In her first year in competition Bard Coffee barista Shana Natelson made it to Round 4 of this year’s Coffee Fest Latte Art Championships in New York City this weekend before loosing to competitor from Hong Kong.
Ruth G. Leadbetter, 92
Ruth Leadbetter passed away on Friday at the age of 92. Mrs. Leadbetter and her husband founded The Lobster Shack at Two Lights in 1969.
Ruth and Jim opened The Lobster Shack at Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth in 1969. In the early 1970’s they opened The Candle Shack, a gift shop next door to the restaurant. These two businesses became a destination point for visitors and locals alike each summer. In 2009 the family was honored to receive the Maine Family-Owned Business of the Year Award. Ruth and Jim continued to run The Candle Shack until his death in 2010.
For more information on the Leadbetters and The Lobster Shack read the article in Monday’s Press Herald.
Breakfast Cook-off
Today’s Press Herald and Portland Daily Sun contain reports on this year’s Incredible Breakfast Cook-off.
The Good Table competed to successfully defend its title, having taken people’s choice the past two years with its Crème Brulee French Toast. First and second runners-up were Sea Dog and Bintliff’s Restaurant, Oqunquit.
Reviews: Commercial St Pub, Sebago’s, David’s, Asylum, Binga’s
The Bollard has published a review of the Commercial Street Pub,
“I’m making real food,” said Allex. “I think about it 24/7.” In addition to the meat dishes, Allex makes breads and desserts, though these aren’t on the pub’s menu. He can butcher with the best of ’em. Given a pig, he’ll make use of “everything but the oink.” Depending on the season or Allex’s inspiration, house-made schnitzels and sausages and seafood dishes show up on the chalkboard.
There’s only one way to find out what he’s cooking from day to day: stop in, take a seat and prepare to be amazed.
and a bar review of Sebago Brewing Company.
You could meet up with a large group of friends at Sebago and be assured that everyone would find something to their liking. It’s the type of safe restaurant you might take your parents to, or a blind date. But with so many other choices on the peninsula — establishments with distinctive atmospheres, refined cocktails and meals you’ll remember long afterward — Sebago is not a destination for a memorable evening.
And the team from Burger Meister Meister has published reviews of the Burgers at David’s, Asylum and Binga’s Stadium.
Reviews of Hot Suppa and White Cap Grille
The Press Herald has published a review of Hot Suppa,
There’s a lot of reasons people in Portland love going to Hot Suppa.
Here’s one of them: My breakfast arrived on a big blue platter in what seemed like two minutes flat, and didn’t taste like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for hours. It was fresh, hot and delicious.
and a bar review of the White Cap Grille.
I appreciated that, despite the late hour and the number of customers he had to tend to, the bartender was very attentive to each and every customer he had. He checked in a couple of times as we sipped our drinks and ate our meals.
While I’m a fan of Sebago’s food and drinks, White Cap Grille is a nice addition to the Old Port bar scene.
Also in today’s paper is the latest installment of the What Ales You column.
Mr. Sandwich and Mrs. Muffin
Today’s Portland Daily Sun includes an update on Mr. Sandwich and Mrs. Muffin in Bramhall Square.
Starting their third year, the restaurant is owned, managed and operated by Susan [Denyer] and her daughters, Brena and Kathleen. “We’ll be introducing an electric grill and new items including French toast since now we’ll be baking our own bread. Oh and ice cream, which is almost impossible to find in the West End. We’ll be serving sundaes and think it’ll go over well.”
First Meeting of Food Truck Taskforce
The Munjoy Hill News has published a report on the first meeting of Portland’s Food Truck Task Force.
Proximity to restaurants and other businesses in the city was the focus of the discussion . . . Experienced food cart operator Ron Gan tried to assure Dick A. Grotton, President & CEO of Maine Restaurant Association and Steve DiMillo, DiMillo’s Floating Restaurant, that they won’t be overun by food trucks. “There is not enough business for all of them out there. It’s too expensive. I understand the concern of the ‘bricks & mortar’ people, but people prefer them. Don’t get too worried that several food trucks will hurt restaurants,” he cautioned them.
Review of Eve’s
The Golden Dish has published a review of Eve’s at the Garden.
I started off with lollipop lamb chops, which are cut from the rack. These were a bit larger than they should have been since the eye of the rib would have been preferable. Nonetheless they were beautifully seasoned, tender and cooked perfectly pink (though I wasn’t asked how I wanted my lamb); the dipping sauces of hummus and red pepper offered sweet Mediterranean nuances.
Under Construction: Sebastians LLC & Rising Tide
Here are a couple new items under construction:
- A company called Sebastians LLC has rented the restaurant space located at 339 Fore Street that has in the past been the home of Apsara, Shima and Siam Grille. There’s no word yet on what type of restaurant Sebastians LLC plans on opening.
- Rising Tide Brewing has leased 5,500 square feet of space on Fox Street, They’ll be moving their brewing operation into Bayside from the Industrial Way.
Review of The Salt Exchange
Instant Portland has published a review of The Salt Exchange.
Overall, although it is not my favorite restaurant in Portland (there are so many choices, after all) our Restaurant Week excursion to The Salt Exchange was a delightful evening filled with great, memorable food. We never felt rushed, we were all excited by the choices and flavors available, and everyone at the table walked away satisfied. I’d be interested to try their lunch menu, and I do feel that they are unpretentious enough to make a comfortable “fancy” dinner choice for anyone here visiting the city. Despite the white tablecloths, this isn’t a place where you are expected to have a suit jacket or pearls.