Fork Food Lab Closing (Updated)

Eating Portland Alive is reporting that Fork Food Lab plans to close up at the end of September,

After 2 years in operation and one under management of NYC-based Pilotworks, Fork Food Lab is closing and evicting its 35+ entrepreneurs effective September 30th.

Update: the Press Herald has published a report on the closing , as have Maine Startup Insider, and the Bangor Daily News.

Strata

A new knife sharpening service called Strata (website, instagram) launched earlier this year. Owner Evan Atwell sharpens knives using a traditional Japanese whetstone process.

Atwell is looking to expand Strata in the coming months to include retail sales of specialty Japanese and French cutlery  and eventually include knives from New England producers as well.

Atwell moved to Portland from California where he worked for the Bi-Rite Market group. He currently works as a butcher at Rosemont Market.

This Week’s Events

Tuesday – an oyster and wine pairing event is taking place at Cloudport.

WednesdayOld Port Wine Merchants is holding a wine tasting , and the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Friday – Rose Foods is holding a Pizza Bagel Nite, there will be a wine tasting at the East End Rosemont.

Saturday – Little Giant Market is hosting a Sticky Sweet pop-up, and the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

2nd Annual Dine OUT for Equality – the event is scheduled to take place on August 22nd. Restaurants that want to participate and support the EqualityMaine Foundation can learn more on their site.

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.

Reviews: Lio

The Press Herald has reviewed Lio,

The kind of cocktail you’d expect to find in an upscale cocktail bar, not in a bar known for wine, it blew me away with its burst of expertly blended flavors, a sensation that lasted until the final sip. As my sorority sisters know, I’ve enjoyed a lot of cocktails over the course of my travels, and this one was in the top five. It was thus no surprise when I learned that the bartender, Liz, used to be at Central Provisions. Frankly, you should probably stop reading this review right now and go straight to Lio to try one.