Jing Yan

| Posted in Under Construction

Mainebiz has published an update on Jing Yan, the Asian fusion restaurant under construction in the former Lolita space on Munjoy Hill.

Getting the operation up and running mostly just involves some cosmetic work, including swapping in new light fixtures and paint; plus buying a new fryer and hood system. The couple is doing the painting themselves but hired sub-contractors for the rest of the work. They financed the purchase and installations through a loan with Gorham Savings Bank.

“There are not many people wanting to open a restaurant right now,” she said. “It’s one of the riskiest times to do it. But we’re young and we saw an opportunity and we just fell in love with the space.”

This Week’s Events: Lager Dog, Turamali, Lars Taylor, Heritage Orchard, Byers & Sons, Thanksgiving

| Posted in Events

Monday – Lager Dog will be at Oxbow for a second day of a 2-day pop-up.

Tuesday – Turamali is holding a (sold out) dinner at Evo.

Wednesday – Lars Taylor from The Honey Paw is Wednesday’s guest chef at the Duckfat Friteshack Grill, and the weekday Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thursday – Renown apple expert John Bunker will be giving a talk online about the Maine Heritage Orchard.

Friday – Byers & Sons is holding a dinner on Long Island.

Saturday – the weekend Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday – Ben Jackson is Sunday’s guest chef at the Duckfat Friteshack Grill.

Thanksgiving – I’ve started getting requests for a list of which restaurants are doing in person or takeout Thanksgiving dinners. So I’ll be keeping a running list and reposting it each Monday as part of this event summary. Chefs: email me with details on your plans at anestes@portlandfoodmap.com.

  • Botto’s Bakery – has some Thanksgiving breads and desserts which you can order online. Deadlines: for breads November 24th, for pastry November 21st.
  • Figgy’s – has “everything but the bird” 10 side dishes for pick-up on November 24th or 25th. Orders must be in by November 20th.
  • Lake & Co. – will be offering “a Thanksgiving dinner for 2 for $65 as well as a la carte offerings of roasted turkey breast, mashed chive buttermilk potatoes, two potato gratin, green bean casserole with shiitake and crispy shallot, brussels with bacon, crispy fennel and apple salad, coconut-garlic delicata, gravy and cranberry clementine sauce. Plus 6 pie varieties, biscuits, breads and appetizers.” Along with options for ordering whole birds to cook at home, and home delivery. The deadline for  for ordering a meal is Friday, November 20th.
  • Little Giant – a takeout dinner for four, with 6 sides and 3 dessert, $260. Included in the purchase is four meals for those in need via Cooking for Community. Orderes must be in by November 22nd.
  • Other Side Delicatessen – has available has turkey and a range of sides and desserts to make your home dinner easier. Order must be in by November 16th.
  • Petite Jacqueline – will be serving a “3 course menu with options, wine pairings, sides, etc. Some traditional offerings and some untraditional ideas.” Reservations recommended.
  • The Harraseeket Inn – will be serving a “reverse buffet” Thanksgiving dinner. They will also have some Thanksgiving dinner specials that can be ordered to go.
  • Two Fat Cats – has started taking pre-orders. Orders must be in by November 19th.
  • Union – will have a Thanksgiving takeout dinner available for pick-up on Wednesday, and will be serving a 3-course dinner on Thanksgiving Day.

For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.

If you are holding a food event this week that’s not listed above, publicize it by adding it as a comment to this post.

Roll Call Now Open

| Posted in Openings

After a few week of pop-up events serving delicious roast beef and porchetta sandwiches, Roll Call (website, instagram) is now open for business at 81 Clark Street in the West End. Their hours will initially be Friday through Sunday, 11 – 3.

Owners Michael and Siobhan Sindoni plan on expanding the menu and days of operations over time. In addition to the sandwiches, Roll Call also has on their evolving menu a kale salad, buttermilk panna cotta, meatballs.

Maine Oyster Trail 2.0

| Posted in Under Construction

The Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA) is working on an updated version of the Maine Oyster Trail (instagram). The original online oyster trail was published in 2017 using Google Maps. The new service will include an interactive trip planner, challenges, prizes and other features.

Funding for the project comes from a $10,000 grant from the Maine Office of Tourism and a second $10,000 grant from the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center.

