Reviews of Havana South and Nosh

| Posted in Reviews

One for the Table has published a review of Nosh,

These tasty morsels surpassed my expectations and I would eat them everyday if I had the opportunity. Perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, with ketchup or their chipotle mayo, I could have skipped the sandwiches and been perfectly satisfied. One of the best things I’ve put in my mouth this year. They should sell little containers of the Bacon Dust. They’d make a killing.

and Portland Bar Guide has published a review of Havana South.

There’s no doubt that Havana South is classy and word is spreading fast about the atmosphere, food and specialty drinks. Highly recommended for date night, sophisticated family gatherings and happy hour with your girl friend.

Second Act for Tom Yordprom

| Posted in People

Today’s Portland Daily Sun includes an interview with the owner of Yordprom Coffee.

The coffeeshop is Tom [Yordprom]’s second act. His first was Siam Restaurant, the highly regarded “nouveau” Thai restaurant on Fore Street which he operated for nearly nine years, until the relentless schedule wore him down. It’s been a year since he traded his chef’s knife and wok for an espresso machine and he’s finally succumbed to the insistent requests of customers and friends. His Thai food specialties are now on the menu: Asian Noodle Salad, Thai Spring Rolls, soups and curries.

GMRI Seafood Labeling Program

| Posted in Fisheries

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute is setting up a program to label local sustainable seafood, according to a report from Working Waterfront.

To meet GMRI’s criteria, the seafood must be traced to the Gulf of Maine region. In addition, there are requirements for responsible harvest and traceability for wild seafood, including maintaining sustainable practices in the fisheries, ensuring stock sizes are below management target levels and enforcement on general regulations. The criteria for farmed seafood is to ensure indigenous marine life and its environment is not threatened as well as recorded data for amounts of feed, frequency of cleaning, inspections and maintenance.

Reviews: Blue Spoon, Salt Exchange, Kon Asian Bistro

| Posted in Reviews

Maine Travel Maven published a review of The Salt Exchange.

I went with the duck sliders paired with the cioppino; my lunch date chose the brie and the pumpkin-lobster bisque. We substituted orders of house-made truffle chips and caper chips for the plain ole regular variety. The chips arrived first, and I would have munched happily on these all day. The truffle won, but the caper flavor was darn close.

Appetite Portland published a review of Blue Spoon,

I want to love Blue Spoon. Menu items are creative and fairly priced. Produce and meats seem local and fresh. Service is friendly and fast. And yet – more often than not – I’m perplexed and underwhelmed by the culinary execution.

and From Away has published a review of Kon Asian Bistro.

It doesn’t bring us any joy to give a restaurant a negative review…If what you are after, though, is any kind of acceptable take on Chinese, Thai, or Japanese food, or even any kind of self-aware, kitschy “Asian fusion” cuisine, you are going to be sorely disappointed in Kon. It is, quite simply, really bad food.

This Week's Events

| Posted in Events

Monday — Haven’s is holding their annual Open House at the Westbrook location; tour the candy factory, make your own candy and try samples.
Wednesday — Wine Wise is teaching the second of 2 classes on sparkling wine at The Wine Bar, and RSVP is having a wine tasting.
Thursday — Andy Crouch, author of The Good Beer Guide to New England and Great American Craft Beer will be at The Great Lost Bear for a book signing.
Friday — The James Beard Foundation will start accepting nominations for the 2011 JBF awards.
Saturday — there will be a cooking class at Kitchen & Cork in Scarborough.
Farmer’s Markets — the traditional series of Farmer’s Markets are taking place Wednesday (Monument Square) and Saturday (Deering Oaks Park). Cultivating Community is running their new series of markets Wednesday and Thursday at various locations around the city.
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.

This Week’s Events

| Posted in Events

Monday — Haven’s is holding their annual Open House at the Westbrook location; tour the candy factory, make your own candy and try samples.

Wednesday — Wine Wise is teaching the second of 2 classes on sparkling wine at The Wine Bar, and RSVP is having a wine tasting.

Thursday — Andy Crouch, author of The Good Beer Guide to New England and Great American Craft Beer will be at The Great Lost Bear for a book signing.

Friday — The James Beard Foundation will start accepting nominations for the 2011 JBF awards.

Saturday — there will be a cooking class at Kitchen & Cork in Scarborough.

Farmer’s Markets — the traditional series of Farmer’s Markets are taking place Wednesday (Monument Square) and Saturday (Deering Oaks Park). Cultivating Community is running their new series of markets Wednesday and Thursday at various locations around the city.

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 Otto/Enzo Pizza

| Posted in Reviews

The Blueberry Files has published a review of Otto/Enzo Pizza.

I was so happy when Otto Pizza came to town. Before their arrival, I didn’t have a good go-to slice bar in town, having been disappointed with Bill’s Pizza and not loving the New York Slice Bar. But Otto changed my pizza life- I love their pizza and want to eat it all the time. OK, I’m exaggerating, but it is the perfect place to stop whenever you’re out with friends on the First Friday Art Walk, out drinking, or just want to have a good, no frills dinner.