Category: Events

35 options and counting on this year’s New Year’s list. Check back, we’ll be adding more as more restaurants announce their offerings. Don’t see your favorite restaurant on the list? Check with them directly. Some restaurants may be open on NYE with their regular takeout/menu options.

If you know of any restaurants offering special New Year’s Eve/Day options please email me or post a comment below with  the details.

• Bao Bao – a special 4-course takeout menu celebrates the dumpling in its many forms from around the world. Order online.
• Broken Arrow – 6-course dinner with Champagne toast.
• Central Provisions – takeout caviar, foie gras, dinner and drinks. Order online.
• Chaval – has on offer a takeout 3-course prix fixe dinner as well as a flounder crudo appetizer and beef tenderloin on special on NYE. Order online.
• Cocktail Mary – Their NYE Kit includes “A bottle of Anton Ohlig Brut Rose, Cantina del Pioppa Lambrusco di Modena, Famille St. Laurent Saint-Pourçain and Quinto Do Infantado White Port. Sex work, Negroni, Maple Old fashioned and Bellini for two.” $99.99. Order online.
• Crispy Gai – fried chicken, caviar and Miller. Order online.
• Duckfat Friteshack – an a la carte menu of American Chinese food. Order online.
• Evo – a 5-course takeout meal which is a collaboration with Colin Wyatt former Executive Sous Chef at Eleven Madison Park. Order online.
• Fore Street – full takeout menu. (207) 775-2717.
• Highroller Lobster/Sun Oriental – a menu created in collaboration between Highroller and Sun Oriental Market available for takeout, on-site dining and delivery.
• Hunt & Alpine – NYE takeout party kits (2 servings of 4 cocktails plus olives, Hunt’s nut mix, pickles) for $75. Order online.
• Isa – a NYE takeout menu available for pre-order by calling (207) 808-8533.
• Izakaya Minato – Omakase for 2, $80. Order online.
• Judy Gibson – a snack pack for 2-4 people, “Smoked mussels, house made summer sausage, chicken liver pâté with elderflower-buttermilk jelly, spicy popcorn, mixed pickles and olives along with a bottle of bubbles for $60”. (207)808-8649.
• Little Giant – Burger boxes, “fancy hotdogs” and champagne available to order on New Year’s Eve.
• Luke’s – A takeout seafood tower and other options for New Year’s Eve. Order online.
• Mr. Tuna – a variety of sushi options (chirashi, part box, maki platters, etc) for takeout. Order online.
• North 43 Bistro – has a special NYE menu available for takeout of on-site dining.
• Other Side Diner – a takeout prime rib dinner for 2 $75. info@othersidediner.com.
• Petite Jacqueline – serving a 4-course dinner for $75 with optional wine pairings for takeout or on-site dining. They also have a canape basket for 4.
• Roma Cafe – has a special NYE menu for takeout or on-site dining.
• Round Turn Distilling –  French 75 cocktail kits. Order online.
• Sebago Brewing Co. – has a NYE menu for takeout and on-site dining.
• Small Axe – will be serving a takeout brunch menu on New Year’s Day. See menu.
• Sur Lie – a takeout NYE differ for 2, $120 with options for add-ons wine or cocktails. Order online.
• Terlingua – outdoor seatings at 4:30pm, 6:30pm, and 8:30pm for parties of 2-6 people; reservations required. Also a BBQ and bubbles takeout meal for 2, $165. Order online.
• The Honey Paw – at-cost caviar: 30, 60 or 90 grams. Order online.
• Tipo – 3-course takeout dinner for $60/person. Order online.
• Top of the East – a NYE takeout Celebration Box that includes apps and dessert for 2, $60. Order online.
• Urban Farm Fermentory – will be launching their new brunch service in the UFF tasting room on New Year’s Day, 8am to 6pm.
• Verbena – a variety of takeout options for NYE and brunch the morning after.
• Wine Wise and Chaval –a virtual wine dinner for two (deliver included) for $250 – order online. Also a takeout New Year’s Day wine brunch for two for $125 – order online.
• Woodford F&B – three takeout hors d’ouevres options. (207) 200-8503.

Chefs Matt Ginn and Colin Wyatt are collaborating on an Evo New Year’s Eve takeout menu.

Ginn is the executive chef of the Prentice Hospitality Group and Wyatt is the former executive sous chef from Eleven Madison Park. Wyatt and his wife Selena Juneau-Vogel recently resettled to the Portland area—part of a longstanding plan to return to Maine (where Juneau-Vogel grew up) that was accelerated by the pandemic.

The friendship between Ginn and Wyatt dates back to 2007 when they both worked for Steve Corry at Five Fifty-Five. As a reference back to those earlier days, the NYE menu includes a black truffle lobster lasagna as a nod to the truffle lobster mac and cheese that was a signature item on the menu at Five Fifty-Five.

The 5-course menu includes:

• • Caviar / Mini Pita Taramasalata / Everything Crumble / House Pickle
  • Maine Root Vegetable / Winter Citrus / Local Maine Scallops
  • Black Truffle Lobster Lasagna
  • Braised Short Rib / Delicata Squash
  • Petit Fours
  • Main Dessert
  • Celebratory Toast

You can pre-order Evo’s New Year’s Eve takeout dinner online, $130 per person.

Radici, the new pizzeria on Washington Ave, is planning a weekly collaboration series in January and February.

Working with Radici on the series are chefs from

• Mr. Tuna, January 6-10
• Chaval, January 13-17
• Mami, January 20-24
• Taverna Khione, January 27-31
• Bao Bao, February 3-7

Christmas is a little more than a week away. Here’s an evolving  list of the takeout, dine in, or provisions options that I’ve learned of are. I’ll be adding to the list as restaurants and other food producers announce their plans:

• • Ada’s – family sized pasta and dessert option, order deadline December 21st for pick-up on December 23rd or 24th. Email hello@adaspasta.com to order.
  • Belleville – cookies and baked goods. Pick-up on December 23rd and 24th. Order online.
  • Big Tree Hospitality – a wide range of dishes and provisions for pick-up on December 23rd. Order online.
  • BlueFin – will be serving a special holiday menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
  • Boone’s – sides, mains and dessert, order deadline December 21st for pick-up on December 24th.
  • Botto’s – baked goods and breads. Pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
  • Central Provisions – takeout sides, dinner, dessert, order deadline December 20th. Order online.
  • Chaval – 4 different holiday cakes (call for gluten-free option) plus eggnog, order deadline December 20th. Pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
  • Cheese Shop of Portland – baked good, and cheese and charcuterie platters, order deadline December 18th for pick-up on December 23rd and 24th. Order online.
  • Dandelion Catering – has a Christmas menu, order deadline December 17th for pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
  • Dizzy Bird – meals for individuals and families as well as sides and desserts, order deadline December 20th for pick-up on December 23rd and 24th. Order online.
  • Evo – choice of five pound lamb or beef roast with a variety of sauces and roasted potatoes, $90 (includes tax). Order deadline December 22nd for pickup on December 23rd or 24th. Available cooked or marinated and ready to prepare at home. (207) 358-7830.
  • Greeks of Peaks – 3-course Greek takeout dinner for $33/person. Pickup in Portland or on Peaks on December 23rd. Order online.
  • Gross Confection Bar – Christmas desserts, order deadline December 20th for pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
  • Lake & Co. – meals for 2 or 4 people along with side dishes and desserts, order deadline December 17th for pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
  • Leeward – holiday take n bake dinner kit, order deadline December 23rd for pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
  • Little Giant – Ribeye steak roast with all the sides and dessert for 2 ($160) for pick-up on December 24th. Also a bûche de noël log, $35 for pick-up on December 23rd and 24th.  Order online.
  • Luke’s – takeout Christmas Eve lobster dinner for four, order deadline December 20th for pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
  • Mami – roast pork, ramen, dumplings and cookies, order deadline December 20th, pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
  • Norimoto – a variety of baked goods for pick-up on December 24th. Email to order atsukonorimoto@gmail.com.
  • Other Side Deli – apps, sides, main dishes and desserts order deadline December 17th for pick-up on December 24th. (207) 761-9650 for Veranda St, (207) 874-7414 for Vaughan St.
  • North 43 Bistro – has options for a breakfast, Christmas dinner and appetizers all sized for a group of 6 people. Order deadline December 18th for pick-up on December 23rd or 24th. (207) 747-4009.
  • Prairie Baking Co. – bûche de noël log, cookies, and holiday cookie kit. Order online.
  • Roll Call – Fully cooked 1/2 porchetta (feeds 10-15 people, $150) or 1/4 porchetta (feeds 5-8 people, $80) with reheating instructions. Order deadline December 15th for pick-up on December 22nd or 23rd.  (207) 200-4050 or email hello@rollcallmaine.com to order.
  • Scratch Baking – has a range of baked available for pick-up on December 23rd or 24th.
  • Sichuan Kitchen – has a family-sized Christmas menus for 3-4, 6-8, and 10-12 people. Order online.
  • Sur Lie – prime rib or ham dinners for 2 or 4 people, order deadline December 20th for pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
  • Sweet Woodruff Provisions – takeout pastry chef Kate Fisher Hamm is holding a pre-Christmas pop-up selling cakes, tarts and cookie boxes, order deadline December 18th. Order online.
  • Tandem – has yule log cakes and cookie boxes. Call to order (207) 760-4440.
  • Terlingua – 4-course dinner for 4 people, $165. Order online.
  • Tipo – has menus for a Christmas Eve cocktail party, and Christmas morning breakfast. Order online.
  • Two Fat Cats – cakes, pies and other desserts, pick-up December 22-24. Order online.
  • Union – 3-course Christmas dinner at the restaurant for $79 per person (optional pairings for $13), or a family style takeout meal for 2 $100 for pick-up on December 24th (order by the 20th). See menus. They also have a Christmas Eve brunch.
  • Verbena – appetizers, salads, mains annd dessertss, order deadline December 22nd fofr pick-up on December 24th. (207) 767-2011.
  • Via Vecchia – will be serving a Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve at the restaurant. 7-courses for $70 per person (with optional $25 cocktail and wine pairings). Make reservations.
  • Westin Hotel – takeout 4-course dinner , $42 for 1 person or $80 for 2 people; order deadline December 20th. Pick-up on December 24. Order online.
  • Wine Wise and Chaval are teaming up on a Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner on Christmas Eve (Sold Out), $190 for 2 people. Order online.

Restaurant industry folks please DM on instagram or email at anestes@portlandfoodmap.com with details on your Christmas Eve/Day options.

Additionally, if you’re able, please consider making a donation to one or more of these organizations to help fight hunger in Maine:

• • Cooking for Community
  • Full Plates Full Potential
  • Good Shepherd Food Bank
  • Preble Street
  • Project FEED
  • Wayside Food Programs
    

The Press Herald is hosting a webinar to gather reflections on the past year with members of Portland’s small business community.

The arrival of the pandemic this spring sent Maine business people into a scramble, searching for ways to keep the lights on while ensuring the safety of employees and customers. Several shared the thinking behind their difficult decisions and pivots in our Making it Work segments. Now we return to ask, “How did it all pan out?”

Participating in the webinar are.

• • Vanessa Santarelli, Your Maine Concierge
  • Andrew Volk, Alpine + Hunt Club
  • Krista Cole, Sur Lie
  • Mike Alfiero, Harbor Fish
  • Joanna Pease, Jibe Cycling Studio
  • Mary Allen Lindemann, Coffee By Design

The webinar is scheduled to take place this Thursday at 1pm. Register online to attend.

The Oasis Free Clinic is working with five Maine chefs to offer a online cooking class series. Classes are $75 and the funds raised will underwrite the medical and dental services Oasis provides to the uninsured. A new class takes place each month starting in January:

• Sam Hayward from Fore Street on January 27th
• Ali Waks-Adams from Willie & Chet’s on February 10th
• Nikaline Iacono from Vessel and Vine on March 27th
• Christine Burns Rudalevige from Edible Maine on April 24th
• Isabella Mastroianni from Sanctuary Baking on May 1st

Chef Ambrely Ouimette is launching a takeout sushi pop-up. The Calypso Sushi (instagram) menu includes:

• • Calypso Chirashi (with optional caviar and uni)
  • Industry Pint Chirashi with the choice of beer or sake
  • Spicy Tuna Tartar with maple togarashi rice tots
  • 7-piece Omakase
  • Mini Matcha Mochi Cakes

To place your order send a direct message to the Calypso Sushi account on instagram, and payment will be handled through Venmo. The two options for pick-up dates are December 14th and 15th, 11am – 7pm in Portland at Ishi Ishi Ramen on Washington Ave.

The first Winter Farmers’ Market of the season is taking place this Saturday, and will run through April 17th. As in past years the market is being held at 631 Stevens Ave, 9am – 1pm.

To address public health concerns,  the market is making some changes this year. As shared on the Farmers’ Market website they include:

• • Customers are asked to PRE-ORDER from farmers as much as possible.
  • Market is now a grab-and-go experience where customers efficiently shop and then promptly return home.
  • The market layout and foot traffic pattern have been designed for social distancing, please follow all signs.
  • Customers are asked to follow ALL our new Community Shopping Guidelines.
  • A SNAP-Only Information Booth will be available. Many farmers accept credit/debit directly a their booths.

Wednesday – Daniel Iwasko from Duckfat is Wednesday’s guest chef at the Duckfat Friteshack Grill, and the weekday Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thursday – it’s Thanksgiving…see the list below for ideas on where to get ingredients and dishes for your meal.

Saturday – Pacifico, a new Latin American restaurant in Saco, is scheduled to open.

Thanksgiving Resource Guide – a growing list of which restaurants are doing in person or takeout Thanksgiving dinners, as well as bakeries, markets and other providers with special offerings for Thanksgiving. While deciding on your own Thanksgiving Day meal plans consider making a donation to the Good Shepherd Food Bank to help fight hunger in Maine.

• Thanksgiving Wine – top recommendations from six local wine distributors, and from several wine shop and wine bar owners. Additionally, Brittany Saliwanchik from Magnus on Water is offering free 30-min virtual wine consultations.
• Belleville – has set-up an online pre-order for Thanksgiving baked goods. Order online for pick-up on November 24th or 25th.
• BlueFin – the restaurant at the Portland Harbor Hotel will be serving a Thanksgiving dinner(menu). There will be four seatings at 1, 2:45, 4:30 and 6.
• Botto’s Bakery – has some Thanksgiving breads and desserts which you can order online. Order deadlines: for breads November 24th, for pastry November 21st.
• Chaval – has some dessert options an apple tarte tatan with a side of vanilla cream, maple pecan pumpkin pie, and a chocolate tart
  frangipan almond tart with poached pears and chocolate sauce. Email reservations@chavalmaine.com to order.
• Churchill Catering – has a variety of mains, sides and desserts. Order online.
• Craft – has turkeys, sides and desserts for order online.
• Dizzy Bird – has Thanksgiving takeout available for pick-up on November 25th or 26th. Order online.
• Dock Fore – will have their full menu plus a turkey dinner calzone.
• Eighteen95 – the restaurant at The Portland Regency will be serving a Thanksgiving dinner (see the menu). Noon to 7pm.
• LB Kitchen – has sides, desserts, breads and other items for your Thanksgiving. Order online.
• Mainely Macarons – has three flavors available for Thanksgiving.
• Nigh Moves – has a variety of pies, breads and baked goods for Thanksgiving. Order online.
• Norimoto Bakery – has a short list of baked goods available. Order by emailing atsukonorimoto@gmail.com.
• North 43 Bistro – is offering takeout Thanksgiving dinner for 6 people for $225.
• Part & Parcel – order your pies for pick-up on November 25th. Order online.
• Petite Jacqueline – will be serving a “3 course menu with options, wine pairings, sides, etc. Some traditional offerings and some untraditional ideas.” Reservations recommended.
• Prairie Baking Company – will be offering “cheddar herb gougeres and pumpkin madeleines by the dozen, fall themed decorate your own cookie boxes, and apple cake with maple buttercream and chai spiced crumble decorated with handmade wafer paper leaves and fresh flowers”..
• Terlingua – a turkey dinner for four people, $185.
• The Harraseeket Inn – will be serving a “reverse buffet” Thanksgiving dinner. They will also have some Thanksgiving dinner specials that can be ordered to go.
• Three Dollar Deweys – will be serving Thanksgiving dinner which is also available to go.
• Timber Steakhouse – will be serving a 3-course meal for $49.
• Tin Pan Bakery – has pies, cakes, breads and other baked goods. Order online.
• Tipo – has a menu for your Thanksgiving Eve meal. Order online.
• Union – will have a Thanksgiving takeout dinner available for pick-up on Wednesday, and will be serving a 3-course dinner on Thanksgiving Day.
• Westin – is offering a takeout meal for 2 for $70 for pick-up on November 25th. Order online.
• Wine Wise – a curated multi-restaurant meal for 2-4 people for $375. Order online.
• Woodford F&B – has a selection of 3 hors d’ouevres collections: surf, turf and vegetable with optional wine pairings. Call (207) 200-8503 to order for pick-up on November 24th.
• Southern Maine & New Hampshire – for those of you living in coastal New Hampshire and York County in Maine see this list assembled by the Portsmouth Herald.
• Lewiston – Boba is offering a package that will feed 6-8 people.

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.

Lois’ Natural Marketplace has announced they’ll be “hibernating our store on India Street for the winter” and consolidating operations and staff to their original store in Scarborough. The Portland store will close on November 25th.

Our entire Portland crew will be joining our Scarborough store staff. We have expanded our hours and our deli will be reopening to serve hot soups and coffee again. We are looking forward to new changes and a lot of new talent joining our Scarborough store.