Tip Credit Hearings

The Press Herald has published an article on Wednesday’s hearing regarding tip credit legislation.

While the majority of workers urged lawmakers to retain the tip credit, which allows employers to pay tipped employees a lower hourly wage, others said the experiences of other states shows that paying waiters, bartenders and other restaurant workers a higher base wage does not mean customers will become less generous when tipping.

Under Construction: Bakery on Munjoy Hill

A new 1,100 sq. ft. bakery is under development in the store front at the corner of North and Congress on Munjoy Hill.

Owners Chris Deutsch and Amy Fuller plan to offer French baked goods in the morning, and serve focaccia, Roman-style pizza and sandwiches for lunch. They will eventually add a dinner service.

Deutsch and Fuller learned to bake in Paris and prior to moving to Portland they operated a French bakery food cart in DC called Hot Hot Bakery.

The couple hope to open their as-yet-unnamed bakery this fall.

Bugs, They’re Whats for Dinner

The Press Herald has published an article about Entosense, a local firm that sells edible insects.

The Broadbents are the team behind Entosense, home of a large online marketplace at edibleinsects.com for people who like to chow down on crickets, grasshoppers, ants, beetles, scorpions, tarantulas and other critters with lots of legs and plenty of crunch. They even sell (may your gag reflex forgive us) housefly pupae.

Visit entosense.com to learn more, and edibleinsects.com to buy their products.

Under Construction: Blyth & Burrows

Blyth & Burrows is the new DBA for the cocktail bar under construction at 26 Exchange Street. Here’s a statement on the concept,

Blyth & Burrows is a classic cocktail bar steeped in the traditions of exceptional hospitality and a dedication to craft. The bi-level room features a raw bar and a creative food program, but the focus here is on perfectly poured cocktails and impeccable service.

The name is a reference to Captain Samuel Blyth from the HMS Boxer and Lieutenant William Burrows of the USS Enterprise who were buried in the Eastern Cemetery and died during an naval battle between their ships in Casco Bay in 1813.

The bar was originally slated to be named Proper Charlie’s. It is being launched by Josh Miranda.

This Week’s Events: Tiki Shake-Off, Zak Pelaccio, USBG Conference, Poring for a Purpose, Source Awards

Monday – Rhum is hosting the 3rd Annual Tiki Shake Off, and its the second day of the US Bartenders Guild Northeast Regional Conference.

Tuesday – Robin Alden and Ted Ames will give a lecture at the Maine Historical Society entitled Seafood is all Downstream: The Promise of River Restoration and Collaborative Action for Ocean Fisheries, Sean Wilkinson from Might and Main will be participating in the Tools for Food panel in Boston, and the Other Side Delicatessen is holding a French wine tasting at their Veranda Street location, 5-7 pm.

Wednesday – the 3rd Annual Source Awards is taking place.

Thursday – the Pouring for Purpose fundraiser for the Cancer Community Center is taking place at Thompson’s Point.

Friday – there will be a wine tasting at Rosemont on Brighton Ave.

Saturday – Beard award-winning chef Zak Pelaccio from Fish & Game will be at Central Provisions for a book signing, there will be a wine tasting at LeRoux Kitchen, and the Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday –Sonny’s is holding a Mezcal dinner.

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: Drifters Wife, Lincolns, Baristas & Bites, Shay’s Grill Pub

Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Drifters Wife and Shay’s,

Chef Ben Jackson works the small kitchen next to the bar with deft and precision and the food clearly reflects that. Perfectly prepared, fresh food and plenty of wine is what you’ll find there and with a new menu every day, he’s challenged to come up with clever culinary interpretations to keep things interesting. And he does it very well.

the Press Herald has reviewed Lincolns, and Barista and Bites,

With six beers on tap (Allagash White, Harpoon Cider and Peak Organic Pilsner to name a few), one red wine, one white and no mixed drinks more complicated than liquor and a mixer, ordering a drink at Lincolns couldn’t be any less complicated.

Under Construction: Cong Tu Bot

Cong Tu Bot (facebook, tumblr, instagram, twitter) co-owners Vien Dobui and Jessica Sheahan have applied for a liquor license for the restaurant they have under construction in the Nissen Building on Washington Ave.

Their menu will focus “on noodle dishes commonly found in Saigon, as well as a selection of smaller side dishes and snacks to accompany our entrees.” Here’s an excerpt from the full draft menu (pages 96-97):

 

and here’s a look at the floor plan for the 27-seat restaurant: