US Airways, Woman’s Day

The Press Herald reports on Portland’s food scene appearing the recent issues of the US Airways in-flight magazine and Woman’s Day.

Just in time for the summer tourist season, two national publications — Woman’s Day magazine and U.S. Airways Magazine, an in-flight periodical — have singled out Portland for special attention.

While both articles make some specific recommendations they’ve gone in different directions. The one restaurant that they both mention is Five Fifty-Five.

http://www.pressherald.com/life/local-flavor-puts-portland-in-national-travel-spotlight_2010-06-12.html

Lobstering Ban in S. New England Considered

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is mulling a 5 year ban on lobstering south of Cape Cod to rebuild stocks.

The area once accounted for as much as a quarter of the Northeast’s total catch, but it’s just 5 to 7 percent today. The population peaked in the late 1990s at an estimated 35 million lobsters, but the stock plummeted to around 13 million by 2003. Scientists have never pinpointed a cause, but possible culprits include overfishing, an oil spill in Rhode Island in 1996, a disfiguring shell disease, and pesticide-polluted runoff.

Sauerkraut Bake-Off

The Blueberry Files has published her tasting notes from a “Kraut-Off” between the sauerkrauts from Morse’s (available at Rosemont?) and Thirty Acre Farm (available at the Farmers Market).

Morse’s sauerkraut is more mild than TAF’s version. It is slightly more vinegary, less salty, and doesn’t have too much of an aftertaste. It’s super crunchy and juicy; very fresh tasting. It certainly doesn’t pack the punch of the garlic sour pickles, which get you in the same spot that Sour Warheads candy do.

Kamasouptra Review

Kamasouptra has received 4½ stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.

The gazpacho was made with tomatillos, cucumber, various peppers, olive oil, cilantro and red wine vinegar. The combination was great. Even though it was smooth, it was filling. All the soups come with a pretty good-sized crusty roll, which was fluffy and fresh.

The paper also launched a new beer column today. Author Tom Atwell put together a survey of local summer brews.

Christian and I had a hard time deciding which we liked best, and finally said that if we were having a party of regular people, we would serve the Shipyard. If the guests were beer snobs, it would be the Casco Bay.

Review of Katahdin

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Katahdin.

An appetizer of Maine shrimp and corn cakes was expertly done. Just enough of a lime crème fraiche was drizzled over the cakes to cut the sweetness of the corn and shrimp with some creaminess and sour, without making things soggy. The exterior offered a nice crunch, but the oil did not invade the interior. The plate was sprinkled with many more juicy-sweet little shrimp.

How to Eat Dessert & Monday Farmers Market

Wednesday’s Portland Daily Sun includes a report on the Monday Farmers Market,

Hopes are high that a new Monday farmers’ market in Monument Square can succeed where others have failed, including an effort last year that fizzled after only one vendor showed up.

This year is doing better, thanks in large part to a market manager being in the right place at the right time.

and a column from Natalie Ladd on her inherited love of dessert which is peppered with recommendations on where to go for a good final (or only) course.

Dessert is a subject I take very seriously, and it requires great restraint for me pass it up. As a diner, it’s often the shining highlight or disappointing deal breaker of any meal. As a restaurant person, it’s a great way to build up the average check by up-selling and padding the check, resulting in more money for house and server.

How to Eat Dessert & Monday Farmers Market

Wednesday’s Portland Daily Sun includes a report on the Monday Farmers Market,

Hopes are high that a new Monday farmers’ market in Monument Square can succeed where others have failed, including an effort last year that fizzled after only one vendor showed up.

This year is doing better, thanks in large part to a market manager being in the right place at the right time.

and a column from Natalie Ladd on her inherited love of dessert which is peppered with recommendations on where to go for a good final (or only) course.

Dessert is a subject I take very seriously, and it requires great restraint for me pass it up. As a diner, it’s often the shining highlight or disappointing deal breaker of any meal. As a restaurant person, it’s a great way to build up the average check by up-selling and padding the check, resulting in more money for house and server.

Local Sprouts Profile & A Wedding Garden

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes a profile of Local Sprouts Cafe/Bomb Diggity Bakery,

The counter service restaurant is sure to give both ventures a boost. While anyone can walk in and purchase off the menu, those who plan to be regulars may want to consider investing in a community-supported kitchen membership. When members dine at the cafe, their meals are deducted from the paid-in-advance balance, and they receive a 10 percent discount.

and a feature article on a couple in Central Maine that are growing/raising all of the food that will be served their wedding this September.

“But then we also really just like providing for our own needs,” Davis said. “We make our own maple syrup and we brew our own beer and we’ve smoked our own bacon. We cut our own wood. We’re not the kind of people who just sort of sit around. We like to be active and doing things, so we thought this would be a good project for the summer.”

The paper also published a survey of the food and drink to be had at last nights celebration/commiseration parties held by gubernatorial candidates.

Some candidates went frugal – opting to gather in the campaign office and munch on chips – while others spared no expense at posh destinations with lavish drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

Local Sprouts Profile & A Wedding Garden

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes a profile of Local Sprouts Cafe/Bomb Diggity Bakery,

The counter service restaurant is sure to give both ventures a boost. While anyone can walk in and purchase off the menu, those who plan to be regulars may want to consider investing in a community-supported kitchen membership. When members dine at the cafe, their meals are deducted from the paid-in-advance balance, and they receive a 10 percent discount.

and a feature article on a couple in Central Maine that are growing/raising all of the food that will be served their wedding this September.

“But then we also really just like providing for our own needs,” Davis said. “We make our own maple syrup and we brew our own beer and we’ve smoked our own bacon. We cut our own wood. We’re not the kind of people who just sort of sit around. We like to be active and doing things, so we thought this would be a good project for the summer.”

The paper also published a survey of the food and drink to be had at last nights celebration/commiseration parties held by gubernatorial candidates.

Some candidates went frugal – opting to gather in the campaign office and munch on chips – while others spared no expense at posh destinations with lavish drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

Washington Ave Eats & Havana South

The Tuesday Portland Daily Sun includes a report on the various food happenings on the in-town stretch of Washington Ave, such as

Chiang Mai, formerly on Union Street in the Old Port, has opened for business at 52 Washington, site of the former Loco Pollo. Hasta la vista, tamales and pozole. Sawadee, satay and pad thai.

and an update on Havana South, the new restaurant under construction on Wharf Street.

An extended patio on Wharf Street, glass doors offering a view into the wine cellar, a late-night menu at the bar and a large banquet space are among the attractions at Havana South, a new restaurant at 44-50 Wharf St. scheduled to open on Tuesday, June 22.