Portland Daily Sun columnist has highlighted some of the special challenges of waiting tables during the holiday season,
We’re serving large groups at holiday dinners where people drink too much, offend coworkers, tell inappropriate personal stories a bit too loudly, and inevitably eat and drink too much. The parties have just started and I know this will be a season with many tidbits to share.
Miyake is planning to revive their original spot on Spring Street to (re)launch Food Factory Miyake next year, as a BYOB casual restaurant serving Japanese comfort food. Food Factory Miyake was the original name for Miyake when it first opened at 129 Spring Street in 2007.
Ever since 2011 when Miyake moved to Fore Street, the old space has been used for offices and as a base of operations for catering.
CNN has included Duckfat on their list of the Best French fries in the U.S.
When it comes to delivering the perfect fry, it’s all in the name at this Portland sandwich shop. The locally sourced potatoes are twice fried in a healthy coating of duck fat that results in a crunchy exterior but leaves each fry’s interior fresh and tender. They’re then served in paper cones with a handful of specially made dips like smoked mussel mayo and chopped egg and caper mayo. Being close to Canada, Duckfat also offers its own version of poutine, topping those same crispy fries with a heaping of local cheese curd and house-made duck gravy.
WLBZ checked in with chef/owner Rob Evans to get his reaction.
For additional commentary and reporting see Culture Shock.
The Golden Dish has gone in search of the best hash in Portland.
I love good corned beef hash and eggs with all the fixings. So, several weeks ago I set out to see which Portland restaurant makes the best version of this classic American breakfast and brunch staple.
Buck’s Naked BBQ is scheduled to open today at their new location on Wharf Street. They’re located in the space formerly occupied by Havana South.
Food Coma has published a review of the November Pocket Brunch.
So that must be what keeps the critical mass of Pocket Brunch growing, the desire to experience a one day only performance by a group of cooks, dishing out material straight from the heart. This is something no mere restaurant could ever offer, either to its customers or the men and women that work the line.
Monday — Cloak & Dagger is serving a tapas dinner, to welcome a group of Italian students visiting Maine, Slow Food Portland is holding a potluck lunch and a dinner at The Farmer’s Table.
Wednesday — The American Lobster in a Changing Ecosystem, a 2-day science symposium is taking place.
Thursday — the author of Hoosh: Roast Penguins, Scurvy Day, and Other Stories of Antarctic Cuisine will be at Longfellow for a book signing, Vignola/Cinque Terre is holding an Italian Beer Dinner, The Great Lost Bear will be showcasing Christmas Beers, and it’s the 2nd day of the lobster symposium.
Friday — there will be wine tasting at Rosemont on Brighton.
Saturday —the first Winter Farmers Market of the season is taking place, Novare Res will be one of only 17 bars in North America to be selling Cantillon Zwanze this year, and there will be wine tastings at Browne Trading and LeRoux Kitchen.
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.
Local 188 has announced that they’ll be naming the new restaurant they have under construction at 915 Congress Street, Salvage BBQ & Smokehouse. The restaurant is located at the former home of Portland Architectural Salvage. They’re planning on opening in Spring 2013.
The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Gather.
Surround yourself with warmth, energy, company and very good food at Gather, whose purpose is to offer healthy, locally sourced and deliciously prepared food so that people of all ages and many incomes can partake. The restaurant succeeds admirably. You may not gush, but you’ll certainly enjoy.
The Golden Dish has published a review of Hot Suppa.
Places like Hot Suppa serve the kind of food that I go for in a big way: hearty down-home fare that when it’s done with care and cunning can be a soul-satisfying experience. But when the pageantry of such comfort grub goes awry, the allure is short-lived.
In other words, I’ve had two lackluster meals at Hot Suppa recently when my expectations were set so high.