Urban Farm Fermentory Expanding

The UFF has recently leased a 5,000 square foot space adjacent to their operation on Anderson Street. Some of the the new space will be used for the UFF to expand but there’s also expanding the Bayside food ecosystem by subleasing out sections to other food producers. According to a note on their Facebook wall a cheesemaker is already on board and they’re seeking out other partners.

Bar Review of Rivalries

Today’s Press Herald includes a bar review of Rivalries.

Rivalries is hands-down a sports pub, but with flare. With black tables and chairs contrasted with light walls and exposed beams upstairs, the pub’s decor makes a nice place to gather and watch a game.

Also in today’s paper is an article on lobster pricing and the latest installment of the What Ales You column.

Under Construction: Kushiya Benkay

Some additional info on Kushiya Benkay, the new Japanese restaurant under construction in Longfellow Square, has surfaced in documents filed with the Portland City Council.

As the name seemed suggest, Kushiya is indeed a sibling of Benkay on India Street. The draft menu (page 40) supplied with the liquor license application is available online. It includes a full traditional sushi menu as well as a list of Yakitori options.

Owner Hyon Kim is planning on an opening date in July.

Reviews of Empire & China Taste

Today’s Press Herald includes a review of China Taste,

The bottom line: If you’re looking for a place you can run into and grab some quick, American-style Chinese takeout for dinner — and you’re not too fussy — China Taste will suit your needs just fine.

a bar review of Empire Dine and Dance,

There’s something about Empire that I just find relaxing. The broad wooden tables, art on the walls with some connection to music, dim lighting and dark color scheme just put you in a laid-back mood.

and the latest installment of the What Ales You column.

10 Tips to Avoid Getting Fired

The Portland Daily Sun offers 10 tips to avoid getting fired from your Summer restaurant job,

9) Badmouth your place of employment. This seems so obvious, but I’ve heard servers commiserate with customers over marginal food in places that are known for cold beer and live bands instead of the cuisine. Just apologize for their dissatisfaction and go find your manager, boss, or someone with experience who can handle and deflect the complaint.

2012 Food Issues: Maine & Down East

The annual food issues of Maine and Down East magazines came out this week.

The March issue of Maine magazine includes:

  • Joe Ricchio’s take on the state’s 6 best cookies (personally I’d add the sea salt chocolate chip at Aurora Provisions)
  • An article on healthy eating
  • A profile of forager Evan Strusinski
  • A “cross-section of Maine’s most interesting chefs [and] the foods they really care about”
  • Interviews with restaurant managers at 555, Francine Bistro and Zapoteca
  • An article about Maine Maple Sunday
  • A profile of Jarrod Spangler who works as a butcher at Rosemont
  • A great cover photo of Steffi and Brian Davin, owners of Schulte & Herr

and in Down East you’ll find:

  • An extensive guide to cheap eats across the state
  • An article about Maine Maple Sunday with tasting notes from a dozen sugar houses
  • An article about Moxie
  • An article about the Maine eel fishery

Neither magazine has published their articles online yet (hint hint!) but the magazines should be available at your favorite local bookstore.