Bon Appétit blogger Andrew Knowlton rolled out his second day of coverage for Portland. In today’s post he lists off his “Essential Portland Maine Itinerary“. 30 local business from diners to fine dining made the list.
Great Wall Super Buffet
The Great Wall Super Buffet in South Portland was sued yesterday by nine former employees. MPBN was at the restaurant today and broadcast this story.
One day after a lawsuit filed by nine former workers against the Great Wall Super Buffet in South Portland was made public, the restaurant was closed without explanation today, and Chinese workers staged an angry protest and a press conference to discuss their treatment. They claim they were not paid overtime, forced to work for tips only and required to pay the restaurant owners bi-weekly “kickbacks.” The former workers and their supporters are demanding an investigation and asking customers to join a boycott.
Review of Duckfat
Duckfat received a score of 7.5 out of 10 in a review from Portland Food Heads.
Sometimes disappointing, sometimes overwhelmingly hearty and fulfilling, I still turn to Duckfat again and again for a quick bite in Portland. Rob Evans has expressed interest in turning the restaurant into a small franchise, with plans to open up numerous Duckfats throughout New England. No matter your feeling on franchising, I can’t imagine a concept like this failing – even if they set one up in the middle of the cold Vermont woods. In fact, I’d imagine it’d be pretty cozy.
August’s Stats
The 10 eateries looked up most often during the month of August were:
- The Farmer’s Table (8)
- Paciarino (3)
- The Corner Room (2)
- Kon Asian Bistro (4)
- Grace (1)
- The Salt Exchange (6)
- Blue Spoon (26)
- Bresca (9)
- Bar Lola (14)
- Evangeline (5)
The numbers in parentheses indicates their rank last month.
It’s Official…We’re the Foodiest
Bon Appétit has named Portland their 2009 Foodiest Small Town in America. In it BA Foodist blogger Andrew Knowlton explains what made Portland this year’s winner.
First, it’s got great product, from oysters to fiddlehead ferns. Second, the town has attracted stellar chefs who know how to turn these resources into great food. Third, it even has a signature meal, breakfast, that turns the first fare of the day into a celebration of all this bounty. And finally, it has citizens who expect a lot, and get even more.
Knowlton will be blogging about Portland the next few days and then is “off to Maine for the last weekend of the summer and as many lobster rolls as I can possibly eat.”
Tomorrow I’ll share the essential itinerary to Portland, Maine including my favorite restaurants and the best place to stay. Wednesday, I’ll tell you more about three things that Portland does amazingly well–beer, bread, and seafood. I’ll also post the cities that were runners up in this year’s competition. On Thursday, I’ll share some of my personal photos from my visits.
Under Construction: Veranda Noodle Bar
Veranda Noodle Bar looks like it getting close to opening. The construction has finished up on the interior and as you can see from this photo, they’ve recently put up an exterior sign for the restaurant.
This Week’s Events
Nick Malgieri, author of The Modern Baker will be at Rabelais for a book signing this afternoon. Also on Monday, Portland Schooner is running a wine and chocolate sail and the weekly Food and Drink Trivia Contest is taking place at Bull Feeney’s. Felipe Gonzales-Gordon will be at Bar Lola on Tuesday for a dinner featuring wine from his family’s winery. The next Wine Flight 5k Training Run is scheduled for Tuesday. There’s a wine event at The Salt Exchange on Wednesday and on Thursday Cultivating Community is holding the last Twilight Dinner of the year. Rabelais is having an art opening Friday for a show by Rob Sullivan entitled Minumentals: Gastronomique. There are wine tastings at West End Grocery on Friday and Leroux Kitchen on Saturday. Farmers’ Markets are being held in Monument Square on Wednesday and at Deering Oaks Park on Saturday. For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.
Kon Asian Bistro Review
Kon Asian Bistro has received 3½ stars from this weeks Taste & Tell review in the Maine Sunday Telegram.
The spectacle of Buddha lost in meditation at the head of a pool makes Kon Asian Bistro intriguing from the moment you walk in. Choose well from the menu and your enjoyment will be sustained, but avoid the shrimp and escolar sashimi.
Breakfast Club Review of The Farmer’s Table
The Farmer’s Table received an overall grade of C+ from The Breakfast Club.
overall, my experience at the farmer’s table was highly disappointing. people who come to portland for the first time may be blinded by the great scenery on the picturesque commercial street and be more accepting of a barely mediocre brunch, but if this restaurant wants to make it through the winter with us mainers, they really need to step it up…a lot.
Maine Magazine
The premiere issue of Maine magazine is now out. It includes an article on a set of six recently launched or up and coming restaurants in Portland as well as Three Tides beer/cocktail/oyster bar in Belfast, Old Vines wine bar in Kennebunk, and a profile of winemaker Brian Smith. There is an online version of the magazine but you’ll find it easier to read the articles if you nab a print copy. I picked up my copy at Bard Coffee.