This Week’s Events: Maine Ag Show, Tipo Opening, Winter Market

Tuesday – it’s the opening day of the 76th Annual Maine Agricultural Trades Show in Augusta.

WednesdayTipo is scheduled to open at 4 pm.

FridayMaine & Loire is holding a wine tasting to celebrate their 2nd anniversary.

SaturdayLeRoux Kitchen is holding a wine tasting, and the Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place.

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.

Reviews: Owl & Elm, Salty Sally’s

The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed Owl & Elm,

The family-friendly pub serves a smart selection of mostly local beers, both on tap and by the bottle, as well as cocktails, like the Lulu ($9), a dealer’s choice drink that changes daily but always includes tequila. Food at Owl & Elm falls squarely under the rubric of classic pub fare, with some weak dishes, like an unbalanced seafood stew, as well as some very strong ones, like spicy buffalo cauliflower, and hearty, slow-braised steak served over crisp French fries. Owl & Elm might not be the place to come for a quiet meal, but it is a great spot for a burger and a beer with local patrons of all ages.

and The Bollard has reviewed Salty Sally’s Bar and Grille.

On the plus side, we really felt welcome at Salty Sally’s. The owner and our server were both happy to answer our questions and everyone seemed to be in a great mood. I’d definitely come back another time for a couple drinks or a late-night burger fix, but I’ll look elsewhere for breakfast. It’s a new year, friends. Let’s resolve not to settle for anything less than excellence in 2017. We owe David Bowie at least that much.

Under Construction: A and C Grocery

A and C Grocery (website, facebook), a “neighborhood one-stop grocery shop” is under construction at 131 Washington Ave.

Open seven days a week, we will offer the amenities of a super market at a scale that fits the neighborhood. Specializing in sustainably produced ingredients, we will provide Munjoy Hill and East Bayside with a welcoming place to find and enjoy prepared foods, hand-crafted bread, fresh produce, groceries, beer, wine, dairy, eggs and specialty food items.

Boston Globe: Expanding Maine Food Scene

The Boston Globe has published a report entitled “Maine’s hot food scene spreads beyond Portland“.

But when it came to innovative cooking using locally-sourced ingredients in a cozy setting, Maine’s pickings were slim, save for what’s going on in Portland, which became a progressive food mecca several years ago.

Thus, on a recent jaunt to Maine, I was thrilled to discover a slew of fabulous restaurants up and down the coast.

Under Construction: Mami

Mami Food Truck has leased the former Mainely Wraps space at 339 Fore Street where they plan to open a brick and mortar restaurant.

Here it is guys…. We’re going brick and mortar! We want to thank you all for supporting the food truck for the past year and half. We cannot express our gratitude enough for all of the friendships we’ve made, the events we’ve been part of, and the really kick ass times we’ve had!!! The truck will also continue to operate, so you can still find us at all the regular haunts !!

This will be the 6th food truck that converts to/adds-on a brick and mortar business. Small Axe/East Ender, Love Kupcakes/Baristas+Bites, Hella Good Tacos, Mainely Burgers and CN Shawarma/Baharat are the other five.

The Purple House

The Press Herald Has published the second installment of two articles by Krista Kern Desjarlais on the opening of The Purple House.

The sun has started to rise in earnest as I greet a few more customers and thank them for their well wishes. Its warm glow mimics that of the flames in the oven. And just like that, after many months of hard work and preparation, The Purple House is open. Day one is underway, full of hope and my quest to find my baker’s circadian rhythm, which beats against the 9 to 5 workday norm.