National Press for Maine

Maine is on a roll with press attention with food and dining stories running in Forbes, Architectural Digest, and Imbibe.

An article (not yet online) about fruit-based wines in the latest issue of Imbibe magazine features Eighteen Twenty Wines, RAS and Bluet. “At Maine’s Eighteen Twenty Wines, founder Amanda Denniston’s choice for vinification [rhubarb] is technically a vegetable, but it’s commonly treated as a fruit…Vinified bone dry, Fête, her summer release is akin to a French rosé. Its big, fruity mid-palate is bookended by a light, Provençal hue and the bone-dry yet savory finish of a Bandol rosé.”

Architectural Digest interviewed Megs Senk and George Korsnick about the creation of the space that is home to the Saint George Pizzeria, their new restaurant in the Midcoast town of Warren. “There’s a reason makers are drawn to this part of Maine. It attracts people who want to create things and be part of something—people with that New England pragmatism, even if they aren’t originally from here. It’s a fiercely individualistic place, but also deeply creative. Most of our friends here run small businesses or are artists or musicians. That’s rare in an area this small.”

In anticipation of National Spritz Day (August 1st) Forbes magazine wrote about some aperitifs and handcrafted bitters including Portland’s hometown favorite Handshake. “Traditionally sipped after meals, this digestif also works well for making big, bold spritzes. Rich, layered, and made with intention, Handshake is a modern bitter with old-world soul.”

Portland Schools Summer Meals Program

Portland Public Schools have rolled out their Summer Meals program. The program provides free meals to children and teens 18 years old and under. Most of the venues are serving both breakfast and lunch. Information on hours and locations where meals are available can be found on the Portland Public Schools website.

South Portland, Westbrook and communities from all around the state operate similar summer meal programs.

The USDA has a directory of summer meal programs from around the country that list dozens of communities in Maine that offer free meals during the summer.

Sunday Breakfast at the VFW

Delicious Musings has published a field report on the monthly Sunday breakfast at the VFW along with some observations on breakfast and a dive into Appalachian biscuits and gravy.

I pushed open the door and stepped into a long hallway lined with faux brown wood paneling—the kind that was really popular in the 1970s. Professor A and I passed the kitchen, where Jessica, an omelet wizard from Bayside American Café, was in her element. At the back of the building, we reached the bar area, which looked exactly like the kind of place where faithful regulars could slide onto a stool and feel right at home. No haze of smoke or Christmas lights here, but the past is present in the form of flags and plaques. Two women took our cash and handed us slips of paper to mark our orders— I went for a veggie omelet, and Professor A chose scrambled eggs with bacon and toast.

The VFW is located in Woodfords Corner next to Veranda Market. Their breakfasts are $10 and are held the first Sunday of every month, 8 – 10 am.

Red Snappers

Today’s Maine Sunday Telegram includes an article on the efforts by W.A. Bean & Sons to find an alternative to artificial red dye in their hot dogs.

“We’ve been working on a replacement for that dye for a long time — it’s been a goal of ours,” said W.A. Bean Director of Sales Sean Smith, pointing to a rack of red snapper links fresh out of the dye shower in the “kitchen” at Bean’s production plant. “We’re not fighting science. We want to get ahead of it as well. We want to make sure we can stand behind a product the people of Maine are proud of.”

Tony’s Donuts

The Press Herald reports that both the building and the business of Tony’s Donuts is for sale.

The article quotes manager Michelle Goddard “We were trying hard not to have to do it,” Goddard said. “I’m still hoping somebody buys it and keeps it what it is.”

Tony’s was founded by Antonio Fournier in 1965 and his son Rick Fournier took over in 2005.

Review of Taj and a Look Back at Pandemic Effects

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Taj in South Portland.

It’s hard not to be a fan of the new Taj. The restaurant has really come into its own, particularly since moving into its snazzy new digs. It’s also a restaurant that’s right for the moment, when so many people are seeking the best value for their dwindling disposable income. And whether it wins a Beard award or not won’t change the fact that you’d be hard-pressed to find hospitality this good at this price point anywhere else in Maine.

It also has a feature article that looks at How the pandemic reshaped Portland’s restaurant scene.

Fresh Approach Market

The Bollard reports that Fresh Approach Market is at risk of closing due to an administrative issue that’s impacted their ability to process food stamp EBT transactions.

Federal authorities have pulled the food-stamp retail license of a mom-and-pop neighborhood market in Portland’s West End due to what appears to be an administrative snafu at the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), which administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s office is attempting to rectify the situation, but without a speedy resolution, the market’s owners say they may not make it through the month.

Fresh Approach is located at 155 Brackett St. They’re open Monday through Friday, 8 am – 7 pm, Saturday 9 am – 7 pm, and Sunday 9 am – 5 pm.

Update: A GoFundMe has been launched to raise funds to help Fresh Approach while they regain their ability to process food stamp transactions.