Three businesses are newly added to the Food Map:
Portland Daily Sun columnist Natalie Ladd has published some observations on recent hiring patterns at Portland area restaurants.
So, out we went this past Sunday and I look at these mini-adventures as research/business mixed with pleasure, while my BFF feels like she’s out on furlough. Mindset aside, what really struck me on our three-stop outing is how many brand new faces are working in old familiar haunts. I found this a bit disconcerting and struck up a conversation with a bartender who has landed a killer full time job in a well known, upscale Old Port hot spot that features a great cheese list, accompanied by an overpriced yet well designed and crafted extensive cocktail and wine list.
The Press Herald has published a review of Mom’s Cafe.
There’s a lot of secret little places around Portland that hungry office workers know about but are hidden from the general public. The cafe in city hall used to be one of those places, but it’s now gotten enough ink that it can no longer be considered a secret.
Mom’s Cafe is another one of those places.
Also in today’s paper is an article about how this year’s highly variable weather is impacting Maine farmers.
It started in March with temperatures that soared into the 70s and 80s, dipped to freezing levels in April and was followed by heavy rain in May and June.
The National Weather Service in Gray recorded 11.03 inches of rain in June, almost 7 inches above average.
Map & Menu has published a brief review of The Good Table.
Meredith had the Salmon special (which I tasted and almost stole out from under her), and I had the Mixed Grill – a collection of barbecue ribs, grilled tips, and loukanico. Our meals were delicious as always, but our desserts were simply outstanding.
The Food and Dining section in today’s paper includes a caution about the introduction of genetically modified sweet corn in Maine and guidance on where to locate organic/non-GMO sweet corn.
This summer marks the first time that Monsanto’s Bt sweet corn has been approved for planting in Maine. Unlike genetically modified field corn, which farmers in Maine and across the country have been growing for years as livestock feed, sweet corn is intended for human consumption.
The Food and Dining section also includes advice and recipes from local chefs and food purveyors in putting together your Summer picnic basket.
The Golden Dish has published a review of Eventide Oyster Co.
For entrees we had the roasted seaweed-wrapped branzino and the grilled Nova Scotia swordfish belly. These were two of the best seafood entrees I’ve had in Portland. Whole fish is a pain to dissect but I lifted the central bone off easily and the fish was incredibly moist. The accompanying wheat berry salad, broccoli rabe and lemon confit added essential elements of flavor.
The Portland Phoenix has published a comparative review of Gorgeous Gelato and Gelato Fiasco.
These life-cycle complexities emerge in the taste and texture of the gelato itself. The essence comes down to this: Gorgeous Gelato offers a creamier, more mouth-coating gelato, while Fiasco offers something slightly denser and more flavor-intense. The reason is simple: Gorgeous uses some cream in its mix, and Fiasco relies on whole milk alone.
A Chinese restaurant called Zen Bistro is under construction at 45 Danforth Street in the space occupied until recently by District. The building has been bought by the owners of Mediterranean Grill in Freeport. They hope to open Zen Bistro later this Summer.
Monday — the full City Council will review the proposed food truck regulations (page 78). This is the first review, a final vote will take place at the City Council meeting on July 16.
Tuesday — the owner of MDI Ice Cream will be on the TV show The View, and the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place on Tuesday to avoid conflict with the 4th of July holiday on Wednesday.
Wednesday — the Great American Ice Cream Fest all-you-can-eat ice cream event will be happening on the Eastern Prom.
Thursday — Cultivating Community’s first Twilight Dinner of the summer is taking place at their farm in Cape Elizabeth (tickets available online).
Friday — there will be a wine tasting at West End Deli and a bourbon tasting at The Salt Exchange.
Saturday — the Bier Cellar is holding their Grand Opening, there will be wine tastings at Rosemont on Brighton and LeRoux Kitchen, and the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place.
Bastille Day Feast — Devenish Wines and Cultivating Community with the help of chefs Brad Messier, David Levi, and Philippe Donald are putting together this 4-course menu built around a pig roast to celebrate Bastille Day on July 14. The cost is $48 per person. You can buy tickets online at Brown Paper Tickets.
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.
The 10 eateries looked up most often in June on Portland Food Map were:
The numbers in parentheses indicates their rank last month.