A New Web Site for Portland Food Map

Welcome to the newly redesigned Portland Food Map website — the first overhaul in nearly 11 years in operation.

As you can see the new site has an updated visual design while preserving the familiar structure and core features of the PFM 1.0. Behind the curtain is a flexible new technical platform that will make it much easier to keep the site updated with all the latest news and information. The site delivers content in a much more responsive, mobile friendly format, and integrates feeds from the PFM instagram and twitter accounts, adding new dimensions to the information available through the site. There’s also a new integrated search feature that indexes the entire restaurant directory and nearly 8,000 blog posts from the past decade the site’s been in business.

To celebrate the new site, I’m also releasing a limited-edition offline version: a pocket-sized printed Portland Food Map. You can pick-up your copy while supplies last at the Little Giant market in the West End, Maine & Loire in the East End, Portland Trading Co. in the Old Port, and Rose Foods on Forest Ave.

Portland Food Map has been supported in this evolution by Evergreen Credit Union, the first sponsor for PFM. Evergreen was looking for opportunities to promote resources that are important to the culture and vibe of the Portland community, and I’m honored that Portland Food Map was chosen as one of them. They’ve been terrific and a true partner in this big step forward for PFM.

Also crucial to the relaunch has been Dawn Hagin from the marketing consulting firm Rare Bird Strategic, Sarah Hines and her web development team at Shines & Jecker Laboratories, and graphic designer Sofija Razgaitis.

I hope you enjoy the new site!

Portland Wine Week

The Press Herald has published an article on Portland Wine Week, which is taking place next week June 18-24.

Archer, a sommelier, is best known for her business Wine Wise, which educates people about wine as they sample food at a fine local restaurant, walk the streets of the Old Port, or take a sunset sail around Casco Bay. In January, she began planning the first Portland Wine Week (June 18-24), and in just five short months – with the help of sponsors, more than two dozen restaurants, and a long list of local wine enthusiasts – the affair has grown exponentially into a celebration rivaling Portland’s other big food-and-wine festival, Harvest on the Harbor.

Under Construction: Knitting Nook

A hybrid coffee shop/cafe/knitting shop called the Knitting Nook (website, facebook) is under construction in South Portland. Owner Lillian Rose is converting a space at 124 Sawyer Street in Ferry Village for her new buiness. She plans to “provide an entertaining environment where the fiber artist can obtain supplies, guidance, camaraderie, sustenance and impeccable customer service” along with coffee, food, beer and wine.

Under Construction: Bob’s Clam Hut

I talked with Michael Landgarten, the owner Bob’s Clam Hut (website), yesterday. Landgarten is looking forward to being part of the Washington Ave community and to realizing the full potential of the space he’s taken over at the corner of Washington and Cumberland Aves. If you haven’t driven by there recently you should check it out. It’s quite a transformation from the former Three Buoys.

There isn’t a firm opening date set yet for Bob’s but Landgarten is hoping to open in time for the Fourth of July.

This Week’s Events: iPhone Photo Workshop, Greek Wine Tasting, Sebago 20th, Highroller Pop-up

Wednesday – photographer Kari Herer is teaching an iPhone photography workshop at Tipo, and the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.

FridayOpus Ten is scheduled to reopen for the season.

Saturday – there will be a Greek wine tasting at RSVP, Sebago Brewing is celebrating their 20th anniversary, and the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday – there will be a Highroller Lobster pop-up at the Island Creek Oyster Shop on Washington Ave.

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.

Portland Wine Week Gala Menu

The organizers have released the menu for the upcoming Portland Wine Week Gala and it looks wonderful:

  • Course 1 — Baby shrimp in creamy salsa verde with whipped feta, charred avocado, cucumber, and young lettuce by chef Courtney Loreg from Woodford F&B
  • Course 2 — Savory pea custard with grilled squid, barely cooked peas, beach herbs, finished with a smoked squid broth and beach rose oil by chef Bowman Brown from Elda in Biddeford
  • Course 3 — Oreiller pâté en croûte with pork, duck, foie gras, morel mushrooms and pistachios (shown here) by chef Fred Eliot from Scales
  • Course 4 — Milk braised pork loin with roasted parsnips, leeks, pickled mushrooms, garlic demi glace by chef Emil Rivera from Sur Lie
  • Course 5 — Strawberry, fennel, vanilla mousse, crumble, sponge cake by chef Ilma Lopez from Chaval

Tickets to the event are available at www.portlandwineweek.me

Reviews: Duckfat Frites Shack, Maine Lobster Shack, Blue Lobster Wine Co.

The Portland Phoenix has reviewed Duckfat Frites Shack,

Frites are as expected (read: perfect), served alongside a chosen assortment of house-made sauces/aiolis and perfectly suited for pairing with Oxbow’s always impressive lineup of draft and bottled farmhouse ales. The real standouts thus far, however, have come in the form of dishes not exactly in line with Dutch and Flemish fare. Salmon belly poke—served with avocado, cilantro, sambal and crispy rice crackers—is the most delicate, viceral-grunt-inspiring dish you’ve ever eaten out of a paper tray. As battered birds go, chicken-fried quail is the “cleanest” imaginable in both taste and texture, destined for dipping in a lemon-sage mayo that lives up to its name and flanked by a piquant pile of fermented coleslaw.

The Press Herald has reviewed Blue Lobster Wine Co., and

Perfect location for a stop while strolling Anderson Street, especially if you’re an unpretentious wine lover who supports the concept of urban wineries.

Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Maine Lobster Shack.

I wouldn’t say that Maine Lobster Shack is the best at any one thing, but they performed well with everything we had. They seem to have a solid grasp on casual seaside fare and the Fore St. location really is a fun, central spot in the Old Port. Have beers and oysters outdoors, lobster rolls and fries indoors, or whatever combo of atmosphere and seafood you want. I think you’ll find a pleasant experience without any wanting for more when you’re through.