Little Lad’s Bakery & Cafe on Congress Street which is already known for its vegetarian fare is in the process of becoming a kosher restaurant as well. They’re working with Rabbi Akiva Herzfeld from Congreation Shaarey Tphiloh to bring their operation in alignment with kosher food preparation standards. Shaarey Tphiloh was also recently the location of the 2nd Annual Top Latke competition. James Lockman was the winner for his sweet potato and horseradish latke.
Slainte’s Liquor License
According to The Bollard, the City Council’s recent vote not to renew Slainte’s liquor license is irrelevant because of a bureaucratic snafu.
“In a memo dated January 8, city attorney Gary Wood told councilors their vote to strip Slainte’s liquor license was moot, because state liquor authorities had already granted the bar’s license renewal request based on the city’s initial recommendation.”
The article goes on to indicate that the bar owner wasn’t aware of the issue until The Bollard contacted him for comment.
This Week's Events
The next Piatto per Tutti cooking class is tonight as is a (sold out) charcuterie tasting being held at Bonobo. Tuesday through Thursday the 68th Annual Maine Agricultural Trade Show is taking place in Augusta. There are four wine tastings scheduled this week: at RSVP on Wednesday, at Public Market House (wine and cheese) and at Leavitt & Sons on Thursday, and at Rosemont at Brighton on Saturday. The Great Lost Bear is showcasing the brews of Dogfish Head on Thursday. Saturday is opening night at Port City Music Hall. Vignola is hosting their 3rd annual beer and cheese tasting on Saturday. For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.
Maple Sugar
Poor weather conditions the past couple years have constrained supply of maple syrup. Maine syrup producers are adding capacity in anticipation of this year’s season in hopes of capitalizing on the market conditions, according to an article in today Maine Sunday Telegram.
“The largely mom-and-pop operations don’t tap sugar maples until the sap starts to flow, usually around the third week of February.
But this year, maple syrup fever is raging across the state thanks to a shortage of the sweet amber liquid. This January, prices have soared and syrup makers are racing to increase production, laying new sap lines and preparing to tap more trees than ever before.”
Maine Maple Sunday is taking place on March 22nd this year.
Beer, Food & Tuscany
BeerBloggers.com has posted details on the 12 Stouts After Christmas menu that will be on tap at Novare Res starting this Monday. Later in the month on January 25 Novare Res is joining forces with Rob Evans at Hugo’s on a beer dinner ($95 per person) at the Middle Street restaurant.
This Spring, Chef Evans along with colleagues from Texas and Arizona, are hosting a culinary vacation in Tuscany ($2149 per person). Travellers will “stay at one of two elegant villas on a 1000 acre Tuscan estate” and “Join Three Great American Chefs as they introduce you to the Culinary Wonders of Tuscany.”
Paciarino
Cornucopasetic has posted a brief review of Paciarino.
“I stopped by there this evening after work and the owners let me try various sauces and other treats that I immediately became addicted to…Paciarino: very highly recommended.“
Granny Kirkwood's
Granny Kirkwood’s Shortbread, a South Portland company that sold shortbread to raise money for Maine Medical, has gone out of business according to this article in the Forecaster.
“Gibson said his Wallace Avenue business was still growing and had a loyal following, but wasn’t growing fast enough to justify staying open. He predicted it would have taken another three years to turn the corner.”
Paciarino
Eat the View Update
Today’s Press Herald has an update on Roger Doiron’s campaign to get the next administration to plant a vegetable garden on the White House lawn.
“I like to think of the White House as America’s house,” Doiron said in a telephone interview Wednesday, “and I think it should have a vegetable garden. … One of the first things John Adams, the first president to live in the White House, did was to plant a vegetable garden.”
Coffee Anyone?
A new coffee shop is going in at 183 Middle St, right adjacent to Tommy’s Park and across the street from the old Pavilion. There’s no word yet on when it will open or even what the name of the store will be.