Food for Thought has published a review of Grace. While the author acknowledges, “Perhaps it’s too early in its 3-week history to assess such a place”, he does write about the issues he feels “that just don’t pass muster at the moment.”
Portlandtaps in the Sun
The Portland Daily Sun has published enthusiastic praise for portlandtaps.com, “Brilliant. Folks, portlandtaps.com is Einstein-level brilliance.”
Hot Suppa! Review
Portland Food Heads has reviewed Hot Suppa!.
Regardless, I did decide to walk through the door at Hot Suppa one day and haven’t turned back since. Sunday brunch is a prized commodity to me, and I don’t think I’ve ever turned it down when mentioned or offered. I’ve eaten at just about every spot in town that does Sunday brunch (or just breakfast in general) and I have to say that Hot Suppa is up near the top of my list.
Siano's Review
Portland Bar Guide has published a review of Siano’s.
Entering Siano’s Pizzeria for the first time, I didn’t really know what to expect. The dark tables compliment the cobblestone floor and the red ceiling with yellow trim screams Italian eatery, welcoming large groups that my Nana would love to serve. Located in the heart of Deering, Siano’s was buzzing with energy, even though it was Monday night. Old friends were meeting at the bar, families were seated sporadically and later a kickball team met in the back room.
Dweller on Opening Night
Down East‘s Tips from a Dweller column has posted some observations on the double opening night at Grace and The Corner Room earlier this month. (via Psst!)
$1.3 Million to Develop Local Wheat
There’s in an article in today’s Food & Dining section on a grant to support wheat farming in Maine and Vermont.
The grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will fund a four-year project that brings together scientists, farmers, bakers and millers from both states to expand organic wheat production in New England, once a bread basket of the nation.
Ellen Mallory, a sustainable agriculture specialist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service who is leading the project, estimates that Maine produces 200 to 500 acres of organic wheat. Vermont produces about the same.
“It’s hard to get a handle on what the demand really is, but we know that we’re well below supplying that demand,” Mallory said.
Inside Immigrant Kitchens: Maili Kern
In the new installment of Inside Immigrant Kitchens Lindsay Sterling learns how to cook Estonian Roast Beef and Root Vegetable Salad from Maili Kern.
Maili Kern learned this from her mother in a village on the Baltic Sea in Estonia. It’s a popular dish served on buffet tables at celebrations. The color, bright pink from beets next to bright yellow and white hardboiled eggs, is a stunning example of how powerful simple things can be in the right hands.
Breakfast Club Review of Miss Portland Diner
The Breakfast Club has made an “epic comeback reunion” to review the Miss Portland Diner. They praised the “quite exceptional for a diner” coffee as well as the “friendly and attentive” service, and recommend “waiting (if necessary) for a table in the train car” because it has “way more atmosphere than the addition that was built”
Evangeline Review
Portland Food Heads has reviewed a recent meal at Evangeline where he had the clabber-fed whole roast chicken.
The family-style, Sunday dinner feel of this meal was exactly what I had been hoping for, and, at this point, I wasn’t sure things could get much better.
That is, until I took a bite of the chicken. I’ll spare everyone the wasted time and say that this was flat out the best chicken I’ve ever had in my entire life. I probably roast about 20-30 birds a year, and never have I tasted a chicken with such buttery, “chickeny” flesh.
The clabber-fed roast chicken is now available at Evangeline provided you call ahead and give them 24 hour advance notice.
Bonobo Ice Cream Window
The ice cream window at Bonobo reopened last week. The operation is being run by Sara Lemieux and Kellen Tucker (shown above) who are leasing the space from the pizzeria. The ice cream they’re serving is from Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook.