Author: PFM

Reviews of Slainte and El Rayo Taqueria

| Posted in Reviews

The Bollard has published a review of Slainte,

Though it’s located in the heart of downtown Portland, just steps from Monument Square, it can be as easy to overlook Slainte Wine Bar & Lounge as it is to mispronounce its name. The door to this cozy establishment is set back a few steps from the sidewalk along Preble Street and angled such that if you’re heading in the same direction as that one-way street, it’s easy to walk right by. That would be a shame.

and a brunch review of El Rayo Taqueria.

I’m pretty sure we were the only people to order off the brunch menu that morning. Apparently my informal survey was pretty accurate — word has yet to spread about the newest addition to Portland’s growing ranks of brunch eateries. El Rayo Taqueria probably won’t be my new go-to spot. I like a few more options to choose from, and my quest for the best breakfast burrito in town continues. But all in all, the fresh ingredients and bold flavors were definitely worth the trip. And now you know, too.

Shipyard & Farmers Market Sales

| Posted in General News

Today’s Press Herald includes an update on the Shipyard sewer bill snafu,

Contrary to what a city official said last week, Portland sewer and water officials did have experience dealing with brewery operations in 1996, when a metering mistake was made that cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue from Shipyard Brewing Co.

and a report on last night’s City Council decision to allow raw milk and alcoholic beverage sales at the Farmers Market.

After a long discussion, the City Council voted Monday night not to amend the city’s Farmers Market Ordinance to require vendors to display a placard and provide handouts to consumers detailing the risks of unpasteurized milk.

Councilors also authorized farmers market sales of malt liquor, hard cider and wine produced by Maine farms.

This Week’s Events: Cajun Cooking Challenge, Port and Chocolate, Chocolat and Beer, Chilli and Chowder Challenge, Valentine’s Day

| Posted in Events

Monday — there will be an Italian Wine Seminar co-hosted by Caiola’s and Devenish Wines.

Tuesday — the 17th Annual Cajun Cooking Challenge is taking place, the organizers of Green Drinks are hosting a Green Dinner at The Salt Exchange and the UFF is teaching a mushroom growing workshop.

Wednesday — a wine tasting is taking place at Old Port Wine Merchants. LeRoux Kitchen, in cooperation with chef Skawinski from Cinque, is holding an Italian cooking demonstration.

Thursday — Browne Trading is hosting a Port and Chocolate tasting, an Italian wine dinner is taking place at Vignola, and the Public Market House will be the site of a UFF cider and kombucha tasting.

Friday — it’s the first day of a chocolate and beer menu at Novare Res, and there will be a wine tasting at Aurora Provisions.

Saturday — Chef Jeff Kingman will be preparing the February Peaks Island Gastro Society dinner, the UFF is teaching an apple tree pruning workshop, LeRoux is holding a sweet and savory crepe cooking demo, and the the Winter Farmers Market is being held.

Sunday — Man and a Woman is on the schedule for movie night at Petite Jacqueline, Dobra is teaching a Black Tea Workshop, and the 18th Annual Chilli and Chowder Challenge is taking place.

Valentine’s Day — Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Here are the V Day options I’ve heard of so far. Post a comment with info for others that I should add to the list.

  • Bar Lola, $45, 5-course dinner with optional wine pairings
  • BiBo’s Madd Apple Cafe, $40 3-course dinner
  • Bresca, 5-course Paris 2066 Dinner, $65 per person, $100 per person with wine pairings
  • Cinque Terre, 5-course on February 13 and 14, $59.95
  • East Ender, 3-courses $40 with the option of wine pairings for $18
  • El Rayo Cantina, is putting together a special Valentine’s Day menu
  • Five Fifty-Five, your choice of $75 or $100 5-course meals in the restaurant or a 3-course $55 dinner in the lounge
  • Gelato Fiasco, Valentine-themed red, pink, white, and chocolate flavors
  • Geno’s Rock Club will be the venue for the Local Muscle Valentine’s Day Film Festival
  • Novare Res, Sweet Marguerites chocolates paired with beer from the Novare Res menu, February 10-14
  • Peaks Island Gastro Society, $100 6-course prix fixe with wine pairings on Saturday February 11
  • Petite Jacqueline, $65 4-course dinner with optional wine pairings
  • Sea Glass, 4-course dinner $62
  • Sea Grass Bistro, 4-course $65
  • Sebago Brewing, is offering a special Valentine’s Day menu
  • The Inn on Peaks Island, 3-course dinner, $55 includes a champagne toast
  • The Frog & Turtle, $45 3-course
  • The Salt Exchange has posted their Valentine’s Day menu
  • Vignola, 4-course, $39.95
  • Wine Wise, Wine & Chocolate Pairings, $35
  • Zackery’s, serving a special Valentine’s Day menu
  • Zapoteca, $40 with optional pairings for $20, served February 10-14

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.

Shipyard’s Sewer Bills

| Posted in General News

In a pair of articles the Press Herald has reported on the situation that lead to Shipyard being under-billed for its sewer charges. Here’s an excerpt from Friday’s article,

Maine’s largest brewery, the Shipyard Brewing Co., has been billed for only a fraction of its sewer usage since 1996, an apparent oversight that has cost the city of Portland hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in lost revenue.

and the follow-up piece that appeared on Saturday.

Shipyard, the largest brewery in Maine, has been paying the full sewer fees since March. The additional fees amount to roughly $300,000 a year, based on current production levels.

A retired Portland Water District employee said last month that Peterson told him in 1996 that all of the water was going into bottles and that no sewer account was needed.

Under Construction: Blue Lobster Urban Winery

| Posted in Under Construction

A new venture called Blue Lobster Urban Winery has applied for a liquor license to operate a wine bar at 61 India Street. Take a look at this interactive presentation that the owners have published that outlines the concept for their new business. According to documents filed with the City they hope to open in May. A draft menu (page 54) was submitted as part of their application.

Gorgeous Gelato in the Park & SoPo Winter Market

| Posted in Under Construction, Farming

This week’s issue of the Forecaster reports that Gorgeous Gelato will be join Bite into Maine and 2 other vendors in running food carts in Fort Williams Park.

Giovine said he opened his Portland business on Fore Street about a week before Christmas in 2010, giving him plenty of time to create a smooth operation before the spring and summer tourist seasons. He said he is importing a cart from Italy to sell gelato at Fort Williams, and prefers to be closer to Portland Head Light because it has more foot traffic than Cove Beach.

Also in this week’s issue is an article on the challenges faced by the South Portland Winter Farmers Market.

Six month after holding its inaugural bazaar, the city’s first weekly farmers market is still struggling for customers.

If traffic doesn’t improve, organizers say the market may not survive.