Under Construction: Rose Foods

| Posted in Under Construction

Here’s a look inside the construction site for Rose Foods (website, facebook, instagram), a bagel shop and delicatessen project by chef Chad Conley, co-owner of Palace Diner. Conley’s vision for Rose Foods is as a,

counter-service bagel shop, neighborhood cafe, and retail store, featuring food from New York Jewish cuisine. Smoked seafood and other specialty products will be featured for retail sale and on bagel sandwiches, alongside deli classics like sour pickles, pastrami sandwiches, matzo ball soup and a variety of salads.

The shop is named after Conley’s wife’s (Rachel Schlein) great-grandmother. It’s located at 428 Forest Ave in the former Brea Lu Cafe building, and is on track to open in August.

Reviews: Elsmere BBQ, Trattoria Fanny, Enio’s, Back Bay Grill, Baharat

| Posted in Reviews

The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed Elsmere BBQ,

Since it opened in 2013, South Portland’s Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill has tried, according to chef/co-owner Adam Powers, “to do a little something for everybody.” You’ll find some Tex-Mex dishes on the menu, as well as competent versions of barbecue classics, like a well-smoked half-rack of short ribs: partly cleaned, St. Louis-style; and a snappy, anise-flavored sausage appetizer reminiscent of a smoky kielbasa.

the Portland Phoenix has reviewed Trattoria Fanny,

Other dishes were simpler still, especially the appealing side dishes. The oyster mushrooms were tender and buttery, with just the right dash of salt. Bitter rapini added a bit of extra crunch with breadcrumbs. Celery root, its sharpness mellowed by a quick pan fry, were like especially succulent french-fries. Only the entrée of roast pork seemed too simple — the slab of meat needing more than its hint of sage to be interesting. But a similarly shaped slab of creamy and rich chocolate bonet could not be better.

The Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Baharat and Enio’s, and

A few minutes after our salads were done, our entrees made their way over. The initial smell made my mouth water. I dug in immediately and grabbed a gnocchi. The soft, cheesy pillow was awesome, but the creamy, seasoned sauce it was sitting in was sensational. A follow up bite of the braised, tender bird was pure heaven.

The Golden Dish has reviewed the Back Bay Grill.

Certain dishes remain on the menu always. The beautifully made soup purees, usually based on seasonal vegetables, are silky smooth. That wonderful turban of salmon is as high as a grande dame’s chapeaux. The elegantly wrought piece of beef tenderloin is dressed up in its Sunday best.

Maine Street Designs in Chicago

| Posted in Under Construction, People

Portland-based interior designer Brett Johnson from Maine Street Design Co. is working on a prominent new restaurant in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood called Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar. Johnson has designed interiors for several Maine restaurants including Fore Street, the White Barn Inn, The Edge and Stripers.

Johnson’s work in Chicago is an example of a trend of Maine hospitality and design expertise being exported beyond the state’s borders. Branding and design firm Might & Main worked with chef/owner Michael Scelfo on the launch of his new restaurant Waypoint, both in Boston. Eventide is expanding into the Boston market this year, Boda opened a second location in Portsmouth last year, and the Brewers Guild built and delivered the Maine Beer Box to Iceland.

Maine agricultural and fishery products (lobster to China, native blueberries, glass eels and urchins to Japan) have been widely sought after for some time. It’s nice to see homegrown talent and concepts following their foot steps to have impact in the wider food world as well.

Yes Brewing Opens Today

| Posted in Openings, Beer

Yes Brewing (facebook, instagram) is scheduled to open at today at 3:30. They’re located at 609 Main Street in Westbrook behind Mister Bagel.

The American Journal has published an article about Yes Brewing,

“Our whole angle is to brew normal brew styles with out of the box ingredients to keep things interesting,” [co-owner Cameron] Ingrahim said. “We like interesting beers so we wanted to reflect that here.”

While the brewery will have a standard double dry hopped pale ale, it will also serve a pineapple mosaic Berliner Weisse, a jalapeno pale ale and a mint IPA (India Pale Ale). Customers can purchase five- and 10-ounce pours as well as growlers to take home.

Allagash Lieven Release

| Posted in Beer

Allagash is slated to release a new small batch beer on Saturday. Lieven is,

Named for a Belgian barkeep, Lieven is a blend of Flemish sour red and sour brown ale. The sour brown ale aged for four years in an American oak barrel, while the sour red aged for one year in a New England Distilling rye whiskey barrel. In this blend, aromas of strawberry, apricot, and caramelized sugar share the stage with flavor notes of dried fruit, toasted marshmallow, and a delicate hint of oakiness.

Also on Saturday, Allagash will release the 2017 edition of Cuvée d’Industrial.

Cong Tu Bot Preview Saturday

| Posted in Under Construction

Cong Tu Bot (facebook, tumblr, instagram, twitter) is gearing up in time to participate the Inner Washington Block Party. They’ll be serving “cà phê sữa đá and a tiny-we’re-not-sure-if-we’re-ready-but-hey-let’s-ride-menu of snacks“. The initial snack menu will not include Phô.

They’ll open with a full(er) menu and regular schedule of hours at a too be determined later date.

Maiz Colombian Street Food Opening

| Posted in Openings

Owners Martha Leonard and Niky Walter plan to open Maiz Colombian Street Food (facebook) this Saturday.

Maiz is located on the second floor of the Public Market House. Maiz will serve “modern twists on the traditional Colombian” arepas. In the morning they will also have on the menu a “pan-de-bono, a savory cheese bread made with yucca flour”. Maiz will also serve Colombian coffee and lemonades in fruit and coconut flavors.