Month: May 2010

Thai-o-rama: Sabieng

| Posted in Reviews

For the seventh round of this comprehensive group survey/review of Thai restaurants in Portland we visited Sabieng on Forest Ave. They’re neighbors with Bibo’s and Katahdin. All three are well situated to tap into theater goers on their way to a performance at Portland Stage. Sabieng is just the latest name for the Thai restaurant at this location. In recent memory it’s also been called Nakornping Thai and Chaba Thai Cuisine II.
Portland Food Heads – read the full review

let’s just say that the interior didn’t exactly beg me to sit down and stay for a meal. As everyone tends to judge a book by its cover from time to time, this made me a bit nervous that I was in for another disappointing plate of Pad-Thai. Luckily, the food at Sabieng is on a higher plane than the decor.

The Blueberry Files – read the full review

I don’t know how good business is at Sabieng; after all it’s tucked around a corner and is right down the street from the more popular Pom’s. But between the hospitality we received and the fresh ingredients, I’d recommend adding this place to your short list of great Thai restaurant in Portland.

Where is Jenner’s Mind – read the full review

appetizer = chive pancakes. yummy. a little gummy in that way that rice pancake-type-things can be but it filled with fresh chives and garlic and complemented nicely with a ginger dipping sauce. mains = panaeng tofu curry and lemon grass chicken, both served with brown rice and both ordered medium spicy. yum to both.

These are the first reviews published of Sabieng and as a result we’re now able to take them off the Unreviewed List.

Neal Dow & The World Cup

| Posted in General News, People

Today’s Portland Daily Sun includes a visit to the Neal Dow Memorial house on Congress Street and examination of his legacy as the Father of Prohibition.

“People on the wharf were often paid in alcohol not cash. How were people supposed to buy food or wood for the fire or clothes for their children? On Congress Street from Bramhall to Munjoy Hill there were 300 places where you could buy rum. In shoe stores, in meat markets, in clothing stores; they all had a barrel of rum and people drank it like water…

The newspaper also took a look at how local bars are preparing for this year’s World Cup.

Neal Dow & The World Cup

| Posted in General News, People

Today’s Portland Daily Sun includes a visit to the Neal Dow Memorial house on Congress Street and examination of his legacy as the Father of Prohibition.

“People on the wharf were often paid in alcohol not cash. How were people supposed to buy food or wood for the fire or clothes for their children? On Congress Street from Bramhall to Munjoy Hill there were 300 places where you could buy rum. In shoe stores, in meat markets, in clothing stores; they all had a barrel of rum and people drank it like water…

The newspaper also took a look at how local bars are preparing for this year’s World Cup.

Red’s Dairy Freeze Fire

| Posted in General News

The Press Herald is reporting that Red’s Dairy Freeze in South Portland has been damaged by a fire.

The owner of the business, which is entering the peak summer season, said the extent of the damage is unknown, but he vowed to reopen.

“Until people get here and check things out, I don’t know how long it will take to get things repaired and get back to business,” Chris Bolling said. “We will be back.”

See About Town for a set of photos taken the night of the fire.

Red's Dairy Freeze Fire

| Posted in General News

The Press Herald is reporting that Red’s Dairy Freeze in South Portland has been damaged by a fire.

The owner of the business, which is entering the peak summer season, said the extent of the damage is unknown, but he vowed to reopen.

“Until people get here and check things out, I don’t know how long it will take to get things repaired and get back to business,” Chris Bolling said. “We will be back.”

See About Town for a set of photos taken the night of the fire.

This Week’s Events

| Posted in Events

Tuesday — the next installment of the Food & Drink Trivia Competition is taking place at Grace.

Wednesday — the midweek Farmers Market is taking place in Monument Square; there will be a beer tasting at the West End Deli; Dr. John Herzog is giving a mid-day talk on The Power of Food.

Thursday — there will be a showing of the movie Dirt! and a talk with author William Logan for the opening night of Food+Farm 2010; Aurora Provisions is holding a tasting of Valle Azul, an Argentine biodynamic winery; both Leavitt and Sons and Black Cherry Provisions in Falmouth are holding wine tastings; Dave Geary will be at The Great Lost Bear for a showcase of brews from D. L. Geary Brewing; Black Tie Bistro is teaching a cooking class.

Friday — for the 2nd night of Food+Farm there will be a screening of Ingredients followed by a Q&A with chef Guy Hernandez from Bar Lola.

Saturday — Food+Farm continues with an event at the Boyd Street urban farm and a showing of the movie Colony followed by a Q&A with master beekeeper Erin Forbes; Meg Swoboda of Sweet Marguerites is teaching a class at the Stonewall Kitchen in York on making artisanal chocolates; the West End Neighborhood Association is holding the inaugural WestFest; the weekend Farmers Market is taking place in Deering Oaks Park.

Sunday — Food+Farm finishes up with a showing of the movie End of the Line: Imagine a World without Fish.

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.

This Week's Events

| Posted in Events

Tuesday — the next installment of the Food & Drink Trivia Competition is taking place at Grace.
Wednesday — the midweek Farmers Market is taking place in Monument Square; there will be a beer tasting at the West End Deli; Dr. John Herzog is giving a mid-day talk on The Power of Food.
Thursday — there will be a showing of the movie Dirt! and a talk with author William Logan for the opening night of Food+Farm 2010; Aurora Provisions is holding a tasting of Valle Azul, an Argentine biodynamic winery; both Leavitt and Sons and Black Cherry Provisions in Falmouth are holding wine tastings; Dave Geary will be at The Great Lost Bear for a showcase of brews from D. L. Geary Brewing; Black Tie Bistro is teaching a cooking class.
Friday — for the 2nd night of Food+Farm there will be a screening of Ingredients followed by a Q&A with chef Guy Hernandez from Bar Lola.
Saturday — Food+Farm continues with an event at the Boyd Street urban farm and a showing of the movie Colony followed by a Q&A with master beekeeper Erin Forbes; Meg Swoboda of Sweet Marguerites is teaching a class at the Stonewall Kitchen in York on making artisanal chocolates; the West End Neighborhood Association is holding the inaugural WestFest; the weekend Farmers Market is taking place in Deering Oaks Park.
Sunday — Food+Farm finishes up with a showing of the movie End of the Line: Imagine a World without Fish.
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.

Open for the Season

| Posted in General News

Benny’s clam shack on West Commercial Street and the Chebeague Island Inn have now opened for the season.
The Inn is under new management and according to the Press Herald, chef Justin Rowe “has worked at Five Fifty-five and Fore Street” and will “be serving a contemporary American menu with ingredients sourced as much as possible from local farms, including Second Wind, an island farm. All fish and lobster will come directly from local fishermen.”