Owner Nolan Stewart has announced that Coastal Root Cocktail Bitters (facebook, website) have cleared their final federal regulatory approval for production and sale.
Their first batch of aromatic bitters will go on sale today at Vena’s Fizz House.
Kate McCarty on WLOB
Shannon Moss interviewed Kate McCarty earlier this week on WLOB about her blog and her upcoming book, Portland Food: the culinary capital of Maine. An archive recording of the session is available on the WLOB website.
Food Truck Festivals (Updated)
Both From Away and The 207 Foodie has a posted a report from last weekend’s Street Eats food truck festival.
For those of you who missed it another food truck gathering is scheduled to take place this weekend in South Portland. Gustos, Brothers Burritos, PB&Me, The Wicked Good Truck, El Corazon, Pizza by Fire and Love Cupcake will all be there.
Under Construction: Sur Lie
Antonio Alviar and Krista Cole have leased the adjacent empty store fronts at 11 and 13 Free Street (formerly Roost and Compositions) where they plan on opening Sur Lie, a wine and cocktail bar/tapas restaurant.
Alviar and Cole are planning on serving a diverse menu of various sized plates intended for solo dining or sharing amongst a group. They’re putting special focus on putting together excellent wine and cocktail program for Sur Lie.
Sur Lie was recently approved for a loan from the Portland Development Corporation. Renovations to the 3,000 sq ft space will begin soon, and if all goes according to schedule Sur Lie should open in August.
Sangillo’s, Joe’s, Hyatt Lounge, Lobster Away
In other recent food news:
- The Press Herald reports that Joe’s Smikeshop has changed their name to Joe’s Super Variety
- Urban Eye has a report on the lounge in the new Hyatt hotel
- Today’s Press Herald an article about Mainers who run lobster food trucks outside the state
- The Bangor Daily News reports that the City Council has taken the procedural step of forwarding Sangillo’s liquor license denial to the state
- The Golden Dish paid visits to Susan’s and Fishermen’s Grill
Review of Frog & Turtle
Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Frog & Turtle.
Fortunately, good friends have a way of making time fly by, but after nearly a nearly three hour meal, it was time to wrap up. The meal came to about 100 first presidents after tip. I appreciated the desserts FOC as they certainly added to the meal and we enjoyed them greatly. Our drinks were great and our meals were very good except for a bit of underseasoning on one item. In the end, it’s safe to say that The Frog and Turtle is a fun spot in Westbrook for good times with good food. Get there soon in case a meteor shower destroys the planet as we know it and restaurants no longer exist.
Gingko Blue Has Closed
Gingko Blue has closed, according to a report from the Press Herald.
The owners, Cheryl and Jeff Buerhaus, say they closed Gingko Blue to focus more on their Old Port restaurant, Walter’s.
Jeff Buerhaus is the chef at Walter’s and Cheryl Buehaus is the general manager.
Lists: Tacos & Late Night
The Bollard has gone on a Tour de Taco,
I recently moved back to Maine after living for a time in Tuscon, and if there’s one thing I miss about that sun-baked city, it’s the tacos. It seems like there’s a taqueria on every block. Maine’s about as far from Mexico as you can get in the continental U.S., but Portland’s robust food scene gave me hope I could assuage my nostalgia as Cinco de Mayo approached.
and Portland Magazine has assembled a list of late night drinking and dining options.
It’s getting late. You’ve just emerged from a paranoid dystopian thriller at the Nickelodeon, or Anna Lombard’s set at One Longfellow Square. You’re hungry.
Under Construction: Riverside Grill, Duckfat, Timber, Foodworks, El Rayo
Here are a few updates on what’s going on around town:
- Duckfat is temporarily closed while the restaurant under goes some renovation
- Timber (facebook) is reportedly planning on opening May 15
- Foodworks is temporarily closed while they move to their new space at 61 India Street. Word on the street is that their old space is already leased.
- Riverside Grill (facebook, website) manager Steve Quatrucci reports they’re making good progress on construction (see photo) and hopes to open later this month.
- El Rayo has closed the Cantina. Despite the rumors floating around, the El Rayo Taqueria will remain in business. El Rayo’s also continues to work on launching a 2nd location in Scarborough on Route 1.
This Week’s Events: Ana’s Mobile, Oregon Wine Dinner, Speckled Axe, Portland Kitchen Tour, Bearded Lady, Roberto Damonte
Monday — Ana’s Mobile Cafe will be back on the road.
Wednesday — all drinks at Speckled Axe will be just $2 in celebration of their 2nd anniversary, the Blue Spoon will be hosting Rob Stuart for a Oregon Wine dinner, the Bier Cellar is holding a Banded Horn tasting, Black Tie is teaching a cooking class, and the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place.
Thursday — there will be a UFF Kombucha tasting at the Brighton Rosemont, and a beer and cheese tasting at the Public Market House.
Friday — it’s the first day of the Portland Kitchen Tour.
Saturday — The Bearded Lady’s Jewel Box will be holding a cocktail party at Space, winemaker Roberto Damonte is leading a tasting event at Rosemont on Commercial, it’s the second day of the Portland Kitchen Tour, and the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place.
Sunday — Black Birch is the featured restaurant for a dinner at Flanagan’s Table.
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.