I dined at a James Beard-nominated restaurant for the first time. Here are 10 things that surprised me.

• I recently dined at Fore Street, one of the most awarded restaurants in Portland, Maine.
• The restaurant has been nominated for many James Beard awards, including “Outstanding Restaurant.”
• I was surprised by how reasonable the prices were and that the simplest dishes were my favorite.

The scent of burning wood filled my nostrils as I pushed through the large paned doors of Fore Street in Portland, Maine. The restaurant, with its tavern-like atmosphere and rustic wood and brick accents, instantly felt welcoming.

I was eager for the dining experience that lie ahead, knowing that Fore Street’s reputation preceded it.

Since opening in 1996 in the historic Old Port neighborhood, Fore Street has garnered countless accolades, making it a culinary cornerstone in Portland.

Chef-partner Sam Hayward, a Portland native who has been called the “godfather of the farm-to-table movement in Maine,” was named the top chef in the Northeastern United States in 2004, one of the highest honors given by the James Beard Foundation.

The restaurant has also been nominated in the “Outstanding Restaurant” category multiple times since it was first recognized in 2011 and was included on OpenTable’s list of the top 100 restaurants in the United States in 2023.

Despite being a food reporter for over five years, I’ve never dined at a restaurant that has been recognized by the James Beard Awards, one of the most prestigious accolades a restaurant or chef can receive.

So, before visiting Portland for the first time, I decided to make a reservation at Fore Street to judge the experience, atmosphere, and, most importantly, the food.

Here are 10 things that surprised me about dining at Fore Street, and whether it’s worth trying to score a coveted reservation.