Category: Events

Christmas Resource List

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Christmas is a little more than a week away. Here’s an evolving  list of the takeout, dine in, or provisions options that I’ve learned of are. I’ll be adding to the list as restaurants and other food producers announce their plans:

    • Ada’s – family sized pasta and dessert option, order deadline December 21st for pick-up on December 23rd or 24th. Email hello@adaspasta.com to order.
    • Belleville – cookies and baked goods. Pick-up on December 23rd and 24th. Order online.
    • Big Tree Hospitality – a wide range of dishes and provisions for pick-up on December 23rd. Order online.
    • BlueFin – will be serving a special holiday menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
    • Boone’s – sides, mains and dessert, order deadline December 21st for pick-up on December 24th.
    • Botto’s – baked goods and breads. Pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
    • Central Provisions – takeout sides, dinner, dessert, order deadline December 20th. Order online.
    • Chaval – 4 different holiday cakes (call for gluten-free option) plus eggnog, order deadline December 20th. Pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
    • Cheese Shop of Portland – baked good, and cheese and charcuterie platters, order deadline December 18th for pick-up on December 23rd and 24th. Order online.
    • Dandelion Catering – has a Christmas menu, order deadline December 17th for pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
    • Dizzy Bird – meals for individuals and families as well as sides and desserts, order deadline December 20th for pick-up on December 23rd and 24th. Order online.
    • Evo – choice of five pound lamb or beef roast with a variety of sauces and roasted potatoes, $90 (includes tax). Order deadline December 22nd for pickup on December 23rd or 24th. Available cooked or marinated and ready to prepare at home. (207) 358-7830.
    • Greeks of Peaks – 3-course Greek takeout dinner for $33/person. Pickup in Portland or on Peaks on December 23rd. Order online.
    • Gross Confection Bar – Christmas desserts, order deadline December 20th for pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
    • Lake & Co. – meals for 2 or 4 people along with side dishes and desserts, order deadline December 17th for pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
    • Leeward – holiday take n bake dinner kit, order deadline December 23rd for pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
    • Little Giant – Ribeye steak roast with all the sides and dessert for 2 ($160) for pick-up on December 24th. Also a bûche de noël log, $35 for pick-up on December 23rd and 24th.  Order online.
    • Luke’s – takeout Christmas Eve lobster dinner for four, order deadline December 20th for pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
    • Mami – roast pork, ramen, dumplings and cookies, order deadline December 20th, pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
    • Norimoto – a variety of baked goods for pick-up on December 24th. Email to order atsukonorimoto@gmail.com.
    • Other Side Deli – apps, sides, main dishes and desserts order deadline December 17th for pick-up on December 24th. (207) 761-9650 for Veranda St, (207) 874-7414 for Vaughan St.
    • North 43 Bistro – has options for a breakfast, Christmas dinner and appetizers all sized for a group of 6 people. Order deadline December 18th for pick-up on December 23rd or 24th. (207) 747-4009.
    • Prairie Baking Co. – bûche de noël log, cookies, and holiday cookie kit. Order online.
    • Roll Call – Fully cooked 1/2 porchetta (feeds 10-15 people, $150) or 1/4 porchetta (feeds 5-8 people, $80) with reheating instructions. Order deadline December 15th for pick-up on December 22nd or 23rd.  (207) 200-4050 or email hello@rollcallmaine.com to order.
    • Scratch Baking – has a range of baked available for pick-up on December 23rd or 24th.
    • Sichuan Kitchen – has a family-sized Christmas menus for 3-4, 6-8, and 10-12 people. Order online.
    • Sur Lie – prime rib or ham dinners for 2 or 4 people, order deadline December 20th for pick-up on December 24th. Order online.
    • Sweet Woodruff Provisions – takeout pastry chef Kate Fisher Hamm is holding a pre-Christmas pop-up selling cakes, tarts and cookie boxes, order deadline December 18th. Order online.
    • Tandem – has yule log cakes and cookie boxes. Call to order (207) 760-4440.
    • Terlingua – 4-course dinner for 4 people, $165. Order online.
    • Tipo – has menus for a Christmas Eve cocktail party, and Christmas morning breakfast. Order online.
    • Two Fat Cats – cakes, pies and other desserts, pick-up December 22-24. Order online.
    • Union – 3-course Christmas dinner at the restaurant for $79 per person (optional pairings for $13), or a family style takeout meal for 2 $100 for pick-up on December 24th (order by the 20th). See menus. They also have a Christmas Eve brunch.
    • Verbena – appetizers, salads, mains annd dessertss, order deadline December 22nd fofr pick-up on December 24th. (207) 767-2011.
    • Via Vecchia – will be serving a Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve at the restaurant. 7-courses for $70 per person (with optional $25 cocktail and wine pairings). Make reservations.
    • Westin Hotel – takeout 4-course dinner , $42 for 1 person or $80 for 2 people; order deadline December 20th. Pick-up on December 24. Order online.
    • Wine Wise and Chaval are teaming up on a Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner on Christmas Eve (Sold Out), $190 for 2 people. Order online.

