After nearly a year and a half hiatus, Pocket Brunch came back into action Sunday with one of their signature multi-course brunches. The Dirigo brunch took place at Novare Res and featured beers from Marshall Wharf and In’finiti Fermentation. As a special treat the meal ended with a taste of an Amaro that In’finiti has under development.
The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed the dinner service at Artemisia Cafe.
You can’t go wrong at this relaxed eatery where evening chef Guy Frenette specializes in classic dishes – many Italian inspired – that are big on flavor and fresh, local ingredients. Groups of up to four will enjoy booths lining the walls of the simple dining room; large parties are seated at central tables. The wait staff is welcoming and responsive and quick to answer questions (agrodolce is an Italian sweet and sour sauce) or accommodate special requests. Go hungry and take a friend so you can try a small appetizer, a shared plate of pasta such as pumpkin ravioli, and seasonal entrees – rich braises like pork osso bucco in fall and winter, lighter fare in warmer months.
The new MST restaurant reviewer is James Schwartz. According to the bio in the paper Schwartz,
Schwartz has covered food, travel and architecture for The Washington Post, Downeast, Coastal Living and Southern Living magazines for more than 30 years. Long a commuter between Portland and Washington, D.C., he retired from his job as vice president at the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2013 and relocated to Maine. He lives in Cape Elizabeth and Brooklin.
A new night club and music venue called Studio 55 Mixology Show Lounge is under development on Market Street in the location that formerly housed the Big Easy. According to the cover letter supplied with the lounge’s liquor license they plan on serving a creative cocktail program,
“With a wall full of containers of unique products from fresh herbs, dried herbs, flowers, exotic fresh fruits and an amazing mixologist on our side why just get a plain old cocktail these days.
Studio 55 is owned by Joseph Richards and managed by Marcus Verrill who run Styxx as well as restaurants in Sanford (Fresco Mexican Grill) and Ongunquit (Let’s Get Bacon).
Studio 55 plan to open in November.
Today is the official start of Portland Beer Week. You can find a detailed schedule on the Portland Beer Week website. Here are a few events that look especially interesting:
The 10 eateries looked up most often on Portland Food Map in October were:
The numbers in parentheses indicates their rank last month.
Drink Up and Get Happy has reviewed Dock Fore.
The day we chose to go to Dock Fore was cloudy and chilly so it was a great choice to cozy up to the bar and enjoy some $1.95 Shipyard Pumpkinheads. The atmosphere inside is that of a neighborhood bar. As a staple of the Portland bar scene it’s a great place to go and get away from the more touristy hot spots.