Restaurant Inspections Reporting

Today’s Press Herald widens their reporting on restaurant health inspections. Based on city documents they found that,

In August 2011, Portland hired its first health inspector devoted to restaurants. Since then, the inspector, Michele Sturgeon, has inspected 49 restaurants and failed 39 of them. Six failed initial follow-up inspections and three failed multiple follow-ups. In general, a restaurant fails if it has more than 13 violations.

There’s a report that the state has criticized “Portland officials Thursday for allowing the owner of [The Porthole] to cook a lobster dinner for a wedding reception in a kitchen that had been closed for health code violations.”

Maine Cider, Common Ground Fair, Apples & Coffee/Wine

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes an article about Maine’s cider industry,

Hard apple cider is a longtime New England tradition, and has a storied history in America going all the way back to the founders. Now the fizzy brew is finding new fans, thanks in part to small, local producers who are turning out a more European-style cider that’s tarter than the sweet stuff that’s usually produced in this country.

a preview of the eating options and educational programs at this weekend’s Common Ground Fair, the paper’s annual apple buying guide and an Appel on Wine column on coffee.

Gelato Fiasco Empact100

The Bangor Daily News reports that Gelato Fiasco is being recognized by Empact100, an organization that highlights “the impact young entrepreneurs make on our economy and an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs”.

But this is one business that has turned into anything but a fiasco, as a national organization called Empact100 has taken notice. Davis and Tropeano are among 100 up-and-coming entrepreneurs who will be honored later this month at the White House.

Porthole Passed Inspection

According to an article in the Press Herald, The Porthole and two other businesses that were closed due to serious health inspection issues earlier in the week have been cleared to reopen.

“There was nothing identified in that inspection as being a critical violation,” Clegg said. “All the critical violations have been addressed.”

According to the Munjoy Hill News, The Porthole did reopen today.

Porthole Health Inspection Update

The Press Herald has published an update on the closure of The Porthole and 2 other adjacent businesses by the city health inspector. The article includes scans of the letter that alerted the city to the problem and the health inspector’s hand written report from earlier this week.

[Health snspector Michele] Sturgeon found “rat droppings everywhere” in the businesses’ liquor storage area and on shelves, as well as “rotting, decayed mouse traps,” according to her report. “TONS of flies all over the food” and “lobster and other exposed seafood,” she wrote.

UPDATE: According to the Munjoy Hill News, The Porthole plans to re-open on Sunday.

3 Businesses Temporarily Closed by Health Inspector

According to a report from the Press Herald:

Three waterfront businesses were temporarily closed down on Thursday after the city’s restaurant inspector found evidence of a “serious rat infestation.”

The Porthole, Comedy Connection and the Harbour’s Edge banquet hall were closed after Portland’s restaurant inspector Michele Sturgeon noted excessive and repeat food violations.