Bar Fight Club: Hunt & Alpine

| Posted in Events

talesofthecocktailThe Hunt and Alpine Club has been selected to compete in this year’s Bar Fight Club at Tales of the Cocktail, the “world’s premier professional cocktail event.”

Bar Fight Club is an annual battle royale where a small number of celebrated bar teams compete in a spirited showdown to claim the ultimate bar bragging rights.  The rules are simple – there are none. Each bar team will serve up great drinks in their own style featuring spirits from The 86 Co…and Del Maguey Single Village Mezcals…The winners will be determined based on a range of criteria covering cocktail making and presentation, with bonus points awarded to the teams who make some noise to keep the party going. Also up for grabs will be the prize for People’s Choice, chosen by the Bar Fight Club crowd that night. 

They’re up against some serious national and international competition, bars like The Cure in New Orleans and The Aviary in Chicago.

May the Fourth…

| Posted in Events

The Press Herald has published a report on Piccolo’s May the Fourth Star Wars Dinner.

The cuisine at Piccolo, one of Portland’s most intimate and romantic restaurants, pays tribute to the “humble cuisines of Southern and Central Italy,” particularly food from Calabria and Abruzzi. But on Monday, May 4, an international holiday for Star Wars fans, the menu expanded outside our galaxy to include a Sarlacc Tot-Tooine Salad, Sausages Alla Taun Taun and an appetizer described as the X-Wing Dagobah Ration Kit.

Review of Bao Bao

| Posted in Reviews

The Bollard has published a brunch review of Bao Bao.

Many of the offerings at Bao Bao are not particularly authentic, but they’re all good, and a few are downright great. The incredibly friendly waitstaff was happy to explain anything in detail and help us make good choices — service you’re not likely to find at a big-city banquet hall. Until the day when a true dim sum experience becomes available in Portland, Bao Bao will fill that niche admirably.

James Beard Awards

| Posted in Events

The James Beard Awards took place last night in Chicago. Sadly, known of the four Maine nominees were selected for an award, but just being nominated is a significant honor. When I caught up with some of the Maine team at last night’s after party at The Aviary they were happy to have been part of the process and out enjoying the celebration.

Given Maine recent track record with the JBF awards I think we can look forward another robust crop of nominees in 2016. I look forward to returning to Chicago next May to join in all the fun and try out more of the city’s fine restaurants.

Maine Harvest Credit Project

| Posted in General News

The Press Herald includes an article about the Maine Harvest Credit Project which will supply loans to farms and small food producers.

As Maine’s food economy continues to grow, a group of supporters is working to set up a financial institution to provide farmers, artisan cheese-makers and craft brewers with stronger financing roots.

The Maine Harvest Credit Project’s goal is to establish a credit union that the backers believe would fill a gap in available financing, offering farm mortgages in the $100,000 to $500,000 range and equipment loans of $25,000 to $100,000.

Cheryl Lewis Joins C Salt

| Posted in People

Chef Cheryl Lewis has joined the team at C Salt where she’ll be taking the lead as the General Manager of the Cape Elizabeth market.

Lewis has spent the last several years working as executive chef at El Rayo. She was also the original owner of Aurora Provisions and tells me she’s looking forward to once again working at a retail store.

This Week’s Events: Beard Awards Gala, Star Wars Dinner, Vinland Pop-up, Pocket Flanagan

| Posted in Events

2015-02-11_21-36-56Monday — the James Beard Awards Gala is taking place in Chicago. I’m onsite for the event and will report on how our four Maine nominees fare as the winners are announced. Piccolo is holding a Star Wars themed dinner for May the Fourth.

Tuesday — Frank Giglio of Three Lily Farm in Whitefield is the guest chef for a pop-up dinner at Vinland., and Oxbow is releasing Saison Dell’Aragosta brewed with Maine lobsters in collaboration with Del Ducato.

Wednesday — Black Tie is teaching a cooking class and the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thursday — there will be a beer and cheese tasting at the Public Market House and The Great Lost Bear is showcasing beer from Smuttynose.

Friday — Chef Sam Hayward will be speaking at the TEDxPiscataqua event in Portsmouth.

Saturday — LeRoux is holding a wine tasting,  and the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday — the Pocket Brunch crew are the featured chefs at a Flanagan’s Table event, Vignola/Cinque Terre is hosting an Alto Adige wine dinner.

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.

Phoenix Best of Portland Awards

| Posted in General News

phoenix2015The Portland Phoenix released the results this week from their 2015 readership awards poll. The Phoenix received over 20,000 votes for 650 nominees in 133 categories.

The 2015 competition for Best of Portland was fiercely competitive. We know Portlanders are passionate about  their city; 650 nominees duked it out to win their share of more than 20,000 local votes. The average number of votes was 200 to 500 per category, so we can safely say that all the nominees are local favorites with hundreds of fans and that the winners are truly loved by Portlanders.

You can see the full list of results online. There are categories 30+ food categories from Best Food Truck(El Corazon) to Best New Restaurant(Central Provisions).

2015bestofportlandPortland Food Map won both the Best Blog and Best Food Blog categories. Many thanks to all of you who voted for the site!