I stopped in for a healthier late lunch choice on Saturday and loved what I got. I was greeted immediately by one of the owners when I walked in and he explained to me how to order. One side of the shop has salads and the other side had wraps and more. I wanted a salad in a wrap and they made it for me as they do for everyone-just the way they like it. I even got a Sutter Home Chardonnay mini to go with it and seated myself inside at the bar in front of the window and peacefully watched the people and cars go by. There is seating outside, but the intermittent thunderstorms set me indoors looking out as the next best thing. I selected mixed baby greens and added roasted potato, portabello mushrooms, carrots, kalamata olives, blue cheese, apples and a cucumber yogurt dressing of some delicious kind and had them chop it all up and put it in a wrap. So delicious that I have to go back later this week and have it again. For dessert, I was given a Nutella cake. Heaven, heaven, heaven. Rich, but not overpowering. Truly decadent. I will be back as a regular for sure! Friendly people and the owner in-store. Fantastic!
(5)
Brendhan M.
Extensive menu with lots of items that I suppose you could assemble into something that tasted good, but sadly, the signature wrap (Mediterranean Chicken) that I got lacked any sort of flavor. No acid in the salsa, lack of salt overall, no garlic flavor as advertised - just a mushy, bland, blah wrap. Nothing gourmet about it at all. The person I was with had a salad and said it was good, but nothing spectacular. We were offered a sample of the "preserved apples" and yogurt. This was nothing more that apples out of a tin with a tiny dollop of greek yogurt plopped on. The syrup was overly sweet and off-putting. Wrap, salad and 2 sodas = $20.04. Many other places in the area where you get a better product for a greater value. A few thoughts for the restaurant... While splitting the lines for the salad and wrap/ bowl stations seems like a good idea, if you are paying for more than yourself, it makes it difficult to coordinate paying your bill. Also, you need to provide a side that isn't a dessert item. What I wouldn't have done for a crunchy chip to break up the mush monotony that was happening with the wrap. Lastly, what is the point of being able to choose your greens and then handing it to someone to build your salad? Seems like a strange system to pick a prepackaged bowl of salad, just to have someone unpackage, build and then stick it back in.
(2)
Laura K.
So we were going to a 12:30pm show at the movies - we were going to have lunch first at the new salad and wrap place. At 11:20 the shop was still closed but the hours read 11:00am opening. Totally disappointed and we went to Panera instead. Maybe they went out if business already!!!!
(1)
Lisa E.
Had lunch there for the first time yesterday. It was so delicious - I had the Mediterranean bowl. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Sarah H.
They've revamped their menu - if you remember the owner's earlier place, Whaddapita on Forest Ave, you'll see some similar options. This makes me really happy, because their pork gyro was excellent! Today we came to try their new brunch options, thanks to a promotional email that talked about free mimosas with the purchase of a brunch entree. I had two pieces of big, fluffy, well-cooked French Toast ($6.99) that were very good! The wife had a sundried tomato and feta omelette ($9.99) that came with a side of hand cut fries. She likes a dry, well-cooked omelette, so this was perfect. Both meals were made to order and seemed really fresh. The space is big, bright, clean, and modern. I think they need better signage outside to let folks know that they are open. This could be a great space to host an event. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Jonna D.
Their pita's are awesome! We got a free dessert too! I will definitely return.
(5)
T L.
Really excellent fast casual food. The salad and soup I had was amazing. The food was all very fresh tasting and of the highest quality. The staff was very friendly and helpful as well. The place is nice and open, and we'll designed too. I wish there was one where I lived because with all the variety of things to try this could easily be an easy daily meal spot.
(5)
Lisa D.
Owner and staff warm, inviting and very helpful. Salads were delicious. Best salad bar selection in town. Everything is fresh, and there are many local and all natural ingredients. We particularly loved the brussels sprouts, broccoli, and the variety of unique homemade dressings. The Greek yogurt with grape preserves was phenomenal as a light desert. Pavlo, the owner, was right there to greet us, ready to answer questions and make us feel welcome. He is meticulous about quality, cleanliness and service. It's great to have a natural, healthy alternative near the mall. We'll definitely go back and highly recommend it -- whether you're heading to the mall or just looking for a great healthy meal.
(5)
Steff D.
When you're a vegetarian everyone assumes you love salad. I don't really love salad. Actually, I tend to avoid it altogether because they bore me. I can come up with a hundred other ways to make my veggies sexy, #thankyouverymuch. But when I was in California about six months back I went to this place called Mixt Greens ( yelp.com/biz/mixt-greens… ); it's a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure, but with salad. I got some inappropriately enormous, beast of a salad that made me a believer once again. I wished that Portland had something like that. Fast forward and now we do! Gourmaine, I've been waiting for you. Literally. You are nearly everything I've ever wanted from a salad place and a dream come true for a vegetarian who likes to eat locally sourced food being crafted by locals themselves. Variety is the spice of life, and one of the uphill battles of being a vegetarian dining out is ultimately the lack of choices we end up having. You will not find that at Gourmaine. I could come here every single day for a year and never get the same thing. And THAT excites me. My salad this round: Base: Arugula Veggies: Beets, More Beets, Kalamata Olives, Cukes Gourmet Ingredients: Avocado, Falafel Crunchy: Croutons Dressing: Lemon Tahini Dressing (medium amount) Chop: Light to Medium Yum. YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. While the girl was cashing out we bombarded her with questions and found out: the chef makes everything on site from the dressing to the falafel. Even the pastries are handmade. They all looked divine, but today wasn't a day for those lovely, decadent European baked goods (which would have gone straight to my hips). So yes, I'm a fan. I'll be back. The only things I didn't love were (and these are SUPER nit-picky, but should be noted): 1) the beets - I thought they were going to be a bit softer; maybe they were undercooked that day? They didn't taste like beets and had a serious crunch to them that ended up making the salad a wee bit unpleasant (in the end, I picked most of them out); 2) the owner seemed to be trying TOO hard to be everywhere at once and it came off slightly aggressive (over time I believe he'll relax and trust his employees more); 3) the price - HFS, is it expensive here. Two salads and two drinks came to $30. FOR SALADS. AND DRINKS. Woo, boy, I don't know about that.
(4)
Shane L.
I would have to say that if you are looking for something healthy and an alternative to grease and fat, then Gourmaine is the place to be. I came here to enjoy lunch with a friend today and we picked this restaurant partialy due to the fact that she was a vegetarian and the menu looked amazing. When you first walk in, you can see the clean and well kept dining area and then you can put on your best subway slash chipotle slash qdoba shoes on and walk up to the line and order a la carte and create your own salad or wrap. I dove into the bowl of romaine lettuce with green and red peppers, broccoli, avocado, cucumbers with feta cheese and croutons (I know I know kinda boring) but the dressing is what made it so fresh for me. I had the orange grapefruit vinaigrette to bring some tang to this salad. There was a couple of things here that surprised me. The selections in the a la carte menu are plentiful and robust with things like falafel, square cut beets and pumpkin seeds. It was quite refreshing and after asking the young lady if this restaurant was a chain we found out that it is the only one and she did a great job in helping us and answering our questions. The other unique thing was after she filled the bowls with our salads she asked if we wanted it chopped or not and there are different grades of chop that they can do. I am definitely not a salad aficionado but my mind was both blown and pleasantly surprised by the experience as a whole. Then as we were sitting they came by the table with a free sample of healthy dessert with a cup of apples with a goat style greek yogurt that gave the sweet apple some tartness to bite into it. I enjoyed it. The staff was very attentive to the floor when people would leave they were right there to clean up (I saw this because the person I was with and I were chatty kathy's and took a while .. good company) They also had a selection of healthier alternatives for vitamin water or flavored water drinks and there was a big sign in front saying they have beer and wine so this could be a nice dinner with a glass of wine for those looking for something healthy. There is some outside seating but with the humidity of today it was a little too hot to sit outside. I will be going back to this new place right next to the Olive Garden and Newicks lobster house.
(4)
Jeanne C.
Local food great setvice. I really enjoyed the grilled pork Mediterranean bowl. Perfect lunch spot...and free mimosa for Saturday brunch!
(4)
Diane H.
Just happened upon this place and what a find! All locally grown foods and natural meats. You can make your own bowls and salads and everything is fresh and delicious. The avocado creme fraiche was fantastic! Staff is so friendly and you can get in and out quick during lunch hour rush. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Cathy A.
Got a chicken bowl with zesty feta cheese, and it is SO, so good! Definitely coming back!
(5)
Bruce D.
This is a welcome addition to the area and represents the next evolution in 'mass customization' where everyone gets exactly the salad they desire, every time. Similar to an ice cream 'mix in' you choose the leafy base and then specify which amendments will grace your salad. It's then prepared efficiently and accurately. Unlike our wonderful vegan friends, I like specific healthy meats. It's easy to hit specific nutrition goals with this type of offering. Nutrition info for each ingredient posted in a central spot or on a one page handout would be a great thing to have. Go nuts on your orded and you'll be presented with a slightly hefty bill. Be careful with the pricier proteins and ingredients or you may need a second mortgage to finance that leafy masterpiece. Not to worry. Stick with the varied choices on the top menu and you can skip a trip to the loan officer. A spotlessly clean interior, friendly staff , modern decor and ample free off street parking complete the experience. Two opportunities for improvement: 1.) Customers would benefit if they could place one of each available beer on display in a visible place. Beers were hidden away in closed coolers behind opaque doors when I visited. 2.) Wine was offered on a poster but not available. Drink prices for either beverage were not posted. I enjoyed the meal and look forward to becoming an enthusiastic regular, if I can afford it.
(4)
Brett F.
Gourmaine is the new restaurant next to Olive Garden and the now defunct Newicks. They're aiming to be a local, healthier option than the surrounding chains. Here's how it works: Like a Choose Your Own Adventure, you walk in and head left for the wraps/bowls and right for the salads. On the wrap side, you select grilled chicken, braised pork, gyro meat or portobello, and then unlimited veggies/rice from a list. Other veggies/cheeses cost extra. You then select one of the six homemade sauces and out comes a hulking wrap the size of a Chipotle burrito. For $8 it's a little pricey but will leave you more than full and tasted fresh and delicious. Head right and you're presented with shelves consisting of different bowls of greens. Pick your green and pick 4 toppings. Extras are $.50 and there are premium toppings (think avocado) for more. Any of the 16 homemade salad dressings are included. Surprisingly you're asked for a heavy, normal or light dressing amount. Such a great idea! Without extra add-ons, the salad is $7.00. There are other options for specialty salads, wraps and bowls. The owners I believe are Greek and brought out free desserts of greek yogurt with caramel sauce. It was probably the best I've had. The restaurant itself is sleek and modern with plenty of seating inside and out. The website already has the full menu and will have online ordering shortly. I think Gourmaine is a great addition to the area. Healthy, local wraps and salads are a perfect lunch, and I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Mary M.
Finally a good fast salad place in Maine! The ingredients were all fresh and delicious. I had been missing the NYC salad places and now no longer need to. Highly recommend!
(5)
Yegor M.
Working in South Portland, the choices are somewhat limited for a good healthy lunch especially around the Maine Mall. If you are in the mood for "state of the art" or "build it yourself for $12" salad then this is the place for you. And I haven't tried 90% of other items on their menu. Yet. I used spring greens as base, added steak, 4 additional vegetables, cheese, honey balsamic dressing and some other components - that I don't remember now. The salad was HUGE and needed to be chopped in order to fit into a to-go bowl. This is the best salad place in Portland or South Portland - all ingredients ( and there are plenty: from avocados to beats and mushrooms) were fresh, tasty and exciting to see on your plate. TIP: Salads are huge so if you order one with several add-on toppings, then you can easily split it with your friend. Also go "light" on the dressing as "medium" was a bit much.
(5)
Emily A.
I am completely OBSESSED with this place! Locally owned, uses locally sourced ingredients and they make all of their sauces/dressings and bread in house... what more could you want?! Oh, and the owner goes above and beyond to make sure the customers are happy. This place is amazing and I hope enough people get on board so it survives and flourishes!
(5)
Joe G.
Ventured in today for lunch. Was met promptly by the manager (owner?) who explained how the system worked: to the right for salads, to the left for wraps. My wife and I both went to the right for salads and were not disappointed. The greens and all ingredients were fresh and delicious. The flavors of the grilled chicken and the salad dressings were very yummy. We were offered two free samples an apricot pastry cookie and some Greek yogurts with grape preserves and apple preserves. My comment was "if Oikos tastes like this Greek yogurt, they'd sell a ton more of it." I'll definitely come back again to try some of the other delicious looking offerings.
(5)
Justin And Elizabeth L.
We desperately want this business to succeed...but we feel like it has a way to go before it is ready for prime time. The restaurant in very clean and well maintained inside, but we couldn't help but feel like the store was grossly under capitalized. That sentiment is further supported by the fact that the restaurant languished in an almost-finished state for many months before the owners finally opened the doors. The menu is fresh, healthy Mediterranean food. We both enjoyed our meals. We had a Mediterranean rice bowl with chicken and a steak salad. There were limited opportunities to add on to our ticket with sides...a clear missed opportunity. Also, the rice that was offered with meals was plain. We felt like the menu would benefit form a whole grain option and/or a saffron rice option....after all, this is a Mediterranean menu. Overall, GourMaine as currently constituted is "meh"...but we hope it finds the capital and cash flow necessary to up its game and become a player in the local take-home QSR scene.
(4)
Gail B.
This restaurant is perfect for eating healthy and local. A large variety of build your own salad options as well as a few nice looking wrap combos. Decor is clean line and somewhat hip with plenty of natural light. The Greek Yogurt Honey cake is one of the best desserts I have ever eaten. This restaurant deserves your business as they go out of their way to earn it.
(5)
Alex K.
So good - tried the portobello mushroom bowl, which is orzo covered with veggies, fetta cheese, and a delicious garlic aioli sauce. I generally don't like yogurt, but their greek yogurt with grape preserves sample is something I'd definitely get again. They make the food right in front of you, and there's a good mix of established dishes and options to build your own salads, bowls, wraps, etc. It's really great to have a place like this in South Portland - can't wait to go back!
(5)
Bonnie M.
Hubby and I had dinner here last week. Think Chipotle with a Greek flair. Their space is huge and well decorated but a bit confusing as to what you do to order. There is a lot of open space that seems awkward now, but can be utilized down the road if they grow. Onto the food/ordering. There are two sides, salads to the right and hot foods to the left. Though it wasn't really clear, you order all the way to the far right or left and work your way to the middle. If there had been more people, maybe that would have been more clear but luckily the staff was super friendly and helpful. We both went with hot and I got a bowl with rice and gyro meat (chicken and a vegetarian option for protein were other choices). Like Chipotle, you go down the line and they piled the food on. I chose salsa (which was really like a Greek pico de gallo (think cucumbers, onions, tomatoes)), onions, mushrooms, feta (extra $1.99, which feels a little high), and sauce (tzatziki) but that may not sound like much but it was. And it was SOOO good. I could barely make a dent so I brought it home and ate it cold the next day and it was even better. Husband got a burrito with gyro meat and a bunch of toppings and thought it was good but he wouldn't seek it out. I, on the other hand, plan to be back again. He's definitely not into Greek food as much as me. He's more of a pizza and burgers guy and he loves Chipotle, so for him, this is a lesser version of one of his favorites. For me, a place that's fast, but different, is right up my alley. I only wish it was closer to Saco.
(4)
Mark D.
Went here today because I had heard through the grapevine that it was a great place and locally owned. I ordered one of their "Gourmet Wraps" which consisted of a flour tortilla fresh out of store bought bag and a young girl working on the front line who had to read from a little cheat card on how to make this particular wrap. Then to top it off she really didn't do a great job wrapping said wrap and presented it to me rolled up in a piece of aluminum foil without having cut it in half or putting it in a basket or anything even after my wife and I had said we planned to eat it there. Bottom line there was nothing "Gourmet" about this wrap there are way to many staff working in this place and none of them really seem to know whats going on. The music playing outside is loud and obnoxious the inside dining area is way to big and kind of coldly institutional almost like your in a hospital cafeteria. we went at noon "lunch rush" on a weekday and the place was dead and it felt even more dead cause of how huge it is. just an overall crummy experience. the only reason I didn't give it 1 star is because the ingredients seemed fairly good. I guess if you work in sopo and are looking for a place to get a quick lunch and get out then i guess it might work for you but I can think of several other places I'd rather go. I wanted to like this place but they really need to get their act together and train their employees properly.
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Julie M.
I stopped in for a healthier late lunch choice on Saturday and loved what I got. I was greeted immediately by one of the owners when I walked in and he explained to me how to order. One side of the shop has salads and the other side had wraps and more. I wanted a salad in a wrap and they made it for me as they do for everyone-just the way they like it. I even got a Sutter Home Chardonnay mini to go with it and seated myself inside at the bar in front of the window and peacefully watched the people and cars go by. There is seating outside, but the intermittent thunderstorms set me indoors looking out as the next best thing. I selected mixed baby greens and added roasted potato, portabello mushrooms, carrots, kalamata olives, blue cheese, apples and a cucumber yogurt dressing of some delicious kind and had them chop it all up and put it in a wrap. So delicious that I have to go back later this week and have it again. For dessert, I was given a Nutella cake. Heaven, heaven, heaven. Rich, but not overpowering. Truly decadent. I will be back as a regular for sure! Friendly people and the owner in-store. Fantastic!
(5)Brendhan M.
Extensive menu with lots of items that I suppose you could assemble into something that tasted good, but sadly, the signature wrap (Mediterranean Chicken) that I got lacked any sort of flavor. No acid in the salsa, lack of salt overall, no garlic flavor as advertised - just a mushy, bland, blah wrap. Nothing gourmet about it at all. The person I was with had a salad and said it was good, but nothing spectacular. We were offered a sample of the "preserved apples" and yogurt. This was nothing more that apples out of a tin with a tiny dollop of greek yogurt plopped on. The syrup was overly sweet and off-putting. Wrap, salad and 2 sodas = $20.04. Many other places in the area where you get a better product for a greater value. A few thoughts for the restaurant... While splitting the lines for the salad and wrap/ bowl stations seems like a good idea, if you are paying for more than yourself, it makes it difficult to coordinate paying your bill. Also, you need to provide a side that isn't a dessert item. What I wouldn't have done for a crunchy chip to break up the mush monotony that was happening with the wrap. Lastly, what is the point of being able to choose your greens and then handing it to someone to build your salad? Seems like a strange system to pick a prepackaged bowl of salad, just to have someone unpackage, build and then stick it back in.
(2)Laura K.
So we were going to a 12:30pm show at the movies - we were going to have lunch first at the new salad and wrap place. At 11:20 the shop was still closed but the hours read 11:00am opening. Totally disappointed and we went to Panera instead. Maybe they went out if business already!!!!
(1)Lisa E.
Had lunch there for the first time yesterday. It was so delicious - I had the Mediterranean bowl. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Sarah H.
They've revamped their menu - if you remember the owner's earlier place, Whaddapita on Forest Ave, you'll see some similar options. This makes me really happy, because their pork gyro was excellent! Today we came to try their new brunch options, thanks to a promotional email that talked about free mimosas with the purchase of a brunch entree. I had two pieces of big, fluffy, well-cooked French Toast ($6.99) that were very good! The wife had a sundried tomato and feta omelette ($9.99) that came with a side of hand cut fries. She likes a dry, well-cooked omelette, so this was perfect. Both meals were made to order and seemed really fresh. The space is big, bright, clean, and modern. I think they need better signage outside to let folks know that they are open. This could be a great space to host an event. We will definitely be back!
(4)Jonna D.
Their pita's are awesome! We got a free dessert too! I will definitely return.
(5)T L.
Really excellent fast casual food. The salad and soup I had was amazing. The food was all very fresh tasting and of the highest quality. The staff was very friendly and helpful as well. The place is nice and open, and we'll designed too. I wish there was one where I lived because with all the variety of things to try this could easily be an easy daily meal spot.
(5)Lisa D.
Owner and staff warm, inviting and very helpful. Salads were delicious. Best salad bar selection in town. Everything is fresh, and there are many local and all natural ingredients. We particularly loved the brussels sprouts, broccoli, and the variety of unique homemade dressings. The Greek yogurt with grape preserves was phenomenal as a light desert. Pavlo, the owner, was right there to greet us, ready to answer questions and make us feel welcome. He is meticulous about quality, cleanliness and service. It's great to have a natural, healthy alternative near the mall. We'll definitely go back and highly recommend it -- whether you're heading to the mall or just looking for a great healthy meal.
(5)Steff D.
