Portland Food Map

Maine Food & Dining News: Searsport, Waterville, Lewiston, Brunswick, Newport

January 17, 2024January 17, 2024 | Posted in Maine

New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know on what’s going on:

A new bakery cafe called Amandine (instagram) is under construction in Searsport (see above). The business is being launched by Russell and Oana Manton who also own and operate Rio’s Restaurant in Searsport. Amandine will sell breads, custom cakes, and other baked good including Kürtőskalács a Hungarian pastry. Ladonna Bruce will be the head baker for Amandine. The bakery is scheduled to launch on January 25th and will be open Monday through Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm.
The Lebanese bakery in Waterville has closed after 44 years in business. Lebanese Cuisine closed after owner Laya Joseph passed away earlier this month.
Students at the Lewiston Regional Technical Center culinary program are kicking-off the 2024 lunch series at their student-run restaurant The Green Ladle (instagram). Thursdays and Fridays from January 25th through early April they serve a different weekly themed menu. Reservations required (207-777-3199).
Lil Jam Cookies (website, instagram) is moving from Lisbon Falls to Maine Street in Brunswick.
A new roastery called Crouse House Coffee Roastery (website, instagram) recently launched in Lewiston. They’re located at 25 Landry Road and are open Saturdays, 1 – 5 pm.
Lalu Dedi Sutanto plans to open a Japanese hibachi steakhouse called Crazy Sumo 2 in Newport early this year.
The Kickstarter campaign to help purchase S. Fernald’s Country Store in Damariscotta has so far raised $20k of their $35k goal.

Upcoming Events & Valentine’s Day

January 15, 2024January 28, 2024 | Posted in Events

Saturday – Flanagan’s Farm in Buxton will be holding a Supper Club dinner featuring chef Adrian Arvizu from Big Tree Catering. Heritage Seaweed is holding an online Introduction to Seaweed class.

Sunday – Hart Farm in Holden along with Chimera Coffee and the Phenix Inn is holding a 4-course dinner in Bangor.

January 24 – Chaval is holding 5-course vegan wine dinner.

January 25 – Oak & Ember is holding a 4-course Sicilian wine dinner.

January 27 – Flanagan’s Farm in Buxton will be holding a Supper Club dinner featuring chef Christian Hayes from The Garrison.

February 10 – The Portland On Tap beer festival is taking place at the Cross Insurance Arena. Flanagan’s Farm in Buxton will be holding a Supper Club dinner featuring chef Krista Kern Desjarlais from Bresca and The Purple House.

Valentine’s Day – we’ll be sharing V-Day specials here as restaurants announce them. Please let us know if you see someplace missing. Valentine’s Day falls on a Wednesday this year.

Alto Terrace – will be serving a 5-course dinner for $85 per person.
Evo Kitchen + Bar – will be serving a 5-course tasting menu for $125 per person. Reservations go live Tuesday.
Helm – will be serving a 3-course dinner for $65 per person.
Ida’s (Waldoboro) – the wine bar at The Waldoboro Inn in collaboration with The Crooked Spoon is serving a Valentine’s Day dinner for $60 per person.
Isa Bistro – will be serving a 3-course dinner (see menu) for $110 per person.
Knotted Apron – will be serving a 4-course dinner with champagne and optional wine pairings for $120 per person.
Locally Sauced (Yarmouth) – is teaming up with Battery Steele Brewing on a 5-course dinner for $100 per person.
Love at First Bite – is offering a variety of Valentine’s Day treats including chocolate dipped strawberries.
Miller’s Table – will be serving a 5-course dinner for $85 per person.
Mr. Tuna – has a selection of three Valentine’s Day takeout sushi boxes.
Nina June (Rockport) – will be serving a 5-course dinner for $100 per person.
Noble Kitchen + Bar (Brunswick) – will be serving a 6-course dinner with optional wine pairings for $115 per person.
Ore Nell’s North (Biddeford) – is serving a 3-course dinner with a complimentary glass of bubbly for $49.99 per person.
The Alna Store (Alna) – will be serving a 5-course with optional pairings for $95 per person.
Thistle & Grouse – will be serving a 3-course dinner for $90 per person with optional wine pairings.
Twelve – will be serving a 4-course French-inspired dinner.
Wander at Longwoods (Cumberland) – will be serving a 4-course dinner for $100 person.
Wayside Tavern – will be serving a Roman-inspired dinner for $90 per person with optional wine pairings.
Woodford F&B – will be open serving their regular menu augmented with some Valentine’s Day specials.
Other Options – While we’re waiting for details, check for open reservations on February 14th via OpenTable and Resy.

