Asmara and Merry Table

| Posted in General News

Food writer Margo Mallar reports on her recent visits to Asmara and The Merry Table in today’s Portland Daily Sun.

On Friday we returned to an old favorite, Asmara, the Eritrean restaurant on Oak Street between Congress and Free street.  The dishes are served on injera, a pancake made from teff, a grain that is native to the Ethiopian highlands…Injera doubles as a utensil; you tear off small pieces to use like little gloves to grasp the chunky bits of the stew and to scoop up the broth-soaked injera beneath.

Under Construction: Noodles & Havana

| Posted in Under Construction

There’s a few new under construction details to report:

  • Portland Psst is reporting that Masa Miyake has signed a lease for 188 State Street where he plans on opening a noodle bar. One of the best meals I had in 2009 was the noodles Miyake prepared for the Food Film Series showing of Tampopo so I can hardly wait for opening day!
  • Also from Psst, Bubble Maineia is going to open a noodle bar in the old Morrisons space on Temple Street.
  • Havana South has published some photos of the construction site for their new restaurant on Wharf Street.
  • Siano’s is getting close on their new pizzeria on Fore Street but the opening date has slipped out a little further to April 22.

Under Construction: Noodles & Havana

| Posted in Under Construction

There’s a few new under construction details to report:

  • Portland Psst is reporting that Masa Miyake has signed a lease for 188 State Street where he plans on opening a noodle bar. One of the best meals I had in 2009 was the noodles Miyake prepared for the Food Film Series showing of Tampopo so I can hardly wait for opening day!
  • Also from Psst, Bubble Maineia is going to open a noodle bar in the old Morrisons space on Temple Street.
  • Havana South has published some photos of the construction site for their new restaurant on Wharf Street.
  • Siano’s is getting close on their new pizzeria on Fore Street but the opening date has slipped out a little further to April 22.

Review of Otto & Enzo

| Posted in Reviews

Portland Eats has published a review of Otto Pizza and their new Enzo wine bar/dining area.

Before Enzo opened, your dining choices at Otto were limited to the few seats at the restaurant, standing outside on Congress, or take-out to enjoy at home.  All are workable options, particularly when talking about pies of this quality.  However, pizza is at its best when freshly prepared and straight from the oven (with a cold beer).  Thankfully, with the recent expansion, Otto has created a comfortable and inviting space in which to enjoy the city’s best pizza.

Review of Otto & Enzo

| Posted in Reviews

Portland Eats has published a review of Otto Pizza and their new Enzo wine bar/dining area.

Before Enzo opened, your dining choices at Otto were limited to the few seats at the restaurant, standing outside on Congress, or take-out to enjoy at home.  All are workable options, particularly when talking about pies of this quality.  However, pizza is at its best when freshly prepared and straight from the oven (with a cold beer).  Thankfully, with the recent expansion, Otto has created a comfortable and inviting space in which to enjoy the city’s best pizza.

This Week's Events

| Posted in Events

Monday — the Maine episode of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservation TV show airs tonight on the Travel Channel. Stephen Lanzalotta is teaching a Piatto per Tutti cooking class, and Cheryl Lewis from El Rayo Taqueria is teaching a Mexican cooking class.
Tuesday — Kamasouptra is having their Grand Opening starting with a ribbon cutting at 10:30 am, The Salt Exchange is hosting a bourbon dinner.
Wednesday — RSVP is holding a wine tasting, Bresca is holding a wine dinner, and the 11th Annual Best of Portland Awards Show is taking place at the Port City Music Hall.
Thursday — Leavitt & Sons is holding a wine tasting.
Saturday — the indoor Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place and Cultivating Community is running a children’s program (up to age 9) on “starting seedlings, local food, and plant growth”.
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.

This Week’s Events

| Posted in Events

Monday — the Maine episode of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservation TV show airs tonight on the Travel Channel. Stephen Lanzalotta is teaching a Piatto per Tutti cooking class, and Cheryl Lewis from El Rayo Taqueria is teaching a Mexican cooking class.

Tuesday — Kamasouptra is having their Grand Opening starting with a ribbon cutting at 10:30 am, The Salt Exchange is hosting a bourbon dinner.

Wednesday — RSVP is holding a wine tasting, Bresca is holding a wine dinner, and the 11th Annual Best of Portland Awards Show is taking place at the Port City Music Hall.

Thursday — Leavitt & Sons is holding a wine tasting.

Saturday — the indoor Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place and Cultivating Community is running a children’s program (up to age 9) on “starting seedlings, local food, and plant growth”.

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.