When you're a vegetarian everyone assumes you love salad. I don't really love salad. Actually, I tend to avoid it altogether because they bore me. I can come up with a hundred other ways to make my veggies sexy, #thankyouverymuch. But when I was in California about six months back I went to this place called Mixt Greens ( yelp.com/biz/mixt-greens… ); it's a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure, but with salad. I got some inappropriately enormous, beast of a salad that made me a believer once again. I wished that Portland had something like that. Fast forward and now we do! Gourmaine, I've been waiting for you. Literally. You are nearly everything I've ever wanted from a salad place and a dream come true for a vegetarian who likes to eat locally sourced food being crafted by locals themselves. Variety is the spice of life, and one of the uphill battles of being a vegetarian dining out is ultimately the lack of choices we end up having. You will not find that at Gourmaine. I could come here every single day for a year and never get the same thing. And THAT excites me. My salad this round: Base: Arugula Veggies: Beets, More Beets, Kalamata Olives, Cukes Gourmet Ingredients: Avocado, Falafel Crunchy: Croutons Dressing: Lemon Tahini Dressing (medium amount) Chop: Light to Medium Yum. YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. While the girl was cashing out we bombarded her with questions and found out: the chef makes everything on site from the dressing to the falafel. Even the pastries are handmade. They all looked divine, but today wasn't a day for those lovely, decadent European baked goods (which would have gone straight to my hips). So yes, I'm a fan. I'll be back. The only things I didn't love were (and these are SUPER nit-picky, but should be noted): 1) the beets - I thought they were going to be a bit softer; maybe they were undercooked that day? They didn't taste like beets and had a serious crunch to them that ended up making the salad a wee bit unpleasant (in the end, I picked most of them out); 2) the owner seemed to be trying TOO hard to be everywhere at once and it came off slightly aggressive (over time I believe he'll relax and trust his employees more); 3) the price - HFS, is it expensive here. Two salads and two drinks came to $30. FOR SALADS. AND DRINKS. Woo, boy, I don't know about that.
(4)Shane L.
I would have to say that if you are looking for something healthy and an alternative to grease and fat, then Gourmaine is the place to be. I came here to enjoy lunch with a friend today and we picked this restaurant partialy due to the fact that she was a vegetarian and the menu looked amazing. When you first walk in, you can see the clean and well kept dining area and then you can put on your best subway slash chipotle slash qdoba shoes on and walk up to the line and order a la carte and create your own salad or wrap. I dove into the bowl of romaine lettuce with green and red peppers, broccoli, avocado, cucumbers with feta cheese and croutons (I know I know kinda boring) but the dressing is what made it so fresh for me. I had the orange grapefruit vinaigrette to bring some tang to this salad. There was a couple of things here that surprised me. The selections in the a la carte menu are plentiful and robust with things like falafel, square cut beets and pumpkin seeds. It was quite refreshing and after asking the young lady if this restaurant was a chain we found out that it is the only one and she did a great job in helping us and answering our questions. The other unique thing was after she filled the bowls with our salads she asked if we wanted it chopped or not and there are different grades of chop that they can do. I am definitely not a salad aficionado but my mind was both blown and pleasantly surprised by the experience as a whole. Then as we were sitting they came by the table with a free sample of healthy dessert with a cup of apples with a goat style greek yogurt that gave the sweet apple some tartness to bite into it. I enjoyed it. The staff was very attentive to the floor when people would leave they were right there to clean up (I saw this because the person I was with and I were chatty kathy's and took a while .. good company) They also had a selection of healthier alternatives for vitamin water or flavored water drinks and there was a big sign in front saying they have beer and wine so this could be a nice dinner with a glass of wine for those looking for something healthy. There is some outside seating but with the humidity of today it was a little too hot to sit outside. I will be going back to this new place right next to the Olive Garden and Newicks lobster house.
(4)Jeanne C.
Local food great setvice. I really enjoyed the grilled pork Mediterranean bowl. Perfect lunch spot...and free mimosa for Saturday brunch!
(4)Diane H.
Just happened upon this place and what a find! All locally grown foods and natural meats. You can make your own bowls and salads and everything is fresh and delicious. The avocado creme fraiche was fantastic! Staff is so friendly and you can get in and out quick during lunch hour rush. Will definitely be back!
(5)Cathy A.
Got a chicken bowl with zesty feta cheese, and it is SO, so good! Definitely coming back!
(5)Bruce D.
This is a welcome addition to the area and represents the next evolution in 'mass customization' where everyone gets exactly the salad they desire, every time. Similar to an ice cream 'mix in' you choose the leafy base and then specify which amendments will grace your salad. It's then prepared efficiently and accurately. Unlike our wonderful vegan friends, I like specific healthy meats. It's easy to hit specific nutrition goals with this type of offering. Nutrition info for each ingredient posted in a central spot or on a one page handout would be a great thing to have. Go nuts on your orded and you'll be presented with a slightly hefty bill. Be careful with the pricier proteins and ingredients or you may need a second mortgage to finance that leafy masterpiece. Not to worry. Stick with the varied choices on the top menu and you can skip a trip to the loan officer. A spotlessly clean interior, friendly staff , modern decor and ample free off street parking complete the experience. Two opportunities for improvement: 1.) Customers would benefit if they could place one of each available beer on display in a visible place. Beers were hidden away in closed coolers behind opaque doors when I visited. 2.) Wine was offered on a poster but not available. Drink prices for either beverage were not posted. I enjoyed the meal and look forward to becoming an enthusiastic regular, if I can afford it.
(4)Brett F.
Gourmaine is the new restaurant next to Olive Garden and the now defunct Newicks. They're aiming to be a local, healthier option than the surrounding chains. Here's how it works: Like a Choose Your Own Adventure, you walk in and head left for the wraps/bowls and right for the salads. On the wrap side, you select grilled chicken, braised pork, gyro meat or portobello, and then unlimited veggies/rice from a list. Other veggies/cheeses cost extra. You then select one of the six homemade sauces and out comes a hulking wrap the size of a Chipotle burrito. For $8 it's a little pricey but will leave you more than full and tasted fresh and delicious. Head right and you're presented with shelves consisting of different bowls of greens. Pick your green and pick 4 toppings. Extras are $.50 and there are premium toppings (think avocado) for more. Any of the 16 homemade salad dressings are included. Surprisingly you're asked for a heavy, normal or light dressing amount. Such a great idea! Without extra add-ons, the salad is $7.00. There are other options for specialty salads, wraps and bowls. The owners I believe are Greek and brought out free desserts of greek yogurt with caramel sauce. It was probably the best I've had. The restaurant itself is sleek and modern with plenty of seating inside and out. The website already has the full menu and will have online ordering shortly. I think Gourmaine is a great addition to the area. Healthy, local wraps and salads are a perfect lunch, and I can't wait to go back.
(4)Mary M.
Finally a good fast salad place in Maine! The ingredients were all fresh and delicious. I had been missing the NYC salad places and now no longer need to. Highly recommend!
(5)Yegor M.
Working in South Portland, the choices are somewhat limited for a good healthy lunch especially around the Maine Mall. If you are in the mood for "state of the art" or "build it yourself for $12" salad then this is the place for you. And I haven't tried 90% of other items on their menu. Yet. I used spring greens as base, added steak, 4 additional vegetables, cheese, honey balsamic dressing and some other components - that I don't remember now. The salad was HUGE and needed to be chopped in order to fit into a to-go bowl. This is the best salad place in Portland or South Portland - all ingredients ( and there are plenty: from avocados to beats and mushrooms) were fresh, tasty and exciting to see on your plate. TIP: Salads are huge so if you order one with several add-on toppings, then you can easily split it with your friend. Also go "light" on the dressing as "medium" was a bit much.
(5)Emily A.
I am completely OBSESSED with this place! Locally owned, uses locally sourced ingredients and they make all of their sauces/dressings and bread in house... what more could you want?! Oh, and the owner goes above and beyond to make sure the customers are happy. This place is amazing and I hope enough people get on board so it survives and flourishes!
(5)Joe G.
Ventured in today for lunch. Was met promptly by the manager (owner?) who explained how the system worked: to the right for salads, to the left for wraps. My wife and I both went to the right for salads and were not disappointed. The greens and all ingredients were fresh and delicious. The flavors of the grilled chicken and the salad dressings were very yummy. We were offered two free samples an apricot pastry cookie and some Greek yogurts with grape preserves and apple preserves. My comment was "if Oikos tastes like this Greek yogurt, they'd sell a ton more of it." I'll definitely come back again to try some of the other delicious looking offerings.
