Month: March 2013

Cia Now Open

| Posted in Openings

Cia quietly opened earlier this week on Wednesday. They’re located on Ocean Street in South Portland just a block or so down the road from Smaha’s.

Here are some details from the Forecaster,

Cia offers an eclectic blend of local products: coffee from Wicked Joe’s in Brunswick, ice cream by Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook, and baked goods from Two Fat Cats and Bagel Guy in Portland. The Knight family, owners of Smiling Hill Farm, have even blended a special “White Knight” ice cream for the shop – a mix of French Vanilla, salted caramel, and chocolate chunk served over a chocolate brownie with hot fudge.

For those of you keeping score, this makes for 5 openings (Enio’s, In’finiti, Little Tap House, Blue Rooster and Cia) in the last 8 days. Last year Roost, Zen, Tandem and Kushiya Benkay all open during the same week in August.

Blue Rooster Food Company Opening at 9 (Updated)

| Posted in Openings

Embedded image permalinkBlue Rooster Food Company (website, Facebook, Twitter) is opening tonight at 9 pm. Blue Rooster is located in the space that had the home of Big Mama’s Diner at 5 Dana Street.

Blue Rooster is a collaboration between four partners including chef Damian Sansonetti and Tom Barr, the owner of Taco Escobarr.

The menu is a mix of sandwiches ($6-7.50), specialty hot dogs ($2.75-5.00), baked goods. There’s even a tater-tot poutine. I’d recommend the Porchetta: sausage stuffed pork belly, pickled tomato, arugula, citrus mayo on a house-made focaccia.

 

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Review of Taco Escobarr

| Posted in Reviews

The Blueberry Files has posted a review based on a revisit to Taco Escobarr to try the newly updated menu.

But we struggled to find any distinct flavor in the tacos. I tasted a lot of corn – corn tortillas, corn meal coating on my fish. Salt, lime, and their house bottled hot sauce never saved the dish. It’s too bad, because I thought the fish tacos were one thing that they previously had done well.

Little Tap House Now Open (Updated)

| Posted in Openings

littletaphouse_logoLittle Tap House is opening at 6 pm. For opening night they have a limited menu of drinks and complimentary apps.

The “craftbeer gastro-pub with local farm to table dining” is located at the corner of High and Spring Streets in what was once the home of Katahdin.

The menu includes a range of appetizers ($8-10), soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrees ($14-18) like cider-brined chicken with mash potatoes, roast pork shoulder with smoked cheddar grits, and grilled salmon over roasted vegetable hash. The duck confit sliders (see below) were quite tasty.

On tap opening night were beers from Bunker, Maine Beer Co., Allagash, Sebago, Brooklyn Brewery and Goose Island.

LTH is owned by Lee Goyette and the chef is Andrew Kadish.

For some additional photos and details see this First Look post from The Blueberry Files and this post on In the City.

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Brunch Review of Gather

| Posted in Reviews

Dispatch has published a review of brunch at Gather.

Overall our group is very happy with our meals. Although the staff may feel the pressures of a new service, we can hardly tell. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable in the dining room and the food is delicious. I will definitely be back to gather with friends at Gather, enjoy fresh and seasonal cuisine, friendly service and a comfortable dining experience.