Category: General News

Coffee Containers, The Signature Event, and MSC Apporval

| Posted in General News, Events, Fisheries

Today’s Press Herald explore the science and personal opinions on how styrofoam cups impact the flavor of coffee,

Coffee tastes better in a Styrofoam cup. Really?

Really, say some folks concerned about Portland’s proposed ban on Styrofoam containers. But is it a fact these folks can prove? Or is it all in their heads? The answer, according to a trio of scientists with lots of initials after their names, is yes — and yes.

Food writer Meredith Goad was has filed a report from the MRW Signature Event,

Matt and Jackie Schumacher of Yarmouth had fun trying the dessert, but said their favorite entry was the beignets from David’s Opus Ten. They weren’t the only ones raving about the beignets. The fried sweet treats, served with peppered strawberry, won the People’s Choice award for desserts for the evening. Chef Bo Byrne of David’s Opus Ten said he was “absolutely floored.”

and the Marrine Stewardship Council has certified the Maine lobster industry as sustainable.

The state’s lobster fishery got the international Marine Stewardship Council’s Sustainable Seafood Certification. That distinction, which recognizes ecologically sound practices from the harvest to the consumer, will help in the marketing and tracking of Maine lobster, according to the state Department of Marine Resources.

Saint Patrick’s Day Law

| Posted in General News

The Bangor Daily News interviewed Brian Boru co-owner Dan Steele about his request to the state to allow liquor sales starting at 6 am on this year’s Saint Patrick’s Day.

Dan Steele thought his request to lawmakers on Feb. 20 was a straightforward one: Pass legislation that would allow his Portland bar, Brian Boru, to open at 6 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day this year, when the holiday falls on a Sunday.

“This is a small-business issue in a tough economy,” said Steele, a co-owner of the Portland bar. “This is about my employees. This is about tax revenue. This is about jobs.”

TBC Comeback

| Posted in General News

The Breakfast Club crew has announced that they’re making a comeback. Read all about the changes since their last review 3½ years ago on the TBC site.

Yes, you read that correctly: The Portland Breakfast Club is officially back in action! The Usual and Wild Toast have recently moved back to Maine from the State-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named, to find The Benny Girl anxiously awaiting their return with fork and tea infuser in hand.

Maine Made Sake & Food Pronunciation Guide

| Posted in General News, Profiles

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes a feature article on Blue Current, a sake brewery under development in Maine.

Ford and Sygowski plan to open a sake microbrewery this spring, right here in Maine.

The two friends already brew for their personal consumption in the garage at Ford’s home in Kittery Point. That’s where the commercial operation, called Blue Current Brewery, will begin once they have all their local, state and federal permits in hand. They hope to be open for business by April or May, and will eventually move the brewery out of Ford’s house.

The Press Herald sister site Maine Today has published a food word pronunciation guide in time for Maine Restaurant Week. I had the pleasure of being the official voice for the recordings.

Diners don’t generally mispronounce “chicken” or “BLT,” which means we’ve gotten along just fine at area pubs and sandwich shops. But our small city’s super-exploding food scene has some phonetic implications: We’re not quite sure how to pronounce this stuff.

2013 James Beard Foundation Semi-Finalists

| Posted in General News

The semi-final list of nominees for this year’s James Beard Awards were released today. Four Maine chefs and restaurants made the list:

Final nominees will be announced on Monday March 18 and the awards ceremony takes place May 3 & 6 in New York City.

For reference, here are the Maine semi-finalist from 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Vote in Phoenix Readership Poll

| Posted in General News

The nominations are in and it’s now time to cast your ballot in the Portland Phoenix Best of Portland Readership Poll.

There are a plethora of Food and Drink categories (Bagels, Bars, Barbecue, Beer Selection, Brewpubs, Brunch, etc) to vote on as well as sections for City Life, Arts and Entertainment, and Shopping.

Portland Food Map along with From Away, Map & Menu, Mister Meatball, and the The Blueberry Files are all contenders in the Food Blog category.

Final results are usually made public in April at the Port City Music Hall.

Elvers Fishery & Harding Smith Rescue

| Posted in General News

Today’s Press Herald includes an article about the elver fishery licenses,

“At certain times during the season, prices were running above $2,600 a pound,” said Deirdre Gilbert, the department’s director of state marine policy. “The year before, prices were about $900 a pound. The prices went through the roof in 2012.”

and a report on the rescue of Harding Smith’s rescue from harbor during Nemo.

Quattrucci, whose uncles own DiMillo’s, said that 15 minutes or more after they heard the screams, they saw Smith hanging from the line to his boat, with his arms above his head.