Former restaurant inspector Michele Sturgeon was given a settlement by the city to leave her job, according to a report from the Press Herald.
Michele Sturgeon, criticized for giving too many eateries failing grades, got $18,600 and agreed not to ‘speak ill’ of city officials or services.
Today’s paper also includes an article about the shutdown’s impact on seafood processing inspection.
Booze, Fish & Coffee has published a review of Empire Chinese Kitchen.
Once the site of Portland’s “first deluxe Chinese restaurant” (also named Empire, 1916-1953), this new spot mixes dim sum with a few familiar favorites. Best items on the menu: pastrami egg roll, green beans, spinach dumplings. 575 Congress St. in Portland.
They also delve into the history of Chinese restaurants in Portland and a quick overview of the different types of Chinese cuisine. They also make an impassioned plea for restaurants to invest more time on keeping their staff well informed about the menu items they’re serving.
The Bangor Daily News has published an article about the Portland Hunt & Alpine Club.
The sleek cocktail lounge on Market Street has been shaking up the downtown drink scene since September. With craft spirits from across the country and state, owner Andrew Volk said he hopes to do for cocktails what the Port City has done for beer and food.
“We want to focus on one thing we do well and give local distilleries a stage,” said Volk, who has bartended his way across the country, including a high-profile gig at Clyde Common in Portland, Ore.
The Bangor Daily News has published an article about the grow selection of Maine barbeque destinations.
Chef Josh Craigue, sliding ribs into Salvage’s indoor smoker on a recent Friday afternoon, took a minute to explain.
“We are getting the basics down and then will add a Maine touch. That’s what we are excited about,” said Craigue. “We have the an opportunity to put Maine on the map as a barbecue destination.”
The Farmers Table has closed and the space is slated to become the newest location of Elevation Burgers according to a report from Eater Maine.
Elevation joins B.Good and Five Guys in (over?) supplying the need for burger franchises in the Old Port.
The Press Herald has published an article on the impact the shutdown is having on brewers.
An obscure agency known as the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau – a division of the U.S. Department of Treasury that oversees breweries – has furloughed all but 35 of its 483 employees since Oct. 1. That means no one is available to approve new breweries or what are known as certification of label approvals, which any beer must have before it can be sold. The applications for the certification typically come in at a rate of about 400 per day.
Bank of America has published a Q&A with Mainely Burgers co-owner Jack Barber.
We came up with this crazy idea because we were meeting up in Boston at these food trucks. We thought: ‘Why don’t we try to bring these to Portland? No one’s done it yet.’ We seized the market opportunity, pooled our resources with friends and family, and purchased a food truck. At the time, Portland didn’t allow for them. In December, a friend of ours in the food industry suggested that we target a local beach.
Carson Lynch, owner of the Gorham Grind, is working on a food truck called Anywhere Coffee Bar. Lynch plans on launching ABC in Portland on May 1. He’ll be offering a full espresso menu from the truck as well as his trademark Rocket Fuel coffee beverage.
A small market is moving to Bramhall Square to the space formerly occupied by Mr. Sandwich & Mrs. Muffin.
211 Danforth Street, the current home of Vespucci’s Market, is under contract for sale and hopeful new owner, Keith Hickman has submitted a zoning variance request for a change of use to a restaurant. If approved, Hickman intends on opening a 64-seat restaurant and bar called 211 Danforth. Josh Kaplan will be serving as the chef at 211 Danforth.
Here’s an excerpt from Hickman’s application:
We firmly believe that there is a need and a market available for a quality and affordable neighborhood dining option in this area. Furthermore, we are confident that 211 Danforth Restaurant will be welcome addition to the West End and surrounding neighborhoods.
211 Danforth would add to the growing cluster of restaurants currently anchored by Ruski’s (1982), Ohno Cafe (2004), Outliers (2013) and Omi’s (2013). There are other spaces in the neighborhood that would also lend themselves well to further additions to the food and dining options in the area.
Update: For additional reporting see Maine a la Carte.