BRGR Bar has submitted a floor plan of the restaurant as part of their liquor license application.
BRGR Bar owner Phelps Craig has leased the former Margaritas on Brown Street. She already operates a BRGR Bar in Portsmouth, NH.
Bitter Frenchman
Former Petite Jacqueline chef Fred Eliot, The Fifth Food Group and The Honey Paw are collaborating on a French wine dinner to take place June 21st called the Bitter Frenchman. Tickets are available online at Eventbrite.
Eliot and The Fifth Food Group are planning to launch a French bistro sometime in 2017. Bitter Frenchman is one of the names under consideration for the restaurant.
50 Things to Eat in Portland
Spoon University writer Madeleine Cohen has compiled a list of 50 Things to Eat in Portland.
Often called the food destination in America, a food mecca, “foodie” heaven, and many other food nicknames, Portland is known for having some of the best restaurants in the world. Here’s a definitive list of all of Portland’s classic and famous eats, plus a few extras that everyone should have on their radar.
Under Construction: Brea Lu Cafe
Brea Lu Cafe has signed a lease for 9 Westbrook Street in Westbrook, the former location of Thanksgivings.
According to a report from the Press Herald, owner Christian DeLuca hopes to open in August.
DeLuca said Brea Lu’s menu will be “exactly the same” as it was on Forest Avenue, featuring breakfast and lunch dishes. The restaurant will have its own parking lot, which the Forest Avenue location did not, and about the same amount of seating, at least at first.
You can see a video of the current interior of the space on Brea Lu’s facebook page.
Tandem Interview in Paste
Paste has published an interview with Will Pratt, co-owner of Tandem Coffee Roasters.
Paste: What’s important to Tandem from the perspective of buying beans?
Will Pratt: The coffee has to have a story. Most of our coffee comes through importers, but we’re starting to travel a little bit with them, too. The people that we work with have been doing it for a long time; they’re vetted, and we know their principles.
Sofi Awards: Rogers Collection, Gelato Fiasco
Two Maine businesses have been recognized by the Specialty Food Association:
- The Rogers Collection – Les Moulins Mahjoub Tibar Sauce (nominee)
- Gelato Fiasco – Ripe Mango Sorbetto (award winner)
This Week’s Events: Burgandy Dinner, Black Dinah Talk, New England Cocktail Conference, Bach & Beer, Bissell Brothers Opening
Tuesday — Tiqa is hosting a (sold out) Wiggly Bridge women-only tasting event.
Wednesday — Lolita is holding a Burgundy wine dinner, Steve and Kate Shaffer of Black Dinah Chocolatiers will talk about Making the Leap to a Bigger Facility at this month’s Pub Hub in Mechanics Hall, and the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.
Thursday — it’s the opening day of the New England Cocktail Conference, and the BDN and Vena’s are collaborating on a cocktail tasting event.
Friday — Cellist Steuart Pincombe will be performing 3 Bach cello suites at Rising Tide; each is piece is paired with a Rising Tide beer.
Saturday — Bissell Brothers are opening their new facility on Thompson’s Point at noon, and both the Vegetarian Food Festival and the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market.
Sunday — products from a number of local vendors will be on sale at the weekly Crofters & Artisan Market.
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.
Maine Eel Aquaculture
The Maine Sunday Telegram has published an article about Sara Rademaker and the interesting work she’s doing to develop a Maine-based eel fishery.
Three years ago she began studying European and Asian systems for growing elvers into eels in contained areas, asking herself the question, why not here in Maine, the biggest source of American baby glass eels in the country?
Although she’s just starting her third year developing her eel aquaculture system, she’s gearing up to bring her first eels to market this summer, with plans to tap into the local sushi market to begin with.
Reviews: Solo Italiano, Portland Mash Tun, Sonny’s
The Golden Dish and Peter Peter Portland Eater have reviewed Solo Italiano,
We should welcome Solo Italiano to our fold of Portland dining because it’s time has come. The cooking is quite sophisticated with a true lightness of being that completely embraces the eternity of fine dining. [TGD]
the Press Herald has reviewed Portland Mash Tun,
Mash Tun is a relaxed, 40-seat bar on Wharf Street in Portland with 18 rotating drafts including anchor breweries like Bissell Brothers, Foundation, Maine Beer Co., Rising Tide, Allagash and Oxbow almost always on tap. There’s a $6 grass fed burger, other bar food, and $5 mimosas every day.
and Drink Up and Get Happy has reviewed Sonny’s.
Sonny’s is a great place and their happy hour just gives us one more reason among many to go visit it. Don’t worry if happy hour segues right into dinner. They’ve got you covered. Go check them out. You’ll soon find yourself there much more often.
NY Times on The Honey Paw
The New York Times has published an article about The Honey Paw.
The original premise, of a global noodle-centric spot, has given way to a focus on Asian flavors, but with culinary techniques borrowed from across the world. The chef de cuisine, Thomas Pisha-Duffly, is of Chinese and Irish descent, with roots in Indonesia and Massachusetts. All of that is reflected in the changing menu at the Honey Paw, where shrimp toast, a dim sum standard, has morphed into a lobster-and-scallop mousse tartine. “That was one of the first dishes that we conceptualized for the space,” Mr. Pisha-Duffly said. “It kind of epitomizes the way we think of cuisine.”