The folks at Salvage BBQ & Smokehouse have posted some photos of the progress they’re making in renovating 919 Congress Street.
Month: May 2013
Under Construction: MJ’s, The Bar at One City Wines
Mark Ohlson, the owner of MJ’s, the new wine bar under construction at One City Center has shared some of his plans for the business.
The bar will serve “30 wines by the glass and half glass from around the world focusing on traditional varieties from prominent regions”. He’ll also have a smaller set of local and international beers available. The food menu will consist of a “selection of cheese, nuts, olives and chocolate and appropriate accompaniments”.
Ohlson is a Certified Sommelier. In addition to the wine bar, MJ’s will have an educational program. Starting in September he will be offering “drop in tastings as well as a ten-week course for a simple certification level via The One City Wine Academy (OCWA). A five-week beer course will also be available.”
MJ’s will have “a ‘Wall of Wine’ with maps, books and 40 fragrance jars to help suggest classic wine flavors. And a ‘Wall of Vinyl’ where guest can pick out and play from a selection of classic records or they can bring in their own.”
Mark has worked at a number of restaurants in Portland including Perfetto’s, Bull Feeney’s, Walters, and Hugo’s. He’s currently a bartender at Little Tap House. I first met him when he tended bar at Uffa and then at Frog and Turtle in Westbrook during its first couple years in operation.
Review of Enio’s
The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Enio’s.
Delicious Italian-influenced entrees, salads, pastas and snacks that are uncomplicated, updated, nicely portioned and reasonably priced for the quality. Enio’s calls itself a small eatery, and it is. Due to the set-up of the dining area and the no-reservations policy, on busy nights, this restaurant is best for small parties, such as a couple dropping in from the neighborhood or a party of three or four who get the timing right.
Outliers Finalist in Design Competition
Remi Designs is a finalists in the American Institute of Architects restaurant design competition for their work on Outliers Eatery. It’s a people’s choice award and voting is open to the public.
Union Bagel’s Opening
The Munjoy Hill News has published a report on yesterday’s opening of Union Bagel.
It was almost closing time this afternoon at the brand new Union Bagel Co. and the bagel baskets were all but empty – only about 6 baked-on-site bagels remained unsold. In other words, THIRTY-FIVE dozen bagles were sold on the opening day of the company.
Review of J’s Oyster Bar
Lauren Loves to Eat has published a review of J’s Oyster Bar.
Lobster Roll, $13.50: Very fair price for a beautiful overstuffed lobster roll complete with potato chips and a pickle spear. I prefer the fancier lobster roll from Eventide, but I did enjoy this more authentic and no-fuss tasting one as well.
Maine Beer Mavens
This week’s Portland Phoenix has published a report on a beer club for women, Maine Beer Mavens.
…Now, the club known as Maine Beer Mavens has 150-some Facebook members, women who blog about beer, homebrew, and increasingly prefer craft beer to cocktails and wine. Tesini, a recipe developer who writes for DRAFT magazine and blogs for ChicksThatDigBeer.com, had longed for more ladies-only events like the ones she attended at the female-owned Vermont Homebrew Supply before moving here from the Green Mountain State in 2010.
Review of Artemisia Cafe
The Golden Dish has published a review of Artemisia Cafe.
Of the next three entrees mine was the most successful. It was a ballotine of chicken that was delicately rolled around an herbed chicken mousse and served with quinoa, broccoli and olives atop sauce pevra, a Mediterranean preparation that’s basically a balsamic-based bread sauce. It’s an elegant dish.
Reviews of Pie in the Sky & Joe’s Boathouse
The Press Herald has published an Eat & Run review of Pie in the Sky,
I thought the slice of pepperoni was especially tasty. The pepperonis were diced into cubes as opposed to sliced, which made the pizza easy to eat on the run. Other ingredients included roasted red peppers, fresh basil, three cheeses and tomato sauce. It had a bit of a spicy kick to it, which probably came from the pepperonis, but not too much.
and a bar review of Joe’s Boathouse.
While the size of Joe’s bar limits the number of people who can sit there to about five or six, the restaurant offers outdoor seating that’s hard to beat. With summer fast approaching, it’s definitely a spot to put on your list to drink in the sun and watch as boats depart and dock.
Union Bagel Opening Friday
Union Bagel is planning to open their new retail shop at 147 Cumberland Ave this Friday at 6 am sharp. Union Bagel is located in the former home of Katie Made.
In addition to their bagels they’re serving coffee from Crema. Co-owner Paul Farrell tells me that Crema was the first shop in town to buy his bagels when he launch the company last year.