In the May issue of Down East Magazine, I edited "Where to Eat Now." It features the favorite restaurants of Maine chefs, specialty-store owners, and food writers, hopefully guiding you to some surprising finds and old favorites.

Here's the short list:

Billy's Tavern, Thomaston
Homegrown Herb & Tea, Portland
The Lobster Shack at Two Lights, Cape Elizabeth
Appalachian Trail Cafe, Millinocket
Bahaar, Bangor
Food Factory Miyake, Portland
Frontier Cafe, Brunswick
158 Pickett Street Cafe, South Portland
XYZ, Southwest Harbor
Flatbread Company, Portland
The Maine Diner, Wells
Thai Garden, Freeport
Back Bay Grill, Portland
Stones, North Yarmouth
Cinque Terre, Portland

There are many more restaurants listed in the article, as well as some specific recommendations of what to eat, so check it out . But since we have the chef and professional foodie perspective, I'd love to hear from others about some of their favorite places to grab a bite (or a cone or a slice) around the state.

One of my favorite indulgences is the lunch buffet at the Broad Arrow Tavern in Freeport. If they have Boston cream pie do not resist. For another Freeport dining spot, check out Debra Spark's review of the nearby Azure Cafe. The linguine with white clam sauce is to die for!

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