First Look: Regards

| Posted in Reviews

The Blueberry Files has published a first look at Regards.

The menu was described to us during the Friday night preview as “L.A.-meets-Maine” and has a strong seafood focus with a big selection of tequila and mezcal. The menu definitely belies the cold temperatures we’ve had in Maine lately, but still felt hearty enough to enjoy on a January evening.

Regards is set to open Tuesday night at 5 pm.

Gather Changing Hands

| Posted in Under Construction

Krista Cole, the owner of Sur Lie in Portland, has bought Gather in Yarmouth from the restaurant’s founder, Matt Chappell.

Cole shared on instagram,

I met Matt at Gather many years ago for an industry event. When I learned that he was selling Gather, I reached out. I learned over the next several months about Matt and Gather’s steadfast commitment to buying local and to their community. I got to meet a team that cared equally as much about the relationships they had with their regulars and the impact that supporting local had on their community. The values were identical to that of Sur Lie. Having a sister restaurant was a dream that seemed far away, and here was an opportunity to take over and continue the important work that Gather has been doing.

I am so stoked to share the work that the Sur Lie and Gather teams have done over the last few weeks. We’ve done some minor touch ups to the space to make it our own, and the chefs have been hard at work collaborating on a menu that we kick off this week! We look forward to connecting with you and contributing to the Yarmouth community.

Chappell also shared thoughts on the transition.

Ten years ago, I started Gather Restaurant so Yarmouth could enjoy fresh Maine food in a friendly, neighborhood environment. This month, I’m proud to pass the reins to Gather’s new owner – Krista Cole. Through her success as owner of Sur Lie, Krista has demonstrated her commitment to Maine farms and shown that she can thrive in this challenging industry. She shares the values that have made Gather what it is today, and I can’t wait to see how she will make it her own.

I am forever grateful for my staff, and for all the supportive customers.

Gather opened on September 21, 2012 with Chad Conley as its original chef. At the start of the pandemic Chappell and his team have been active participants in Cooking for Community, a program that brought Maine restaurants and social service organizations together to fight hunger. Chappell announced his plan to sell Gather this past August.

Fish & Whistle to Open in Biddeford

| Posted in Under Construction

Kate Hamm and husband Jason Eckerson have leased the former Yeto’s space at 299 Maine Street in Biddeford where they plan to open a  New England-style fish and chips restaurant called Fish & Whistle (instagram). The restaurant is named for a song by John Prine.

The menu will include fish and chips as well as fish and chicken sandwiches, a calamari burger made with Maine squid, smoked tempeh sandwich served with sour kraut and mustard on rye, salad, chowder, a smoked mackerel fish dip, hand cut fries, seasonal vegetable slaw and a chip butty sandwich. Fish and chips will be available in half and full sized portions for $12 or $19. Additionally, the dessert menu will includes soft serve ice cream as well as Hamm’s excellent cakes and tarts by the slice.

Hamm is the pastry chef at Leeward and founder of Sweet Woodruff Provisions. Eckerson has worked for Big Tree Hospitality where he’s been the sous chef at Eventide and seafood buyer. The couple hope to open Fish & Whistle in April.

Yeto’s and its sister restaurant D&G went out of business in early December.

Upcoming Events: Three Openings, Panel Discussion, Women Winemakers, Valentine’s Day List

| Posted in Events

Tuesday – Dila’s Kitchen (instagram) is scheduled to open at 11 am at the Public Market House. The Grateful Cup (website, facebook, instagram)  is scheduled to open at 7 am on Veranda Street. Regards (website, instagram) is also opening on Tuesday at 5 pm…having shifted out their opening day due to Saturday’s storm.

Thursday – there will be a webinar on the Changing Foodservice Landscape in Maine with panelists Jack Barber, Maeve McInnis and Daron Goldstein. Emily Leighton from Rosemont will be leading a bread tasting and education event. Friends & Family is holding a free tasting (5 – 7 pm) featuring wines by women winemakers and cheeses made by Maine women cheesemakers.

February 10 – The Yard is hold a pre-Valentine’s Day Dueling Pianos event, Evo is holding a dinner in support of the Dempsey Center with seatings at 5:30 or 7:45, and there will be a gluten-free tasting event at Apres.

Valentine’s Day – this list continues to grow as restaurants announce their plans.

