An additional pair of Valentine’s Day events have been announced:
Eating, Living and Drinking has posted a report from Sunday brunch at One Longfellow.
The cost for brunch is $5.00 for one big plate or $8.00 for unlimited trips to “the table”. Although no one is cooking your food to order, there are quite a few options that are well worth your five bucks for the single plate which happens to be a really big plate. There are cakes and pastries. Quiche…
The Portland Daily Sun has published the third and final installment in their series on take-out tipping.
Q: We use a lot of gift certificates for take-out. If there’s a balance, is it OK to leave it as a tip?
A: Great question. If there’s no fine print stating otherwise, it becomes an in-house policy varying from place to place. Please ask. It would stink for you to just leave a balance that can’t be used toward a tip. No one wins but the house.
The Forecaster has a report on the upcoming opening of the Sweetgrass tasting room taking place this Friday.
The grand opening runs from noon to 8 p.m., and the tasting room will be open for regular hours Thursdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Included in the wine and spirit pairings Friday are cupcakes from Kupcakes Inc. in Monument Square and truffles from Dean’s Sweets on Middle Street. Neighboring businesses Just Kim at 366 Fore St., Vena’s Fizz House at 345 Fore St., and Lovely Things at 332 Fore St. will also offer extended hours and sales.
The Bangor Daily News reports that Hannaford is experimenting at their Yarmouth store with an online grocery ordering service.
The service, called Hannaford To Go, allows customers to browse the store’s selection from a computer or mobile device, fill an online shopping cart, and schedule a pickup time. When customers arrive, they will idle in a designated curbside area where store employees place groceries in their cars and charge their credit cards. Shoppers paying with cash or EBT will be required to park and go inside.
Peter Peter Portland Eater has published a review of the Top of the East.
It was an interesting experience. It’s quite apparent that a lot of time, money, and thought went into the landmark building, and I expect that there will be a significant revitalization of that location from an economic standpoint. Top of the East was a good experience, but the entrance situation needs to be corrected. It was bizarre. A lot of people were waiting to go into a bar which had plenty of standing room. However, the service, food, and drink were all up to par. The lost ticket was not a huge issue and they more than made up for the error. I recommend going there for a pre-dinner drink, but if you have to wait to get in when it’s clearly not full, I’d like to hear about it.
The Press Herald has checked in with several couples who co-own and run local restaurants to learn how they celebrate Valentine’s Day.
There are lots of restaurants in Maine that are owned or managed by couples. What do they do to make their loved ones feel special on Valentine’s Day – or do they celebrate the holiday at all? I decided to ask a few how they handle the Valentine’s Day pressure, and how they romance each other with food at home.
This winter the snow seems like it will never end, but on the bright side there are a few eateries that offer special events and discounts whenever the white stuff starts falling:
Tuesday — the local chapter of American Sommelier is teaching a sparkling wine class. Rosemont, Tandem and Con Tu Bot (twitter, instagram) are teaming up on a Vietnamese bar night.
Wednesday — Black Tie is teaching a cooking class.
Thursday — the Hunt & Alpine Club is hosting a Bols Genever Apres Ski Night, and a chocolate/wine/cheese tasting at the Public Market House.
Valentine’s Day — nearly every restaurant in town will be open for Valentine’s Day., many offering fixed price special dinners. Call your favorite spot asap to make reservations. Here’s a list of venues that are planning something a little different:
Saturday — author Josua Bernstein, will be on a Maine Brew Bus tour and then at Rising Tide for a book signing, and the Winter Farmers Market is taking place at the Urban Farm Fermentory on Anderson Street.
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.
The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed David’s 388.
Serving thoughtfully prepared American bistro fare handled with skill and intelligence, this engaging bistro has many standout dishes at prices that are very moderate for the high quality of the fare. For starters and first courses, the duck canapés are a favorite as are the crispy vegetable pot stickers and the beef tenderloin carpaccio with capers. All the entrees offered are excellent including the house-made pappardelle, rack of lamb, pan-seared salmon and a classic burger. A special burger is also offered topped with a medallion of seared Hudson Valley foie gras. Desserts are house-made, and don’t miss the lemon crème brulee or beignets with caramel sauce.