Month: October 2020

Chef Rumma Launching Fusillo

| Posted in Under Construction

Chef Siddharta Rumma is launching a new food delivery business called Fusillo (instagram) selling fresh pasta, pasta kits, sauces, and a “few really old regional specialties from Italy”. Orders will come with prep instructions and details about the history of the dish. Rumma is also planning to hold pop-up events.

I’ll be personally making small batches of fresh pasta, sauces, Italian specialties and other delicacies, you’ll get your favorite kit delivered, contactless, to your door…

Follow the detailed instructions. Have fun plating. Read the story behind the dish, get suggestions on how to pick the right wine or local craft beer pairing and enjoy a love letter.

Fusillo is coming to you.
With love.
Sid

For the last three years Rumma has been the executive chef for Ada’s in Rockland and Portland.

Cong Tu Bot Takeout

| Posted in Openings

After a long Covid hiatus, Cong Tu Bot (website, facebook, instagram) will be re-opening this Sunday for takeout, 2 – 8 pm. All ordering will be online.

CTB will launch with a limited menu but plans to expand hours out to 11 – 8, and bring back more of the old menu and even some new dishes as they move forward. In future weeks online order for Sunday pick-up will go live 1-2 days ahead of time.

Flood’s Permanently Closed

| Posted in Closings

Flood’s (website, instagram, facebook) vacated their space at 747 Congress Street over the weekend and has permanently closed.

Flood’s had re-opened for takeout and outdoor dining during the summer. Owner Greg Mitchell closed down again in late August. At the time there was still some possibility that Flood’s might re-open or the space might be used for a new venture, but that turned out not to be the case.

Mitchell opened Flood’s in late May of last year. It received a four star review from the Maine Sunday Telegram and mentions in the New York Times and Boston Globe.

For more information on which local restaurants have closed for good see the Pandemic Casualty List.

Jing Yan

| Posted in Under Construction

Mainebiz has published an update on Jing Yan, the Asian fusion restaurant under construction in the former Lolita space on Munjoy Hill.

Getting the operation up and running mostly just involves some cosmetic work, including swapping in new light fixtures and paint; plus buying a new fryer and hood system. The couple is doing the painting themselves but hired sub-contractors for the rest of the work. They financed the purchase and installations through a loan with Gorham Savings Bank.

“There are not many people wanting to open a restaurant right now,” she said. “It’s one of the riskiest times to do it. But we’re young and we saw an opportunity and we just fell in love with the space.”

This Week’s Events: Lager Dog, Turamali, Lars Taylor, Heritage Orchard, Byers & Sons, Thanksgiving

| Posted in Events

Monday – Lager Dog will be at Oxbow for a second day of a 2-day pop-up.

Tuesday – Turamali is holding a (sold out) dinner at Evo.

Wednesday – Lars Taylor from The Honey Paw is Wednesday’s guest chef at the Duckfat Friteshack Grill, and the weekday Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thursday – Renown apple expert John Bunker will be giving a talk online about the Maine Heritage Orchard.

Friday – Byers & Sons is holding a dinner on Long Island.

Saturday – the weekend Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday – Ben Jackson is Sunday’s guest chef at the Duckfat Friteshack Grill.

Thanksgiving – I’ve started getting requests for a list of which restaurants are doing in person or takeout Thanksgiving dinners. So I’ll be keeping a running list and reposting it each Monday as part of this event summary. Chefs: email me with details on your plans at anestes@portlandfoodmap.com.

  • Botto’s Bakery – has some Thanksgiving breads and desserts which you can order online. Deadlines: for breads November 24th, for pastry November 21st.
  • Figgy’s – has “everything but the bird” 10 side dishes for pick-up on November 24th or 25th. Orders must be in by November 20th.
  • Lake & Co. – will be offering “a Thanksgiving dinner for 2 for $65 as well as a la carte offerings of roasted turkey breast, mashed chive buttermilk potatoes, two potato gratin, green bean casserole with shiitake and crispy shallot, brussels with bacon, crispy fennel and apple salad, coconut-garlic delicata, gravy and cranberry clementine sauce. Plus 6 pie varieties, biscuits, breads and appetizers.” Along with options for ordering whole birds to cook at home, and home delivery. The deadline for  for ordering a meal is Friday, November 20th.
  • Little Giant – a takeout dinner for four, with 6 sides and 3 dessert, $260. Included in the purchase is four meals for those in need via Cooking for Community. Orderes must be in by November 22nd.
  • Other Side Delicatessen – has available has turkey and a range of sides and desserts to make your home dinner easier. Order must be in by November 16th.
  • Petite Jacqueline – will be serving a “3 course menu with options, wine pairings, sides, etc. Some traditional offerings and some untraditional ideas.” Reservations recommended.
  • The Harraseeket Inn – will be serving a “reverse buffet” Thanksgiving dinner. They will also have some Thanksgiving dinner specials that can be ordered to go.
  • Two Fat Cats – has started taking pre-orders. Orders must be in by November 19th.
  • Union – will have a Thanksgiving takeout dinner available for pick-up on Wednesday, and will be serving a 3-course dinner on Thanksgiving Day.

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.

Roll Call Now Open

| Posted in Openings

After a few week of pop-up events serving delicious roast beef and porchetta sandwiches, Roll Call (website, instagram) is now open for business at 81 Clark Street in the West End. Their hours will initially be Friday through Sunday, 11 – 3.

Owners Michael and Siobhan Sindoni plan on expanding the menu and days of operations over time. In addition to the sandwiches, Roll Call also has on their evolving menu a kale salad, buttermilk panna cotta, meatballs.

Maine Oyster Trail 2.0

| Posted in Under Construction

The Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA) is working on an updated version of the Maine Oyster Trail (instagram). The original online oyster trail was published in 2017 using Google Maps. The new service will include an interactive trip planner, challenges, prizes and other features.

Funding for the project comes from a $10,000 grant from the Maine Office of Tourism and a second $10,000 grant from the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center.

The MAA hopes to launch the new oyster trail in 2021.

Pie, Tacos and Tequila

| Posted in Under Construction

Another two food businesses are under development: