table upstairs. The vibes at the restaurant were nice, pretty modern and clean. It's more of an upscale spot, especially to some of the casual restaurants in the area. I always love a group meal where you can get a bunch of tapas and share. As things started coming out, I was worried it wouldn't be enough food, but I ended up sufficiently full by the end. We liked just about every dish, besides the Tabbouleh, which was very small and lackluster. I'd honestly skip the mains because while they were good, they weren't anything original, so just go for the snacks and mezze!

I was excited to try Evo after hearing so much about it! We didn't have a reservation, but were fortunate enough to be seated immediately on a weekday evening. The service here is fantastic: the waiters were patient and attentive, and the food came out quickly. The interior of the restaurant is objectively nice, but I personally didn't love it -- it gave me hotel lobby vibes. There's plenty of seating around the kitchen, which I always love, though we were at stool seating by the window. My partner and I ordered two cocktails and shared the carrots, challah, chickpea fries, and monkfish. The cocktails were good but not great, and on the pricier side -- I'm not sure I'd order a drink next time. The carrots were absolutely delicious, especially with the toasted rice. The challah is good and HUGE, definitely too large for two people, and the dipping sauce was nice and zingy. But the standout for me were the chickpea fries. They have a crispy outside and hot, smooth inside, and were perfectly seasoned. The monkfish was the most disappointing dish for me: it was served lukewarm, and didn't have a ton of flavor. I didn't think the various elements really added to it, either. Overall, the flavors were great. Next time, I'll probably forgo the cocktails and the fish and opt for a seat with a kitchen view. But I'll be back, if only for the chickpea fries!

We found it to be a quiet Tuesday night - ordered lots of plates to share. Good food, great service and a really cool vibe with a kitchen in the middle for everyone to see.

Came here for Christmas eve dinner. It was a fixed menu and the rest of our party enjoyed the sliced lamb; I was able to try the chicken kabobs as an alternate. Server was friendly and various parts of the menu came in a timely manner. We sat upstairs where it was quiet. I would come back to try other items on the menu given how varied and delicious the flavors were. We were intrigued by the tasty chickpea fried sticks. Would like to make these at home.

Dietary restrictions? This menu covers everything. Each item indicates if it's GF/Vegan, and the servers can accommodate almost other allergies as well! Clean, can sit at the counter and watch them cook. Been back here a few times since and have loved it every time.

I really appreciate that the menu labels what is vegetarian and the kitchen took my allergies very seriously and told me what could be modified. Flavors were unique and inventive. I especially loved the babaganoush and pita which is sometimes too smokey for me. The not too sweet rice pudding with honeynut squash puree and orange zest was the best rice pudding I've ever had! I would definitely go back on a trip to Portland!

Another late review but better late than never, right? Had fancy dinner at this great restaurant with work friends. Everything was delicious. For appetizers, we had chickpea fries, beet salad, borani & fingerling potatoes. My entree of choice was the duck, while my friends had scallops and chicken shawarma. We were too full for dessert. We sat at the chef's table as recommended by a friend. The chef owner of this place had won Chopped a couple of times. Thanks for taking us here, Jennifer Brayall-Michaud.

My husband and I have been to Evo before for the chefs tasting menu and decided to return and have some of the items we enjoyed with our family. We were greeted by a friendly hostess who brought us to our table upstairs with a lovely view looking outside. Upstairs is a bit quieter than downstairs. However you are able to see where all the magic happens as it is an open kitchen if you enjoy that. Our server came explained the menu choices and were very accommodating of my food allergies. Everything was delicious and the tuna and chickpea fries are amazing.

Fantastic! We had such a stellar meal here... we could only get reservations for the bar seating but that was fine - we had a nice view of Fore St in the rain. Service was friendly and the four of us ordered an assortment of mezze to share - which meant we ordered about half the menu to try... and everything we had was amazing! My friend said it was the best tuna he had ever had. I loved both the hummus and labne and hubs downed his chicken schwarma. Even the salad was delicious! But by unanimous agreement, the carrots were our absolute favorite dish. Although it tasted great, the pita was a little thick and doughy and filled us up. I would love to come back and eat upstairs in the restaurant but highly recommend planning way in advance for a Rez.

