Category: Uncategorized

Bam Bam Grand

| Posted in Uncategorized, Reviews

The Spiced Plate has posted a report and tasting notes from Saturday’s grand opening of the Bam Bam Bakery, a gluten-free bakery on Commercial Street.

Andrew and I split a chocolate chip cookie while thinking about what we were going to fill a pastry box with.  Let’s start with the most decadent: Caramel Delight Bars.  These blissfully large bars have a  chocolate shortbread base doused in caramel, topped with a generous combination of nuts, dried cherries and Maine sea salt.  Sea salt and caramel are so lovely together as a contrast of flavors, and the texture on this bar makes every bite one to savor and linger over.  It completely blew any pastry I’ve had in my gluten-eating days out of the water.

First Review of Taco Escobarr

| Posted in Uncategorized, Reviews

PJB Photographic has published a review of Taco Escobarr.

The “puffy” option was my favorite. Unexpected, decadent yet manageable, the puffy, deep-fried taco shell was mouth-watering (currently writing this at 11:45 pm and having to resist driving back into town for another round) and amazing. I took mine with braised pork, and the default toppings of tomato, lettuce, and cilantro.

Granny’s Burritos Now Open

| Posted in Uncategorized, Openings

Granny’s Burritos reopened today. They’re located on the 2nd floor of the Public Market House in the space formerly occupied by Deux Cochon. This is the 5th location for Granny’s. Owner Chris Godin started on Market Street in the lobby of Granny Killam’s, moved to 10 Exchange Street, then to 420 Fore Street, was closed for a while then for a short time operated at 653 Congress Street, closed again and now is on Monument Square.

Cheap Eats in Portland & Wild Blueberries

| Posted in Farming, Uncategorized, Reviews

This Week’s edition of the Portland Phoenix includes a guide to cheap eats in Portland for the newspaper’s annual student guide,

We know you’re dirt poor. Those textbooks are outrageously expensive and you’re forced to divvy out your remaining dollars on cheap beer and illegal substances. We’ve all been there. However, we wanted to remind you that there are places you can afford to eat in Portland that won’t bankrupt you (any more than those student loans will when you graduate). We even helped you with the math and organized it by how many dollars you have in your pocket. So, give up your tray and check out these places.

and a feature article about Maine’s wild blueberry industry.

Whether scooped by hand-held rakes or gathered mechanically by tractors, Maine’s blueberry crop is expected to be down a bit from the recent annual average of 83 million pounds. All told, Maine accounts for nearly all of America’s wild blueberry production, and is second to Michigan (which grows cultivated varieties) in terms of overall blueberry production in America. The US grows more blueberries than any other country in the world; Canada ranks second.

 

Bite into Maine Nominated For Food Truck Competition

| Posted in Uncategorized

Bite into Maine, the lobster roll food truck in Fort Williams Park, is one of 144 nominees from across the nation in the Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race. You can vote for the nominee of your choice online and the winner will be named September 12. The winning food truck will get $10k and a chance to be on The Great Food Truck Race. The wining voter gets a trip to the NYC Food & Wine Festival.

Eater.com Heatmap of Portland

| Posted in Uncategorized, General News

Eater.com has posted a Heatmap of 12 “newish” Portland restaurants “that have been garnering strong buzz”. The list is based on recommendations gathered from Dawn at Appetite Portland and me.

There’s plenty to get excited about on the list, from establishments helmed by respected chefs (Figa and Petite Jacqueline) to well-priced, authentic ethnic eats (Aroma and Fez), to creative Asian spots (Boda and Pai Men Miyake) to the family-owned, near-perfect Gorgeous Gelato.

Immigrant Kitchens: Afgani Lamb

| Posted in Uncategorized

In the latest entry on Immigrant Kitchens Lindsay Sterling learns how to make Afgani Lamb from Shamayel Kargar (read the recipe and see the photos).

Twenty-one years ago Shamayel Kargar and her husband had a hankering for some good lamb. What they had found at Shop ‘n Save was very different than what they were used to. Where they were from in Afghanistan, lamb came straight from the farm, and I mean straight. Since “sheep farm” wasn’t a category in the Greater Portland phone book, Shamayel asked her sister to watch the kids while she and her husband got in their car and headed away from town on Forest Ave. They figured they’d come to a pasture with some sheep on it eventually.

Blue Spoon Bistro Burger

| Posted in Uncategorized, General News

The Boston Globe has included the Blue Spoon on their list of Ten Great Burger Spots in New England.

Far from the tourist-haunted Old Port, this little neighborhood bar and restaurant on artsy Munjoy Hill is one of those secrets that Portland gourmands mostly keep to themselves. The burger is one of the leanest yet tastiest pieces of beef most of us will ever encounter. The beef is free-range, grass-fed Scottish Highland supplied by A Wee Bit Farm (operated by a retired South Boston police officer) in Orland, Maine.

Dining Fashion Guide

| Posted in Uncategorized, General News

Mainely Mara has posted a dining fashion guide for four Portland venues: Sonny’s, Miyake, Gingko Blue and Portland Lobster Company. (via DineME on twitter)

Sonny’s: With its eclectic atmosphere, complete with cozy velour couches, colorful stained glass and our favorite infused vodkas, Sonny’s reminds us of a different time. For this sweet spot, slip into seventies inspired pieces, like your favorite fitted bell bottoms or a flowy dress, and complete your look with wood or feather accessories!