Venue Music Bar is now open for business. The bar/music venue is located at 865 Forest Ave, the former location of Mexico Lindo. The weekend’s line-up includes performances by VINX, Twiddle and Sean Chambers.
Changes at The French Press Eatery
The American Journal has a report on some changes afoot at The French Press Eatery. (via the Westbrook Diarist)
But now The French Press, run by Andre Tranchemontagne, the younger brother of the Frog & Turtle’s chef, James Tranchemontagne, has developed its own full-grown identity.
The French Press will continue to serve breakfast and lunch, but next week, starting Tuesday, July 13, it also will be open in the evenings serving dinner.
And coffee will no longer be the strongest tipple at The French Press – the eatery recently won approval from the city for a liquor license and has installed a full bar.
Saturday Events: SmuttFest & 2 Wine Tastings
Here are a few additional events taking place today:
- SmuttFest is taking place all day at Novare Res, 25 different beers from Smuttynose Brewing on tap and in cask
- Black Cherry Provisions is holding a wine tasting in Falmouth, 2-5 pm
- Rosemont Market on Brighton Ave is holding a South African wine tasting, 3-6 pm
Saturday Events: SmuttFest & 2 Wine Tastings
Here are a few additional events taking place today:
- SmuttFest is taking place all day at Novare Res, 25 different beers from Smuttynose Brewing on tap and in cask
- Black Cherry Provisions is holding a wine tasting in Falmouth, 2-5 pm
- Rosemont Market on Brighton Ave is holding a South African wine tasting, 3-6 pm
Tunisian Tasting@Vignola and Construction at Pai Men and Rosemont
PortlandTown has posted images of the Tunisian tasting at Vignola and the construction sites for the new Rosemont on Brighton and Miyake’s new noodle bar (shown here) that’s going in at 188 State Street in Longfellow Square.
Photo Credit: Michael Barriault
For more information on Rosemont’s expansion on Brighton see the Portland Daily Sun article published earlier this week.
It’s the kind of news that might cause Rosemont Market fans to panic — the mini-chain’s original Brighton Avenue store is closing.
But relax. The original shop is closing, but only to focus on food preparation while the retal operation is moving across the street, doubling its size and adding products.
Review of Pepperclub
Mitten Machen has published a review of the Pepperclub.
While a couple of the things we tried were disappointing, everything about our first visit to Pepperclub last November was incredible. I remember a spiced pumpkin curry with quinoa that was so simple, honest, and fresh, it had me wondering, again, why I hadn’t thought of it before. I also remember a bottle of St. Peter’s triple blonde ale…at least the beginning of it.
Though it’s not a a dedicated vegetarian restaurant, Pepperclub deserves four chickpeas. Even gluten-free vegans have choices here, and that’s a rare treat.
Kombucha Snafu
The Portland Daily Sun has published a report on one Mainer’s inadvertent impact on the US kombucha industry.
“Maine can take credit for the kombucha nationally being taken off the shelf,” said Chris Hallweaver, who thinks he might be personally responsible for sidelining the industry because he applied for a license to sell the drink commercially under the brand name “The Booch” with the Maine Department of Agriculture last December.
Sausage Showdown #3
The new issue of The Bollard also includes their 3rd Sausage Showdown.
So, to recap the results of Smokin’ Sausage Showdown III, in the Sweet Italian category, it’s a tie between Pat’s and Fresh Approach. Among the Hot Italians, Fresh Approach and Colucci’s tie for top honors. And in the Wild Card category, Pat’s wins by a snout (or, rather, a beak) with its mobbed-up chicken link.
Here are links to the 2009 and 2007 (part 1, part 2) Sausage Showdowns.
First Review of Local Sprouts Cafe
The Bollard has published the first review of Local Sprouts Cafe.
There are breakfasts out there that are bigger or fancier, but for fresh, local and organic food at prices on par with fast food and greasy spoons, there’s nothing even close to Local Sprouts Café around here. Leave your politics at the door and dig right in.
Beers of Maine: Sebago & Gritty's
Brews & Books blogger Josh Christie has continued his survey of Maine beer with an article about Sebago Brewing and Gritty McDuff’s.
For decades (two decades for Gritty’s, one for Sebago), the two breweries I’m looking at today have been staples in local pint glasses and refrigerators. Neither has quite the distribution around the US as an Allagash or a Shipyard, but it’s almost impossible to go to a bar in Maine and not see at least one tap devoted to Sebago and another to Gritty’s. Both also operate stellar brewpubs – bars with some of the best pub fare available in Maine.