Meh. Though the ambiance was great, the food was just so-so. There was an innate blandness to the food which was disappointing, especially at the price that they charge. The service wasn't anything to glimmer at either. The waiter was at best, impatient and at worse impudent. At least things were edible and it felt fancy. However, this restaurant loses my respect for the kitchen wellness fee. Manage the business better and stop passing it down to the consumer

Wonderful place. My second time here (I live outside Boston or I'd be a regular. On this trip, me and three friends sat on the chef line for happy hour, we loved the strawberry special cocktail, a fantastic chalky Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire valley, a wonderful portuguese red! So great drink selections. And really delicious food! The oft raved about chickpea fries, lived up to their reputation! And we tried two of three spread offered (opted out of the baba ghanoush) and they were both to die for! Love the chefs line, wonderful service, and welcoming bartenders.

If you want to go to a restaurant where you feel rushed out the door and they clean around you pre plated food while they talk shit about you. We paid for the coursed out menu. ( you literally can see the kitchen) than this is your place. Never felt so unwelcomed in my life. Emailed to see what happened and never heard back after the first response. Place looked amazing. Bartender was great. Kitchen staff and chef particularly awful. This dinner was done in July and we still talk about how bad it was

This restaurant was good but not great. One thing is like others that have posted we felt rushed. We had a reservation so they weren't squeezing us in. We were done in 45 minutes. Food was also good, best tapas we have found so far in Portland, but doesn't compare to some of the tapas restaurants in Boston.

This is an odd review for me to write because while eating there, I said, 'This is the best _____ I've had,' yet I left not feeling overwhelmed by the experience. The prices may have scarred me, although we've eaten at more expensive places. Perhaps the basicness of the type of food, hummus and chickpea fries, spoiled it for me as there are a lot of places that do these items well (and for a lot less cost). Or maybe it was the atmosphere of pretentiousness and believing themselves to be the epitome of good eating in the area that didn't settle well with me. There are SO many good places to eat in Portland! The chef is talented and creative, but I felt just meh after the experience.

One of my favorite restaurants in the entire country! I wasn't expecting too much when I walked in, as the restaurant was pretty small with mostly bar seating. There weren't too many choices on the menu, but, all the dishes that we order were so good! The mussels were big and meaty, which was almost unseen in any American restaurant. I also love the beet salad, which was pared with raspberry sauce and ricotta cheese, giving it a bit sweet and sour balanced flavor. Though the price is more in the higher end, I would definitely recommend this place to whoever is visiting Portland!

The food here is excellent, but the vibe could use a little help. The waiter kept trying to upsell us on the 88 dollar per person meal, where they would bring out "waves of food" , I ended up getting three small plates that were about 60 bucks in total and it was still way too much. Still, worth checking out for the flavorful and well prepared food. I had a cuppa good cocktails as well.

This was the best high end Mediterranean Tapas we've had. You could tell the food was fresh and made from high quality ingredients. The depth of flavor in each dish, presentation and variety of textures made for a delicious meal. We sat at the chef's table and had the baba ghanosh , skordalia, falafel, steak and lamb kebab. 10/10 would have again!

I was unsure what to expect, but adored this restaurant. The skordalia and the chic pea fries were two of the best dishes I've had in a long time. The carrots and (surprisingly enough) the green salad were fantastic as well. We were a little disappointed with the salmon though. It was fine -- a nice piece of fish, well prepared, but it just wasn't as exciting and novel as the other dishes we had. The service was fantastic. We got terrific recommendations and appreciated them greatly. The ambiance is fine but not my favorite aspect of the place. It was a bit warm and the music a bit too loud. But these were minor complaints given the quality of the meal -- I definitely plan to go back next chance I get.

Wonderful little spot in the Old Port. We sat at the Chef's table and were immediately told to order the chickpea fries by another guest. They were spot on! We also enjoyed the carrots and the cauliflower. The salmon skewers and broccoli dip were also good. Our absolute favorite item was the rice pudding for dessert. Very unique dessert and wonderful presentation. Great service.

The food was amazing and so was the service. Henry and Camille were top notch. Sitting at the chefs counter was a great experience. The various chefs explained the courses that we were being served. Make sure you order the carrots.

