The long awaited launch of Portland Cooks—a multimedia blog by “Radio Host, former urchin-diver, ex-restaurant lackey, and fearless promoter of the hard-working people in the local food industry” John Dennison—took place today with a piece on Sunset Farm Organics. Sunset provides organic greens throughout the winter to some of Portland’s best known restaurants from their greenhouses in southern Maine.
Year: 2009
This Week's Events – NYE Dinners
Monday—Maine Ambassadors of Food and Drink are running the weekly Foodie Trivia Contest at Bull Feeney’s.
Tuesday—there will be a wine tasting at Browne Trading.
Wednesday—pick-up for the Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place in Monument Square.
Thursday—New Year’s Eve dinners are taking place at Bar Lola, Cinque Terre, Eastland Park Hotel, Emilitsa, Evangeline, Five Fifty-Five, Frog and Turtle, Grace, Inn by the Sea, Shima, The Salt Exchange, Twenty Milk Street, Vignola.
Friday—First Friday Art Walk is taking place and there will be a wine tasting at the West End Deli.
For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.
If you are holding a local area food event this week that’s not listed above, publicize it by adding it as a comment to this post.
Feast of the Seven Fishes
PortlandTown has posted a set of photos from last week’s Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner at Cinque Terre.
51 Wharf Bar Review
Portland Bar Guide has published a review of 51 Wharf.
Tonight though, the place is all charm. Lots of laughter, high fives, welcoming hollers. The bartender, Lindsay, has just returned from New Zealand where she was refining her palette with feijoa-infused vodkas. Her favorite drink to make is a nice slice of devil’s pie called a “Grapecrusher,” which specializes in masking alcohol with delicious fruit juices, and grape vodka. Crushing, but in a good way.
Year End Phoenix Round-Up
Portland Phoenix restaurant reviewer Brian Duff has penned a survey of changes in the 2009 dining landscape as well as a caution that the Portland food scene may be peaking. I hope he’s wrong about that.
In a separate article Duff notes his favorite dishes for the year: the Sole Francaise at Street & Co as Best Upscale Dish, and the Duck Soup at Pom’s as the Best Affordable Dish.
Po'Boys Now Open
Po’Boys & Pickles is now open for business. You can see an online version of the menu on their Facebook page.
Under Construction: Sonny’s
The Portland Daily Sun has published an interview with Jay “Accidental Restauranteur” Villani about 188 aand his news restaurant Sonny’s. According the article, Sonny’s is aiming to open on January 8.
“Sonny’s” — named after Villani’s eight year old son — will replace the decor left by the exiting O’Natural’s Cafe at 83 Exchange Street with more traditional environs, trying to re-create the casual energy familiar to Local 188 fans. ButVillani says the food will differ, bringing him “full circle” back to the Latin influences of his native New York City — offerings will range from Tex-Mex to South American.
Coastal Maine Popcorn Now Open
Coastal Maine Popcorn is now open for business on Exchange Street.
Under Construction: Walter's
PortlandTown has published photos of the new Walter’s on Union Street which will re-open next week.
The bar area will feature a wall of wine at the far end. They plan on two private dinners on sunday and monday evenings for their contractors and family & friends as a shake out before opening to the general public on tuesday. For those of you who ate at the old place on Exchange street, this space will be a real shock. It has not only a totally different feel but also a different feel to any other space in Portland.
Havana & Siano's
The new issue of Mainebiz has also published an article about Havana and the new Siano’s Pizzeria that’s slated for the space formerly occupied by Una.
Just down the street, another restaurateur team plans to bring a version of Havana, their fine dining eatery in Bar Harbor, to the Old Port. Michael Boland and Cassady Pappas have leased 8,000 square feet at 44-52 Wharf St. to open Havana South, according to broker Nate Stevens of CB Richard Ellis/The Boulos Co.