Bar Dobre
If you want to sit out of the rain with a plate of fresh pierogi and a pint of Zywiec, Bar Dobre is your destination. A friendly and intimate little place, with thorough service and a proud chef/owner who likes to check in personally with his guests when things calm down after the last rush of entrées. It is young and promising like the food, and full of hope and hospitality.
"Poland," "Portland," and "Pizza" are the three divisions of their young menu. Scattered categories normally suggest a lack of confidence and focus, but there are good things in each, so I don't mind the safe play at this stage in their evolution.
Bar Dobre's initial season shows a solid start, a unique offering, and a sincere attention to hospitality. The ingredients are in place, and now they must work hard to add wow factors of color and texture to the food, because their only competition is themselves.
-CHRIS ONSTAD