We ate at the chef's counter and so glad we did. All of the kitchen staff were very friendly, service was great and chef was nice to answer our questions about the food. Made for a fun date night. Thanks, Evo.

I was looking for somewhere to eat in Portland, ME during my anniversary trip. Did some research on restaurants and this place was highly rated. It said the chef was a 3x chopped champion, so I made the reservation. This is the first place I ever booked that charged a fee if you didn't show up. So we went here for our anniversary and let me first discuss the food. Outstanding! I don't give a place 5 stars easily but if I could give it 10 stars I would. The food could possibly be the best food I've ever ate in my life. My wife had the cod and fingerling potatoes I had the duck and the cauliflower All were outstanding! Now the restaurant is a kitchen and bar, it's small. Lucky it was just two of us and we sat at window counter seats. Literally elbow to elbow with the people next to you. Not the private intimate environment you would want for your anniversary. My bad. I didn't win any points on that. For the quality of food, the price was definitely reasonable. Small to medium sized portions. My wife was unhappy because the food comes out when ready, separately. So we got our sides before our entrees. You pay for each item separately. We received a free dessert of Baklava ice cream due to it being our anniversary. Not a fan but I won't hold the dessert against them. If you're in Portland, ME I highly recommend you try this place. PS. Sorry but the fingerling potatoes photo. Once we started eating it, we couldn't stop.

The new tasting menu concept was like a fireworks display. It kept going and going and getting better and better. So many oohs and ahhs. I can't remember such a good meal from start to finish. But be hungry when you get there. Very hungry. The staff were amazing too. We had one person who was off bread and they provided alternative vehicles for dipping. I'd make that a thing on the menu if I were making the rules. Go and order the new left side of the menu option.

Portland, Maine is this thriving New England sea town that is scenic, quaint and happening! I've been to Maine several times on business; Bangor, Augusta and Kennebunkport but my first time in Portland. This city is about two things - Tourism and food. EVO was our first stop here in Portland. We were lucky enough to get a seat at there bar overlooking the kitchen. It was like watching an episode of The Bear, without the chaos. This kitchen reminded me of the Bolshoi ballet troupe; in other words, in sync and perfect! This "packed" kitchen glided like they were dancing. It was a joy to watch. The food these young maestro's put out was exceptional: * Carrots with yogurt, jalapeños, dates and wild rice * Beets with pistachios, strawberries and talleggio cheese * Blue Fin Tuna with avocado, ginger and Fresno pepper * Babette Steak with farro, black garlic and cherry * Baba Ghanoush with eggplant, chickpeas and cherry tomatoes This family style dinner was Mediterranean food with a novel twist. We loved it. Of course this restaurant was jam-packed and the kitchen was on overdrive. But they didn't miss a beat. So, the food was great, the scene was robust and the staff was friendly and ultra professional. You couldn't have asked for a better "first dinner" on our vacation through Maine.

I like this concept. The unusual bar stool seating at the window or watching the kitchen at work. But the chairs aren't comfortable and the counter doesn't stick out far enough so it's a little awkward. I liked the menu. The food was good - good flavor and good presentation. But it was just a bit pretentious. A cup saucer of a few yummy carrots for $18? Hmmm. The chickpeas were good as were the beets but again can I justify the very steep cost of eating here? Nope. The two items that are fair in price are the challah bread and the lamb shank. Very shareable. I didn't pay for the "special" table menu that was $88/person and for that I am grateful. Do not order the nonalcoholic drinks. Unless you like the taste of canned soda for $11. I am all for throwing silly money at an extraordinary dining experience. This one just fell a little short. Very nice and friendly staff.

Its kinda very average. Apps were good but nothing to come back for. Lamb shank was stupid, it was way too sweet and caramelized and then served with more sweet sauce. Portland food so far has been ass and really dumb food

Wasn't expecting this. So many lovely bites (and sips). The skordalia (?) some garlicky spread was so so so good. Many other great items, but that with the homemade pita will make this a necessary return spot.