Restaurant industry folks please DM on instagram or email at anestes@portlandfoodmap.com with details on your Christmas Eve/Day options.

Additionally, if you’re able, please consider making a donation to one or more of these organizations to help fight hunger in Maine:

Reflections & Lessons from 2020

| Posted in Events

The Press Herald is hosting a webinar to gather reflections on the past year with members of Portland’s small business community.

The arrival of the pandemic this spring sent Maine business people into a scramble, searching for ways to keep the lights on while ensuring the safety of employees and customers. Several shared the thinking behind their difficult decisions and pivots in our Making it Work segments. Now we return to ask, “How did it all pan out?”

Participating in the webinar are.

    • Vanessa Santarelli, Your Maine Concierge
    • Andrew Volk, Alpine + Hunt Club
    • Krista Cole, Sur Lie
    • Mike Alfiero, Harbor Fish
    • Joanna Pease, Jibe Cycling Studio
    • Mary Allen Lindemann, Coffee By Design

The webinar is scheduled to take place this Thursday at 1pm. Register online to attend.

Oasis Cooking Classes

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The Oasis Free Clinic is working with five Maine chefs to offer a online cooking class series. Classes are $75 and the funds raised will underwrite the medical and dental services Oasis provides to the uninsured. A new class takes place each month starting in January:

Calypso Sushi Pop-up

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Chef Ambrely Ouimette is launching a takeout sushi pop-up. The Calypso Sushi (instagram) menu includes:

To place your order send a direct message to the Calypso Sushi account on instagram, and payment will be handled through Venmo. The two options for pick-up dates are December 14th and 15th, 11am – 7pm in Portland at Ishi Ishi Ramen on Washington Ave.

Winter Farmers’ Market

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The first Winter Farmers’ Market of the season is taking place this Saturday, and will run through April 17th. As in past years the market is being held at 631 Stevens Ave, 9am – 1pm.

To address public health concerns,  the market is making some changes this year. As shared on the Farmers’ Market website they include:

    • Customers are asked to PRE-ORDER from farmers as much as possible.
    • Market is now a grab-and-go experience where customers efficiently shop and then promptly return home.
    • The market layout and foot traffic pattern have been designed for social distancing, please follow all signs.
    • Customers are asked to follow ALL our new Community Shopping Guidelines.
    • A SNAP-Only Information Booth will be available. Many farmers accept credit/debit directly a their booths.

This Week’s Events: Thanksgiving, Pacifico

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Wednesday – Daniel Iwasko from Duckfat is Wednesday’s guest chef at the Duckfat Friteshack Grill, and the weekday Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thursday – it’s Thanksgiving…see the list below for ideas on where to get ingredients and dishes for your meal.

Saturday – Pacifico, a new Latin American restaurant in Saco, is scheduled to open.

Thanksgiving Resource Guide – a growing list of which restaurants are doing in person or takeout Thanksgiving dinners, as well as bakeries, markets and other providers with special offerings for Thanksgiving. While deciding on your own Thanksgiving Day meal plans consider making a donation to the Good Shepherd Food Bank to help fight hunger in Maine.

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.

Lois’ Consolidating Operations

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Lois’ Natural Marketplace has announced they’ll be “hibernating our store on India Street for the winter” and consolidating operations and staff to their original store in Scarborough. The Portland store will close on November 25th.

Our entire Portland crew will be joining our Scarborough store staff. We have expanded our hours and our deli will be reopening to serve hot soups and coffee again. We are looking forward to new changes and a lot of new talent joining our Scarborough store.

New Maine Food at Luke’s

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Starting this Friday the Luke’s Lobster in Portland is launching the New Maine Food section on their menu. Each month Luke’s will feature a dish which celebrate the food culture of one of Luke’s employees. The series is a collaboration between Luke’s and Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, and a portion of the proceeds from every dish sold will be donated to the Immigrant Welcome Center.

First up  is a dish created in collaboration with Luke’s wharf manager Denny Fiaalii who is from Samoa. Fiaalii’s Tuna Oka is being prepared with Maine bluefin tuna and cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, onion, scallion, sesame oil, sirachca mayo and lime juice.

