Portland Food Heads has posted a video interview with James & Andre Tranchemontagne from The French Press Eatery and Frog & Turtle.
Bar Review of Bar Lola
Portland Bar Guide has published a review of Bar Lola.
As for the bar itself, it’s tiny, some five stools wide. But there is no barrier between dining room and bar and that just underscores this whole dual drinks/food identity that Bar Lola has worked so hard to create. The cozy space is warmly lit with sparse lanterns and candles, never an abrasive experience for the eyes.
For more of on the balance of food and drink at Bar Lola check out this piece by Appetite Portland about co-owner Stella Hernandez’s skill in pairing food and wine,
I held my judgment for the first bite of sole. With a mouthful of the fish I tried again. Perfection. The buttery sauce soothed the oak and brought out the wine’s fruit. The simple white fish, in response, popped with flavor.
Stella simply knows her stuff.
BiBo's Madd Apple Cafe
The Portland Phoenix has published a profile of BiBo’s Madd Apple Cafe.
When they took over, they wanted it to be more than a “theater restaurant,” but now says, “after being here for few years, we finally accepted that we’re a theater restaurant and excel at getting people in and upstairs on time,” he says. It means, of course, that a large number of customers all come in at the same time and need to leave before show time — handling the flow is an art form in and of itself.
BiBo’s Madd Apple Cafe
The Portland Phoenix has published a profile of BiBo’s Madd Apple Cafe.
When they took over, they wanted it to be more than a “theater restaurant,” but now says, “after being here for few years, we finally accepted that we’re a theater restaurant and excel at getting people in and upstairs on time,” he says. It means, of course, that a large number of customers all come in at the same time and need to leave before show time — handling the flow is an art form in and of itself.
Under Construction: Aroma Joes, Figa, Po'Boys, Walter's
Some updates from the Under Construction list:
- Aroma Joe’s is replacing Fog Cutter as the drive-thru coffee business on Warren Ave.
- According to the Munjoy Hill News, Figa was granted their liquor license last night. The article provides some additional details on the restaurant but no definitive statement on when they’re going to open. December 10 Update: MHN posted an update on Figa: The restaurant “expects a series of soft openings ending in possibly a Grand Opening on New Year’s Eve.”
- Meredith Goad tweeted on the menu in store at Po’Boys, “Creole sausage & fried oyster sammies, La. gumbo & PRALINE BACON!“
- The Portland Daily Sun reports that Walter’s hopes to re-open at their new location this month.
Under Construction: Aroma Joes, Figa, Po’Boys, Walter’s
Some updates from the Under Construction list:
- Aroma Joe’s is replacing Fog Cutter as the drive-thru coffee business on Warren Ave.
- According to the Munjoy Hill News, Figa was granted their liquor license last night. The article provides some additional details on the restaurant but no definitive statement on when they’re going to open. December 10 Update: MHN posted an update on Figa: The restaurant “expects a series of soft openings ending in possibly a Grand Opening on New Year’s Eve.”
- Meredith Goad tweeted on the menu in store at Po’Boys, “Creole sausage & fried oyster sammies, La. gumbo & PRALINE BACON!“
- The Portland Daily Sun reports that Walter’s hopes to re-open at their new location this month.
JP's Bistro Now Open
JP’s Bistro, an Italian restaurant that’s in the space formerly occupied by Rachel’s, is now open.
JP’s Bistro Now Open
JP’s Bistro, an Italian restaurant that’s in the space formerly occupied by Rachel’s, is now open.
December Bollard
The December issue of The Bollard provides a survey of the city’s African markets,
Customers like Ali are the reason many African markets have long consisted of little more than a freezer, a band saw, sacks of grain piled on the floor and a few large cans of baby formula. But that is changing. The newly opened Peace Food Market on Cumberland Avenue is bringing camel meat back to town (it tastes like beef), and several other markets have recently been renovated and now offer expanded food sections.
and a new installment of John Myers Land of the Forgotten Cocktails series where you will learn about ‘nognoscenti, ‘nog-heads and all things eggnog.
A tradition of my own making — one I’ve actually stuck to these last few years — is to treat the onset of Thanksgiving as Eggnog Season. From Thanksgiving Eve through New Year’s Day there’s usually a batch in the refrigerator or the fixin’s to whip one up.
Saigon Open for Business
Saigon Restaurant is open for business. The restaurant is located in the space formerly occupied by Acropolis on Forest Ave. The draft menu they submitted as part of their liquor license application showed a mix of Vietnamese and Chinese items on the menu.