Old Stalwarts

| Posted in General News

Portland magazine makes the case for not forgetting the “old stalwarts” of the city’s restaurant culture while we celebrate the newer establishments in town,

I could, and will, go on: Lolita, the Blue Spoon, and Union have never let me down. When I’m feeling raw and blue, I can always count on the chicken tacos with a side of bacon at the Front Room to cheer me up. The Parisian-feeling outdoor café at the Regency is a nice place for a lunch date on a balmy day. And whenever you get a hankering for top-notch homey German food (and who doesn’t?) there’s nowhere like Schulte & Herr for bratwurst and sauerkraut. As for sushi, no one does it better than Masa Miyake. But Benkay and Yosaku are damned good, too. As for Vietnamese, whether you’re Team Thanh Thanh or Team Saigon, it’s okay—they’re both great.

10 Years Ago in September and October

| Posted in History

Here’s a look at the top stories from a decade ago in September and October 2008:

    • The Forage Kill Grow Deathmatch took place.
    • The Portland City Council voted to “ban smoking in outdoor dining areas before 10 p.m.”
    • Michael Bauer visited Portland writing that “Portland is . . . about a tenth of the size of San Francisco, yet in terms of food, it’s every bit as sophisticated”.
    • Chef Lee Skawinski from Cinque Terre/Vignola served a dinner at The James Beard House.
    • Big Mama’s Diner closed.
    • A bicycle food delivery service called Veloport launched.

NYT: Elda in Biddeford

| Posted in Profiles

The New York Times has published an article about Elda in Biddeford.

Many of the markers of modern American restaurants are there: a drinks list featuring natural wines and creative cocktails, dishes with influences from Japanese and new Nordic cuisine. But where else are you likely to find a doughnut filled with crab, chiles and fudgy egg yolk? (Verdict: surprisingly spicy, with a tinge of sweetness from the powdered sugar and malt vinegar powder dusting.)

Reviews: Eaux, Maine Craft Distilling

| Posted in Reviews

The Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Eaux, and

We were done and I simultaneously regretted everything and nothing, noting that while I would be required to roll out of the restaurant, I had just basked in exquisite flavors and extraordinary dishes. From our hill of beans and seasonal squash, to the bird and baked batter platter, our food took us to New Orleans and back. And it was a wonderful journey.

the Portland Phoenix has reviewed Maine Craft Distilling.

There is also good food beyond snacking. The MCD salad is filled with soft veggies, chickpea cracker and a tangy-spicy dressing with lemon and sumac. Mexican corn was cool and crisp and spicy with thick mayo. A fried chicken sandwich, with thick slices of bacon and a dense pimento cheese sauce pillowing out one side, was hard to eat but worth the effort.

2 New Openings: Hero’s, Cheese

| Posted in Openings

Two new businesses opened this week:

  • Hero’s Subs (facebook, instagram, twitter) opened on Tuesday. This Portland extension of a Lewiston sandwich shop is located at the corner of Wharf and Union Streets.
  • The Cheese Shop of Portland (instagram, facebook) opened on Friday. Owners Mary and Will Sissle met when working at Cowgirl Creamery in San Francisco. Will Sissle is an ACS Certified Cheese Professional. In addition to cheese the shop sells sandwiches and a wide range of specialty food items. The shop is located at 93 Washington Ave.

With these two openings, the Under Construction List is now barely breaking past 20 businesses. It had consistently been at over 40 for the last few years but fewer new ventures got underway this year.

This Week’s Events: Tail Up Goat Dinner, Spencer Brewing, Cantillon Zwanze Day, Pigs & Pink

| Posted in Events

Wednesday – Drifters Wife is collaborating with Tail Up Goat from DC on a 5-course wine dinner, and the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thursday – The Great Lost Bear is showcasing beer from Cushnoc Brewing.

Friday – monks from America’s only Trappist brewery, Spencer Brewing, will be at the Bier Cellar (3-5) for a tasting, and at Novare Res (5-7) for a tap takeover.

Saturday – Novare Res is celebrating Cantillon Zwanze Day, and the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday – 20+ restaurants (Evo, Chaval, Little Giant, Woodford F&B, Purple House, etc), caterers, food producers and wine distributors are collaborating on Pigs & Pink – “Chef-Driven, Pig-Inspired Goodness paired with a Rosé round-up from Maine’s finest wine distributors” –aka a pig roast with a lot of rosé and good food taking place at Broadturn Farm. The event is organized by and a benefit for Full Plates Full Potential, an innovative organization dedicated to eliminating child hunger in Maine.

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.