The New York Times referenced an article about Finest Kind Tea (facebook, twitter) in a wrap-up of the week’s small business stories.
Diet soda sales have crashed, and a Maine entrepreneur offers a healthier alternative.
Vinland Update
Vinland has posted a Kickstarter update which says that their “inspections are coming up next week” and that “barring any major hiccups, we will have our ‘hard opening’ on December 26th”
Audio Review of Little Bigs and Portland & Rochester
For the latest episode of Booze, Fish & Coffee the guys share their views on Little Bigs, Portland & Rochester, and more.
This hot new bakery is worth the hype. This husband-and-wife baking team hails from Michigan, and their hand pies are delectable, with an amazing crust that’s both light and flavorful with buttery goodness, but not too thick, so you can actually taste the goodies inside. We dig the Vegetable Samosa and the Spicy Pork Pie, but we’ll have to return for the Texas Chili with Frito Crust (!) These guys also know their way around a donut — both pastry and cake varieties, which were outstanding.
Art of Food at Spread
The Forecaster has a report on Jung Hur, an artist and the chef/owner of Spread.
Artists exhibiting in restaurants, cafes and bars are fairly common in Maine, but the Jung Hur show at Spread is an exceptional marriage of fine art and fine dining in a setting that is itself largely created by Jung, including the bar, the pillows and the chandelier.
According to the article, Spread will offer “a four-course prix fixe dinner as the culinary manifestation of “Balance: The Paintings & Cuisine of Jung Hur”” from today through February 2nd.
Bissell Brothers Now on Tap
The Beer Babe reports that Bissell Brothers first beer, The Substance, debuted last week “at The Thirsty Pig to eager drinkers. The hoppy concoction hit a lot of good notes, and has the potential to stand out in the Maine IPA landscape,” and that it’s now on tap at Novare Res.
Randall Chasse, 71
Randall Chasse, owner of the Miss Portland Diner for 24 years and the Middle Street Cafe for 6 years, has passed away at age 71.
Mr. Chasse had dreamed of operating The Worcester Lunch Car Company No. 818 since he was a boy growing up in Portland. His father was a well-known sausage maker and the two would drive past the diner often. He bought Miss Portland Diner around 1980 and served breakfast and lunch seven days a week to a loyal following.
Finest Kind Tea
The Bangor Daily News has published an article about Finest Kind Tea Concentrate and its founder Jay Lombard.
Moving to Portland in January, the environment was right to launch Finest Kind Tea Concentrate. He made his first batch in June and now offers two flavors — wild Maine blueberry white tea and half and half, which is black tea and lemonade concentrate, also known as the Arnold Palmer.
Sold in 16-ounce glass apothecary bottles for $6.99, the strong tea blends can be fizzed up, iced down, heated or blended with tap water. Lombard also recommends mixologists add rum or gin for an easy cocktail.
Finest Kind is a competitor in The Next Big Food Thing contest being run by online grocery service Fresh Direct.
Review of David’s Opus Ten
Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed David’s Opus Ten.
You should go to David’s Opus Ten soon. Get ready for some great food and be adventurous. It’s worth it for the experience. Pick a special occasion, make a reservation, and try something new. You can thank me later.
Food Gift & Alternative Diet Buying Guides
The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes a food-oriented gift buying guide,
When it comes to shopping local for the holidays, especially when you’re on the hunt for food-related gifts, those of us who live in Maine are luckier than a hungry elf trapped in a gingerbread factory.
and some recommendations on where to source gluten-free or vegan prepared foods for the holidays.
If you’re looking for prepared Christmas food that is gluten-free or vegan or meets other dietary needs, you’re in luck. It’s never been easier to find these eats in Greater Portland. But for the people running the food businesses, it can be hard to keep up with demand.
The $500 Tip
The Press Herald has published an article about a Kentucky man who’s traveling the country handing out $500 tips in memory of his brother.
An organization was founded, Aaron’s Last Wish, and about $50,000 was raised to keep the tips flowing. Collins said his goal is to leave at least one $500 tip in every state in the country by the end of January, and he still has about 10 Eastern states to go.
Update: Also see this article from the Bangor Daily News.