Gelato Fiasco Open Kitchen

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Gelato Fiasco is launching their Open Kitchen concept today (noon – 8pm) at the Fork Food Lab.

They plan to use the space to “experiment with new flavors and ideas” and to teach gelato making classes. They encourage gelato fans to stop by a try out one of the new flavors their testing.

Fork Food Lab is located at 72 Parris Street. They’ll be holding a grand opening this Tuesday at 6pm.

Brea Lu Cafe Now Open

Brea Lu Cafe (facebook) reopened yesterday at their location, 9 Cumberland Street in Westbrook.

Brea Lu was founded in 1989 and for 27 operated at 428 Forest Ave. Damage from a fire on Valentine’s Day this year forced them to close and owner Christian DeLuca made the decision earlier this summer to move to Westbrook.

Brea Lu is open 6 – 2 (M-F) and 7 – 2 (weekends).

Big J’s Chicken Opened Today

Chicken and Waffles

Big J’s Chicken (website, facebook, instagram) opened earlier today on Thompson’s Point. It’s set-up as a BYOB restaurant which means you’ll be able to grab a 4-pack from Bissell or a bottle of rye from Stroudwater next door and bring them into Big J’s for your meal.

Big J’s also expects to do a brisk take-out business. They’re launching mobile apps for both iOS and Android that enables patrons to place an order and pay online so pick-up is streamlined. There’s even a take-out window that connects into Bissell Brothers in case you want have your fried chicken dinner in the tasting room.

Here’s a look at the menu:

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Big J’s will be open 5 days  a week Wednesday  through Sunday, 11-8.

Dirigo Brewing Opens in 1 Week

Maine’s newest brewery, Dirigo Brewing Co. (website, facebook, twitter, instagram) is set to open one week from today on August 19th.

Please join our brewmaster Tom Bull, his wife Molly, and their partners Mark and Meesha Paulin on Friday, August 19th to sample Dirigo Brewing Company’s first three offerings: a German Pale Ale; a Rotbier (red ale); and a Schöps Bier (chocolate wheat ale derived from a 16th century Polish recipe).

Dirigo is located in downtown Biddeford in the Riverdam Mill. The doors open at 11am.

Stroudwater Distillery Opening Today

stroudwaterStroudwater Distillery (website, facebook, instagram) is scheduled to open today at noon. The distillery—Portland’s 4th after New England Distilling, Maine Craft Distilling and Liquid Riot—and its tasting room are located at Thompson’s Point in the same building as Bissell Brothers, Cellar Door and Big J’s Chicken Shack (set to debut later this summer).

Stroudwater is “currently rolling out distinctive bottles of Bourbon, Rye, Vodka and Gin”. A list of key staff on the Stroudwater website includes John Myers with the enigmatic title of Boss of the Sauce.