MPBN issued a report yesterday on a scam that’s targeting Maine restaurants.
The scammers claim to be bail bondsmen seeking bail for employees that have been arrested. A big red flag: Maine doesn’t have bail bondsmen.
Category: General News
Sun Profile of Bazkari Catering
Today’s Portland Daily Sun includes a profile of Bazkari Catering, a food delivery and catering service specializing in Spanish and Latin American cuisine.
Susan Colinet of CDS in South Portland said, “This is food that I actually take time to savor. I do this because it is delicious, but also because I know that it is prepared with care, passion, and pride for the culture and the ingredients that go into each item. The portions are perfect and the freshness and wholesomeness can be savored in each bite. Speak with Ana for just two minutes about the food and you will understand!”
There’s also a report on the renaming of O’Naturals remaining store in Falmouth. The restaurant will now be known as Stoneyfield Cafe.
Trader Joe Exploreation and Meatless Meetup
The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes a report from Meredith Goad, a self-confessed Trader Joe’s virgin, on her exploration of the TJ in Cambridge,
The bottom line: I didn’t have a religious conversion, but I do get why people are so in love with Trader Joe’s. And I think it would find a good niche here in Portland without compromising the existence of Whole Foods or any other local stores. The Wild Oats space seems like a perfect spot for Joe to move in.
and a Natural Foodie article penned by Avery Yale Kamila on the Meatout dinner taking place this Saturday at the Pepperclub.
As of Monday, more than 40 people had RSVP’ed for the all-vegan meal, and organizer Sarah Conroy is committed to finding seats for anyone else who’d like to attend. The dinner is part of the Maine Vegan Meetup dinners that Conroy coordinates each month; however, this particular meal is open to folks who aren’t members of the Meetup, as long as they reserve a spot in advance.
Hot Suppa! Gets $66k Grant
According to a report from The Forecaster, the Portland City Council voted on Monday night to approve a slate of recipients for Community Development Block Grants. As part of that program, Hot Suppa! is receiving a grant of $66,200 which will they will use to update their facilities and start serving dinner.
Blue Fin & Baked Beans
Today’s Press Herald includes a Maine at Work article filed from the B&M Bean plant in Portland,
I mean, he was taking me through the B&M Baked Beans factory on the edge of Casco Bay in Portland. How dangerous could baking beans be?
But within minutes, I saw a 900-pound bean pot, full of freshly baked beans, flying toward me. Literally.
and a front page article about the bluefin tuna fishery.
Maine Watch Episode on Portland Food
Yesterday’s episode of Maine Watch took a look at the origins, nature and sustainability of the Portland food scene. Host Jennifer Rooks talks with Maine Foodie Tours, Dean’s Sweets and Harbor Fish Market before having a chat with Meredith Goad and Sam Hayward in the studio.
North Star Appeals to Customers for Funds
North Star Music Cafe owner Kim Anderson sent out an email earlier this week to the cafe’s mailing list to raise funds to keep the North Star afloat. The Portland Daily Sun followed up with Anderson and filed this report,
Facing mounting financial frustrations, North Star Cafe owner Kim Anderson turned to her 1,400 email address and about that many Facebook friends. Monday morning, she posted her appeal. In 24 hours, she’d already raised $1,000 toward a $6,000 goal – and the request had, in the jargon of out times, “gone viral.”
According to the article, “Donations are also being accepted old school, in person at the cafe.”
Thai Single-origin Coffee
The Portland Daily Sun has a report on the single-origin organic Thai coffee on tap at Yordprom Coffee Company.
“It’s unique, the coffee bean that we’re introducing to Portland, Maine,” said Yordprom Coffee Co. owner Thomas Yordprom, who opened in the old Congress Street home of Portland Magazine last Friday.
Canada is the primary market of Doi Chaang Coffee, which is sold as an exclusive single-origin, certified organic Arabica, according to Doi Chaang.
Hot Suppa! to Serve Dinner
Hot Suppa! has applied for a Community Development Block Grant to expand the restaurant, according to a report from the Portland Daily Sun.
After narrowly missing the cut last year in a request for $75,000, [owner Moses] Sabina is back and poised to receive $66,000 to expand the breakfast-and-lunch restaurant to include dinner. Sabina, who has owned the Hot Suppa! restaurant on Congress Street with his brother since 2006, awaits a City Council vote on March 22 to confirm his selection as a CDBG recipient.
Trader Joes Leases Wild Oats Space
According to an article in The Forecaster, Trader Joe’s has secured a lease for the old Wild Oats space.
Documents filed with the Federal Trade Commission indicate Trader Joe’s has agreed to lease the former Wild Oats grocery store space on Marginal Way.
According to the FTC, the Monrovia, Calif.-based grocery store chain has worked out a lease agreement with Whole Foods Market.
Additional reporting on the market and Portland’s reaction to the news can be found in the March 11 Press Herald. There are also a pair of articles in the Portland Daily Sun.