October 2022 - Portland Food Map

Dok Mali Opens Tuesday

October 31, 2022October 31, 2022 | Posted in Openings

The new Thai restaurant Dok Mali (website, instagram) is scheduled to open Tuesday for lunch and dinner 11:30 – 8:30. Dok Mali is located in the former Lois’ Market space at 47 India Street which chef/owner Nonglack Thanephonesy has completely renovated into a 32-seat restaurant.

The menu includes the option of a flight of all seven types of dumplings, grilled okra, corn fritters, six different types of noodle soup, and main courses like Crying Tiger (marinated ribeye, served with sticky rice, veggie skewers and roasted tomato dip) and La La Pork (braised pork belly, bok choi + egg served with ginger rice).

In addition to Dok Mali, Thanephonesy is also the owner of Capital Thai Kitchen and Bar in Exeter, NH. She grew up in Portland and is excited to bring to life a new Thai restaurant in her home town.

Dok Mali will be open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner opening at 11:30 am.

Upcoming Events/Thanksgiving List

October 31, 2022November 3, 2022 | Posted in Events

Tuesday – Dok Mali is scheduled to open at 11:30 am.

November 7 – French author and cider producer Claude Jolicoeur will be giving a talk at Urban Farm Fermentory.

November 11-13 – the 5th Annual Downeast Cider and Cheese Festival is taking place in Ellsworth.

November 14 – Cera is hosting a meeting “to start a dialog amongst Portland’s chefs/restauranteurs about sustainability in food systems.”

November 16 – Broken Arrow is serving a 4-course cider dinner, and Evo is holding a 5-course Rhone wine dinner.

November 19 – Lorne is holding their 2nd annual La Fête du Beaujolais.

Thanksgiving – here’s the start of our 2022 Thanksgiving dining and takeout list. Drop us a line if you know of a Thanksgiving-themed offering not yet on the list.

Big Tree Grocery – will be taking Thanksgiving order from the 10th through the 18th for pick-up on the 23rd.
Black Betty’s Bistro – has a dinner for six available for preorder; order deadline on the 16th for pick-up on the 23rd.
Chaval – is taking preorders for four different types of pies: maple, Valrhona chocolate, Thanksgiving ricotta, and pumpkin local cranberry, maple and pecan.
Cheffette Toni & Co. – is taking preorders for sides and dessert; order deadline on the 16th for pick-up on the 23rd at Fork Food Lab.
Craft Curbside – has turkey, sides and pie available for preorder for pick-up on the 23rd.
Dandelion Catering – has turkeys, gravy, sides, and dessert available for preorder; order deadline on the 16th for pick-up on the 23rd.
Hanks – is taking pre-orders for turkey, sides and desserts; order deadline on November 16th for pick-up on November 23rd.
Harraseeket Inn – is serving their Grand Buffet (menu); $139/adult, children 6-12 are $49/child, children 5 & under are free.
Harbor Bistro + Terrace – is serving a 4-course dinner for $85/person; call (207) 523-2004 to make a reservation.
Lake & Co – has apps, turkey, desserts and sides available for preoder; order deadline on the 14th for pick-up or delivery on the 23rd and 24th.
Local Goods Gathered – has a package of “Maine cheese featuring a marinated chevre, aged hard cheese and a gouda. Along with Maine-made preserves and crackers” available for preorder; order dedline on the 18th for shipment on the 21st or local pick-up on the 22nd.
Maggie Mae’s – has starters, desserts and sides for pre-order; order deadline on the 16th.
Nonesuch Brewing – is offering “Thanksgiving feasts to go“.
Other Side Deli – has turkeys, sides, charcuterie and dinner rolls. See this post for a full list.
Part & Parcel – has sweet and savory pies and breakfast items available for preorder for pick-up on the 23rd.
Pat’s Meat Market – has a selection of meats available for order including turkeys, prime rib, duck, pork crown roast.
Petite Jacqueline – is serving a 3-course dinner (menu TBD); reservations available on Resy.
Ragged Coast – has a Thanksgiving chocolate table set.
Rosemont Market – is taking preorders for turkeys, baked goods, prepared dishes and more.
Ruby’s West End – is taking preorders for turkeys, entrees, sides and desserts with vegan options; order deadline on November 20th for pick-up on Thanksgiving morning.
S + P Plant Based Cooking – has a wide assortment of plant-based foods available for preorder and pick-up in Portland.
Saltwater Grille – a 3-course dinner for $55-65/person.
Scratch Baking – is taking preorders; order deadline on November 19th for pick-up on the 23rd.
Solo Cucina – has Apple Galette, Tiramisu, Pumpkin Cheesecake, and Cranberry Tart available for Thanksgiving; order deadline on the 10th.
Standard Baking – is taking preorders for pick-up on the 23rd.
Tandem Coffee – is taking preorders; order deadline on the 18th for pick-up on the 22nd or 23rd.
Two Fat Cats – has pies and other baked goods for preorder; for pick-up on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th.
Union – is serving a 3-course dinner for $79/person with optional wine pairings for $45; phone reservations only (207) 808-8700. They also have a 2-person dinner to go option for $110.
Verbena – has a 3-course menu with vegan options available for $50/person.
Wayside – is serving a “classic family style, multi-course Thanksgiving feast” for $85 per person. Online reservations.
Community Dinners and Resources
- Soul Food Paradise – Soul Food Paradise is raising funds to serve a free community dinner on Thanksgiving.
- Wayside Food Programs – will be serving free community meals in Portland, South Portland and Westbrook as well as distributing food baskets for home cooking, and prepared meals. See the Wayside website for more information, or to make a donation.
- The Good Shepherd Food Bank plays an integral role in distributing food during Thanksgiving and all year round in Maine. See their website for information where to find food through their partner agencies in Maine or to make a donation.
- Dandelion Catering – is taking nominations for families in need to which they’ll donate a Thanksgiving dinner.

