Here are a pair of new items for the Under Construction List:
Joseph Esposito passed away Friday at the age of 84. Among his many business interests, Esposito also founded Esposito’s Restaurant (now Espo’s Trattoria) in 1976.
The Portside Picnic food truck is for sale on eBay. The asking price is $49,900 or best offer.
Chefs Niko Regas from Emilitsa and Jack Smith from East Ender along with Rising Tide Brewing will be participating in the 2014 Lamb Jam.
This year’s Lamb Jam is scheduled for Sunday April 13 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Boston.
Monday — Oscar’s New American is holding a Portuguese Wine Dinner.
Wednesday — The Maine Brew Bus has organized a progressive beer dinner featuring Rising Tide Brewing, and Black Tie is teaching a cooking class.
Thursday — The Great Lost Bear will be featuring beer from the Maine Beer Company.
Friday — Maine Restaurant Week’s series of special events kick-off with the Incredible Breakfast Cook-off.
Saturday — It’s the first official day of Maine Restaurant Week, there will be a wine tasting at LeRoux Kitchen and the Winter Farmers Market is taking place at the Urban Farm Fermentory on Anderson Street.
Sunday — The MRW Bowl Big Tournament 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.
The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed Siano’s Pizzeria.
This is the quintessential Italian-American comfort food dining establishment that’s both a pizzeria made in wood-fired brick ovens and a full restaurant menu serving gutsy, well-made fare. The veal cutlet Parmigiana is one of the best in the Portland area, rich with sauce, cheese and buttery tender veal. Other dishes excel too, like their homemade ravioli and creative pasta dishes, chicken cacciatore and an array of very good pizza made with their homemade red sauce and pizza dough.
The Maine Legislature is exploring how to expand the number of state restaurant inspectors, according to a report from the Press Herald.
According to the state Office of Policy and Legal Analysis, 96 establishments have no inspection recorded in the state database and another 1,414 establishments have gone more than two years without being inspected.
[Representative Peter] Stuckey called that backlog “unacceptable.”
Several Meat House locations in Maine and NH have closed, according to a report in the Bangor Daily News.
Customers seeking choice cuts of meat, gourmet foods and unique wines are now being greeted by a darkened store and icy sidewalk at the Meat House at 450 Payne Road.
A letter on the front door says the 6-year-old store is closed for remodeling. But an investor lawsuit and the closure of other stores in Maine and New Hampshire suggest the 11-year-old company is facing more than appearance problems.
The Holy Donut was recognized by Grub Street as one of the 101 Amazing American Doughnut Shops With Serious Street Cred.
Piccolo was included by Eater National on their list of the 25 Hottest Brunches Across the US.
Drink Up and Get Happy have reviewed Bull Feeney’s.
While we were there our waiter was very helpful in answering any questions we had, recommending beers, and being attentive in general without hovering. We perused the whiskey menu, reported to be the largest collection offered in the area, but ultimately chose to stick with the brews that evening. We’ll save them for next time and with great service, great beers, and delicious bacon there will definitely be a next time!
The Golden Dish has reviewed Hot Suppa.
Or perhaps it’s an issue with Hot Suppa!’s kitchen, which could be doing better than it does. The food can be gutsy and at other times it misses. Yet none of this keeps the crowds away, lining up for weekend brunch or for lunch and dinner nearly every day of the week.