Under Construction: Restaurante El Corazon

| Posted in Under Construction

The owners of the El Corazon food truck have leased 190 State Street where they plan to open Restaurante El Corazon (facebook, instagram).

After four years cooking fresh Mexican food from the back of their family operated food truck Joe and Laura Urtuzuastegui have decided to grow the business and open up a brick and mortar shop…El Corazon will offer old favorites and new staples, small and large plate options, a oversized tequila selection, in a comfortable family atmosphere.

The space had been the original location of Petite Jacqueline and was slated to be the new home of Ocho until the owners put the project on hold.

El Corazon hopes to open the restaurant in May. They join the growing ranks of mobile operations adding or transforming into a traditional brick and mortar restaurant such as Mami and Baharat.

This Week’s Events: Madeira Dinner, Dessert Pop-up, Cheevitdee, Deering Oaks Market

| Posted in Events

Monday – Central Provisions is holding what looks like an amazing madeira dinner in collaboration with Rare Wine Co and Barbeito Winery, the International Pectinid Workshop continues this week until Tuesday.

Tuesday – Brant Dadaleares will be holding a dessert pop-up at The Honey Paw.

Wednesday – there will be a New Belgium tasting at the Bier Cellar.

Thursday – Cheevitdee is scheduled to open, the 4th Annual Gulf of Maine Seafood Celebration is taking place and Petite Jacqueline is holding a wine dinner.

Friday – Black Tie is holding a dinner at Camp Hammond in Yarmouth.

Saturday – it’s the opening day of the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market.

Sunday – the Portland Symphony is collaborating with Oxbow Brewing on a Symphony & Spirits event.

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: Becky’s, Silly’s, Bramhall

| Posted in Reviews

The Golden Dish has reviewed Becky’s,

But let me tell you about the clams.  The batter coats these meaty local clams quite delicately and not the least greasy.  The Cole slaw is creamy with just the right vinegary-sweet Mayonnaise dressing.  This is excellent slaw.  The fries are well done, crunchy on the outside and creamy within.

and Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Silly’s and Bramhall.

Bramhall isn’t always my go-to for a dinner, but when they are, they’ve got what it takes to satisfy. With a bit of a dark, brooding atmosphere set below ground, they create a feeling like few places can. I recommend trying anything that suits your fancy, but be sure to order the Loaded Crisps.

Battery Steele Brewing

| Posted in Beer

The Press Herald has published an article about Battery Steele Brewing.

The brewing world is itching to sample the goods from the latest brewery to boil wort in the now-fabled 1 Industrial Way complex. I refer to this building and surrounding neighborhood as the Fertile Crescent of Maine brewing, incubating Maine Beer Co., Rising Tide Brewing, and Bissell Brothers Brewing, along with the current tenants, the aforementioned Austin Street and Foundation Brewing. With Allagash across the street and Geary’s around the corner, Battery Steele is opening on hallowed ground.

The history of the building isn’t lost on [Shane] Noble or his partner, Jake Condon.

“It inspires us to always be looking for ways to make our beer better,” Noble said.

Portland’s New Crop of Restaurants

| Posted in Under Construction

The Press Herald has published an overview of the new crop of restaurants set to launch in Portland in this spring and summer. Specifically featured in the article:

  • 66S – an Asian fusion restaurant on Fore Street
  • Chaval – a French and Spanish restaurant opening in the former Caiola’s space
  • Cheevitdee – a health focused Thai restaurant in the Old Port
  • Cong Tu Bot – a Vietnamese noodle restaurant on Washington Ave
  • Noble BBQ – a brick and mortar restaurant from moobile vendor Fire & Co.
  • North 43 – the South Portland restaurant replacing Joe’s Boathouse
  • Old Port Lobster Shack – a seafood restaurant on Fore Street
  • Yobo – a Korean restaurant opening in the former Madd Apple Cafe space on Forest Ave

Several other new businesses including Blyth & Burrows, Bujabelle, Chad Conley’s new business on Forest Ave, Island Creek Oysters, Little Giant, Lio and Mami are also mentioned.

There are a number of other food businesses in various stages of development, see the Under Construction page for a full list.