2014 Best of Portland Nominations

| Posted in General News

The Portland Phoenix has kicked-off their 2014 Best of Portland readership poll. The Phoenix readership poll is a 2 step process:

  • Step 1 which just started, nominate candidates you think are an especially good fit in any or all of the categories
  • Step 2, next month the Phoenix will publish a ballot summarizing the top nominees from each category for us all to vote on

There are a plethora of food and drink categories (Bagels, Bars, Barbecue, Beer Selection, Brewpubs, Brunch, etc) to make nominations in there’s even one for food blogs. A list of the 2013 winners is available online as a reference.

If the 2014 polls follows the same schedule as past years then the final results will be made public in April at a live event at the Port City Music Hall.

Food Truck Rules

| Posted in General News

The Portland Daily Sun has a report on last night’s City Council subcommittee review of proposed changes to rules regulation food trucks.

The Public Safety, Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday supported policy initiatives that would amend the request for proposals process used for the city’s parks to allow food trucks to cluster and use the space and fix a requirement that proscribes what types of food can be served; amend the ordinance related to Compass Park that bars food service in that area; and recommend the city dedicate four spaces on Congress Street adjacent to Lincoln Park for trucks.

The changes no go before the full City Council for final approval.

Maine Maple Sunday

| Posted in Events

The Press Herald has published a set of articles about the 2014 Maine Maple Sunday taking place this weekend at sugar houses across the state.

When Mark Cooper first started participating in Maine Maple Sunday 26 years ago, he had a little over 300 taps in his sugarbush, and about 300 people stopped by that day to tour his operation and buy some maple syrup.

By the time this springtime Maine tradition rolled around last year, Coopers Maple Products in Windham had grown to 1,800 taps, and “easily” 3,000 people dropped by to walk Cooper’s farm, watch syrup-making demonstrations and buy maple cotton candy and other maple products. About two dozen relatives and friends show up to help with the logistics of putting on the day.

For additional coverage see this article about Merryfield Farm by Press Herald blog The Root.

For a complete list of participating syrup makers see this list from the Maine Maple Producers Association.

Sangillo’s Decision Delayed

| Posted in General News

After several hours of presentations from the bar, the police and the public last night, the City Council decided to delay a final vote on Sangillo’s liquor license until the April 7th meeting.

For more information on last night’s meeting see articles in today’s Bangor Daily News, Press Herald and Portland Daily Sun.

For additional perspective on the Sangillo’s issue read this piece by Samuel’s Bar & Grill owner Sam Minervino published by Eater Maine.

Portland Coffee Guide & A Tandem Interview

| Posted in General News

Sprudge has posted a Good Coffee Lover’s Guide to Portland,

Beautiful Portland, Maine! As discussed previously in these pages, this jewel of the Northeast is a city of food, and within these food-filled streets is a growing need for coffee. Here’s a snapshot guide to the coffees of Portland—almost entirely roasted in the city itself—bearing in mind we may have been too dizzy from frites endorphins after lunch at Duckfat to remember every single cafe.

and The Root has published the final in their series of interview with local roaster. This final piece is an interview with Will and Kathleen Pratt from Tandem.

“What drew us to wanting to do this in the first place, was we loved how cafes could create that sense of community,” said Kathleen. “Just knowing your regulars and people who come in the door, so when we were planning and building out the space we said we really want this to feel welcoming and inviting like you are walking into our home. That this is some place you can come and meet people and the Wi-Fi thing was definitely a conscience effort. We didn’t want people to be on their computers. We wanted people to talk and engage.”

Interview with Maine Foodie Tours

| Posted in People

The American Journal has published an interview with Pamela Laskey, owner of Maine Foodie Tours.

Laskey sees the tours as a “win-win” for both foodies and businesses alike. Foodies get information and samples, and businesses have a chance to promote their product. She says that between 30 and 35 percent of tour customers end up making purchases on the tour stops. And, unlike some food tours, Laskey compensates businesses for the samples they offer during the tour. Yes, the businesses get exposure and sales, she says, but the cost of samples can add up.

