Reviews: Baristas and Bites, Quality Shop

Mainer has reviewed Baristas and Bites, and

We were so wrong. Baristas + Bites’ Hummus + Veggie Wrap rockets beyond bland with an incredibly fresh (like, made that morning), house-made hummus. This is a colorful wrap with perfectly ripe, crisp vegetables: spicy arugula, pickled onion, shredded carrots, sliced red peppers, bright red tomatoes, and cucumbers. There is a perfect balance of flavors, with a bit of acid, spice and salt. The hummus itself is expertly seasoned and has the added texture of red onion, pumpkin seeds and whole chickpeas.

The Press Herald has reviewed the Quality Shop.

When I got there my order was ready. The two burgers were very warm, wrapped in foil. They were much bigger than I expected for a two-fer deal. Both were thick, with white American cheese, on buns that had been buttered and grilled. They came with a white-and-red box of crinkle-cut fries, also hot.

Under Construction: Black Dinah Chocolatiers

Black Dinah Chocolatiers has leased space in the Westin Hotel where they plan to open a retail shop by early July.

Black Dinah Chocolatiers at the Westin Portland Harborview will offer boxed assortments of our handmade chocolate confections, and will be a touch point for visitors and Portlanders alike to learn about our use of carefully sourced direct trade chocolates, and our partnerships with Maine dairy and cheese producers, and  Maine farmers and foragers.

 

Acadia House Provisions

The Press Herald has published an article on Chicago Michelin star chef Ryan McCaskey and his project to open Acadia House Provisions, a restaurant in Stonington Maine.

Acadia House Provisions will be the more casual little sister of Acadia in Chicago, with a more accessible menu and a price point designed to lure locals. While a tasting menu at Acadia costs $185  – plus another $125 per person for wine pairings – McCaskey expects diners at Acadia House Provisions will be able to eat a burger-and-a-beer lunch for about $20 and enjoy a dinner that includes lobster for around $30. Acadia House Provisions will have no “tweezered food,” McCaskey said.

Travel & Leisure: Biddeford

“This small town in Maine should be on every food lover’s bucket list” declares Travel & Leisure. No, they’re not writing about Portland, but about Biddeford.

Our favorite stops were Elements, a bookstore/coffee shop/beer bar, which is perfect for an afternoon of browsing and sousing; and the town’s first real claim to chef-driven cuisine, Elda (entrées $26–$30), the brainchild of Bowman Brown, previously of Salt Lake City’s widely admired Forage. Everything about Elda—from the open kitchen to the seafood-centered menu—is impeccable and warm.

Eighteen Twenty PWW Wine Release

Eighteen Twenty is releasing a new wine in honor of Portland Wine Week. Fête, a 11.5% ABV “off-dry wine with balanced acidity” was produced using rhubarb grown by Spiller Farm in Wells and Doles Orchard in Limington.

The label image is based on the gaff-rigged topsail cutter, The Frances, which operates in Casco Bay with rhubarb leave sails.

You  can try Fête at the Eighteen Twenty tasting room on Anderson Street starting this weekend, and it was also be on the menu for the Women Winemakers Luncheon on June 17th, as well as the Rose Wine Sail taking place on June 21st.

Luke’s Lobster

Boston.com has published an article on Wednesday’s opening of Luke’s Lobster.

The seafood spot, which will soft open for dinner on Wednesday, is a major milestone for the lobster company that first launched in Manhattan in 2009. Started by Cape Elizabeth native Luke Holden, Luke’s Lobster debuted in New York City’s East Village, and went on to make its mark in 10 cities across the U.S. — including three locations in Boston — plus Japan and Taiwan.

Under Construction: Twist

A new food truck called Twist (instagram) is under development. Twist is a collaboration between Melissa Lombardi a former manager at Woodford F&B, and Dan Zarin, the longtime writer of the Breakfast Serial column in The Bollard/Mainer.

Twist will be serving custom-blended ice cream and shakes made to order, “mixing in everything from Maine blueberries to fruity pebbles to wasabi peas”.

Lombardi and Zarin hope to launch early this summer. You can contact them at info@portlandtwist.com about catering options for weddings, corporate parties, or other private events.

This Week’s Events: Koji Workshop, Social Media, Portuguese Wine Wash Ave Block Party

Monday – Hugo’s and OurCookQuest are collaborating to offer a Koji Workshop.

TuesdayPoke Maine is set to launch, as is A&C Food Factory.

Wednesday – it’s the official opening day for Luke’s Lobster, there will be a wine tasting at the Old Port Wine Merchants, RedPoint is teaching a Social Media workshop, and the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thursday – The Great Lost Bear is showcasing beer from Oxbow.

Friday – Rosemont is holding a Portuguese wine and food event at their store in Cape Elizabeth, and there will be a wine tasting at the West End Rosemont.

Saturday – 22 businesses are holding the 3rd Annual Inner Washington Ave Block Party, and the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday – the last Old Port Festival is taking place.

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.