Under Construction: Tandem Bakery

Alex Steed has interviewed co-owner Briana Holt about the upcoming Tandem Bakery in the West End.

What can folks expect from the new West End shop?
It is going to be the awesome. There will be Tandem Coffee, of course, which they already serve at the East Bayside location. What we kind of want is a neighborhood joint that is focused on yummy, comforting-but-cool,  American-style baking…

Hilltop Superette

The Blueberry Files has posted a report on the new Hilltop Superette which just opened on Monday.

Hilltop Superette has been remodeled, but the layout is very similar to Colucci’s. The ceilings seem higher and the deli and checkout counters are raised as well. It’s very clean and bright, with a modern retro feel. 
I was immediately impressed with the selection of dry goods on the shelves. I saw Kraft Velveeta shells and cheese next to Cascadian Farms organic cereal, Thai Kitchen curry pastes next to Shake’n’Bake. 

Reviews: El Tipico & East Ender

The Bollard has reviewed El Tipico,

All the main courses (platos principales) come with either the aforementioned yellow rice and black peas or white rice and pinto beans. I recommend the former. I also suggest you wash everything down with a cold beer (my friends and I drank Modelo), though Tipico also offers an enticing selection of natural fruit juices, including passion fruit and tamarindo (made with tamarind). Bring cash for a tip (the credit card machine isn’t set up to process tips), an empty belly and an open mind. You’ll leave a believer.

and the East Ender.

The other entrées, including a smoked brisket hash ($12) and a salmon gravlax plate ($13), were also good, though nothing topped the high bar set by the killer first course. We all left the East Ender happy and full. And really — can you put a price on that? Yes, of course you can. And it’s way less than dinner.

Portland & Rochester Closing

Portland & Rochester has announced that they’re closing their doors.

Hello to all our friends out there. Thank you all for a wonderful year, it’s been amazing serving you and going through the growth of our beautiful restaurant with you.

Portland & Rochester Pub will be open Today, tomorrow and possibly Thursday this week and then we will be closing our doors. Tegan & I really wanted to be able to run the Pub as well as our Bar Harbor Lobster Pound, but it is proving to be a little too much to handle them both.

Under Construction: Ten Ten Pié

Ten Ten Pié has announced that Atsuko Fujimoto will be heading up the kitchen in the new eatery.

Ten Ten Pié is proud to announce Markos´ partner: Atsuko Fujimoto of Miyake. Atsuko will be the mastermind in the kitchen, blending traditional French pastry, Japanese culinary discipline, and multi-cultural flavors to offer unique morning pastries, freshly prepared snacks, and take-out lunches and dinners.

Fujimoto comes to Ten Ten Pié from Miyake but has also worked at Fore Street and Standard Baking. Fujimoto and partner Markos Miller hope to open in August.

Review of El Rayo

Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed El Rayo.

El Rayo was great and always is. Their prices are reasonable, their food is delicious, and the service is where it should be. The outdoor area is really fun and with umbrellas at the tables you don’t have to worry about getting scorched by the sun. For added outdoor cooling, the drink menu lists a host of refreshing cocktails. The bands that play there add even more happiness to your Mexican merriment and they don’t play at ear-bleed levels so you can actually converse with others at your table. I recommend El Rayo year round, but if you really want to party, head there on a sunny summer day and enjoy all it has to offer.

This Week’s Events: Hilltop, Year in Burgundy, CBD’s 20th, Dogfish Dinner

MondayHilltop Superette is scheduled to open today. The Nickelodeon is screening A Year in Burgundy; a pre-screening party will take place at MJ’s Wine Bar and a post-screening party at Petite Jacqueline.

TuesdayCoffee by Design is celebrating their 20th Anniversary and there will be a Dogfish Head dinner at In’finiti.

Wednesday — the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place.

ThursdayBlack Tie is holding a farm dinner, there will be a Baxter Brewing tasting at the Bier Cellar, and the Great Lost Bear is holding their Red, White and Blue showcase.

Friday — it’s the Fourth of July and First Friday Art Walk is taking place.

Saturday — there will be a wine tasting at LeRoux Kitchen, and 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.