Seriously creative, balanced, exotic and delicious food. Tuom was a new thing for me, and it is now a favorite thanks to Evo! I understand they spent literally YEARS perfecting their Chicken Schwarma and it shows. I have NEVER had chicken as delicious. The combination of the Mango pickle, the toum, the perfectly spiced and grilled chicken, and the cilantro was transformative. I cannot wait to go back. But lest I forget, the staff was awesome. We sat at the kitchen counter and it was awesome. We had time to really talk with our waiter/bartender(s), and we got to watch and listen in to the kitchen "Order up, chickpea fries, non-dairy". Yummy fun.

Oh my gosh this place was absolutely incredible! We had the chef's table view and got to watch the chefs cook and it was an incredible experience. The staff was friendly, the food was delicious, and the environment was super inviting. I will tell you the mussels are the best I've ever had. They were plump and cooked perfectly with a delicious sauce to dip the bread into. I wish I didn't live on the other side of the country! I'd be eating here all the time!

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Our bartender, Neil, was so helpful in picking the right dishes for us, though he loved the menu/food so much he didn't have a bad things to say about anything! Chemotherapy has made my fiancé's tongue especially sensitive to spicy foods. As soon as he felt a little heat in his food, I asked Neil for help finding something to cut the heat. (The food was not spicy. His chemotherapy makes his tongue feel raw and on fire sometimes.) From the bar I could see the kitchen team quickly pass the message along and in less than a minute or two we had a wonderfully minty yogurt sauce before us that immediately cooled the heat on his tongue. Amazing food!! Nice wait staff. Wished I lived here so I could go back!!!

What an amazing anniversary dinner! We had the most fantastic meal. The lamb was perfect, plus we had three other menu items. All presented with a New York flair, but the best part was the staff. I don't think there was an item on the menu that I wouldn't like. You could not ask for a more professional and friendly team from the moment we walked in. The hostess was genuine and caring. We sat at the chef's bar, and Henry was great. Our son and daughter-in-law suggested Evo as it is one of their favorite places, and they were right! Go there and enjoy, we sure did.

Excellent vegan tasting menu (which btw costs less than the non-vegan option, just thought I'd mention it). A standout was the carrots (tasted soft and marinated) with date purée, crunchy wild rice, and jalapeños. Who would think this combo would work, but it does. We also loved the green salad with dill, snap peas, barley, and fennel (?) and delicious light dressing. The hummus was some of the best we've had in our life. Dessert was amazing coconut cream-based mango concoction with sprinkles of pistachio on top. Much richer than any grocery store coconut based dessert and they also had diced fresh mango pieces on top. Very glad they didn't just phone it on and actually put thought and effort into making a delicious vegan dessert. Portions were generous so we had to take a little bit home of the last few dishes (and 100% of the last dish lol). Service was very professional, courteous, and competent.

Was recommended Evo by a local foodie and as a foodie myself, I knew I had to go during my short visit in Portland. We luckily snagged a late dinner reservation the morning of. We were so excited to do a chef's tasting, but to our disappointment, we were told by the server that everyone in the party must choose the same tasting (meat or vegetarian). When I asked why, they said it was to provide the same tasting experience as they believe in a shared experience for the whole party and to ensure all dishes of the tasting were served at the same time. Though this can be true, it is also a cop out answer. Simply put, they just wanted to make it easier on their kitchen logistics/operations. This was very disappointing because half our party was vegetarian and the other half was not. For those that did eat meat, we did not think it worthy to spend $75 on a vegetarian tasting. Thus, we were forced to surrender our tasting dreams. We ordered a bunch of dishes to split and taste. Everything was truly delicious and plating was aesthetically pleasing! The delicate squash was like nothing I've had before and inspired me to go home and cook a replica of that dish. Ahi tuna was seared to perfection with a kick of heat from the peppers. Mussels were divinely soaked in flavor. Overall, Evo was delicious! However, our total bill came out to be more expensive due to ordering a la carte versus a tasting and we missed out on the chefs tasting. I suggest changing your tasting policy to allow for people to do different tastings as it is pretty restricting to parties with vegetarian friends.

