Hutchins to Join Rhum

Award winning bartender Trevin Hutchins is joining the team at Rhum as a partner and director of their beverage program. Hutchin’s new cocktail menu, as well as a new food menu, is going to be unveiled at a press event next week.

Hutchins cocktails have been featured in Bon Appetit, Food and Wine, Down East, and the New York Times. His drink the Jakarta was selected as one of the top 5 cocktails of 2015 by Star Chefs.

Zagat Eating Guide to Portland

Zagat has published an eating guide to Portland.

At this point, it’s no secret that Portland, Maine, is one of the hottest food cities in the country, never mind New England. It’s also well represented (once again) on the latest list of James Beard Award semi-finalists. But for this latest list of travel-worthy spots, we focused on a mix of revered stalwarts, lauded newcomers and lesser-known gems. There are many more we could have included — apologies to still-awesome staples like Duckfat and Miyake — but these are the old and new favorites that are perking our palate right now.

Highlighted in the article are: Central Provisions, Drifters Wife, Elsemere BBQ, Evo Kitchen + Bar, Fore Street, Grace, Portland Hunt and Alpine Club, The Holy Donut, The Honey Paw, Vinland.

Under Construction: Lio

Cara Stadler has announced the hire of two key personnel to the staff at Lio (instagram, facebook), the new wine-focused restaurant she has under development on Spring Street.

  • Ian Driscoll – has been hired as Stadler’s Co-Chef. Driscoll has worked at Duckfat, Hugo’s and Eventide and helped open Central Provisions where he eventually held the position of Chef de Cuisine.
  • Patrick McDonald – has been hired as the Bar Director at Lio. He’s worked at a number of Portland venues including Gingko Blue and Central Provisions where he was the Bar Manager.