In the new issue of Immigrant Kitchens Lindsay Sterling learns how to make Bolivian Tea Cakes from Rommy Holman. See the photos and read the recipe and story behind this dish.
Fish Co-op, Food & Dining
Today’s Press Herald reports on the decrease of fishing boats based in Portland and the efforts of the Fish Co-op to use it’s remaining funds to address one issue responsible for the exodus to Massachusetts. (listen to this piece from Maine Things Considered for additional information)
The cooperative, which is going out of business, is using most of the proceeds from its investment in a fuel and ice company to provide rebates covering Maine’s 5 percent tax on diesel marine fuel.
Today’s paper also includes the weekly Food & Dining section: gingerbread houses, holiday cooking, food book gift ideas and ideas for eating out over the holidays.
Obscure Holiday Cocktail Tasting 2010
Appetite Portland, Edible Obsessions, The Blueberry Files and I recently got together for the 2010 obscure holiday tasting. My favorite was The Ultimate Holiday, a combination of bourbon, grenadine, orange and lime juice and ginger ale.
Citrusy and smoky with a bitter bite, The Ultimate Holiday was a massive improvement over The Grinch. An alcoholic twin to grapefruit juice, the cloudy, pinkish concoction was flat-out marvelous. While concurring with me on it’s obvious merits, Adam questioned the “Christmasyness” of the bourbon-based tipple – asserting that it was more appropriate for a Jamaican beach. He had a point. Perhaps the word “holiday” in the title was intended as the broader British definition, meaning “vacation.” Ah, well. . .
Otto @ Munjoy
The Portland Daily Sun has published a report on Otto and the impending opening of their new location at the foot of Munjoy Hill.
“It’s a really neat space, we’ve done neat things with the dining room,” said the co-owner.
Topping that list of neat things would be the restaurant’s booths — five grand pianos salvaged from around the state by Keon and turned into one-of-a-kind seating.
Gritty Packaging
Gritty’s is spending approximately $100,ooo to redesign their packaging. Competition from the growing number of Maine brewers was part of their motivation,
With Gritty’s feeling the pressure of more competitors, it must also tend to the discerning tastes of its demographic. “We’re all in the business of providing something new for customers,” Pfeffer says, and brewers must keep up by creating new ales or packaging. “We’re in the entertainment business.”
Mousse, Liban Market and Chinese
Here are few food news updates:
- Mousse Cafe closed up shop for the last time on Saturday ending a run that started 2 years ago in August 2008.
- Liban Market, an African market on Washington Ave, has been added to the food map.
- A new Chinese restaurant is under construction on Washington Ave at the location formerly occupied by Litza’s.
Saint Germain Cocktail Competition
Falmouth resident Lisa Lemieux is a finalist in the Saint Germain cocktail competition. Her mix of cognac, Saint Germain, lemon juice, champagne and allspice is called A Taste of Elegance. To see the full set of finalists and vote for your favorite visit the Saint Germain Facebook page.
This Week's Events: Wine Tastings, Otto, Christmas, New Year's Eve
Wednesday — Aurora Provisions and Old Port Wine Merchants are both hosting wine tastings, there will be a beer tasting at the West End Deli, Browne Trading and Havana South are working together on a wine event, Wine Wise is exploring Reislings and Black Tie Bistro is teaching a cooking class.
Thursday — there will be wine tastings at Browne Trading and Leavitt & Sons, and a beer and cheese tasting at the Public Market House. The Great Lost Bear will showcase 12 Christmas beers.
Friday — Rosemont Market is holding a wine tasting, and according to the Munjoy Hill News, Otto’s new location in the old North Star should be in full operation by Friday.
Saturday — the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place.
Christmas Eve — El Rayo, Five Fifty-Five, The Corner Room, The Front Room, The Grill Room and Vignola are all planning on being open Christmas Eve. Cinque Terre is also open on Christmas Eve when they’ll be holding their annual Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner, 4-8, $65 per person.
Christmas Day — A select few restaurants are planning to be open on Christmas Day with special holiday-themed menus: Haraseeket Inn in Freeport, Twenty Milk Street at the Regency in Portland and the Sea Glass Restaurant at the Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth.
New Year’s Eve — Bar Lola, BiBo’s, Bresca, Bull Feeney’s, Cinque Terre, David’s, Five Fifty-Five, Figa, Frog & Turtle, Grace, Havana South, Local 188, Old Port Sea Grill, Paciarino, Sonny’s, Sea Glass Restaurant, Season’s Grille, The Grill Room, The Salt Exchange, Vignola and Zackery’s will all be open New Year’s Eve.
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.
This Week’s Events: Wine Tastings, Otto, Christmas, New Year’s Eve
Wednesday — Aurora Provisions and Old Port Wine Merchants are both hosting wine tastings, there will be a beer tasting at the West End Deli, Browne Trading and Havana South are working together on a wine event, Wine Wise is exploring Reislings and Black Tie Bistro is teaching a cooking class.
Thursday — there will be wine tastings at Browne Trading and Leavitt & Sons, and a beer and cheese tasting at the Public Market House. The Great Lost Bear will showcase 12 Christmas beers.
Friday — Rosemont Market is holding a wine tasting, and according to the Munjoy Hill News, Otto’s new location in the old North Star should be in full operation by Friday.
Saturday — the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place.
Christmas Eve — El Rayo, Five Fifty-Five, The Corner Room, The Front Room, The Grill Room and Vignola are all planning on being open Christmas Eve. Cinque Terre is also open on Christmas Eve when they’ll be holding their annual Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner, 4-8, $65 per person.
Christmas Day — A select few restaurants are planning to be open on Christmas Day with special holiday-themed menus: Haraseeket Inn in Freeport, Twenty Milk Street at the Regency in Portland and the Sea Glass Restaurant at the Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth.
New Year’s Eve — Bar Lola, BiBo’s, Bresca, Bull Feeney’s, Cinque Terre, David’s, Five Fifty-Five, Figa, Frog & Turtle, Grace, Havana South, Local 188, Old Port Sea Grill, Paciarino, Sonny’s, Sea Glass Restaurant, Season’s Grille, The Grill Room, The Salt Exchange, Vignola and Zackery’s will all be open New Year’s Eve.
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.
Corry Opening Restaurant in Longfellow Square
The For Rent signs are down at 190 State Street. Steve and Michelle Corry have taken a lease on the space and intend on opening a casual dining destination serving lunch and dinner in Spring 2011. They are joining the growing list of Portland restaurateurs that operate more than one business.
The past year has seen a lot of changes in and around Longfellow Square with the opening of Yordprom Coffee, Boda, Pai Men Miyake and Local Sprouts, as well as the rebuilding of 645 Congress Street, construction at the old Binga’s Wingas building, establishment of the Quimby Colony in the old Roma Cafe and the face lift for King of the Roll. Tropa Wine closed in 2010 as did Barava and most notably Evangeline.