Monday — the James Beard Foundation will announce the finalists for this year’s awards, check back later this morning for all the details; Stephen Lanzalotta is teaching a Piatto per Tutti cooking class.
Wednesday — Black Tie Bistro is teaching a cooking class.
Thursday — Browne Trading and Black Cherry Provisions are both holding wine tastings, The Cheese Iron is teaching a charcuterie class, Kitchen & Cook is teaching a Japanese cooking class, the Sea Glass Restaurant is holding a beer dinner and Bard Coffee is running a latte art competition.
Friday — the 6th Annual Celesoiree is scheduled to take place.
Saturday — the indoor Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place, Scarborough Wine Outlet is holding a wine tasting and SMCC is running their 6th Annual International Food Festival.
Sunday — maple syrup producers across the state will be open for Maine Maple Sunday. Visit the Get Real Get Maine site for all the details.
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.
Author: PFM
Brunch Review of Caiola's
The Blueberry Files has published a review of the brunch at Caiola’s.
Brunch is a complicated animal, I realize. Tastes are highly personal, kitchens are very busy, and usually you’re hungover, which can make you even more sensitive to service and food issues. But I don’t find brunch to be Caiola’s strong suit (admittedly after only one try). With other strong contenders for Best Brunch in Portland, I think I’ll stick with a restaurant whose kitchen is more in line with my tastes.
Brunch Review of Caiola’s
The Blueberry Files has published a review of the brunch at Caiola’s.
Brunch is a complicated animal, I realize. Tastes are highly personal, kitchens are very busy, and usually you’re hungover, which can make you even more sensitive to service and food issues. But I don’t find brunch to be Caiola’s strong suit (admittedly after only one try). With other strong contenders for Best Brunch in Portland, I think I’ll stick with a restaurant whose kitchen is more in line with my tastes.
Brunch Review of The Porthole
The Examiner has published a brunch review of The Porthole.
Let’s be honest here, the Porthole is a great place to go for a fantastic brunch, upbeat vibe, and all-round good time. Whether you’re a salty seadog or landlubber, you’ll enjoy your maiden voyage with the “new” Porthole Restaurant. We look forward to reviewing the lunch and dinner menus later this summer.
In the meantime, sail on over to the Porthole… You’ll soon be saying “Aye-Aye”!
Lunch Review of Miyake
Portland Eats has published a review of lunch at Miyake.
Don’t overlook lunch at Miyake. No longer must you wait until dinner for your Japanese food fix. Get up from your desk and out of the office for some of the best food the city has to offer.
Browne Trading Profile
Find.Eat.Drink has published a profile of Browne Trading penned by Erik Desjarlais, chef/owner of Evangeline.
Beyond the local catch, caviars and shellfish, Browne imports seafood from the Pacific and European waters as well. Mediterranean fish of all sorts have passed through my doors and in to my bouillabaisse pot. Dover sole, turbot, loup de mer, mullet, scorpion fish and John Dory have all been roasted and carved table-side here at Evangeline.
Revised Wine Legistlation Signed into Law
Governor Baldacci has signed a revision to the 2009 law that regulates wine tastings.
The law had required that wine stores run tastings “in a manner that precludes the possibility of observation by children”. The revised law strikes that provision; shops now just have to “post prominently at the entrance to the store a sign that announces the date and time of the event”.
The revised law also enables shops to conduct up to 3 tastings per month and no more than 24 per year.
For additional reporting see: Chow Maine.
Moved, Expanding, and Leasing
A few additional under construction updates:
- Cakes Extraordinaire has moved across the street from their location on Brighton Ave into the Pine Tree Mall across the parking lot from Lowes.
- MaineBiz reports that the developer of 188 Middle Street has recast the space as the Shops at 188 which will consist of a “a restaurant and include a clothing store, a jewelry store and a home furnishings gallery store.” Last year 188 Middle Street had been slated to be the home of Luna Rossa.
- According to a post on Chowhound, David’s 388 has “bought the building next door and will be expanding”.
Battle of the Butter
The Boston Globe test kitchen compared several butters including Kate’s Homemade from Maine. While the testers found it the “Least buttery” of the bunch they appreciated the “creamy and smooth” texture.
Review of Sonny's
The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Sonny’s.
A palomilla style skirt steak was pounded flat and marinated in spices, rum, and orange rather than the more traditional lemon and garlic. The result was a pleasant sweetness in which it was hard to tell whether you were smelling the rum and tasting the orange, or vice versa. A peppery spice lingered on the tongue. The steak itself had a good chew without being tough.