Join us as we explore the ever-evolving flavors and experiences that make Portland a food lover’s paradise!
This week, get a sneak peek at the newly opened Double Great Coffee, where caffeine aficionados can savor delightful brews. We’re also dishing out a tantalizing lineup of events and food-related pop-ups on the horizon. From an unconventional Anti-Valentine’s Day soirée to the much-anticipated Portland Wine Week and beyond, your culinary calendar is filling up fast.
News Update
Anything from recent closings, openings, and headliners.
- As reported last week, Double Great Coffee is open for business at 100 Congress Street as of January 7th. Operating in the space that was formerly Hilltop Cafe, Double Great Coffee is a “neighborhood hang” and cafe. The menu will of course include (hot and iced) coffee, tea, espresso shots, lattes, in addition to wellness lattes. Pastries from The Ugly Duckling in the West End. Get a glimpse of the new cafe!
- As reported back in August 2022, Urban Farm Fermentory’s Eli Cayer announced that UFF will be closing their tasting room on Anderson Street.
In a recent social media post, UFF announced “that time of closure is upon us in Bay 1 the UFF Tasting Room and Apothecary space.
In this New Year, the Bay 1 Tasting Room will be open for bottle / can sales , pints, flights and growler fills on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through January until the weekend after Valentine’s day for UFF’s 14th anniversary and Bay1 closure parties…”
Manufacturing will remain in the rest of the building and distribution will continue selling products to stores bars and restaurants around Maine.
- Pom’s Thai Taste restaurant on Congress Street will be taken over by Nonsee Oumkasem alongside his parents Poj and Tunya Oumkasem, where they will open Thai Tree. Pom’s Thai Taste was owned by Rattanaphorn ‘Pom’ Boobphachati.
- Pai Men and Pai Men Miyake have changed ownership. Longtime managers Courtney Packer and Emily Phillips have officially taken over business operations for Masa Miyake.
In a statement from the new owners, “We are honored to be able to continue operating the restaurants we love so much for many years to come! We are planning to keep both restaurants the same, and hope to continue to provide the same quality and creativity that our guests have enjoyed for the past 10+ years. We’re extremely grateful to our staff who make everything we do possible, and to our patrons for all of your support over the years. We’re excited for Masa to be able to enjoy time with his family, his home in Freeport, and some much deserved time in Japan. At Miyake, longtime sous chef Bounahra Kim Will be stepping into Masa’s shoes. After training with Masa for many years, we’re thrilled for him to be able to take this next step.”
- Gross Confection Bar celebrated 5 years in the Old Port. Owned and founded by Pastry Chef Brant Dadaleares, Gross Confection Bar is a dessert bar and restaurant built on sarcasm, offering elevated desserts.
- Noble Pizza has announced that they will be located at the Thompson’s Point Rink this season. The rink reopened this December after being closed last winter for renovations. Noble Pizza will be serving Detroit-style pizza Thursday – Sunday.
- Check out our On Break! Temporary Winter Break Closings for a list of restaurants and bars that are closed for a number of days.
Events, Tastings, and More
- Foundation Brewing Co. has introduced Magnificent Mondays. Purchase any pizza at regular price and get a second Cheese or Pepperoni pizza for just $6. You can also choose a $6 pitcher (32oz) instead of a second pizza. Available for takeaway.
- Happy hour has rolled on in at Bayside Bowl. Monday-Thursday 3pm – 5pm and Fridays 12pm – 5pm. Includes 1/2 off price bowling (walk-ins only) and $3 domestic beers.
- Duckfat Frites Shack will be running a Korean Fried Chicken Pop-Up Thursdays from 4pm – 8pm. Available for pre-order and takeout.
- La Cocina Latina Maine is hosting a pop-up at 111 Middle Street (recently home to Cabana) on Thursday, January 11th and Friday, January 12th. They will be offering an authentic Latin menu.
- Great Waves Sushi is hosting another Sushi 101 Class at Definitive Brewing Co. on Monday, January 15th.
- Smalls is hosting Queer Speed Dating on Thursday, January 18th.
- Slide Street Co. is making a return with their first pop-up of 2024 at The Portland Hunt & Alpine on Monday, January 22nd. Slide Street Co. offers slider sized burgers and bites with a colorful twist.
- Izakaya Minato is hosting Neighborhood Night on Monday, January 22nd. A no reservations evening designed for locals, featuring a limited/special menu.
- Chaval is hosting a Southern Italian Vegan Wine Dinner on Wednesday, January 24th. Features wines from the Vias Portfolio from Southern Italy and Chaval will create food to pair with the wines.
- Portland On Tap is being held at the Cross Insurance Arena on Saturday, February 10th.
- Definitive Brewing Co. will be hosting an anti-Valentine’s Day event, The Lonely Hearts Disco on Saturday, February 10th. An evening of dancing, disco, oyster shucking (courtesy of Lady Shuckers), snacking, and beer.
- CiderFeast is coming to Portland on Saturday, May 11th. CiderFeast is an all-inclusive tasting event that celebrates craft ciders from some of the top cider makers in New England and beyond.
- Maine Restaurant Week has been announced for March 1st – 12th, 2024
- Portland Wine Week has been announced for June 10th – 16th, 2024
- Mast Landing’s Wavy Days Festival will be returning for its 3rd year (2nd year at Thompson’s Point) on Saturday, June 29th.
Did we miss something? Have something exciting on the horizon for us to share? Shoot us an email at [email protected]
