Month: June 2014

Outdoor Seating Issues

| Posted in General News

The Press Herald reports on issues arising from the expansion of outdoor seating at the city’s restaurants.

For Bud Buzzell, a 72-year-old sight-impaired resident, the familiar sidewalks near his Congress Square home are increasingly a frustrating and dangerous maze caused by restaurants he contends are not providing the required 4 feet of pedestrian space.

“One is more or less copying the other and I’m very upset about it,” Buzzell said of the restaurants expanding into the sidewalks of his neighborhood. “And I know a lot of blind or visually impaired or disabled people who are very upset.”

This Week’s Events: Restaurant Impossible, Portland’s Seafood Industry, Sip & See, Smuttfest

| Posted in Events

Wednesday — Restaurant Impossible will be unveiling the re-imagined Uncle Andy’s at 7pm, and the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place.

Thursday — GMRI is hosting a session on Portland’s Evolving Seafood Industry.

Friday — it’s the first day of the Scarborough kitchen tour, Sip & See.

Saturday — Novare Res is holding the 2014 SmuttFest, it’s the 2nd day of Sip & See, and the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place.

Start-up and Create Week — An exciting event called Maine Start-up and Create Week is taking place June 12-20. There will speakers and panel discussion in addition to a number related events. Three of the presentation involve the food industry: Marine Innovation, Scaling a Specialty Food Company, and Innovation with Sustainable Foods. For a full schedule and to register for the conference visit, mainestartupandcreateweek.com/schedule.

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.

Review of Back Bay Grill

| Posted in Reviews

The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed the Back Bay Grill.

Sophisticated dishes superbly done – after 25 years, Back Bay Grill remains at the top of its game. The wine list is a special one – many bottlings have significant cellar age. Every dish is a standout, including specials of the day and – in addition to those described in the accompanying review – Bang’s Island mussels, truffled beef tartare, grilled filet mignon, roast chicken breast and hand-rolled turban of salmon.

The also has an editor’s note indicating that this is John Golden’s last review for the Maine Sunday Telegram.

Dean’s Sweets Moving to Fore St

| Posted in Under Construction

Dean’s Sweets has announced that they’re moving to 475 Fore Street into one of the retail spaces across the street from Miyake. According to the press release,

After almost six years in their current location (82 Middle St.), and four years prior to that making chocolate in their home kitchen, Dean’sSweets now needs more space to make and sell their hand-dipped truffles, caramels, and buttercreams. With consistent growth over the years, including retail, wholesale, wedding, special events, and website orders, Dean’sSweets is moving toward greater capacity to accommodate more people, more equipment, and more production. Committed to making chocolate in small batches for absolute freshness while also keeping production and sales all under one roof, Dean’sSweets is pleased to have found a great location in Portland, steps away from Old Port.

Small Axe and Congress Square Park

| Posted in General News

The Bangor Daily News looks at the impact Small Axe is having on Congress Square Park.

“There are not a lot of places in the city to get outside and have lunch,” said Deuben, a chef who’s worked for Masa Miyake and at Hugo’s. “This gives people the opportunity to see what the park can be with a little effort. Just as we put a lot of thought and effort into our food.”

First Review of Lolita

| Posted in Reviews

The Golden Dish has reviewed Lolita.

Owners Guy (chef) and Stella (manager) Hernandez [and Neil Reiter] have assembled a great team of sous chefs  with Kimmo Merronen, Cameron Fernald and Megan Roand who contribute what they do best.  The result is staggeringly exquisite food served in such elegant, relaxed surroundings.  It may have seemed odd to close down their popular Bar Lola to move to what seemed like compromised quarters; but  instead the change brought Portland a brilliantly refined new restaurant. Sometimes geography does make a difference.

Launching: CN Shawarma & the King’s Head

| Posted in Openings

cnshawarma_logoTwo new opening are taking place today and tomorrow:

  • A new food truck called CN Shawarma (facebook, twitter, website) is launching today at noon on the Eastern Promenade. Owners Clayton Norris and Jenna Friedman are serving a menu of shawarma, falafel, kofta, lentil salad and tabbouleh.
  • King’s Head Pub (facebook) is planning a to hold a soft opening tonight with some “light food” and drinks. The restaurant will be having their official opening with a full menu available on Saturday.