Review of Otherside, Dutch’s, Muthah Truckah

| Posted in Reviews

The Portland Phoenix has reviewed the sandwiches at the Otherside Delicatessen, Dutch’s and The Muthah Truckah.

As [Otherside’s] corned beef sandwich reveals, they do it well. The meat is on the lean side, and tender enough but not melty soft. The slight chew lets you appreciate the meat’s richness and subtle spice — which stand up to the sharp flavors of sauerkraut and mustard, as well as a thick cut of rye. A pork schnitzel sandwich was served on a soft white puff of a roll, swirled like a cloud. It contrasted with the chew of the pounded meat, thick-breaded and fried. It was topped with an appealingly complex bitter-sour slaw — a finely diced mélange of egg, caper and cabbage.

Evo & Editor’s Cookbook Collection

| Posted in Under Construction, People

Today’s Press  Herald includes an update on Evo, the new Eastern Mediterranean restaurant opening on June 7,

The tight space offered significant design challenges. Just 1,000 square feet, which was increased to 1,400 with the addition of the mezzanine, Evo has floor-to-ceiling glass walls on two sides with sharp corner angles. The design makes the most of this by wrapping the inside of the walls with a dining counter.

and an article on food editor Peggy Grodonsky’s relationship with her cookbook collection.

But this spring, unpacking and re-shelving my cookbooks for the fourth time in just 10 years, I decided to count them, and I came up with 334 cookbooks, more or less, plus another 160 books about food. In the latter category, such items as memoirs by Betty Fussell, histories of the spice trade and the no-nonsense “The Maple Sugar Book” by Helen and Scott Nearing. That last entered my household long before I lived in Maine, and I’m tickled that it has found its way home.

Underrated Food Cities?

| Posted in General News

Thrillist has put Portland on their list of Most Underrated American Food Cities.

When people think of America’s culinary capitals they usually look to the coasts: New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans all regularly top the lists of the best American food cities. But hiding in the “flyover states” and in “harbors-that-not-many-people-live-in” is a cache of culinary talent that’s just as worthy of sinking your teeth into.

Under Construction: Sea Snacks

| Posted in Under Construction

A boat-based ice cream business called Sea Snacks is set to launch this Sunday, according to a report from Maine a la Carte.

[Ashley] Rutherford, a 34-year-old medical practice manager who lives in South Portland, is launching a new business this weekend selling ice cream from her boat on Casco Bay…she decided to start her own business, stocking her 20-foot Mako with Italian ice, ice cream cups, Snickers and Twix ice cream bars, freeze pops, ice cream sandwiches and similar treats.

For more information visit the Sea Snacks facebook page.

This Week’s Events: Bard Coffee, Lois’, Black Box, Wich Please

| Posted in Under Construction, Events, Openings

bardrenovatedMonday — it’s the opening of the newly renovated Bard Coffee.

Tuesday — Lois’ Natural Marketplace is opening their new India Street location, there will be a local foods networking breakfast at Local Sprouts, Rosemont on Brighton is holding a wine tasting.

Wednesday — The Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thursday — a beer and cheese tasting is taking place at the Public Market House.

Saturday — the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday — Black Birch will be the guest chefs at The Bearded Lady for Black Box.

wichpleaseWich, Please — From Away co-author Malcolm Bedell is launching his new Rockland food truck, Wich, Please, on Tuesday. It’s located in Buoy Park on the Rockland waterfront. You can see a full menu on the WP website.

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.

Evo Opening June 7

| Posted in Openings

The owners of Evo(twitter, website, facebook, instagram) have announced they’ll be opening on June 7. The “53-seat kitchen and bar…will serve a modern fusion of Eastern Mediterranean cuisines”.

Evo is located in the Hyatt Hotel at the Corner of Fore and Union. It’s owned by the Prentice Hospitality Group which also owns the Chebeague Island Inn and is leading the development of the Portland Company complex on Munjoy Hill.

 

Source: Rabbits & Sustainable Breweries

| Posted in Beer, Farming

Today’s edition of Source in the Maine Sunday Telegram includes articles on the increase in rabbit farming,

Central Provisions usually has a rabbit-based dish on both the lunch and dinner menu, like a rabbit confit panini and a smoked rabbit salad. Gould goes through about 45 pounds of rabbit a week. Other high-end Portland restaurants that serve or have served rabbit include Hugo’s, Petite Jacqueline, Emilitsa (in phyllo with spinach and feta) and Sur Lie. Up the coast, it appears on the menus at Primo in Rockland and Francine Bistro in Camden.

and the steps Maine brewers are taking to be more sustainable.

Since water accounts for up to 95 percent of beer’s content, Nathan Sanborn of Rising Tide Brewing Company says his company’s sustainability efforts focus on water conservation. His team monitors water usage and has consolidated equipment-cleaning procedures so less water and cleaning chemicals can be used to sanitize more gear. These efforts have helped the company cut usage by 35 percent.

Mobile Eats: Cannoli Joe’s & The Marshmallow Cart

| Posted in Openings

Two mobile eateries launched today at the Street Eats & Beats festival: