Category: Profiles

Dean’s Sweets Profile

| Posted in Profiles

Mainebiz has published an interview with Dean Bingham, owner of Dean’s Sweets.

Owner Dean Bingham attributes success to his persistent use of local products. His seasonal special, for instance, consists of fresh Maine blueberries covered in rich chocolate. His popular “Chocolate Stout” features Maine-made beer Allagash Black, a Belgian-style stout brewed by Allagash Brewing Co. in Portland. Bingham also uses vodka distilled from Maine potatoes made by Freeport-based Cold River Vodka to make the “Needham Coconut.”

Urban Farm Fermentory

| Posted in Profiles

The Forecaster has published an article about the work Eli Cayer and David Homa are doing to launch the Urban Farm Fermentory in Bayside.

Hops grow up from a pot of soil along lines of string connected to the wall. Bees swirl around two hives next to a makeshift greenhouse that grows nasturtium, lavender, hyssop, ginger, lemongrass and mint, among other things.

Homa, who oversees the garden, said the idea is to work with the landscape, even if it is of the industrial variety.

Maine Ahead: Chef Lee Skawinski and Simply Divine Brownies

| Posted in People, Profiles

The new issue of Maine Ahead includes an article about Simply Divine Brownies and an interview with Lee Skawinski, chef/owner of Cinque Terre and Vignola.

Cinque Terre was born from Skawinski’s friendship with a physician and gentleman farmer named Dan Kary. “Our business relationship started with conversations on what Kary can grow and what I would make with it,” Skawinski says. The synergy of agricultural and culinary abilities became the seeds of Cinque Terre.

Profile of Pearls Seaside Market & Cafe

| Posted in Profiles

Today’s Press Herald includes a profile of Pearls Seaside Market and Cafe on Cliff Island.

After Labor Day, Maine-made organic gelato will melt away and name-brand ice cream will fill the freezer. Changing out the food helps Steve and Johanna Corman mark the passing of seasons, and provides the ingredients with which they have created a successful business in the middle of Casco Bay.

Profile of Pearls Seaside Market & Cafe

| Posted in Profiles

Today’s Press Herald includes a profile of Pearls Seaside Market and Cafe on Cliff Island.

After Labor Day, Maine-made organic gelato will melt away and name-brand ice cream will fill the freezer. Changing out the food helps Steve and Johanna Corman mark the passing of seasons, and provides the ingredients with which they have created a successful business in the middle of Casco Bay.

Cockeyed Gull & Outdoor Dining

| Posted in General News, Uncategorized, Profiles

The Portland Daily Sun has published a profile of Cockeyed Gull on Peaks Island and an article about the risks and rewards of outdoor dining in Portland.

I recently read a blog comment that “you don’t go to Peaks Island for the food.” I would agree with the addition of one word: you don’t go to Peaks Island only for the food. But once you are there, the Cockeyed Gull is among the lovely places for a meal. The back deck offers a view across the harbor at Portland’s skyline unobscured by streetlights, dock detritus or people. Herbs grow in planters atop the railing and while the rest of the food has to be brought in by ferry, it’s no more than the twenty-minute ferry ride older than anything you’d buy on the mainland.

Cockeyed Gull & Outdoor Dining

| Posted in General News, Uncategorized, Profiles

The Portland Daily Sun has published a profile of Cockeyed Gull on Peaks Island and an article about the risks and rewards of outdoor dining in Portland.

I recently read a blog comment that “you don’t go to Peaks Island for the food.” I would agree with the addition of one word: you don’t go to Peaks Island only for the food. But once you are there, the Cockeyed Gull is among the lovely places for a meal. The back deck offers a view across the harbor at Portland’s skyline unobscured by streetlights, dock detritus or people. Herbs grow in planters atop the railing and while the rest of the food has to be brought in by ferry, it’s no more than the twenty-minute ferry ride older than anything you’d buy on the mainland.

Mike's Profiled in the Sun

| Posted in Under Construction, Profiles

Mike Fink, owner of Mike’s the new sandwich shop that soon to open on Congress Street, was the subject of an article in the Saturday Portland Daily Sun.

A few weeks ago I took a quick walk through the restaurant with Mike. I could see how comfortable this spot will be when it opens. The room is bright and has an easy in-and-out sandwich shop feel. The selections will be many. According to Fink, they will offer not only sandwiches, but paninis, salads, burritos, quesadillas, smoothies, floats, as well as a variety of soft drinks and take-out beer.