GMRI’s Sustainable Fish Initiative

| Posted in Fisheries

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes an article on GMRI’s partnership with Maine restaurants to increase the use of sustainable fish species on their menu.

Samuel Grimley, sustainable seafood project manager at GMRI, said the institute has been planning Culinary Partners for a little over a year now, and held a couple of feedback meetings with restaurateurs to get their input as the program was developed.

Since February, five Maine restaurants have joined up and set goals for themselves for the coming year. In addition to Five Fifty-Five, the other members are Sonny’s and Local 188 in Portland, Sea Glass at Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth and the Jordan Pond House restaurant on Mount Desert Island.

A Seasoned Server

| Posted in People

Portland Daily Sun food columnist Natalie Ladd share some of her work history and experience,

Prior to my current gig, I worked full time for seven years as Front-of-the-House Manager and Beverage Director at a top notch place that gets rave reviews. My departure from that job is likened to the worst divorce imaginable as I still love and admire the Chef, but as is often the case in our business, it was time for us to part ways. My resume also includes a long management stint with one of my heros, the colorful Roger Bintliff at the original Bintliff’s American Cafe, and the list goes on.

Best Oyster Bars in America: Eventide

| Posted in Reviews

Imbibe magazine has included Eventide in their list of the Best Oyster Bars in America.

In as much as there is such a thing, Eventide’s cocktail list is as “classic oyster bar” as they come. It veers towards the savory, with tequila Bloody Marias, a Dirty Dirty Martini made with oyster brine, and even a Bubbly Mary with bloody mix and cava. And for the diehards? Oyster shooters served ”naked” with just frozen vodka or ”spicy” with a jolt of jalapeno tequila and salsa verde.

The Porthole has Opened (Updated)

| Posted in Openings

The Porthole (website, Facebook) reopened today. Their plan is to slowly ramp up hours, serving breakfast today and tomorrow, lunch service starts Thursday and dinner will likely begin on Friday.

For additional reporting see this article from the Press Herald.

Update: i stopped by Wednesday morning and had breakfast at the bar. Their revised plan for the week is to start lunch on Friday. A start for dinner service is still TBD.

Review of Kim’s Sandwich & Cafe

| Posted in Reviews

Dispatch has published a review of Kim’s, the banh mi shop on Saint John Street.

When I was finally alone with my sandwich I could really take the time to savior it. The French baguette roll was just crispy enough on the outside with a soft, chewy interior. Inside the baguette was coated with a creamy and mild pork pate and a small amount of mayonnaise creating a delicious spread. The ham and bologna cold cuts were piled high and topped with crunchy pickled carrots, daikon and cucumber. The sub was finished with a couple sprigs of fresh cilantro. The bread, meat and veggie combo was perfectly balanced and allowed each flavor to come through while working together to create a killer sandwich. I will definitely be back for more Bahn Mi’s, especially for this price!

LD 1082: Growler Sales at Beer Stores

| Posted in Beer

Maine law currently allows for brewers to fill and sell growlers (half gallon refillable containers) on site at their brewery. There’s now a bill before the Maine Legislature (LD 1082) that would enable beer stores to sell beer from a variety of brewers in growlers. The next step in the process is a hearing before the Veterans and Legal Affairs on the 24th.

For more information read these recent posts from Insurance Guy Beer Blog and The Beer Babe who writes,

Imagine walking into your favorite beer store…When you walk in, you are greeted by the usual selection of bottled beer, but you see something new as well. Instead of being limited to what can be bottled or put in cans, you could also have the option to fill a growler – a glass refillable container – with local beer from all over the state. These beers might include those that you would never have the chance to otherwise sample unless you took a trip to the brewery itself.

If My Coaster Could Talk interviewed Greg Norton, owner of theBier Cellar in Portland, and Eric Mihan, owner of Bangor Wine & Cheese about the law.

Maine #2 for Locavorism

| Posted in General News

Maine was ranked 2nd in the nation for access to local food in the Stroll’s Locavore Index.

Using recent indicator data from multiple sources, the Index incorporates farmers markets, consumer-supported agriculture operations (CSAs) and food hubs in its per-capita comparison of consumers’ interest in eating locally-sourced foods — also known as locavorism.

The top five states for locavorism, according to the Index, in order, are Vermont (first), Maine, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Iowa, while the bottom five are Texas (last), Florida, Louisiana, Arizona and Nevada.

This Week’s Events: Easter European Wine Dinner, Rising Tide Showcase, Farmhouse Funkadelic at Novare, Taste of the Nation Tickets

| Posted in Events

Tuesday — the monthly Local Foods Networking Breakfast is taking place at Local Sprouts, and Caiola’s and Devenish Wines are collaborating on a dinner which features wine from Hungary, Croatia, Austria, and Slovenia.

Thursday — Not So Hush Hush (sold out), and the Great Lost Bear is showcasing a select of beers from Rising Tide.

Saturday — there will be a wine tasting at Browne Trading, Novare Res is featuring 15+ beers from Oxbow Brewing with food pairing prepared by Browne Trading for the 2nd Annual Farmhouse Funkadelic, and the Winter Farmers Market is taking place.

Sunday — Rosemont is holding a Spanish wine event, and Petite Jacqueline is screening the movie Paris When It Sizzles for movie night.

Taste of the Nation — the 2013 Taste of the Nation is scheduled to take place June 23 at Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport. Tickets are now on sale. The annual event raises money to combat childhood hunger in the Maine. Last year’s Taste of the Nation sold out and raised over $170,000.

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.