The Press Herald has published another article in its continuing coverage of the health inspection issues at The Porthole.
Less than a month before the Porthole was shut down for health code violations, the city’s health inspector documented 28 violations at the waterfront restaurant but allowed it to stay open.
The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes an article about Maine’s cider industry,
Hard apple cider is a longtime New England tradition, and has a storied history in America going all the way back to the founders. Now the fizzy brew is finding new fans, thanks in part to small, local producers who are turning out a more European-style cider that’s tarter than the sweet stuff that’s usually produced in this country.
a preview of the eating options and educational programs at this weekend’s Common Ground Fair, the paper’s annual apple buying guide and an Appel on Wine column on coffee.
Coffee by Design co-owner, Mary Ellen Lindermann, and a CBD barista, Emily Broadbent, were on the Fox morning show yesterday to talk about Coffee by Design’s line up of specialty Fall drinks.
The list of this year’s Indie Biz nominees includes a number of local food businesses: Allagash, Coffee by Design, DiMillo’s, Dobra, Eventide, Kamasouptra, Local Sprouts, Micucci’s, Portland Permaculture, Rosemont, Silly’s, Speckled Ax, The Holy Donut, The Honey Exchange, and Yordprom.
As part of their ongoing coverage, the Press Herald has explored the Porthole’s health inspection history.
Reports from 2007 to 2009 show that city inspectors found similar problems, with dirty or malfunctioning equipment, holes in the ceiling and walls, peeling paint, broken or missing floor tiles, and plumbing that wasn’t up to code.
The Bangor Daily News reports that Gelato Fiasco is being recognized by Empact100, an organization that highlights “the impact young entrepreneurs make on our economy and an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs”.
But this is one business that has turned into anything but a fiasco, as a national organization called Empact100 has taken notice. Davis and Tropeano are among 100 up-and-coming entrepreneurs who will be honored later this month at the White House.
According to an article in the Press Herald, The Porthole and two other businesses that were closed due to serious health inspection issues earlier in the week have been cleared to reopen.
“There was nothing identified in that inspection as being a critical violation,” Clegg said. “All the critical violations have been addressed.”
According to the Munjoy Hill News, The Porthole did reopen today.
The Press Herald has published an update on the closure of The Porthole and 2 other adjacent businesses by the city health inspector. The article includes scans of the letter that alerted the city to the problem and the health inspector’s hand written report from earlier this week.
[Health snspector Michele] Sturgeon found “rat droppings everywhere” in the businesses’ liquor storage area and on shelves, as well as “rotting, decayed mouse traps,” according to her report. “TONS of flies all over the food” and “lobster and other exposed seafood,” she wrote.
UPDATE: According to the Munjoy Hill News, The Porthole plans to re-open on Sunday.
According to a report from the Press Herald:
Three waterfront businesses were temporarily closed down on Thursday after the city’s restaurant inspector found evidence of a “serious rat infestation.”
The Porthole, Comedy Connection and the Harbour’s Edge banquet hall were closed after Portland’s restaurant inspector Michele Sturgeon noted excessive and repeat food violations.
The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes an article about 3 new Maine cookbooks,
Here’s a first look at the Standard Baking Book, followed by the latest on Maine home cooking from food writer and food historian Sandy Oliver, and a new cookbook featuring nearly 50 Portland restaurants from Margaret Hathaway and Karl Schatz.
a guide to eating vegan (with restaurant recommendations),
In the past month, I’ve had a host of people – old and young, men and women, professional chefs and novice cooks – ask for advice on how to eat a totally plant-based diet.
So it must be time to provide a basic starter kit on eating vegan in Maine.
and a profile of the Old Port Wine Merchants.
Owner Jacques de Villier loves wine and cigars but his true passion is people, and that’s what makes him the shopkeeper’s shopkeeper. He’s old school. Plenty of people open stores because they love their product or want money, but neither the product nor the cash is the heart and soul of it. Anyone who doesn’t like de Villier is a wretched misanthrope who needs serious professional help.