Maine Sunday Telegram restaurant critic Andrew Ross has shared his list of favorite food experiences of 2021.
Whatever else I think about this inconstant, mercurial year, I can’t deny that it delivered more than its share of culinary bright spots. Here’s hoping 2022 brings us plenty more.
It’s been another busy and challenging year. Here’s an attempt to provide a high level overview of the 2021 year in food:
There are also several other exciting new projects that are currently under wraps but will go public soon. Check back later this year for details.
The most popular articles published on Portland Food Map in the past year.
January – The City Council extended outdoor dining permits through to May 10th, the Maine Sunday Telegram reported on the high demand at local food pantries, Eat Drink Lucky completed a survey on outdoor/indoor dining perspectives during the pandemic, a new company called Huga began beta testing a heated seat pad for use at outdoor dining spots, the East Ender launched a guest chef series, Terlingua launched a BBQ collaboration series, and seven Maine food producers won Good Food award winners. Sugar High Donuts, the Iron Side Whiskey Bar, Coco Cones and Rover opened.
March – John Woods passed away at the age of 57, Maine Restaurant Week took place, Food & Wine included Forage, Rover and Scratch Baking on their list of the Best Bagels in America, owners from Cheevitdee and Mi Sen began working on a new restaurant called Mitr, The Maine Farm to Table Cookbook was published, Mainer News delved into the early days of Rob Evans and Nancy Pugh’s work at Hugo’s. Belleflower Brewing, Siblings Bakery, Vy Banh Mi, and the Foodtruckalico phone app launched. MJ’s Wine Bar closed and owner Mark Ohlson began converting the space into what would become Citrus.
May – Work began on a second volume of the Maine Community Cookbook, Joe Ricchio interviewed Krista Kern Desjarlais for the Food Coma Maine podcast, a group of restaurants collaborated to raise money for organizations fighting AAPI hate. Soul Food Paradise, BenReuben’s Knishery, Paddy Wagon, La Fritanga, Cheese Louise, Caribbean Taste, Pigeons, Speckled Ax on Walton Street, Rwanda Bean on Thompson’s Point, Curbside Comforts, DiMillo’s on a Roll, Coveside Coffee, The Pink Waffle, Snowology, Buzz Coffee, Higgins Beach Market, and Jackrabbit Cafe opened.
July – Construction began on Hi-Fidelity Brewing in East Bayside, the Washington Post published an article about Bresca and the Honey Bee, the owner of Barrett Made and and a cofounder of Austin Street began work to launch a nonalcoholic brewery called KitNA. Cafe Louis, Brickyard Hollow, Citrus, Eighty 8 Donut Cafe, Apres, Stacks Pancake, the Witty Monkey and Wayside Tavern opened; Cakes Extraordinaire moved to Yarmouth and Bam Bam moved into their former space on Brighton Ave. Figgy’s closed.
September – Gin & Luck began work to launch a new restaurant in the former Little Giant space on Danforth Street, Cantillon Zwwanze Day took place at Novare Res, Bard began work on a second location in the Portland Foreside development. Flores, Sarah’s Farmstand Kitchen, Tokyo Sushi Ramen, SoPo Seafood, and the La Mega coffee cart opened.
November – 10 Maine food producers were named finalist in the Good Food Awards, Harvest on the Harbor took place, longtime food reported Meredith Goad retired from the Press Herald, Lenora took over the long vacant Walter’s space, and Tandem began renovations of their original cafe on Anderson Street. Butcher Burger, Maker’s Galley, Ghee, Cellardoor, Old Port Nutrition, and the Brunch 207 food truck opened. Big Sky closed their location in the Public Market House.For additional perspectives on the past year in food see the Maine Sunday Telegram A to Z annual round-up, and their restaurant critic’s list of the Best of 2021.
This is the 12th year running that Portland Food Map has published a year in review article. Take a walk down memory lane by checking out these past editions that covered 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010.
Eater Boston has published an eating guide to Portland. written by former Portlander Stasia Brewczynski.
Visiting Portland, Maine, at the height of tourist season is a worthwhile challenge, but a challenge nonetheless — which is why taking an off-season day trip to Vacationland is so appealing. The onset of colder weather can mean more limited hours at top restaurants, but it also means shorter lines and ideal conditions for harvesting oysters and brewing spontaneously fermented beer. Here’s a guide for a short yet sweet off-season adventure in and around Portland.
