Flores (facebook), the Salvadoran restaurant located at 863 Congress Street, has leased the 1,800 sq ft former Mainely Wraps space at 431 Congress Street.
photograph added December 28, 2020.
Solo Cucina and Market Remakes The Farm Stand
Owners of The Farm Stand in South Portland and Solo Italiano are collaborating to launch Solo Cucina and Market.
The new venture will takeover the space currently occupied by The Farm Stand and open sometime in February. The remade market will incorporate up to 10 seats and a small bar featuring bakery and espresso drinks. Solo Cucina will sell prepared food to go in addition to the meats and produce that The Farm Stand is known for.
The Farm Stand in its current form will close on January 15 to begin renovations.
For more reporting on the project read today’s article from The Forecaster.
Swain to Speak at Trade Commission Hearing
Ned Swain, the owner of Devenish Wines, is in Washington DC today where he’ll be addressing a hearing at the federal government’s International Trade Commission. Swain is there along with a range of other speakers from the wine and specialty food industry to speak against the proposal to apply 100% tariffs to European wines (as well as cheese and other products) imported into the United States.
Devenish along with other Maine wine distributors, food shops and restaurants have been very active getting the word out, making the case for the negative impact these tariffs would have on the wine and restaurant industries in the state.
For more perspective on the issue and the impact it will have, see this article in the New York Times written by Jenny Lefcourt, president and co-founder of Jenny & Francois Selections, a natural wine importer.
The 5 Spot Has Closed
In the final days of the last year The 5 Spot announced they’d be going out of business effective December 29, 2019, “after the Eagles/Giants game”.
This Week’s Events: Monkfish, Waitress, Mission Chinese
Wednesday – Luke’s is hosting the first of four weekly events in collaboration with the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, this first week focuses on Monkfish.
Friday – The first of two nights performance of Waitress at Merrill Auditorium.
Saturday – the Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place.
Mission Chinese – Mission Chinese chef Danny Bowien will be at Solo Italiano on January 31 where he and Solo Italiano’s chef Paolo Laboa will be prepare a “Italian-Asian fusion menu never-before-seen inside Solo’s walls”.
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.
Apples and the Art of Detection
What does the music of Sun Ra, 16th century Basque whaling ships, wanted posters, and Sherlock Holmes all have in common?
Well in the mind of John Bunker, the preeminent American apple expert and resident of Palermo Maine, the answer is Apples of course!
In 2019 the world of apple enthusiasts around the globe was enriched when Bunker published his new book Apples and the Art of Detection.
Part instruction manual, part autobiography, and part history, Bunkers new book is fascinating start to finish. You can pick up at a copy at Rabelais Books in Biddeford or online at the Out on a Limb Apple CSA.
Three of Strong
The American Rum Report has profiled Three of Strong, a distillery located in Bayside.
In other words, Three of Strong had focus, experience, and novelty on its side from day one. So I was optimistic and interested in what they were making.
Maine’s Craft Brewers Focus on Sustainability
Today’s Sunday Telegram reports on the focus on sustainability of Maine’s craft breweries.
But overall, Maine’s craft breweries have embraced sustainable management of their breweries, to reduce or reuse waste and limit pollution. The state’s biggest brewery, Portland’s Allagash Brewing Co., has adopted practices so it uses only 4 gallons of water to make a gallon of beer – about half the national average.
“The type of person who decides to get into craft beer, there is a high likelihood they care about their community and the earth,” said Allagash head brewer Jason Perkins.
But it’s not just an environmental ethos that drives craft brewers to adopt “green” practices. It often also makes sound financial sense.
Noodle Love Opens Friday
Noodle Love (instagram) has announced plans to open their restaurant today 11 am – 8 pm to “provide the greater Portland area with some damn good Noods”.
Noodle Love is takes the place of Poke Pop at 658 Congress near Longfellow Square which closed last year. You can see the Noodle Love menu on instagram.
In unrelated but nearby news, Ada’s has delayed their opening at 642 Congress Street until next week.
Mr. Tuna Expanding
Mr. Tuna is expanding into the space adjacent to their current food stall at the Public Market House. The renovations will add 10 more counter seats for their regular daily service, and in the future may serve as a bar for their occasional Night Market pop-up dinners as well as provide space for a Japanese shaved ice menu coming this summer.