There have been two last minute additions to the weekend food event calendar that I wanted to let you know about:
For more information visit the event calendar.
For Day 4 of his photographic tour of the week’s food events, PortlandTown went to Vignola for the 4th Annual Allagash Beer Dinner.
According to Press Herald food writer, Avery Yale Kamila, Coastal Maine Popcorn plans on opening a retail shop at 45 Exchange Street.
A Hamburger Today has published a review of the Blue Spoon. (via Portland Psst)
So is the Blue Spoon burger the best in this little city with a big stomach? Maybe—there are also those who swear by the Front Room, the Grill Room, and the bar-style burger at Rosie’s. But there’s no doubt that the Blue Spoon burger is a serious—and seriously delicious—contender.
Portland Bar Guide has published a bar review of The Front Room.
Defying the melee, bartender Eva notices me right away, and I’m asked what I’d like to drink within 48 seconds of entering, with the drink specials offered in a crisp list. On Saturday and Sunday, I’m happy to learn, this masterful happy hour allows the booze-artist some autonomy with the Bartender’s Choice special, a seasonal, creative cocktail. Eva has made a delicious-sounding Cinnamon Manhattan in past weeks, for example.
Samantha Hoyt Lindgren, co-owner of Rabelais Books, is the author of an interview with Rob Evans appearing in the new issue of Gastronomica.
Samantha’s interview gives us the back story on Rob, who’s risen from yeoman’s cooking on cruise ships to the top of the heap with his recent James Beard Award. Fortunately, she didn’t mention his amazing new charcuterie platter, so there will still be some for us.
Margo Mallar is the author of a new food essay on Portland Food Heads. Margo is the founder of the Maine Ambassadors of Food and Drink, and is the food writer for the Portland Daily Sun. Her essay consists of a set of brief observations about city life made over a three day period.
Day 3 of PortlandTown’s photographic tour of this week’s food events took him to Cinque Terre for the Slow Food Dinner.
The whole concept of “Slow Food’s” could be another post, but let’s say it’s a cousin to the 30 Mile Meal idea to eat local, eat fresh, know your food. Much of the food tonight was grown local and prepared on the premise. The meal was part of a national promotion of “Slow Food” farm to table movement at 6 to 8 premier restaurants around the country.
The French Press Eatery, a new coffee shop and cafe in Westbrook run by James Tranchemontagne from the Frog and Turtle and his brother Andre, is now open for business. In addition to soup, sandwiches and coffee, the menu includes a line-up of fresh donuts. If there anything like the ones at the Frog and Turtle then I’m going to be a regular customer. The French Press Eatery is located in the former Freaky Bean space at 855 Main Street.
A new coffee shop and Internet cafe, Yordprom Coffee Co, is now under construction at 722 Congress Street in the building that used to serve as the offices for Portland Magazine.
Lindsey Sterling has published another ethnic cooking adventures on her blog Inside Immigrant Kitchens. This time she’s cooking with Bill Dilios to make Albanian Kotopita (recipe, family history).
My husband’s co-worker’s father, Bill Dilios, taught me how to make his favorite dish from Albania: kotopita. It’s like chicken pot pie, but with filo crust and an epic story inside