Month: June 2018

Under Construction: Knitting Nook

| Posted in Under Construction

A hybrid coffee shop/cafe/knitting shop called the Knitting Nook (website, facebook) is under construction in South Portland. Owner Lillian Rose is converting a space at 124 Sawyer Street in Ferry Village for her new buiness. She plans to “provide an entertaining environment where the fiber artist can obtain supplies, guidance, camaraderie, sustenance and impeccable customer service” along with coffee, food, beer and wine.

Under Construction: Bob’s Clam Hut

| Posted in Under Construction

I talked with Michael Landgarten, the owner Bob’s Clam Hut (website), yesterday. Landgarten is looking forward to being part of the Washington Ave community and to realizing the full potential of the space he’s taken over at the corner of Washington and Cumberland Aves. If you haven’t driven by there recently you should check it out. It’s quite a transformation from the former Three Buoys.

There isn’t a firm opening date set yet for Bob’s but Landgarten is hoping to open in time for the Fourth of July.

This Week’s Events: iPhone Photo Workshop, Greek Wine Tasting, Sebago 20th, Highroller Pop-up

| Posted in Events

Wednesday – photographer Kari Herer is teaching an iPhone photography workshop at Tipo, and the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Friday – Opus Ten is scheduled to reopen for the season.

Saturday – there will be a Greek wine tasting at RSVP, Sebago Brewing is celebrating their 20th anniversary, and the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday – there will be a Highroller Lobster pop-up at the Island Creek Oyster Shop on Washington Ave.

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.

Portland Wine Week Gala Menu

| Posted in Events

The organizers have released the menu for the upcoming Portland Wine Week Gala and it looks wonderful:

  • Course 1 — Baby shrimp in creamy salsa verde with whipped feta, charred avocado, cucumber, and young lettuce by chef Courtney Loreg from Woodford F&B
  • Course 2 — Savory pea custard with grilled squid, barely cooked peas, beach herbs, finished with a smoked squid broth and beach rose oil by chef Bowman Brown from Elda in Biddeford
  • Course 3 — Oreiller pâté en croûte with pork, duck, foie gras, morel mushrooms and pistachios (shown here) by chef Fred Eliot from Scales
  • Course 4 — Milk braised pork loin with roasted parsnips, leeks, pickled mushrooms, garlic demi glace by chef Emil Rivera from Sur Lie
  • Course 5 — Strawberry, fennel, vanilla mousse, crumble, sponge cake by chef Ilma Lopez from Chaval

Tickets to the event are available at www.portlandwineweek.me

Reviews: Duckfat Frites Shack, Maine Lobster Shack, Blue Lobster Wine Co.

| Posted in Reviews

The Portland Phoenix has reviewed Duckfat Frites Shack,

Frites are as expected (read: perfect), served alongside a chosen assortment of house-made sauces/aiolis and perfectly suited for pairing with Oxbow’s always impressive lineup of draft and bottled farmhouse ales. The real standouts thus far, however, have come in the form of dishes not exactly in line with Dutch and Flemish fare. Salmon belly poke—served with avocado, cilantro, sambal and crispy rice crackers—is the most delicate, viceral-grunt-inspiring dish you’ve ever eaten out of a paper tray. As battered birds go, chicken-fried quail is the “cleanest” imaginable in both taste and texture, destined for dipping in a lemon-sage mayo that lives up to its name and flanked by a piquant pile of fermented coleslaw.

The Press Herald has reviewed Blue Lobster Wine Co., and

Perfect location for a stop while strolling Anderson Street, especially if you’re an unpretentious wine lover who supports the concept of urban wineries.

Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Maine Lobster Shack.

I wouldn’t say that Maine Lobster Shack is the best at any one thing, but they performed well with everything we had. They seem to have a solid grasp on casual seaside fare and the Fore St. location really is a fun, central spot in the Old Port. Have beers and oysters outdoors, lobster rolls and fries indoors, or whatever combo of atmosphere and seafood you want. I think you’ll find a pleasant experience without any wanting for more when you’re through.