Additional Events: Ark of Taste, Culinary Tourism and St Patrick’s Day

Slow Food Portland co-founder David Buchanan will give a talk at 3 pm on Sunday at the Portland Flower Show on “Slow Food USA’s Ark of Taste Biodiversity Committee, which identifies and protects endangered regional foods”.

Tonight’s episode of Maine Watch on MPBN TV will examine the growing impact of the food scene on Maine tourism. The show airs at 8:30 pm.

This week on Maine Watch, Maine has become a big destination for a fast-growing category of traveler – the culinary tourist. How Maine’s foodie scene happened, what it means for the economy at large and where it’s headed. We’ll talk with James Beard, award-winning chef Sam Hayward and food writer Meredith Goad.

I Love Portland Maine has a nice round-up of the St. Patrick’s Day events taking place this weekend and early next week: corned beef and cabbage dinners, parades, early morning breakfast at Brian Boru, etc.

Believe me, once you’ve had rashers and black pudding in the morning, you will never look at a Grand Slam the same way. Throughout the morning, people of all ages gather for this once-a-year Irish celebration. It is truly one spectacle not to be missed. Besides, what other time of the year can you justify a full pint of Guinness with breakfast?

Review of Evangeline

The Blueberry Files has published a review of Evangeline.

To start, I had the Cervelles de Veau or crispy calf’s brain fritter. The brain was rather small (makes sense, since they have small heads) and was fried nicely, with a creamy, soft white interior. Not at all what I thought brain would be like. The fritter was atop cabbage, capers, brown butter, and bacon, which provided a nice salty, smoky contrast.

Bar Review of Beale Street Barbeque

Portland Bar Guide has published a review of Beale Street Barbeque.

While the outside of this newer location seems municipal, the inside has a homier feel, with twangy music and southern decor. Featuring a pool table, some arcade games and a few televisions, this is really a place you can bring the whole family or have a simple date, while satisfying your craving for barbeque.

Review of Peanut Butter & Jelly Time

Peanut Butter and Jelly Time has received 4 stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.

I realize “exquisite” is a big word in the context of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which is basically a step up from toast and perhaps the first substantial exercise in food preparation for any 5-year-old. But it’s appropriate nonetheless.

Peanut Butter Jelly Time turns a peanut butter and jelly sandwich into high art.

Review of Peanut Butter & Jelly Time

Peanut Butter and Jelly Time has received 4 stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.

I realize “exquisite” is a big word in the context of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which is basically a step up from toast and perhaps the first substantial exercise in food preparation for any 5-year-old. But it’s appropriate nonetheless.

Peanut Butter Jelly Time turns a peanut butter and jelly sandwich into high art.

Review of Five Fifty-Five

As part of her look back at the five restaurants she visited during MRW, Edible Obsessions has published a review of Five Fifty-Five.

I didn’t know what to expect, but whatever expectations I lightly held I can easily say that they were not equaled. Our biggest problem was over seasoned, which plagued both the apps and the entrees. The desserts were odd, mine weirdly textured and hers “off” in flavor.

In the end our experience left us highly unimpressed.

North Star Appeals to Customers for Funds

North Star Music Cafe owner Kim Anderson sent out an email earlier this week to the cafe’s mailing list to raise funds to keep the North Star afloat. The Portland Daily Sun followed up with Anderson and filed this report,

Facing mounting financial frustrations, North Star Cafe owner Kim Anderson turned to her 1,400 email address and about that many Facebook friends. Monday morning, she posted her appeal. In 24 hours, she’d already raised $1,000 toward a $6,000 goal – and the request had, in the jargon of out times, “gone viral.”

According to the article, “Donations are also being accepted old school, in person at the cafe.”

Reviews of Bresca, Farmer's Table, Corner Room, Conumdrum and Grill Room

Yesterday was a banner day for restaurant reviews with reviews posted for five different restaurants.
Edible Obsessions published a review of Bresca.

There is one quote to best sum it up: “When I am eating, I know nothing. But when I am finished eating, I begin to understand. ” –Don Quioxte During the meal, we were caught up in the lushness and decadence of it all..but, later on that evening I realized that this was simply the best meal that I have ever had the privilege to eat. I can’t believe it took us so long to go back and now it seems I can’t dine there again soon enough.

Broke 207 published a double header with reviews of The Farmer’s Table,

Restaurant week should be about providing amazing food and reasonable prices in order to seduce new clientele into your establishment. but in my experience, things have felt hastily thrown together with a distinct sacrifice of quality.also, the restaurants seem overwhelmed by the volume of people, and the service suffers gravely.

and of The Corner Room.

my main course was practically the same dish as i had at the farmer’s table in conception (handmade pasta with mushrooms and cream sauce), except that it was appropriately portioned and lick your plate tasty.

Travels  with Hilary published a review of Conundrum,

The thick slab of meatloaf was dense, moist, flavorful, and seared on two sides; the potatoes were rich and smooth, with occasional small chunks of potato and a large dollop of bleu cheese on top, which melted in nicely.

and Maine Maven published a review of The Grill Room.

The warm ricotta appetizer was creamy and divine, and the Cobb salad topped with a fried egg looked phenomenal, but watching our friend eat the filet mignon sandwich put us over the edge. We can’t wait to go back for dinner.

Reviews of Bresca, Farmer’s Table, Corner Room, Conumdrum and Grill Room

Yesterday was a banner day for restaurant reviews with reviews posted for five different restaurants.

Edible Obsessions published a review of Bresca.

There is one quote to best sum it up: “When I am eating, I know nothing. But when I am finished eating, I begin to understand. ” –Don Quioxte During the meal, we were caught up in the lushness and decadence of it all..but, later on that evening I realized that this was simply the best meal that I have ever had the privilege to eat. I can’t believe it took us so long to go back and now it seems I can’t dine there again soon enough.

Broke 207 published a double header with reviews of The Farmer’s Table,

Restaurant week should be about providing amazing food and reasonable prices in order to seduce new clientele into your establishment. but in my experience, things have felt hastily thrown together with a distinct sacrifice of quality.also, the restaurants seem overwhelmed by the volume of people, and the service suffers gravely.

and of The Corner Room.

my main course was practically the same dish as i had at the farmer’s table in conception (handmade pasta with mushrooms and cream sauce), except that it was appropriately portioned and lick your plate tasty.

Travels  with Hilary published a review of Conundrum,

The thick slab of meatloaf was dense, moist, flavorful, and seared on two sides; the potatoes were rich and smooth, with occasional small chunks of potato and a large dollop of bleu cheese on top, which melted in nicely.

and Maine Maven published a review of The Grill Room.

The warm ricotta appetizer was creamy and divine, and the Cobb salad topped with a fried egg looked phenomenal, but watching our friend eat the filet mignon sandwich put us over the edge. We can’t wait to go back for dinner.