Serious Eats has published a review of Bard Coffee.

The baristas on staff were more than happy to geek out with me about brewing styles (“We live for this stuff, this is what we do.”), and are committed, enthusiastic professionals. Bard proudly hosts monthly latte-art competitions to benefit Coffee Kids, and is one of a few small-but-mighty coffee companies encouraging improvements in the local bean scene by leaps and bounds. Despite (or perhaps because of?) its cafe being directly across the street from a Starbucks, Bard has become a community staple in Portland’s historic district—a testament to the coffee as well as to the people behind it.

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Kushiya Benkay.

For a softly lit date night that’s a bit different, a wee-hours snack or a protein-lover’s lunch that won’t break the bank, Kushiya Benkay’s menu is tough to beat. Built on the reputation and strength of Portland sushi standard bearer Benkay, this newest niche endeavor is a terrific addition to the local dining roster.

 

Washington Post editor Joe Yonan has written about a visit to Portland eating and drinking at  Micucci’s, Urban Farm Fermentory, Eventide and Bresca.

Maybe there’s something in the sea air that gets to you, that fills you with Maine pride. I’ve heard more than one Mainer say with confidence that Portland’s food scene is better than Boston’s, for instance, and I’ve always (politely) scoffed. But I’ve been in the state for the better part of a year, and I’m starting to see their point. If nothing else, I think of it this way: If little Portland were plunked down in the middle of Boston, it would be a food lover’s destination. And I’d head there for dinner — or lunch, or pre-dinner oysters, or mid-morning pastries, or a macchiato — anytime.

Yonan has been spending a year in Maine and is occasionally blogging about on his website.

Rebecca Crump from Ezra Pound Cake has posted a list of her 8 favorite things to eat in Maine.

We toured farms and bakeries, talked to chefs and seafood industry experts, and I had some of the best meals of my life. (Thanks, Sharon!) So, if someone asks you to come to Maine, say yes, kiss them on the mouth, and dig into some of these delicious things:

Rebecca was in Maine this Summer as part of a food blogger tour arranged by Delicious Musings.

Eat Maine has published the first review of Gather.

I finish the meal feeling comforted and full, and I know that this is more than just a new restaurant—it’s a place for friends and families to share a meal, a conversation, a bottle of wine. It’s the place to go for a homemade meal when you have no time to cook. It’s a place to congregate after a sporting event, a school board meeting, and a long day at the office. With a seasonal, locally focused menu, I know I’ll be back with my friends and family to experience this sense of community again and again.

Massachusetts food blogger Culinary Colleen visited Portland and loved every bite she took. Her eating tour took her to Eventide, Maine Mead Works, Fore Street, The Holy Donut, Duckfat and Novare Res.

Do you ever watch that Food Network show “The Best Thing I Ever Ate?” I felt like I was on that show at every restaurant we tried. I kept turning to Matt and saying “this is one of the best things I have ever eaten!” (And I was hardly even exaggerating.)

The Press Herald has published a review of BiBo’s Madd Apple Cafe,

Although other customers came in while I was there — some for takeout, some for a sit-down lunch — I remember thinking, “Why isn’t this place packed?” For prices that, by and large, are just 50 cents to a dollar more than a foot-long fast-food sub (except for the famous $5 foot longs, of course), you can go to Bibo’s and get a great sandwich with fries and a salad, in a relaxing atmosphere, for under $10.

and of The Loft.

Maybe it’s just me, but when I’m at a place called “Portland’s Burger House,” I’d expect some sort of cosmic shift when I bite into a burger from the menu. The burgers we ordered were just average, nothing amazing. I don’t doubt that the ingredients used were fresh, but the charred taste from the fire grill overpowered the toppings added to make the burger special.

Also in today’s paper is an article about Tempest, a collaboration between Rising Tide and Bard Coffee,

Tempest was rich and roasty with the aroma of coffee beans and an opaque (almost black) color with a lot of maltiness, and was not very bitter. It is only 5 percent alcohol and lightly carbonated, but with a good, stiff head.

and an article about changes the city hopes to make in how they regulate and staff the restaurant inspection process.

Portland’s food code has not kept pace with the state’s food code, so the city staff is recommending that Portland simply adopt the state code, which would allow the city to fine violators.