Historical Menus & Food Trucks

| Posted in General News, History

Today’s Press Herald includes an interesting article about the Maine Historical Society’s collection of old menus,

Remember The Roma Cafe, known for ages as “Portland’s most romantic restaurant” and the place you had to take your date on Valentine’s, or else suffer the consequences?

There are also menus for Hu Shang on Exchange Street and the Victory Deli in Monument Square (where Foley’s Bakery is now), both former frequent lunch spots for Press Herald reporters. At the end of the day, when we wanted a cocktail, we went down to Cotton Street Cantina. (On the menu, it’s called Cotton Street Tropical Grill and Bar.)

and passing reference to recommended changes to the food truck regulations (at the very end of the article) made by the Health and Human Services Committee.

The changes would allow food trucks to cluster in certain zones by eliminating a rule that trucks be at least 65 feet from each other. And operators would have to pay only $30 for a permit to operate on private property, rather than $105.

Closing & Construction—Sweet Marguerites & Figa Replacement

| Posted in Under Construction, Closings

A pair of updates on Portland’s ever changing food landscape:

  • I was very sad to hear this week that Sweet Marguerites has gone out of business. I will be in mourning over the loss of their Fleur de Sel Caramels. Best of luck to Meg and Anna in whatever they do next.
  • Lee Farrington, chef/owner of Figa, has announced that she’s “[a]cquired a new business partner” and will be launching a new venture at 249 Congress Street in Spring/Summer 2014.

Reviews: East Ender, Salvage, Yosaku, Binga’s Stadium

| Posted in Reviews

The Blueberry Files has published a review of East Ender,

As we walked past the table on our way out, I overheard one of the men say, “this place is underrated.” And I have to agree. You don’t hear much about it, but the East Ender is quietly serving damn fine food.

The 207 Foodie has published a review of Salvage BBQ,

Salvage is a worthy restaurant to try. If you like Barbecue and Southern flair, you have no excuse not to try this new hot spot! The food is great and the prices allow you to get more food in one sitting than you could possibly eat! What’s not to love?

Peter Peter Portland Eater has published a review of Yosaku,

While I am not someone who has had a lot of sushi, I can tell you that Yosaku is a solid choice. I don’t really have anything to compare it to, but if you aren’t fond of traditional sushi, I can definitely say that Yosaku might still have something for you.

and Binga’s Stadium is top of Pig Trip’s list of their favorite BBQ wings.

Piccolo Opening on Friday

| Posted in Under Construction

Piccolo (twitter) is scheduled to open this Friday. the new Italian restaurant is located at 111 Middle Street in the former home of Bresca.

Piccolo is the creation of chefs Damian Sansonetti and Ilma Lopez. Sansonetti is also one of the founders of Blue Rooster and until earlier this year Lopez was the pastry chef at Grace.

The menu at Piccolo is inspired by the cuisine central and southern Italy and features an all-Italian wine list. The restaurant will be open Wednesday through Sunday for dinner; they’ll begin taking reservations early this week (207) 747-5307.

Food Truck Regulations

| Posted in General News

Today’s Press Herald reports that the Public Safety, Health and Human Services Committee will be meeting on Tuesday to review changes to food truck regulations.

Those changes, which were crafted by Associate Corporation Counsel Jennifer L. Thompson, include reducing the fee required to relocate a food truck and allowing food trucks to cluster or operate within close proximity to one another.

This Week’s Events: Natural Wine Dinner, Empire and Piccolo Opening, Zwanze Day, Farm Dinners

| Posted in Events

Wednesday — The Well and Devenish Wines are holding a natural wine dinner, there will be a wine tasting at Rosemont, Black Tie is holding a farm dinner in New Gloucester, the Makers Market is taking place at the Urban Farm Fermentory in the afternoon and the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place in the morning.

Thursday — it’s the grand opening of Empire Chinese Kitchen (photos) doors open at 11:30am, there will be a blind IPA tasting at the Bier Cellar, and The Great Lost Bear will be showcasing beer from Sebago Brewing.

Friday — it’s opening day at Piccolo, there will be a wine tasting at Rosemont.

Saturday — Novare Res is one of only 2 dozen locations in the US participating in the 2013 Cantilloon Zwanze Day, LeRoux Kitchen is having a grand opening for their store in Scarborough, and the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place.

Sunday — Wine Wise is holding their 4th Annual Fall Wine Cruise, the 6th Annual Eco Appetito is taking place, and Rosemont is holding a farm dinner in Freeport, Kitchen & Cork in conjunction with King Arthur Flour is running a cupcake/pie baking contest.

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: Portland & Rochester and Small Axe

| Posted in Reviews

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of the Portland & Rochester Public House,

Lobster cakes were served with a searing hot smear of red chili harissa and pink pickled shallots. The sauce and the breading of the cake obscured the flavor and texture of the lobster a bit, but it was still a nice dish. The scotch eggs, quail eggs encased in ground lamb, are served with the meat very rare on the inside. The lamb is nicely seasoned and works well with some bitter curly endive.

and Serious Eats has published a review of the Small Axe burger.

A few weeks ago, the Small Axe Truck debuted its burger, the Smokestack Lightning ($8), and proclaimed it the best burger around. Ordinarily, I’d say that’s a bold statement to make, but in this case it might well be true.

Elsmere & Salvage: A BBQ Comparison

| Posted in Reviews

The Golden Dish has compared and contrasted Elsmere’s and Salvage’s approach to barbeque.

Elsmere and Salvage will not havee to duke it out tfor the number one spot because they are two equally great additions to our dining Mecca.  Whether you take the bridge to the outer limits of South Portland’s Elsmere BBQ or traverse the seedy byway of Lower Congress Street to reach Salvage BBQ each is a rewarding pilgrimage.