Maine a la Carte has published an update on Black Dinah’s expansion into Portland.
At this point, the Portland expansion does not include a retail store. (Black Dinah chocolates are already sold in Portland at LeRoux Kitchen and Browne Trading Co., both located on Commercial Street.)
“It would just be too much to do all at once,” Shaffer said. “The first thing is maintain quality and get production up, and start getting our name more out there.”
Urban Eye has posted an article about the new CBD in East Bayside.
An experimental lab for everything emergent in coffee science is percolating in East Bayside. When Coffee By Design’s new Portland cafe opens March 4th (mark it down coffee pilgrims) the 20 year-old company will finally live up to its name.
CBD’s new cafe is scheduled to open on March 4th at 6:30 am.
The Portland Phoenix has published a pair of tequila related articles. The first is a tequila pub crawl,
To prove it, I gathered a crew together on a cold, unremarkable Tuesday in February and went on a Tequila Odyssey. I’d never been on an official bar crawl before, but I imagine this was just like that, except with two rules: 1) that the evening’s destinations correspond as closely as possible to the thirteen primary episodes of Odysseus’ journey in the sequel to Homer’s Iliad, and 2) that one full tequila drink must be consumed at each of those thirteen locations.
and the second is about how tequila and about tequila flights at Zapoteca.
To decide which style you like best, head to Zapoteca for a flight of tequila. Zapoteca boasts the largest collection of tequila and mezcals in Maine (close to 80), which are managed by Sergio Ramos, who has completed the “Award T” certification course from the Tequila Regulatory Council of Mexico. A flight of tequila offers the three styles of tequila from one brand, giving you a chance to see how the flavors of the tequila change as it’s aged. The flights range in price from $15 to $80 and come with a palate-cleansing side of sangrita, a spicy slurry of fire-roasted tomatillos traditionally served alongside tequila to complement its acidity.
The Daily Meal has included Fore Street in their annual list of the 101 Best Restaurants in America.
I recently learned of a pair of new Portland food blogs:
Port Bean will be temporarily closing at the end of March, and reopening at a new location before the start of Summer. There’s a strong possibility of it relocating nearby on Commercial but details are still be worked out with a property owner.
Map & Menu has reviewed 158 Pickett Street Cafe.
There are more than enough options at 158 to satisfy any pizza enthusiast’s taste – like the standard cheese and sausage, or more creative flavors like the hot pink sauce, charred jalapenos, and cheese ‘Stinger’ – but regardless of your decision, everything we’ve heard and tasted has been fantastic.
Photo Credit: Map & Menu
The semifinal list of nominees for this year’s James Beard Awards were released today. 7 Maine chefs and restaurants made the list:
The final list of nominees will be released March 18th, and the winners will be announced on May 2, 2014 at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City.
Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed C-Squared.
Our meal came to about $110 with tip. It was a little pricey, but it was quite good and I was happy with the overall experience. I do think that this is a place that can survive in Portland and will have some success. Their menu offerings are excellent and their execution is solid. I would definitely go back and I suggest you check it out for yourself. C Squared served their food with love and made it a most delicious Valentine’s Day.
Becky’s has been recognized by Food & Wine as one of America’s Best Diners.
Bon Appetit columnist Andrew Knowlton has included Eventide in his list of his 10 Favorite Oyster Bars.