January Bollard

| Posted in General News, Reviews

The new issue of The Bollard includes a another installment in the Land of Forgotten Cocktails series by mixologist John Myers, a few more details about the new restaurant that Binga’s hopes to open on Washington Avenue, as well as a review of the caprine cuisine at Federal Spice and Hamdi Restaurant and Grocery. The goat dish at Federal Spice is one of the Jamaican items on the menu added by owner Eric Martin.

“The Curried Goat Platter at Federal Spice in downtown Portland is a pile of braised goat chunks served beside a pile of rice and peas…the curried goat at Federal Spice is the real deal.”

“Gastronomically, the goat plate at Hamdi is remarkably similar to the one served at Federal Spice: a big plate of flavorful meat falling off the bones, and a mound of tasty yellow rice. “

Hot Suppa!

| Posted in Reviews

dsc00116New2Maine.com has reviewed Hot Suppa!

The waitress was cheery and attentive . . . The check was a touch high for a regular lunch spot (~$24, including a soda and a hot chocolate and tax, but not the tip), but I would not be surprised if Amber and I end up there a couple or three times a month.

A New Homepage for a New Year

| Posted in PFM

As you’ve probably noticed Portland Food Map looks a little different today. The old homepage, which served the site well when it first launched, has been redesigned to provide more space for the news updates and better access to site features.
Along with the new homepage design comes a few additional capabilities for you  including an RSS feed and the ability to comment on the posts, as well as making it easier for me to post news items. Also you can now search 400+ Portland food websites right from the homepage.
Here’s a brief PFM feature history:

August 7, 2007 – PFM Launched

September 3/4, 2007 – The Unreviewed and Under Construction lists

October 9, 2007 – Category Street Maps

November 28, 2007 – Portland Food Search

February 2, 2008 – Sunday Brunch List

April 7, 2008 – Event Calendar

January 1, 2009 – the new homepage blog

I hope you like the new homepage design. Have a Happy New Year!

Arabica

| Posted in Reviews

Toast at ArabicaThe Portland Phoenix has reviewed Arabica.

“Coffee preferences are profoundly idiosyncratic, but I find their dark roast a bit light and a hair under-brewed. It’s more nutty and smooth than rich and full. The espresso drinks, where technique is more important, are consistently excellent in the hands of the experienced staff.”

Maine Mead Works

| Posted in Profiles

Today’s Press Herald published a profile of Maine Mead Works.

“Wait, don’t go anywhere. Yes, the topic is mead today. But no, you are not trapped in a time warp or at a Renaissance Fair. There will be no words with an ‘e’ randomly stuck on the end, no cheesy costumes, no faux lords and ladies who talk as if they just stepped out of the Middle Ages.

That’s not what Eli Cayer and Ben Alexander had in mind when they opened their new meadery in Portland.”