Month: December 2012

Reviews of Joe’s and Andy’s

| Posted in Reviews

The Press Herald has published a bar review of Andy’s Old Port Pub,

And don’t be deceived by the small-pub atmosphere. Not only do the bartenders whip up good drinks, but the staff has a knack in the kitchen, too.

I can’t remember what I ate the first time I went to Andy’s, but I remember thinking: “This food is amazing.”

Along with my Pumpkinhead, I had a crock of French onion soup to warm up. Probably a pairing most gourmets would frown upon, but it was a delicious combo on a chilly night.

and a review of Joe’s Smoke Shop.

But in the end, the case of the missing cheese was an irritant and not a deal-breaker. The sub was still excellent. I enjoyed the doughy roll and semi-spicy meatballs, which absolutely tasted homemade. The sauce was tangy. I ate the whole thing, and would not hesitate ordering another. I just might ask them to hold the cheese.

Under Construction: The Return of Deux Cochon

| Posted in Under Construction

Deux Cochon, the short lived (April 11-August 3, 2011) but very popular shop in the Public Market House, has announced that they’re making a comeback.

Starting early next year Adam Alfter and friends will be serving their brand of “Southern Food Hooliganism” from the back of a Portland food truck.

In celebration of Portland, ME finally allowing food trucks to grace the city’s streets, I’m picking up a sweet old truck next week in Brooklyn, so that a couple friends and I can play along. Chicken & waffles, poutine, biscuit waffles & gravy and various breakfast-like creations will be our focus, but blackboard randomness will also be offered to all ye late-night Old Port revelers. Will be rolling out in about a month, but will start posting photos in the meantime soon.

Pocket Brunch Field Report: Bienvenue

| Posted in Events

The Portland Phoenix has published a field report from the November edition of Pocket Brunch.

When greasy poutine with cranberry ketchup is the salad course, you know you’re in for a raucous meal. But Pocket Brunch pop-ups in secret locations around Portland only one Sunday a month, so it’s worth indulging. The hardest-to-come-by seat in town is the brainchild of Katie and Josh Schier-Potocki, co-owners of South Portland’s 158 Pickett Street Café. Last month, a select sixty-five sat at red gingham-clad tables, dining on five French-Canadian courses, served on paper plates. The “Bienvenue” fête filled an industrial space the couple, expanding their catering and bakery operations, now shares with their friends at the SoPo Wine Co.

Review of Otto Pizza

| Posted in Reviews

Dispatch has published a review of Otto Pizza from the perspective of their newly expanded space in the Arts District.

The new OTTO space definitely gets the Dispatch Stamp of Approval. And we recommend you head down there with some friends for a few drinks, maybe too many slices, and some good conversation. Furthermore, the Congress Street location offers fantastic people watching.

Under Construction: Salvage BBQ, Food Factory Miyake, Another Room

| Posted in Under Construction

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes a feature story on 3 new restaurants under construction in Portland: Salvage BBQ & Smokehouse being developed by Jay Villani of Local 188, the re-imagined Food Factory Miyake and Harding Lee Smith’s as yet unnamed fourth Room restaurant on Custom House Wharf.

Villani says he gets his kicks these days being the “executive producer” of a restaurant. A former sculptor, he likes trying to create energy and flow in a space. “I’m really into this part — building them out, the flow — the whole project from beginning to end,” he said. “At this point in my life, that really excites me.”

Villani and the other restaurateurs planning new businesses say that today it’s essential to have a niche to fill in the city. Villani thinks there’s room here for more barbecue, and his new place will be just a block and a half from the ballpark at Hadlock Field.

For a complete list of all new restaurants under development in Portland see the PFM Under Construction List.

Brunch Review of Vignola/Cinque Terre

| Posted in Reviews

Map & Menu has published a review of Vignola/Cinque Terre.

And on the other side of the spectrum, I couldn’t have been happier with my oh-so-savory poached eggs with grilled house ham, tomato conserva, foccacia toast, and a herb hollandaise. Both meals were prepared with an attention to detail that can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to brunch comfort foods, and saying that we left that day with a smile on our faces is somewhat of an understatement…