Maine Cookbooks, Becoming a Vegan, Old Port Wine Merchants

| Posted in General News, Profiles, Cooking

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes an article about 3 new Maine cookbooks,

Here’s a first look at the Standard Baking Book, followed by the latest on Maine home cooking from food writer and food historian Sandy Oliver, and a new cookbook featuring nearly 50 Portland restaurants from Margaret Hathaway and Karl Schatz.

a guide to eating vegan (with restaurant recommendations),

In the past month, I’ve had a host of people – old and young, men and women, professional chefs and novice cooks – ask for advice on how to eat a totally plant-based diet.

So it must be time to provide a basic starter kit on eating vegan in Maine.

and a profile of the Old Port Wine Merchants.

Owner Jacques de Villier loves wine and cigars but his true passion is people, and that’s what makes him the shopkeeper’s shopkeeper. He’s old school. Plenty of people open stores because they love their product or want money, but neither the product nor the cash is the heart and soul of it. Anyone who doesn’t like de Villier is a wretched misanthrope who needs serious professional help.

Starting a Food Blog

| Posted in General News

From Away has published a guide for aspiring food bloggers.

We’ve learned a lot, and we wanted to share some of the tips we’ve picked up along the way with anyone interested in either starting a site of their own, or improving their existing food blog. In this post, we’ll try to cover everything we’ve learned so far, in an effort to help both new aspiring food bloggers, as well as more established bloggers looking for ways to increase their revenue or improve their existing websites.

Beyond Portland: The Ramp, Long Grain, The Lost Kitchen, Conway & Burlington

| Posted in Reviews

As wonderful as the Portland food scene it’s not the only place in Maine to get a great meal. With heretical thought in mind, the goal for this month’s for the collaborative food blogging project was to leave our little food heaven and try out some restaurants elsewhere in Maine.

Edible Obsessions – Conway & Burlington

Apparently 3 1/2 hours of eating nothing but cheese just wasn’t enough for me because I felt compelled to order a ham and cheese crepe from The Skinny Pancake, a hip little creperie near the water. It was named ‘The Lumberjack’ and really should have tipped me off to how massive this was going to be. It was good, but it was so heavy that I got physically tired just trying to mow through it.… read the full article

From Away – Long Grain

The conclusion? This is eight tables (plus bar stools) of communal space, a place I want to go every chance I can, to eat everything I can and try to plan what is essentially the unknown path of my destiny. And you should, too.… read the full article

The Blueberry Files – The Ramp

Barring the miss on the fish and chips, we loved The Ramp for it’s funky atmosphere, lively bar, and creative but familiar menu. This place is worth seeking out – while you won’t necessarily avoid the crowds of Kennebunkport, the cluster of Adirondack chairs outside the busy restaurant encourage you to take a moment to have a drink and admire the harbor. … read the full article

Vin et Grub – The Lost Kitchen

There been a slight delay but we’ll add Vin et Grub’s review of The Lost Kitchen as soon as it’s published

While I do spend the vast majority of my Maine eating budget here in Portland I do get of town from time to time. My favorite spot so far is Francine Bistro in Camden. Chef/owner Brian Hill plates up some excellent creative dishes in a lively atmosphere. Also I had the chance earlier this Summer to sample the menu at Chase’s Daily in Belfast and am definitely looking forward to returning for a second act.

Apple Crop Down 30%

| Posted in Farming

MPBN is reporting that the 2012 Maine apple crop is “off by as much as 30 percent”.

The first hint of trouble for some orchards came back in March, when temperatures rose into the 80s in some parts of the state, shattering records. Apple trees started to bloom.

“And this was before the danger of the last freeze, so while they were in full bloom, or just around the time of full bloom, there was an event that killed flower buds,” says Renae Moran, tree fruit specialist at the University of Maine.

Maine Food Insecurity

| Posted in General News

Forecaster Columnist Edgar Allen Beem has written about hunger in Maine.

How bad is the problem of hunger in Maine? Mark Swann, Donna Yellen and Elena Schmidt, all of whom work on the front line of poverty at Preble Street Resource Center in Portland, contributed an article to the Winter/Spring 2011 issue of the “Maine Policy Review” on “Hunger in Maine.” They noted that “45 percent of Maine school children are eligible to receive a free or reduced lunch.”

Under Construction: Buck’s Naked BBQ

| Posted in Under Construction

According to the Forecaster, Buck’s Naked BBQ is planning to open their 3rd location in the Old Port at the former site of Havana South.

The Caisses said they had been looking for a new space for about 13 weeks.

“We’re highly motivated to get it open for the holidays,” Alex Caisse said. “All the guts are there, we just have to put our touch on it.”

Their existing restaurants, in Freeport and Windham, are each specialized to accommodate the clientele of the area, and the Wharf Street location will follow suit, they said.

This Week’s Events: L’Espalier, Kitchen Tour, Open Winery Day, Fresh from the Farm Dinner

| Posted in Events

Monday — Broadturn Farm is hosting a dinner catered by Aurora Provisions to benefit the Scarborough Land Trust’s Broadturn Fund.

Wednesday — chef Matthew Delisle from L’Espalier will prepare a 7-course dinner at Five Fifty-Five, there will be a cider and cheese tasting at the Public Market House and the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place.

Friday — white russians will no doubt be consumed in mass quantities at this year’s Viva Lebowski festival taking place at Bayside Bowl? It’s the first day of Cask Fest at Novare Res.

Saturday — the Cape Elizabeth Kitchen Tour is taking place, there will be a wine tasting at Kitchen & Cork, and the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place. It’s the last day of Cask Fest at Novare Res.

Sunday — it’s Open Winery Day in Maine, the 13th Annual Trail to Ale is taking place, Dan Agro is leading mushroom walk on the grounds of Evergreen Cemetery, the 5th Annual Eco Appetito is taking place and Kitchen & Cork is hosting a baking contest.

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.

Maine Home Cooking

| Posted in General News

Food Historian, Sandy Oliver, has authored a splendid new cook book, Maine Home Cooking. The book is packed with classic and more contemporary recipes as well as bits of food history, and guidance Oliver has gathered from home cooks all over the state. The publishers sent me an advance copy, and I had a lot of fun this weekend making the recipe for salmon in peas found in the chapter on classic Down East dishes.

For more information see this article in the Portsmouth Herald.

Review of Cockeyed Gull

| Posted in Reviews

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of the Cockeyed Gull on Peaks Island.

Chief asset is its waterfront location, with indoor and outside deck seating affording a spectacular view of Portland’s cityscape. For those wanting an easy evening (or brunch) adventure year-round, the trip to Peaks is fun — with the right attitude and the right company. Approach the menu with caution, and know that the results can be uneven.