Poket Brunch & Review of Figa

| Posted in Reviews, Events

The November issue of Portland Magazine includes a review of Figa,

The charcuterie ($18) is irresistible, house-made. The foot-and-a-half-long wondrous wooden platter displays a dreamy assortment of meats (duck pastrami, pork-and-pistachio terrine, beef bresaola, apricot-cased pork lomo, pork terrine), pickled fennel and red onion, cornichons, and a delectable house-made mustard. We go after each tempting, savory substance with gusto.

a feature article about Pocket Brunch,

In between snacking on tasty pre-meal bites, which includes hand-pressed cider, fresh doughnuts, beet-red velvet muffins topped with goat cheese frosting and walnuts, and fire-smoked bacon, diners pick bouquets from the farm’s flower fields. On the lawn, teams of guests face off at kubb, a Swedish game in which players attempt to knock down wooden blocks by tossing thick dowels across the field.

and named Portland restaurant health inspector Michele Sturgeon to their list of the 10 Most Intriguing Mainers.

Reviews of Sangillo’s and Full Belly Deli

| Posted in Reviews

The Press Herald has published reviews of Sangillo’s,

Those sipping cocktails all agreed they were poured with a generous hand. And we also agreed, you can’t beat the price at Sangillo’s — you can get a can of PBR and a Cape Cod cocktail for $6.

and of Full Belly Deli.

And speaking of Grand Central Station, the Full Belly Deli is one of the few places in Maine where you can get the best of traditional Jewish deli fare a la New York City haunts like Katz’s Delicatessen or the Carnegie Deli.

Food Trucks in Falmouth

| Posted in General News

The Forecaster reports that Falmouth is considering legislation to formalize authorize the operation of food trucks.

Two food trucks, Love Cupcakes and Della’s Dogs, did business in town this summer, but the future of these and other mobile restaurants could depend on an ordinance yet to be drafted.

Bill Lunt, chairman of the Falmouth Economic Improvement Committee, said the Town Council asked the committee to look into drafting an ordinance to govern food trucks, but that he doesn’t expect anything to happen before next spring.

Reviews of Grace, Pai Men, Bresca

| Posted in Reviews

Map & Menu has posted a photo-infused review of Grace,

Our drinks, the Revelation and the Afterglow, were deliciously prepared and aptly named, and our first courses of Butternut Squash Ravioli for myself and a Bourbon Soaked Pear Salad for Meredith were seasonal and delicious. The puns are too easy for this post, so I’ll let it suffice to say that our entrees, my Giannone Farms Chicken and her Sweet Potato Pierogi, were simply divine.

the Bangor Daily News has published a review of Pai Men Miyake,

The relaxed atmosphere and affordable, top-notch food found at Pai Men Miyake has made it my go-to dinner spot in Portland. Ramen is one of the world’s great comfort foods, and fortunately, there’s a place to find it here in Maine.

and out of town blogger To Markt To Markt has posted a review of Bresca as well as commentary about Duckfat, Scratch, Rosemont and others.

The farm-fresh ingredients were celebrated on each dish: their flavors, shapes, and colors were enhanced and combined in a way that demonstrated the chef’s appreciation for their naturalness. The plates themselves were beautiful. Each and every component exemplified the owner’s unassuming tastes and her unabashed love and passion for her small but meaningful contribution to Portland’s restaurant scene, obviously appreciated by diners from near and far.

Photo Credit: Map & Menu

November Down East: 50 Reasons to Love Portland

| Posted in General News

Tandem, Bunker Brewing, Urban Farm Fermentory, Allagash, Standard, Bard, Speckled Ax, Otto, Pocket Brunch, Cloak & Dagger, Petite Jacqueline, Boda, and Local 188 are all called out in the Down East cover story, “50 Reasons We Love Portland”.

The article isn’t online yet but you should be able to find a copy of the November issue at your local newsstand.

Laurent Bonnois @ LFK

| Posted in Events, Wine

Wine 24/7 has posted a report on the Laurent Bonnois wine event held last week at LFK.

Laurent hails from the Loire Region of France and thanks to Devenish Wines (Ned Swain & Brendon Pringle – local afficionados), we are now able to experience his wines directly.  He is truly at the forefront of the Natural wine movement, representing natural, organic, sustainably farmed and biodynamic wines.

This Week’s Events: Halloween, 122 Coffee IPA, Flea Bites, Brewers Festival, Portland Beer Week

| Posted in Events

Tuesday — Bier Cellar is holding a tasting that will match beers with Halloween candy, and Allagash founder Rob Tod will be giving a lecture at the Falmouth Memorial Library.

Wednesday — Wine Wise is leading a wines and chocolate tasting tour in the Old Port, Hugo’s is serving a 7-course Halloween Dinner, Grace is holding a Halloween party, and the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place.

Thursday — Tandem and Bunker will be at Eventide to launch their new collaboration, 122 Coffee IPA.

Friday — a brewers dinner is taking place at The Thirsty Pig, a collection of food trucks and food carts will be gathering at Flea for All for the November edition of Flea Bites, both Rosemont and West End Deli are holding wine tastings, Novare Res is offering a range of wild fermented beers at their Where the Wild Biers Are event, authors of Portland, Maine Chef’s Table and Standard Baking Co. Pastries will be at Longfellow for a book signing, and restaurants are likely to be extra busy due to First Friday Art Walk so be sure to make Friday night reservations in advance.

Saturday — the Maine Brewers Festival is taking place, there will be  wine tastings at Browne Trading and Leroux Kitchen, Vignola/Cinque Terre is hosting an Italian cooking class, and the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place.

Sunday — it’s the start of Portland Beer Week, the premiere of The Food Coma Show is being screened at SPACE Gallery,  and The Artist is the featured film at Petite Jacqueline’s movie night.

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 Pocket Brunch

| Posted in Reviews

Food Coma has published a review of the latest edition of Pocket Brunch. The event took place earlier this month at Broadturn Farm.

Shortly after, the “pre-meal” snacks begin to appear, starting with beet red velvet muffins, frosted with goat cheese and topped with candied walnuts. These are probably some of the best muffins I’ve tasted in a very long time, with the cake itself being ultra-moist and perfectly complimented by the tangy frosting. Next are the apple cider donuts that I had been clamoring for, each filled with a dollop of candied apples. Lastly, as is tradition, we are presented with brimming chalices of “pocket bacon,” which in this case tastes as if it may have been lightly candied also. Someone once referred to this as “Like dog treats, but for adults,” and I would be hard-pressed to argue.

Tickets for the November edition of Pocket Brunch are now on sale. The event will feature French Canadian fare produced in collaboration with guest chef Nate Nadeau.