  • Apres – raw bar operated by the Lady Shuckers and live music.
  • Black Tie – a Valentine’s take-out menu for two; order by February 8th.
  • BlueFin – is serving a menu of “featured Valentine’s Day cocktails”.
  • Blue Spoon – with have some Valentine’s Day specials along with their regular menu.
  • Bravo Maine – is holding a French Bistro cooking class.
  • Brickyard Hollow – 4-couse menu.
  • Butter and Kale – 4-course meals for 2; vegan ($185) and omnivore ($195) option both available.
  • Cellardoor Winery – “Valentine’s Flight features six wines for $25 a person; every two flights purchased includes a sharable charcuterie board.”
  • Chaval – will be serving a special Valentine’s Day menu, details are still TBD.
  • Elda – Valentine’s Day tasting menu; $125 per person.
  • Evo Kitchen + Bar – a 6-course dinner for $120 per person, also available for takeout.
  • Fork Food Lab – a Valentine’s Day collaboration between Lady Shuckers and Galatic Hobo Sauce featuring Maine-grown oysters from two women-owned farms.
  • Isa Bistro – 3-course dinner for $75 per person.
  • Knotted Apron – 4-course prix fixe dinner; $79 per person.
  • Lake & Co – “romantic ready to reheat dinner and dessert for pick up or delivery” on Saturday the 12th; order deadline on the 8th.
  • Maria’s – pre-order takeout dinner for pick-up on the 12th or 13th, and open on the 14th.
  • Rosemont – has a Valentine’s Day pre-order menu.
  • Ruby’s West End – 3-course dinner with vegan and non-vegan options, and optional wine pairings; available February 11 – 14.
  • Stroudwater Distilling – 3-course meal and “comedy line up features Mike Gray, with Ray Harrington headlining, and Ian MacDonald hosting”.
  • The Maker’s Galley – 4-course prix fixe dinner.
  • Tiny Feats Confections – Chocolate Raspberry Tortes available for pre-order.
  • Top of the East – a 3-course take-out dinner; order by February 11th.
  • Vena’s Fizz House – a Valentine’s Day mixology class.
  • Verbena’s – will be serving a Valentine’s weekend menu featuring the flavors of Southeast Asia.
  • Wine Wise – a Black Truffle Wine Dinner for two in collaboration with Chaval; $250, delivery included.
  • Yardie Ting – will be serving a surf and turf dinner for two at the Public Market House; $80 for a couple.
  • Other Restaurants – some restaurants may also be open serving their usual menu, check in with your favorite spots to find out if they are open Monday the 14th.
  • Chocolate shops and bakeries – check in with your favorite chocolate shops and bakeries to find what Valentine’s Day special candies and baked goods they may have available.

February 17 – The Porthole is holding a wine dinner.

February 24 – Judy Gibson is holding a Portuguese wine dinner.

March 1 – 12 – Maine Restaurant Week.

March 29 – Maine’s newest cidery the Absolem Cider Company and Oxbow Brewing will collaborating on a beer/cider dinner at the Oxbow Beer Garden in Oxford.

June 13 – 19 – the 5th Annual Portland Wine Week will be taking place.

Dila’s Kitchen Opening Tuesday

| Posted in Openings

Dila’s Kitchen (instagram) is scheduled to open on Tuesday. The new Turkish eatery is located on the 2nd floor of the Public Market House adjacent to Pho Huong and the Frying Dutchman.

Owner Dila Maloney is tapping into her Turkish heritage and family recipes for the menu. For Tuesday’s opening day she’ll be serving Turkish meatballs, chicken skewers, green beans roasted with tomato and onion, and a savory fried dough.

Dila’s will be open Monday through Wednesday, 11 – 4, and Friday/Saturday noon – 5.

The Grateful Cup Opening Tuesday

| Posted in Openings

The Grateful Cup (website, facebook, instagram) is slated to open Tuesday at 7 am. The new juice bar and smoothie cafe is located at 46 Veranda Street in the space formerly occupied by Union Bagel Company. The menu also includes coffee, tea and salads such as the Curry Cat Sunflower made with spinach, kale, chickpea curry salad and a creamy curry dressing.

The four founders (Samantha Allen, James and Amy Harder and Jessica Rexford) are owners or managers at the Float Harder Relaxation Center just a block or so away at the corner of Veranda and Washington. They’re launching the cafe to expand the range of “healthy and convenient lunch options” that they were looking for themselves in the neighborhood.

The Grateful Cup will be open seven days a week, 7 am – 3 pm.

North Street Fire GoFundMe

| Posted in General News

A house fire broke out on North Street early Saturday morning. The blaze has left three local hospitality staff with little more with what they could grab as they left the building. Henry Schroder works at Po’ Boys & Pickles, Tucker Wanzer is the manager of Captain Sam’s Ice Cream, and Megan Lowe works at Mast Landing.

Schroeder’s employer Chris Bettera has established a $20,000 GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to “help them secure a new apartment and replace some of what they lost”.

So Who Is Open Today?

| Posted in Openings

Many of Portland’s restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, bars, diners and cafes will be closed today.

But some are opening on Saturday with regular or reduced hours—we’ll be updating this list throughout the day: