An front page article in today’s Press Herald looks at the “increasing number of farmers are pushing the growing season into the winter to take advantage of the surging demand for locally grown food”.
Under Construction: Sonny's
Construction is ongoing at Sonny’s at 83 Exchange, Jay Villani’s new restaurant. The latest word is that they hope to open in December. As you can see from the floor plan, the overall layout is the same with the exception of a bar along the south wall.
This Week's Events
Monday—The weekly Piatto per Tutti cooking class and Foodie Trivia Contest are taking place tonight.
Wednesday—The Monument Square Farmers’ Market takes places in the morning. Brewer Rob Todd will be at The Great Lost Bear for their annual Allagash Showcase which takes place each year on the night before Thanksgiving. They plan on serving a “huge line-up of Allagash rarities cask conditioned and Allagash White”.
Thursday—Several restaurants are holding special Thanksgiving Day dinners: Black Point Inn, Eastland Park Hotel, Eves at the Garden, Sea Glass Restaurant, Twenty Milk Street and Verillo’s. North Star is hosting a potluck dinner.
Sunday—A cookie swap and book signing with Julia Usher author of Cookie Swap: Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year is scheduled at Rabelais Books. Bring a couple dozen cookies to swap and trade with others.
PortlandTown: Rosemont Wine Tasting
PortlandTown finished up his week of food event photography with a nice set of shots from yesterday’s wine tasting at Rosemont Market on Congress Street.
2 Additions to the Weekend Event Calendar
There have been two last minute additions to the weekend food event calendar that I wanted to let you know about:
- On Saturday the Rainbow United Methodist Church at 618 Washington Ave is holding a fair that will include homemade Korean food.
- Leroux Kitchen has gotten the green light to restart their wine tastings and will be holding one on Sunday 1-3. Next month they’ll be returning to their normal schedule of the first Saturday of each month.
For more information visit the event calendar.
PortlandTown: Allagash Beer Dinner
For Day 4 of his photographic tour of the week’s food events, PortlandTown went to Vignola for the 4th Annual Allagash Beer Dinner.
Under Construction: Coastal Maine Popcorn
According to Press Herald food writer, Avery Yale Kamila, Coastal Maine Popcorn plans on opening a retail shop at 45 Exchange Street.
Review of the Blue Spoon
A Hamburger Today has published a review of the Blue Spoon. (via Portland Psst)
So is the Blue Spoon burger the best in this little city with a big stomach? Maybe—there are also those who swear by the Front Room, the Grill Room, and the bar-style burger at Rosie’s. But there’s no doubt that the Blue Spoon burger is a serious—and seriously delicious—contender.
Bar Review of The Front Room
Portland Bar Guide has published a bar review of The Front Room.
Defying the melee, bartender Eva notices me right away, and I’m asked what I’d like to drink within 48 seconds of entering, with the drink specials offered in a crisp list. On Saturday and Sunday, I’m happy to learn, this masterful happy hour allows the booze-artist some autonomy with the Bartender’s Choice special, a seasonal, creative cocktail. Eva has made a delicious-sounding Cinnamon Manhattan in past weeks, for example.
Lindgren Pens an Evans Interview for Gastronomica
Samantha Hoyt Lindgren, co-owner of Rabelais Books, is the author of an interview with Rob Evans appearing in the new issue of Gastronomica.
Samantha’s interview gives us the back story on Rob, who’s risen from yeoman’s cooking on cruise ships to the top of the heap with his recent James Beard Award. Fortunately, she didn’t mention his amazing new charcuterie platter, so there will still be some for us.