A Special Place for

Special Events

Hugo’s was where the Big Tree Hospitality story began, and it will always be one of the most important parts of our history. We are grateful for the love and community that made Hugo’s such a special place to dine and gather before COVID forced its closure in March 2020. We know that such a special place deserves to keep hosting meaningful events.

We believe that weddings, corporate events, and celebratory parties deserve the same level of personal attention, quality of food, and warmth of hospitality embodied by the finest restaurants in New England. We are proud to open the former Hugo’s restaurant to guests looking to book a private event in downtown Portland. This beautiful space can accommodate groups ranging from small business luncheons to large cocktail receptions with a variety of seating options. Offering favorite dishes from both Eventide Oyster Co. and The Honey Paw, as well as our off-site catering menu, Big Tree Catering always delivers an unforgettable dining experience.

Pre-Meal

STATIONARY APPETIZERS

Raw Bar
A selection of Maine oysters on the half shell served with lemon, cocktail sauce, and red wine mignonette. Clams available by request.

Seafood Charcuterie
Tuna pastrami, smoked mussels, and halibut rillettes served with house saltines, crème fraîche, and pickles.

Mixed Crudo Station
An array of crudo style, raw fish presentations with thoughtful accoutrements.

Fluke Ceviche
Local fluke dressed with fermented pique de piña, fried masa, pickled onion and cilantro. Served with local corn tortilla chips.

Fried Winter Point Oysters
Our house oysters dredged and fried, dressed with nuoc cham, grilled napa cabbage, and cilantro.

Baos
Chinese-style steamed bun pastries. Choice of Szechuan Lamb, Lemongrass Chicken, Curried Eggplant & Potato.

Vegetable Tempura
Seasonal vegetables in feather light batter with yuzu ponzu dipping sauce.

Pork Shumai
Ground pork, scallion, soy.

Japanese Style Grilled Skewers
Selections include: harissa lamb, salmon koji, lemongrass chicken, sesame beef, smoked tofu & radish.

Lobster Toast
Lobster and scallop mousse, radish, cilantro, tarragon mayo

Fried Wings
Coconut, smoked butter, chili.

Wok Charred Vegetables
Fermented soy bean, ginger, sesame.

 

BUNS AND ROLLS

All served in a split top Chinese style steamed bun. Gluten free buns available by request.

The Eventide Brown Butter Lobster Roll
Maine lobster meat tossed in warm brown butter vinaigrette, garnished with chives.

Fried Oyster Bun
Breaded and fried Maine oysters with paprika tartar sauce, sliced tomato, pickled red onion, daikon and jalapeños.

Fried Chicken Bun
Japanese style fried chicken cutlets with bread and butter pickled daikon, chili emulsion, and sunflower furikake.

House Pastrami Bun
House cured pastrami sliced then with melted swiss, house sauerkraut, and 1000 island.

Maine Crab Roll
Fresh Maine Jonah crab meat, lightly dressed with yuzu kosho mayo and chive.

 

The Meal

 

SOUPS AND SALADS

Lobster Stew
Fresh Maine lobster meat in a rich, smoked lobster stock with green curry, sweet potato, hen of the woods mushrooms, coconut milk, and chili oil. Served with house made saltine crackers.

New England Clam Chowder
New England quahog and steamer clams with braised salt pork, potatoes, onion, nori powder, and chive oil. Served with housemade saltine crackers.

Khao Soi
Egg noodle, smoked lamb, coconut curry, jalapeño, mustard greens, crispy fried noodle, lime.

Eventide Greens Salad
Baby greens tossed with nori vinaigrette and topped with pickled carrots, daikon, red onion, and radish.

Grilled Caesar
Charred romaine, house caesar dressing, cured mackerel, shaved parmesan, sourdough crouton.

Brassicas Salad
Grilled kale and cabbage, brussels sprouts, radishes, maple walnuts, blue cheese, umami vinaigrette, micro mustard greens.

 
 

FEASTS

New England Clam Bake
Whole lobsters, steamer clams, mussels, knackwurst, eggs, confit potatoes, corn on the cob (in season) served with nori vinaigrette, lemon wedges, clam broth, drawn butter, steamed buns. Includes house chips, Eventide greens salad, and cole slaw.

Bo Ssam
Marinated and smoked pork shoulder pulled and ready to make your own lettuce wraps with butter lettuce, Korean BBQ sauce, umami mayo, house sambal, various pickles and herb salad.
Seasonal fish available by request

Fried Chicken
Herbs, pickles, honey nuoc cham.

 
 

Sides

Cole Slaw

Nori Dusted Potato Chips

Kimchi

Baked Beans

Potato Salad

Seasonal Vegetable

French Fries

Seasonal Vegetable

Collard Greens

Smashed Cucumber Salad

Focaccia

Roasted Cauliflower Salad

Warm Brown Butter Potatoes

Biscuits with Honey-Butter and Jam

 

Dessert

Whoopie Pie
A New England tradition: chocolate cake cookies with buttercream filling.

Oatmeal Cream Pies
Just like the convenience store classic with two soft oatmeal cookies and buttercream filling.

Ice Cream Sandwich
House vanilla bean ice cream perfectly sandwiched between thin, chewy chocolate chip cookies.

Chocolate Coconut Brownie
Dark and rich, yet gluten and dairy free.

Honey Soft Serve
Chocolate shell, sea salt, honeycomb.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How many friends can I invite?
We have seating for up to 40 people consisting of four booths, one table which can seat up to 10 people, and bar seating. For groups larger than 40 people, the space is ideal for a casual reception of passed appetizers and buffet stations to best utilize the mix of standing room and available seating.

Do you provide beer, wine, and liquor services?
We sure do! Whether it’s custom cocktails from Eventide or The Honey Paw, local draft beers, or premium wines, we’ve got you covered.

Do you offer options for allergies or dietary restrictions?
Some of our nearest and dearest have dietary restrictions, so we take them very seriously, and are well versed in handling them in the kitchen. We are able to create alternative options for guests with allergies/restrictions, we just ask that you let us know as far in advance as possible.

We are looking to do a presentation during the event, is there space for that and do you have AV equipment?
Depending on the size of your group, there is plenty of room to set up a presentation. We do not have our own AV equipment but would be happy facilitate a rental and set up to meet your needs.

How much does an event at Hugo’s cost?
We charge a $1,000 base fee for 2 hours of service for 25 guests or less and $1,500 for 2 hours of service for more than 25 guests, plus $500 for every additional hour. The cost of food and beverage is dependent on the menu and beverage package that you choose. An additional 22% service fee is applied to every event to cover labor and gratuity.

Do you offer kids meals?
We love kids and are happy to provide options to get them fed.