Bard Coffee barista, Milo DeGoosh, was successful at the Qualifying Competition in Austin this weekend and has earned a coveted spot at the U.S. Barista Competition taking place in Seattle, April 21-23.
This Week’s Events: Beard Semifinalists, Valentine’s Day, Edible Landscapes, Hardshore Distilling
Tuesday – It’s Valentine’s Day, and there will be a lecture on Edible Landscapes at the Maine Historical Society.
Wednesday – the James Beard Foundation is scheduled to release this year’s awards semifinalists, we’ll be posting the full list of nominees as soon as they’re announced; Drifters Wife is celebrating their 1-year anniversary.
Thursday – the Portland Spirits Society is holding a women’s only tasting event at Hardshore Distilling.
Friday — Rosemont is holding a wine tasting at their Munjoy Hill location, and it’s the first day of Flavors of Freeport.
Saturday – the Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place.
Sunday – there will be a Haley Henry pop-up at Little Giant.
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: Schulte & Herr, Izakaya Minato, Bearded Lady, Salty Sally’s, Elsemere
The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed Schulte & Herr,
Schulte & Herr, a cozy German restaurant in Portland’s West Bayside neighborhood, knows a thing or two about defying expectations. Since opening in 2011, it remains steadfastly without a liquor license. Co-owners Steffi Davin and her husband, chef Brian Davin, instead seem (for the moment, at least) content to pin their success on homey atmosphere and the remarkable quality of their food. Everything pivots around traditional German favorites, from unexpectedly crisp and light pork schnitzel to hearty sauerbraten…
the Press Herald has reviewed Izakaya Minato and The Bearded Lady,
Not Izakaya Minato. And it’s no surprise. You couldn’t come up with a concept that would appeal more to Portlanders right now. Izakaya is a Japanese portmanteau that translates to “stay sake shop,” meaning a place you can buy sake and also drink it. It’s evolved into the Japanese version of a gastropub and, yes, it’s mostly about the food – shareable smallish plates, including salads, soup, sashimi and some hot stuff.
and Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Salty Sally’s and Elsemere.
The food was good – not fine dining, but high quality, well executed, and mildly inventive. The casual, relaxed atmosphere seemed amply suited for drinks, a meal, or both.
Maria’s Ristorante
The Bangor Daily News has published an article about Maria’s on Cumberland Ave.
In restaurant-rich Portland, what’s immediately noticeable about Maria’s Restaurant is what isn’t there. The now-familiar buzz that newish city bistros radiate. The staccato of cocktail shakers, or eclectic soundtracks piped from hidden speakers.
Fyood Kitchen Kickstarter Success
Fyood Kitchen has succeeded in meeting their $16.1k goal on Kickstarter with time to spare.
Fyood Kitchen operates a “cooking competition that challenges teams to transform mystery ingredients into creative dishes without recipes” at Fork Food Lab.
Stella Hernandez on Wine Hospitality
Lolita co-owner Stella Hernandez has written the first of a 2-part series for the Press Herald about her approach to hospitality and wine.
As I head into the 11th year of owning my own restaurant (and more before that as a server), creating wine lists and serving wine to countless people, I’m starting to get more comfortable with the idea of being a sommelier. But on my own terms.
Under Construction: Cafe Crepe
The Press Herald reports that Cafe Crepe is taking over the Public Market House space vacated by K. Hortons.
Lauren Brinkmann, owner of Café Crêpe in the Freeport Public Market, said she has considered opening a second location in the Public Market House three times, but she had hoped for a first-floor space. When the K. Horton’s spot opened up, she said, she jumped on it.
Under Construction: Conley Leases 428 Forest Ave
Chad Conley, co-owner of Palace Diner, has leased the former Brea Lu Cafe space at 428 Forest Ave where he plans to open a new restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. This new venture will serve a different menu from Palace Diner.
The building was the scene of a fire a year ago that displaced Brea Lu and other residents. It’s in the early stages of construction right now, and Conley hopes to open the restaurant this summer.
New Owners for Howie’s
MaineBiz has published an article about the new owners of Howie’s Pub.
Joseph Hardy and Adam Moore, under the name Highlife LLC, bought the neighborhood Howie’s Pub, at 501 Washington Ave. in the East Deering neighborhood, from long-time owner Howie Chadbourne for $320,000, in a deal that closed Jan. 10.
This Week’s Events: Just Eat It, Bourbon Tasting, Sausuga Release
Tuesday – there will be a screening of Just Eat It at the Maine Historical Society as part of the New England Foodscapes Series.
Wednesday – Stroudwater is hosting an event with food from Nosh and the Marshmallow Cart at their distillery on Thompson’s Point.
Friday – Oxbow is holding a bottle release for Sausuga, there will be a bourbon tasting at Tiqa, a Winter Graze dinner is taking place in Yarmouth, and Rosemont is holding a wine tasting at their store on Brighton.
Saturday – the Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place, as is a wine tasting at LeRoux Kitchen.
Sunday – The PSO is hosting the next edition of Symphony & Spirits at Sonny’s.
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.