(5)Justin And Elizabeth L.
We desperately want this business to succeed...but we feel like it has a way to go before it is ready for prime time. The restaurant in very clean and well maintained inside, but we couldn't help but feel like the store was grossly under capitalized. That sentiment is further supported by the fact that the restaurant languished in an almost-finished state for many months before the owners finally opened the doors. The menu is fresh, healthy Mediterranean food. We both enjoyed our meals. We had a Mediterranean rice bowl with chicken and a steak salad. There were limited opportunities to add on to our ticket with sides...a clear missed opportunity. Also, the rice that was offered with meals was plain. We felt like the menu would benefit form a whole grain option and/or a saffron rice option....after all, this is a Mediterranean menu. Overall, GourMaine as currently constituted is "meh"...but we hope it finds the capital and cash flow necessary to up its game and become a player in the local take-home QSR scene.
(4)Gail B.
This restaurant is perfect for eating healthy and local. A large variety of build your own salad options as well as a few nice looking wrap combos. Decor is clean line and somewhat hip with plenty of natural light. The Greek Yogurt Honey cake is one of the best desserts I have ever eaten. This restaurant deserves your business as they go out of their way to earn it.
(5)Alex K.
So good - tried the portobello mushroom bowl, which is orzo covered with veggies, fetta cheese, and a delicious garlic aioli sauce. I generally don't like yogurt, but their greek yogurt with grape preserves sample is something I'd definitely get again. They make the food right in front of you, and there's a good mix of established dishes and options to build your own salads, bowls, wraps, etc. It's really great to have a place like this in South Portland - can't wait to go back!
(5)Bonnie M.
Hubby and I had dinner here last week. Think Chipotle with a Greek flair. Their space is huge and well decorated but a bit confusing as to what you do to order. There is a lot of open space that seems awkward now, but can be utilized down the road if they grow. Onto the food/ordering. There are two sides, salads to the right and hot foods to the left. Though it wasn't really clear, you order all the way to the far right or left and work your way to the middle. If there had been more people, maybe that would have been more clear but luckily the staff was super friendly and helpful. We both went with hot and I got a bowl with rice and gyro meat (chicken and a vegetarian option for protein were other choices). Like Chipotle, you go down the line and they piled the food on. I chose salsa (which was really like a Greek pico de gallo (think cucumbers, onions, tomatoes)), onions, mushrooms, feta (extra $1.99, which feels a little high), and sauce (tzatziki) but that may not sound like much but it was. And it was SOOO good. I could barely make a dent so I brought it home and ate it cold the next day and it was even better. Husband got a burrito with gyro meat and a bunch of toppings and thought it was good but he wouldn't seek it out. I, on the other hand, plan to be back again. He's definitely not into Greek food as much as me. He's more of a pizza and burgers guy and he loves Chipotle, so for him, this is a lesser version of one of his favorites. For me, a place that's fast, but different, is right up my alley. I only wish it was closer to Saco.
(4)Mark D.
Went here today because I had heard through the grapevine that it was a great place and locally owned. I ordered one of their "Gourmet Wraps" which consisted of a flour tortilla fresh out of store bought bag and a young girl working on the front line who had to read from a little cheat card on how to make this particular wrap. Then to top it off she really didn't do a great job wrapping said wrap and presented it to me rolled up in a piece of aluminum foil without having cut it in half or putting it in a basket or anything even after my wife and I had said we planned to eat it there. Bottom line there was nothing "Gourmet" about this wrap there are way to many staff working in this place and none of them really seem to know whats going on. The music playing outside is loud and obnoxious the inside dining area is way to big and kind of coldly institutional almost like your in a hospital cafeteria. we went at noon "lunch rush" on a weekday and the place was dead and it felt even more dead cause of how huge it is. just an overall crummy experience. the only reason I didn't give it 1 star is because the ingredients seemed fairly good. I guess if you work in sopo and are looking for a place to get a quick lunch and get out then i guess it might work for you but I can think of several other places I'd rather go. I wanted to like this place but they really need to get their act together and train their employees properly.
(2)