SoPo Bees, Meatless Monday, Grilling Veggies, and Berwick Bison

| Posted in General News, Cooking, Farming

Today’s Press Herald reports on the bee ordinance in South Portland. Beekeeper Phil Gaven who was interviewed for the article plans on opening “a store in Portland called The Honey Exchange. He will offer local honey, wax products and honey-based food and drink.”

The paper also includes an article about Sebago Brewing’s new Meatless Monday menu,

“We’ve gotten a lot of requests for more healthy, more local and more vegetarian,” said Elise Loschiavo, Sebago’s marketing manager. “It’s not that hard to come up with a few more meatless options.”

advice on grilling vegetables,

Or brush some Brussels sprouts with olive oil and tamari, and toss them on the grill. “Brussels sprouts are excellent on the grill,” [Toni] Fiore said. “I’ve made them for people who don’t like Brussels sprouts, but they like them on the grill. It just adds a different dimension. It’s not so cabbage-y.”

and a report on a pair of friends who are raising Bison in Berwick, Maine.

Review of Havana South

| Posted in Reviews

Down East has published a review of Havana South.

Meanwhile, the Latin inspiration comes through in dishes such as a cod stew that includes tomatoes, olives, capers, and jalapenos, and a perfectly cooked braised lamb shank with a side of agave-infused mashed sweet potatoes. Other dishes are less well executed: pork gorditas — pulled pork with pico de gallo, guacamole, and onion relish — can be surprisingly bland, with the gordita itself more of a circular slab than a chewy corn tortilla.

This Week’s Events: Latte Competition, Rum Tasting, etc.

| Posted in Events

Tuesday — Blue is holding a wine and cheese tasting.

Wednesday — a rum tasting is taking place at The Salt Exchange, and the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place.

Thursday — Bard Coffee is hosting a latte art competition for professional baristas and amateur coffee enthusiasts. Wine tastings are taking place at Browne Trading and the Brighton Ave Rosemont and chef Frank Giglio will teach a cooking class at the Public Market House.

Friday — the West End Deli is holding a wine tasting.

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.

Profile of Blue Mango

| Posted in Profiles

The Portland Phoenix has published a profile of Blue Mango makers of the near ubiquitous veggie burger.

Lallo didn’t set out to make veggie burgers; he isn’t even a vegetarian, but his eclectic clientele and lack of purchasable options forced his hand. “There wasn’t a veggie burger on the market that I liked — most of them were heinous — so I started throwing together my own recipe,” he says. The burger is made with seven ingredients: onions, black beans, bread crumbs, spinach, rice, and spices. Before he knew it, people were coming in asking for the veggie burger.

Zapoteca Opening Today

| Posted in Openings

Zapoteca is set to open today at 4:30. They aim to be Portland’s answer for the intersection of Mexican food and fine dining. At last count they were planning on offering 80 tequilas at the bar.

I’m especially looking forward to trying the Ceviche Veracruzano which the menu describes as “Fresh, locally caught whitefish marinated in tangy lime juice with tomato, tomatillos, jalapeño, manzanilla olives & avacado. Fresh tortilla chips.”

According to the floor plan the restaurant will seat up to 80 people.