Future months will feature dishes from Cambodia, El Salvador and other food cultures represented by members of the Luke’s staff.

The initiative seeks to pair the many flavors of our “New Mainer” community with Maine’s natural local bounty. Each special dish will be a family recipe from one of its seafood company teammates or a friend from the New Mainer community. A portion of the proceeds from every dish sold will be donated to the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, a non-profit with whom Luke’s has recently partnered on business mentoring, food insecurity, and civic engagement projects.

This Week’s Events: Matt Ginn, Thanksgiving List

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Wednesday – Matt Ginn from Evo is Wednesday’s guest chef at the Duckfat Friteshack Grill, and the weekday Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thursday – Saltwater Grille is holding a wine dinner.

Saturday – the weekend Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thanksgiving Resource Guide – a growing list of which restaurants are doing in person or takeout Thanksgiving dinners, as well as bakeries, markets and other providers with special offerings for Thanksgiving. While deciding on your own Thanksgiving Day meal plans consider making a donation to the Good Shepherd Food Bank to help fight hunger in Maine.

  • Thanksgiving Wine – top recommendations from six local wine distributors, and from several wine shop and wine bar owners. Additionally, Brittany Saliwanchik from Magnus on Water is offering free 30-min virtual wine consultations.
  • Bam Bam Bakery – gluten-free baked goods. Order by November 22nd for pick-up on the 24th or 25th. Order online.
  • Belleville – has set-up an online pre-order for Thanksgiving baked goods. Order online for pick-up on November 24th or 25th.
  • Big Tree Hospitality – the owners of Honey Paw, Eventide and Hugo’s are offering a range of appetizers, sides, pastry, pantry items  and meal kits to make your Thanksgiving dinner easier. They’re available for pick-up in Portland, Biddeford, at Casco Bay Ferries and in Boston on November 24th with an order deadline of November 20th. Order online.
  • BlueFin – the restaurant at the Portland Harbor Hotel will be serving a Thanksgiving dinner(menu). There will be four seatings at 1, 2:45, 4:30 and 6.
  • Botto’s Bakery – has some Thanksgiving breads and desserts which you can order online. Order deadlines: for breads November 24th, for pastry November 21st.
  • Central Provisions – has a range of starters, sides, salads and dessert. Order deadline November 20th for pick-up on November 25th.
  • Chaval – has some dessert options an apple tarte tatan with a side of vanilla cream, maple pecan pumpkin pie, and a chocolate tart
    frangipan almond tart with poached pears and chocolate sauce. Email reservations@chavalmaine.com to order.
  • Churchill Catering – has a variety of mains, sides and desserts. Order online.
  • Craft – has turkeys, sides and desserts for order online.
  • Dizzy Bird – has Thanksgiving takeout available for pick-up on November 25th or 26th. Order online.
  • Dandelion Catering – has everything you need from the turkey through to pumpkin pie. ORder deadline November 18th for pick-up on November 25th. Order online.
  • Dock Fore – will have their full menu plus a turkey dinner calzone.
  • Dockside Grill – has appetizers, sides and pies. Order deadline November 15th to pick up on the 20th, or November 22nd to pick-up on the 25th. Call (207) 747-5274 to order.
  • Eighteen95 – the restaurant at The Portland Regency will be serving a Thanksgiving dinner (see the menu). Noon to 7pm.
  • Figgy’s – has “everything but the bird” 10 side dishes for pick-up on November 24th or 25th. Orders must be in by November 20th.
  • Hi Bar Bakery – has baked goods available for Thanksgiving. Order deadline November 22nd for pick-up on November 25th.
