Maine Food for Thought

| Posted in Profiles

Mainebiz and The Blueberry Files have published articles on Maine Food for Thought.

The tour started at Union, where we heard an introduction from Bryce and then from chef Josh Berry. Maine Food for Thought features businesses that, according to Bryce, “go beyond their bottom line to source locally and sustainably.” Union’s menu is shaped by local produce availability, with the menu often being determined by what’s available at the farmers’ market.

Bon Appetit: Neighborhood Restaurants

| Posted in Reviews

Bon Appétit has included The Purple House, Ten Ten Pié and Hot Suppa in their list of America’s Favorite Neighborhood Restaurants.

We asked 80 of the most interesting people we know—chefs, novelists, activists, comedians, NBA players, and more—to let us in on their most-trusted haunts, from a Tibetan dumpling stand in a grocery store in Columbus to a landlocked fish market in Tulsa. These are the spots we return to again and again, the places that make no claim to be the “newest” or the “trendiest,” and that’s precisely why we love them.

Under Construction: Monte’s Fine Foods

| Posted in Under Construction

A new neighborhood specialty market and and casual restaurant called Monte’s Fine Foods is coming to East Deering.

Co-owners Steve Quattrucci and Neil Rouda are in the process of of buying the Pizza by Angelone at the corner of Washington and Ocean Aves. The plan is to renovate the existing building and also add 2,300 sq ft of new space for the Monte’s kitchen and bakery.

Quattrucci and Rouda hope to open Monte’s early next year.

10 Years Ago in June

| Posted in History

Here’s a look at the top stories from a decade ago in June 2008:

    • The Wine Flight 5k training runs started up. These were a series of light runs that were “training” people for the 5k which took place in October 2008.
    • Demolition of The Village Cafe began. The Village Cafe was run by the Reali from 1936 until 2007. The land it was on is now occupied by condos.
    • PETA put out a press release claiming they were going to build a lobster empathy center in the Somerset County Jail, “Visitors to the center could voluntarily have their fingers rubber-banded together, and then they could walk into a dirty tank where they would be pressed up against other visitors to simulate conditions for lobsters in supermarket tanks.”
    • Andrew Zimmern was in town filming segments with Rob Evans, Sam Hayward, Rick Tibbets, Masa Miyake, the Deathmatch crew, and Rabelais for his show Bizarre Foods.
    • Prost! International Tap House opened.
    • The Clown closed their wine shop on Middle Street.
    • Mark’s Hot Dogs, celebrated their 25th anniversary.

This Week’s Events: Elsmere BBQ, Lobster Roll Rumble, Make Mine from Maine

| Posted in Events

Tuesday – Elsmere BBQ is holding the grand opening for their new Portland location; it is located at 476 Stevens Ave and is scheduled to open at 4pm. The East Deering Other Side is holding a wine tasting.

Wednesday – the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thursday – Bite Into Maine and Bob’s Clam Hut are participating in Tasting Table’s Lobster Roll Rumble taking place in Brooklyn.

Friday – the Maine Distiller’s Guild and Eat Drink Lucky are collaborating on Make Mine from Maine, a Maine spirits tasting event on Thompson’s Point.

Saturday – there will be a wine tasting at LeRoux Kitchen, and the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday – Scattaloni Bakery is teaching a baking class.

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.