The owners of Nosh are working on opening a new taco shop called Taco Esco Bar this June. It’s slated for a retail space across Congress Street from Nosh.
Taco Smackdown
3 of the judges conferring before making the final announcement.
A boisterous standing-room only crowd assembled at Nosh on Sunday for a Taco Smackdown between 12 Maine restaurants: 158 Pickett St Cafe, East Ender, El Camino, El Rayo, Havana South, Hugo’s, Novare Res, Rosemont Market, Taco Esco Bar, The Cheese Iron, Verbena, and Vignola.
158 Pickett St Cafe took home the trophy and bragging rights, with The Cheese Iron in 2nd place and Hugo’s in 3rd. As the winner, 158’s owner Josh Potocki got to select the the theme for May’s smackdown. Next month the crew will get together to see who can make the best fried chicken.
Starting in May, a limited number of tickets to the event will be available to the general public with proceeds donated to the Good Shepherd Food Bank.
This Week’s Events: Vrienden, 5-course Brunch, Food+Farm Preview
Tuesday — release day for Vrienden a collaboration between Allagash and New Belgium Brewing. Vrienden is brewed with dandelions and elderberry and described by Allagash as “tart, fruity, earthy”.
Wednesday — Grace will be comparing wines from the Rhone Valley and Paso Robles for the April edition of their wine club.
Thursday —Boston Beer Company will be featured at this week at The Great Lost Bear.
Saturday — the Winter Farmers Market is taking place at the Irish Heritage Center.
Sunday — Wine Wise the Chadwick Bed & Breakfast are collaborating to offer a 5-course cooking class, brunch with wine education event.
Food+Farm — the 2011 Food+Farm is taking place April 14-17. It starts on Thursday with a dramatic reading of the the play Of Farms and Fables, continues on Friday with an appearance by Anna Lappé from the Small Planet Institute. On Saturday morning F+F moves out to Cape Elizabeth to “wake up” the Cultivating Community farm and that evening they’ll be a screening of The Greenhorns followed by a discussion with the director. Food+Farm wraps up on Sunday with a pair of workshops on urban farming at the Urban Farm Fermentory. Visit the SPACE Gallery website for more information and to buy 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.
Make sure you come by and watch the debacle as Doug from SoPO learns that like his ponytai his Ettouffe is old and long gone and while talk is cheap it takes money to buy land and he’s broke.
Review of Eve’s at the Garden
Eve’s at the Garden received 3 stars from today’s review in the Maine Sunday Telegram.
One of my companions enjoys his pan-roasted swordfish steak ($24), cooked perfectly and simply seasoned. It’s placed over creamed spinach, and as such, the ensemble looks plainer than it tastes. A dash of a third color would help the plate.
China Taste Has Opened
China Taste, Portland’s newest Chinese restaurant, is now open for business. They’re located out on Washington Ave a few blocks short of the intersection with Allen Avenue.
Free Chocolate
Dean’s Sweets is “offering a free chocolate to anyone that comes into their store between now and Tax Day”.
Review of the Sicilian Slab
Vin et Grub has published a review of the Sicilian Slab from Micucci Grocery.
Food and Wine, as well as Bon Appetit, have insisted on making a trip into Miccuci’s if it’s your first time visiting Portland. I agree. It’s hard to imagine that it’s even legal- because I really feel like its too indulgent. But I think any first time visiter to Portland should split one with a friend, and ponder over whether or not it should be considered pizza. Maybe it’s a revolution in the making? Maybe I’m just a little too stuck up to classify it in my normal pizza category for fear that it will soon take Otto’s # 1 seat?
Dobra Tea Opening Today
Dobra Tea is scheduled to open at noon on Friday. The tea house is located in the same building on Middle Street as Anthony’s, Bull Moose and Videoport.
It’s in the retail space that was last occupied by Maple’s Organics.
March 2011 Monthly Stats
The 10 eateries looked up most often in March on Portland Food Map were:
- Petite Jacqueline (-)
- Pai Men Miyake (6)
- East Ender (1)
- Caiola’s (10)
- Bresca (4)
- Boda (15)
- District (2)
- Hugo’s (3)
- Bar Lola (5)
- Street & Co. (44)
The numbers in parentheses indicates their rank last month
Burger Review: Frog & Turtle
Chubby Werewolf has posted a review of the Jalbert Burger at The Frog and Turtle.
Though the burger and poutine combination made for a filling meal, it stopped well short of being a deeply satisfying one. That said, one of the things that I really liked about my experience was that the general manager’s business card came to me stapled to my receipt. I have not seen this done on many occasions, and I really like the fact that the Frog and Turtle staff is so outgoing. The Jalbert Burger may have left me wanting, but I’ll definitely be returning to the Frog and Turtle soon, thanks to the great atmosphere, the friendliness of the wait staff and the various other temptations found on the menu.