About Oakdale

Photo courtesy of Mark Pechenik

When it comes to getting your groove on, Oakdale delights with dance, food and fun. Home to the highly regarded Portland Ballet Company, Oakdale has become a magnet for fans and practitioners of dance. At the same time, several gourmet eateries have further enhanced the appeal and dazzle of this community. Finally, local shops with great buys round out the enticing atmosphere of one of Portland's finest locations.

See & Do

Within the past twenty years or so, Oakdale has become the nexus for Portland’s vibrant dance community. No wonder that, when it came time to choosing a home, the Portland Ballet Company (517 Forest Avenue, 207-772-9671, www.portlandballet.org)  selected this Portland neighborhood. The Portland Ballet has quickly developed a reputation for rigorous training in classic ballet. At the same time, it presents exquisite ballet performances in Portland, as well as throughout Maine and New Hampshire. Presentations and workshops can be enjoyed and viewed right at the ballet company’s Oakdale location. Be sure to check out their website for a listing of performances. Also worth checking out is the Casco Bay Movers Studio (517 Forest Avenue, Suite #6, 207-871-1013, www.cascobaymovers.com) , located in the same space as Portland Ballet, which offers lessons in a wide variety of styles including tap, jazz, hip hop, and modern. This dance school also presents public shows on a fairly frequent basis that are well worth catching. Finally, for those seeking a delightful exercise option, Maine Bikram Yoga (49 Dartmouth Street, 207-874-9642, www.mainebikramyoga.com)  offers classes and workshops in this Indian physical art. Bikram features 26 postures focused on stretching, strengthening, and restoring health for participants. The instructors take great care in teaching proper practices with patience and respect. 

Eat

True to its egalitarian nature, Oakdale’s restaurants range from the decidedly upscale to the fun and funky. For those seeking a gourmet night out on the town, the Katahdin Restaurant (27 Forest Avenue, 207-774-1740, http://www.katahdinrestaurant.com/navindex.html) consistently wins rave reviews. Katahdin offers meals to savor with fresh ingredients combined to create memorable meals. Among standout offerings are Fresh Squid Salad with lime, sea salt and cracked pepper; Rib-Eye Steak with Fingerling Potato Au Gratin and Asparagus; and Pacific Salmon with Morels, Fennel Butter and Fava Bean Puree. Another eatery worth sampling is Bibo’s Madd Apple Café (23 Forest Avenue, 207-774-9698, http://www.bibosportland.com/)  which features a creative twist to classic favorites. Among the tasty highlights are Open Faced Mexican Chicken Wontons; Pan Roasted Line Caught Haddock featuring cauliflower mash with sauté of corn, garlic, tomatoes, and spinach; and Chipotle Braised Pork over polenta with grilled pineapple, red onion and pan juices. Finally, Punky’s  (186 Brighton Avenute, 207-773-8885) offers a fresh, enticing take on affordable, fast food take out.  Among menu highlights are its Falafel Pita, Thanksgiving Burrito (turkey, cranberry relish and stuffing!) as well as an appetizing assortment of sandwiches, wraps, and chowders.

Party

For nightlife, Oakdale features relaxed, intimate pub settings that are great for sipping ales with friends and family. Among the highlights is The Great Lost Bear (540 Forest Avenue, 207-772-0300, www.greatlostbear.com), a kitschy establishment that pays tribute to Maine’s fascination with bears. The atmosphere reminds you of a classic Maine sporting camp with wood, outdoor gear (skis, paddles, etc.) and, of course, plenty of bear-related odds and ends such as photos and models. In addition to a well-versed menu, The Great Lost Bear features a dazzling selection of craft beers on tap and in bottles. Their offerings are truly global with drafts ranging from Belgian ales to local favorites such as Sea Dog (Maine) and Moat Mountain (New Hampshire) beer institutions. Nearby is Bleachers Sports Bar and Restaurant (334 Forest Avenue, 207-761-1862). This bar and eatery is a haven for sports fans with wide screen televisions for viewing professional match-ups throughout the year. A number of table games – think, foosball – also keep patrons joyfully occupied. The menu is typical of sports bars but also appetizing and tasty. A commendable beer selection and friendly staff also help make this a great nightly attraction for locals and visitors alike.

Shop

Oakdale features a wide variety of shops to delight consumers. Among the best of these shops is Back Bay Bicycles Bicycles (333 Forest Avenue, 207-773-6906, http://www.backbaybicycle.com). For those seeking just the right fit for two wheeling, Back Bay features a select variety of quality, affordable bikes. This Oakdale institution takes their bicycles seriously with technicians that go to great lengths to create the perfect match between bike and rider. No matter what the preference, Back Bay carries road, mountain, racing and touring bikes by such top name manufacturers as Haro, Raleigh and Gunnar. Visitors to Portland may wish to take advantage of Back Bay’s cycling clubs which ride several nights during the week in the spring, summer and early fall. Another great find for shoppers is Annie’s Book Stop (295 Forest Avenue, 207-761-4474, www.anniesbooks.com).  Readers passionate about the written word – but don’t want to necessarily spend a small fortune purchasing expensive books – have long found a welcome haven at Annie’s Book Since its beginnings in the 1970s, Annie’s has developed a long appreciated niche in trading, selling and buying gently used, second hand books. Their stacks contain a full range of genres including science fiction, mystery, suspense, westerns and thrillers. Prices are generously discounted up to 50% from retail. Oakdale visitors are encouraged to drop by and browse through the pages – chances are you’ll find the perfect vacation read at Annie’s.