  • Inn by the Sea –has a meal for 6-8 people for $199 plus tax and 18% gratuity for pick-up on November 24th or 25th. Call (207) 799-3134 to order by November 18th.
  • 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.
  • LB Kitchen – has sides, desserts, breads and other items for your Thanksgiving. Order online.
  • Little Giant – a takeout dinner for four, with 6 sides and 3 dessert, $260. Included in the purchase is four meals for those in need via Cooking for Community. Order deadline November 22nd.
  • Mainely Macarons – has three flavors available for Thanksgiving.
  • Nigh Moves – has a variety of pies, breads and baked goods for Thanksgiving. Order online.
  • Norimoto Bakery – has a short list of baked goods available. Order by emailing atsukonorimoto@gmail.com.
  • North 43 Bistro – is offering takeout Thanksgiving dinner for 6 people for $225.
  • Other Side Delicatessen – has available has turkey and a range of sides and desserts to make your home dinner easier. Order must be in by November 16th.
  • Part & Parcel – order your pies for pick-up on November 25th. Order online.
  • Petite Jacqueline – will be serving a “3 course menu with options, wine pairings, sides, etc. Some traditional offerings and some untraditional ideas.” Reservations recommended.
  • Portland Food Co-op – the co-op is taking pre-orders for turkeys. They are sourcing their turkeys from Tide Mill Organic Farm, Pine Tree Poultry, and the Common Wealth Poultry Company. Order deadline November 16th.
  • Prairie Baking Company – will be offering “cheddar herb gougeres and pumpkin madeleines by the dozen, fall themed decorate your own cookie boxes, and apple cake with maple buttercream and chai spiced crumble decorated with handmade wafer paper leaves and fresh flowers”..
  • Rick’s Lobby Cafe – prepared sides and turkeys ready to cook. Order deadline November 14th. Rick’s has a delivery option.
  • Rosemont – has turkeys, sides, pies and breads. Order deadline November 20th. Delivery or pick-up.
  • Scratch Baking Co. – will have pies, bread and rolls for pick-up on November 24th or 25th. Order deadline November 20th.
  • Solo Italiano – is offering a 4-course dinner for two. ORder by the 20th for pick-up on the 25th. Order online.
  • Sur Lie – “Ready to cook turkey and cooked sides along with dessert from Ilma Lopez of Chaval.” for pick-up on November 25th. Order deadline November 22nd. Sur Lie has a delivery option. $225 for a dinner for four people.
  • Standard Baking – breads and desserts. Order deadline November 19th. Order online.
  • Tandem Coffee – Call to place a Thanksgiving pre-orders (207) 760-4440. Deadline November 20th for pick-up on the 24th or 25th.
  • Terlingua – a turkey dinner for four people, $185.
  • 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.
  • Three Dollar Deweys – will be serving Thanksgiving dinner which is also available to go.
  • Timber Steakhouse – will be serving a 3-course meal for $49.
  • Tin Pan Bakery – has pies, cakes, breads and other baked goods. Order online.
  • Tipo – has a menu for your Thanksgiving Eve meal. Order online.
  • Two Fat Cats – has started taking pre-orders. Order deadline November 19th.
  • Union – will have a Thanksgiving takeout dinner available for pick-up on Wednesday, and will be serving a 3-course dinner on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Westin – is offering a takeout meal for 2 for $70 for pick-up on November 25th. Order online.
  • Wine Wise – a curated multi-restaurant meal for 2-4 people for $375. Order online.
  • Woodford F&B – has a selection of 3 hors d’ouevres collections: surf, turf and vegetable with optional wine pairings. Call (207) 200-8503 to order for pick-up on November 24th.
  • Southern Maine & New Hampshire – for those of you living in coastal New Hampshire and York County in Maine see this list assembled by the Portsmouth Herald.
  • Lewiston – Boba is offering a package that will feed 6-8 people.

