Maine at Work: Raking Blueberries

For the latest installment of the Press Herald Maine at Work series, reporter Ray Routhier learns how to rake wild blueberries at Hart’s Clary Hill Farm near Union.

Powers runs a blueberry farm that his wife’s family started in the 1930s. The land had originally been a sheep farm, but is now turning out one of Maine’s most iconic crops — wild blueberries.

The challenges to growing blueberries begin with the fact that they are wild, Powers tells me. You don’t plant them, you can’t decide where they’ll grow. This makes weeding or treating them with herbicides tricky. And it makes picking them — on rocky hillsides for instance — tricky as well.

This Week’s Events: Fermentation Class, Twilight Dinner, Latte Art Throwdown, Bibo’s Wine Dinner

WednesdayUrban Farm Fermentory is teaching a vegetable fermentation workshop, and the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place.

ThursdayGuy Hernandez from Bar Lola is the guest chef at this week’s Twilight Dinner, Bard Coffee is hosting the monthly latte art throwdown, Browne Trading is holding a wine tasting, the Great Lost Bear is featuring beer from Moat Mountain Smoke House at this week’s brewery showcase, and the South Portland Farmers Market is taking place in the afternoon.

FridayBiBo’s Mad Apple Cafe is holding a wine dinner and there will be a wine tasting at Rosemont on Brighton Ave.

Saturday — the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place.

Sunday — Ed Foley, baker and co-owner of Foley’s Bakery will be on Channel 8’s morning cooking show Keithley in the Kitchen.

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 Miyake

Joe Ricchio has written a review of the new Miyake for Maine magazine’s new blog.

After personally spending some of the best years of my restaurant career happily employed at the old location, I have to admit that I didn’t want to like the new concept. Though I, and many others, will always miss Spring Street, I can safely say that Miyake has grown up and is moving in a positive new direction.

This is one of the greatest dining experiences in Maine.

Review of Fez

Maine Travel Maven has posted a review of Fez.

One taste, and I was planning my return. In a former life, I pursued a graduate degree in Middle Eastern studies, and during that time, I learned what falafel should taste like. This was it. Falafel at it’s most basic is deep-fried chickpeas, but getting the seasoning and textures right can be a challenge. All too often it’s dry and virtually tasteless. No so Fez’s version, which is served on a salad of greens with tomatoes dressed with an herbed tahini dressing that enhanced the flavors. Hands down, this was the best falafel I’ve had in Maine.

Review of Paciarino

Eat Here, Go There has published a review of Paciarino.

All in all, great food with great friends on a great night! All the dishes were rich, flavorful and authentically fresh. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who is looking for Italian food made from farm fresh ingredients at a reasonable price. Seriously, just make a reservation already!

Review of the White Cap Grille

Chubby Werewolf has posted a review of the White Cap Grille.

Luckily my #5 burger was much better than the soup. Big and juicy, and accompanied by enough french fries to build a small house with, it looked quite good. Lifting off the top bun, I could see that the kitchen had not skimped on any of the toppings. A layer of melted swiss cheese covered much of the patty, providing a gooey canvas for a robust offering of sautéed mushrooms and onions. At the top of the heap sat two strips of thick-cut bacon. As I cut my dense burger patty in half, I was delighted to see that it was perfectly cooked, with just the right amount of pink inside. That said, I did find that the meat—while wonderfully succulent—was a little bit underseasoned, though the bacon (and a little help from my salt shaker) helped to remedy that.

Review of East End Cupcakes

The Examiner has published a review of East End Cupcakes.

But please, don’t just take the baker’s (or this reporter’s) word for it…taste these tesori (treasures!) and find out for yourself. You’ll be hooked. First time at the shop? Try the Chocolate with Salted Caramel Frosting…you will be transported.  Which cupcakes have the Italian Buttercream frosting? If in doubt, you could always ask the nice lady behind the counter, right? Otherwise, if you’re the shy type, the Italian Buttercream is the default frosting (except for the Red Velvet and the Smore’s varieties) for the baker.