This Week’s Events

The season’s first Twilight Dinner will be taking place at Cultivating Community’s farm in Cape Elizabeth on Thursday. The weekly Food and Drink Trivia Contest is at Bull Feeney’s tonight, and on Tuesday, the next Wine Flight 5k Training run is taking place. There are wine tastings scheduled Wednesday at The Salt Exchange, Thursday at Black Tie and at Browne Trading, Friday at Rosemont on Congress, and Saturday at Kitchen & Cork.  Marshall Wharf Brewing will be at Novare Res on Tuesday. LobsterFest is taking place this Saturday on the Maine State Pier. Farmers’ Markets are being held in Monument Square on Wednesday and at Deering Oaks Park on Saturday.  For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.

Local 188 Review

Food for Thought has published a review of Local 188. Author John Golden hadn’t been a fan of 188 in the past but writes, he’s now “won over” by the charms of the restaurant.

Among the entrees, I’ve chosen the fish specials each time I’ve dined at Local 188. On the regular menu is a harissa baked white fish with preserved lemon, which sounds delicious but haven’t tried yet. But on two occasions I had the White Fish specials: one time was tile fish and another time halibut. Both renditions were wonderful, boldly seasoned and perfectly cooked, resulting in fish that was done just right, flaky and delicate.

Portland Coffee Roaster Shuts Down

Don & Beth Morrison, owners of Portland Coffee Roasters, sent out an email today to announce that as of today “As of Thursday, June18th, Portland Coffee will no longer be open”. They thanked “all our loyal customers, outstanding employees, wonderful musicians and devoted friends”. They indicated that Maine Bean Bakehouse and Deli will be taking over the space. According to Portland Fodder, Maine Bean hopes to open in a couple weeks.

Maine Mead Works is in The Moment

Portland Psst! reports on Maine Mead Works appearance in the NYT’s The Moment blog.

When I visited in February, Cayer explained why his version tastes nothing like the usual bitter, boozey American meads. Maine Mead Works has imported and patented South African fermentation technology, which it uses to refine ancient mead recipes…Cayer and his partners want to produce more seasonal concoction, like maple mead, and to experiment with strawberries and rhubarb and even garlic and basil to make spiced mead for basting meats.