Winter Farmers Market

The Golden Dish has posted some suggestions on improving the winter farmers market.

The market needs  to reinvent itself, creating an  exciting environment that includes an expanded marketplace of farm-related products beyond what comes from the field.  More variety would fill in when the natural demise of produce finally takes a rest for the winter.  More baked goods, prepared foods, seafood, crafts and the like would be vital additions.

This Week’s Events: Cloak & Dagger, Latte Art, Wine Tastings, Specialty Coffee Month, Food Preservation Classes

MondayCloak & Dagger is holding an homage dinner where they’ll “replicate famous dishes from: Thomas Keller, Escoffier, Albert Adria, Ferran Adria, David Chang, Grant Achatz, Daniel Boulud, and more.” Local Sprouts is screening the movie Betting the Farm.

WednesdayThe Salt Exchange is hosting a Beer & Bacon dinner, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute will be screening Alaska’s Red Gold, a movie about the sockeye salmon at Bristol Bay, Alaska.

Thursday — Bard is hosting the monthly Latte Art Competition, the Great Lost Bear is showcasing a set of beers from New Hampshire, and there will be a wine tasting at the Public Market House and a beer tasting at the Bier Cellar.

Friday — Wine Wise is teaching a class on the wines of Rhone Valley, there will be a wine tasting at the West End Deli, and it’s First Friday Art Walk so make your reservations soon before the restaurants are all booked up.

Saturday — Figa is holding an Art Bar, there will be wine tastings at LeRoux Kitchen and Browne Trading, and the Winter Farmers Market is taking place.

SundayPetite Jacqueline is screening Les Diaboliques.

Coffee by Design — is running a series of educational events in February to celebrate Specialty Coffee Month.

Food Preservation Workshops — the University of Maine Cooperative Extension has published an extensive list of classes on food preservation taking place all over the state.

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.

Review of Local 188

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Local 188.

Local 188’s menu is thoughtful, balanced and keyed in to the unique desires of Portland foodie types — and has been true to this concept since 1999. Its hipster reputation is not a mandate, just a nod to the area’s upwardly mobile young culture. The restaurant serves excellent food in a gallery atmosphere that features work by local artists. With this mix of art and cuisine, it is a terrific neighborhood spot for a drink, a snack or a full-on dinner date. Meat-free options are plentiful.

Review of Zen Chinese Bistro

The Portland Phoenix has published a review of Zen Chinese Bistro.

Zen the concept is not about transcendence, but rather about deepening the quality of our worldly presence. Zen the Chinese Bistro is not exactly transcendent, but it does enhance the quality of Chinese cuisine in Portland. The menu does not veer far from the beaten path of Americanized-Chinese, but it executes those classic dishes well, with fresh ingredients. That is enough to put Zen among the upper tier of Chinese restaurants in town.

Review of Three Buoys

The Press Herald has published a review of Three Buoys.

Let me get the location comments out of the way, and I truly say this with respect. The corner of Cumberland and Washington avenues in Portland is not where I expected to find a wonderful haven — a diamond in the rough, if you will — of delicious dining. But guess what? That’s exactly what I found, and shame on me for having that attitude in the first place.