Under Construction: Union Bagel

| Posted in Under Construction

The Forecaster has published an update on second bakery Union Bagel has under construction on Veranda Street.

“We’re opening a second location primarily to accommodate growing demand from wholesale customers,” Farrell said. “The shop on Cumberland Avenue is too small to handle that and our increased retail business.”

Farrell said the Veranda Street shop, near Washington Avenue, would be “very similar” to the Cumberland Avenue operation and the hope is that it will be open by late August.

Union Bagel is also in the process of rebuilding their patio on Cumberland Ave.

Ice Cream Delivery

| Posted in Profiles

Today’s Press Herald includes a feature article on ice cream delivery services with a special focus on Rosanna’s, the craft ice cream operation run by Salli Wason.

While having ice cream delivered to your home is convenient, Wason’s customers say her creative flavors play just as big a role in enticing them to pick up the phone and order intriguing flavors like Thai iced tea, fresh nectarine and honey lavender. Wason posts her daily menus on her Facebook page, and changes flavors often. Like a musician, she also takes requests from customers. Most recently she tried her hand at a flavor she calls “rose red” – made with raspberries and housemade beach rose syrup – because someone told her it was popular in Paris. A customer request for blueberry-lemon with gingersnaps sold so quickly she still makes it.

Bayside: Kick Start Kitchen

| Posted in Under Construction, General News

Proposals under consideration for West Bayside development on the site of the former public works department buildings include,

At 65 Hanover St., staff is recommending a proposal by Rory Strunk, of O’Maine Studios, for a “world-class culinary media and event center that has a global draw.” In addition to having a “Kick Start Kitchen” for incubating aspiring chefs, the building also could host food festivals.

Maine’s Best Barbecue

| Posted in Reviews

Southern Living has declared Salvage to be Maine’s best barbecue.

You may be in northern New England, but from the moment you walk into this Portland gem, you’ll feel Southern-style hospitality in the air. Operating inside of a former salvage warehouse, there’s plenty of space to spread out. And after the Meat Coma (¼ ribs, ⅓ lb of both pulled pork and brisket, along with a bowl of chili and two sides), you’ll be particularly grateful. Don’t skip the sauces. They run the gamut from mild Carolina-style to four-alarm vinegar.

Maine’s Growing Oyster Industry

| Posted in Fisheries

The Press Herald has published an article on Maine’s oyster aquaculture industry.

Now new farmers trying their hand at growing oysters have moved outside the Damariscotta River – farms small and large can be found along the entire coast, from the Piscataqua River in Eliot to Little Machias Bay in Cutler. Pushing the expansion is demand. Oyster landings have increased 254 percent and the harvest’s value has grown about 300 percent since 2011, state records show.

This Week’s Events: Little Giant, Friday Fizz Fest, Community Concert

| Posted in Events

Wednesday – the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thursday – Little Giant (facebook, instagram) is holding their grand opening, and the Bowdoin International Music Festival will be holding a community concert at Rising Tide.

Friday – Devenish Wines will be holding a sparkling wine event at Tandem Coffee on Congress pouring four unusual and rare Italian sparkling wines, and a wine tasting at Rosemont on Commercial Street.

Saturday – the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.

If you are holding a food event this week that’s not listed above, publicize it by adding it as a comment to this post.

Resurgence of River Herring

| Posted in Fisheries

Here’s some wonderful news about the resurgence of river herring in Maine rivers and its potential to positively impact stocks of cod, halibut and other species.

With nearly 3.8 million fish counted at its fish passages this year, the Kennebec is now home to one of the largest river herring runs in North America, and Maine is likely to become the two species’ worldwide epicenter as the herring colonize newly opened habitat. The Penobscot saw 1.9 million, on par with last year, while the St. Croix’s 158,000-fish run was the largest in two decades.