The Golden Dish has published a review of Bar Lola.
Why I never cottoned to the place in the past is a mystery. I think I felt the ambiance too dull and the room uncomfortable. This time the experience worked on all levels. The service is thoughtful and the kitchen keeps up to speed. I’m glad to add it to my list of five or six Portland restaurants that I go to regularly for pure gustatory indulgence.
Today’s Press Herald includes a report on Shipyard Brewing which is expanding their brewing capacity to meet demand.
The new equipment will enable the company to brew 180,000 barrels of beer yearly, up from its current capacity of 140,000 barrels, said Alan Pugsley, Shipyard’s master brewer.
He said Shipyard has been running at full capacity recently and scrambling to fill orders.
The Blueberry Files has published a brunch review of District,
But for brunch in Portland? District. Go to District. I ordered a Bloody Mary to start and perused their short-ish menu, which has a mix of breakfast and lunch items. Was tempted by the Soft Shell Crab Benedict special (until I saw the big X through it), but then landed on All You Can Eat Chicken and Waffles.
and John Golden has revisited Otto’s and posted an updated review. Golden’s first review was critical of Otto’s and a revisit seems to have attenuated his opinion somewhat but not to the degree that he’d agree with the result of the Phoenix readership poll which rated Otto’s the Best Pizza in Portland.
The Portland Phoenix Best of Portland Readership Poll results are now available online. There are more than 100 categories, 41 of which are in the Food & Drink section.
A few businesses won in more than one category:
The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Figa.
An entrée of seared cod was served with funny, chewy little bits of beet and watercress spaetzle that shined and curled like a veggie organ-meat. The fish was firm but moist, and the sauce both buttery and bright with lemon. The meat of the braised rabbit was very mild, without a hint of gameyness. This bunny really chilled on the farm, I suspect. It was served with a simple red wine sauce, and sat on a profoundly creamy puddle of polenta.
The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes a profile of Dobra Tea. Dobra is located on Middle Street in the same building as Bull Moose and Videoport.
Walking into Dobra Tea feels like stumbling upon an eastern European cafe.
The arched windows, the warm mustard and burnt-orange walls, and the curvy woodworking details that look like something out of the genie’s bottle all shift your mood from rat-race mode to a lower-gear humming with old-world Bohemian tranquility.
Today’s paper also includes an update on the Urban Farm Fermentory. Among the many projects underway now is an experiment with Tilapia farming.
Under the glow of special lights, tomato plants and basil grow fast and lush. This unusual indoor garden sits atop two fish tanks where six freshwater tilapia swim, and the nutrient-rich water from the tanks is circulated through the hydroponic system feeding the plants’ roots.
The Portland Daily Sun has published a review of Gogi.
Both the BBQ pulled pork and the Marinated Shiitake Mushroom tacos were nicely seasoned, and meaty each in their own way. Tacos are dressed with tomato, red onions, a lettuce/cabbage mix, pickled cucumber and pickled bean sprouts. Good innards but the tortillas were lackluster. It might be their supplier or a reluctance to put those little disks on a griddle.
Maine Ahead magazine has published a profile of Eric Simeon.
When you realized you really were a chef: I would never call myself a chef until I was the actual leader of the kitchen, which happened in Philadelphia in 2004. My dad, however, started introducing me as a chef to whoever would listen (especially waitstaff when we were out to dinner) way back in the ’90s.
Monday — Abigail Carroll owner of Nonesuch Oysters will be at El Rayo for a “Shuck & Greet”. Passover begins at sunset tonight. Aurora Provisions is selling a special menu of prepared foods for Passover.
Tuesday — The 2nd Annual Beer & Bacon Dinner is taking place at The Salt Exchange.
Wednesday — there will be a wine tasting at Old Port Wine Merchants, a wine event at Havana South, and the Portland Phoenix will announce the winners of the 2011 Best of Portland Readership Poll.
Thursday — The Great Lost Bear will feature beer from Run of the Mill Brewery for their weekly Thursday night showcase.
Saturday — the last Winter Farmers Market of the season is taking place at the Irish Heritage Center. Wine Wise is teaching a Bordeaux class at The Wine Bar.
Sunday — a few Portland restaurants are serving special menus/buffets for Easter: DiMillo’s, the Eastland Park Hotel, Season’s Grille, and Twenty Milk Street. Aurora Provisions is offering a special menu of prepared foods for Easter.
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.
Where is Jenner’s Mind has published a brief review of Gogi,
given the affordability and uniqueness of gogi in portland, i think this establishment is a great addition to the portland food scene. what is really cool is that gogi is open late night so if you need some korean/mexican fusion at 1 am, and who of us hasn’t, you have a great option.
and Vin et Grub has published a review of brunch at Caiola’s.
The Bird’s Nest consisted of two eggs, cooked over medium, nestled into pieces of Pullman Toast- which had been highly praised by other food bloggers- and lived up to their impressions I must say, served with country sausage gravy, and roasted sweet potatoes. The toast was buttery, flaky, and delicious. Toasted to a crisp, but sopped in some runny egg yolks did the trick to add a bit more flavor. The sausage gravy was creamy and savory. It had a pleasing aroma- somewhat resembling Shepard’s Pie, but highly reminiscent of my stay down south last year. All in all, this dish blew my mind.