Forest Gardens in the ’60s

| Posted in History

Cumberland resident Tom Foley has written about his memories of Forest Gardens bar in the 1960s.

The Sox and Celtics reigned. Fifteen-cent draught beer, usually Narragansett or Pabst Blue Ribbon, was served in 8-ounce fluted glasses. Frequent refills ensured that the beer was always fresh and cold. Six-ounce “dimeys” were also available, as were 10-cent bottles of “Little Bo Colts,” a National Bohemian brand associated with the Baltimore Colts. Most patrons were Giants fans, but who could resist a 10-cent bottle of beer when short of cash?

Under Construction: El Rayo

| Posted in Under Construction

The Historic Preservation Board is reviewing plans to add a deck on the back of 22 Free Street, the future location of El Rayo Taqueria. The documents plans provided to the City include not only a drawing of the 23′ x 26′ deck with 8 picnic tables, but also a floor plan for the 43-seat restaurant (not including the deck) and rough artists sketch of the restaurant interior.

elrayo_interior

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This Week’s Events: JBF Nominees, Sicilian & Filipino Dinners, Bearded Brewfest, Tiki Shake-off

| Posted in Events

Monday — Two Fat Cats will be a “special pie with the math symbol emblazoned on the crust” to celebrate Pi Day (today’s date is 3/14).

Tuesday — The Beard Foundation will release the list of nominees for the 2016 awards; 8 Maine semi-finalists are in the running. The local foods networking breakfast is taking place.

Wednesday — Vinland is holding a Sicilian Wine Dinner.

Thursday — It’s Saint Patrick’s Day.

Friday — The Sinful Kitchen is holding a Filipino Dinner.

Saturday — The Annual Vignola Beer and Cheese Tasting, Bearded Brewfest and the Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday — The USBG is holding their 2nd Annual Tiki Shake Off cocktail competition at Rhum, and Tiqa is teaching a cooking class.

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.

Interview with Carla Lauter

| Posted in People

Great Beer Adventure has posted an interview with Carla Lauter, who blogs under the name the Beer Babe.

Carla’s career in beer journalism started in 2007 when she started blogging about beers that were new to her. As a scientist, she was interested in the wide range of flavors that can come out of craft beer. Carla’s thoughts and adventures in beer can also been found in a monthly column in the Bollard magazine, weekly Wednesday nights on the Seacoast Beverage podcast, as well as weekly Thursday mornings on WCYY 94.3 FM.

Jason Loring, Restaurant Revolutionary

| Posted in Under Construction, People

Today’s Maine Sunday Telegram includes a profile of restaurateur Jason Loring.

Loring, the 39-year-old co-owner of Nosh, Slab and the newly opened, subterranean Rhum tiki lounge, is slowly undergoing a professional and personal transformation, with the help of his business partners. Once a stressed-out cook (he still doesn’t consider himself a chef) who didn’t eat or sleep well, he has become a busy restaurateur juggling multiple projects.

The article includes the first public mention of Yeti, the waffle and fried chicken restaurant Loring is launching this summer.

Reviews: David’s, Baker’s Bench, Abilene, Bruno’s

| Posted in Reviews

Have Budget Will Travel has reviewed Abilene,

I almost want to say this may be my favorite dish ever (it is a little scary to make such a bold statement). Again, it was the sauce that was the start of the dish. I am going to be dreaming of this until I can get another bite.

Drink Up and Get Happy has reviewed Bruno’s,

Overall what started out as great happy hour potential didn’t quite live up to the hope.

Press Herald has reviewed Baker’s Bench,

Not only was it a huge sandwich, it was well-priced and delicious. It was made with roasted turkey (thickly sliced, not deli turkey) and ham on top of a thick slice of American cheese. The bottom slice of toasted Prairie bread – a seedy, whole grain bread – was slathered in mayo. The top half of the sandwich held the lettuce, tomato and bacon. It’s like two sandwiches in one – a BLT on top of a turkey and ham.

Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed David’s,

The meatloaf arrived at an appropriate interval and I was shocked, but certainly pleased, at it’s heft. The pork and beef mixture was distributed in a significant hunk. It was wrapped in the bacon and had garlic mashed in the basement with mushroom gravy and crisp onions on top.

Under Construction: Sisters Gourmet Deli

| Posted in Under Construction

Sisters Gourmet Deli is under construction in Monument Square in the former Wannawaf, according to a report by the Press Herald.

[Co-owner Michaela] McVetty said the deli will focus on soups, salads and sandwiches, with a big emphasis on deliveries and corporate catering. They’ll be buying their soups from Kamasouptra, but will bake their own breads fresh every morning. Meats, cheeses and produce will all be sourced locally, she said.

The sisters hope to open in May.