Maine Public has published a report on Shipyard’s exports to the UK where their beer is in 900 pubs.
This international marketing strategies appear to be paying off. Coles says sales of the American Pale Ale have grown 30%, year over year in the UK- 50% for the IPA. Marston’s even has plans to lead a group of visitors from the U.K. to Portland later this year in order to visit the original birthplace of Shipyard.
The Forecaster has published an update on the collaboration between Rawanda Bean, White Cap Coffee and Cape Whoopies under construction at 185 Cottage Rd.
No name has been decided on yet, but Marcia Wiggins, of Cape Whoopies, said she has been lobbying for “Coffee Guys and Whoopie Pies,” to encompass all aspects of the business and those involved — Ben Graffius and Tom Marlow of White Cap Coffee, and Mike Mwenedata and Nick Mazuroski of Rwanda Bean Coffee.
The businesses are all relatively young, and less than five years into operation, and the owners said they are pleased with the growth that has allowed them to lease the space on Cottage Road at the foot of Meetinghouse Hill.
Chef Tyler Vorce has returned to his home state of Maine and is holding a pop-up dinner series during the month of February.
Originally from Kennebunk, Maine, Tyler started working in restaurants as a dishwasher at age fourteen. He most recently was a sous chef at The French Laundry in Yountville, California where he worked for five years. He also worked at Dovetail restaurant in New York City and spent time in the kitchens of La Maison Troisgros and Epicure in France.
The 5-course the Oakleaf (website, facebook, instagram) dinners are taking place at Fork Food Lab on February 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th. According to the Oakleaf website, “[e]ach dinner will feature five courses including canapés, a few savory courses, and dessert, as well as an optional wine pairing.”.
Mainebiz has posted an update on Dunstan Tap & Table (website, facebook, instagram) which is under construction on Route 1 in Scarborough.
The 90-seat restaurant, located at 1000 Portland Road (U.S. Route 1), will feature American pub fare. It’s owned by Brian and Jen Brenerman, who also own Shays Grill Pub in Monument Square in Portland.
The Press Herald reports the very sad news that Francine Bistro in Camden has gone out of business.
The restaurant closed for the winter in November with a sign on the door that indicated it would reopen in May. But chef/owner Brian Hill confirmed Wednesday that he has shuttered the restaurant for good after 15 years, citing a combination of “insurmountable debt” and a desire to spend more time with his young daughter, who lives with her mother in southern California.
The Press Herald has posted an updated on Poké Pop (instagram) which has been under construction at 658 Congress Street.
Limsitong said his Portland restaurant will offer something different. His goal, he said, is to target Asian customers with a variety of Asian dishes, “and local people who want to try something new and of good quality.” He said he believes he will be the first restaurateur in Maine to serve bingsu. In his version, the shaved ice will be flavored with things like green tea, and toppings will include fruit such as mango and strawberry.
The Press Herald has published a report on Heart of Hospitality, a new training program for restaurant workers “recognize and de-escalate harassment”.
To tackle potential sexual harassment, a few local bar and restaurant owners are launching the Heart of Hospitality program Thursday. It will offer two-hour sessions to train servers, bartenders and other hospitality staff to recognize and de-escalate harassment, whether from an employer, an employee or a customer who’s had too much to drink.
CNN has published an interview with Vena’s Fizz House owners, Steve and Johanna Corman.
“I had this whole vision,” she said. “A bar with bartenders, and they’re mixing and muddling and shaking. But there’s no alcohol. It’s seltzer-based, but they’re using really good, healthy ingredients.
“I love old fashioned ingredients, like bitters and tonics and shrubs and syrups. I just could see the whole thing in my brain.”
Tuesday – Two Fat Cats is celebrating National Pie Day with a pie buffet, and it’s the opening night for Portland Stage’s production of Babette’s Feast (get tickets).
Wednesday – there will be a tasting at the Old Port Wine Merchants.
Thursday – it’s the opening night of the annual Ice Bar at the Portland Harbor Hotel, Tandem Coffee is hosting a barista latte art competition, Petite Jacqueline is holding a Loire wine dinner, Bao Bao is holding a Boothbay Brewing beer dinner, and Island Creek is teaching a (sold out) oyster shucking class.
Friday – Peddleman’s Falafel is holding 4 seatings of a pop-up dinner at Palace Diner, and there will be a wine tasting at the Brighton Ave Rosemont Market.
Saturday – the Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place.
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.