Under Construction: BaoBao Dumpling House

| Posted in Under Construction

Chef Cara Stadler has submitted a liquor license application for BaoBao Dumpling House, the new restaurant she has under construction at 133 Spring Street, the former home of the West End Deli. Stadler is the chef/owner of Tao Yuan in Brunswick; she recently was named one of the Food & Wine Best New Chefs of 2014.

According to the cover letter sent with the application,

The concept of baobao is to take the more popular menu items from the Tao Yuan, in particular dumplings and vegetable sides, and offer them in a more casual setting (lower price point and faster service model) but in greater varieties and, of course, the same food quality.

See below for a draft menu and floor plan for the 36-seat restaurant.

baobao_menu
baobao_plan

Under Construction: Lazzari

| Posted in Under Construction

Restauranteur Tom Barr has submitted a liquor license application for Lazzari, a new restaurant he has under development at 618 Congress Street, the former location of Mesa Verde. According to the application,

Lazzari will showcase Maine’s exceptional local agriculture by employing culinary techniques from across the Mediterranean region.

Barr is the owner of Taco Escobarr and is a partner in Blue Rooster Food Co. You can see a draft menu on pages 54-55 of the meeting materials.

 

Food Truck Update

| Posted in General News

The Portland Phoenix has published an update on Portland’s 2014 food truck fleet.

Portland food trucks are coming out of hibernation, so we thought we’d check in with the existing fleet for an update on their upcoming season. First, the good news: most truck owners were very happy with their first year of service in Portland. Only one truck ran out of gas, so to speak, after a season in Back Cove Park — Portside Picnic. Owner Rich Earle cites costly permits as well as size and location restrictions as his reasons for closure.

Review of Back Bay Grill

| Posted in Reviews

The Golden Dish has reviewed The Back Bay Grill.

Finally a beautiful specimen of pan roasted chicken breast is served as my main course.  It’s from the local Serendipity Acres Farm and has been marinated in thyme and sea salt and accompanied by potato gnocchi–the proverbial gossamer light pillows of pasta–arranged around English pea puree and salt-roasted beets.  [Maître‘d Adrian] Stratton suggested a glass of Bandol to go with my entrée, which worked perfectly.

Evans/Miyake Heritage Pork Dinner

| Posted in Events

evansmiyake

Chefs Masa Miyake and Rob Evans are collaborating on a 6-course dinner, a “celebration of Maine-raised pure breed heritage pork” featuring American Guinea, Red Wattle, Berkshire and Mangalista hog breeds. Tickets are $90 per person with optional pairings from Oxbow, Allagash and Sebago for an additional $35. The dinner is scheduled for May 18 and tickets go on sale May 1 (call 207-871-9170).

Review of Little Bigs

| Posted in Reviews

The Golden Dish has published a review of Little Bigs.

I loved Little Bigs crueller with the maple glaze and smoky bacon. I had one right after I finished my hand pies. It was a lot of calories down the hatch all at once. But there’s a saying in the food world—“don’t waste your calories.” But if it concerns these crafty sweet and savory devils, who’s counting?

This Week’s Events: Joe Yonan, Farmers Market, Star Wars, Taste of the Nation

| Posted in Events

Wednesday — Washington Post food editor Joe Yonan will be teaching a cooking class at Stonewall Kitchen, and Black Tie is teaching a cooking class.

Thursday — there will be a Maine Craft Distilling tasting at the Public Market House, and The Great Lost Bear will be showcasing beer from Sheepscot Brewing.

Friday — Joe Yonan will be teaching a 2nd cooking class at Stonewall Kitchen.

Saturday — The first Deering Oaks Farmers Market of the season is taking place, and Wine Wise is leading a Sparkling Wine Walk.

Sunday — Vinland is teaching a cooking class.

Star Wars Dinner — Piccolo is holding a Star Wars dinner on May 4 (aka May the Fourth Be with You day).

Taste of the Nation — tickets for the 2014 Taste of the Nation dinner are now on sale.

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.