The latest edition of MPBN’s food show Flash to Flavorful includes interviews with chefs Mathews, Villani, Smith and Skawinski at The Back Bay Grill, Sonny’s, The Corner Room, Cinque Terre/Vignola and finishes up with a discussion with Jim and Gillian Britt from gBritt PR about the local restaurant industry.
5 Star Review of Otto/Enzo
Otto/Enzo Pizzeria received 5 stars from the Taste & Tell column in today’s Maine Sunday Telegram.
Every once in a while, you take a bite of something and it brings you up short. Your mouth is filled with crunch and oil, sweet tomato and liquid cheese. You are being nourished with pleasure. Life is so much better that way.
Frost Impacts Apple Crop
Saturday’s Press Herald included an article on the early May frost will impact this year’s Maine apple crop.
Some Maine apple orchards have lost virtually their entire crops two weeks after being hit by a killer frost.
Although many blossoms and early apples appeared to have survived the freeze that began the morning of May 10, they are now wilting and falling to the ground in huge numbers.
2 Openings: The Cookie Jar & Chiang Mai
 Chiang Mai has reopened after completing their move from Union Street to Washington Ave. They’re in the space formerly occupied by Loco Pollo. Their old space on Union Street is being converted by Havana South into a butcher Shop. |
 The Cookie Jar has reopened today. The bakery had been almost entirely sold out by the time I stopped by late this afternoon. |
2 Openings: The Cookie Jar & Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai has reopened after completing their move from Union Street to Washington Ave. They’re in the space formerly occupied by Loco Pollo. Their old space on Union Street is being converted by Havana South into a butcher Shop. |
| The Cookie Jar has reopened today. The bakery had been almost entirely sold out by the time I stopped by late this afternoon. |
Harbor Scoops Now Open
Harbor Scoops has opened for business. The ice cream shop is owned by Mike Rolyos who also operates A Victory Cafe in Monument Square.
Under Construction: Local Sprouts
The Munjoy Hill News has posted an update on the Local Sprouts Cafe, which is under construction at 645 Congress Street in the former Portland Hall dormitory. According the article, Local Sprouts is planning on opening next Friday in time for the First Friday Art Walk.
[Meara] Smith will serve as a chef at Local Sprouts. Previously she has cooked at Street & Co., Caiola, Pepperclub Restaurant and Aurora Provisions. She currently works part-time at the Blue Spoon.
Photos of the Bard Latte Art Competition
PortlandTown has published a set of photos he took at Thursday’s latte art competition at Bard Coffee. Anyone is welcome to participate in the monthly event. There are usually baristas from several coffee shops as well as an amateur or two in the mix. This month’s winner was Justin McEdward. I think the next competition will take place June 24. I’ll add it to the calendar as soon as I confirm the date.
Photo Credit: Michael Barriault
Texting Trouble
MPBN broadcast a report yesterday on the new Text-A-Tip Pic program organized by Portland police to get bars to text information to each other and to authorities about unruly customers.
“This information will be exchanged between bars and the police in what is called real time. When this information is forwarded problem person or group can be expected to be denied access and certainly a contact by the police,” Craig said.
The program is expected to include several dozen establishments throughout the Old Port district, and nearby Congress Street.
For additional reporting see the article in today’s Press Herald.
Construction Photos of Havana South
PortlandTown has published a set of photos from the construction site of Havana South on Wharf Street. The restaurant is currently scheduled to open in June.
Photo Credit: Michael Barriault