Under Construction: Uncle Billy’s Bar-B-Que

| Posted in Under Construction

“Famous Chef and colorful character” Jonny St. Laurent has announced plans to reopen Uncle Billy’s Bar-B-Que (facebook, twitter). Details on timing and location are still TBD.

Saint Laurent last operated a restaurant in Portland called Uncle Billy’s Resto-bar at 653 Congress Street in the space currently occupied by Kushiya Benkay. Uncle Billy’s closed in 2007. He also had run restaurants in South Portland, Portland and Yarmouth in the past.

For more background on Saint Laurent and the history of his restaurants see this 2015 article in the Press Herald.

Saint Laurent is the co-author of the book Uncle Billy’s Downeast Barbeque Book.

This Week’s Events: Maine Restaurant Week, Amanda Beal, Elvis Dinner, Spirit Quest

| Posted in Events

Monday – Maine Restaurant Week continues.

Tuesday – Amanda Beal is giving a talk entitled Visions for the Future of Maine and New England, and there will be a wine tasting at the Other Side Deli on Veranda Street.

Wednesday – Grace is serving an Elvis Wedding themed dinner.

Thursday – there will be a Two Roads tasting at the Bier Cellar and a Jameson tasting at the Public Market House.

Saturday – the Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place, and there will be a wine tasting at LeRoux Kitchen.

Sunday – the MRW Spirit Quest event 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.

Reviews: Petite Jacqueline, Boda, Woodford F&B, Bramhall, Bonobo

| Posted in Reviews

The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed Petite Jacqueline,

Despite a few seasoning hiccups in dishes like the deviled eggs, escargots and beef bourguignon, Petite Jacqueline offers several strong versions of bistro classics. Best among these are dishes like gorgeously seared steak frites and an extraordinary arctic char served with a brown butter-and-toasted almond sauce.

the West End News has published a review of Boda,

In conclusion, Boda possesses in creativity and delicious cuisine what it takes to be successful, and I suspect they’ll be around for an extended stay.

Drink Up and Get Happy has reviewed Bramhall,

Bramhall has an excellent selection of beers, wines, and spirits so you are sure to find something to please your palate if you aren’t enthused by the happy hour specials. I was tempted off the list by the Four-Five-Six cocktail. It is a mix of Johnnie Walker Black, spiced vanilla honey, Raygun orange bitters and hops bitters. It was easily one of the top cocktails that I have ever had!

The Golden Dish has reviewed Woodford F&B,

Besides the restaurant’s high energy (translate: a noisy room but not in a bad way), the food by chef Courtney Loreg is exceedingly good–very competently prepared classic dishes.

and Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Bonobo.

One of the aspects of Bonobo’s pizza that makes it special is the wood fire. From the slight pleasant odor in the restaurant, to the mild flavor it adds to the pizza, to the way it cooks evenly and to the right degree, I like what it creates.

2017 Phoenix Readership Poll

| Posted in General News, Uncategorized

The Portland Phoenix has kicked-off their 2017 Best 100 of Portland readership poll. The Phoenix has revised their process for voting, reducing the number of categories and combining the formerly two-stage voting process into a single ballot. Cast your vote today!

There are dozens of food and drink categories ranging from bagels and barbecue to wine lists and wings. Portland Food Map is listed as a nominee in the Best Blog category in the City Life section.

For more information on the Best 100 of Portland visit the overview/FAQ page.

Hutchins to Join Rhum

| Posted in People

Award winning bartender Trevin Hutchins is joining the team at Rhum as a partner and director of their beverage program. Hutchin’s new cocktail menu, as well as a new food menu, is going to be unveiled at a press event next week.

Hutchins cocktails have been featured in Bon Appetit, Food and Wine, Down East, and the New York Times. His drink the Jakarta was selected as one of the top 5 cocktails of 2015 by Star Chefs.

Zagat Eating Guide to Portland

| Posted in Reviews

Zagat has published an eating guide to Portland.

At this point, it’s no secret that Portland, Maine, is one of the hottest food cities in the country, never mind New England. It’s also well represented (once again) on the latest list of James Beard Award semi-finalists. But for this latest list of travel-worthy spots, we focused on a mix of revered stalwarts, lauded newcomers and lesser-known gems. There are many more we could have included — apologies to still-awesome staples like Duckfat and Miyake — but these are the old and new favorites that are perking our palate right now.

Highlighted in the article are: Central Provisions, Drifters Wife, Elsemere BBQ, Evo Kitchen + Bar, Fore Street, Grace, Portland Hunt and Alpine Club, The Holy Donut, The Honey Paw, Vinland.

Under Construction: Lio

| Posted in Under Construction

Cara Stadler has announced the hire of two key personnel to the staff at Lio (instagram, facebook), the new wine-focused restaurant she has under development on Spring Street.

  • Ian Driscoll – has been hired as Stadler’s Co-Chef. Driscoll has worked at Duckfat, Hugo’s and Eventide and helped open Central Provisions where he eventually held the position of Chef de Cuisine.
  • Patrick McDonald – has been hired as the Bar Director at Lio. He’s worked at a number of Portland venues including Gingko Blue and Central Provisions where he was the Bar Manager.