This week’s What Ales You column is about the Callabash Cigar Cafe—a tobacconist in South Portland where you can also grab a bite and a glass of beer.
The Calabash Cigar Cafe, 425 Western Ave., South Portland — in the same shopping plaza as Staples and Burlington Coat Factory — is the only public place in Maine where you can smoke a cigar, drink a beer and even have a meal.
Portland Bar Guide has published a review of Siano’s Old Port.
You can come into Siano’s, enjoy some good food and not worry about it being a rowdy Old Port bar. Meet a friend, grab the guys or bring the whole family. They are already proving to be a local favorite for those who want to watch the game in a relaxed atmosphere, among friends, with wallet friendly deals.
The Portland Daily Sun has published an article about the guiding philosophy of Others! in Monument Square,
“Our mission is in our name. We try to leverage money that comes through here to help as many as we can through Fair Trade coffee and tea and try to have a direct relationship with the growers and farmers,” said McCurtain.
a lesson in bar TV etiquette,
To which he said, “It’s just the way things are done…you ask your neighbor in a bar if you want to switch the channel. You must not go out very much.”
and an article about hot beverages, seasonal and otherwise.
Although we are a soup-eating people, we really don’t have a strong culture of hot beverages. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and the occasional cider are typically the only hot beverages that you’ll find on menus in this country. Hot broths and savory brews are really a home affair, made to order when it’s bitter cold. The only local exception I’ve found is the buttery rich tea that is served at Korea House.
In the new issue of Immigrant Kitchens Lindsay Sterling learns how to make Bolivian Tea Cakes from Rommy Holman. See the photos and read the recipe and story behind this dish.
Today’s Press Herald reports on the decrease of fishing boats based in Portland and the efforts of the Fish Co-op to use it’s remaining funds to address one issue responsible for the exodus to Massachusetts. (listen to this piece from Maine Things Considered for additional information)
The cooperative, which is going out of business, is using most of the proceeds from its investment in a fuel and ice company to provide rebates covering Maine’s 5 percent tax on diesel marine fuel.
Today’s paper also includes the weekly Food & Dining section: gingerbread houses, holiday cooking, food book gift ideas and ideas for eating out over the holidays.
Appetite Portland, Edible Obsessions, The Blueberry Files and I recently got together for the 2010 obscure holiday tasting. My favorite was The Ultimate Holiday, a combination of bourbon, grenadine, orange and lime juice and ginger ale.
Citrusy and smoky with a bitter bite, The Ultimate Holiday was a massive improvement over The Grinch. An alcoholic twin to grapefruit juice, the cloudy, pinkish concoction was flat-out marvelous. While concurring with me on it’s obvious merits, Adam questioned the “Christmasyness” of the bourbon-based tipple – asserting that it was more appropriate for a Jamaican beach. He had a point. Perhaps the word “holiday” in the title was intended as the broader British definition, meaning “vacation.” Ah, well. . .
The Portland Daily Sun has published a report on Otto and the impending opening of their new location at the foot of Munjoy Hill.
“It’s a really neat space, we’ve done neat things with the dining room,” said the co-owner.
Topping that list of neat things would be the restaurant’s booths — five grand pianos salvaged from around the state by Keon and turned into one-of-a-kind seating.
Gritty’s is spending approximately $100,ooo to redesign their packaging. Competition from the growing number of Maine brewers was part of their motivation,
With Gritty’s feeling the pressure of more competitors, it must also tend to the discerning tastes of its demographic. “We’re all in the business of providing something new for customers,” Pfeffer says, and brewers must keep up by creating new ales or packaging. “We’re in the entertainment business.”
Here are few food news updates:
Falmouth resident Lisa Lemieux is a finalist in the Saint Germain cocktail competition. Her mix of cognac, Saint Germain, lemon juice, champagne and allspice is called A Taste of Elegance. To see the full set of finalists and vote for your favorite visit the Saint Germain Facebook page.