After an RFP process the city awarded 6 food trucks and food carts the access to operate in specific Portland parks:
The Bangor Daily News has published a report on the Restaurant Impossible makeover of Uncle Andy’s Diner.
The end product was a shocker: Their previously open kitchen is partially sealed off, with a brown window panel separating food prep from customers. But it looks like Dennis Fogg will still be able to make his specialty animal pancakes in front of an audience.
The old booths were replaced with sleek tables and chairs. Muted chartreuse paint and a simple tile frame reading “ANDY’S” replaced the diner’s outdated wall decor.
Urban Eye reports that the lobster roll has made it to the finals of Congressional Roll Call’s Taste of America contest.
This celebrity sandwich is not only killing it on menus this season, the roll is quashing other state’s edible claims and taking names. Maine’s royal roll made the final round of Congressional Quarterly Roll Call’s Taste of America contest this week and (watch your back cherry cobbler of Utah) has the most votes right now.
To cast your vote visit rollcalltasteofamerica.com/brackets.cfm
The Bangor Daily News has reported on an uptick in coffee prices at some Maine shops.
The cause is threefold: A coffee leaf fungus called roya is killing crops in Central America, on top of a lengthy drought in Brazil. In addition, increasing transportation costs are making delivery of green coffee beans more costly.
The Press Herald reports on issues arising from the expansion of outdoor seating at the city’s restaurants.
For Bud Buzzell, a 72-year-old sight-impaired resident, the familiar sidewalks near his Congress Square home are increasingly a frustrating and dangerous maze caused by restaurants he contends are not providing the required 4 feet of pedestrian space.
“One is more or less copying the other and I’m very upset about it,” Buzzell said of the restaurants expanding into the sidewalks of his neighborhood. “And I know a lot of blind or visually impaired or disabled people who are very upset.”
South Portland has begun working on an ordinance that would allow food trucks in the city. You can see the factors under consideration on the South Portland website.
Sentry has also posted an article about the prospect of food trucks in South Portland.
The Bangor Daily News looks at the impact Small Axe is having on Congress Square Park.
“There are not a lot of places in the city to get outside and have lunch,” said Deuben, a chef who’s worked for Masa Miyake and at Hugo’s. “This gives people the opportunity to see what the park can be with a little effort. Just as we put a lot of thought and effort into our food.”
Urban Eye has a report on the new Vinland backdoor ice cream service which is slated to start next week.
To coax the timid to his locavore lair, Levi is using the back door in his kitchen (accessible from Congress Square Park) to hawk cones and homemade popsicles in flavors like cranberry and blueberry yogurt all summer long.
Maine a la Carte has information on how to be part of the Restaurant Impossible remake of Uncle Andy’s.
“Restaurant Impossible” airs on Wednesday nights and the episode featuring Uncle Andy’s will air sometime this summer. We can’t report on the transformation because that would spoil the TV surprise, but YOU can participate.
There are two ways to be involved: As a member of the volunteer crew or as a customer for the grand re-opening on Wednesday, June 11 at 7 p.m.
Stop by your local newsstand and pick-up a copy of Down East to read the Portland summer dining guide I authored June issue. The article maps out 6-day schedule that will take you to 35+ restaurants, bars, bakeries, markets and coffee shops across the city.
The article should be making its way online in the next week or so.