The Press Herald and Eater Maine have a report on the situation that has closed Carmen at the Danforth. The restaurant has been in limbo for several months while they work through some regulatory issues with their hood system.
Opinionated Top 100: Miyake, Hugo’s
Miyake (#53) and Hugo’s (#57) are in the Opinionated About Dining 2013 list of the top 100 restaurants in the United States. Regional top 25 lists and OAD’s list of the top cheap eats destinations will come out later this year.
Last year OAD rated Miyake #54 and Hugo’s #60 in their top 100 list for the US.
Maine Specialty Coffee
The Bangor Daily News has published a report on the specialty coffee industry in Maine.
Matt’s Wood Roasted Organic Coffee opened in Pownal in 2007, as did Brunswick’s Wicked Joe. Swift River Coffee Roasters opened in Raymond in 2009. Green Tree Coffee and Tea in Lincolnville, 44 North in Deer Isle, and Savage and Sons Gourmet Coffee in Bangor all opened in 2010. Crooked Porch Coffee in Bar Harbor and Tandem Coffee Roasters in Portland both opened last year. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Crooked Mile Cafe on Brighton Now Open
The new Rosemont location of the Crooked Mile Cafe (website, facebook) opened this weekend at 428 Brighton Ave in the space formerly occupied by Udder Cafe.
This Week’s Events: Wine Tastings, Wine Events, Wine Dinners, Latte Art Competition, and More Wine
Monday — Good Wine for a Good Cause IV is taking place a Port City Music Hall, there will be 100+ wines to try, the event is a benefit the Cancer Community Center.
Tuesday — Bar Lola is holding a wine dinner.
Thursday — there will be a wine and cheese tasting at the Public Market House, Grace is holding a wine tasting event, the Museum of African Culture is hosting an Edible Exhibition, the monthly Latte Art Competition is taking place at Bard Coffee, and the Great Lost Bear will be holding their annual Stout Bout.
Friday — Cellardoor Winery is hosting a wine dinner in Portland.
Saturday — Wine Wise is teaching a class on Tuscan Reds, Rosemont is having a wine tasting, and the Winter Farmers Market is taking place.
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.
Pocket Brunch: Marchtoberfest
The March edition of Pocket Brunch took place today at Novare Res. Tandem Coffee and the Bearded Lady provided libations to go with a meal of German food prepared by guest chefs Brad Messier and Nolan Stewart.
- Premeal – apple and pear strudel with bauchspeck and Han’s End blue cheese
- Soup – 2010 Rodenbach smoky meat broth, Orval chive pancake, calf’s liver and foie gras dumpling
- Salad – white asparagus, beef tongue, fried onions with a pairing of Freigeist Abraxas
- Egg – boar sausage, egg yolk, “tea” egg, rye toast paired with a pairing of Oxbow Freestyle 30
- Meat – Caldwell Farm beef saurbraten, potato, celeriac, bacon with a pairing of Oxbow Oxtoberfest
- Dessert – Black Forest chocolate sausage, chocolate kirsch cherry terrine, Riesling gelee, cherry glazed bacon
Review of The Merry Table
The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of The Merry Table.
I suggest this warm, friendly space when Quebec is too far to drive. Crepe enthusiasts should love the area’s only dedicated creperie, and the Merry Table also delivers excellent French classics in a cozy and rustic space. Seasonal outdoor seating is especially inviting when the weather is good.
Cia Now Open
Cia quietly opened earlier this week on Wednesday. They’re located on Ocean Street in South Portland just a block or so down the road from Smaha’s.
Here are some details from the Forecaster,
Cia offers an eclectic blend of local products: coffee from Wicked Joe’s in Brunswick, ice cream by Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook, and baked goods from Two Fat Cats and Bagel Guy in Portland. The Knight family, owners of Smiling Hill Farm, have even blended a special “White Knight” ice cream for the shop – a mix of French Vanilla, salted caramel, and chocolate chunk served over a chocolate brownie with hot fudge.
For those of you keeping score, this makes for 5 openings (Enio’s, In’finiti, Little Tap House, Blue Rooster and Cia) in the last 8 days. Last year Roost, Zen, Tandem and Kushiya Benkay all open during the same week in August.
Blue Rooster Food Company Opening at 9 (Updated)
Blue Rooster Food Company (website, Facebook, Twitter) is opening tonight at 9 pm. Blue Rooster is located in the space that had the home of Big Mama’s Diner at 5 Dana Street.
Blue Rooster is a collaboration between four partners including chef Damian Sansonetti and Tom Barr, the owner of Taco Escobarr.
The menu is a mix of sandwiches ($6-7.50), specialty hot dogs ($2.75-5.00), baked goods. There’s even a tater-tot poutine. I’d recommend the Porchetta: sausage stuffed pork belly, pickled tomato, arugula, citrus mayo on a house-made focaccia.
First Review of In’finiti
The Golden Dish has published a review of In’finiti.
Next to swoon over were the desserts. Pastry chef Patrick Tubbs, who’s been with some of Portland’s best restaurants, has a beautifully conceived dessert menu. My friend ordered the coconut panna cotta, richly textured and accompanied by sweet potato mousse, candied orange peel and ginger syrup.