Category: Events

Upcoming Events

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March 1-12 – Maine Restaurant Week is taking place.

March 7 – Sommelier Justin St. Louis at Old Port Sea Grill will be leading a food and wine pairing workshop, and Lenora will be launching their lunch/dinner service.

March 7-11 – Chaval is serving a special menu all week featuring modern interpretations of Classic Alsatian cuisine.

March 8 – Thirst Pig is hosting a line-up of Maine’s 7 newest breweries.

March 9 – the New England Craft Brew Summit is taking place, Fire & Co anAustin Street are collaborating on a Polenta Board Dinner, and Great Wave Sushi is holding a pop-up at Amigo’s.

March 9-12 – Bites & Brews is taking place at the Carnaval Maine event.

March 10 – it’s the first day of the Rose Foods guest chef bagel sandwich series. Participating restaurants include Mr. Tuna, Quiero, Regards, Onggi, Taj, Duckfat, Indy’s and Fish & Whistle.

March 11 – Arabica Coffee is hosting a tea tasting workshop led by the Aera Tea Company, and The Purple House is holding a pop-up.

March 12 – Two events are taking place at Coffee by Design: a coffee cupping with Juan Carlos Arango, owner of Arango Specialty Coffee, and the release of gin barrel-aged Alice Greele coffee. Chefs Fred Eliot and Michael Stokes are serving a 3-course French country dinner at The Blue Spoon.

March 13 – the Greeks of Peaks food truck is holding a pop-up at Hunt & Alpine.

March 15 – the new Puerto Rican-inspired bar and restaurant called Papi (website, facebook, instagram) is scheduled to open.

March 17 – the final Flanagan Farm Supper Club (tickets) is taking place in Buxton. The  cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and multi-course dinner at being produced by Big Tree, the parent company of Eventide and The Honey Paw restaurants.

March 18 – Chris Toy is teaching a virtual cooking class to benefit the Oasis Free Clinic in Brunswick.

March 19 – Helm is holding a Prime Night dinner.

March 20 – the Seafood Innovation & Quality Summit is taking place in Portland.

March 22 – Josh Berry will be the guest chef for a Spanish wine dinner at the Maker’s Galley.

March 29 – the James Beard Foundation will release the list of nominees for this year’s awards. There are 11 semifinalists from Maine under consideration.

April 3 – Scratch Baking is teaching a bagel baking class.

April 18 – Avery Yale Kamila will be giving a talk on the 300 year history of vegetarianism in Maine in Buxton.

April 21 – The Good Food Awards will take place, there are 12 finalists from Maine in the running this year.

May 20 – Maine Wild Wine Fest is taking place in Freeport.

June 12-18 – Portland Wine Week is taking place with events at restaurants all over the Portland area.

July 23 – Open Farm Day.

September 10 – Maine Cheese Festival.

October 8 – Maine Open Creamery Day.

Upcoming Events

| Posted in Events

February 26/27 – the first 2023 Science Cafe and associated cooking class is taking place at Canopy Farms in Brunswick.

February 28 – Maine Restaurant Week’s Incredible Breakfast Cook-off is taking place.

March 1-12 – Maine Restaurant Week is taking place.

March 2 – Judy Gibson is holding a 5-course beer dinner in collaboration with Fore River Brewing.

March 5 – Maine Restaurant Week’s Spirit Quest is taking place and Batson River is kicking off the first of 4 weekly cocktail classes.

March 7 – Sommelier Justin St. Louis at Old Port Sea Grill will be leading a food and wine pairing workshop, and Lenora will be launching their lunch/dinner service.

March 9 – the New England Craft Brew Summit is taking place, Fire & Co anAustin Street are collaborating on a Polenta Board Dinner, and Great Wave Sushi is holding a pop-up at Amigo’s.

March 9-12 – Bites & Brews is taking place at the Carnaval Maine event.

March 10 – it’s the first day of the Rose Foods guest chef bagel sandwich series. Participating restaurants include Mr. Tuna, Quiero, Regards, Onggi, Taj, Duckfat, Indy’s and Fish & Whistle.

March 11 – Arabica Coffee is hosting a tea tasting workshop led by the Aera Tea Company.

March 12 – Two events are taking place at Coffee by Design: a coffee cupping with Juan Carlos Arango, owner of Arango Specialty Coffee, and the release of gin barrel-aged Alice Greele coffee.

March 13 – the Greeks of Peaks food truck is holding a pop-up at Hunt & Alpine.

March 17 – the final Flanagan Farm Supper Club (tickets) is taking place in Buxton. The  cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and multi-course dinner at being produced by Big Tree, the parent company of Eventide and The Honey Paw restaurants.

March 18 – Chris Toy is teaching a virtual cooking class to benefit the Oasis Free Clinic in Brunswick.

March 29 – the James Beard Foundation will release the list of nominees for this year’s awards. There are 11 semifinalists from Maine under consideration.

April 3 – Scratch Baking is teaching a bagel baking class.

April 21 – The Good Food Awards will take place, there are 12 finalists from Maine in the running this year.

May 20 – Maine Wild Wine Fest is taking place in Freeport.

June 12-18 – Portland Wine Week is taking place with events at restaurants all over the Portland area.

July 23 – Open Farm Day.

September 10 – Maine Cheese Festival.

October 8 – Maine Open Creamery Day.

Upcoming Events

| Posted in Events

February 20 – chef Sam Fore from Tuk Tuk will be at Crispy Gai for a pop-up dinner.

February 26/27 – the first 2023 Science Cafe and associated cooking class is taking place at Canopy Farms in Brunswick.

February 28 – Maine Restaurant Week’s Incredible Breakfast Cook-off.

March 1-12 – Maine Restaurant Week.

March 2 – Judy Gibson is holding a 5-course beer dinner in collaboration with Fore River Brewing.

March 5 – Maine Restaurant Week’s Spirit Quest.

March 9 – the New England Craft Brew Summit is taking place, and Fire & Co and Austin Street are collaborating on a Polenta Board Dinner.

March 12 – Two events are taking place at Coffee by Design: a coffee cupping with Juan Carlos Arango, owner of Arango Specialty Coffee, and the release of gin barrel-aged Alice Greele coffee.

March 17 – the final Flanagan Farm Supper Club (tickets) is taking place in Buxton. The  cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and multi-course dinner at being produced by Big Tree, the parent company of Eventide and The Honey Paw restaurants.

March 18 – Chris Toy is teaching a virtual cooking class to benefit the Oasis Free Clinic in Brunswick.

March 29 – the James Beard Foundation will release the list of nominees for this year’s awards. There are 11 semifinalists from Maine under consideration.

April 3 – Scratch Baking is teaching a bagel baking class.

April 21 – The Good Food Awards will take place, there are 12 finalists from Maine in the running this year.

May 20 – Maine Wild Wine Fest.

June 12-18 – Portland Wine Week.

July 23 – Open Farm Day.

September 10 – Maine Cheese Festival.

October 8 – Maine Open Creamery Day.

Upcoming Events

| Posted in Events

February 14 – it’s Valentine’s Day. Check with your favorite restaurant on special menus and events.

February 17/18 – the Maker’s Galley is holding a 4-course Croatian Dinner and cooking class.

February 20 – chef Sam Fore from Tuk Tuk will be at Crispy Gai for a pop-up dinner.

February 26/27 – the first 2023 Science Cafe and associated cooking class is taking place at Canopy Farms in Brunswick.

February 28 – Maine Restaurant Week’s Incredible Breakfast Cook-off.

March 1-12 – Maine Restaurant Week.

March 2 – Judy Gibson is holding a 5-course beer dinner in collaboration with Fore River Brewing.

March 5 – Maine Restaurant Week’s Spirit Quest.

March 18 – Chris Toy is teaching a virtual cooking class to benefit the Oasis Free Clinic in Brunswick.

April 3 – Scratch Baking is teaching a bagel baking class.

April 21 – The Good Food Awards will take place, there at 12 finalists from Maine in the running this year.

May 20 – Maine Wild Wine Fest.

June 12-18 – Portland Wine Week.

July 23 – Open Farm Day.

September 10 – Maine Cheese Festival.

October 8 – Maine Open Creamery Day.

Upcoming Events

| Posted in Events

February 11 – Ali Waks Adams is teaching a virtual cooking class to benefit the Oasis Free Clinic in Brunswick.

February 14 – it’s Valentine’s Day. Check with your favorite restaurant on special menus and events.

February 28 – Maine Restaurant Week’s Incredible Breakfast Cook-off.

March 1-12 – Maine Restaurant Week.

March 5 – Maine Restaurant Week’s Spirit Quest.

March 18 – Chris Toy is teaching a virtual cooking class to benefit the Oasis Free Clinic in Brunswick.

April 3 – Scratch Baking is teaching a bagel baking class.

April 21 – The Good Food Awards will take place, there at 12 finalists from Maine in the running this year.

May 20 – Maine Wild Wine Fest.

June 12-18 – Portland Wine Week.

July 23 – Open Farm Day.

September 10 – Maine Cheese Festival.

October 8 – Maine Open Creamery Day.

Upcoming Events

| Posted in Events

Wednesday – chef Bijan Eslami is holding a pop-up for his BiziBuns food truck at Jing Yan.

February 11 – Ali Waks Adams is teaching a virtual cooking class to benefit the Oasis Free Clinic in Brunswick.

February 14 – it’s Valentine’s Day. Check with your favorite restaurant on special menus and events.

February 20 – Scratch Baking is teaching a bagel baking class.

March 1-12 – Maine Restaurant Week.

March 18 – Chris Toy is teaching a virtual cooking class to benefit the Oasis Free Clinic in Brunswick.

April 21 – The Good Food Awards will take place, there at 12 finalists from Maine in the running this year.

June 12-18 – Portland Wine Week.

July 23 – Open Farm Day.

September 10 – Maine Cheese Festival.

October 8 – Maine Open Creamery Day.

Upcoming Events

| Posted in Events

Thursday – Urban Farm Fermentory is kicking off their monthly Fun with Ferments potluck.

January 28 – Sam Hayward is teaching a virtual cooking class to benefit the Oasis Free Clinic in Brunswick.

February 11 – Ali Waks Adams is teaching a virtual cooking class to benefit the Oasis Free Clinic in Brunswick.

February 14 – Broken Arrow will be serving a Valentine’s Day dinner.

February 20 – Scratch Baking is teaching a bagel baking class.

March 1-12 – Maine Restaurant Week.

March 18 – Chris Toy is teaching a virtual cooking class to benefit the Oasis Free Clinic in Brunswick.

April 21 – The Good Food Awards will take place, there at 12 finalists from Maine in the running this year.

June 12-18 – Portland Wine Week.

July 23 – Open Farm Day.

September 10 – Maine Cheese Festival.

October 8 – Maine Open Creamery Day.

Upcoming Events

| Posted in Events

Monday – the Disco Jalisco food truck (instagram) is holding a pop-up at Anoche as part of a winter series at the Washington Ave cider bar.

Tuesday – Badger Bagels are debuting at Arabica Coffee.

January 19 – Urban Farm Fermentory is kicking off their monthly Fun with Ferments potluck.

January 28 – Sam Hayward is teaching a virtual cooking class to benefit the Oasis Free Clinic in Brunswick.

February 11 – Ali Waks Adams is teaching a virtual cooking class to benefit the Oasis Free Clinic in Brunswick.

February 14 – Broken Arrow will be serving a Valentine’s Day dinner.

March 18 – Chris Toy is teaching a virtual cooking class to benefit the Oasis Free Clinic in Brunswick.

The 2022 Year In Review

| Posted in Under Construction, General News, Events, Openings, Closings, Year in Review

Here’s a look at the highlights, themes and key moments from the 2022 year in food:

Concept Shift – with the pre-pandemic closure of Five Fifty-Five and the 2022 shuttering of Back Bay Grill and Hugo’s, Portland’s fine dining ranks have thinned quite a bit. Twelve is the new standard bearer for white table cloth dining in Portland. In the meantime, daytime cafes and combination restaurant/markets are increasing in number. Smalls and Friends & Family are a prime examples, and coming online in 2023 are the Bread and Friends bakery/cafe, The Ugly Duckling in the West End, the Night Moves/Lambs collaboration, and the new LB Kitchen.

National Recognition – while none of the nominees came home with the gold in June, the 2022 James Beard Awards season saw Maine honored with 10 semifinalists (just shy of the record 11 set in 2020) and a record 5 finalist nominees—a confirmation of the strength of the Maine restaurant industry and hopefully an indication of what’s to come (watch for the 2023 semifinalists list in February). National recognition came in other forms as well this year: Bon Appetit included Regards on their list of the Best New Restaurants in America, the NY Times identified Leeward and Twelve as two of the “50 places in America we’re most excited about right now,” Food & Wine and CN Traveler shared their love of Biddeford, and Esquire magazine has named Twelve to their 2022 list of the Best New Restaurants in America.

Maine Food Map –Biddeford will continue to be a hot spot, and new restaurants are opening in South Portland and the Portland suburbs. However, there’s also been a growing drumbeat of new and interesting food and beverages businesses opening outside the Portland area, and in 2022 that seemed to have gone into a higher gear…here are just a few examples from the past year: Table Bar in Gardiner, Aboslem Cider in Winthrop,  Nomad in Brunswick, Solo Pane in Bath, the new Dennett’s Wharf in Castine, The Alna Store in Alna, Sidereal Brewing in Vassalboro, Wolfpeach in Camden, Sophia in Belfast, Perch in Waldoboro, Hey Sailor in Searsport, and The Rooting Pig in Bristol.

Upcoming in 2023 – For a rundown of new food businesses under development see PFM Under Construction list. Here are some of the more exciting ones in the pipeline:

  • Bread and Friends – an elevated bakery/cafe located on Fore Street.
  • Lambs/Night Moves – Kerry Haines is bringing her bakery to South Portland and her partner Wade Ritchey is opening a bar in the adjoining space.
  • LB Kitchen – Lee Farrington and Bryna Gootkind are reopening LB Kitchen in an expanded space on the corner of Congress and Smith Streets.
  • Lenora – a taco bar focusing on Mexican-inspired street food from the creators of Lone Star in Boston.
  • Mr. Tuna – a new iteration of Mr. Tuna located on Middle Street is slated to open this summer.
  • Papi – a Puerto Rican-inspired bar and restaurant expected to open early in 2023.
  • Quanto Basta – a brick and mortar version of the popular Neapolitan pizza food truck which will be located in the original LB Kitchen space.
  • Room for Improvement – a modern dive bar being brought to life on Wharf Street by Arvid Brown and  Nick Coffin.
  • The Continental – European pub food meets cocktails and featuring slow pour nitro ales and stouts in the Oakdale neighborhood.
  • The Ugly Duckling – Chaval owners Ilma Lopez and Damian Sansonetti are launching this daytime cafe and bakeshop on Danforth Street in early 2023.
  • Vertical Harvest – a 70,000 square-foot hydroponic vertical greenhouse in Westbrook.

There are also several other exciting new projects that are currently under wraps but will go public soon. Check back later this year for details.

Top 10 Articles

The most popular articles published on Portland Food Map in the past year.

  1. Eastern Prom Food Trucks – early report by the Portland Phoenix that the city was considering new rules to manage food trucks on the Eastern Prom (March 30th)
  2. Somebody Feed Phil – debut of the Somebody Feed Phil episode from Maine (April 7th)
  3. Sacred Profane Brewing – first report on Sacred Profane Brewing being under construction in Biddeford (February 21st)
  4. AC Moving to SoPo – first report on A&C Grocery moving to South Portland (March 2nd)
  5. The Danforth – interim report on The Danforth (February 15th)
  6. The Continental – first report on The Continental (April 14th)
  7. Indy’s Sandwich – first report on Indy’s (February 6th)
  8. Paper Tiger – first report on Paper Tiger (January 6th)
  9. Fish & Whistle – first report on Fish & Whistle in Biddeford (February 1st)
  10. Tobi Open – report on the opening of Tobi (June 3rd)

Notable Events of 2022

Passings

For an additional perspective on the past year in food see the Maine Sunday Telegram Best of 2022 article.

This is the 13th year running that Portland Food Map has published a year in review article. Take a walk down memory lane by checking out these past editions that covered 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010.