Cold River Vodka

| Posted in General News

Cold River Vodka made an appearance today in the Washington Post blog All We Can Eat.

Unlike Karlsson’s, Cold River is batch-distilled in a copper pot still. In the glass, it’s got a little sweeter taste than Karlsson’s, but it has an equally clean finish. Tasting Karlsson’s and Cold River side by side, you can understand that the idea of a potato vodka having “terroir” is actually not that far-fetched. In the right hands, a potato grown in northernmost Maine is going to make a different vodka from one grown on the southeastern coast of Sweden.

Interview with Caiola's

| Posted in People, Profiles

The Portland Phoenix has published an interview with Abby Harmon and Lisa Vaccaro, the owners of Caiola’s.

And as the owners of Caiola’s continue to expand their menu, they also plan to expand their space. Vaccaro said in October they will begin construction on a private dining room, which will partially expand into the outdoor patio area and will seat about 30 people, more than doubling the capacity of their current private dining room. The expansion, they hope, will provide space for more neighbors to join.

The Weekend

| Posted in Events

There are a number of events scheduled this weekend competing for your time and attention. The Greek Heritage Festival is taking place Thursday through Saturday on Pleasant Street. LobsterFest on the Maine State Pier and StrawberryFest in Cape Elizabeth are both taking place on Saturday. On Sunday Rabelais is holding a sidewalk book sale ($1, $3 and $5 books) while over on Forest Ave The Great Lost Bear is celebrating their 30th Annibearsary.

Rain Rain Go Away

| Posted in General News

There’s a front page article in today’s Press Herald on how all this rain is impacting Maine farmers.

Last June, Ralph Turner harvested 6,000 peony stems at his Laughing Stock Farm in Freeport. This year, thanks to gray mold, he’ll be lucky to harvest half that number.

Tomato plants are turning black at Broadturn Farm in Scarborough.

Carrots and string beans have failed to sprout at Little River Flower Farm in Buxton.

This Week's Events

| Posted in Events

The season’s first Twilight Dinner will be taking place at Cultivating Community’s farm in Cape Elizabeth on Thursday. The weekly Food and Drink Trivia Contest is at Bull Feeney’s tonight, and on Tuesday, the next Wine Flight 5k Training run is taking place. There are wine tastings scheduled Wednesday at The Salt Exchange, Thursday at Black Tie and at Browne Trading, Friday at Rosemont on Congress, and Saturday at Kitchen & Cork.  Marshall Wharf Brewing will be at Novare Res on Tuesday. LobsterFest is taking place this Saturday on the Maine State Pier. 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.

Local 188 Review

| Posted in Reviews

Food for Thought has published a review of Local 188. Author John Golden hadn’t been a fan of 188 in the past but writes, he’s now “won over” by the charms of the restaurant.

Among the entrees, I’ve chosen the fish specials each time I’ve dined at Local 188. On the regular menu is a harissa baked white fish with preserved lemon, which sounds delicious but haven’t tried yet. But on two occasions I had the White Fish specials: one time was tile fish and another time halibut. Both renditions were wonderful, boldly seasoned and perfectly cooked, resulting in fish that was done just right, flaky and delicate.

Portland Coffee Roaster Shuts Down

| Posted in Closings

Don & Beth Morrison, owners of Portland Coffee Roasters, sent out an email today to announce that as of today “As of Thursday, June18th, Portland Coffee will no longer be open”. They thanked “all our loyal customers, outstanding employees, wonderful musicians and devoted friends”. They indicated that Maine Bean Bakehouse and Deli will be taking over the space. According to Portland Fodder, Maine Bean hopes to open in a couple weeks.