Natalie Ladd’s column in today’s Portland Daily Sun talks about the stresses of working at a restaurant during the summer tourists season and includes a top ten list of things that servers wished they could say but never do.
1) “How many pints of Mountain Dew refills are you going to let your 12-year old drink?” Not only am I super busy, but the kid is climbing the walls and you waving me down like I’m a taxi cab is really obnoxious.
The Forecaster has published a roundup of recently opened and upcoming restaurants in South Portland including Otto Pizza.
“I know we are not supposed to have favorites, but I have fallen in love with Otto Pizza,” [Councilor Linda] Cohen said as she moved for passage of the license to allow owners Mike Kean and Anthony Allen to open their third Otto Pizza in Maine.
According to Maine a la Carte, Bresca will be closed for the summer while owner Krista Kern Desjarlais focuses on her new venture, Bresca and the Honey Bee.
The Blueberry Files has published a review of Outliers,
But I see this place as more of a ‘date night out’ kind of restaurant. The entrees we saw being carried through the dining room looked beautiful and made our mouths water. Whether you end up coming in for a full dinner or just stop by for nibbles and a local beer, check out Outliers and welcome them to the neighborhood.
Chef Peter Sultenfuss from Grace won the Chopped Challenge cooking competition Sunday. Both Maine a la Carte and Maine Eater have articles with photos and details on the event. The event raised money for the Good Shepherd Food Bank.
East Ender/From Away took home 2nd place in the Lamb Pro Am competition in Boston. The competition paired restaurants with recipes developed by food bloggers to showcase lamb for the American Lamb Board.
Today’s Press Herald reports that the Legislature is considering changes to Maine’s restaurant inspection program.
State legislators said Monday they will consider increasing the frequency of restaurant inspections and hiring more inspectors a day after the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram reported that Maine has one of the least rigorous restaurant inspection programs in the nation, both in terms of frequency and making information available to the public.
Monday — In’finiti is holding a Broadbent Selections wine dinner.
Tuesday — Local Sprouts is hosting the monthly Local Foods Networking Breakfast.
Wednesday — Ned Wight owner of New England Distilling will be at The Great Lost Bear making cocktails using his gin, and the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place.
Thursday — Josh Christie author of Maine Beer: Brewing in Vacationland will be at Rising Tide for a book signing, Paciarino will be doing a cooking demonstration, there will be a lecture at the Maine Historical Society on Johnny Appleseed, and The Great Lost Bear will be showcasing beers from Harpoon Brewery.
Friday — Rosie Schaap author of Drinking With Men will be speaking at SPACE, and there will be a wine tasting at Rosemont.
Saturday — the Deering Oaks Farmers Market of 2013 is taking place, Wicked Good Street Kitchen will be at Rising Tide as part of the brewery’s weekly food truck series.
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.
Portland is #3 on the Travel + Leisure list of the Best Beer Cities in the country.
The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Ri-Ra.
RiRa does Irish-inspired pub fare extremely well. Traditionalists and meat lovers will enjoy the pub menu and community atmosphere. If the upstairs is open, try dining there for a less crowded experience. The stout-steamed mussels are amazing.
They’ve also published a set of four articles about restaurant inspections in Maine.