This week’s Portland Phoenix takes a look at the impact of tourists on Portland restaurants and names Emilitsa the Best New Restaurant of 2008.
“While Greek cuisine is not exotic, Emilitsa shows the kind of deep loyalty to the clarity of a certain set of flavors and ingredients — in their case primarily lemon, olive, lamb, and yogurt — that more often emerges in larger cities that can cultivate the novel without external assistance.”
Today’s Press Herald has articles on the French tradition of Reveillon, the way imigrants weave food traditions into their new lives, and the Wayside Soup Kitchen’s holiday meal being cooked by members of Portland’s Jewish and Muslim communities.
The Maine Switch has reviewed Burrito.
“When the temperature nosedives and the snow starts to fall, it’s convenient to have a way to escape the weather. One of my favorite getaways is ¡Burrito! in Westbrook, where the laid-back atmosphere and Latin-influenced fare make it feel like a South-of-the-Border vacation.”
Also in this week’s Switch is a profile of Loco Pollo, the Washington Ave eatery recently opened by Corey Jones.
Portland in a Snap has published an update on the Port City Music Hall. According to the owner, PCMH will be opening in mid January.
Foodie events are very limited this week. Many of you are running your own limited access events in your homes over the next few days. As for the public events, on Monday the next Piatto per Tutti cooking class is being held, and on Wednesday night Cinque Terre is holding a Christmas Eve Dinner. As reported by the Munjoy Hill News, a Farmers’ Market will be taking place Wednesday afternoon in Monument Square. For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.
Back Bay Grill received 5 stars from this week’s Taste & Tell review in the Maine Sunday Telegram.
“Excellent service and dinners are both part of the picture at Back Bay Grill, an elegant restaurant that makes you feel at home.”
Both The Bollard and the Portland Phoenix have published articles this week on the controversy over a food salvaging operation at Whole Foods.
According to a report on Original Portland, The Kitchen is closing for good as of 2 pm on December 24. The owners are moving their commercial falafal business, Papou’s Kitchen, to Woodford Street where they will also sell a limited menu of falafel and gyro wraps. The space on Woodford Street used to be the headquarters for Daily Thyme.
Tomorrow afternoon Gritty’s is throwing itself a 21st beerthday party. There will be a plenty of 21 IPA beer, live music and they’ll be serving food from the original 1988 menu (at the 1988 prices). The fun starts at 1 pm and lasts as long as the beer does.
Photo credit: Gritty McDuff’s Brewing Company