Neil Zabriskie
Regards | Portland, ME
SEPTEMBER 2023
Originally from Southern California, Neil Zabriskie and his family would often make the trek down to Tijuana, Mexico. Combing through the local markets and watching fresh tortillas being made, Zabriskie was instilled with a love of food. He went on to attend culinary school in Los Angeles, externing at Downtown’s Water Grill while also working as a prep cook at a bar in Thousand Oaks. After graduating, Zabriskie moved to New York and cooked at Japanese and Spanish restaurants around the city over the next 10 years, bolstering his skill set. Drawn to the access to fresh seafood, he moved to Portland, Maine in 2018 and accepted a position at the now-shuttered Little Giant. For the next four years, Zabriskie worked in kitchens, pop-ups, and food carts around the city, building relationships with other industry professionals and learning about the city's food landscape while preparing to open his own concept.
In 2022, Zabriskie opened Regards, a bridge between his culinary experiences, from L.A., to New York, to Portland. His seafood-forward menu also takes inspiration from the nostalgic Mexican flavors he was so fond of during his childhood, including nixtamalizing and making fresh corn tortillas in house. Tapping into his strong connections with local farmers, he prioritizes coastal New England product, like his Maine hiramasa with leche de tigre, compressed sea beans, and ramp oil. Zabriskie loves being a part of Portland’s tight-knit community, making time to hold fundraisers, collaborate with other restaurants, and raise awareness for underutilized and bycatch fish.
2023 StarChefs Coastal New England Rising Stars Award Winner