Beware Gluten Free patrons: last week I got glutened and left there feeling like I was the problem. No one (manager chef) came over and apologized beside our waiter 20 mins later. We sat at the freezing chefs table which is located right in front of the door, we had our jackets on the whole time. There is a whole bar that sits around the kitchen why even seat people there it's freezing and not a pleasant experience ! My dining profile on my resy (application you set your reservations) states I'm GF , I also put it in the notes and I told them when we arrived. So three times Evo was told and I still got glutened (appetizer) unacceptable! The head chef was told he never looked our way and left for the eve (bigger fella and the Sous (shorter fella) same thing .I didn't even want to eat my meal after the appetizer and should have left but my friend was eating. Evo only offered to take off the appetizer that glutened me. I didn't touch my meal. As I was leaving I asked the hostess for the GM'a card, she looks at me (older lady with dark hair glasses) and rudely says I am the new GM I took off your appetizer do you need anything else? . Then said more snarky rude comments to me and I just shook my head in disgust and left before I said something nasty. Disgusting way to treat a patron with a medical condition! ! I have been to corporate chains-very exquisite super fine dining establishments (99 Applebees, Fore street, James beard restaurants ) and never ever experienced such rude behavior when it was their fault and in the wrong. The night prior I went to Fore Street. The chef brought out my food was kitchen staff was awesome , the manager checked in on us. Fire streets menu said what contained gluten and what didn't. Evo's menu didn't which I was surprised I thought that was the gluten menu cause I didn't even see anything on the menu that contained gluten. I ended up going after to eat at Via Vecchia and they had a great menu and great food! Go to Fore street, Via Vecchia both have a great GF menu! And we're so nice and accommodated my gluten allergy with kindness. I left Evo feeling hurt, sad and felt it was my fault which no one should ever feel! Beware!

One of the best dining experiences of the summer! This review is long overdue. Do not fret! The menu looks soooo boring but I assure you everything is delicious. This restaurant was the surprise of the century for us. It was well written prior to our visit but damn! Props to the chef. Not cheap but worth every penny. Great time. Can't wait to go back! Can be difficult to get a res on a weekend night.

Finally made it to Evo and was not disappointed. We sat at the chefs table part of the bar which I would recommend. We sampled many of the spreads, all were delicious. Loved the chickpea fries. Duck and Beef were incredible. If you're in the area it's a must! Service was awesome as well.

We had an amazing meal, drinks and a great time at Evo celebrating my husband's birthday! Every item we tried on the menu was excellent from the chickpea fries, whipped feta, carrots, steak, carrot cake etc. The host was very friendly and nice as were the entire staff. A particular standout was Karina, the bartender extraordinaire! Her cocktails were really superb and very creative. I had her " Dealer's Choice" wherein she used a special raspberry purée made by her family. Karina had a great personality and was incredibly helpful with good suggestions for both food and drink. You can't really go wrong with anything on the menu... just a really fantastic place!!

Absolutely AMAZING is how we both described our dining experience last weekend at Evo Kitchen & Bar! From the fabulous Greek white wine that paired perfectly with the whipped feta spread to the carrots prepared so perfectly with date, cumin and wild rice my husband and I knew we were in for a special evening of fabulous cuisine & exceptional service. The ambassador for Evo at the front door was Hannah who continued to check in on us in an unobtrusive manner. Oriana was our server & super knowledgeable about Chef Matt and his team's menu and expertly crafted plates of locally sourced food. A special nod to the bluefin tuna dish with avocado toum, fresno and turmeric! We had seen on Instagram that a HUMONGOUS tuna had arrived fresh at Evo in the wee hours of the morning prior & you could detect the freshness right away. Manager Nick seemed to be everywhere, making guests feel welcome and appreciated. A smooth operation from front of the house to back of the house that creates a feeling of total "heart of the house" when it comes to dining at Evo Kitchen and Bar!

After being turned away from 7 at-capacity/understocked restaurants on a Tuesday night in July, a hostess recommended that we try Evo, and we're so glad that she did! This was a lovely find. We got the last 2 spots of counter space facing the street, and the restaurant was lively but not uncomfortably crowded like some others in the area. Our server, Liv, was so warm and friendly that she could teach a masterclass for young servers! Her recommendations were spot-on and her enthusiasm for the plates at Evo was absolutely infectious. Out standout plates were the chickpea fries (a revelation in the world of fries! Even if you're tired of New England's fry-heavy plates, eat these!), and the carrot cake (which you should eat even if you're not a fan of carrot cake, like my husband, who is now a sworn convert). Recommended for sure!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALICE! I was extremely excited to dine here on Mother's Day, however due to unforeseen illness, we sadly had to cancel our reservation. Alice was extremely accommodating given the last minute change of plans. If the food is anywhere as good as the hospitality, it's a must-visit establishment. I look forward to coming here on my next trip to Portland!