Under Construction: West End Tandem

| Posted in Under Construction

tandem_westend

Tandem Coffee Roasters (facebook, twitter, instagram, website) has announced plans to launch a cafe and bakery in the West End at 742 Congress Street. For this venture Tandem is teaming up with baker Briana Holt, whose resume most recently includes Pies ‘n’ Thighs in Brooklyn. Tandem plans on starting construction next month and hope to be open in early summer.

Some of the seasonal bakery offerings will include sweet and savory pastries and a rotating selection of pies, all made on site. Expect more seating and a similar vibe to Tandem’s East Bayside location, ie. hi-fi no wi-fi.

This is Tandem’s second location, their roastery and original cafe opened on Anderson Street in East Bayside in 2012.

742 Congress had originally been slated as the location for a bakery run by Local 188, but the project was put on hold in order to focus time and attention on the launch of Salvage BBQ.

Food Truck Improvements (Updated)

| Posted in Events

The City Council’s Public Safety, Health and Human Services committee will be meeting Tuesday night (5:30 pm, room 209) to consider some adjustments to the ordinance that regulate food trucks in Portland. The specific changes under consideration are:

  • Open a variety of city parks to use by a limited number of food trucks based on a RFP process.
  • Allow food trucks to operate in Monument Square on some specific days of the week
  • Create designated parking spaces for food trucks similar to the Uhaul rental spaces that already exist
  • Allow food trucks to park in metered spots anywhere in the city after 6pm

Update: the Press Herald published an article on Tuesday about the requests before the subcommittee.

This Week’s Events: Sangillo’s, Bar Night, JBF Awards, Jolly Woodsman, Food for Change, Maine Maple Sunday

| Posted in Events

Monday — the City Council will be deciding whether to renew Sangillo’s liquor license, they’ll also be considering liquor license applications from Slab and The Jewel Box.

Tuesday — the Local Foods Networking Breakfast is taking place at Local Sprouts, Tandem and Rosemont are holding another Bar Night event, the James Beard Foundation will be announcing the final nominees for the 2014 JBF awards, and Novare Res will be pouring Jolly Woodsman, a collaboration between Speckled Ax and Banded Horn Brewing.

Wednesday — there will be a screening of Food for Change at Space Gallery.

Thursday — The Great Lost Bear will be featuring beer from Sebago Brewing.

Friday — Bibo’s is holding a wine dinner.

Saturday — there will be a wine tasting at Browne Trading and the Winter Farmers Market is taking place at the Urban Farm Fermentory on Anderson Street. Tickets go on sale this Thursday.

Sunday — it’s Maine Maple Sunday, and Pete Sultenfuss from Grace will be the featured chef at this month’s dinner at Flanagan’s Table.

American Sommelier Classes – the Maine chapter of American Sommelier is offering several wine education programs this year: monthly seminars on a wide range of topics, a 6-week foundation series on major grape varietals, and a 10-week series on viticulture.

Outstanding Winterpoint — Hugo’s/Eventide will be collaborating with Winterpoint Oysters on an Outstanding in the Field event August 24th. Tickets go on sale this Thursday.

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.

Review of Gather

| Posted in Reviews

The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed Gather.

For a unique, thoroughly charming dining experience, Gather offers gracious dining in a country village type of setting in a historic circa 1860 former Masonic hall. The vast dining room and its dramatic space are the scene for stylish farm-to-table fare. Standout dishes include their house-made Neapolitan-style pizza, rosemary-spiked French fries, wonderfully prepared appetizers and a good selection of hearty entrees like grilled meat loaf, braised chicken leg, local pork using a rotating selection of cuts that changes periodically, grilled and poached fish, soups, hamburgers and such delicious specials as their poutine of rosemary french fries with duck. Desserts are homemade.