Category: General News

Today’s Press Herald delves into the ordinance governing farmers’ markets in the city and how that’s impacting the organizers of the new Winter market.

When the group that coordinates the Brunswick Winter Market announced plans to open a similar market in a building on Free Street, its organizers didn’t think they would have to comply with a city ordinance governing the farmers markets in Deering Oaks and Monument Square.

Though the winter market isn’t affiliated with the Portland Farmers Market and won’t operate on city-owned property, Portland officials see it differently.

Here are some additional meal deal options:

• El Rayo – weekly $6 Starving Artists Supper which promises a “hearty entree special every Sunday evening”
• Susan’s Fish and Chips – to celebrate their 21st anniversary Susan’s has a 2-for-1 special on Mondays 4-8 pm
• Andy’s Old Port Pub – eat at Andy’s any day 4-8 pm and according to the ad “when you’re ready to settle up, your server will flip a coin . . . call it right, you’ll get half off any pizzas, soups, sandwiches or pub meals.”
• Tropa Wine is closing and is selling off its remaining stock at a 20-50% discount.

A Maine Voices opinion article in today’s Press Herald takes issue with last week’s Bill Nemitz column about the law suit and ongoing protests by former works against The Front Room.

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald reports on a visit to the Culinary Arts program at SMCC and the discount meals that the students serve up 3 times a week.

Today’s menu is called “A Taste of France,” and includes a choice of four entrees: Medallions of Beef, Buerre Maitre D’; Chicken Chasseur; Salmon Bearnaise; and Roast Loin of Pork “Moutarde.” All entrees come with a baked stuffed potato and green beans.

The entire meal costs just $12, which is why you’ll find a lot of retirees and other folks on a budget in the dining room.

There’s also a report on the 2nd Annual Pizza Bowl taking place this weekend,

With 11 local pizza places on the roster this year, attendees will have the option of testing a cheese pizza and a specialty pizza from each place. Committee chairman Loretta Rowe said as people purchase their tickets, they will be given a tally sheet to keep track of the slices they taste. In the end, she said, they’ll be asked to vote for their favorite pizza.

And an article about MOOMilk, the new brand of Maine organic milk

The organic milk, in green-red-and-blue cardboard cartons, is being produced by 10 farms in Aroostook, Kennebec, Penobscot and Washington counties, and processed and packaged at Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook.

Publicist Jim Britt and chef Harding Lee Smith appeared on NECN to promote Maine Restaurant Week.
The City of Westbrook is running a TV ad on that highlights the in-town dining options.
According to Maine Restaurant Week, Cold River Vodka is part of a show airing Thursday night on The History Channel about potatoes.

Here are some additional Meal Deals for you:

• Portland Dine Around Club – members get a discount of $10 to $25 off a second entree at participating restaurants. Annual membership in Portland Dine Around costs $29.95.
• Old Port Sea Grill– 3 courses for $30 and the option of 3 different wines by the bottle at a 30% discount; they’re also doing a happy hour 4:30-6:30 with appetizers in the $3-$8 range; both offers are available Sunday through Thursday.
• Vignola Sunday Family Style Dinners –A 3-course family-style meals on the last Sunday of each month for $25 per person; will feature “antipasti, main course, cheese course and dessert with choices of traditional favorites and chef creations”.
• Vignola Happy Hours– Monday through Friday from 4:30-6 p.m, cocktail specials and complimentary antipasti.

The Portland Phoenix has kicked-off their 2010 Best of Portland readership poll. As in past years its a 2 step process:

• Step 1, nominate candidates you think are an especially good fit in any or all of the dozens of categories
• Step 2, based on the nominations, the Phoenix will publish a ballot next month summarizing the top nominees from each category for you to vote on.

There are a plethora of food and drink categories (Bagels, Bars, Barbecue, Beer Selection, Brewpubs, Brunch, etc) there’s even one for food blogs. A list of the 2009 winners is available online as a reference.

Here’s a few additional meal deals I’ve come across since last week’s post:

• Pepperclub – in celebration of their 21st anniversary, Pepperclub has a 4 course for $21 special
• G & R Dimillo’s – two pasta dishes for the price of one from a selection of 4 options, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
• J’s Oyster Bar – any 2 pasta or seafood dishes for $25
• Borealis Breads – in celebration of National Pie Day on the 23rd, Borealis is offering 10% off all apple, blueberry, chocolate mouse and chicken pot pies ordered by the 20th.