Havana South & New Wine Column

| Posted in Under Construction, Wine

Yesterday’s Food & Wine section in the Press Herald included an update on the soon to open Havana South,

The head chef is Joe Boudreau, formerly of Mims in Portland and the Purpoodock Club in Cape Elizabeth. The food, Boland said, will be American cuisine with a Latin twist. Think filet mignon with an adobo rub, or a hanger steak with a chimmichurri sauce.

Latin fare will be represented by a Peruvian seafood paella, made with dende oil to give it a rustic flavor. Also on the menu will be a Brazilian stew known as moqueca.

and the launch of a new wine column written by Joe Appel who puts his wine knowledge to use on the page and at his day job at Rosemont.

My intention for this column is to make it desperately relevant to you – whether “you” is a can’t-relate-to-humans-because-wine-is-more-interesting geek, a mildly interested food-lover unfamiliar with the world of wine, or somewhere in between.

I try hard to keep an open mind and treat every aspect of the wine world as an opportunity to learn something new. Still, here’s what really excites me: reasonably priced, locally available, food-friendly wines that honestly reflect the character of the land that bred them, the true nature of the grapes that died for them, and the spirits of the farmers and winemakers who labored over them.

Review of Boda and of Nosh

| Posted in Reviews

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Boda,

Boda has chosen the label “very Thai” for their cuisine, and it seems just right: authentic, sure, but not a hair pretentious about it. In the meantime the space is not Thai at all but simply handsome and elegant. If you want the very Thaiest of the very Thai, small plates come at actual Thai prices Sunday nights after 9:30 pm — among the best deals in town.

and the Portland Bar Guide has published a review of Nosh,

Nosh has taken off with Port City Music Hall and other local venues emptying their hungry and thirsty guests out onto Congress Street. That’s when it’s time for the new king of the hill for beer, burgers and fries to exhort Portlandians to come in and taste what all the fuss is about.

Review of Sonny's

| Posted in Reviews

Down East has published a review of Sonny’s.

Where Local 188 pays homage to old-world, Iberian flavors and favorites, Sonny’s spices things up with New World influences. Caribbean cuisine joins Latin and South American staples like rice and beans, arepas, tamales, mariscadas, ceviches — bold, bright, coarse flavors with just enough refinement to, in general, produce balanced, satisfying dishes.

The July issue of the magazine also includes a guide to good eating that gives a nod to Novare Res and 5 sandwich spots in Portland.

Review of Sonny’s

| Posted in Reviews

Down East has published a review of Sonny’s.

Where Local 188 pays homage to old-world, Iberian flavors and favorites, Sonny’s spices things up with New World influences. Caribbean cuisine joins Latin and South American staples like rice and beans, arepas, tamales, mariscadas, ceviches — bold, bright, coarse flavors with just enough refinement to, in general, produce balanced, satisfying dishes.

The July issue of the magazine also includes a guide to good eating that gives a nod to Novare Res and 5 sandwich spots in Portland.

Review of Miyake

| Posted in Reviews

Soooo . . . You Really Like Cats has published a review of a 2009 meal at Miyake.

I suppose I should wrap up this post with some meaningful conclusion. But honestly, the only thing coming to mind is Joe nagging me for not returning sooner rather than later. To which I can only solemnly nod in agreement. It’s been too long indeed. Masa-san, watashi o matte kudasai!

This Week's Events

| Posted in Events

Monday — the Monday Farmers Market is taking place in Monument Square.
Tuesday — a French Wine Dinner at Bar Lola.
Wednesday — the midweek Farmers Market is taking place in Monument Square and there will be a wine tasting at Old Port Wine Merchants, a beer tasting at the West End Deli, and a Wine Wise class at The Wine Bar.
Thursday — Rabelais is hosting a book signing with “artisanal food rock stars” Frank Falcinelli and Frank Castronovo, Leavitt & Sons is holding a wine tasting and there will be an Allagash beer showcase at The Great Lost Bear.
Saturday — the weekend Farmers Market is taking place in Deering Oaks Park, and bartender John Myers is leading a Historic Portland walking tour with “multiple stops for adult refreshment” along the way.
Sunday — both Evangeline and Five Fifty-Five are serving Father’s Day beer dinners.
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 Monday Farmers Market is taking place in Monument Square.

Tuesday — a French Wine Dinner at Bar Lola.

Wednesday — the midweek Farmers Market is taking place in Monument Square and there will be a wine tasting at Old Port Wine Merchants, a beer tasting at the West End Deli, and a Wine Wise class at The Wine Bar.

Thursday — Rabelais is hosting a book signing with “artisanal food rock stars” Frank Falcinelli and Frank Castronovo, Leavitt & Sons is holding a wine tasting and there will be an Allagash beer showcase at The Great Lost Bear.

Saturday — the weekend Farmers Market is taking place in Deering Oaks Park, and bartender John Myers is leading a Historic Portland walking tour with “multiple stops for adult refreshment” along the way.

Sunday — both Evangeline and Five Fifty-Five are serving Father’s Day beer dinners.

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 Bazkari Food Cart

| Posted in Reviews

The Blueberry Files has published a review of the eats at the Bazkari food cart.

Our sandwich was good; the ham was salty and the Manchego didn’t melt very well, giving it a nice bite. I’m also intrigued by this Salmoroja- I want to experience this great cold soup in its original form. But putting tomato soup on a grilled cheese is pretty genius- it’s like it’s already been dipped for you!