Down East‘s Tips from a Dweller column has posted some observations on the double opening night at Grace and The Corner Room earlier this month. (via Psst!)
$1.3 Million to Develop Local Wheat
There’s in an article in today’s Food & Dining section on a grant to support wheat farming in Maine and Vermont.
The grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will fund a four-year project that brings together scientists, farmers, bakers and millers from both states to expand organic wheat production in New England, once a bread basket of the nation.
Ellen Mallory, a sustainable agriculture specialist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service who is leading the project, estimates that Maine produces 200 to 500 acres of organic wheat. Vermont produces about the same.
“It’s hard to get a handle on what the demand really is, but we know that we’re well below supplying that demand,” Mallory said.
Inside Immigrant Kitchens: Maili Kern
In the new installment of Inside Immigrant Kitchens Lindsay Sterling learns how to cook Estonian Roast Beef and Root Vegetable Salad from Maili Kern.
Maili Kern learned this from her mother in a village on the Baltic Sea in Estonia. It’s a popular dish served on buffet tables at celebrations. The color, bright pink from beets next to bright yellow and white hardboiled eggs, is a stunning example of how powerful simple things can be in the right hands.
Breakfast Club Review of Miss Portland Diner
The Breakfast Club has made an “epic comeback reunion” to review the Miss Portland Diner. They praised the “quite exceptional for a diner” coffee as well as the “friendly and attentive” service, and recommend “waiting (if necessary) for a table in the train car” because it has “way more atmosphere than the addition that was built”
Evangeline Review
Portland Food Heads has reviewed a recent meal at Evangeline where he had the clabber-fed whole roast chicken.
The family-style, Sunday dinner feel of this meal was exactly what I had been hoping for, and, at this point, I wasn’t sure things could get much better.
That is, until I took a bite of the chicken. I’ll spare everyone the wasted time and say that this was flat out the best chicken I’ve ever had in my entire life. I probably roast about 20-30 birds a year, and never have I tasted a chicken with such buttery, “chickeny” flesh.
The clabber-fed roast chicken is now available at Evangeline provided you call ahead and give them 24 hour advance notice.
Bonobo Ice Cream Window
The ice cream window at Bonobo reopened last week. The operation is being run by Sara Lemieux and Kellen Tucker (shown above) who are leasing the space from the pizzeria. The ice cream they’re serving is from Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook.
This Week's Events
The weekly Food and Drink Trivia Contest is at Bull Feeney’s tonight, and on Tuesday the next Wine Flight 5k Training run is taking place. Both The Salt Exchange and Jones Landing are holding wine events on Wednesday. There are wine tastings this week at the Brighton Street Rosemont on Friday and Leroux Kitchen on Saturday. The Great Lost Bear is showcasing the beer from Magic Hat Brewing on Thursday. Farmers’ Markets are being held in Monument Square on Wednesday and at Deering Oaks Park on Saturday. For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.
Five Fifty-Five Review
The Blueberry Files has reviewed a meal at Five Fifty-Five.
The service and atmosphere here were nice; our server was reserved, but attentive (I like me a sassy server), and I enjoyed the space’s warm coppery light. But we probably won’t be adding 555 to our ‘short list’ of frequented restaurants as I wasn’t blown away for the price point.
Martha and MF&L visit Duckfat
Martha Stewart was recently in Portland where she did some shopping and visited Duckfat.
Coincidentally, earlier this week Maine Food & Lifestyle‘s blog Plating Up published a review of Duckfat.
My friends admire the lengths I’ll go to for a good meal. But heading to Portland for French fries? Oh yes! No regrets. Truffled ketchup too, or a variety of interesting home made mayos, if that’s your pleasure.
Milk Mustache Mobile
According to a report on ILovePortlandMaine.com, the Got Milk? campaign’s Milk Mustache Mobile from will be visiting Portland later this summer, July 30 through August 2.
…with the opportunity to pose for a Milk Mustache photo like the many celebrities who have been featured in the popular advertisements. Further, there will be ice-cold milk and freshly made smoothies for all to enjoy.