Alan Spear

| Posted in People

Maine Icons has published a profile of Alan Spear, co-owner of Coffee by Design.

The property Spear and Lindemann found for the company’s first coffeehouse wasn’t in what many would consider an ideal location. In 1994, instead of being known as the Arts District, Congress Street had a much seedier reputation. The space the two leased was located near the State Theater, which at the time was known more for its adult film showings than its concerts. But it was also conveniently located across the street from the Maine College of Art, home to students in need of caffeine.

Jewish Food Revival

| Posted in General News

The Press Herald has published an article about the revival of Jewish food, a trend here in the Portland area and across the country.

Conley isn’t the only food entrepreneur trying to fill this particular niche, although most are doing it in smaller ways. Union Bagel in Portland makes bialys on the weekends. Just a stone’s throw away, Atsuko Fujimoto bakes babka on Fridays at Ten Ten Pié. Out on Brighton Avenue, Elise Richer makes knishes at Tin Pan Bakery, and Audrey Farber is baking traditional Jewish breads at the Fork Food Lab. In North Yarmouth, the smoked fish topping on Krista Desjarlais’ Montreal-style bagels delights customers who used to live in New York.

Coffee Shops Move/Expand: Omi’s, Daily Grind

| Posted in Under Construction

According to the Sentry, Omi’s Coffee Shop is hoping to move from its current location in the West End to Meeting House Hill in South Portland,

The change will allow the conversion of office space at 372 Cottage Road to retail food service. Cape Elizabeth resident Gail Bruzgo requested the change in hopes of relocating her business, Omi’s Coffee Shop, from Brackett Street in Portland. Bruzgo said she did not realize until after buying the building that a business like her coffee shop would not be allowed in the Residential Transition Zone, which was limited to residential housing and office space.

and the Press Herald reports that the Daily Grind coffee drive through in Westbrook is planning to expand into a traditional sit down coffee shop.

They knew it was time. The Daily Grind will open a sit-down shop next door to the drive-thru, which will stay open.

“When that building sold, we knew that Maine Med was going to be there for the long term, and we really needed to jump on this opportunity quickly,” Sue Salisbury said.

Portland Food Map’s 10th Anniversary

| Posted in Events

August 7th, 2017 marks the 10-year anniversary for Portland Food Map. It’s more than a little surreal for me to type those words.

When the site launched, I didn’t give much thought to how long it would be around. I just was enjoying learning more about Portland restaurants and having fun building a site where I tried to organize all the information about the industry. I certainly had no idea that I was taking the first steps in building something that would last a for a decade or which would have develop such a committed readership.

The few of you who remember Portland Food Map in August 2007 will recall it was just the map and list views of the directory. For a few weeks there wasn’t event a homepage much less a daily chronicling of food news. The event calendar, search feature, under construction list, homepage news blog, and several now deprecated features like the unreviewed list, came along later as the site evolved.

Similarly, I’m not sure anyone in 2007—certainly not me—could have imagined the transformation we’ve seen in the restaurant community over the last 10 years. To put things in perspective, when the Under Construction page went line September 4, 2007, I think there were a total of 7 businesses listed (remember Loco Pollo?). At the time, Cafe Uffa still occupied 190 State Street, Novare Res was about a year away from opening, Bresca had just launched in the spring, Emilitsa was still under construction, I don’t think a new brewery in several years, food trucks were still illegal and Jason Loring hadn’t launched a single restaurant. The big news from that fall was that the Village Cafe was closing.

While a lot has changed since those early days, the pleasure I get from playing a role in the food community has not. Indeed as the readership and my ability to make an impact has grown so has the satisfaction I get and my commitment to keep it going. I look forward to seeing what the next few years bring and sharing it with you along the way.

This Week’s Events: Josh McFadden, Dieu-le-Veut, Truth About Trawling

| Posted in Events

Monday – it’s the 10th anniversary of the launch of Portland Food Map.

Monday – Palace Diner is holding a sold out dinner with guest chef Josh McFadden from Tusk and Ava Gene’s in Portland Oregon.

Wednesday – the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thursday – Rising Tide is releasing Dieu-le-Veut, a Flemish red ale fermented and aged in oak barrels, and there GMRI is holding a lecture entitled The Truth About Trawling.

Saturday – the Kind Stack (instagram) food cart will launch, there will be a wine tasting at LeRoux Kitchen, and the Deering Oaks 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.

Reviews: Rose Foods, Little Giant, North 43, Baharat, Babylon

| Posted in Reviews

The Golden Dish has reviewed Rose Foods,

And those bagels are a thing of beauty! In the wild wacky world of bagel mania, few bagel bastions have surpassed the classic New York or the Montreal bagel. But after the first bite into Conley’s house-made version, it’s safe to say that he has given us The Portland Bagel—wholly unique and distinctive but authentic as well. At first chew through the crusty exterior what’s revealed is a soft center, chewy, plump and delicious.

Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Little Giant,

ABVs new venture won me over. We didn’t order lots of food, but what we had was excellent. Their drinks were top notch, cheese ball ab fab, and the burger and pasta both killer. I agree with their coasters that say “If you like good food and nice people, you’ll love Little Giant.” Head there now so I can say “I told you so.”

Portland Magazine has reviewed North 43 Bistro,

Local mussels surprise and delight the moment we dip into their rich broth in the bowl. There’s shaved fresh fennel in the wine-and-shallot beurre blanc, cleverly accented with caramelized nuggets of smoky andouille sausage. With this great combination, Chef Brown has made a common shellfish starter into something to return for.

Portland Phoenix has reviewed Baharat,

Baharat’s gorgeous cocktails promise still more compelling juxtapositions of flavor, like the turmeric, cucumber, and the chickpea foam on their rye whiskey Curcuma Sour, or the curry and carrot in the gin-based Garden Party. In fact, one flavor dominated each, tart citrus and sweet carrot respectively. Still, they were nice — as were several of the very reasonably priced wines, like an earthy blend from Lebanon.

The Bollard has reviewed Babylon,

The list of entrées doubles as a geography lesson — you’ll notice how Levantine cuisine has blended with Indian influences to the east. Along with the expected shawarma and shish kabob you’ll find chicken tikka and biriyani. The Iraqi kebab plate is similar to kebab dishes served at Lebanese and Syrian establishments: a pile of fragrant rice mixed with raisins, onions and peas alongside expertly grilled meat, with a side of fresh, lemony salad. Get this instead of the Iraqi plate, which is the same dish, but served with plain saffron rice.