Month: April 2014

Food Truck Update

| Posted in General News

The Portland Phoenix has published an update on Portland’s 2014 food truck fleet.

Portland food trucks are coming out of hibernation, so we thought we’d check in with the existing fleet for an update on their upcoming season. First, the good news: most truck owners were very happy with their first year of service in Portland. Only one truck ran out of gas, so to speak, after a season in Back Cove Park — Portside Picnic. Owner Rich Earle cites costly permits as well as size and location restrictions as his reasons for closure.

Review of Back Bay Grill

| Posted in Reviews

The Golden Dish has reviewed The Back Bay Grill.

Finally a beautiful specimen of pan roasted chicken breast is served as my main course.  It’s from the local Serendipity Acres Farm and has been marinated in thyme and sea salt and accompanied by potato gnocchi–the proverbial gossamer light pillows of pasta–arranged around English pea puree and salt-roasted beets.  [Maître‘d Adrian] Stratton suggested a glass of Bandol to go with my entrée, which worked perfectly.

Evans/Miyake Heritage Pork Dinner

| Posted in Events

evansmiyake

Chefs Masa Miyake and Rob Evans are collaborating on a 6-course dinner, a “celebration of Maine-raised pure breed heritage pork” featuring American Guinea, Red Wattle, Berkshire and Mangalista hog breeds. Tickets are $90 per person with optional pairings from Oxbow, Allagash and Sebago for an additional $35. The dinner is scheduled for May 18 and tickets go on sale May 1 (call 207-871-9170).

Review of Little Bigs

| Posted in Reviews

The Golden Dish has published a review of Little Bigs.

I loved Little Bigs crueller with the maple glaze and smoky bacon. I had one right after I finished my hand pies. It was a lot of calories down the hatch all at once. But there’s a saying in the food world—“don’t waste your calories.” But if it concerns these crafty sweet and savory devils, who’s counting?

This Week’s Events: Joe Yonan, Farmers Market, Star Wars, Taste of the Nation

| Posted in Events

Wednesday — Washington Post food editor Joe Yonan will be teaching a cooking class at Stonewall Kitchen, and Black Tie is teaching a cooking class.

Thursday — there will be a Maine Craft Distilling tasting at the Public Market House, and The Great Lost Bear will be showcasing beer from Sheepscot Brewing.

Friday — Joe Yonan will be teaching a 2nd cooking class at Stonewall Kitchen.

Saturday — The first Deering Oaks Farmers Market of the season is taking place, and Wine Wise is leading a Sparkling Wine Walk.

Sunday — Vinland is teaching a cooking class.

Star Wars Dinner — Piccolo is holding a Star Wars dinner on May 4 (aka May the Fourth Be with You day).

Taste of the Nation — tickets for the 2014 Taste of the Nation dinner are now on sale.

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.

Under Construction: Old Port Spirits and Cigars

| Posted in Under Construction
Old Port Wine Merchants has bought Down East Beverage and is in the process of converting to a new business to be named Old Port Spirits and Cigars.

We are planning on closing down Old Port Spirits for about a month to clean and renovate, but when we open we hope to/will have the best liquor and beer selection in town! So if there is anything special you want to see, please let us know, we want to carry what you guys want!

5 Stars for Central Provisions

| Posted in Reviews

The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed Central Provisions.

In Portland’s ever-expanding restaurant scene, Central Provisions is this city’s newest and perhaps brightest star. Chef and co-proprietor Chris Gould has created some of the most inventive food in Portland right now. After multiple visits and some 30 dishes, the restaurant’s trendy small-plate concept has been superbly achieved on each occasion. The format further allows you to create your own tasting menu from a list of nearly 50 small plates ($5 to $26) that form a fusion of cooking styles inspired by the cuisines of Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Also in today’s paper are a profile of the Salt + Sea CSF owner Justine Simon, an interview with Food & Wine Best New Chef Cara Stadler, an article about dandelion greens and the rest of this week’s edition of Source.