Fore & Wharf Street Property Auction

This week’s edition of The Forecaster reports on the foreclosure of a few properties along Fore and Wharf Streets. The buildings contain several food-related businesses including Gorgeous Gelato and Havana South.

But the future is uncertain for Zanardi and other Old Port business owners leasing space in two buildings at the Union Street end of Fore and Wharf Streets.

The buildings at 432, 434, 436 and 446 Fore St. and 42 and 50 Wharf St. were scheduled to be auctioned off on Thursday. But the sale has been postponed until July 22.

Sending Food Back

Natalie Ladd offers some guidance and when and how to send food back to the kitchen in today’s Portland Daily Sun. Step 1 is to

Evaluate the Error: Make sure the problem is on their end, not yours. Be sure to tell your server if you have a food allergy or aversion to an item listed in a dish. However, if your food is undercooked, overcooked, the wrong temperature, stale, has a foreign object in it, or is not what you ordered, send it back. If it doesn’t taste the way you thought it would, however, try to deal with your disappointment. It is my experience that most food is sent back by nitpickers who are disappointed with their own choice, or occasional scammers who hope to have their bill reduced by a preemptive complaint.

SoPo Bees, Meatless Monday, Grilling Veggies, and Berwick Bison

Today’s Press Herald reports on the bee ordinance in South Portland. Beekeeper Phil Gaven who was interviewed for the article plans on opening “a store in Portland called The Honey Exchange. He will offer local honey, wax products and honey-based food and drink.”

The paper also includes an article about Sebago Brewing’s new Meatless Monday menu,

“We’ve gotten a lot of requests for more healthy, more local and more vegetarian,” said Elise Loschiavo, Sebago’s marketing manager. “It’s not that hard to come up with a few more meatless options.”

advice on grilling vegetables,

Or brush some Brussels sprouts with olive oil and tamari, and toss them on the grill. “Brussels sprouts are excellent on the grill,” [Toni] Fiore said. “I’ve made them for people who don’t like Brussels sprouts, but they like them on the grill. It just adds a different dimension. It’s not so cabbage-y.”

and a report on a pair of friends who are raising Bison in Berwick, Maine.

Review of Havana South

Down East has published a review of Havana South.

Meanwhile, the Latin inspiration comes through in dishes such as a cod stew that includes tomatoes, olives, capers, and jalapenos, and a perfectly cooked braised lamb shank with a side of agave-infused mashed sweet potatoes. Other dishes are less well executed: pork gorditas — pulled pork with pico de gallo, guacamole, and onion relish — can be surprisingly bland, with the gordita itself more of a circular slab than a chewy corn tortilla.

This Week’s Events: Latte Competition, Rum Tasting, etc.

Tuesday — Blue is holding a wine and cheese tasting.

Wednesday — a rum tasting is taking place at The Salt Exchange, and the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place.

Thursday — Bard Coffee is hosting a latte art competition for professional baristas and amateur coffee enthusiasts. Wine tastings are taking place at Browne Trading and the Brighton Ave Rosemont and chef Frank Giglio will teach a cooking class at the Public Market House.

Friday — the West End Deli is holding a wine tasting.

Saturday — the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place.

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.