According to a report in the Bangor Daily News, Mike’s sandwich shop on Congress Street will close next week.
The home of the rock ’n’ roll sandwich is about to play its last tune.
Mike’s Restaurant on Congress Street closes next week after three years of providing patrons affordable meals and a place to rock out.
For additional reporting, see the Press Herald.
The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Outliers.
Outliers Eatery is as good as Portland’s dining scene gets. The atmosphere balances modern austerity with welcoming charm; the location is neighborhood-y with a harbor view. Parking is easy, the staff is professional and charming, and the food is thoughtfully prepared with a balance of freestyle and control. The menu winks at diners with literary sensibilities, but never dips into obnoxiousness.
Sharon Kitchens, author of The Root, and bartender Andrew Volk finished off their 3-part series on Maine distilleries with a visit to Bartlett’s Spirits of Maine.
When Bob Bartlett and his wife Kathe arrived in Maine in 1975 they brought with them a passion and knowledge of wine-making. In 1983 they opened Bartlett Maine Estate Winery in Gouldsboro and became the first winemakers in the state. In 2007, the couple added a distillery to produce pear eau de vie and apple brandy (the apples are sourced from Maine producers). Two months ago they introduced Rusticator Rum made with organic molasses sourced from South America.
In parts 1 and 2 of the series Kitchens and Volk visited New England Distilling and Sweetgrass Farm Winery & Distillery.
Peter Peter Portland Eater has published a review of Zapoteca,
Overall, the meal – really a pre-dinner warm-up – was a huge redemption for Zapoteca. The so-so meal I remembered from there became a distant memory and I had a renewed sense of what Zapoteca was all about. The service was very good, the food was much improved, and the atmosphere was fun and inviting.
and The Golden Dish has published a review of In’finiti.
By 8:30 the placed started filling up. It was unclear if people were coming in for drinks or dinner. Either way, In’Finiti is hitting all the right notes ringing in excellent food served in a dramatic space that should be eagerly filled with an adventurous dining public.
According to a report in today’s Press Herald, DiPietro’s sandwich shop on Cumberland Ave will be closing their doors as of August 18. The shop was founded by Warren and Grace DiPietro in 1944.
A banner hanging outside says, “Thanks for your loyalty. We will be closing to enjoy retirement. Come in and savor one of our famous Italians because, as Joey used to say, you’ve eaten the rest, now try the best.”
Joey is the late Joseph DiPietro, who took over the store from his parents in 1966. He died in 2003.
Harding Lee Smith’s new restaurant, Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room, is set to open today. It’s located on Custom House Wharf making it one of the few restaurants in the city actually on the water. For more than a century the space was the home of Boone’s Restaurant, which was founded in 1898 by Alexander Boone.
This is Smith’s fourth restaurant. He also owns The Front Room, The Grill Room and The Corner Room.
A menu is available on the Boone’s website.
Elsemere BBQ and Wood Grill has announced that they’ll be opening next Saturday on August 17th.
El Rayo bartender Henry Jost has made it to the semi-finals in Bombay Saphire Most Imaginative Bartender competition. Jost’s entry is the High Port Cocktail which he’ll be pouring for the judges on September 8th in Las Vegas.
Update: for more information see this article in today’s Portland Daily Sun.
Bon Appétit has selected Eventide Oyster Company as one of the 50 Best New Restaurants in America.
In a state where lobster is king, Eventide’s dedication to the oyster is a bold move. The menu lists around 20 different varieties displayed in a massive hunk of Maine granite on the bar. All are offered raw with creative “accouterment” like kim chee ice. There is lobster here too, only Eventide’s lobster roll comes in a Chinese bun and is offered with not just mayo, but a brown butter vinaigrette or hollandaise. The spare, bright dining room relies on the bar around the perimeter, but two picnic tables in the back can accommodate those who’d rather slurp sitting down.
On August 14th, Bon Appétit will be releasing their list of the top 10 as well as their selection for the overall best new restaurant in America.
Leigh Kellis, owner of The Holy Donut, has leased 7 Exchange Street and plans to open a second retail location in the Old Port. 7 Exchange was formerly occupied by the Exchange Street Cafe.