Fruit Bat Cider Distribution

October 27, 2022October 27, 2022 | Posted in Openings

A new distribution company called Fruit Bat Distribution (instagram) has launched. Fruit Bat will exclusively focus on the distribution of hard cider. Owners Jessie Robb and Josh Lemay have a strong passion for cider as well as deep ties in the restaurant industry. Their goal is to create a bridge that helps the growing cider industry thrive.

The first two producers that Fruit Bat are representing in Maine are Sundstrom Cider and Metal House Cider, both located in the Hudson Valley. Lemay and Robb expect to be expanding their portfolio as they build demand for quality ciders and build relationships with restaurants.

Fruit Bat is collaborating with local restaurants on some cider-centric meals. Here are the first two on the schedule:

November 16th – Broken Arrow will be serving a 4-course dinner with cider pairings.
December 11th – Nosh will be holding a cider-centric brunch.

Twin Swirls Opens Saturday

October 26, 2022 | Posted in Openings

The Twin Swirls (instagram) ice cream shop is slated to open this Saturday. They’ll be serving a limited menu on Saturday but will eventually have on offer hard serve and soft serve cones and dishes, milkshakes, sundaes and coffee.

The name Twin Swirls is inspired by owner Sarah Palmer’s twin six year old girls, Alex and Sage.

The shop is located at 865 Brighton Ave in the Nason’s Corner neighborhood, and their regular hours will be Thursday through Sunday, noon to 8 pm.

Zu Bakery Pop-ups

October 24, 2022October 24, 2022 | Posted in Openings

Zu Bakery (website, instagram) owner Barak Olins is aiming to launch his new West End location in early November.

In the coming two weeks he’ll be holding a series of pop-ups from his bakery at 81 Clark Street on Wednesdays and Fridays, 3 – 5 pm. Stop by to try some of the the breads and baked goods he’ll be featuring in his shop.

When Zu Bakery is fully open Olins and his team will be serving pastries and coffee at the start of the day and with baguettes and other breads going on sale as they come out of the oven and offering two types of pizza alla Romana at the end of the day.

Olins plans to make most of his bakery products with Maine grown grains he mills in-house. In addition to morning pastries and breads, Zu Bakery will also sell biscotti, granola, seasonal pastries and a small selection of bottled wine.

Olins originally launched Zu Bakery in 2000. Previously he was a co-founder/chef of the highly regarded Cafe Uffa, which was located in Longfellow Square and opened in 1995.

Upcoming Events: Harvest on the Harbor, Grimm & Gore, Veg Fest, Halloween Fest

October 24, 2022October 24, 2022 | Posted in Events

Thursday – Saturday – Harvest on the Harbor is taking place. Also, the SMCC culinary and hospitality students are putting on the Grimm & Gore Storybook Dinner.

Saturday – the 17th Annual Veg Fest is taking place, as is the 2022 East Bayside Halloween Fest.

November 19 – Lorne is holding their 2nd annual La Fête du Beaujolais.

Thanksgiving – here’s the start of our 2022 Thanksgiving dining and takeout list. Drop us a line if you know of a Thanksgiving-themed offering not yet on the list.

Hanks – is taking pre-orders for turkey, sides and desserts; order deadline on November 16th for pick-up on November 23rd.
Harraseeket Inn – is serving their Grand Buffet (menu); $139/adult, children 6-12 are $49/child, children 5 & under are free.
Petite Jacqueline – is serving a 3-course dinner (menu TBD); reservations available on Resy.
Rosemont Market – is taking preorders for turkeys, baked goods, prepared dishes and more.
Ruby’s West End – is taking preorders for sides and desserts; order deadline on November 20th for pick-up on Thanksgiving morning.
Saltwater Grille – a 3-course dinner for $55-65/person.

Restaurant Supply Chain

October 23, 2022 | Posted in Under Construction

Today’s Maine Sunday Telegram includes an article on how supply chain issues are impacting the launch of new restaurants in Portland.

Many of the region’s anticipated restaurant and food shop openings this year have become bogged down by big delays, reflecting the hard reality that Belleville ran into headlong. In sum: Workers everywhere and the things they produce are in short supply and running late.