Bissell Brothers is releasing a new beer call Nothing Gold this Saturday at noon. It’s made with Amarillo, Citra and Equinox hops. There are 300 cases in total in the production run.
This Week’s Events: Latour Dinner, Negroni Week, Fried Chicken Friday, Pigs & Pink
Monday — Sur Lie is holding a 10-course Louis Latour wine dinner, and it’s the first day of Negroni Week at Central Provisions.
Wednesday — there will be a wine tasting at Old Port Wine Merchants, and the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.
Friday — Oxbow is hosting Palace Diner for a Portland edition of Fried Chicken Friday.
Saturday — there will be a wine tasting at LeRoux Kitchen, and the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.
Sunday — The Well and American Sommelier Maine are collaborating on Pigs & Pink, a pork and rose dinner raising funds for the culinary program at the Wayfinder School, and the weekly Crofters & Artisan 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.
Review of Scales
The Portland Phoenix has reviewed Scales.
The fish stew is equally effective in mellowing strong flavors just enough — so that fennel animates rather than dominates the bright roasty tomato broth. The broth, a lovely orange-red, doesn’t pool with oil as so many do. Its richness complements the big pieces of firm swordfish and squid, along with many mussels. And a dish of seared scallops confirmed that Scales can make ambitious and complex dishes from shellfish too. Big chunks of sausage added some salt and fennel and chew, while the scallops themselves were buttery and tender. Pieces of charred endive added a bitter note to the creamy sauce.
First Review of Thai Esaan
The Maine Sunday Telegram has given Thai Esaan 4 stars.
Diminutive but exceptional Thai Esaan only seats eight people, but it packs an outsized wallop, introducing northeastern Thai (Esaan-style) cooking to Portland. No matter what else you order, be sure to sample at least a few of the regional specialties, especially the robust and comforting kanaa moo grob (crispy pork with Chinese broccoli), and the fragrant, oniony laab gai (ground chicken salad). King of all the Esaan offerings on the menu is the naked-looking khao mun gai (broth-steamed chicken with rice and chili sauce), a dish so perfect in its contrasts and secret scents and flavors that it will haunt your dreams – at least until you can order another serving…
Bissell Brothers Opened
Bissell Brothers opened their new brewery and tasting room on Thompson’s Point Saturday.
They’ll be open noon – 5 on Sunday.
Under Construction: New England Distilling
New England Distilling has filed paperwork with the city to operate a tasting room at their warehouse on 1 Industrial Way to “take advantage of the larger tourist volume” on that street. The distillery itself will still remain down the street at 26 Evergreen Drive.
Under Construction: Tasting Cellar
Ricker Hill Farms has leased the former Evolution Fitness space in 1 Monument Way where they plan to open the Tasting Cellar. The 52-seat venue will serve Ricker Hill ciders and wines, as well as sell a variety of seasonal produce, baked goods from Foley’s, and other locally-sourced products (see draft list on page 288). They also have submitted plans to set-up an outdoor seating adjacent to the building in Monument Square.
Ricker Hill is following in the footsteps of Sweetgrass, Oxbow and Cellardoor in setting up tasting rooms in town to reach a larger market more directly. Another good example is Black Dinah which moved their entire production facility from Isle au Haut to Westbrook.
Under Construction: BRGR Bar
BRGR Bar has submitted a floor plan of the restaurant as part of their liquor license application.
BRGR Bar owner Phelps Craig has leased the former Margaritas on Brown Street. She already operates a BRGR Bar in Portsmouth, NH.
Bitter Frenchman
Former Petite Jacqueline chef Fred Eliot, The Fifth Food Group and The Honey Paw are collaborating on a French wine dinner to take place June 21st called the Bitter Frenchman. Tickets are available online at Eventbrite.
Eliot and The Fifth Food Group are planning to launch a French bistro sometime in 2017. Bitter Frenchman is one of the names under consideration for the restaurant.
50 Things to Eat in Portland
Spoon University writer Madeleine Cohen has compiled a list of 50 Things to Eat in Portland.
Often called the food destination in America, a food mecca, “foodie” heaven, and many other food nicknames, Portland is known for having some of the best restaurants in the world. Here’s a definitive list of all of Portland’s classic and famous eats, plus a few extras that everyone should have on their radar.