Best Contemporary American Restaurants in South Waterfront

After two years of having Thanksgiving Dinner at a large and noisy chain restaurant, we opted for King Tide this year. We had not been here before, and it was a great first impression. It was the perfect low-key Thanksgiving we needed. The food was top-notch, and the service was low-key but just right. We'll definitely be back to try out brunch and maybe lunch or dinner some other time. My son and husband had the turkey dinner special and they were both pleased with the quality of the meal. I ordered the special individual beef wellington along with a wedge salad from the regular menu. I am hooked on the wedge salad - it is the best I have ever had with the flavors/seasoning in the dressing. The beef wellington was great. I had never had beef wellington before (but I've definitely seen recipes for it), but it was delicious. For dessert we each tried a different dessert and shared bites with each other - the King Tide sundae, the Basque cheesecake and the pecan pie. All 3 were great! The restaurant opened at 2pm and our reservation was a 2pm, so there was no wait to be seated and our food arrived quickly.

Made a lunch reservation for 2 people @12:15pm. The restaurant was basically empty (only a few tables with guests seated) when I arrived. We were seated immediately at a window table with a fabulous view. A friendly server arrived promptly & answered all our questions about the menu items. My friend and I shared Caesar salad, king salmon, goat milk cheesecake and cappuccinos, all of which were delicious, well prepared and beautifully presented. We enjoyed this tasty lunch and impeccable service… we’ll be back!

I love le pigeon - it was one of the main reasons why I chose Portland for our family vacation

We absolutely love this place. They always take special care with my food allergies and service is always top notch. And the food is delicious!

Arden never disappoints. This little gem of a spot offers seasonal cuisine, French inspired, but completely accessible. Nicholas is AMAZING (he will provide you with some truly amazing wine pairings) and the chef's combinations are exquisitely balanced, creative, and palette pleasing. See the chef expediting at the small counter and knowing that everything will be perfect is an experience not often found at this price point. This is a place where we are made to feel valued and welcomed, and the food leaves you contented and excited for the next culinary journey. I cannot say enough good things about Arden.