Vin et Grub has posted an article about Nicholas Nappi who is the chef at Local 188.

If you’ve ever been into Local 188 on a busy Friday or Saturday night, there’s really no way you could miss Chef Nappi.  He expedites on these evenings, and his voice certainly carries throughout the majority of the dining room and lounge area.  Commanding respect in the kitchen, but also incredibly friendly to his back-of-the-house team, Nicholas understands the importance of a strong relationship between back-of-the-house workers.  Much like Jay, he also agrees with the notion that education in any kitchen is imperative.

Today’s Press Herald includes a report on this year’s scallop harvest.

“The prices these guys are going to get are probably going to be higher than they’ve ever gotten in the history of this fishery,” said Temple, who has been selling scallops for 35 years. The higher price for fishermen means that consumers will pay more in restaurants and food stores.

Sea scallops, which are similar to but bigger than bay scallops, have been harvested along the Maine coast since the late 1800s. At times, scallops have been the state’s second-most valuable seafood, behind lobster.

The Press Herald has published reviews of the Crooked Mile Cafe,

Dare I say it was one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had? Yep, I’m saying it, and with good reason. First off, the baguette on which it was served was sheer perfection. Crispy yet chewy, it afforded a comfortable home to the dense stack of ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone, lettuce, mayo, oil, vinegar and oregano. (Hold the tomatoes for me, thanks).

and Binga’s Stadium.

I got mine smothered in the Jamaican Jerk sauce, which was absolutely delicious. My friend got the Thai BBQ version, which was equally delicious. She also insisted on getting the fried pickle chips side dish. I’m not as big a fan of them as she is.

I polished off my half order of tenders, though, washing it down with some hard cider. There’s nothing like wings and a good drink for a break from the bustle.

This week’s edition of the What Ales You column suggests a few brewery alternatives to Champagne for ringing in the New Year,

Curieux, an ale with 11 percent alcohol aged in bourbon barrels, is the first Allagash that comes to mind. It’s available year-round, it’s won all sorts of awards, and Allagash sells as much of it as it can make. The cloudy, golden color would be nice for a midnight toast.

Instant Portland has published a review of Cobblestones.

The menu is full of foods you’d find in any sandwich shop from here to Ohio – but the food is clearly crafted with love and care, and that careful attention to the most important thing in food – flavor – is that sets Cobblestones a little apart from the onslaught of salad and sandwich places in this city.

The Press Herald has published a report on efforts to energize the Maine sea urchin fishery.

During the heyday, Maine urchin fishermen harvested more than 40 million pounds of the spiny creatures a year. A move is now under way to jumpstart the industry, which has fallen on hard times and is just a skeleton of its former self.

Both Edible Obsessions and Mister Meatball have posted reports of their Christmas Day feasts.

There is a serious holiday hangover happening in our house right now. For nearly 36 hours straight, we were absolute holiday gluttons. We feasted, opened presents and watched ‘A Christmas Story’ at least 1.5 times. It was a wonderful past few days with The Missus, but we probably could have done without a helping of thirds of the Vinegretas.

Wednesday — Wine Wise is teaching a class on sparkling wines. Both Sonny’s and The Foreside Tavern are hosting viewing parties for the Portland episode of Drinking Made Easy. Several local restaurants and bars are collaborating in a cocktail competition named after a slip of the tongue made by UFF owner Eli Cayer when he was being interviewed for the show.

Thursday — there will be a wine tasting at the Public Market House.

Saturday — the Winter Farmers Market is taking place.

Sunday — Sonny’s is celebrating the New Year with an all you can eat Paella Fest.

New Year’s Eve
Here’s a list of restaurants that will be open on New Year’s Eve. Many in the list are planning special prix fixe dinners and a few will be open with their standard menu. If you know of any other options, post a comment with the details and I’ll add them to the list.

Everyone and their cousin wants to go out on New Year’s Eve so reservations are essential. I’d recommend you call soon before all the good spots get booked up.

