Chow Maine has a report on some changes afoot at Fore Street. One change that’s sure to be noticed is elimination of policy that set aside one-third of the tables each night for walk-ins. Other changes include adding some lower priced items on the menu and making an effort to create a welcoming atmosphere for diners.
Category: General News
Civil War Chocolate
Dean’s Sweets has an interesting Valentines Day special offer. They’re giving away a CD by musicians Jay Ungar and Molly Mason with each 16 item box of chocolate. Ungar and Mason’s song Ashokan Farewell is well known as the theme from Ken Burn’s Civil War documentary. Ungar and Mason are personal friends of Dean Bingham and his wife and played at their wedding in 2006.
Community Supported Fisheries
CSFs are front and center in this article in the Food & Health section of today’s Press Herald. According to the article, a number of community supported fisheries will be on hand at the CSA Fairs taking place across the state on February 8.
As of last week, organizers were expecting lobster and mussel shares to be offered in Portland, lobster and shrimp in Brunswick, and mussels in Newcastle. Seafood shares were also expected to be available in Belfast, Orono and maybe Saco and Ellsworth.
Freaky Bean
The Bollard has a report on some ongoing changes at The Freaky Bean Coffee Co. including the spin-off of the Yarmouth and Falmouth locations back to the original owners of Maine Roasters Coffee and the opening of a new location in Scarborough. According to the article, last September when Freaky Bean was “in every town around Portland, it seemed just a matter of time before the company would enter Portland proper and challenge local favorite Coffee By Design on its home turf. But in the months since that article appeared, the cup has gone cold.”
Food $
An article in today’s Press Herald examines how the recession is changing the way Mainers spend their food budget.
People are eating out less often, and when they do go out, they order cheaper items and skip extras, such as dessert and alcohol, according to owners of local restaurants.
Press Herald Reader’s Poll
The Portland Press Herald has kicked of its 23rd Annual Reader’s Poll. There are categories for Maine’s Best Restaurant, Best Cheap Eats, Best Lobster Roll, Best Coffee, Best Bakery, Best Pizza, Best Bar, and Best Beer. You have until February 27 to place your vote online.
In the article announcing last year’s poll results when Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks came in #1 and #2 for Best Coffee the Press Herald admonished readers to “Think local, people. We know Dunkin Donuts has good, reliable coffee and that Starbucks has taken over the planet, but the purpose of this poll is to tell your fellow Mainers about local options.”
The Best of Portland
The Portland Phoenix has kicked-off their annual readership poll on the best of Portland. There are a plethora of food and drink categories to vote in that cover everything from Bagels to Sports Bars. A list of the 2008 winners is available online too.
The Maine Switch
The new issue of The Maine Switch is awash with food articles, from the abundance of free wine available at wine tastings to solo dining to making soup in winter, and more.
Back River Gin
The Maine Mouth spotted another Maine Made product that appeared in the Wine Enthusiast’s Top 50 Spirits of 2008 list. Back River Gin which is manufactured by the Sweet Grass Winery in Union also made the top list.
“The fresh, vibrant bouquet smells delightfully of juniper berries, cedar sap, brambles and blueberries. Entry is keenly tart, blueberry-acidic and mouth-puckering; at midpalate flavors of juniper and cooking spice move to the fore of the dry bittersweet taste profile. Finishes ultra-clean, amazingly tart and acidic, yet eye-poppingly fresh. A creative and sophisticated gin.”
Today's Press Herald
Paciarino and its two owners, Fabiana de Savino and Enrico Barbiero, were profiled in the Food & Health section of today’s Press Herald.
“De Savino and Barbiero have been getting a taste of Maine through their newfound love for chowders. They hope customers will get a taste of their home country through Paciarino, which gets its name from an Italian word representing the special foods grandmothers prepare on Sundays.”
Also in today’s paper was a report on Lowe’s effort to help remodel the food distribution area at the Wayside Soup Kitchen.