Scratch Toast Bar

MaineToday.com has posted a first look at Scratch Baking’s new Toast Bar in South Portland.

The doors opened on Friday, Oct. 6 and I paid a visit the next morning to what was already a bustling location. Coffee by Design cofffee was on the ready, the space is bright and airy and yep, there were plenty of bagels to be had with various toppings along with English muffins and entire loaves you could take home. The buzz has been strong about this opening because fans of the Scratch finally have a place to plunk down and enjoy bagels.

Reviews: Rose Foods, North 43, High Roller, David’s, Rhum, Hot Suppa

The Portland Phoenix has reviewed Rose Foods,

Those famous bagels really shine in sandwich form, offered either open-faced or closed in ten different varieties. The “Classic Nova” is a solo diner’s answer to the Appetizing Platter, stacked with nova lox, cucumber, onion and capers over a base of plain cream cheese. The “Luxe Lox” — salmon cream cheese, nova lox and salmon caviar — is nothing short of self-love in sandwich form. Even the egg sandwiches won’t be found elsewhere in town, like the unapologetically old-school “Monday Morning,” layered with chopped liver, egg, pickles and gribenes (read: crispy chicken skin).

the Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed North 43 in South Portland,

The menu, on the other hand, is anything but, thanks to Stephanie Brown’s eclectic culinary perspective – one that tries to bridge French, Italian and Asian influences. When it works, her dishes are a joy to eat. Don’t miss the apple cider-brined rack of wild boar or the curly kale salad with chiffonaded ribbons of greens and a tart-and-spicy peanut dressing. If you visit when there’s a chill in the air, the apple cake with cinnamon-flecked roasted apple ice cream and tiny cubes of white cheddar cheese ($9) shouldn’t be skipped, either. Do skip the signature cocktails – they’re not as adventurous as they appear to be – and gird yourself for noise, especially if you’re seated downstairs.

The Bollard has reviewed Rhum,

Rhum’s version of the classic sampler plate includes hot mango chicken wings, veggie eggrolls, General Tso’s chicken skewers, short rib skewers, and a deconstructed take on crab Rangoon: crispy fried wontons with a side of crab Rangoon dip. This ingenious innovation allows you to finally get the perfect filling-to-wonton ratio with every bite!

Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Hot Suppa,

Their food and drink isn’t fancy, but it tastes like magic with flavors that take you on a journey through the south and back, stopping at all the very best locations. I only have two recommendations. First, eat at Hot Suppa often. Second, eat the Nashville chicken, but order some mac and cheese to go with it. That’ll keep your meal a little more chill than mine was.

the Portland Press Herald has reviewed David’s, and

David’s is a staple in the Portland ecosystem, and it’s hard to imagine the city without it. While the presentation of the food and drinks was a bit lacking, the flavor did not disappoint.

the As the Lobster Roll has reviewed High Roller.

My first few bites were just the shell because oh my god, crispy fried CHEESE! But then I decided to just dive in. I couldn’t imagine how all these flavors were going to work together – especially since I’ve spent basically the entire summer preaching traditional lobster/bun/light mayo/butter/no lettuce. I’m here to tell you that this was one of the most delicious things I’ve stuffed into my face hole. I can’t compare it to any of the other lobster rolls because it’s in a delightful, cheesy class all by itself.

Falafel Underground Expanding

Falafel Underground aka Peddleman’s Falafel will be closing their service at Union Bagel at the end of this month in preparation for launching a restaurant in their own space this Winter.

It is with heavy, but EXCITED hearts that we share the news that after MONDAY, OCTOBER 30TH falafel service as you know it at Union Bagel Co. will come to a close. We believe that we have found a space of our own to perfectly suit our needs, and hope to have the even better news of telling you where it is by the end of this year!

Now and in the interim period you can find their goods at the Portland Food Co-op, Lois’ Natural Marketplace, New Morning Natural Foods in Biddeford, Royal River Natural Foods in Freeport.

Eventide Fenway Opens Today

Eater Boston has posted a report on the new Eventide in Boston.

On the menu at Eventide Fenway, aside from the lobster roll, there are oysters, of course — a mix of Maine and Massachusetts types, served by the half dozen and dozen alongside a choice of two accoutrements, from red wine mignonette to pickled red onion ice. There are crudos and tartares on the cold side, while hot dishes include a green curry lobster stew, fish sandwich, and clam chowder. On the side, nori-dusted potato chips and more.

$1M for Maine Food Businessses

The Press Herald reports that Maine will be receiving more than $1M in federal funding to “address a lack of food processing infrastructure and an inefficient distribution network”.

Maine businesses and food projects will receive over $1 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including $500,000 designated for food processing and distribution in the Greater Portland area, according to U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree.

The biggest single grant is to the Greater Portland Council of Governments, which will receive $500,000 for its project “Scaling for Growth in the Portland Foodshed.”

Under Construction: Scratch Toast Bar

The Forecaster has published an update on the toast bar Scratch Baking has in development on Broadway.

The new venture on Broadway near the Ferry Village neighborhood will feature bagels, breads, and English muffins, toasted and topped with a variety of spreads, served with specialty coffees, teas, and juices.

Initially, the Toast Bar will be open Thursdays through Sundays from 7 a.m.-noon, “as we find our footing,” co-owner Sonja Swanberg said. “We’re letting it evolve and let it be what it wants to be.”

Shared Spaces

An article in today’s Press Herald reports on restaurants that sublease access to their space to second business during off hours.

The idea of restaurants sharing their kitchens has been coming to life all over the country in the past three to five years, and the trend has recently reached Maine. Portlanders may immediately think of the former Good Egg Cafe and Pepperclub, restaurants that were housed in the same Old Port space. But today’s arrangements are different. The Good Egg and Pepperclub were owned by one person, while these new arrangements are marriages of two or more businesses and take shape in myriad ways.

Under Construction: Gross Confection Bar

Chef Brant Dadaleares will be holding two dessert pop-ups to mark the close of his Kickstarter campaign for Gross Confection Bar. The pop-ups are scheduled for October 15th and 16th and tickets are $50.

Gross Confection Bar will be a dessert-focused restaurant and bar to be located in the heart of the Old Port district in Portland, Maine. Gross will provide a unique and consistent restaurant experience featuring an ever changing selection of high-quality artfully-plated desserts, cocktails, dessert wines, digestifs, and exceptional service. Gross will also provide a consistent selection of enrobed ganaches, fruit pates, bon-bon, entremets, late night savory snacks and desserts to go. Gross will create a new niche for a “just for dessert” destination experience in Portland.

This Week’s Events: Bolster Snow, Maine Juice, Purple House, Destination Dinners

Tuesday – a new West End restaurant called Bolster Snow & Co. is scheduled to open.

Wednesday – the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.

ThursdayMaine Juice Company is scheduled to open their store at 129 Spring Street, The Purple House is scheduled to return from their summer break, Brews and Ewes is taking place at Rising Tide.

FridayRosemont is holding a wine tasting in the West End.

SaturdayChef Jeff Landry is holding a farm dinner at North Star Sheep Farm in Windham, 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, please provide details as a comment to this post.