Reviews of Pie in the Sky & Joe’s Boathouse

The Press Herald has published an Eat & Run review of Pie in the Sky,

I thought the slice of pepperoni was especially tasty. The pepperonis were diced into cubes as opposed to sliced, which made the pizza easy to eat on the run. Other ingredients included roasted red peppers, fresh basil, three cheeses and tomato sauce. It had a bit of a spicy kick to it, which probably came from the pepperonis, but not too much.

and a bar review of Joe’s Boathouse.

While the size of Joe’s bar limits the number of people who can sit there to about five or six, the restaurant offers outdoor seating that’s hard to beat. With summer fast approaching, it’s definitely a spot to put on your list to drink in the sun and watch as boats depart and dock.

Eventide x Bunker = Dirty Pearl

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald features an article about Dirty Pearl, an oyster stout that the result of a collaboration between Eventide and Bunker Brewing.

Smith and Sorensen added 35 large oysters and about three quarts of oyster liquor (saved and filtered from the oysters they use at the restaurant) to a 60-gallon kettle.

The oysters are tossed into the wort at the end of the boil, just before adding the yeast. The oysters stay in the kettle for about 20 minutes, and the heat opens up the shells and releases more oyster liquor.

The Dirty Pearl release party is scheduled to take place Tuesday 5 pm at Eventide.

Bon Appetit: Lobster Rolls

The Lobster Shack, J’s Oyster Bar and Dimillo’s all get passing mention in an article about lobster rolls that appeared in the current issue of Bon Appetit.

Truth be told, all lobster rolls in Maine start out at a baseline of being very good and proceed upwards from there. For me the lobster roll is more than just culinary transcendence or proof that simple food made simply is the most soul-satisfying of all. It is summer itself…

The article is not yet available online.

America’s Best French Fries

Duckfat made it on to the US News Travel list of America’s Best French Fries.

The outcome of Duckfat’s double-dip preparation process is crispy exteriors and soft, fluffy innards, with duck fat creating an intense taste. You can sample these fries layered in one of eight signature sauces like truffle ketchup and Thai chili mayo. Or, you can turn this savory side into a full meal by ordering the poutine: delicious fries covered in cheese curd, house-made duck gravy, chives and a duck egg. 

Summer Stress

Natalie Ladd’s column in today’s Portland Daily Sun talks about the stresses of working at a restaurant during the summer tourists season and includes a top ten list of things that servers wished they could say but never do.

1) “How many pints of Mountain Dew refills are you going to let your 12-year old drink?” Not only am I super busy, but the kid is climbing the walls and you waving me down like I’m a taxi cab is really obnoxious.

Otto in SoPo

The Forecaster has published a roundup of recently opened and upcoming restaurants in South Portland including Otto Pizza.

“I know we are not supposed to have favorites, but I have fallen in love with Otto Pizza,” [Councilor Linda] Cohen said as she moved for passage of the license to allow owners Mike Kean and Anthony Allen to open their third Otto Pizza in Maine.

Reviews of Outliers

The Blueberry Files has published a review of Outliers,

But I see this place as more of a ‘date night out’ kind of restaurant. The entrees we saw being carried through the dining room looked beautiful and made our mouths water. Whether you end up coming in for a full dinner or just stop by for nibbles and a local beer, check out Outliers and welcome them to the neighborhood.