Hot Chocolate, Sustainable Food, Trader Joe’s Parking

| Posted in General News, People

The Food & Dininng section in today’s Press Herald includes an article on hot chocolate along with drink reviews from several venues in town like this one for Gorgeous Gelato,

Don’t be surprised if you start hearing sleigh bells while you drink this. This is classic hot chocolate, the kind of drink you dream about when you hear the song “Winter Wonderland” or crave after coming in from a long day of skiing or playing in the snow.

It’s made with two kinds of Belgian chocolate and whole milk. Be sure to ask for whipped cream on top — it’s real whipped cream, cold, thick and delicious, and floats well and long on top of the chocolate…

a profile of Portland resident Dan McGovern who publishes the Sustainable Food News,

Produced in Portland, the online business magazine publishes Monday through Friday and chronicles the health food industry’s latest news and trends. The daily emails go out to 7,500 subscribers.

Also in today’s paper is a piece on the parking situation at Trader Joe’s.

 

Gelato for Heating Assistance

| Posted in Events

The Portland Daily Sun has a report on Gelato Fiasco’s work to raise money for heating assistance.

The Opportunity Alliance is working with Gelato Fiasco, on Fore Street, to raise money for the Keep ME Warm fund, a program that provides emergency home heating assistance to Maine residents. The Fore Street gelato shop will donate 100 percent of the pre-tax purchases made Wednesday to the fund as a part of its ongoing Scooping for the Community program.

Review of Pocket Brunch

| Posted in Reviews

The Blueberry Files has published a review of the January edition of Pocket Brunch.

Next, my favorite course, the salad of spicy gravlax, trout roe, fried Maine potato shreds, creme fraiche, and pistachio marmalade. I was really wowed by this course – so simple and perfectly done. Roe that pops in your mouth, crunchy potatoes, creamy sauce, spicy salmon, and the sweet, salty, crunch of the pistachios.

For additional photos of the event see the Broadturn Farm blog.

Review of Duckfat

| Posted in Reviews

duckfatMap & Menu has published a review of Duckfat.

I opted for the roasted pork belly panini with fennel relish, jalapeno, and caramelized miso, and Meredith ordered the cream of tomato fennel soup with ciabatta croutons and asiago. The easiest decision was the large fry, because going to Duckfat without ordering fries is akin to walking down the Champs-Élysées in an American flag unitard – just don’t do it.

Photo Credit: Map & Menu

This Week’s Events: Smoked Beer, Allagash Dinner, Brew Pub Cup, Beer & Cheese Tasting

| Posted in Events

Tuesday — Local Sprouts is hosting a local foods networking breakfast.

Wednesday — Slow Food Portland’s delegates to Terra Madre will share their experiences at Slow Food’s potluck dinner.

Thursday — there will be a tasting of smoked beers from Germany, Denmark and the US at the Bier Cellar, Vignola is holding an Allagash Beer Dinner, and the Brew Pub Cup is taking place The Great Lost Bear.

Saturday — wine tastings are taking place at Browne Trading and the Rosemont Market, Vignola/Cinque Terre is holding their 6th Annual Beer & Cheese Tasting (30 bbers, 30 cheeses, $30) 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: Baller Brunch

| Posted in Events, Pocket Brunch

greenhouse

The January Pocket Brunch took place at Broadturn Farm in Scarborough on Sunday. James Beard award winner Rob Evans was the guest chef for the meal:

  • Soup – Maine sunchoke, fried egg yolk, black truffle and beef tongue grabiche
  • Salad – spicy gravlax, trout roe, Maine potato, creme fraiche, and pistachio marmalade
  • Meat – gold encrusted fois gras, smoked apple butter, apple chips, quince, pickled apple and black bread
  • Egg – sunnyside duck yolk, mortadella, brussel sprout hash, saffron-tobasco hollandaise
  • Dessert – Broadturn yogurt parfait with almond milk tapioca, blood orange and couscous granola

Premeal bites were accompanied by coffee from Tandem Coffee Roasters and menu of custom cocktails from the Bearded Lady.

The Golden Dish has published a review of Sunday’s Pocket Brunch.

David Zwickerhill was at the brunch with his camera and has posted an extensive set of photos online.

salad

meat

egg

dessert

Review of Zen Chinese Bistro

| Posted in Reviews

pArts has published a review of Zen Chinese Bistro.

We’ve waited a long time in Portland (and surrounding area) for not even great Chinese, but DECENT Chinese. When I first learned they were opening, I was disappointed to see the menu was, essentially the same American/Chinese food offered at every other Chinese eatery. My disappointment turned to joy upon realizing that though the dishes shared the same names, the versions of these dishes at Zen were head and shoulders above anything I’ve had anywhere else in Maine since the departure of the now-defunct “Stir Crazy” (great food, strange atmosphere, unfortunate name).

Review of Bayou Kitchen

| Posted in Reviews

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Bayou Kitchen.

From start to finish, the Bayou Kitchen was a warm and casual respite from the winter chill.

Service was a perfect blend of friendly and sassy, and the food prepared with an expert and subtle hand. Flavors were layered, and the menu showed an intelligent blend of options — each representing the Louisiana theme, but not catapulting it into caricature.

I will be back, earlier next time, to linger and savor.

Lunch @ Bresca

| Posted in Uncategorized

Wines; Tasted! has published some additional details on Bresca’s new lunch service, including a photo of the menu and tasting notes from his lunch.

The sub was huge; rich, gooey, dripping with ricotta and stewed tomatoes.  The meatballs were only lightly spiced to show off the excellent elegant flavor of the meat.  By the time I’d finished that I was vaguely uncomfortably full and felt like a nap.  Best of all the menu seems really well priced.  $12 for a huge and delicious meatball sub consumed relaxing at Bresca seemed like a steal!