Month: August 2023

Rise Now Open in Cumberland

| Posted in Openings

The Forecaster reports that the new Cumberland restaurant Rise Pizza & Pub (instagram) has opened for business.

For restaurateur Tobey Moulton, offering casual yet elevated food in a relaxed atmosphere is no new feat, but last week, when the co-owner opened Rise Pizza and Pub in Cumberland, he knew he had big shoes to fill.

Partnering with chef Rocco Marzilli, Moulton purchased the building on Main Street from Jim Guidi early this summer. In April, The Forecaster published an exclusive story announcing the closure of Guidi’s restaurant, Louie’s Grille, which was a staple in Cumberland for a decade.

Rick’s Lobby Cafe Closing

| Posted in Closings

Today’s Press Herald reports on the closure of Rick’s Lobby Cafe.

But their gracious presence in the building soon will come to an end. In May, as the couple were celebrating the cafe’s eighth anniversary, the building owners informed them that their lease would not be renewed, and that they would need to vacate by the end of October. The Woods have set Friday, Sept. 1, as the cafe’s last day.

Upcoming Events

| Posted in Events

Wednesday – Terlingua is holding 3-course Greek dinner, and an Outstanding in the Field dinner is taking place at Dandelion Spring Farm with guest chef Neil Zabriskie from Regards.

Friday-Sunday – chefs Sam Hayward, Evan Mallett and others will be leading Take a Bite out of Appledore: An Eco-Culinary Island Retreat.

August 30 – Famed apple expert John Bunker will be delivering a talk at Oyster River Wine Growers on the apple history of the Oyster River Road area—tickets.

September 10 – the Maine Cheese Festival is taking place.

September 18 – an all-star line-up of female chefs from Maine are collaborating on multi-course Fabulous Femmes dinner to benefit MOFGA and to highlight Maine women in farming.

September 24 – The Saltyard is holding a cocktail brunch at Wolfe’s Neck Center in Freeport.

September 24-30 – Maine Lobster Week is taking place.

September 30 – Tender Table is holding their 3rd annual food and art fair in Congress Square Park.

October 7 – Oxbow is holding their annual Goods from the Woods event in Newcastle, Maine.

October 8 – Dandelion Spring Farms is holding a Harvest Dinner, and Maine Open Creamery Day is taking place.

October 25-28 – Harvest on the Harbor is taking place.

November 5 – Chaval is holding a late harvest dinner at Wolfe’s Neck Center in Freeport.

Maine Food & Dining News

| Posted in Maine

Here are some recent food and dining highlights from around the state:

Lambs Bar in South Portland Now Open

| Posted in Openings

A new South Portland bar called Lambs (website, instagram) debuted Wednesday night.  Lambs is located at 695 Broadway in a space adjacent to Night Moves Bread. In addition to 70 seats of indoor bar and table seating, Lambs also has outdoor seating overlooking Casco Bay.

Owner Wade Ritchey along with beverage director Maia Fleming and the Lambs team are serving a bar menu (see below) of local beer, natural wine and a selection of classic cocktails. Food options include ham and butter or radish and butter sandwiches made with Night Moves bread, sardines, olives, bread and cheese, hummus, etc. Shown above are the ham and butter sandwich, castelvetrano olives and a negroni cocktail. Watch for the Lambs menu to expand in the coming weeks with more options for food, a bottles list, and maybe even sake.

Lambs will be open Wednesday through Monday, 3:30 – midnight on weekdays, noon – midnight on weekends.

Interview with Chef Lulu Ranta

| Posted in People

Down East has published an interview with Lulu Ranta the chef/owner of The Quarry in Monson.

What did it feel like to be shortlisted?
Scary, because I’ve never talked about James Beard. To me, that’s for elite chefs. I work hard for my artists and for my guests. That’s what I strive for. But James Beard, now you have the accolades, now comes all the expectations. And I can’t even call myself a chef. My husband and kids say, “Mom, you’re a chef.” I say, “No, I’m not a chef. I’m a cook.” Chef, for me, it’s too formal. I’m not formal. But I mean, James Beard is a huge honor. That’s beyond my wildest dream.

Upcoming Events

| Posted in Events

Wednesday – Turkey & The Wolf, Molly’s Rise & Shine, and Hungry Eyes are taking over Bar Futo for a New Orleans style 5-course meal.

August 19 – S+P in Newcastle will be holding a multi-course plant-based dinner.

August 23 – Terlingua is holding 3-course Greek dinner.

August 23 – An Outstanding in the Field dinner is taking place at Dandelion Spring Farm with guest chef Neil Zabriskie from Regards.

August 25-27 – chefs Sam Hayward, Evan Mallett and others will be leading Take a Bite out of Appledore: An Eco-Culinary Island Retreat.

August 30 – Famed apple expert John Bunker will be delivering a talk at Oyster River Wine Growers on the apple history of the Oyster River Road area—tickets.

September 10 – the Maine Cheese Festival is taking place.

September 24 – The Saltyard is holding a cocktail brunch at Wolfe’s Neck Center in Freeport.

September 30 – Tender Table is holding their 3rd annual food and art fair in Congress Square Park.

October 7 – Oxbow is holding their annual Goods from the Woods event in Newcastle, Maine.

October 8 – Dandelion Spring Farms is holding a Harvest Dinner, and Maine Open Creamery Day is taking place.

October 25-28 – Harvest on the Harbor is taking place.

November 5 – Chaval is holding a late harvest dinner at Wolfe’s Neck Center in Freeport.