“Food brings people together on many different levels. It’s nourishment of the soul and body; it’s truly love.” ~ Giada De Laurentiis
The Sinful Kitchen
When I find a restaurant that I love, I tend to go back to it. Again. And again. And again. And again. I am nothing but loyal and if you have ever visited me in New York you know I will take you to my favorite restaurants int he hopes that they will become YOUR favorites. (in most instances they do!) As a former pastry chef, I love GOOD food, especially food that takes pride in ingredients, plating and even caters to specialty diets like gluten-free and vegan. So when I discovered the Sinful Kitchen a few years ago, I fell in love and of course had to take EVERYONE there.
Established in 2015, the head chef and owner who has celiac disease, wanted to create a restaurant, that not only served brunch foods, but was a place where those with food allergies could go and feel comfortable eating. Originally from the Philippines, he wanted to diversify Maine, especially Portland’s, food scene as well as showcasing that being gluten free, and/or vegan is still delicious. And he has succeeded. The menu is extensive and everything is delicious!
Family Affair
The Sinful Kitchen actually began on the first floor of an old house and was converted into a restaurant. It was cozy and quaint, and I loved the lay out, but it was definitely small, and parking was hard to come by. Fast forward to last year and they ended up moving to a bigger place, that you STILL need a reservation to get into, but at least parking is much better!
It also is a family affair, with the owner as the head chef, and his wife, serves as hostess and waiter as do their kids when not in school. They are friendly, as is the rest of the staff and while they exemplify hospitality, they know who their regulars are, and treat them as family. I hadn’t been to their new location. In fact it had probably been a year or so since I had been to The Sinful Kitchen (such is life) so when I found out that the rehab hospital my Dad was in was just minutes down the road, I jumped at the chance to eat there, and we went ALMOST every day, including on my birthday!
The Food and Drink
As I mentioned, the food has an inspired asian flavor, and EVERYTHING can be made gluten free. They also have a ton of vegan options and even serve tofu, and other faux meat like jack fruit. Their menu is extensive and they have traditional items like eggs benedict, pancakes, and omelets, yet also have put a unique spin on them. They have what is called a waffle pizza and it is so darn good. Their stuffed French toast is also what dreams are made of. They have specials that change not just seasonally, but daily, and use the freshest ingredients. I can not say I have ever had a bad meal here and to pick a favorite would be hard.
Everything is just so darn good and their portions are substantial. You definitely will not leave hungry! I also would be remiss if I didn’t talk about their drinks. Their Bloody Mary’s are some of the best I have ever had. They also serve boozy coffee, and serve them in the cutest, most unique mugs. I don’t think we ever got the same one, and we were ordering not just coffee, but tea as well! They also have mimosas, as well as other cocktails and have daily drink specials on top of their food specials. And let me tell you, their drinks are strong and hit the spot!
It’s one of my favorite, if not my favorite breakfast spot in Portland. But you don’t have to take my word for it! They are always busy and as I mentioned, having a reservation is a great idea. Turn over is quick, but you never feel rushed and the staff is friendly, talkative and by the end of going there (almost daily for weeks) they knew us and treated us like family. And did I mention how yummy the food is? Brunch places are hard to come by in this day and age, which is unfortunate, as it is one of my favorite meals, and the Sinful Kitchen tops that list of best brunch places around!
Do you have a favorite brunch place?
