Under Construction: GF, Public Market, Siano’s, etc

| Posted in Under Construction

Here’s a collection of recent Under Construction updates:

  • Andrew Pettingill is back working on his project from last year to start-up a gluten-free specialty store/cafe.
  • The Portland Farmer’s Market is mulling “some changes at the Deering Oaks market to accommodate the addition of new vendors in an effort to expand the Portland Farmers’ Market in the future.” They are asking for public comment on a proposal that would shift some parking across the street.
  • Siano’s is planning on opening their new pizzeria on Fore Street on April 1. They’ve posted some photos of the construction at the new site online.
  • Construction is underway at the site of the former Roma restaurant in the West End. There’s no word yet on what business will be moving into the building.
  • According to this week’s edition of The Forecaster, the Kosher Meals on Wheels program is expanding its service area (Scarborough, Old Orchard Beach, Portland) to include Falmouth.

Bonjour Fest Report

| Posted in Events

Josh Christie from Brews & Books has posted a report on Hop Press about last week’s Bonjour Fest at Novare Res.

When I made it up to the bar a couple days into the fest, there were still plenty of beers to choose from – many I’ve never had a chance to try before. Although people tend to thing of the US as the home for big, ballsy extreme beers, the international flair from the likes of Schloss Eggenberg, Mikkeller, Dubuisson and others meant there were some available beers I haven’t had at, say, extreme beer festivals.

Review of The French Press Eastery

| Posted in Reviews

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of The French Press Eatery in Westbrook.

Doughnuts like these are probably best as a rare treat, and the more likely staples are the breakfast and lunch sandwiches. The menu indicates that breads are made on site, but it was hard to detect home-made charms in the bagels, croissants, and English muffins that frame the breakfast sandwiches. The 10 varieties are mostly built around a fried egg and cheddar. We tried a few good sandwiches, but they don’t reach the level of the doughnuts.

Sun Profile of Bazkari Catering

| Posted in General News, Profiles

Today’s Portland Daily Sun includes a profile of Bazkari Catering, a food delivery and catering service specializing in Spanish and Latin American cuisine.

Susan Colinet of CDS in South Portland said, “This is food that I actually take time to savor. I do this because it is delicious, but also because I know that it is prepared with care, passion, and pride for the culture and the ingredients that go into each item. The portions are perfect and the freshness and wholesomeness can be savored in each bite. Speak with Ana for just two minutes about the food and you will understand!”

There’s also a report on the renaming of O’Naturals remaining store in Falmouth. The restaurant will now be known as Stoneyfield Cafe.

Trader Joe Exploreation and Meatless Meetup

| Posted in General News, Events

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes a report from Meredith Goad, a self-confessed Trader Joe’s virgin, on her exploration of the TJ in Cambridge,

The bottom line: I didn’t have a religious conversion, but I do get why people are so in love with Trader Joe’s. And I think it would find a good niche here in Portland without compromising the existence of Whole Foods or any other local stores. The Wild Oats space seems like a perfect spot for Joe to move in.

and a Natural Foodie article penned by Avery Yale Kamila on the Meatout dinner taking place this Saturday at the Pepperclub.

As of Monday, more than 40 people had RSVP’ed for the all-vegan meal, and organizer Sarah Conroy is committed to finding seats for anyone else who’d like to attend. The dinner is part of the Maine Vegan Meetup dinners that Conroy coordinates each month; however, this particular meal is open to folks who aren’t members of the Meetup, as long as they reserve a spot in advance.

First Reviews for Skinny Cart BBQ

| Posted in Reviews

The Blueberry Files has published a review of Skinny Cart BBQ

So here it is, in all it’s meaty, saucy glory. Definitely hard to eat- super messy, with lots of beef and onions to drag out into your lap as you over look the industrialness that is the backside of Marginal Way. But the sauce is sweet, tomatoey, and peppery (or maybe that was the bacon, yes!), and the meat is pink and juicy.

and so has Edible Obsessions,

Lightly charred, but gorgeously pink, beef is more than generously doused with a homemade sauce, added bacon and caramelized onions. While the meat and onions were great, the sauce reminded me a bit too much of that dreaded childhood BBQ. A hint too sweet and a bit too heavy with the black pepper, I would have liked about half of the sauce that was there.

Latte Art Competition & Overland Apiaries

| Posted in Events, People, Profiles

Tuesday’s Portland Daily Sun includes a profile of Master Beekkeeper Erin Forbes and her business Overland Apiaries,

Last year, the honey that Erin collected from hives in six towns amounted to 6,000 pounds. That’s three tons. This year the hundred hives she now has under management are likely to yield 10,000 pounds. Before Scott began dabbling in beekeeping, Erin rarely used honey. A junky plastic bear from Hannaford languished in the depths of her kitchen cabinets. Now it’s white sugar that languishes there.

and an article about the TNT monthly latte art competition which is taking place at Bard Coffee this week on Thursday night.

With Bard, [Bob] Garver and co-owner Jeremy Pelkey are trying to change Portland’s perception of their daily dose of joe, and thinks that fostering a strong community of baristas will do much for the scene as a whole. “Many in this industry think coffee is an art form, a culinary experience as opposed to just ‘filling up’,” said Garver.

“I believe people are catching onto that now,” he added.

Latte Art Competition & Overland Apiaries

| Posted in Events, People, Profiles

Tuesday’s Portland Daily Sun includes a profile of Master Beekkeeper Erin Forbes and her business Overland Apiaries,

Last year, the honey that Erin collected from hives in six towns amounted to 6,000 pounds. That’s three tons. This year the hundred hives she now has under management are likely to yield 10,000 pounds. Before Scott began dabbling in beekeeping, Erin rarely used honey. A junky plastic bear from Hannaford languished in the depths of her kitchen cabinets. Now it’s white sugar that languishes there.

and an article about the TNT monthly latte art competition which is taking place at Bard Coffee this week on Thursday night.

With Bard, [Bob] Garver and co-owner Jeremy Pelkey are trying to change Portland’s perception of their daily dose of joe, and thinks that fostering a strong community of baristas will do much for the scene as a whole. “Many in this industry think coffee is an art form, a culinary experience as opposed to just ‘filling up’,” said Garver.

“I believe people are catching onto that now,” he added.