As reported back in December, a Mexican/Salvadoran restaurant called Dos Naciones is under construction at 649 Congress Street in the former Local Sprouts space.
Dos Naciones owner Virginia Abarca has now applied for a liquor license and supplied a draft copy of their menu (page 41).
Staff from Bard Coffee and Speckled Ax participated in the US Coffee Championships qualifying event that took place over this past weekend in Nashville.
Congratulations to all three that have placed high enough to participate in the national championships taking place later this year:
Friday – the Good Food Awards Gala is taking place; 12 Maine food producers are finalists and potential award winners in 2020. Madame Genever’s and Sur Lie are teaming up on a speakeasy to mark the 100 year anniversary of Prohibition.
Saturday – the Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place.
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.
Portland-based next gen apple expert Sean Turley (aka The Righteous Russet) was interviewed for the latest issue of Malus about his deep interest in apples and his documentary apple instagram account.
207 Bar & Restaurant (facebook, instagram) is scheduled to open today at 4 pm. It is located at 337 Cumberland Ave in the building formerly occupied by Maria’s.
207 is being launched by Antoine Bikamba along with business partners Damas Rugaba, Aime Nijimbere, and Aline Bucyana. It will serve world cuisine with influences from Africa and the Caribbean. For an idea of what that will include you can take a look at the draft menu that was supplied with their liquor license application back in November.
The Press Herald has published an article on the tariffs on wine and specialty food being considered that would have a major impact on restaurants, specialty food shops and the wine industry in Maine.
“Literally, our wine shop would cease to exist if this happens, within a matter of months. Our restaurant would not be the restaurant we want it to be – its heart would be ripped out,” Peter Hale [co-owner of Drifters Wife and Maine & Loire] said in an interview. “That goes for a number of our peers in the community.”
Individual can voice their opposition to the tariffs by posting comments on regulations.gov.
Additional reporting can be found on the Bangor Daily News, Food & Wine and Wine Spectator websites.
A new tavern serving lunch and dinner is under development at 51 Wharf Street by Tom Minervino, his sister Meg Minervino and their business partner Mike Barton.
The tentative name for the tavern is the Wharf Street Rathskeller. It will seat 44 including a 20-seat horseshoe bar.
The Minervinos and Barton also own and operate Legends Rest in Westbrook.
Flores (facebook), the Salvadoran restaurant located at 863 Congress Street, has leased the 1,800 sq ft former Mainely Wraps space at 431 Congress Street.
photograph added December 28, 2020.
Owners of The Farm Stand in South Portland and Solo Italiano are collaborating to launch Solo Cucina and Market.
The new venture will takeover the space currently occupied by The Farm Stand and open sometime in February. The remade market will incorporate up to 10 seats and a small bar featuring bakery and espresso drinks. Solo Cucina will sell prepared food to go in addition to the meats and produce that The Farm Stand is known for.
The Farm Stand in its current form will close on January 15 to begin renovations.
For more reporting on the project read today’s article from The Forecaster.