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.

This Week’s Events: Guest Chef Karl Deuben, Thanksgiving List, Farmers’ Market

| Posted in Events

Wednesday – Kark Deuben from East Enders is Wednesday’s guest chef at the Duckfat Friteshack Grill, and the weekday Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Saturday – the weekend Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thanksgiving Resource Guide – a growing list of which restaurants are doing in person or takeout Thanksgiving dinners, as well as bakeries, markets and other providers with special offerings for Thanksgiving. Email me with details at anestes@portlandfoodmap.com if you know of a business that should be added to the list.

  • Thanksgiving Wine – top recommendations from six local wine distributors, and from several wine shop and wine bar owners. Additionally, Brittany Saliwanchik from Magnus on Water is offering free 30-min virtual wine consultations.
  • Belleville – has set-up an online pre-order for Thanksgiving baked goods. Order online for pick-up on November 24th or 25th.
  • Big Tree Hospitality – the owners of Honey Paw, Eventide and Hugo’s are offering a range of appetizers, sides, pastry, pantry items  and meal kits to make your Thanksgiving dinner easier. They’re available for pick-up in Portland, Biddeford, at Casco Bay Ferries and in Boston on November 24th with an order deadline of November 20th. Order online.
  • BlueFin – the restaurant at the Portland Harbor Hotel will be serving a Thanksgiving dinner(menu). There will be four seatings at 1, 2:45, 4:30 and 6.
  • Botto’s Bakery – has some Thanksgiving breads and desserts which you can order online. Order deadlines: for breads November 24th, for pastry November 21st.
  • Central Provisions – has a range of starters, sides, salads and dessert. Order deadline November 20th for pick-up on November 25th.
  • Chaval – has some dessert options an apple tarte tatan with a side of vanilla cream, maple pecan pumpkin pie, and a chocolate tart
    frangipan almond tart with poached pears and chocolate sauce. Email reservations@chavalmaine.com to order.
  • Churchill Catering – has a variety of mains, sides and desserts. Order online.
  • Craft – has turkeys, sides and desserts for order online.
  • Dizzy Bird – has Thanksgiving takeout available for pick-up on November 25th or 26th. Order online.
  • Dandelion Catering – has everything you need from the turkey through to pumpkin pie. ORder deadline November 18th for pick-up on November 25th. Order online.
  • Dockside Grill – has appetizers, sides and pies. Order deadline November 15th to pick up on the 20th, or November 22nd to pick-up on the 25th. Call (207) 747-5274 to order.
  • Eighteen95 – the restaurant at The Portland Regency will be serving a Thanksgiving dinner (see the menu). Noon to 7pm.
  • Figgy’s – has “everything but the bird” 10 side dishes for pick-up on November 24th or 25th. Orders must be in by November 20th.
  • Hi Bar Bakery – has baked goods available for Thanksgiving. Order deadline November 22nd for pick-up on November 25th.
  • Inn by the Sea –has a meal for 6-8 people for $199 plus tax and 18% gratuity for pick-up on November 24th or 25th. Call (207) 799-3134 to order by November 18th.
  • 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.
  • Little Giant – a takeout dinner for four, with 6 sides and 3 dessert, $260. Included in the purchase is four meals for those in need via Cooking for Community. Order deadline November 22nd.
  • Mainely Macarons – has three flavors available for Thanksgiving.
  • Norimoto Bakery – has a short list of baked goods available. Order by emailing atsukonorimoto@gmail.com.
  • North 43 Bistro – is offering takeout Thanksgiving dinner for 6 people for $225.
  • Other Side Delicatessen – has available has turkey and a range of sides and desserts to make your home dinner easier. Order must be in by November 16th.
  • Part & Parcel – order your pies for pick-up on November 25th. Order online.
  • Petite Jacqueline – will be serving a “3 course menu with options, wine pairings, sides, etc. Some traditional offerings and some untraditional ideas.” Reservations recommended.
  • Portland Food Co-op – the co-op is taking pre-orders for turkeys. They are sourcing their turkeys from Tide Mill Organic Farm, Pine Tree Poultry, and the Common Wealth Poultry Company. Order deadline November 16th.
  • Prairie Baking Company – will be offering “cheddar herb gougeres and pumpkin madeleines by the dozen, fall themed decorate your own cookie boxes, and apple cake with maple buttercream and chai spiced crumble decorated with handmade wafer paper leaves and fresh flowers”..
  • Rick’s Lobby Cafe – prepared sides and turkeys ready to cook. Order deadline November 14th. Rick’s has a delivery option.
  • Rosemont – has turkeys, sides, pies and breads. Order deadline November 20th. Delivery or pick-up.
  • Scratch Baking Co. – will have pies, bread and rolls for pick-up on November 24th or 25th. Order deadline November 20th.
  • Sur Lie – “Ready to cook turkey and cooked sides along with dessert from Ilma Lopez of Chaval.” for pick-up on November 25th. Order deadline November 22nd. Sur Lie has a delivery option. $225 for a dinner for four people.
  • Standard Baking – breads and desserts. Order deadline November 19th. Order online.
  • Tandem Coffee – Call to place a Thanksgiving pre-orders (207) 760-4440. Deadline November 20th for pick-up on the 24th or 25th.
  • Terlingua – a turkey dinner for four people, $185.
  • 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.
  • Timber Steakhouse – will be serving a 3-course meal for $49.
  • Tipo – has a menu for your Thanksgiving Eve meal. Order online.
  • Two Fat Cats – has started taking pre-orders. Order deadline November 19th.
  • Union – will have a Thanksgiving takeout dinner available for pick-up on Wednesday, and will be serving a 3-course dinner on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Westin – is offering a takeout meal for 2 for $70 for pick-up on November 25th. Order online.
  • Woodford F&B – has a selection of 3 hors d’ouevres collections: surf, turf and vegetable with optional wine pairings. Call (207) 200-8503 to order for pick-up on November 24th.
  • Southern Maine & New Hampshire – for those of you living in coastal New Hampshire and York County in Maine see this list assembled by the Portsmouth Herald.
  • Lewiston – Boba is offering a package that will feed 6-8 people.

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.