The 2011 issue of the Opinionated About Dining restaurant guide has included several Portland restaurants in its list of top dining destinations in America. Miyake, Hugo’s and Fore Street were all listed in the Highly Recommended category, as was Suzuki Sushi Bar in Rockland. Both Aurora Provisions and Duckfat were recognized in the guide’s list of the Top 25 Inexpensive Dining destinations in the US. (via Rabelais)
Under Construction: White Cap Grille
Today’s Portland Daily Sun reports that the White Cap Grille will take over the space being vacated by Sebago Brewing at 164 Middle Street. Sebago is moving into the new hotel on Fore Street.
White Cap Grille is a spinoff of the Black Cap Grille, located in North Conway, N.H. at the intersection of routes 16 and 302 between EMS and L. L. Bean in the Settlers’ Crossing shopping plaza.
Mister’s A-List
Mister Meatball has posted his list of the best restaurants on the peninsula.
This Week’s Events: End of an Era, Dave Geary, Cellardoor, Peter Weygandt, Intro to Tea
Monday — the last day of the Annual Spring Book Sale at Rabelais.
Tuesday — Sebago Brewing is throwing an End of the Era Party to mark the close of their time at 164 Middle Street. Sebago will soon be moving their Portland brew pub to the new hotel under construction on Fore Street.
Wednesday — Havana South is holding their monthly wine club, there will be a beer tasting at RSVP, and the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place.
Thursday — Dave Geary will be at The Great Lost Bear for the bar’s weekly brewery showcase, David’s is holding a wine dinner featuring Maine’s Cellardoor Winery, and the Relish Cooking Show is taking place at the Portland Expo. Chef Frank Giglio will be teaching the first class of the Maine RealFood Project.
Friday — a tasting featuring wines from Weygandt-Metzler is taking place at Rosemont on Brighton. Peter Weygandt will be attending the event.
Saturday — cheesemaker Barb Skalpa from Echo Ridge Organic Cheese in Mt. Vernon, Maine will be at Rosemont for a tasting, the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place.
Sunday — Chefs Rob Evans and Sam Hayward will be preparing a multi-course dinner at Hugo’s to benefit Share Our Strength. Dobra is teaching an Intro to Tea class and there will be a mushroom growing workshop at the Urban Farm Fermentory.
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.
Chicken Smackdown
Staff from 7 Portland restaurants gathered at 158 Pickett Street Cafe for the third edition of the Smackdown competition: 158 Pickett St Cafe, East Ender, Hot Suppa, Hugo’s, Nosh, The Cheese Iron, and The Great Lost Bear. The key this month was chicken, chicken banh mi, fried chicken, chicken pate, etc.
Hugo’s won the competition, East Ender was in 2nd place and Nosh (my personal favorite this month) took third. With the busy tourist season soon to start the Smackdown is on vacation until September when it will be hosted at Hugo’s. The topic for the September competition is TBD.
Review of Petite Jacqueline
The Blueberry Files has published a review of Petite Jacqueline.
Petit Jacqueline focuses on French classics- without a twist, just straight-up. I heard someone describe the menu as entry level culinary school ‘French Cooking 101,’ which, to me, is not a detraction. In Portland, there are very few ‘classics’ in the new restaurant category- everyone is reaching for something new. But Steve and Michelle Correy (of five-fifty five) are turning out classics that are simple and good, and can be unexpected if you (like me) are not too familiar with well-executed French classics.
Under Construction: Gingko Blue, Wild Burgers, Cobblestone’s, East End Cupcakes, Taco Trio and Bathras
Here’s a few under construction updates:
- The soup and sandwich cafe taking the place of Henry VIII’s on Monument Square is slated to be called Cobblestone’s.
- The cupcakery under construction on Fore Street has changed its name from Buttercup to East End Cupcakes.
- Gingko Blue is getting set to open. Portland Daily Photo has posted a nice pic of the entrance. If you happen to be in the Old Port at night stop by and look in the window. The bar literally glows blue and white.
- The eatery replacing Stir Crazy on Congress Street will be called Wild Burgers and Burritos. Presumably it’s the new location and concept for Wild Burritos.
- Taco Trio at 119 Ocean Street in South Portland is scheduled to open on Monday at 11 am.
- After a 22 year hiatus, the Bathras Market reopened this past week in South Portland’s Willard Square.
Annual Rabelais Spring Book Sale
If you love food and books be sure to swing by 86 Middle Street today for the Annual Rabelais Spring Book Sale. There will be bargain books priced at $1, $3 and $5, and everything else in the store except for their rare books will be on sale for 40% off. The sale runs Saturday through Monday.
Review of The Salt Exchange
The Golden Dish has published a review of The Salt Exchange.
I won’t keep you in suspense.. The food is exceptional. Small-plate madness aside, the fare at the Salt Exchange is not as strictly diminutive as other trendy strongholds. Only five courses are offered: Small Bites, Soups, Cold Plates, Hot Plates, plus a dessert list.
Yet there is the option, if one must, to eat lightly and less expensively by ordering, for instance, two cold plates, a few Bites, and a sweet.
But who wants to give an inventive menu short shrift?
Review of The SoPo
From Away has published a review of The SoPo.
The entire experience ended up being fairly underwhelming. “Maine ‘Q” was what was advertised, and it’s what we got. It certainly wasn’t the worst barbecue from recent memory, served by an energetic, caring staff, in a family-friendly setting. But as Jillian and I sat in the car afterward, digesting silently, we knew we wouldn’t ever feel the urge to come back.