Construction is proceeding at 9 Commercial Street on the future home of Crema the new coffee shop/bakery owned by Art Bannister and Cathy and John Walsh from Arabica.
Review of Pai Men Miyake
The Maine magazine blog has published a review of Pai Men Miyake.
It would appear that Pai Men has finally found its identity, and now lives in harmony with Miyake on Fore Street. Each restaurant offers an entirely different experience, and if it’s been awhile since you’ve dined at Pai Men, I urge you to see these changes for yourself. It is also worth noting that the kitchen now remains open until midnight Monday through Saturday, and nothing is better after a long restaurant shift than noodles and meat on a stick.
Review of Cobblestones
Edible Obsessions has posted a review of Cobblestones.
Perfectly peppered and tender Pastrami was definitely the star, cut thick and piled generously on the rye. And, c’mon, who in their right mind DOESN’T like Marbled Rye? If that’s you, then you’re no friend of mine. The onions were a bit of a throw away for me, though they did add a nice sweetness against the biting whole grain mustard.
This Week’s Events: Sparking Wine Dinner, UFF Workshops, Winter Farmers Market
Tuesday — award winning sommelier Scott Tyree and Bar Lola are collaborating on a Sparkling Wine Dinner, and the Urban Farm Fermentory is running a mushroom growing workshop.
Wednesday — a wine tasting is taking place at Old Port Wine Merchants.
Thursday — the Urban Farm Fermentory is teaching a kombucha brewing class, the Great Lost Bear weekly showcase is featuring beer from Bray’s Brew Pub, and there will be a wine and cheese tasting at the Public Market House.
Friday — a wine tasting is taking place Rosemont on Brighton.
Saturday — a second wine tasting is taking place at Rosemont Market and it’s the first Winter Farmers Market of the season.
Sunday — the maiden voyage of The Corner Room’s new Sunday Brunch service.
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.
Review of Bresca
Vin et Grub has posted a review of last month’s Rocky IV Estonian wine dinner at Bresca.
A decadent softened quails egg topped with American caviar was a nice and cool way to start off the evening. Despite the cold serving temperature and it’s slight conflict with the texture of the quail’s egg, I was more than pleased with the dish as a whole. The caviar added the right amount of saltiness and the potato countered that flavor with it’s smokey flavor. The creamed ruby chard was the highlight of the dish in my opinion- beautifully soft, slightly warmed, and borderline ambrosial, I couldn’t have imagined a better way to prepare chard.
Drinking Culture
An article in Sunday’s Boston Globe reports on “Maine’s new drinking culture”. John Myers, Hugo’s, Blue Spoon and the Urban Farm Fermentory are all mentioned. (via Edible Obsessions)
John Myers, a traditional saloonist and cocktail historian, tends bar at The Grill Room, a steakhouse with a wood-burning grill in the center of the Old Port here. Myers, looking like a Wild West gunslinger with his wool vest and bushy beard, stands in the lamplight – a sommelier of cocktails ready to shake or stir.
Review of Saeng Thai House
Saeng Thai House received 4 stars from a review in today’s Maine Sunday Telegram.
Saeng Thai House is an easily overlooked Portland treasure. The employees are friendly and knowledgeable, and their attention to the smallest details is impressive. Enjoy the food either in the cozy dining room or at home on your couch. If you are craving good-value, fresh-tasting Thai cuisine, start at Saeng Thai House. (And make sure to try the noodles. Barry White is optional.)
The Edge Open
The Edge, a new bar run by the owners of the Spring Point Tavern in South Portland, has opened at 420 Fore Street. According to an article in this weekend’s Portland Daily Sun the bar had a soft opening on Black Friday and is planning a Grand Opening for January 7.
Reviews of the Old Port Sea Grill and Five Fifty-Five
From Away has published a review of the Old Port Sea Grill,
At The Old Port Sea Grill, small plates of super fresh seafood reign supreme. The entrees, though we only saw a very limited sampling, seemed uninspired, or maybe too inspired. Too many cooks, perhaps, trying to please too many lonely palates. But you could totally curate a meal from appetizers and such and be happy. I was. Contented, full, flushed and rosy as we left, thinking old Commercial Street is a lovely place to visit.
and the Bowdoin Orient has published a review of Five Fifty-Five.
If you enjoy a good meal, try and make the trip out to Portland; the restaurants are worth it and Five Fifty-Five should be at the top of your list.
Review of Schulte & Herr
Schulte & Herr received 5 stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.
We also ordered one of the most tempting things on the menu: Potato pancakes served with house-cured lox (cured with orange juice, sugar and salt), horseradish sauce, capers, radish and cornichons ($9).
My friend raved over the house-cured lox, which was plentiful on the plate and light on the tongue. The potato pancakes were crispy on the outside without being greasy or overdone, and soft and creamy inside. Paired with a bite of the salmon, a few bits of radish or capers and a smear of the horseradish sauce, these pancakes were a little bit of heaven.