A new food truck called Maine-ly Meatballs (website, facebook) is under development and expected to launch at the end of May, according to a report from Eater Maine.
Under Construction: Ten Ten Pié
Late last summer DiPietro’s closed their neighborhood market on Cumberland Ave after 69 years in operation. Now the new owner, Markos Miller and wife Heather Nichols, are planning to launch a new bakery cafe and market called Ten Ten Pié.
The name is a Spanish expression which refers to a quick snack or bite to eat.
Miller tells me that Ten Ten Pié will serve freshly prepared pastry (with a multi-cultural twist) in the morning, and a take out lunch menu featuring international comfort food. They also expect to have a small retail market that meets some of the light grocery needs for the neighborhood and healthy grab and go foods.
More details should be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
For the details on all upcoming restaurants, bars, bakeries and food trucks check out our Under Construction List.
Beer Events: Pucker Up & Noshbow
Details on a couple of upcoming beer events:
- Sour beer fans take note, Pai Men Miyake is hosting a sour beer tap takeover this weekend called Pucker Up featuring beers from Petrus, Monks Cafe, Jolly Pumpkin, BFM, Loverbeer, Ritterguts, Troi Dames, Evil Twin, Allagash, Harviestoun, Off Color and Cantillon.
- Nosh and Oxbow are collaborating again this year to organize Noshbow—an all day block party on Oak Street. The 2nd annual Noshbow is scheduled to take place Sunday June 29. More details to follow, in the meantime check-out these photos from last year’s event.
The Jewel Box Campaign Success
With nearly a full day still to go, the Kickstarter campaign for The Bearded Lady’s Jewel Box has met and is exceeding their $21,000 goal.
The Jewel Box is a craft cocktail bar under development by Nathaniel Meiklejohn. Construction is underway at 644 Congress Street and Meiklejohn hopes to open later this summer.
Summer Restaurant Launches
Meredith Goad’s weekly article in the Press Herald Food & Dining section highlights some of the new restaurants due to launch this summer.
Under Construction: Thurston’s, Dominican, Love Kupcakes
Here are a few more construction updates:
- Eater Maine reports that the former KFC on Forest Ave is going to be a restaurant called Thurston’s Wicked Good Burgers (website).
- Two new vendor spaces are under construction on the 2nd floor of the Public Market House for a Dominican restaurant and Kupcakes/Love Cupcakes
Maine Food Strategy Survey
The Press Herald has published a report on the results of a local foods survey released yesterday by Maine Food Strategy.
In a survey of food-buying habits, nearly 80 percent of Maine consumers said they prefer purchasing their produce, meat and fish locally, primarily because they want to support their farmers, fishermen and community businesses.
Find Eat Drink: Portland Newcomers
Find Eat Drink has highlighted some of the newer venues in town: Blue Rooster, Central Provisions, Hunt & Alpine, Maine Craft Distilling, Miyake Diner and Piccolo.
This Week’s Events: Little Sal, Oxtravaganza, Memorial Day BBQ
Monday — Allagash is releasing Little Sal, a blueberry beer aged in oak.
Tuesday — the monthly Local Foods Networking Breakfast will be held at Local Sprouts.
Wednesday — the Monument Square Farmers Market is taking place.
Thursday — the Maine Lobsterbake Company is throwing a benefit for Fort Gorges at Crema, the Great Lost Bear is showcasing beer from Boothbay Craft Brewing, and there will be an wine and cheese tasting at the Public Market House.
Saturday — Outliers is hosting Oxtravaganza, a 5k race and craft brew festival is taking place at the Portland Expo, and the Deering Oaks Farmers Market is taking place.
Memorial Day — Family Feast, Tandem Coffee and Bunker Brewing are throwing a Indonesian themed Memorial Day BBQ party in East Bayside.
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.
Review of Vignola Cinque Terre
The Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed Vignola Cinque Terre.
Located in the heart of Portland’s Old Port, this ultra-stylish Italian spot is one of the finest restaurants in the city, from the hand-made thin-crust pizzas, artisanal pasta and antipasti of all stripes to the delectable entrees and desserts. There’s an extensive list of fine Italian wines, too. Standout dishes include fritto misto, potato gnocchi with four-cheese sauce, and hand-cut thick-style spaghetti in a ragu of San Marzano tomatoes and house-made pancetta.