This Week’s Events: Sticky Sweet, Good Food Awards, Barrel Aging Tours, The Locker Project

| Posted in Events

Tuesday – a new food vendor under  construction in the Public Market House called Sticky Sweet will be handing out free samples starting at 11am, and Vena’s will be teaching a cocktail making class.

Thursday – Bao Bao is hosting an Oxbow tap takeover.

Friday – 3 Maine companies will be waiting to hear how they fair in the 2017 Good Food Awards taking place in San Francisco, Woodford F&B is celebrating their 1-year anniversary by raising money to fight hunger in Maine through The Locker Project, and  Rising Tide will be leading 30 minute tours of their new West Wing barrel-aging space.

Saturday – the Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday – Two Fat Cats is starting their celebration of National Pie Day a day early with the launch of their pie buffet.

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.

Best Greek Restaurant: Emilitsa

| Posted in Reviews

TimeOut has included Emilitsa in their list of the Best Greek Restaurants in the USA.

Chef Demos recently handed the back-of-house reigns over to son Niko, a Jean-Georges alum making his mark with reinvented Greek cooking. The menu has gotten a refresh—there are now lamb ribs glazed in coriander and citrus and grilled Nova Scotia swordfish topped with sweet peppers—but Emilitsa’s original spirit and inspiration remain untouched. Grandma would be proud.

Reviews: Toroso, Pho Co, Sonny’s, Treehouse

| Posted in Reviews

The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed Toroso,

To a great extent, her approach works well, especially in standout dishes like umami-rich lamb albondigas, and tender, plancha-seared asparagus spears with grated cured egg yolk to add a luxurious, savory character. Seasoning issues (both too much and too little, depending on the dish) pop up from time to time and drag down otherwise promising dishes, like ras el hanout-spiced cauliflower.

the Press Herald has published reviews of Pho Co.,

It was startling. The typical pho broth is thin and lightly flavored; really it’s just the medium for the lovely rice noodles and chicken and herbs and peppers to soak in. This broth was rich and sweet with ginger. This broth could stand on its own. I haven’t stopped thinking about this broth for the last 24 hours.

and of Sonny’s,

Latin American flavors dominate the menu in this Art Nouveau-inspired Old Port restaurant. The cocktail list is the star of the show, but there’s a good selection of wine and beer, too. Good for happy hour, brunch, dinner and late-night snacks.

and Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed The Treehouse.

The Treehouse delivered magnificent food once again and I got to truly enjoy every morsel. The waitress was superb and the atmosphere is one of the better scenes in Portland. Check them out this winter as their warm, cozy room will keep you comfy despite the cold Maine weather.

First Look at Tipo

| Posted in Reviews

The Blueberry Files has posted a first look at Tipo,

Tipo, the neighborhood restaurant from Central Provisions owners Chris and Paige Gould, opened last night, serving wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and small plates. We went for an early dinner anticipating a crush of people, but found a pleasant, steady flow of customers in the open, well-lit space…Tipo is sure to be a hit with the neighbors. Even those used to dining on-peninsula should venture out to this relaxed neighborhood spot.

Purple House Series, Part 3

| Posted in People

Chef/owner Krista Kern Desjarlais has authored a third installment in the Press Herald series about opening The Purple House.

“I can’t believe you’re out of bagels before 10:30 a.m.!!” These are words I never expected to hear on day two, ringing out like a gong and sending waves of anxiety through my body. I smiled – at that customer and everyone else who showed up over the next two hours – as I explained again and again that the 200 bagels we’d made had sold out in just two hours.

Best New Breweries: Foulmouthed Brewing

| Posted in Beer

Beer Advocate has highlighted Foulmouthed Brewing in a list of “34 of the most promising newcomers” as selected by readers from among the 861 breweries that opened last year.

One standout is their take on a wheat Saison named Iron Goddess, brewed with honey and tea. For 2017, “we just started our barrel-aging and bottling program and are planning to set up a solera array for blending Brett Saisons,” Craig Dilger says. “But for now we are draft-only, serving the vast majority of our beer right over the bar in the brewpub.”

 

Under Construction: Island Creek Oysters

| Posted in Under Construction

The Press Herald reports that Island Creek Oysters has leased space at 123 Washington Ave—in the same building as the new Maine Craft Distilling—where they plan to operate a retail shop and restaurant.

Island Creek Oysters, based in Duxbury, Massachusetts, plans to open a retail shop and restaurant at 123 Washington Ave., just a couple of doors away from Roustabout and Oxbow Brewing, the company announced Monday. The new business is expected to open sometime between April and June.

Under Construction: Bite Into Maine

| Posted in Under Construction

Bite Into Maine (website, facebook, twitter, instagram) is in the process of converting a brick and mortar space in Scarborough to serve as a commissary kitchen and lobster shack.

The building is located at 185 US Route 1 #2. It will seat approximately 15 as well as serve take-out. The menu is still under development but will larger than that on offer at the original Fort Williams food truck. Owners Sarah and Karl Sutton hope to open the new retail space in time for summer when they also hope to launch a second food truck at Allagash Brewing.

Bite Into Maine will join fellow mobile food vendors Mami, Small Axe/East Ender, Love Kupcakes/Baristas+Bites, Hella Good Tacos, Mainely Burgers, Urban Sugar and CN Shawarma/Baharat in converting to or adding a brick and mortar capacity.

I think this is an indication that the vision for Portland food trucks as incubators of small businesses was a sound one.

Roustabout Has Closed

| Posted in Closings

Roustabout (twitter, instagram, facebook, website) has decided to close.

Friends,

The past fifteen months have been filled with challenges, excitement and reward. We consider ourselves fortunate to be part the vibrant restaurant community in Portland Maine.

However, it is with deep disappointment that after dinner service on Sunday January 8th, we have closed our doors for good.

We are immensely thankful for our staff, past and present. Thank you for your commitment and professionalism during your time here. We count ourselves lucky to have been able to work along side of each and every one of you.

A huge thank you to our guests for making us their go-to neighborhood spot, cocktail bar, and family restaurant.

We have been exceedingly fortunate to have such wonderful friends & neighbors on inner Washington and wish you all the best luck.

Thank you
– Roustabout

Founders Kit Paschal and Anders Tallberg announced plans for their Washington Avenue restaurant in May of 2015. The 75-seat Italian restaurant got off to a promising start in November of the same year.