johnnyd

Whole fruit, unpierced (I was told the hole left by stem removal was enough - and I agree), and the Smirnoff was 80 proof. I hacve to say they were just about perfect this time last week - crisp skin, great blend of vodka and natural cherry. I had one yesterday and the cherries are getting "loose" but the vodka, in a sense, is getting better - more able to stand up to mixing agents.

Damn. Helluva story, Tony. You're always where the action is! I hope you can get those three back on camera at some future date when this blows over, that would make for quite a show segment. Then go have dinner somewhere in the new Beirut.

Ahem! I was just going to start a topic on this. Last month, someone at work described the "cherry bomb", cherries dropped in some vodka for a while. I had a few leftover from a 2# bag I bought at the store and thought, "what the hell?" I put about eight or nine whole cherries, minus stem, in a four oz jar with some Smirnoff and into the fridge it went. I forgot about them for a week and then pulled one out. Hoo Boy!! fantastic. The Smirnoff was even better. So two weeks later, the "bombs" are even stronger, the liquor is really well infused, but the cherries are getting a little mushy around the pit. I'm thinking there is a limit to the shelf-life here, an optimum length of time when the cherry maintains a certain crispness and the vodka has a light to medium infusion making it suitable for cocktail creations. Based on this first experiment, I think that number is 14 - 18 days, but I'm about to make another batch and make notes this time. Anyone else do this?

One of the authors of Lobscouse and Spotted Dog is none other than eGullet member Balmagowry who used to hang around here often and even did a foodblog two years ago. Lisa offered much wry commentary and pith around here. She is sorely missed.

My pleasure CD! Tak knows what he's doing - Yosaku is a great restaurant. I see his young daughter scurrying around with armfuls of menus sometimes. I've discovered Portland Spice & Trading's website which includes some respectable recipes for those who remember them from the Portland Public Market. Speaking of the PPM, I've heard that there remains the coffee place, the cheese lady, a bakery and sandwich place have merged and there is a convenience store offering basics for the home. Big Sky pulled out last weekend.

Dude! We could deconstruct a lobster roll! You are on to something my man! ...the possibilities... Alinea watch out!

The PPM is a ghost town. A coffee shop remains. But there are plenty of places to get fresh local produce. Jordan's Farm on Cape Elizabeth is a terrific spot (visited briefly during my foodblog last August). They are happy to take your calls to see what's in and there's a map on there web site, about seven minutes out from the bridge to SoPo. Pretty drive too! edit to note: link doesn't seem to go directly to post - see foodblog post #54 for Jordan's - jd

Since it's a beautiful Maine summer evening, what else to have but a lobster roll? Lobsters today are only $4.99/lb for soft shells, even less off the trucks on the way out of town I hear. I got one and steamed it off, then buttered a locally-made hot dog roll and fried that, then decided I'd spread the superior looking tomalley on the bread and heap a pile or three of deli salads on the plate along-side (Slaw, Israeli couscous w/cranberries, three bean and my own tomato-cuke-corn-soppresseta-basil-tarragon deal) It might not be the best but I have to say it's just the way I like it!

Friday Lunch was on the deck at Saltwater Grille which is located across the harbor from the Old Port. I've had a hit-or-miss relationship with this place since it opened. I've had amazing autumn-produce on pork tenderloin and a halibut special during the first few months, then after a while I went back and was disappointed by a scallop dish that was heinously disrespected by a smothering of cheese of some undeterminable kind. Then I tried a lunch special of a "salmon burger" and wrote it off. Here I am a year later seeing an old friend in town for a couple hours. We started with a nice fruit soup including raspberry, mango and blueberry then had the Bangs Island mussels in a tomato garlic broth served with excellent bread. THe calamari was coated in something much lighter than the usual batter from downtown, we were thinking lotus or rice flour. It was served on a bed of arugula with red onion and a nice vinagrette. No ground is being broken here but it has to be the best waterfront dining in (south) Portland.

It would be a pleasure. See websites below: Fore Street Restaurant - Portland Hugos - Portland Primo Restaurant - Rockland Josh P is in the kitchen at Bar Lola, 100 Congress Street. A copy of the menu was posted at the register at One Fifty Ate (158 Pickett Street, South Portland) which looked really good... See HERE for further discussion of Bar Lola (from May) and a comprehensive look at Portland dining from Mr. John Golden at MaineToday.com ...scroll further down for some spirited comments by readers... ...and: ...here's a charming nugget: Gawd, I love this town!

I was in there last week as well. Had a good look around and happened to be there when the gelati shipment came in. Hooo, boy what tasty stuff! We all had a taste of fig, passionfruit, hazelnut, plum, vanillabean and something else interesting. Mike and Jess are happy to be out of that mess and on their own with their new bistro. Their sandwiches are reportedly amazing. Mike made a perfect expresso for me. They also have serrano ham and good quality chorizo among other delicacies. Drop in and spread the word!

Hi Bryan, stunning meals in sumptuous photos - great work! I've heard that the Fort Lee area is a locus for japanese specialty food and equipment. Do you ever go there at all? Is your Mom's Trading company there, for example? Loved your blogs, by the by.

The new name is HUONG VIETNAMESE FOOD as of June 30

Previous Discussion about Uni from last year...

Maine Restauranteurs Featured today in SustainableFoodNews.com Sam Hayward - Fore Street Rob Evans - Hugos Melissa Kelly - Primo Josh Potocki - OneFiftyEight ... and others.

A friend who runs a bistro offers gelati of many flavors. I was hanging out when a shipment came in and fig was among his order. We all tasted it and realized the recipe involved a preserved fig base and not fresh. The taste lingered quite a while.

Busted!

I have never heard of sorghum syrup. Through the magic of google I found this site. I had no idea!

I spent numerous hours making a fine feijoada for Saturday's match - it didn't taste as good in the face of Brasil's defeat. The caipirinhas did make the upset easier however! Ameijoas na cataplana sounds great for Wednesday's match. I'm in!

Fabulous indeed! I lived in the Algarve for many years and it was a bargain then but I hear from the Spain & Portugal thread that things have changed. Supply is down and prices are high. I hope it's not for all Portugal. Sometimes we get some really fresh sardines in our local fish markets - saudades!

South Bristol is lovely. Fished out of there for a few weeks some years ago. Be sure to have a cocktail out at the marina in Christmas Cove - ask about Ivan Boesky's shoes that are nailed to a beam above the bar - helluva story! There are more than one Vietnamese restaurant in Portland, but I only know one on cumberland avenue downtown: Lucky Vietnamese Food 349 Cumberland Ave, Portland, 04101 - (207) 773-4882 - My wife who works nearby say they might have changed their name very recently but the address above is current. I am not convinced that mid-coast is without other options - I just don't get up that way any more. I'll see what I can dig up. I'm sure your daughter will welcome a respite from the hot portuguese summertime... and I gather the seafood is possibly cheaper here.

I had to share this nugget with you all! The Bull and Claw Restaurant in Wells, ME offers a two foot long lobster roll that costs $33. I saw a pic of it in today's sunday Press Hearald and tracked down their website. Scroll down a bit and see this stuffed monster baguette! "Almost a half pound of lobster!" they declare.

Well... since you put it that way... Except the only one I know is right down the street from Fenway. Don't know the name but it's got like three floors of bars, pooltables, games, televisions everywhere and lots of room. Someone else here can name it - or suggest better?

"American Eats" reviewed by the NYT on Thursday

Interesting indeed, but a bit dated. Tak put Benkay on the map then made his own mark. All of the japanese restaurants have had to step up as each year brings more demanding clientele - good for us! Corinna, nice to see you in this part of the world. Enjoy! edit to add: I think booking under six is unavailable. call to confirm. I like to go when the lunch rush has subsided, about one pm. #1 Pleasant Street, Portland