Month: August 2015

This Week’s Events: Filipino Dinner, Bissell Reciprocal, Flea Bites

| Posted in Events

Monday — chefs Yana Gilbuena from the Salo Series and Dave Mallari from The Sinful Kitchen are collaborating on a Filipino pop-up dinner.

Tuesday — The Otherside Delicatessen is holding a wine tasting.

Wednesday — it’s the release day for Bissell Brothers Reciprocal, and the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Friday — the summer’s last Flea Bites food truck gathering in West Bayside is taking place as is a wine tasting at the West End Deli.

Saturday — the Hunt & Alpine Club is celebrating their 2nd Anniversary, and the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

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.

2 Star Review of the Old Port Sea Grill

| Posted in Reviews

The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed the Old Port Sea Grill.

The Old Port Grill has at least three things going for it: a prime location in the shadow of the U.S. Custom House, a fine fish sandwich at lunchtime, and that delicious salmon spread at dinner. But walk into this seafood restaurant with high hopes of a great meal and you’re likely to head home with a sinking feeling.

Reviews: Terlingua, Central Provisions, Piccolo

| Posted in Reviews

Portland Magazine has reviewed Terlingua,

Though not specifically a barbecue joint, (Terlingua bills itself as “boutique barbecue”), the house-smoked meats–daily preparations listed on a board at the bar–offer some mighty fine fare along those lines. Crossed off a second after we order, our St. Louis ribs appear, perfectly blackened on big bones ($14/$21). With these tender beasts are savory sauces (spicy vinegar and sweet-and-smoky), slices of ripe watermelon, a tangy mixture of house-pickled vegetables, and grilled pita bread.

The Golden Dish has reviewed Central Provisions,

Ending with a hot dish of seared wild black bass a la plancha, a festive and generous dish of white fish seared fast and furiously to retain moistness and flakiness.  Spread alongside was the sweet-sour fig agrodolce and batons of king oyster mushrooms, all of which was so right.

and Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Piccolo.

Their small but unique menu gave us a different take on Italian. Their cozy restaurant is a little tight, but definitely well placed. Their service staff was prompt, courteous, and knowledgeable. Add this one to your list when you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary, when you feel like every day is exactly the same, and you want to branch out and feel alive in the superunknown.

Under Construction: Veranda Thai

| Posted in Under Construction

The Press Herald reports that the owners of Veranda Thai have leased the former Salt Exchange space on Commercial Street.

It’s unclear whether the owners of Veranda Thai and Veranda Noodle Bar, located across the street from each other on Portland’s Veranda Street, are opening a third restaurant also named Veranda Thai, or just moving the Veranda Thai at 9 Veranda St. to a new location.

Reviews: Isa and Ebb & Flow

| Posted in Reviews

Maine a la Carte has  reviewed Isa,

Entrees at Isa range from $15-22. My friend had the monkfish succotash and I had the pork chop with braised kale and green lentils, both $22 entrees. The pork chop was incredibly juicy and tender – one of the best I’ve had.

and the Press Herald has published a bar review of Ebb & Flow.

Ebb & Flow is a dazzling Mediterranean-inspired restaurant & bar in Portland’s Old Port. The bar area can easily seat about 50 people, not including standing room, and the bar itself is designed with plenty of room for patrons to enjoy a full meal, or a few drinks.

Caiola’s

| Posted in General News

An article on Eater Maine earlier this week brought attention to an online advertisement for a “thriving restaurant” in the 04102 area code. Due to the location and building description rumors had begun to spread online and off that Caiola’s was for sale or possibly was going to close.

I talked this morning with Caiola’s co-owner Lisa Vacarro and she cleared up that there are no plans to close the restaurant. However, they are open to selling the restaurant/building and are cautiously considering the possibilities. A couple of local restaurateurs have expressed interest but there’s no firm plans at this time.

211 Danforth

| Posted in Under Construction

The former Vespucci’s space at 211 Danforth has been under construction for sometime. It was slated to become a new restaurant named Blackbird. Owner Keith Hickman has decided to shelve the Blackbird project and will instead be leasing 211 Danforth out.

There are a number of chefs and food retail entrepreneurs currently searching for space for their projects so it has the potential to  find a new occupant rather quickly.

Tempo Dulu

| Posted in Uncategorized, Profiles

The Bangor Daily News  has published a profile of Tempo Dulu, the new restaurant located in the Danforth Inn.

It begins with the bread basket, or lack thereof. Instead of rolls and butter, pastel lobster rice crackers — think shrimp crackers but with lobster flavor — with nutty hot sauce arrive on the white-clothed table to coax your taste buds into a new rhythm, the lively sway of Portland’s new restaurant Tempo Dulu.