The Portland Phoenix has published results from their annual Best of Portland readership poll.
There are dozens of food and drink categories represented long time favorites such as Allagash (Best Brewery, Best Maine Beer) and newcomers like Woodford Food & Beverage (Best New Restaurant).
Effective May 2nd, Melissa Carr owner of Dots in Lincolnville, will assume ownership of Aurora Provisions, according to a liquor license application (page 81) filed with the city.
The current owner Marika Kuzma Green, purchased Aurora Provisions in 2001.
Cara Stadler has reverted from the no-tipping model put in place last fall at Bao Bao and Tao Yuan, reports the Press Herald.
Bao Bao Dumpling House in Portland and Tao Yuan in Brunswick reversed the policy Wednesday after a review of the books for the first quarter of the year revealed it had been a failure.
“We really wanted it to work,” said Chris Peterman, director of operations for the restaurants. He said customers balked at the higher prices the restaurants had to charge to make up for the higher wages paid to servers who lost tip income.
The Forecaster has published an article about Mashed.
Maine may be best known for its seafood, but the state is also a major producer of potatoes.
That’s why it made perfect sense for Renee Rhoads, of Falmouth, to sell only foods nestled in mashed potatoes from her new food truck, appropriately called Mashed.
The rotating menu includes a Thanksgiving-themed offering of turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce; a shepherd’s pie (also available meatless for vegetarians), and a pulled pork offering with coleslaw, bread and butter pickles, and cornbread.
Two Maine restaurants are on the Opinionated About Dining list of the Top 200 Gourmet Casual restaurants in the US.
Eventide is #46 and Central Provisions is at #86.
The owners of the El Corazon food truck have leased 190 State Street where they plan to open Restaurante El Corazon (facebook, instagram).
After four years cooking fresh Mexican food from the back of their family operated food truck Joe and Laura Urtuzuastegui have decided to grow the business and open up a brick and mortar shop…El Corazon will offer old favorites and new staples, small and large plate options, a oversized tequila selection, in a comfortable family atmosphere.
The space had been the original location of Petite Jacqueline and was slated to be the new home of Ocho until the owners put the project on hold.
El Corazon hopes to open the restaurant in May. They join the growing ranks of mobile operations adding or transforming into a traditional brick and mortar restaurant such as Mami and Baharat.
Monday – Central Provisions is holding what looks like an amazing madeira dinner in collaboration with Rare Wine Co and Barbeito Winery, the International Pectinid Workshop continues this week until Tuesday.
Tuesday – Brant Dadaleares will be holding a dessert pop-up at The Honey Paw.
Wednesday – there will be a New Belgium tasting at the Bier Cellar.
Thursday – Cheevitdee is scheduled to open, the 4th Annual Gulf of Maine Seafood Celebration is taking place and Petite Jacqueline is holding a wine dinner.
Friday – Black Tie is holding a dinner at Camp Hammond in Yarmouth.
Saturday – it’s the opening day of the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market.
Sunday – the Portland Symphony is collaborating with Oxbow Brewing on a Symphony & Spirits event.
For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.
If you are holding a food event this week that’s not listed above, publicize it by adding it as a comment to this post.
The Golden Dish has reviewed Becky’s,
But let me tell you about the clams. The batter coats these meaty local clams quite delicately and not the least greasy. The Cole slaw is creamy with just the right vinegary-sweet Mayonnaise dressing. This is excellent slaw. The fries are well done, crunchy on the outside and creamy within.
and Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed Silly’s and Bramhall.
Bramhall isn’t always my go-to for a dinner, but when they are, they’ve got what it takes to satisfy. With a bit of a dark, brooding atmosphere set below ground, they create a feeling like few places can. I recommend trying anything that suits your fancy, but be sure to order the Loaded Crisps.
The Press Herald has published an article about Battery Steele Brewing.
The brewing world is itching to sample the goods from the latest brewery to boil wort in the now-fabled 1 Industrial Way complex. I refer to this building and surrounding neighborhood as the Fertile Crescent of Maine brewing, incubating Maine Beer Co., Rising Tide Brewing, and Bissell Brothers Brewing, along with the current tenants, the aforementioned Austin Street and Foundation Brewing. With Allagash across the street and Geary’s around the corner, Battery Steele is opening on hallowed ground.
The history of the building isn’t lost on [Shane] Noble or his partner, Jake Condon.
“It inspires us to always be looking for ways to make our beer better,” Noble said.
Joe’s Super Variety, aka Joe’s Smoke Shop, reopens today in their new space in the first floor of the Hiawatha apartment building in Longfellow Square. They plan to be open 8 – 5 today and tomorrow and expand to full regular hours (6 am – 11 pm) starting next week.