World’s Longest Lobster Roll

| Posted in Events

Back in 2009 Portland set a world record when it built a 61 foot lobster roll on Commercial Street.  As this article from Atlas Obscura details, the record has extended by leaps and bounds over the last few years as towns in Canada, New Hampshire and New York got in on the act.

Shediac, New Brunswick reclaimed the title with a 180 foot lobster roll.

Savoie said they originally planned to make their lobster roll 150 feet long, recognizing Canada’s 150th birthday, but decided rather than contest New Hampshire’s claim [159 feet], they would just beat it.

The new record also beats the one set in 2016 by the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association, which created a roll measuring 122 feet.

All of which makes me wonder whether it’s time for Portland to get back into the fray and reclaim the title for Maine.

The Brick South building on Thompson’s Point measures 224 feet long and would make for an great spot to bake and build 200+ foot roll. What do you think?

All Those Who Wander Moving

| Posted in Under Construction

Just about a month after the pocket-sized coffee shop opened on Washington Ave, All Those Who Wander is moving to a new location. The windows are papered over and a sign states, “We have begun the process of moving to our new location…very exciting things to come! Thank you all for patience and understanding as we make this transition.”

No details are available yet on their new location.

 

New Owners for Casa Novello

| Posted in People

The American Journal reports that Hope Lawler is in the process of buying Casa Novello from owner/co-founder Larry Manoogian.

Manoogian said many of his customers’ favorite Italian dishes will continue to be served.  Lawler said she intends to make some changes, such as bringing in some of her own recipes and opening for lunch Wednesday through Saturday and offering brunch on Sundays during the summer.

Krista Cole Interview

| Posted in People

Boston Voyager has published an interview with Sur Lie co-owner Krista Cole.

Krista, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in East Millinocket, Maine and became a nurse twelve years ago. I also met my best friend and business partner, Antonio Alviar, at that time. We were both waiting tables in Bar Harbor… just a couple of college kids.

Maine Beverages for Thanksgiving

| Posted in General News

The Press Herald has published a round-up of Maine ciders, beers, wines and meads for pairing with your Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.

Choosing a Maine-made beverage celebrates more than Thanksgiving. It shows just how far Maine has come in 30 years. In the late 1980s, Maine had just one winery that made fruit wine. The state had no other wineries, meaderies, no craft brewery scene, or distilleries of its own. Today there’s a wealth of options. So when you serve a Maine-made beverage with your turkey, you’re celebrating Maine along with the holiday.

At my holiday table I’ll be serving Armenian sparkling wine, pinot noir from Saint Innocent Winery in Oregon, German beer, some excellent Maine cider from Bent Bough, Tandem Coffee and Q Tonic. What beverages are you having with your Thanksgiving meal?

Grace Closing at End of Year

| Posted in Closings

Owner Anne Verrill has announced plans to cease regular restaurant service at Grace as of December 31st and focus the use of the Chestnut Street building on events in the coming year.

It is with bittersweet emotions, that we announce December 31st will be our last full service as Grace Restaurant. Since the beginning we have had two operations running in tandem, the full service restaurant and our events department. Going into 2019, we have decided it is time to concentrate on events exclusively and to that end we will continue booking seemlessly and under the same management. We are excited about the future and look forward to being able to host a wider range of functions with a more flexible schedule. While we are closing this first chapter, please stay tuned for the next. 

This Week’s Events: Minstorm, Thanksgiving, Food Lab Market

| Posted in Events

Wednesday – Foundation Brewing will be having a new New England IPA (7.1%) called Mindstorm on draft in their tasting room, and the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thanksgiving – Thanksgiving is just 11 days away. Here’s a list of the restaurants I’ve heard are doing holiday dinners that day:

Saturday – Fork Food Lab will be holding a mid-day market where all their vendors will have products on sale.

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.