Scott DeSimon and Long Grain

Over the weekend, the Wall Street Journal published an article by Nancy Harmon Jenkins about Long Grain in Camden,

If I told you that one of the most captivating Asian restaurants in the country is a hole-in-the-wall in a pretty little town on the coast of Maine, would you believe me? Forget lobster rolls, I tell skeptics; you’re going to love the kao klug kapi. And the always come away from Long Grain, in Camden, with a one-word reaction: “Wow.”

and the Lewiston Sun Journal has published an interview with A-list food writer and editor, and Maine native Scott DeSimon. He will be a judge at the Down East lobster roll competition in early July.

It’s your first time judging a lobster roll competition. What will make the winner stand out? For me, the ideal roll is all about the perfect mix of mayo to perfectly cooked meat, with very little in the way of other ingredients or seasonings. And the bun needs to be hot and buttery, with a touch of crispness from the flat top. Simple, but so many people screw it up. Of course, if someone does some brilliant take on a lobster banh mi, I could be swayed.

Blended Burger Project: Spore Uproar

Liquid Riot is participating in this year’s edition of the James Beard Foundation’s Blended Burger Project. The program challenges restaurants to develop burgers that include at least 25% fresh mushrooms, and to have it on the menu through July 31. During that time diners can participate by trying it out and voting for their favorite online. The program an effort by the Foundation to encourage sustainability and healthier food options.

Liquid Riot’s blended burger is called the Spore Uproar. It uses a mix of “Hen of the Wood, Pink Oyster and Lion’s Main mushrooms and beef on a buttered and grilled brioche bun, topped with Vermont Creamery fresh goat cheese, a green tomato and poblano relish, and Liquid Riot Bierschnaps mushroom pate, red-veined sorrel and pickled red onion.”

Under Construction: Island Creek Oysters

Painter Tessa Greene O’Brien hard at work on the signage for the new Island Creek Oyster market and bar at Washington Ave. Island Creek will be located at 123 Washington Ave in the same building that Maine Craft Distilling.

I had the chance to talk with ICO founder Skip Bennett back in February. His plans for the space are three-fold: as a retail market for the Maine oyster brands they sell, cold storage for their distribution network and there will be a casual oyster and beer bar.

Bennett plans to hold events at the bar that connect oyster lovers with producers. All told the space is around 2,000 sq ft, in addition they’ve added a deck to the front of the building.

$500k in Funding for Food Start-ups

Mainebiz has a report on a $500,000 fund to help new food start-ups.

Hall said of the total $500,000, the average loan size will be $25,000 to $150,000, which would cover six to eight companies a year. But those wanting a larger amount should still approach the group, Hall said, as they might be able to make introductions to other groups with deeper pockets to participate.

Maine Food Sovereignty Law

Maine has enacted a new law that gives towns more control over regulating food businesses within their borders, reports the Press Herald.

Gov. Paul LePage has signed a bill into law that affirms the rights of cities and towns to regulate local food production, making Maine the second state in the nation to allow consumers to buy directly from farmers and food producers regardless of the state and federal licensing and inspections that would otherwise apply.

Interview with Gillian and Jim Britt

The Press Herald has published an interview with the owners of gBritt, a firm that specializes in providing public relations support to restaurants.

Q:Still, it’s 2016. Why can’t I tweet/Instagram/website and market my restaurant myself?

JB: Our clients tend to be chef-driven restaurants. There is no marketing person in place. They are trying to do payroll, meet the delivery truck out back, fix that ice maker that stopped working.

Then in the very back of their mind, they are thinking, “We haven’t posted on Instagram in a week,” or “We haven’t updated our Facebook.” Then there is the storytelling. They might have a great story to tell, but they just don’t have the contacts with professional media or the time.

Under Construction: Little Giant

Boston Magazine has published an article about Little Giant, the new restaurant the owners of Hunt & Alpine are opening on Danforth Street.

To achieve that balance at Little Giant, the Volks brought on a Boston ex-pat to lead the kitchen. Rian Wyllie, opening chef at Deep Ellum and both Lone Star Taco Bars, left that group after 10 years to relocate to Maine. Wyllie, an Arlington native, and his wife were considering a move when mutual friends introduced them to the Volks. It’s a perfect fit, both parties agree.