Month: June 2018

Review of Nonesuch River Brewing

| Posted in Reviews

The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed Nonesuch River Brewing in Scarborough giving it 3 stars.

Not all the beers are as impressive as the design, but if you visit, be sure to order a glass of brewer Michael Schuler’s toasty, low ABV stout; it’s a pleasing, dark little sipper. As for food, there are few standouts, but plenty of decent options on executive chef Jeff Gambardella’s menu, including a spicy Maine crab sandwich that features grilled mango and house-pickled jalapeños, and a lovely shaved asparagus salad with edamame, pistachios and crumbly goat cheese. Locals have already embraced Nonesuch as a community hot spot, and with a trio of co-owners who are eager to listen to their customers, I’m betting that things will only get better.

Allagash Brewing

| Posted in Beer, People, History

Down East tells the story of Allagash Brewing and Rob Tod. The article is an assemblage of interviews with Tod, former and current employees, customers and leaders in the industry.

Top-secret ingredients and MacGyvered dairy equipment. Old world wisdom and cutting-edge tech. Hollywood celebrity and cult cachet. It’s all part of the long, heady history of the curious beer that put Maine suds on the map.

Restaurant Custom Coffee Blends

| Posted in General News

The Press Herald has published an article exploring how coffee roasters and restaurants work together to create custom coffee blends.

At least a dozen Portland-area restaurants have worked with local roasters to create their own coffee blends. Coming up with a custom blend is a little tricky, a mash-up of marketing and making something delicious. Restaurateurs want something complex and memorable that will make their brands linger in the minds of diners, yet the blend also must appeal to a variety of palates.

“There’s nothing more memorable than having a good cup of coffee and dessert,” O’Sullivan said. “That’s the end of your meal.”

Blue Spoon Changing Hands

| Posted in People

Industry veteran Liz Koenigsberg and her husband chef Will Lavey are in the process of buying the Blue Spoon from founder David Iovino.

Koenigsberg shared that they were “drawn to the Blue Spoon for its intimate feel and smaller size as a neighborhood restaurant” which they are very familiar with having been regular customers at the Munjoy Hill restaurant for many years.

Their goal is to “preserve the reputation and following that David has built over the past several years but, add some of our own touches and style from years in the business” including Sunday brunch and extended dinner hours with the menu remaining focused on “local farm to table American bistro”.

Iovino opened the Blue Spoon in January 2004. The official transfer of ownership is scheduled to take place in August.