The Portland Phoenix has reviewed Lolita.
The medium dishes are the most intriguing on the page, and they deliver on it. In one dish, black trumpets brought out the earthy side of mackerel filet. Lentils, served with just pickled beets, could not have been more perfectly tender or expertly seasoned. Torchino pasta enlivens a simple creamy tomato sauce with the spice and texture of crumbled nduja sausage and the pop of fresh peas.
Fortune and Food & Wine magazines have included Maine Congresswoman and farmer Chellie Pingree in their list of the Most Innovative Women in Food and Drink.
A new Chinese restaurant called Shangri-la is under construction on upper Exchange Street. Shangri-la is taking over the space at 90 Exchange Street that for the last 8 months has been occupied by Thai 9.
Shangri-la is being launched by Yarmouth resident Qi Shen. Shen plans on serving a menu of Sichuan style Chinese food. A draft menu (page 42) was supplied as part of the restaurant’s liquor license application. Here’s an excerpt,
Rudolph Ferrante passed away last week at the age of 91.
In the 1950s, he co-owned restaurants including the Forest Gardens and Espans Quick Lunch in Portland. In the mid 1960s, he opened Rudy’s Lunch on Middle Street in Portland. He also owned Harbor Lunch on Commercial Street. Most recently, he owned and operated the iconic Rudy’s Diner on Main Street in South Portland. He retired in 1992, after running the diner for 17 years.
It’s been nearly a year since Ted Arcand, owner of Dogfish Bar & Grille, sold the Dogfish Cafe on Congress Street to 2 of his longtime employees. Now the new cafe owners are getting ready change the name.
No big changes are planned, but the Cafe’s new name will be Union Station Publyk – a reference to the Union Train Station that once stood across the street.
Urban Eye reports that Liquid M2 has gone out of business.
It seems Liquid M2 on Fore Street is the latest casualty in the green drink economy to go belly up this year. This “farm to bar” lounge has been locked for weeks, their telephone number is disconnected and the owner is MIA. Who would take a vacation in Vacationland during prime time? They have not sent out a social media signal since August 9th.
Portland Magazine has reviewed Slab.
Craving more of that insanely delicious bread–which is nothing like pizza dough–we’re captivated by the Sausage Raab Shoe Bianca ($9) served with a side of “slab gravy.” Crumbled, tender sausage meat is mixed with lots of quality cheeses and tasty, bright green broccoli raab, all tucked into that dreamy pillow of luna lusciousness.
The Portland Phoenix has reviewed El Corazon/Taco Trio/Hella Good.
With relief I instead got the Corazon burrito (on Spring St. near downtown) for half the price. It was great—the tortilla grilled but still spongy, the carne ground up, juicy and infused with spices. The tacos ($2.50) are also quite good. The pork is almost bellyish in its fatty tenderness. The fish has a great tart sauce and just-bitter cabbage crunch. The pulled chicken was tender and herbaceous. The truck itself is a red beauty.
The Golden Dish has reviewed the new Tandem Bakery.
The custard of the chess pie was flawless, thick and rich with the tang of citrus and buttermilk. The bottom crust wasn’t soggy, either, though the overall shell was a bit unusual. It’s an all butter crust, but I’d like to know what Holt is doing to it? It’s not flakey but crisp instead.
The blueberry crumble-topped pie was another perfect piece of pie. The filling wasn’t overly sweet but just right and I loved the crunchy, candylike topping.
Wednesday — Black Tie will be serving a Graze Farm dinner in New Gloucester, and the Monument Square Farmers Market are taking place.
Thursday — The Great Lost Bear is showcasing beer from Dogfish Head.
Friday — the Hunt and Alpine Club is throwing a party to celebrate their 1st anniversary, the West End Deli is holding a wine tasting, and Flea Bites (a monthly gathering of food trucks in West Bayside) is taking place.
Saturday — LeRoux Kitchen is holding a wine tasting, and the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place.
Sunday — Coffee By Design, Maine Beer Company, Novare Res Bier Cafe, In’finiti, Maine Pie Line and Holy Donut are working together to organize the Bartender’s Brunch to celebrate Maine Beer Company’s 5th Anniversary. MBC will release 2014, a maple imperial stout with cold pressed Ethiopian coffee, at the brunch.
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.