Month: May 2012

Review of Local Sprouts

| Posted in Reviews

Edible Obsessions has published a review of Local Sprouts.

The staff was kind, patient and attentive amongst the organized chaos that we created at the counter and the weeds we threw the kitchen into.  They were more than helpful in asking if we needed anything while setting up and didn’t rush us out when we kept them past closing. They made us feel like every member of our group, even those of us who were there for the first time, was part of their cozy cooperative family. And it’s that vibe, but more so the food, that will bring us back again and again.

Exploring Job Market Options

| Posted in General News

Sun columnist Natalie Ladd has written  an article about applying for a job at a restaurant,

My current job is aces and I’m happy with what I have, but like the rest of my staff mates, I just wish I had a bit more of it in terms of shifts. All of us feel the seasonal slowdown that happens in our type of restaurant, and I can’t help wonder if there’s something bigger and better (aka more lucrative) out there. “You owe it to yourself to at least look!” my 17-year-old lectured me, and “at least look” I did.

Restaurant Health Inspections

| Posted in General News

The Forecaster has published an article about changes in the way restaurants are inspected in Maine.

A change in Maine law now requires all local health inspectors to have delegated authority from the state for inspections of restaurants, campgrounds, lodging establishments, public pools and spas and youth camps.

But obtaining delegated state authority, or being licensed, to inspect food establishments could become much more difficult if administrative rules changes by the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention Division of Environmental Health are enacted this summer.

Speckled Ax & Maine Squeeze

| Posted in Openings

Maine a la Carte has published a pair of reports on Speckled Ax coffee shop which officially opened today,

 Even with a steady stream of customers today (despite a total lack of signage on the street), the shop was producing coffee that was pretty darn near perfect.

and the new Maine Squeeze Juice Cafe on the 2nd floor of the Public Market House.

ust in time for summer, the Maine Squeeze Juice Cafe opened its Public Market House stand on Saturday, bringing fresh juices and smoothies to Portland’s downtown office workers.

This Week’s Events: Speckled Ax, Gasharoo, Monkey Fist, Rabelais, Mother’s Day

| Posted in Events

Monday — Speckled Ax, a new coffee shop from the folks at Matt’s Wood Roasted Coffee is scheduled to open this morning at 567 Congress Street.

Tuesday — both the East Ender and Vignola/Cinque Terre are hosting wine dinners.

Wednesday — there will be a wine tasting at LeRoux Kitchen, and the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place.

Thursday — Gashsaroo is taking place at Novare Res, they’ll have 23 Allagash beers on tap. The Great Lost Bear is showcasing Shipyard’s new beer called Monkey Fist.

Saturday — it’s the opening day for the new Rabelais Books location in Biddeford, Rosemont is holding an event to showcase Spanish wine from C & P Wines (reservations required), Aurora Provisions is holding a tasting of cider, mead and kombucha from the Urban Farm Fermentory, Wine Wise is leading a wine walk in the Old Port, and the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place.

Sunday — it’s Mother’s Day, one of the busiest restaurant days of the year. The Farmer’s Table and Wine Wise are collaborating on a Mother’s Day wine dinner.

Vinland Cooking Classes — the next session of chef David Levi cooking class series is scheduled to start on May 15. More information is available on the Vinland website.

For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.

If you are holding a food event this week that’s not listed above, publicize it by adding it as a comment to this post.

First Weekend Farmers Market

| Posted in Events

Instant Portland has posted a set of images captured last weekend at the first Saturday farmers market of the season.

So, it’s possible that I might have gushed mentioned that the first Saturday Farmer’s Market in Deering Oaks took place last Saturday, which to me is as much a hallmark of the start of summer as baseball opening day or the first robin of spring. The thing I love most about the market is how it inspires me: on Saturday I bought whole-wheat flour (grown and milled in Maine), super-fresh Mozzarella, a leek, some scallions, and some green eggs, and was inspired to make leek and bacon pizza (including using the mozzarella) and it was every bit as good as it sounds. I wonder what I’ll be inspired to make next weekend?

For additional reporting see The Golden Dish.