Congratulations to the 10 Maine food producers that are finalists in the 2022 Good Food Awards in these 9 categories:
This year’s finalists were “selected from 1,966 entries to the 12th annual Good Food Awards, these 351 products represent 42 states plus D.C. and have passed vetting for category-specific sustainability standards”.
The winners will be announced on January 14th.
Congratulations to Cong Tu Bot for their inclusion in the New York Times list of the 50 restaurants in America that the paper is most excited about.
We dispatched our critics, reporters and editors around the country to find the 50 most vibrant and delicious restaurants in 2021. They’re not ranked, but together they reflect the rich mosaic of American dining — from the melding of Thai curry and Texas brisket in the Pacific Northwest, to heritage crab rice on the South Carolina coast, to vegan soul food in the East Village.
Specifically regarding to Cong Tu Bot they shared,
Happiness is a bowl of Cong Tu Bot’s chao chay on a chilly Maine morning — warm, supple grains of rice that disappear into the bowl, slicks of chile oil, tart tangles of mustard greens, a chewy cake of daikon and kale and showers of herbs and scallions. The restaurant was originally a noodle shop; but a few months ago, the owners, Vien Dobui and Jessica Sheahan, transformed it into a daytime cafe, with a menu that includes pho ga, bun cha and outstanding pastries like a crumb-topped, neon-green pandan coffee cake. A meal here is an extremely compelling argument for the superiority of Vietnamese breakfast food.
Vogue has published a guide to Where to Stay, Eat and Play in Portland.
Portland is Maine’s most populous city, perched on a coastline of pure beauty. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the last moments of summer on the beach or simply eager to explore a new seaside scene, Portland provides the best of both worlds. Sandy coves on the rocky shorelines offer secret summer escapes without the crowds, while downtown, the streets are lined with alfresco dining and beer gardens.
The article highlights High Roller, Scales, The Honey Paw, Little Woodfords, Blyth & Burrows, Via Vecchia, Terlingua, Maine Beer Company, Oxbow, the Eastern Prom and the Thompson’s Point.
Maine Sunday Telegram restaurant critic has shared the timeline and thoughts on a return to writing restaurant reviews.
For the moment then, I’m planning a return to writing critically about restaurants toward the end of the summer. I’ll begin outdoors and then, if vaccination rates and waning cases hold, move indoors as the leaf-peepers arrive.
Food & Wine has included Forage, Rover and Scratch Baking on their list of the Best Bagels in America.
A funny thing happened, while New York began settling for mediocrity: a new generation of American bakers figured out just how easy it was to get into the game. Best of all, most of them have their own ideas about what a modern American bagel should look like. My first glimpse of this exciting future came almost a decade ago, thousands of miles from New York, on a sunny winter morning in Northern California. Here, two East Coast transplants had started making meticulous, wood-fired, Montreal-style bagels, opening up the most charming little deli. After years of accepting second best from my neighborhood bagel slinger in Midtown Manhattan, I took this as a serious wake-up call.
Thrillist has published an update to their guide on Where to Eat in Portland. The new version by author and Portland resident Mindy Fox includes: Helm, Sichuan Kitchen, Terlingua, Leeward, Ramona’s, Radici, Belleville, Rose Foods, Chaval, Minato, Mami, Mr. Tuna, Woodford, Solo Italiano, Scales, The Honey Paw, Judy Gibson.
It’s winter with a capital W in Portland, Maine—with cold temps and COVID challenges combined—but in true Portland style, our resilient restaurant community powers on, cooking up creative world-class fare along with inventive ways to serve us lucky diners. From curbside pick-up, takeout, and special pantry offerings to cook-at-home kits, to-go cocktails, and heated outdoor patios, there are many delicious ways to support the local food scene while following state guidelines and keeping safety top of mind. Here is our salute to Portland’s best new restaurants, including brave new stars, as well as faves from the past five-ish years.
Congratulations to the seven Maine food producers that are 2021 Good Food Award winners:
This year’s award winners were selected from the nine finalists from Maine that were announced back in November which were culled from the 1,928 entries to the 11th annual Good Food Awards.