Winter Dining at Evo Kitchen & Bar

“I have no reason to dress up.” That is the top thing I’ve heard clients say over these past few weeks related to how they’re feeling uninspired and unenthusiastic dressing for the day-to-day. It’s true with cases reaching an all-time high there are limited opportunities to need to get dressed up altogether. For those lucky enough to be able to work from home you may wear a nice blouse for a zoom meeting here and there, but other than that it’s leggings and cozy clothing. While I for one am enjoying a level of comfort like never before, there is something unsettling about your favorite sparkly dresses collecting dust in the back of your closet just days from New Year’s Eve.

With your safety and wellbeing in mind, large traditional gatherings are out of the picture this year. Either you’re watching the ball drop from on your couch or if you feel comfortable enough to, you’ll ring in the new year with a nice meal at a local restaurant that offers safe dine-in options. At the very top of my list for NYE as well as any night of the week is Evo Kitchen + Bar. Not only do they offer exquisite food and an elevated environment, but they provide a hospital-grade state-or-the-art air filtration system with your safety in mind.

In this new era, the only real excuse to ‘dress up’ anymore is to go out to eat. Winter dining is facing hardship like never before, especially in a colder environment like Maine. Living in Portland, a major foodie city, it’s been so incredible to see how restaurants have been adapting to these challenges by offering unique outdoor options.

Set inside mini outdoor heated glass structures, Evo’s chalets offer patrons a one-of-a-kind outdoor dining experience. Their team of chefs, led by Executive Chef and multiple Chopped Champion Matt Ginn, provide parties of 2-5 with a customized tasting menu starting at $90 per person. I had the pleasure of dining at Evo in one of their chalets the other week and cannot begin to describe how unforgettable the meal was and even better, how safe I felt.

Joining me for this special winter dining experience were my dear friends Tara and Ciara. Together, the three of us shared a delicious bottle of wine and a 6-course meal under twinkly lights and a gleaming clear night sky.

You may remember I featured Evo on the blog five years ago. A LOT has changed since then, but one thing that is for sure is how consistent Evo is at providing an outstanding meal. What sets the restaurant apart from the many other delicious food spots in town, is their mouthwatering Mediterranean inspired taste fused with locally sourced Maine foods.

The true beauty of what Evo offers is that if you are not able to visit their chalets this winter, you can always order their food to-go and choose to dress up and dine in the comfort of your own home. For my evening out, I partnered with my local Anthropologie to style my friends and me in NYE-inspired outfits. I wanted to incorporate a good mix of sparkle, print, and texture. Time and time again, I go to Anthropologie for beautiful and elegant pieces that are timeless. Plus good news! These outfits we’re wearing are all on SALE for an additional 50% OFF!