February 18 – Flanagan’s Farm in Buxton will be holding a Supper Club dinner featuring chefs Ilma Lopez and Damian Sansonetti from Chaval and Devin Finigan from Aragosta.

March 28 – Ballast will be hosting a murder mystery dinner.

April 29 – The Good Food Awards winners will be announced. Eight Maine food producers are finalists in the 2024 Good Food awards program.

May 11 – CiderFeast, an “all-inclusive tasting event celebrates craft ciders from some of the top cider makers in New England and beyond” is taking place.

May 18 – The Maine Wild Wine Fest is taking place in Freeport.

June 10-16 – Portland Wine Week is taking place.

June 26 – Secret Supper (instagram) is holding a dinner in the Portland area.

June 29 – The 3rd Annual Mast Landing Wavy Days Festival is taking place.

August 30 – September 1 – Maine Apple Camp is taking place.

September 20-22 – The Common Ground Fair will be taking place.

Review of Ugly Duckling

January 14, 2024 | Posted in Reviews

The Bollard has published a review of the Ugly Duckling.

As good as the sandwiches were, visiting Ugly Duckling without buying pastries should be at least a misdemeanor. After an appetite-restoring stroll around the block, we poured some coffee and devoured a pastel de nata ($5), a traditional Portuguese custard tart that was light and crisp outside, dense and velvety smooth inside.

WE: Wine Lover’s Guide to Maine

January 14, 2024January 14, 2024 | Posted in Reviews

Wine Enthusiast has published a Wine Lover’s Guide to Maine. The article also includes recommendations on where to stay and eat.

Wine-centric mentions in the article include: Friends & Family, Maine & Loire, Lorne, Vessel & Vine, Leeward, Helm, Regards, Wayside, George + Leon’s, Table Bar, In a Silent Way, Black Sheep Wine Shop, Blue Hill Wine Shop, Oyster River Wine Growers, and Nina June.

Maine wine lovers (and those planning a visit) should also add Portland Wine Week to their calenders which this year is taking place June 10 – 16.

Maine Food & Dining News: Damariscotta, Lisbon Falls, Ellsworth, Bethel

January 13, 2024January 14, 2024 | Posted in Maine

New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know on what’s going on:

Four Midcoast residents (Alexandra Welch, Jon Merry, Ramsea Lucas, Derek Degeer) have launched a $35k crowdfunding campaign to help them purchase S. Fernald’s Country Store. The team (instagram) shared that they “love Fernald’s and want to emphasize its role in the community through outreach and special events. We also plan to incorporate a market with local produce and dry goods.” They have 75% of the funds needed and are using Kickstarter to raise the remaining $35k with ~$12k already pledged to the campaign. For additional information see this article in The Lincoln County News.
Down East magazine has published an article about the restaurant renaissance taking place in Bethel. The article features Le Mu Eats, Modern Barn, Gemini Cafe, Watershed, Elizabeth Guest House and Mountain Social.
The Bangor Daily News reports that a new diner called Legends is under construction at the former Wicked Munchies spot in Ellsworth.
Camdan Poisson and Jordan Ott are the new owners of Franks Restaurant & Pub in Lisbon Falls.

Ocotillo – Brunch in the West End

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 | Posted in Under Construction

The owners of Terlingua have taken over the former Danforth/Little Giant building in the West End where they plan to open a new restaurant called Ocotillo (website, instagram) which will serve brunch 8 am – 3 pm.

