Month: December 2018

This Week’s Events: Go Sweet, Seinfeld, Oxbowzakaya, Matt James Art, NYE List

| Posted in Events

Monday – the 2nd Annual Go Sweet for Hunger event is taking place on Thompson’s Point, and there will be a Banded Horn beer Dinner at Sur Lie.

Wednesday – Eaux is holding a Seinfeld Dinner, the 7th annual Oxbowzakaya is taking place at Pai Men Miyake, and there will be a Musar tasting at Old Port Wine Merchants.

Thursday – Casco Bay Artisans will be hosting a gallery opening featuring the art of Matt James, co-owner of Standard Baking Co. Oxbow Brewing is hosting a party for Candy’s, the cafe/coffee shop, bar and queer community hub under the construction in West Bayside. Students from the USM Tourism and Hospitality Program are holding A Taste of Culture.

Friday – there will be a wine tasting at the Brighton Ave Rosemont.

Saturday – there will be a wine tasting at LeRoux Kitchen, and the Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday – Two Fat Cats is leading a holiday cookie decorating class.

New Year’s Eve – restaurants have begun announcing their NYE dinner options:

  • Blue Spoon – 4-course with champagne toast, optionan wine pairing $60 per person.
  • Central Provisions – 7-course dinner with pairings, $150 per person. Two seatings at 6 pm and 10 pm.
  • Lolita – 6-course dinner for $110 per person (tax and tip included).
  • The Honey Paw – is serving a dim sum menu all night.

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.

Reviews: Root Wild, Maine Oyster Co, A & C Grocery, Sapporo

| Posted in Reviews

The Blueberry Files has reviewed Root Wild,

My friend G. and I tried several 2 oz. samples of the different flavors, and I was really pleased by them all. The hopped tasted a bit more beer-like than UFF’s version does, and the fruit flavors are bright and pleasantly balanced. I was impressed by how thoroughly the added flavors came through.

Portland Magazine has reviewed Maine Oyster Co.,

Styled on a tray of ice, the oysters are easy to identify, served clockwise in the order they appear on the menu. Accompanying mignonettes are subtle enough not to mask the nuances of this delicacy. Reading flavor descriptions of oysters posted at the bar is helpful, especially if you’re only looking to try one or two. We can testify that The Wolfe’s Neck, for example, is “briny, with a smooth, milky finish,” though we didn’t notice the “sugar or watermelon” in the Chebeague Island. We did encounter a saltier kiss from the sea than the more subdued Birch Island, however, which boasts a firm texture. If we had to pick a favorite, it might be the toothsome Blackstone Point from Damariscotta or the Nonesuch Pearl from Scarborough, with its superb balance of brine and sweetness.

the Portland Phoenix has reviewed Root Wild and A & C Grocery, and

A&C’s egg sandwich, served with either ham or tomato on a soft English muffin, is world class, the eggs folded omelet-style over gooey cheese. A three-cheese grilled sandwich — pressed thin, funky and chewy with dark crust — pairs nicely with fizzy light kombucha. The cheeseburger is expertly done with sharp pickle and a tangy sauce. The Italian suffers from a bit too much soft roll.

Press Herald has reviewed Sapporo.

Back at the office, I used the chopsticks my server at Sapporo had kindly packed for me (along with a fork and a spoon) to pull up the buckwheat noodles and big chunks of white chicken meat. The noodles were squishier than I like, and I wished I’d ordered the firmer ramen instead, but the broth was exactly what I was after: flavorful but also clean tasting. The opposite of muffaletta really.

Also, The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed No Coward Soul In Bath.

10 Years Ago in December

| Posted in History

Here’s a look at the top stories from a decade ago in December 2008:

    • In their list of 2009 food trends Epicurious declared “Portland (Maine) is the new Portland (Oregon). Abundance of great chefs, restaurants, and local foodies? Check, check, and check. Want examples? Visit Five Fifty-Five, Hugo’s, and Fore Street to start.”
    • In response Portland Oregon blogger Patrick Alan Coleman wrote “I’m challenging Portland, Maine, to a fight. If they want our gold leaf coated, slightly salted, smoked chocolate crown, then they’re going to have to come over here and take it! I dare ’em!”
    • Portland clocked in at #7 on a list of beer towns with 1 brewery for every 15,706 people. I imagine the ratio is a lot smaller now in 2018.
    • Mims Brasserie and The Kitchen both closed.
    • After a very long time under construction, Corey Jones opened Loco Pollo. It was located in the space currently occupied by Terlingua.
    • Maine Roasters Coffee and Freaky Bean Coffee Co., which merged their operations in 2007, went their separate ways.
    • The Phoenix named Emilitsa the Best New Restaurant of 2008.