Review of East Ender

| Posted in Reviews

The Portland Phoenix has reviewed the East Ender.

So the low-key remake of East Ender offers a boost to a block now packed with good restaurants. It is quite a change from last year when the bright orange Small Axe Truck stood loud, proud and alone in Bayside or Congress Square Park. The truck was named for the Bob Marley song about the power of small efforts to result in big change. Perhaps in abandoning the truck for the East Ender, the chefs hope to follow the path of their new neighborhood’s anchor — Hugo’s, which chef Rob Evans similarly bought and remade under its original name. It was a subtle change that gave birth to a food empire. The truck-magic often results in something significant and long lasting — teen-pregnancy and parenthood, for example, or a Clinton presidency, perhaps. The new East Ender should be around a long while, too.

Bar Review of JP’s

| Posted in Reviews

The Press Herald has published a bar review of JP’s Bistro.

JP’s Bistro is a small neighborhood restaurant specializing in Italian dishes and craft cocktails. Capacity is about 50, but the bistro doesn’t leave much room left over. Reservations are recommended, even at the bar on weekend nights. The bar is snug, but comfortable, and you’ll likely strike up a conversation with the friendly staff as you enjoy expertly made cocktails, craft beer on tap and a solid wine list.

Deering Castle RFP

| Posted in Under Construction

The City has released an RFP to run a food concession in the Deering Oaks “Castle-in-the-Park”. The city is looking for a entrepreneur who is interested in turning the 435 sq ft building into a cafe that serves “to the public a variety of food products and beverages at a reasonable cost”. Interested parties are required to participate in a mandatory meeting at 10am at City Hall.

what do you think would be a good idea for a cafe in Deering Oaks?

MK Kitchen

| Posted in Profiles

Urban Eye has posted a report on MK Kitchen in Gorham.

Finally a key corner space in this sleepy downtown became available and Kaldrovich and his wife Lisa, a Gorham native, pounced. “I have wanted to do this my whole life,” said Kaldrovich, an Argentinean with a pan-European background who grew up grilling meats and learning handmade gnocchi from his Italian grandmother. He made good on that dream last weekend when MK Kitchen opened on School and South streets.

This Week’s Events: Bartender Yearbook, 1st Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market, Chopped Challenge, BYOB Hot Dog Night

| Posted in Events

Tuesday — chef Sam Richman will be collaborating with Tandem on a BYOB Hot Dog night at the Bakery,  a photo shoot for the 2015 Bartender Yearbook is taking place at Hunt and Alpine, and the local foods networking breakfast is being hosted by Local Sprouts.

Thursday — A lecture on Responsible Seafood Farming is taking place at GMRI, and there will be a beer and cheese tasting at the Public Market House.

Friday — an Austrian wine event is taking place at Grace featuring 7 wineries and 40+ wines.

Saturday — the first Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market of the season is taking place, and Novare Res is holding the 4th Annual Farmhouse Funkadelic.

Sunday — Grace is hosting the 2015 Chopped Challenge, Larry Matthews is the featured chef at this month’s Flanagan’s Table dinner, and Maine & Loire is holding a wine tasting.

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.

Otto in Yarmouth

| Posted in Under Construction

The Press Herald report that Otto Pizza will be opening a new location in Yarmouth.

Yarmouth’s quaint Main Street is poised to become ground zero for a pizza war. Otto Pizza will be one of three businesses sharing space in Andy’s Handy Store in Yarmouth when the building’s renovation is completed later this year.

The arrival of Otto Pizza will leave the town of 8,400 residents with four pizzerias within one mile of one another.

MK Kitchen Opening Sunday

| Posted in Openings

MK Kitchen(website, facebook) have announced they’ll be opening this coming Sunday. MK is the creation of Mitchell Kaldrovich, former chef at the Inn by the Sea, and his wife Lisa who has worked the past 8 years at Fore Street. MK Kitchen will serve a menu of contemporary American cuisine which Kaldrovich described earlier this year as “simple handmade food, all from scratch from desserts to pastas”.

Under Construction: South Portland Brewpub

| Posted in Under Construction

The Press Herald, The Forecaster, and Eater Maine all report that a new brepub is under development in South Portland at 15 Ocean Street.

Julia and Craig Dilger have purchased an abandoned repair shop at 15 Ocean Street in South Portland and plan to turn it into a new neighborhood brewpub.

The couple, who live in Portland, say their as-yet-unnamed pub will “offer an unpretentious yet modern and comfortable aesthetic in terms of food, drink and experience.” They plan to offer family brunch on the weekends, “Pints and Purls” knit nights, and bicycle racks for folks riding the nearby Eastern Trail who want to stop in for some refreshment.