Loco Pollo

Loco PolloThe Portland Phoenix has reviewed Loco Pollo.

Loco Pollo gets the tamale right in many ways. They respect tradition without becoming mired in it. They use enough lard to impart some richness without making the dough heavy. They steam them long enough to keep them moist but not wet. They use several wrappings, cornhusk in the Mexican style and banana leaf like the Central Americans, which impart different subtle flavors to the meal. And they fill them with meats, cheeses, and chilis fresh and ample enough that the soggy aroma fills your head.

Community Supported Fisheries

CSFs are front and center in this article in the Food & Health section of today’s Press Herald. According to the article, a number of community supported fisheries will be on hand at the CSA Fairs taking place across the state on February 8.

As of last week, organizers were expecting lobster and mussel shares to be offered in Portland, lobster and shrimp in Brunswick, and mussels in Newcastle. Seafood shares were also expected to be available in Belfast, Orono and maybe Saco and Ellsworth.

Brunch at Local 188

New2Maine.com has reviewed the brunch at Local 188.

The check took a while coming, but it was nice to not feel hurried toward the door so that the next party could take our table. Overall we were pleased with, but not blown away by, our visit. We’d go again (I’ve heard the dinner is great), but probably not for brunch if we had lots to do in the afternoon.

Freaky Bean

The Bollard has a report on some ongoing changes at The Freaky Bean Coffee Co.  including the spin-off of the Yarmouth and Falmouth locations back to the original owners of Maine Roasters Coffee and the opening of a new location in Scarborough. According to the article, last September when Freaky Bean was “in every town around Portland, it seemed just a matter of time before the company would enter Portland proper and challenge local favorite Coffee By Design on its home turf. But in the months since that article appeared, the cup has gone cold.”

Blueberry Files/Bresca

A new food blog, The Blueberry Files, has published a review of Bresca.

I had a great time, and really liked the attention to detail… like the fois gras slices on parmesan crips that came out at the beginning of our meal from the chef (who is a woman, hell yeah!). And I love going to a place where the menu catches me slightly off guard by using ingredients I’ve either never had or never heard of.

Press Herald Reader’s Poll

The Portland Press Herald has kicked of its 23rd Annual Reader’s Poll. There are categories for Maine’s Best Restaurant, Best Cheap Eats, Best Lobster Roll, Best Coffee, Best Bakery, Best Pizza, Best Bar, and Best Beer. You have until February 27 to place your vote online.

In the article announcing last year’s poll results when Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks came in #1 and #2 for Best Coffee the Press Herald admonished readers to “Think local, people. We know Dunkin Donuts has good, reliable coffee and that Starbucks has taken over the planet, but the purpose of this poll is to tell your fellow Mainers about local options.”

This Week’s Events

Thursday night Slow Food Portland is hosting their annual Writer’s Night at the SPACE Gallery. There are two cooking classes scheduled this week: at Piatto per Tutti tonight and at Paciarino on Friday. There are three wine dinners is taking place this week: at Bar Lola on Tuesday, and at both the Foreside Tavern and Cinque Terre on Wednesday. The Great Lost Bear is holding the Brew Pub Cup competition on Thursday.  The Scarborourgh Wine Outlet has a wine tastings scheduled for Saturday. For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.