• Back Bay Grill, $85 4-course dinner
• Bar Lola, $55 7-course dinner
• Bibo’s Madd Apple Cafe, $45 3-course dinner, there are 5-6 options to choose from for each course
• Bresca, $85 5-course traditional Hong Kong New Years menu on both December 30th and 31st
• Caiola’s will be serving their standard menu augmented with some special New Year’s Eve items
• David’s, will be open and serving the regular menu plus some specials
• David’s 388, your choice of 2 different prix fixe options
• East Ender, will be open with their standard menu
• Figa, $85 4-course dinner with complimentary glass of champagne
• Five Fifty-Five, $60 3-course dinner in the bar, $90 5-course dinner in the restaurant (see menus)
• Grace, $70 4-course menu
• Havana South, $55 dinner with optional wine pairings
• Hot Suppa will be serving their usual dinner menu augmented with some New Year’s Eve specials
• Hugo’s, $95 5-course prix fixe dinner
• Local 188, prix fixe dinner, call for details
• Local Sprouts is holding a New Year’s Eve Bash serving their standard menu
• Old Port Sea Grill will be open serving their usual menu
• Paciarino, will be open
• Pai Men Miyake, $35 3-course dinner with your choice of appetizer, ramen and dessert
• Petite Jacqueline, $65 4-course dinner
• Ribollita will be open offering there standard menu plus some specials
• Sea Glass, $65 4-course menu
• Sea Grass Bistro, $65 4-course dinner
• Season’s Grille, $20 cover charge for the band and $18.95 for the buffet
• Sebago Brewing is open serving a special menu for New Year’s Eve
• Sonny’s, prix fixe dinner, call for details
• The Farmer’s Table will be open with a special New Year’s Eve menu
• The Frog and Turtle, $35 for 3 courses,$75 for 5 courses
• The Good Table, will be serving a special New Year’s Eve menu
• The Salt Exchange, $65 4-course dinner with glass of sparkling wine or cider
• Twenty Milk Street, is open serving a special New Year’s Eve menu
• Vignola will be open serving their standard menu
• Zackery’s, has a New Year’s Eve menu and is also offering a room and dinner package for anyone who wants to spend the night at the Fireside Inn
• Zapoteca, $60 5-course dinner with optional wine pairings

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.

The Phantom Gourmet included Grace in their list of the Top 4 Restaurants of 2011.

Grace in Portland, Maine also topped the list, serving new American comfort food in a renovated gothic revival church. Some of the standouts here include the bone-in tenderloin and the pan-roasted cod.

Plush West End received 3 stars from the review in today’s Maine Sunday Telegram.

This bar and tapas lounge offers enough satisfying food to make it a good spot to drop in for a casual dinner and a drink with friends, especially when appetites vary. It’s also a late-night nosh option. The dishes are interesting if not outrageously original, but most are very well-prepared, and a collection makes for an agreeable and filling meal in a relaxing, stylish and spacious atmosphere.

The January issue of Down East magazine includes a review of Miyake,

What impresses most about Miyake’s creations is his mastery of a wide range of techniques and the quality of the ingredients. This isn’t your standard fish. It glistens. The spicy tuna roll combines tender tuna with creamy avocado slices, topped with seared yellowtail, toasted almonds, plum paste, and radish sprouts. The combination of color, texture, and flavors makes you rethink sushi.

as well as articles about bootleggers,

Mark’s applejack — that’s what distilled hard cider becomes — is the best I’ve ever tasted. Better than apple brandy that’s been aged twelve years. Better than imported Calvados at forty bucks a bottle. It’s dry, robust, and carries spicy hints of the fruit it was made from as well as the smoky flavors of the autumn harvest. When I first tried it a couple of years ago after a leisurely lunch at a mutual friend’s house, I thought it was paradise in a bottle.

and Farming in Maine.

What’s in the middle? Not all that much, actually. Rare are the midsized producers who can send a steady supply of crops to even a handful of grocery stores. If Mainers are to follow through on their demonstrated interest in eating locally — as well as making progress on existing efforts to further develop the state’s food system — we’re going to need some of those little farms to grow a bit bigger, while keeping the bigger guys healthy and strong.

The Blueberry Files has published a review of Bayou Kitchen.

So check out Bayou Kitchen for a brunch that’s a bit different than the tried and true served up at Becky’s, Miss Portland Diner, Marcy’s, etc.  Between the charming service and the southern food, I bet you’ll find something that makes you want to return.

Eat Here. Go There. has published a review of Taco Escobarr.

Overall, I think that Taco Escobarr is doing a lot of things right. They have a small menu and they are mastering that. It’s also fairly inexpensive, we only spent $16. For Americanized versions of tacos they were really well done and I wouldn’t hesitate to eat here again or recommend it to others. If you are looking for a cheap and quick sit down dinner I think this is a great option in Portland, I just beg them to get real crema.

A new blog named Instant Portland has published reviews of Fresh Approach,

So, if you love quality meats and home baked goods, if you love the idea of a neighborhood grocery store where folks will learn your name, or if you just need something urgently on a day when the Great Big Supermarket is closed, give Fresh Approach a try. I guarantee it will become a regular stop for you on your grocery-buying adventures.

Local Sprouts, and

In a way, the experience of eating at Local Sprouts is like having lunch at a friend’s house (a friend who is a really good cook).  Through the long winter months ahead, they provide a warm space to come in from the cold, eat a healthy meal, and be a little warmer in body and soul.

Market Street Eats.

So, if you’re doing your holiday shopping in the Old Port, or you have an appointment downtown, or you just want to try something new for your weekday lunch, I cannot recommend Market Street Eats highly enough. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

I’ve fielded questions from a few people who are trying to identify their options for eating out on Christmas Day. This year it’s an especially tough challenge with the major holiday falling on Sunday, a day when many restaurants wouldn’t have been open anyways.

So I’m passing the question on to all of you hoping your collective knowledge can help these folks out. Where would you recommend someone eat out in Portland on Christmas Day?