Month: October 2020

Yardie Ting is Expanding

| Posted in Under Construction

Yardie Ting (website, facebook, instagram) is planning to open a restaurant in Gray, Maine. In support of the project chef/owner Shanna-Kay Wright has launch a crowd funding campaign with the goal of raising $25k.

My name is Shanna-Kay Wright. I am a female entrepreneur, chef, and single mother of two children.  I am of Caribbean roots which inspire the cuisine on the menu of my own Caribbean restaurant called Yardie Tings…I would like to expand to another location that will allow for the growing demand and to include space for guess seating in a relaxed environment. The funds that are raised will be used for the renovation of the new location, which will begin next February of 2021. I have sourced a new location that requires layout changes and equipment purchases as I undertake renovations. Your donations will be used for the build-out of the restaurant because it is a blank canvas, the purchasing of appliances, and other fixtures for the restaurant. This will allow for a spacious, warm, and inviting environment for customers.

Wright plans to keep the original Yardie Ting in the Public Market House open, and hopes to open the new restaurant this spring.

For more info and to contribute to the campaign visit www.gofundme.com.

SoPo Seafood Coming to Ocean Street

| Posted in Under Construction

SoPo Seafood (website, facebook, instagram) has leased the former Uncle Andy’s at 171 Ocean Street in South Portland where they plan to open a retail fish shop and raw bar.

The menu for the raw bar will include Maine oysters, lobster rolls, seafood crudo, chowder as well as wine by the glass and draft beer, and will be open for lunch and into the early evening. In addition to seafood, the shop will also offer a wine selection. Certified Sommelier Jen Lakari is advising SoPo on their wine program.

Sopo specializes in Maine seafood. They sell wholesale and early in the pandemic launched a retail seafood delivery service (order online). The location on Ocean Street will be their first retail storefront.

Co-owners Matt Brown, Lucas Myers and Joshua Edgcombe launched SoPo Seafood in March. They plan to start using the Ocean Street property as a curbside pick-up location in December and to open the retail shop and raw bar in May 2021. Once they open they also plan to use the store to host guest chefs for seafood preparation and cooking demonstrations.

This Week’s Events: Jay Villani, Greek BBQ, Niyat Takeout, Lager Dog, Thanksgiving List

| Posted in Events

Tuesday – a panel organized by Score and Portland Downtown will “discuss food and beverage business challenges, successes/mistakes, and pivots—as we navigate doing business during COVID-19”.

Wednesday – Jay Villani from the Local 188 is Wednesday’s guest chef at the Duckfat Friteshack Grill, and the weekday Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Friday – Other Side Diner is holding a Greek BBQ Night.

Saturday – Niyat Catering is doing a night of takeout from Fork Food Lab, and the weekend Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday – Lager Dog will be at Oxbow for the first day of a 2-day pop-up.

Thanksgiving – I’ve started getting requests for a list of which restaurants are doing in person or takeout Thanksgiving dinners. So I’ll be keeping a running list and reposting it each Monday as part of this event summary. Chefs: email me with details on your plans at anestes@portlandfoodmap.com.

  • Union – will have a Thanksgiving takeout dinner available for pick-up on Wednesday, and will be serving a 3-course dinner on Thanksgiving Day.
  • The Harraseeket Inn — will be serving a “reverse buffet” Thanksgiving dinner. They will also have some Thanksgiving dinner specials that can be ordered to go.
  • Two Fat Cats — has started taking pre-orders.
  • Lake & Co. — will be offering “a Thanksgiving dinner for 2 for $65 as well as a la carte offerings of roasted turkey breast, mashed chive buttermilk potatoes, two potato gratin, green bean casserole with shiitake and crispy shallot, brussels with bacon, crispy fennel and apple salad, coconut-garlic delicata, gravy and cranberry clementine sauce. Plus 6 pie varieties, biscuits, breads and appetizers.” Along with options for ordering whole birds to cook at home, and home delivery. The deadline for  for ordering a meal is Friday, November 20th.

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.

Ameera Bread

| Posted in People

Today’s Maine Sunday Telegram reports on the backstory behind the closure of Ameera Bread.

Abdul said Abbas tried to renege on the deal after learning Abdul was transgender and in the process of transitioning from male to female. Abdul obtained a protection from harassment order against Abbas, and their agreement wound up in court.

Court documents, interviews and written statements shed light on an unusual dispute that has divided a family and forced the closure of Ameera Bread, one of the city’s most popular food businesses and a fixture in the Portland area’s diverse community of Middle Eastern immigrants.

The article does say, “The business remains closed, but Abdul said it is being refurbished, and they hope to reopen in November regardless of the legal case.” So Ameera may be returning soon.

Maine GABF Winners

| Posted in Beer

Congratulations to Lone Pine and Allagash Brewing. Both are winners in the 2020 Great American Beer Festival competition:

  • Allagash – a gold medal in the Belgian-Style Witbier category for their signature Allagash White
  • Lone Pine – a gold medal in the Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer category for their Cuvee De Funk
  • Lone Pine  – a silver medal in the Experimental Beer category for their Choco Tuesday

Rigby Yard Now Open

| Posted in Openings

The new beer and wine hall called Rigby Yard (instagram) is now open. It’s located at 50 Wharf Street and is owned by the same group of people that launched the Independent Ice Co.

Rigby Yard features an “expanded bar, large socially distanced tables that can accommodate parties of up to 8 people, a private tasting room and comfortable leather seating around a gas fireplace” serving Maine draft beer, wine and a full cocktail program as well as  casual food menu.