As you can see from the sample menu (see below), like Terlingua, Ocotillo is taking its culinary cues from the flavors of Mexico and Texas. An agave-focused beverage program with coffee and agua frescas will complement a menu of breakfast tacos, sandwiches, and variations on eggs benedict with churros, French toast, a burger, salads and seasonal specials to round out the offerings.

Owners Melanie and Pliny Reynolds are making some design changes to the space to lighten up the room and bring it into alignment with the Terlingua color palette. Ocotillo will have seating for 106 people including the bar, dining room and the secluded outdoor seating area. The restaurant will be available for private functions.

Terlingua’s executive sous chef, Al Zoni, will be moving over to Ocotillo to become the head chef for the new restaurant. Lea Pilsbury, who has been at Terlingua since 2021, will be serving as the front of house manager. Wilson Rothschild is the executive chef for the overall restaurant group and Justin Dewalt is its chief operating officer. The Reynolds and their team are currently hiring to fill out the team for an anticipated spring launch of Ocotillo.

Terlingua opened on June 25, 2015 at 52 Washington Ave. The restaurant moved to its present location in late 2020.

Nearby Ocotillo are Ugly Duckling, Ruski’s, Zu Baker, Smalls and Oh No Cafe which take together are establishing this part of the West End as Portland’s Brunch District.

Dok Mali on Ocean Street

January 9, 2024 | Posted in Under Construction

Dok Mali (website, instagram) owner Nonglack Thanephonesy has leased the former Judy Gibson spot on Ocean Street in South Portland where she plans to open Dok Mali Noodle Bar.

The menu will bring over the noodle dishes from Dok Mali on India and expand on that with additional Thai noodle dishes and appetizers. Thanephonesy plans some renovations to the dining room and changes to the kitchen to install equipment needed for the new menu. She hopes to launch the restaurant this spring.

Dok Mali will be joining SoPo Seafood, Cafe Louis, Ben Reuben’s Knishery and Solo Cucina on that stretch of Ocean Street in Knightville.

Dok Mali on India Street opened in November 2022. Judy Gibson went out of business in November.

8 Good Food Awards Finalists from Maine

January 8, 2024 | Posted in Reviews

The Good Food Foundation has released the list of Finalists for their 2024 awards program. Eight Maine food producers are on the Finalists list:

Allagash for their beer Surf House
Maine Beer Company for their beer Woods & Waters
Short Creek Farm for their Poblano Salami
Bixby Chocolate for their Organic Haiti 70% Dark Chocolate Bar
44 North for their Honduras – Honey Process COMSA coffee
Coffee by Design for their Costa Rica Danilo Salazar Finca San Cristobal Natural coffee
Speckled Axe for their Guatemala La Bonita and Costa Rica La Guaca Natural coffees

The list of award winners will be announced by the foundation on April 29th at a ceremony in Portland, Oregon. See their Rules & Regulations and FAQ pages for more information on the awards program.

Upcoming Events

January 8, 2024January 9, 2024 | Posted in Events

Monday – Anoche is holding a family-style Paella Night with the meal prepared by famed Portland chef Rob Evans. Marilou Ranta, the chef/owner of the Beard Award-winning restaurant The Quarry in Monson will be speaking at the Lincoln Theater in Damariscotta.

Thursday – The Duckfat Friteshack is serving a Korean fried chicken dinner.

Thursday/Friday – La Cocina Latina (instagram) is holding a pair of pop-up dinners in the former Cabana space at 111 Middle Street. The menu includes street corn, tacos, mofongo, Dominican chicken, ceviche and more.

Thursday-Sunday – All this winter you can find Noble Pizza (instagram) Detroit-style pizza at The Rink on Thompson’s Point.

Saturday – Dandelion Spring Farm in Bowdoinham is holding a French-inspired of American comfort food dinner.

January 20 – Flanagan’s Farm in Buxton will be holding a Supper Club dinner featuring chef Adrian Arvizu from Big Tree Catering. Heritage Seaweed is holding an online Introduction to Seaweed class.

January 21 – Hart Farm in Holden along with Chimera Coffee and the Phenix Inn are holding a 4-course dinner in Bangor.