MK Kitchen(website, facebook) have announced they’ll be opening this coming Sunday. MK is the creation of Mitchell Kaldrovich, former chef at the Inn by the Sea, and his wife Lisa who has worked the past 8 years at Fore Street. MK Kitchen will serve a menu of contemporary American cuisine which Kaldrovich described earlier this year as “simple handmade food, all from scratch from desserts to pastas”.
Under Construction: South Portland Brewpub
The Press Herald, The Forecaster, and Eater Maine all report that a new brepub is under development in South Portland at 15 Ocean Street.
Julia and Craig Dilger have purchased an abandoned repair shop at 15 Ocean Street in South Portland and plan to turn it into a new neighborhood brewpub.
The couple, who live in Portland, say their as-yet-unnamed pub will “offer an unpretentious yet modern and comfortable aesthetic in terms of food, drink and experience.” They plan to offer family brunch on the weekends, “Pints and Purls” knit nights, and bicycle racks for folks riding the nearby Eastern Trail who want to stop in for some refreshment.
Zimmern’s Top BBQ
Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmern has included Salvage BBQ in his list of the top barbecue spots in the country.
I ate here a few months ago and demolished a platter of pork ribs and a pile of some of the best sliced brisket in recent memory, and I still managed to roll over to the counter and eat a quarter chicken because I couldn’t leave without ingesting more smoke and sauce. Food geeks will be inspired and—dare I say it?—barbecue freaks will travel here and be made happy, despite their contrarian, contemptuous hang-ups about geographic authenticity.
Bar Review of Vena’s Fizz House
The Press Herald has reviewed the bar at Vena’s.
Vena’s Fizz House is the cutest soda bar in existence, and it just got a lot cuter with its recent addition of alcoholic beverages. Owners Johanna and Steve are incredibly welcoming, creative and seem to genuinely love what they do. The cocktails and mocktails are nothing you’ve ever tasted before and are served in vintage glassware found by Johanna. Vena’s is a must-visit.
The Honey Paw Opening Today (Updated)
The Honey Paw(instagram, twitter, facebook) is scheduled to open today at noon. The “non-denominational noodle restaurant” has been launched the owners of Hugo’s and Eventide: Arlin Smith, Andrew Taylor and Mike Wiley.
The Honey Paw menu is organized into 5 unnamed, numerically designated sections: 001 – 005. Essentially breaking down into: bar snacks, appetizers, noodle-based dishes, entrees and dessert.
When you go be sure to try the Wok Fried Wide Rice Noodles with squid, mussels, Chinese sausage and scallions.
Update: The Blueberry Files has posted some photos from her first meal at The Honey Paw.
Under Construction: Joy’s Crepe Cafe
Former Merry Table customers may soon have a new way to get their crepe fix. Joy’s Crepe Cafe is currently under construction at 849 Forest Ave in the space that had been home to Haggarty’s.
The Farm Stand Wins Source Award
The Press Herald announced the winners of the inaugural Source Awards over the weekend. Among the recipients was The Farm Stand in the Newcomer category.
“Indispensable,” one nominator gushed of our winner for the Source Newcomer Award, for a business or entity established in the last 18 months. Another credited The Farm Stand, the brainchild of Penny Jordan and Ben Slayton of Farmers’ Gate butchery in Wales, with allowing them to “effortlessly integrate” the mission of eating local into their lives.
Bar Review of El Rayo
Drink Up and Get Happy has posted a happy hour review of El Rayo.
El Rayo Scarborough is definitely a stand-out on Route One and is a great spot to catch a delicious drink without having to venture in town. Give it a chance if you live or work nearby, it’s worth the visit. They also have daily specials Sunday – Wednesday if you can’t make their happy hours or need something more substantial to accompany your drinks.
Under Construction: Rosen’s Deli (Updated)
Contrary to earlier reports, Rosen’s Full Belly Deli will be located in Westbrook rather than the Old Port. A hand written sign in the window of the former Blue Burrito space at 652 Main Street indicates that “Rosen’s Deli” will be opening at that location in May.
Update: for additional information see this report by the Press Herald.
This Week’s Events: Chateau Musar, Oxbow Dinner, History of Cocktails & Kitchens, Symphony+Spirits
Monday — Local 188 is holding an Oxbow beer dinner.
Tuesday — Historian Sandy Oliver will be giving a talk in Yarmouth on The History of Colonial Kitchens.
Wednesday — Hugo’s is holding a Chateau Musar wine dinner, and the Portland Spirits Society will be gathering at Salvage for a Bourbon tasting.
Friday — Don Lindgren, owner of Rabelais, will be giving a talk at the Maine Historical Society entitled Spirited Ephemera: Cocktail and Liquor History Through Paper.
Saturday — the Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place.
Sunday — Rosemont is holding a Bean Supper, and the PSO is collaborrating with Hunt and Alpine 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.