The new issue of Down East magazine features an extensive “Oral History of the Lobster Roll”. The article talks with “dozens of chefs, food stand owners, magazine editors, historians, and big-city entrepreneurs who witnessed (and helped fuel) one of our favorite morsels”.
the path from its “relative obscurity” in the early 20th century to current stature makes for an interesting read.
The article isn’t online yet but the magazine should be appearing on newsstands shortly.
The new issue of Portland Magazine includes an article on some of the newer food trucks in town,
The mobile food craze that has spread like wildfire through every major city in the world hit Portland in 2012, or maybe we just finally ran out of building space for more restaurants. We meet the people behind the wheel of Portland’s most dynamic and diverse food scene.
and an article on rebirth of the Deering Oaks castle as Tiqa Cafe.
The fanciful stone Castle in Deering Oaks Park is being invaded by hungry marauding hordes this summer, after many years in the wilderness. Standing sentry by the pond in Portland’s crown jewel public park, TIQA Café houses seating for 20 indoors, with outdoor seating for over 80. Distractions such as bocce ball, horse shoes, bean-bag toss, chess tables, and live music adorn The Castle’s new reign.
The Food Network has included the Portland Hunt and Alpine Club in their list of the 40 Best Bars for Food Lovers.
Try the Norseman cocktail — an aquavit old fashioned that’s been fat-washed with brown butter and garnished with apple slices — alongside the bar’s signature Smörgåsbord, which overflows with meat, fish, local cheese, steamed clams and breads. Other must-try items from the small but mighty kitchen include gravlax sandwiches, popcorn spiked with green-chile powder and a butterscotch budino with whipped creme fraiche.
Chef Mike Smith and wife Robyn Luongo Smith are leaving their positions at Scales and The Honey Paw to lead the kitchen and front of house staff at the new off-peninsula restaurant Central Provisions has under construction in the Back Cove neighborhood.
Chris and Paige Gould, founders of Central Provisions, have purchased the former Borealis Bistro at 182 Ocean Ave where they plan to open a wood-fired Italian restaurant. The as-yet unnamed restaurant will seat 48 including a 9-seat bar and will serve Neapolitan-style pizza as well as pasta, salads and crudo and is slated to open in December or January.
For more information see this article in the Press Herald. It includes an interview with Smith.
Update: Chefs Fred Eliot and Travis Olson will co-leading the kitchen Scales. Eliot is the former chef de cuisine at Petite Jacqueline and Olson is the pastry chef at Scales.
Tuesday — there are two different Middle Eastern food events taking place, extra credit for anyone who makes it to both: Drifters Wife is holding a Middle-Eastern Chicken Cook-out at Oxbow and CN Shawarma is serving a pop-up dinner at Bao Bao.
Wednesday — the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place, and the Maine Charitable Mechanics Association is hosting a Makers’ Mix to bring together “Artists, Artisans, Smiths, Wrights, Tailors, Cooks, masters & Amateurs, Inventors & Dubbers” for “an evening of conversation and camaraderie”.
Thursday — Evo is serving a 5-course lobster dinner.
Friday — BiBo’s Madd Apple Cafe is holding a wine dinner.
Saturday — the Saturday Farmers’ Market will take place.
Sunday — the weekly Crofters & Artisan Market 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.
Chris and Paige Gould, founders of Central Provisions, have purchased the former Borealis Bistro at 182 Ocean Ave where they plan to open a wood-fired Italian restaurant. The as-yet unnamed restaurant will seat 48 including a 9-seat bar and will serve Neapolitan-style pizza as well as pasta, salads and crudo.
The Goulds are making minimal changes to the existing interior which will allow for a speedy refit of the space—quite a different situation than the intensive and lengthy construction involved in launching Central Provisions in 2014. They hope to open this Back Cove neighborhood restaurant in December or January, serving dinner Wednesday through Sunday with plans to eventually open for weekend brunch.
The property has onsite parking, one space of which will be reserved for people picking up takeout orders.
Updated: MaineBiz has published an article on the real estate transaction and the Gould’s new restaurant.
Eater Boston reports that Mainely Burgers is planning to open their first brick and mortar location in Cambridge on Massachusetts Ave.
Urban Eye reports that Toroso, the new Kennebunk restaurant from the owners of Zapoteca, is set to open next week.
The Forecaster reports that Bao Bao chef/owner Cara Stadler plans to open a bakery/cafe/greenhouse in Brunswick.
The August issue of Food & Wine includes an article about Portland.
Portland’s reputation as the foodiest, friendliest small town in America is undeniable, but the restaurant scene is now officially in overdrive. From noodle bars to natural wines, fried chicken to cocktails, we’ve got 14 reasons to visit Maine this month.
The article highlights: Drifters Wife, Figgy’s, Rhum, Rossobianco, Roustabout, Scales, Solo Italiano, Tandem Coffee and Bakery, Terlingua, The Honey Paw, The Press Hotel, and Thompson’s Point as well as Custom Deluxe and The Velveteen Habit.
The article isn’t online yet.
Beer Advocate magazine has published a profile of Bissell Brothers authored by Adam Callaghan.
In two and a half years, the Bissells have positioned themselves as pioneers pushing limits: their own, their customers’, the beer world’s. Their company’s design and mentality seem to appeal to fans as much as the actual product does. Theirs is a lifestyle brand, selling a signature triangular logo and the image of the carefree cool crowd, which happens to drink dank, hoppy beers that are hazy as hell.
Rossobianco held a pop-up dinner Tuesday night to preview chef Scott London the Bramhall Square natural wine bar/Italian restaurant. The 4-course dinner comprised of
Rossobianco is planning to open in early August, perhaps as early as Friday August 5th.