The Press Herald has taken a look at the digital technologies being used in Portland restaurants.
New technology, from simple apps that speed up the ordering process to robots that help busy bartenders make Jell-O shots, is making inroads into the restaurant business. But with concerns over the cost and the impact on customers’ dining experience, embracing some of these changes may take time – especially in smaller, independently owned restaurants like most of those in Portland.
Congratulations to chef/owners Krista Kern Desjarlais and Sara Jenkins for their two Maine restaurants, The Purple House and Nina June, being included in the Bon Appétit 2017 list of the 50 Best New Restaurants in America.
Bon Appétit will name their choice for top 10 (aka the Hot 10) on August 15th. Check back then to see if either of our home state favorites is selected.
For the latest episode, Food Stories host Stephen Joffe has interviewed co-owner Meg Stanley and chef Rich Maggi from Lazzari. You can learn about the meaning of the word Lazzari, the inspiration for the restaurant, the history of the building, hear about the menu, learn the secret to their pizza dough and the process of developing the restaurant.
You can listen to the full interview on the WMPG website.
The Press Herald has published an article on the growing popularity of nitro cold brew coffee.
It wasn’t that long ago that cold brew coffee became the new, hip drink in coffee bars all around the country. Now that cold brew is mainstream (you can get it at Dunkin’ Donuts) a subset of that category, nitro coffee, is fast becoming the new favorite among coffee drinkers who like specialty brews and trying something new – and who don’t mind paying $4 or more per 16-ounce cup.
Munjoy hill resident, Sean Ryan Turley, will be writing a weekly apple column this fall for the Press Herald. Turley is an ardent heritage apple enthusiast. Along with his wife Cecilia Ziko, Turley has organized an annual rare apple tasting for the past three years (2015, 2016) that’s assembled upwards of 80 apple varieties for attendees to try.
You can follow Turley on instagram where he publishes under the monicker The Righteous Russet.
Portland Magazine has published a survey of Portland restaurants serving food from the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.
Rose Foods (website, facebook, instagram) has opened. The bagel shop and cafe is owned by Chad Conley, co owner of Palace Diner.
See below for a full menu. When you go for lunch, be sure to not miss the Pastrami on Rye.
Here are some photos of the food and space from yesterday’s friends and family event and today’s opening.
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The Portland Phoenix has published a set of reviews of Lazzari written by students in the Telling Room’s Week in Review summer class,
After ordering tomato and basil, pancetta and onion, and margherita pizzas, our group chats a little until our food arrives after about 10 to 15 minutes. It is hot and ready to eat. Everything fits together into a masterpiece of a meal. The black pepper gives the pizza a kick, and the fresh mozzarella melts in my watering mouth. The dessert was vanilla ice cream served in an espresso cup, with shaved mint and dark chocolate on top. I love a good dark chocolate taste, and this one is heavenly. Every taste and every bite at Lazzari bring back memories of being at a streetside cafe in Rome as the beautiful Colosseum towers in from of me. The food is soon gone.
The Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Lazzari,
Lazzari was outstanding. Each part of our meal – drinks, app, and pie shined brightly. All three were perfect summer dining and so good, I would order them in the middle of a snowstorm too. The service was excellent and the overall atmosphere quite enticing. I can’t think of anything at all that was subpar. Go to Lazzari for basic pizza? No, go for an exceptional dining experience.
As the Lobster Rolls has reviewed Boone’s, and
he best part of the lobster roll was the delightfully grilled bun and the side of very tasty, tangy potato salad. No really, that’s the only nice thing I can say about the experience. To think this lobster roll is just about the same price as The Beach Plum. There’s absolutely no comparison.
I often recommend Boone’s for its location and food. I’ll continue to do so… I’ll just steer folks clear of the lobster rolls.
the Press Herald has published a bar review of El Rayo,
While a little bit smaller than the old spot, the new-ish El Rayo on Free Street has lost none of its personality or quality. Stop by for the same margaritas, Micheladas and killer happy hour you remember.
The Press Herald has written about the collaboration between Liquid Riot and Borg Brugghus from Iceland.
The heather, sea salt and brett will hang out in Liquid Riot’s tanks while the beer ages. It could be ready in six weeks, Abbot said, and it could be six months. The beer should be around 4 percent alcohol. When it’s ready, the beer will be on tap at Liquid Riot and at Novare Res, a nearby Portland beer bar.
Good Beer Hunting has published a lengthy article about the founding and evolution of Bissell Brothers Brewing.
There are loads of obstacles you don’t see coming when starting a business. “If you go down this road, you will be faced with a million reasons to quit,” Peter says. Questioning the idea, realizing how much more things cost, how much longer everything takes. These are challenges you’ll face as you move forward. How you deal with them is a test of your mettle. “That’s part of the story that I like to think anyone can relate to,” he continues. “That transformation. It’s not just beer, it’s not just starting a brewery—it’s shattering your beliefs of what you think you can do.”