Myers-Briggs Restaurant Recommendations

| Posted in Reviews

Need advice on where to eat out today? Social Cureats may have the answer for you. The site has created a list of Portland restaurant recommendations, each tied to a specific Myers-Briggs personality type. For those that don’t know their INTJ from an ESFP the blog links to a site where you can do a self evaluation.

The Mastermind (INTJ)
You’re wicked innovative and enjoy formulating strategies to solve problems.  You have seriously high standards, both for yourself and for others, and you’re not interested in dealing with people who you don’t see as your intellectual equal.  You are, however,  interested in constantly improving yourself and learning more about everything, and you like in-depth rather than superficial involvement with things.  Your Portland restaurant would have to be 555.  Go for the $60 tasting menu, which changes daily, and let your taste buds and neurons be tantalized as you analyze the bizarre and delicious flavor combinations, and muse over how the mousse, foam or gel on your plate was created.

Review of Tandoor

| Posted in Reviews

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Tandoor.

Tandoor is not haute cuisine, nor is it fusion of the month. Are there other Indian restaurants using ingredients with more subtle, layered flavors and more delicate preparations? For sure. But Tandoor delivers what it promises, and has done so for years: No-frills, consistent, tasty comfort standards in a fun space. I hope it continues to do so for many years to come.

Eatocracy @ The Holy Donut

| Posted in Profiles

Eatocracy has published an article about The Holy Donut.

“I’m trying to convince myself it’s not a sin to eat donuts,” says regular Nathan Hagelin as he takes the first bite of the shop’s seasonal apple cider flavor.

“Everybody wants it. They think they can’t have it, but we tell them they can,” says owner Leigh Kellis. Traditionally the poster child of unhealthy treats, donuts here are made with all natural colors and flavors, local Maine ingredients and no preservatives.

Review of Schulte & Herr

| Posted in Reviews

Portland Magazine has published a review of Schulte & Herr.

We tip Saturday night on end with sips of  the Gerwurtztraminer we couldn’t resist bringing (for now, it is BYOB here, with a full bar under consideration). The wine’s light citrus flavors  complement our appetizers: Zwiebelkuchen–a caramelized onion and gruyère tart ($5), and smoked trout ($7). More like a quiche in texture, with an amazing custard-like filling, the tart is a knockout. The trout’s flavors hit a perfect harmony with accompanying arugula, tiny slivers of radish, crisp pickled beets, and potato slices, flavorfully dressed.

Interview with Bartender Guy Streitburger

| Posted in People

Eater Maine has published an interview with Gingko Blue bartender Guy Streitburger.

What do you think of current cocktail trends? Are there some that you just say “no,” I’m not doing that?
The more weird trends there are, it makes people want to explore and try out all kinds of new things. I’m not a fan of fruity/sweet cocktails but some customers like those drinks, so I have to be able to make them. A sour apple martini is like fingernails on a chalkboard for me and for the longest time I didn’t carry anything apple so I could just say no. But now, if you really want it that badly, I’ll make it.

Restaurant Inspector Reassigned (Updated)

| Posted in General News

According to a report from the Munjoy Hill News, city health inspector Michele Sturgeon is no longer inspecting restaurants for Portland.

D. Michele Sturgeon, CFPM, CPO and Portland’s Health Inspector is no longer inspecting  Portland restaurants.  Instead, State Health Inspectors are doing the work for which Sturgeon was hired last year – she’d been on the job just over a year when the change was made…

Update: Both the Press Herald and the Bangor Daily News are now reporting that Sturgeon is going on medical leave and that the change in responsibilities is temporary.

Portland’s health inspector is going on a medical leave that is unrelated to her high-profile work inspecting and shutting down several city restaurants for code violations.

Interview with Whitney Reynolds

| Posted in People

Dispatch has published an interview with Brian Boru bartender Whitney Reynolds.

Thoughts on the term mixologist?
Well my idea of a mixologist is a little different. To me it’s mixing everything that goes into bartending, which is creating a certain atmosphere. I’ve always worked at places where it’s not so much about making this amazing drink that you’ve never had before that you can’t get anywhere else. It’s more about knowing who’s walking in the door, knowing their name, and having their drink on the bar by the time they get to you.

Maine Beer Tours

| Posted in Beer

Eat Maine has published a report of a recent trip with Maine Beer Tours.

The most obvious appeal of taking a bus when visiting 3-4 stops over an afternoon is that it eliminates any demand for getting behind the wheel, allowing for unfettered enjoyment of the plethora of beers that will be sampled. In addition to longtime Portland staples like Allagash and Shipyard, there is a new wave of brewers that are currently redefining the industry, like Rising Tide and Maine Beer Company.