Author: PFM

Vodka Infusions

| Posted in Distilling & Cocktails

Today’s Portland Daily Sun takes a look at vodka infusions. Columnist Natalie Ladd met with bartender John Meyers to understand the background and logic behind flavored vodkas.

My Take … When done with style and thoughtfulness, vodka infusions are a win-win for all. Flavored vodkas are now found in the well, and while trendy infusions (lima bean and ham hock) have seen better days, they have made their lasting mark on cocktail menus and drink order decision making. Take it from a Cosmopolitan drinker who’s switched from The Classic to Absolute Citron. The subtle lemon-orange infused flavor makes all the difference in the world.

Tortilla Chips, Plant-based Diet & Mom

| Posted in People, Profiles

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald an interview with Scott Rehart from Montecito Roadhouse, a tortilla chip company located in Portland that got its start as a food stall in the old Portland Public Market,

Rehart uses his own blend of corn oils, which is one of the secrets to his tortilla chips. The chips are manufactured in a 1,500-square-foot space on Industrial Way in Portland. It’s a tight squeeze for Rehart and his three employees (two full time and one part-time).

“We have people falling all over each other trying to get chips out,” he said. “I can sell all the chips I can make.

an article about Dr. John Herzog and his support for the health benefits of eating a plant-based diet. “Starting today, he’ll deliver a series of free luncheon talks every Wednesday in May. The programs take place from noon to 1 p.m. at Little Lads Bakery in downtown Portland.”

“I see the tipping point,” Herzog said. “People are waking up.”

And when the tipping point is reached, Herzog predicts it will not only change how we eat, it will change the practice of medicine.

“The doctors of the future will prescribe food rather than medicine,” he said.

There’s also a collection of food themed gift ideas for Mother’s Day.

Tortilla Chips, Plant-based Diet & Mom

| Posted in People, Profiles

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald an interview with Scott Rehart from Montecito Roadhouse, a tortilla chip company located in Portland that got its start as a food stall in the old Portland Public Market,

Rehart uses his own blend of corn oils, which is one of the secrets to his tortilla chips. The chips are manufactured in a 1,500-square-foot space on Industrial Way in Portland. It’s a tight squeeze for Rehart and his three employees (two full time and one part-time).

“We have people falling all over each other trying to get chips out,” he said. “I can sell all the chips I can make.

an article about Dr. John Herzog and his support for the health benefits of eating a plant-based diet. “Starting today, he’ll deliver a series of free luncheon talks every Wednesday in May. The programs take place from noon to 1 p.m. at Little Lads Bakery in downtown Portland.”

“I see the tipping point,” Herzog said. “People are waking up.”

And when the tipping point is reached, Herzog predicts it will not only change how we eat, it will change the practice of medicine.

“The doctors of the future will prescribe food rather than medicine,” he said.

There’s also a collection of food themed gift ideas for Mother’s Day.

Thai-o-rama Reviews: Boda

| Posted in Reviews

For the sixth round of the Thai-o-rama (Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5) collaborative food writing project, we selected Boda, Portland’s newest Thai restaurant which is located in Longfellow Square. Boda is the creation of Nattasak Wongsaichua and Danai Sriprasert who also own Green Elephant.
Appetite Portland – read the full review

Oily and aromatic with sesame overtones in a savory broth, the [bitter melon] soup provoked my tastebuds like little I’ve tried before or since. It awoke areas of my tongue I didn’t know existed! A remarkable balance of flavors, it played the role of appetizer to a “T” – kicking my hunger into overdrive.

And it killed with a crisp martini.

Edible Obsessions – read the full review

So, what can I say? Boda, in my book, is the best Thai place in town. If you go, don’t go there with preconceived notions based on Take Out Thai. Go with an empty belly and an open mind. And try a lot of different things. Order enough for left overs, trust me on this the panaeng is quite yummy cold when you’re intoxicated. But, by all means, just go.

Portland Daily Sun (article not available online)

Anyway we set it aside and ordered some shrimp skewers and grilled Thai sticky rice. The rice patty had a nutty crunchiness on the outside, which contrasted with the gummy softness inside, a great side dish to the shrimp and spicy chili garlic lime dipping sauce.

Where is Jenner’s Mind – read the full review

all in all, this was a pretty good meal. first off, i have never seen any of these things on a menu at any other thai restaurant, so they get points for showing me something different. second, even though there were a couple of items that i didn’t really care for, the things i did like were really great.
i would go back just for the cocktails, dessert, and people watching.

For additional perspectives check out one of these earlier reviews:

or visit Boda’s website.

Moxie in Mainebiz

| Posted in General News

Mainebiz takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the history of Moxie.

But Moxie does have a strong Maine connection. In 1884, Dr. Augustin Thompson of Union changed Moxie to take advantage of the new and growing soft drink market. The tonic became known as “Beverage Moxie: Nerve Food.” Later it was changed to “Moxie: That nasty-tasting stuff,” or words to that effect.

The annual Moxie Festival will take place July 9-11 in Lisbon Maine.

So many restaurants opening . . . will it ever end?

| Posted in History

In 1977 the Maine Times published an article entitled “Why are so many restaurants opening in Portland and will it ever end?” According to the article,

Ten years ago [1967], Portland was practically without restaurants. The Roma . . . was almost alone in trying to serve food that was not pre-portioned and pre-packaged. Then came the Gaslight on Exchange Street, then the Old Port Tavern and then it seemed to explode.

Author Mark Mogensen asked several restauranteurs about whether a “saturation point” had been reached—quite ironic given the ever growing number of eateries to be found in the city in 2010.
Opinions ranged from “it’s fast approaching” from the owner of the Hollow Reed* to “I think the saturation point has been reached” from Charles McGee, co-owner of the Old Port Tavern.
I wonder what they would say about the Portland restaurant scene of today?
The Maine Times article also includes the earliest reference I’ve ever seen to the “most restaurants per capita” stat.

“Christ there’s a lot of them” [Portland license inspector Ed] Newbegin said. From a survey, Newbegin said he learned that “Portland Maine, per capita, has the highest population of restaurants in the U.S.”

*Reportedly Portland’s first vegetarian restaurant.

This Week's Events

| Posted in Events

Monday — Fans of Arrows in Ogunquit will be holding their breath to see if the restaurant wins the Best Chef Northeast award from the James Beard Foundation.
Tuesday — the new food and drink trivia competition continues at Grace.
Wednesday — The midweek Farmers Market is taking place in Monument Square, and Black Tie Bistro is teaching a cooking class.
Friday —the First Friday Art Walk is taking place and restaurants will be very busy so make your reservations early. The West End Deli is holding their monthly wine tasting.
Saturday — the weekend Farmers Market is taking place in Deering Oaks Park, and the Maine Bar-B-Que Showdown is being held.
Sunday — it’s Mother’s Day and brunch locations will be packed with families giving Mom a rest from the kitchen.
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.

This Week’s Events

| Posted in Events

Monday — Fans of Arrows in Ogunquit will be holding their breath to see if the restaurant wins the Best Chef Northeast award from the James Beard Foundation.

Tuesday — the new food and drink trivia competition continues at Grace.

Wednesday — The midweek Farmers Market is taking place in Monument Square, and Black Tie Bistro is teaching a cooking class.

Friday —the First Friday Art Walk is taking place and restaurants will be very busy so make your reservations early. The West End Deli is holding their monthly wine tasting.

Saturday — the weekend Farmers Market is taking place in Deering Oaks Park, and the Maine Bar-B-Que Showdown is being held.

Sunday — it’s Mother’s Day and brunch locations will be packed with families giving Mom a rest from the kitchen.

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.