If you haven't been to EVO, stop what you're doing and make a reservation now. Went here for the 1st time prior to a show at the Cross arena. We had the chef's tasting menu with wine pairings. Every single dish was exceptional (approx. 8 courses - small plates). The location: If you're seeing a show, its a short walk from Evo to the Cross Arena The interior: 4 seating options: 1. Window Seating downstairs (great people watching) 2. Chef's counter Seating downstairs (looked awesome) 3. Upper level (intimate, great views of the street below) 4. Outdoor handful of tables street side The lower level is action packed, so if you're looking for a relaxing vibe, reserve the upper level. The food: ... I want to go back and try every single thing on the menu. Highlights included the seared Tuna and Blueberry Semifreddo (see pics) The service: Super friendly, knowledgeable and attentive The value: The food is worth every penny, but the wine pairing is expensive and a little awkward. I would opt for a bottle over the pairing next time. This is fine dining, but in a very comfortable non-pretentious setting. Overall, Evo is a 10/10!

If you're looking for a great night out that's worth every penny, look no further than Evo! My wife and I came here for her birthday and left the kiddo at home. Each dish was brilliant on its own and you really taste the flavors, freshness and quality. We had a few cocktails (all great, but the pineapple one was our favorite!), baba ganoush, heirloom tomato salad, seared tuna, grilled octopus. For dessert we had the carrot cake, semifreddo , and Turkish coffee. With the proteins- seared tuna and octopus, the sauce/toppings complimented the protein so well and made the tuna and octopus shine. For comparison, we went to Nobu a while back and honestly felt the sauces were overpowering the sushi and you didn't really get a taste for the quality of the fish. Not the case here. Each dish stands on its own really well, was perfectly cooked too. So if you want a night out that's on the pricier side, this was totally worth it. Also, the staff was amazing and friendly! Sitting by the bar and kitchen was awesome because you see the work and care that goes into every dish. Definitely making this a yearly date spot! Next time, we'll do the chef tasting menu! Thanks again guys! Loved it. Highlight of our trip back to Maine.

I don't like vegetables but I would eat them every meal id they were served as they were at Evo. So much flavor, creativity and perfectly balanced dishes. Absolutely an amazing place and I wish I lived here to enjoy this place more often. Get the spear that's salty and the carrots. The scallops were perfectly cooked and don't miss the baklava sundae. It's sweet, nutty, crispy and a hint of salt. Yum!

Small menu but everything is executed with exquisite attention to detail. All dishes are unique with full flavors. Extremely friendly and courteous service

Our server was the sweetest nicest woman. The food was amazing. I mean. AMAZING.. Some of the best food we've ever had. We will be back !!

One of our Portland favorites! Don't sleep on the falafel- it's amazing. Drinks are creative and not too sweet. Chill vibe. Highly recommend!

I don't leave reviews often, but we were absolutely overjoyed with the food at Evo. Apparently the baba ghanoush was just added to the menu - it was amazing. The flavor outstanding and the texture perfected. Incredible, really. The pita bread pillowy and delicate. The carrots were simple and delightful, and the salad as well - crisp and well dressed. I was open to any main that our server suggested and I'm so happy I listened. Chicken shawarma is a street food staple, and at home in Atlanta, I got a go to spot for it. Here, at Evo, not only have they elegantly upscaled this classic dish, but the chicken was masterfully prepared. It was one of the most tender, moist, and flavorful chicken dishes I have ever eaten in my life. It will not be forgotten.

Chef's kiss to EVO for a delightful and delicious dining experience. We shared Chicken Schwarma, Greek salad, baba ganoush with crudite and pita bread and the MOST amazing chickpea fries! Our server was attentive and very knowledgeable. She said many return just for the chickpea fries! The food was well seasoned, fresh and served in a timely manner. Great for vegetarians and meat eaters as well. Small dining room upstairs. Bar eating on main floor and small area to eat outside. Upscale/sleek.