Vena’s, Standard Baking, Eventide, Duckfat, Slab and Vinland all get a brief mentioned by Food & Wine editor Dana Cowin in the June issue. The magazine also includes a full page (page 98) devoted to a Vena’s recipe for the Meadow Mocktail.
Competitive Pressure
This week’s Portland Phoenix explores the question Can Portland sustain the opening of another restaurant?
“The truth is, cream rises to the top — the best restaurants will stay open and the not-so-good restaurants will close,” says Jason Loring, co-owner and chef of Nosh and Slab, who recently shared his thoughts about the number of restaurants in Portland. “Competition is a good thing, it forces us to put our best food forward.”
For an historical perspective check out this report from 1977.
Review of Muthah Truckah
The Press Herald has reviewed The Muthah Truckah.
First, my teeth sank into the slices of griddle-fried ciabatta bread. Then came the layers of bacon jam (bacon literally pulverized into jam), bright orange BBQ potato chips with ridges, turkey, cheddar cheese, pickles and BBQ aioli. There were some pretty strong flavors in there, yet no single one shone above the rest.
It was crispy, buttery, chewy, crunchy, tangy, sour and creamy, all at the same time. It was like a blockbuster Broadway musical, dancing in my mouth.
Review of Otherside, Dutch’s, Muthah Truckah
The Portland Phoenix has reviewed the sandwiches at the Otherside Delicatessen, Dutch’s and The Muthah Truckah.
As [Otherside’s] corned beef sandwich reveals, they do it well. The meat is on the lean side, and tender enough but not melty soft. The slight chew lets you appreciate the meat’s richness and subtle spice — which stand up to the sharp flavors of sauerkraut and mustard, as well as a thick cut of rye. A pork schnitzel sandwich was served on a soft white puff of a roll, swirled like a cloud. It contrasted with the chew of the pounded meat, thick-breaded and fried. It was topped with an appealingly complex bitter-sour slaw — a finely diced mélange of egg, caper and cabbage.
Evo & Editor’s Cookbook Collection
Today’s Press Herald includes an update on Evo, the new Eastern Mediterranean restaurant opening on June 7,
The tight space offered significant design challenges. Just 1,000 square feet, which was increased to 1,400 with the addition of the mezzanine, Evo has floor-to-ceiling glass walls on two sides with sharp corner angles. The design makes the most of this by wrapping the inside of the walls with a dining counter.
and an article on food editor Peggy Grodonsky’s relationship with her cookbook collection.
But this spring, unpacking and re-shelving my cookbooks for the fourth time in just 10 years, I decided to count them, and I came up with 334 cookbooks, more or less, plus another 160 books about food. In the latter category, such items as memoirs by Betty Fussell, histories of the spice trade and the no-nonsense “The Maple Sugar Book” by Helen and Scott Nearing. That last entered my household long before I lived in Maine, and I’m tickled that it has found its way home.
50 Top Takeout
Dispatch has posted their list of the 50 best takeout dishes in Portland.
Underrated Food Cities?
Thrillist has put Portland on their list of Most Underrated American Food Cities.
When people think of America’s culinary capitals they usually look to the coasts: New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans all regularly top the lists of the best American food cities. But hiding in the “flyover states” and in “harbors-that-not-many-people-live-in” is a cache of culinary talent that’s just as worthy of sinking your teeth into.
OAD 200: Hugo’s, Miyake, Eventide, Central
Four Portland restaurants were included in the 2015 Opinionated About Dinning list of the 200 best restaurants in the US: Hugo’s(#38), Miyake(#107), Eventide(#142), Central Provisions(#196).
Under Construction: Sea Snacks
A boat-based ice cream business called Sea Snacks is set to launch this Sunday, according to a report from Maine a la Carte.
[Ashley] Rutherford, a 34-year-old medical practice manager who lives in South Portland, is launching a new business this weekend selling ice cream from her boat on Casco Bay…she decided to start her own business, stocking her 20-foot Mako with Italian ice, ice cream cups, Snickers and Twix ice cream bars, freeze pops, ice cream sandwiches and similar treats.
For more information visit the Sea Snacks facebook page.
This Week’s Events: Bard Coffee, Lois’, Black Box, Wich Please
Monday — it’s the opening of the newly renovated Bard Coffee.
Tuesday — Lois’ Natural Marketplace is opening their new India Street location, there will be a local foods networking breakfast at Local Sprouts, Rosemont on Brighton is holding a wine tasting.
Wednesday — The Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.
Thursday — a beer and cheese tasting is taking place at the Public Market House.
Saturday — the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.
Sunday — Black Birch will be the guest chefs at The Bearded Lady for Black Box.
Wich, Please — From Away co-author Malcolm Bedell is launching his new Rockland food truck, Wich, Please, on Tuesday. It’s located in Buoy Park on the Rockland waterfront. You can see a full menu on the WP website.
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.