The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes: an article about and recipes from the top 3 finalist in the Lobster Chef of the Year competition that was won last weekend by Kelly Patrick Farrin, a search for healthy Halloween treats, a list of Halloween themed events scheduled for this week, advice from wine columnist Joe Appel on developing your appreciation of wine, and an interview with Rick Morey Jr. from Walter’s in the ongoing Salute to Sous series. The full set of Salute to Sous series recipes can be found on the Oakhurst Dairy website.
Maine Mead Works
Munjoy Hill News interviewed Ben Alexander about Maine Mead Works move to Washington Ave.
“It was a big jump for us,” said Ben Alexander, owner of Maine Mead Works yesterday in the company’s distinctive tasting room in their new location at 51 Washington Avenue. “Going from 800 ft. to 8,000 sq. ft is major. But this move allows us to grow,” Alexander said. Just two weeks ago the wine company moved from its location on Anderson Street to the former Nissen Building. Alexander and his wife, Carly Cope, generously took some time yesterday to fill in some of the details.
Figa Now Open
Figa is now open for business. Chef/owner Lee Farrington began her cooking career in NYC at Balthazaar and Al Di La and in Portland has worked at Fore Street and Uffa.
Trader Joe's
Both the Portland Daily Sun and the Forecaster have published articles about the grand opening of Trader Joe’s taking place later this week.
Acciola said about 85 percent of the staff is local and the rest – including herself – moved here because they wanted to work and live in Portland.
“There are a lot of foodies here,” she said. And while the newest Trader Joe’s resembles the company’s other locations, the Portland store is designed to capture the essence of Portland and the state of Maine, she said.
Trader Joe’s
Both the Portland Daily Sun and the Forecaster have published articles about the grand opening of Trader Joe’s taking place later this week.
Acciola said about 85 percent of the staff is local and the rest – including herself – moved here because they wanted to work and live in Portland.
“There are a lot of foodies here,” she said. And while the newest Trader Joe’s resembles the company’s other locations, the Portland store is designed to capture the essence of Portland and the state of Maine, she said.
Harvest on the Harbor/Maine Restaurant Week
PortlandTown has published an additional set of photos from the Perfect Pairings and sessions at Harvest on the Harbor, and from opening night of Maine Restaurant Week at Walter’s.
Maine at Work: Waiting Tables at David's
Reporter Ray Routhier wrote about waiting tables at David’s for his latest Maine at Work article in the Press Herald.
You have to begin by punching your server code, then looking over several screens for beverages, appetizers, specials, etc., and punch the correct button on each screen. And press “send” multiple times.
I got lost immediately, spending several minutes looking for the unsweetened iced tea button. (All the iced tea at David’s is unsweetened, I later learned.) So from then on I basically just punched what [waiter Michael] Farrell told me to punch.
Maine at Work: Waiting Tables at David’s
Reporter Ray Routhier wrote about waiting tables at David’s for his latest Maine at Work article in the Press Herald.
You have to begin by punching your server code, then looking over several screens for beverages, appetizers, specials, etc., and punch the correct button on each screen. And press “send” multiple times.
I got lost immediately, spending several minutes looking for the unsweetened iced tea button. (All the iced tea at David’s is unsweetened, I later learned.) So from then on I basically just punched what [waiter Michael] Farrell told me to punch.
A Packed Week of Events: Food, Openings, Beer, Wine, Latte and Books
Monday — the Fall edition of Maine Restaurant Week started yesterday and continues all week until Sunday – visit the MRW website for a full list of participating restaurants
Tuesday — after many long delays, Figa is scheduled to open on Tuesday.
Wednesday — the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place, a Fall Brewer’s Dinner is happening at Sebago Brewing, The Salt Exchange is hosting a Skyy Vodka Tasting and Wednesday is the opening night of the 3 day Oktoberfest Beer Garden at Portland Harbor Hotel.
Thursday — Bard Coffee will have a special Halloween themed Latte Art Throwdown, there will be a mead tasting at Browne Trading, The Great Lost Bear will showcase cask conditioned Gritty’s Halloween Ale and the Oktoberfest Beer Garden continues at the Portland Harbor Hotel.
Friday — Trader Joe’s is scheduled to open on Friday but I’ve heard they may open a day earlier on Thursday, it’s the opening night of the Hugo’s Halloween Dinner, there will be a wine dinner at Bibo’s Madd Apple Cafe and it’s the last day of the Oktoberfest Beer Garden.
Saturday — Rabelais is holding a book signing and comparative meat tasting with Deborah Krasner, author of Good Meat, The Complete Guide to Sourcing and Cooking Sustainable Meat at the Quimby Colony (the old Roma Cafe), Cinque Terre is hosting an Italian Cooking Class, the 2nd night of the Hugo’s Halloween Dinner, the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place, there will be a wine tasting at the Scarborough Wine Outlet and a cooking class at Kitchen & Cork.
Sunday — the last night of the Fall Maine Restaurant Week.
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.
Harvest on the Harbor Marketplace Photos
PortlandTown has published a set of photos from the Harvest on the Harbor Marketplace event that took place on Saturday.
Photo Credit: Michael Barriault