Category: People

Presidential Eats, Evans Act II, Public Market House, Wine Dreams, Holy Donuts

| Posted in General News, People, Profiles, Wine

Today’s Press Herald contains a bumper crop of articles about the meal being served at President Obama’s dinner in Portland this Friday,

The White House has thrown up a strict no-talk zone over the dinner menu for the president’s whirlwind Friday fundraising mission to Maine. But here’s what we know.

an interview with Rob Evans on what he plans on doing next now that he’s sold Hugo’s,

Evans said the sale of the restaurant where he built his culinary reputation will give the couple the time and money they need to establish a small farm on 82 acres they bought in Limington. “And then we’re going to be looking at doing more businesses in Portland,” Evans said. “So we’re not retiring. We’re not opening up restaurants in New York like a lot of people think we’re doing. Actually, quite the opposite. We’re looking to get more connected to the state.”

an article about the success of the Public Market House,

The company that Horton formed with the owners of two other stores in the building in Monument Square announced this week that four more businesses are moving in, making 11 in all and essentially filling the place.

The Maine Squeeze Juice Cafe, Y-Limes Gourmet Desserts, Union Bagel Co. and La Cocina Dominicana are either moving in or have already opened in the market.

Joe Appel’s list of “Ten [wine-related] things that will never happen”

The Maine Legislature will summon the courage necessary to override restaurant-industry protectionism and enact a law allowing diners to bring their own bottles of wine to dinner if they pay a “corkage” fee. Restaurants, despite their legitimate concerns regarding waitstaff gratuities and customers’ abuse of the leeway offered, will permit BYO and set parameters that curtail the risks.

and a reprint of the Maine a la Carte blog post about The Holy Donut.

The Holy Donut opened a week ago last Friday at the former site of Terroni’s Market on Park Avenue, near Hadlock Field. Leigh Kellis, the owner, had been using the kitchen at the East Ender and selling her products wholesale at Coffee By Design, Whole Foods and Bard Coffee.

Ruth G. Leadbetter, 92

| Posted in People

Ruth Leadbetter passed away on Friday at the age of 92. Mrs. Leadbetter and her husband founded The Lobster Shack at Two Lights in 1969.

Ruth and Jim opened The Lobster Shack at Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth in 1969. In the early 1970’s they opened The Candle Shack, a gift shop next door to the restaurant. These two businesses became a destination point for visitors and locals alike each summer. In 2009 the family was honored to receive the Maine Family-Owned Business of the Year Award. Ruth and Jim continued to run The Candle Shack until his death in 2010.

For more information on the Leadbetters and The Lobster Shack read the article in Monday’s Press Herald.

Interview with Kate Squib

| Posted in People

SheWired has published an interview with Kate Squib. (via Edible Obsessions)

What’s your philosophy on food?
Like I said, I grew up in a large family where food was the center of everything. It kept our family close. Food brings people together, so why not make everything — from its preparation to its consumption — an enjoyable experience for everyone to share? And don’t let anyone ever tell you not to play with your food. That’s the best part! Play with your food. Learn what it’s capable of, and what you’re capable of.

MCP: Jeff Landry at The Farmer’s Table

| Posted in People

The Maine Culinary Podcast has posted an interview with Jeff Landry, chef/owner of The Farmer’s Table.

…we spent quite a bit of time discussing where he sources their food and different challenges that arise seasonally, when trying to keep everything local.

We also spent some time talking about organic, humane and sustainable farming and how that translates to their beer and wine list. The wine list is carefully being re-done and Jeff explains the importance of not only being an organic and sustainable vineyard, but also the importance of biodynamics.

Interview with Andrea Lee

| Posted in People

The Munjoy Hill News has published an interview with Andrea Lee, a bartender at Sangillo’s, and some of the bar regulars.

Lee said the Tavern formerly was located on India Street, in two different locations. One was part of Miccuci’s Market. It was also a restaurant with 9 booths and a bar with 8 stools. It was open for breakfast and lunch, but not dinner. Debbie Broad was a waitress there. She started when she was 17 and had just been married she said last night at the bar. The current Tavern has no kitchen and so only hot dogs are available. “I wish we did have a kitchen here, but there isn’t enough space for one,” she said wistfully.

Dorothy Larsen, 80

| Posted in People

Dorothy Larsen, who ran Moran’s Market on Forest Ave with her husband Bernard, has passed away at the age of 80.

Dorothy Larsen and her husband, Bernard, ran Moran’s Market on outer Forest Avenue for most of the 55 years the market, a popular butcher shop and convenience store in the Riverton neighborhood, has operated.

Dorothy Larsen, in fact, was still involved in the store at the age of 80, although the actual running of the store has been turned over to the couple’s children.

See the obituary in today’s paper for a schedule visiting hours and the funeral.