Eater’s national roving restaurant critic, Bill Addison, was in Maine back in August sampling his way across the state. He’s just published an article with his impressions of Eventide, Fore Street, Slab, Vinland as well as Five Island Lobster Company in Georgetown.
Month: September 2014
Blue Current Sake
Blue Current Brewing (website, facebook, twitter) is Maine-based sake brewer under development in Kittery. Owner Dan Ford has made good progress (watch video for details) and is turning to Kickstarter for the additional funds needed to fully launch the business. So far the campaign has raised one third of the $33,000 goal.
For more information and to contribute to the campaign visit the Blue Current Kickstarter page.
The Jewel Box is Now Open
The Bearded Lady’s Jewel Box (website, twitter, instagram) had a public soft opening last night which they announced earlier in the day to their Kickstarter supporters. The cocktail bar is owned by Nathaniel Meiklejohn (shown right) who has worked at a number of Portland area establishments and was part of the team that ran the successful Pocket Brunch series.
The menu is a compact (hand typed) list of 5 cocktails and one beer that was brewed for the bar in collaboration with In’finiti.
The Jewel Box is located at 644 Congress Street near Longfellow Square. The space and very comfortable curved bar was built out by North by East.
Reviews: Grill Room, Sebago, Great Lost Bear
Drink Up and Get Happy has reviewed The Grill Room.
Overall happy hour at The Grill Room wasn’t too bad. Pros are a great location, good specials including food, and a patio. Cons were the long wait and not having happy hour restrictions posted. These things can be worked on and it’s a solid place to enjoy a happy hour, especially if you miss out on the free buffet up the street at The Corner Room.
The Golden Dish has published a comparative review of the burgers at The Great Lost Bear and Sebago.
Lesson learned: when you want a great burger at a reasonable price go to the source—no imitations, please. The Great Lost Bear does it right.
Bonfire Now Open
Bonfire Country Bar (website, facebook, twitter) opened last night. Bonfire will have a self service beer wall. Red solo cups to serve all drinks.
Bonfire is located at 37 Wharf in the former home of Seawall.
Cheap Eats
The Portland Phoenix has assembled some cheap eats recommendations for the new crop of college students who have recently arrived for the fall semester.
But after a trip to the campus bookstore, the annual pilgrimage to Target, and let’s not even mention that first tuition installment, your bank account balance is starting to look mighty paltry in the face of anything truffled or sous vide. So here’s 13 options that will satisfy your inner foodie without causing you to decide between the omakase and your Econ text book.
Review of MJ’s
The Press Herald has reviewed MJ’s Wine Bar.
Portland’s only wine bar, MJ’s offers a diverse selection of wine and a solid list of craft beer. Snacks such as cheese, olives and nuts are offered, but there is not a kitchen. Romantic and cozy, MJ’s is great for happy hour, a glass of wine before a show or an event or a private event.
Just a Little Bit Off
Rosemont and Piccolo are collaborating on a set of cooking classes called Just a Little Bit Off.
Piccolo chef Damian Sansonetti, along with special guests from Portland’s food and wine world, will demonstrate techniques and recipes that any interested home cooks can use to dramatically expand their range.
In groups of no more than a dozen, we will explore the glories of less familiar vegetables, “off” cuts of meat (which are usually the tastiest kinds!), unfamiliar (but simple to execute) preparations, and small-production wines from out-of-the-way and often unfamiliar regions.
Visit Brown Paper Tickets for details on the first five classes and to register.
Common Ground Fair
The Common Ground Fair kicks off today in Unity Maine. You can see the full schedule of activities on the MOFGA website.
Best Oyster Bars: Eventide
Travel+Leisure has included Eventide in their list of the Best Oyster Bars in America.
Turquoise walls make a fitting backdrop for this overflowing oyster bar, where stakes in the ice categorize the bivalves as “from Maine” or “away.” The Old Port area restaurant does New England classics like lobster rolls and chowder along with creative offerings like Kim Chee Ice or cucumber ginger. Eventide’s Chinese-style steamed bun, filled with crispy fried oysters, tomato, and tart pickled daikon, red onion, and jalapeño, is a standout.