Month: June 2015

This Week’s Events: Tempo Dulu, Mural Initiative, Black Dinah, Food Truck Celebration

| Posted in Events

Monday — the Portland Spirits Society is meeting at the Sweetgrass tasting room in Boothby Square.

Tuesday — the monthly local foods networking breakfast is taking place Local Sprouts, and there will be a wine tasting at Maine & Loire.

Wednesday — Black Tie is teaching a cooking class, Old Port Wine is having a wine tasting, and the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thursday — there will be a wine and cheese tasting at the Public Market House.

Friday — the Portland Mural Initiative is holding an artist talk/BBQ in East Bayside with food from Bread & Butter Catering, Browne Trading, Oxbow Brewing, and Whole Foods Market.

Saturday — Black Dinah is going to be giving tours at their new facility in Westbrook, Maine Beer Company is holding a bottle release for Dinner, Rosemont is serving a French wine dinner, and the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday — A group of food trucks are holding the Summer Solstice Celebration on Saint John 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.

Under Construction: Forq Food Lab

| Posted in Under Construction

Maine a la Carte has posted an update on Forq Food Lab.

Forq Food Lab, a Portland-based business now in the fundraising stage, hopes to give small food producers all the tools they need to make, package and market their products. Launched by Neil Spillane — CEO of Portland’s Urban Farm Fermentory (UFF) — in partnership with restaurant consultant Eric Holstein, Forq will have a fully equipped commercial kitchen and a tasting room open to the public when it opens early next year.

Under Construction: The Drink Exchange

| Posted in Under Construction

A new bar called The Drink Exchange is under development at 43 Wharf Street in the former Merry Table space. Owner Tanner Herget is planning a “Stock Market themed establishment for the enjoyment of  both locals and visitors”. Herget is also the owner of two other bars on Wharf Street: Bonfire and 51 Wharf.

A draft drinks menu can be found on page 209 of the City Council materials for Monday night’s meeting.

Reviews: Lolita & Ribolita

| Posted in Reviews

Newish food blog Eatcentric has published a review of Lolita,

Another thing that was immediately apparent about Lolita was how relaxed and calm the entire restaurant was. You can watch the entire kitchen and bar staff work, and at no point was anyone frenetic or rushing. Service was fantastic, and everything came out in a timely manner that seemed effortless but based on the quality of the food, obviously was not. Husband and wife owners, Guy and Stella, were there throughout dinner service and greeted each guest warmly. Nothing seemed saccharine; just genuinely friendly and welcoming…

and Eat Maine has published a review of Ribollita.

In the case of Ribollita, the fact that the dining experience has changed so little is a very good thing, as it remains on the corner of Middle Street amidst of flurry of new restaurants, confidently turning out delicious Italian cuisine time and time again. If you’ve ever met Kevin Quiet, you know that this embodies both his demeanor and commitment.

Review of The Honey Paw

| Posted in Reviews

Wok-Fried-Wide-Rice-NoodlesMap & Menu has reviewed The Honey Paw.

As for that shared kitchen, we’ve yet to try a bite at The Honey Paw that hasn’t left us craving our next. The creative flavor combinations of dishes like the octopus poke with watermelon and cucumber are delightful, and plates and bowls of charred pork shoulder and wok fried rice noodles are savory and comforting enough that we hope they never leave the menu…

Photo Credit: Map & Menu

Bar Review of Isa

| Posted in Reviews

The Press Herald has published a bar review of Isa.

Isa is the newest bar and restaurant in Parkside. Refined yet casual, Isa is a 40-seat bistro featuring an eclectic menu, much of which is the comfort food owners Suzie St. Pierre and Isaul Perez love the most. No detail has gone unnoticed here, especially the long and narrow enclosed patio that seats 20. Expect the great service, superb drinks, the best beer Maine has to offer and an array of delicious options for bar eats.

Under Construction: Black Dinah

| Posted in Under Construction

Black Dinah Chocolatiers(website, facebook, twitter) will be holding an opening event at their new Westbrook production facility on June 20th, according a report in today’s Press Herald. Owners Kate and Steve Shaffer will be giving guided tours and have samples of their products to try.

Black Dinah is the latest in a spate of openings in Westbrook following Rosen’s Deli and the new Catbird Creamery.