Wicked Good Street Kitchen (website, facebook, twitter) and El Corazon (website, facebook, twitter) will be launching tonight at the May edition of Flea Bites.
Review of Bresca
Eat Maine has published a lunch review of Bresca.
Lunch at Bresca is a treat. The space is welcoming, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the service is friendly. While it’s possible to come for a salad and head back to work, it’s also a place where you can slow down, meet a few friends, and share an afternoon of amazing food and delicious wine.
Under Construction: Empire & Chris Gould’s Restaurant
Two Portland restaurants under construction were on the agenda for last night’s meeting of the Historic Preservation Board:
- Chris Gould has a proposal to renovate 414 Fore Street (where Dana Street connects Fore and Wharf Streets) for the new restaurant he has under development. According to the documentation, the restaurant will be located on the bottom two floors of the building.
- Empire is planning new signage for 575 Congress Street. The design is reminiscent of the sign that was in place during the early 20th Century when a prior Chinese restaurant called Empire had occupied the space. Edward Hopper may have incorporated the original sign in his 1929 painting Chop Suey.
Additionally, the May issue of Dispatch contains an article entitled “The Great Restaurant Boom” which includes a brief profile of Portland Hunt and Alpine Club among others. The article isn’t yet available online.
Reviews of Gather and El Rayo Cantina
Down East has published a review of Gather,
Even that dish, however, couldn’t compare with a side of roasted Brussels sprouts with Worcestershire butter and fried onions. Ordered impetuously, it seemed like overkill alongside a crisp-crusted pizza with shaved Brussels sprouts and parsley pesto. But where the pizza was subtle and delicate, the side was dark, complex, and utterly addictive.
and Maine has published a review of El Rayo Cantina.
For me, the tlayuda—a Mexican version of a flatbread pizza—is the show stopper. Cut into fours, it can be an appetizer or a meal of its own. A spicy black bean paste is spread on a large corn tortilla, then layered with crunchy shredded cabbage, fresh pico de gallo, Oaxacan string cheese, and a creamy avocado sauce. Finally, the tortilla is finished with chorizo, beef, chicken, or mushrooms.
122 Coffee IPA
The Bee Babe has published a review of Bunker’s 122 Coffee IPA,
It arrived fresh from the tap with a slightly muddy light amber color. The aroma, however, was immediately unmistakable. Clear coffee notes arrived first, followed by something else entirely. Not strong hops, but a beery characteristic that offered up some additional spice notes.
and today’s What Ales You column in the Press Herald comments on the coffee beer as well as some additions to the Rising Tide line-up.
The 122 Coffee IPA is good and flavorful, but I have not completely gotten comfortable with the coffee and beer mix. It makes me think I should be having it for breakfast, and there are very few days each year when I want beer with breakfast.
Michael J. Fox @ Tony’s
Actor Michael J. Fox paid a visit to Tony’s Donuts earlier today.
April 2013 Monthly Stats
The 10 eateries looked up most often in April on Portland Food Map were:
- Blue Rooster Food Co. (2)
- In’finiti (1)
- Enio’s (5)
- The North Point (10)
- Little Tap House (4)
- Bresca (8)
- Gather (11)
- Spread (40)
- Duckfat (>50)
- Eventide (20)
The numbers in parentheses indicates their rank last month.
Review of Hugo’s and More
Never Ending Hunger has published a belated review of Hugo’s.
I strongly recommend to anyone to take a trip up/or down to Portland, Maine to partake in the unmistakably brilliant food that is Hugo’s. The other wonderful thing about this place is that if you ate this food in New York City, it would be 20-30% more expensive. To me that translates into 2-3 more dishes I can order… so to me it’s well worth the drive.
Additionally, both Serious Eats and Easy Food & Wine have paid recent visits to Portland.
Immigrant Kitchens: Burundian Beans, Greens and Goat
In the latest entry from Immigrant Kitchens, Lindsay Sterling learns how to make Burundian Beans, Greens and Goat from a East African immigrant living in Gorham (read the recipe and see the photos).
Under Construction: Wannawaf
Wannawaf (website, facebook, twitter) is under construction at 15 Monument Square in the space formerly occupied by Cobblestones.
Owner Anya Arsenault (aka Waffle Girl) opened the original Wannawaf in Boothbay in 2003 and is planning to launch Wannawaf Portland in June where, as you might have guessed from the name, waffles will be the signature dish.
The menu will include options like the Sweet Jams waffle, “peanut butter, aged cheddar, and bacon waffle with a tart fruit jam for dipping”, and the Cheeky Monkey waffle, “vanilla ice cream, fresh banana, Nutella, whipped cream and coconut”.
Wannawaf will be open late night and plans on doing takeout.