The MAA hopes to launch the new oyster trail in 2021.

Pie, Tacos and Tequila

| Posted in Under Construction

Another two food businesses are under development:

Yardie Ting is Expanding

| Posted in Under Construction

Yardie Ting (website, facebook, instagram) is planning to open a restaurant in Gray, Maine. In support of the project chef/owner Shanna-Kay Wright has launch a crowd funding campaign with the goal of raising $25k.

My name is Shanna-Kay Wright. I am a female entrepreneur, chef, and single mother of two children.  I am of Caribbean roots which inspire the cuisine on the menu of my own Caribbean restaurant called Yardie Tings…I would like to expand to another location that will allow for the growing demand and to include space for guess seating in a relaxed environment. The funds that are raised will be used for the renovation of the new location, which will begin next February of 2021. I have sourced a new location that requires layout changes and equipment purchases as I undertake renovations. Your donations will be used for the build-out of the restaurant because it is a blank canvas, the purchasing of appliances, and other fixtures for the restaurant. This will allow for a spacious, warm, and inviting environment for customers.

Wright plans to keep the original Yardie Ting in the Public Market House open, and hopes to open the new restaurant this spring.

For more info and to contribute to the campaign visit www.gofundme.com.

SoPo Seafood Coming to Ocean Street

| Posted in Under Construction

SoPo Seafood (website, facebook, instagram) has leased the former Uncle Andy’s at 171 Ocean Street in South Portland where they plan to open a retail fish shop and raw bar.

The menu for the raw bar will include Maine oysters, lobster rolls, seafood crudo, chowder as well as wine by the glass and draft beer, and will be open for lunch and into the early evening. In addition to seafood, the shop will also offer a wine selection. Certified Sommelier Jen Lakari is advising SoPo on their wine program.

Sopo specializes in Maine seafood. They sell wholesale and early in the pandemic launched a retail seafood delivery service (order online). The location on Ocean Street will be their first retail storefront.

Co-owners Matt Brown, Lucas Myers and Joshua Edgcombe launched SoPo Seafood in March. They plan to start using the Ocean Street property as a curbside pick-up location in December and to open the retail shop and raw bar in May 2021. Once they open they also plan to use the store to host guest chefs for seafood preparation and cooking demonstrations.

This Week’s Events: Jay Villani, Greek BBQ, Niyat Takeout, Lager Dog, Thanksgiving List

| Posted in Events

Tuesday – a panel organized by Score and Portland Downtown will “discuss food and beverage business challenges, successes/mistakes, and pivots—as we navigate doing business during COVID-19”.

Wednesday – Jay Villani from the Local 188 is Wednesday’s guest chef at the Duckfat Friteshack Grill, and the weekday Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Friday – Other Side Diner is holding a Greek BBQ Night.

Saturday – Niyat Catering is doing a night of takeout from Fork Food Lab, and the weekend Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday – Lager Dog will be at Oxbow for the first day of a 2-day pop-up.

Thanksgiving – I’ve started getting requests for a list of which restaurants are doing in person or takeout Thanksgiving dinners. So I’ll be keeping a running list and reposting it each Monday as part of this event summary. Chefs: email me with details on your plans at anestes@portlandfoodmap.com.

  • Union – will have a Thanksgiving takeout dinner available for pick-up on Wednesday, and will be serving a 3-course dinner on Thanksgiving Day.
  • The Harraseeket Inn — will be serving a “reverse buffet” Thanksgiving dinner. They will also have some Thanksgiving dinner specials that can be ordered to go.
  • Two Fat Cats — has started taking pre-orders.
  • Lake & Co. — will be offering “a Thanksgiving dinner for 2 for $65 as well as a la carte offerings of roasted turkey breast, mashed chive buttermilk potatoes, two potato gratin, green bean casserole with shiitake and crispy shallot, brussels with bacon, crispy fennel and apple salad, coconut-garlic delicata, gravy and cranberry clementine sauce. Plus 6 pie varieties, biscuits, breads and appetizers.” Along with options for ordering whole birds to cook at home, and home delivery. The deadline for  for ordering a meal is Friday, November 20th.

For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.

If you are holding a food event this week that’s not listed above, publicize it by adding it as a comment to this post.