48 Hours in Portland & a Review of Bar Lola

| Posted in Reviews

The new issue of Maine magazine showed up in my mailbox this week. Tucked in along the articles on Wellness (the theme of the April issue) is Portland in 48 Hours which tracks the wanderings of 4 members of the magazine staff over the same weekend in Portland. The article highlights a plethora of local restaurants and watering holes: Pai Men, Caiola’s, Novare Res, etc. In keeping with the April theme there’s also an article on “restorative foods” and where to source them.

Also this week, Maine magazine’s Eat Maine blog has published a review of Bar Lola.

Confit of rabbit leg falls right off the bone at the slightest touch of the fork and rests neatly by a small pool of silky potato and leek purée, flecked with chopped tarragon. I make proper use of the last of my bread by sopping up any trace of the purée that has been mingling with the juices of the succulent rabbit.

Reviews of Susan’s and Geno’s

| Posted in Reviews

The Press Herald has published reviews of Susan’s Fish and Chips,

Upon diving into my meal, three words came to mind: Hot, fresh and delicious. During a whirlwind feeding frenzy, I still managed to savor every bite. Speaking of rolls, you bet Susan’s has a “Lobstah” roll for $11.99 and a fried veggie boat for $7.99 so that your vegetarian comrades can join in the merriment.

and of Geno’s Rock Club.

The bartender said Geno’s doesn’t really have a specialty drink that it’s known for, but a popular beverage among its customers is Pabst Blue Ribbon — lovingly known by its acronym, PBR.

Today’s paper also includes the latest What Ales You column.

 

Review of SeaGrass Bistro

| Posted in Reviews

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of the SeaGrass Bistro.

The menu at Seagrass, which changes frequently, did not need any tweaking. The four starters, two salads, and five entrées offered a thoughtful variety of ingredients in wintery flavors — even the salads offered something toasty. One starter featured three perfectly seared scallops — the smokey-char flavor made them seem grilled. They sat in a red pepper reduction that had a marmalade look, and slightly citrus taste.

Maple Syrup & Vegan Cooking

| Posted in General News

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes articles on the potential health benefits (and good taste) of maple syrup,

And now there’s even more reason to stick with the real thing and attend Maine Maple Sunday events at participating sugarhouses this weekend: Recent research has uncovered a hidden benefit to eating maple syrup — it’s swimming with antioxidants that may help keep you healthy.

and an interview with vegan chef Christy Morgan.

A book signing and recipe demonstration will take place at Whole Foods Market on Thursday. On Friday night, she will offer a full-blown cooking class at the Five Seasons Cooking School, where she’ll take attendees on a culinary world tour and show how to prepare Indian-spiced sweet potato cakes with mint coconut chutney, Moroccan vegetable tagine, tofu larb (a spicy Thai appetizer) and fruit-kissed ceviche.

Reviews of Dobra Tea and The Porthole

| Posted in Reviews

Instant Portland has published a review of Dobra Tea.

I have to confess that tea is my weakness. Not just any tea, mind you, but carefully brewed tea … it is the ritual of tea, if you will, that is my weakness. The teapot. The quiet moment of waiting while the leaves steep. The sound of the water pouring into the cup. The feel of the warm steam just before you take your first sip. If this is your weakness as well, then Dobra Tea will become your new favorite place.

Eat Here. Go There. has published a brunch review of The Porthole.

While the service was slow (it took 45 minutes to get our breakfast after we ordered), I have decided to give them a free pass since it was a holiday (and that place was being overrun by early morning drunk people). The Porthole is a great staple for a cheap brunch in the Old Port, and I have yet to be disappointed with their food. After we ate, we walked around, full bellied, and basked in the early spring sunshine. Who could ask for more?

Union Bagel, Farmers Market and 2012 Maple Season

| Posted in General News, Farming

This week’s Forecaster includes articles about Union Bagel,

On the 18th day, the Kickstarter crowd spoke, and the word was “bagels.”

Paul Farrell, a burly boat-builder turned labor organizer turned bagel baker and the driving force behind the upstart Union Bagel Co., couldn’t be happier.

an effort by farmers to gain more direct control over the management of the Farmers Market,

Market coordinator Dan Price asked the city to give the Farmers Market Association the power to determine membership, enforce association rules, and collect fees from participating farmers, according to a memo from the city’s associate corporation counsel, Anne Freeman.

and the 2012 maple syrup season.

“It won’t be a banner year,” Gorham resident Lyle Merrifield said. “This may be a about half to three-quarters crop.”

Under Construction: Eventide Oyster & Speckled Ax Espresso

| Posted in Under Construction

A pair of updates for the Under Construction list:

  • The new coffee shop under development on Congress Street by the owner of Matt’s Wood-Roasted Coffee is slated to be named Speckled Ax Espresso. A regular contributor to PFM wrote to inform me that Speckled Ax is a reference to a story from Ben Franklin autobiography. Speckled Ax is scheduled to open sometime in April.
  • The new owners of Hugo’s have leased the space formally occupied by Rabelais and plan on remaking it into a companion restaurant called Eventide Oyster Company. In addition to oysters the owners plan on serving a more casual menu of other items. Eventide will have a separate entrance but the two restaurants will be connected by sharing a common kitchen. It’s scheduled to open this Spring.