Portland wine bar Drifters Wife is on Bon Appetit’s list of this year’s 50 best new restaurants.

The East End wine bar is one of nine restaurants named in the Northeast category, including five in New York City.

Brooklyn defectors Peter and Orenda Hale first opened a wine shop called Maine & Loire before opening the bar in the same location on inner Washington Avenue, where there’s been a surge of new dining options.

Bon Appetit said Drifters Wife “effortlessly nails that date-night wine-bar vibe that city dwellers know so well.”

The food magazine will narrow the list of 50 to its “Hot 10” on Aug. 16.

In 2014, Portland restaurant Central Provisions, which was one of the magazine’s 50 best new restaurants along with Palace Diner in Biddeford, went on to make the top ten list.

Last year, the East Ender and Tandem Coffee + Bakery were among the top 50.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.