Randall Chasse, owner of the Miss Portland Diner for 24 years and the Middle Street Cafe for 6 years, has passed away at age 71.
Mr. Chasse had dreamed of operating The Worcester Lunch Car Company No. 818 since he was a boy growing up in Portland. His father was a well-known sausage maker and the two would drive past the diner often. He bought Miss Portland Diner around 1980 and served breakfast and lunch seven days a week to a loyal following.
The Bangor Daily News has published an article about Finest Kind Tea Concentrate and its founder Jay Lombard.
Moving to Portland in January, the environment was right to launch Finest Kind Tea Concentrate. He made his first batch in June and now offers two flavors — wild Maine blueberry white tea and half and half, which is black tea and lemonade concentrate, also known as the Arnold Palmer.
Sold in 16-ounce glass apothecary bottles for $6.99, the strong tea blends can be fizzed up, iced down, heated or blended with tap water. Lombard also recommends mixologists add rum or gin for an easy cocktail.
Finest Kind is a competitor in The Next Big Food Thing contest being run by online grocery service Fresh Direct.
Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed David’s Opus Ten.
You should go to David’s Opus Ten soon. Get ready for some great food and be adventurous. It’s worth it for the experience. Pick a special occasion, make a reservation, and try something new. You can thank me later.
The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes a food-oriented gift buying guide,
When it comes to shopping local for the holidays, especially when you’re on the hunt for food-related gifts, those of us who live in Maine are luckier than a hungry elf trapped in a gingerbread factory.
and some recommendations on where to source gluten-free or vegan prepared foods for the holidays.
If you’re looking for prepared Christmas food that is gluten-free or vegan or meets other dietary needs, you’re in luck. It’s never been easier to find these eats in Greater Portland. But for the people running the food businesses, it can be hard to keep up with demand.
The Press Herald has published an article about a Kentucky man who’s traveling the country handing out $500 tips in memory of his brother.
An organization was founded, Aaron’s Last Wish, and about $50,000 was raised to keep the tips flowing. Collins said his goal is to leave at least one $500 tip in every state in the country by the end of January, and he still has about 10 Eastern states to go.
Update: Also see this article from the Bangor Daily News.
Both Instant Portland and The Golden Dish have published reports from Saturday’s winter farmers market. The market kicked off this past weekend at a new location, the Urban Farm Fermentory in East Bayside.
The new space is big improvement. Large windows bring in the winter light, and the combination of the existing businesses and the temporary visitors make for a good mix. The space was bustling, but hardly ever seemed really crowded, even though it was clear there were a LOT of people there.
Tuesday — Piccolo and Devenish Wines are collaborating on a dinner.
Friday — a Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Tourism Workshop will teach aquaculture operators and fishermen how to diversify their operations by adding tourism.
Saturday — Piccolo and Dandelion Spring Farms are collaborating on a Farm to City craft fair; Piccolo will be serving pastries and hot chocolate. A champagne and caviar tasting is taking place at Browne Trading, and the Winter Farmers Market is taking place at the Urban Farm Fermenntory on Anderson Street.
New Year’s Eve
Restaurants are beginning to announce their plans for New Year’s Eve. Here’s a list of ones I have details for so far. I’ll be expanding the list as more information becomes public. For reference, here’s a link to the list from 2012. (Restaurant owners: please send details to anestes@portlandfoodmap.com or post a comment below.)
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.
The Old Pine Tree has published a review of Caiola’s.
It’s dangerous in this town to make a sweeping statement about something or some place being the best. It’s a sure fire way to create an uproar. But whatever. I’m going to take that risk.
Coffee by Design recently moved their roasting operation to a spacious new facility in East Bayside. A new cafe will be opening in the neihborhood in early January. These photos were taken during a party held last night to celebrate the expansion of the business.
Update: Maine a la Carte has published a report and photos from Sunday night’s CBD party.
Thrillist named Eventide in their list of the Best New Restaurants in America.
USA Today include Standard Baking in their list of America’s Best Bakeries.
Cinque Terre/Vignola is on the Appetite for Life list of Great Farm-to-Table Restaurants.