Sneak Peek: Salvage BBQ

Here are some behind-the-scenes photos of the new restaurant named Salvage BBQ. It is located at 919 Congress Street, in a cool old building that was once home to  Portland Architectural Salvage. Salvage BBQ is brought to you by the good folks behind the well-respected Local 188 and Sonny's. 

A recent article in the Munjoy Hill News blog indicates that Salvage BBQ could be open as early as next week. I look forward to getting back for some photos once everything is up and running. 

The Empire is Back

The Empire restaurant re-opened earlier this month at 575 Congress Street. While keeping the same name and the music venue upstairs, the menu is now focused on Chinese food (which happens to be what the original Empire restaurant served at his location long ago).  I haven't been inside yet, but I'm a huge fan of their new signage. I really like these vertical marquee signs, and as you can see, it even lights up at night! 

Portland is the Food Bloggiest City in America

In light of a recent article in Bon Appétit which calls Portland the "America's foodiest small town of 2009," I would like to put forth a new statement that Portland also has the most blogs about local food and restaurants. Although some of the food blogs around here only post links to other articles calling Portland the best food city/most restaurants per capita/etc, I think I still have a valid point. (I would find it hilarious of some of those blogs link to this post!)

In addition to the often said and equally as unprovavle (so far to my knowlege) sayings that Portland has the most restaurants per capita in the states, or at least as many as San Francsico, the Bon Appétit article says that "...per capita more money is spent in Portland restaurants than in any other U.S. city except San Francisco and New York..." As expected, this news made the rounds on all the local food and restaurant blogs.

In order to back-up my asseration that Portland has the most local food/restaurant blogs in America, here's a list of the blogs I know of in no particular order (feel free to add more in the form of a comment!)

Portland Fodder
Portland Psst!
Type A Diversions
Portland food Coma
Portland Food Map
Commune Tested, City Approved
Cornucopasetic
Accidental Vegetables
The Breakfast Club
Edible Obsessions
Diet for a Small City
Portland Food Heads

Also, Blueberry Files

Ok, maybe some other cities have more local food and restaurant blogs, but Portland might be right up there based on per-capita rankings!

Maine Restaurant Week 2011

It's time once again for Maine Restaurant Week.

Check out the MRW website for up-to-date information about participating restaurants. In honor of the week, here is a random picture of Sonny's at 83 Exchange Street. They are offering a tasty looking three-course deal for $30 for Maine Restaurant Week.

Every Week is Restaurant Week in Portland

Today's Maine Restaurant Week pick is Gritty McDuff's on Fore Street. Check out the special menu here. 

Stay tuned for non-restaurant related photos, because I don't have many more on hand and because I have lots of other photos that still need to be posted.

Slab

The new restaurant named Slab appears to now be open in the old Public Market Building, facing Preble Street. The restaurant's co-owner Stephen Lanzalotta is credited with creating Portland's original Sicilian Slab at Micucci's on India Street. The outdoor seating area at Slab certainly looks like a nice addition to this area during the warmer months. 

Not the Front Entrance

In honor of the upcoming Maine Restaurant Week, which runs from March 1-10, 2012, here are some semi-creative Portland restaurant photos. The common theme of these photos is: "Not the front entrance." It's interesting that these different restaurants look almost identical from the back, mostly because of the old brick buildings they inhabit. 

David's Restaurant, 22 Monument Square

Five Fifty-Five, located at.... 555 Congress Street. 

Trio of restaurants on Middle Street: Ribollita, Duckfat, and East Ender. 

Central Provisions

A view of the Wharf Street entrance to Central Provisions. The restaurant and bar, which opened a little over a year ago, quickly established itself as a destination and was even nominated for "best new restaurant" by the James Beard Foundation. 

Federal Street

The Corner Room restaurant is at the corner of Exchange and Federal Streets. It's owned by the same individual, Harding Lee Smith, who owns the Front Room and the Grill Room. Some restaurant workers were suing Mr. Smith not long ago for back-wages, not sure how that case ended up. Anyhow, the Corner Room isn't doing too great with the Portland Urban Spoon crowd but  I had a meal there during Restaurant Week last year that was two thumbs up. 

And just a bit East of the first photo, this is in Lincoln Park, where the 3rd annual (where does the time go?) Picnic Festival will be held on Saturday, August 28th.

Today's Portland volunteer opportunity:

• The Portland Trails 10K 'trail to ale' race is coming up on September 19th. They are still looking for volunteers for various race related tasks. Visit here for more info.

Bits and Pieces

This sign is just outside of my abode. I uploaded this photo to Unseen Portland recently and Portland Food Map noted that the Neon Diner was in business from 1991-1995. Whenever a new restaurant opens here, there have been several, they take down the old sign which reveals the old diner's sign beneath. The new restaurant  will be called "Gogi," an "Asian fusion restaurant."

On Spruce Street in the West End:

Evo

A peek inside of Evo, a new restaurant and bar "serving a modern fusion of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines." It's located in the Hyatt Place hotel building on Fore Street.

Under Construction

I don't think I have posted pictures of some new buildings under construction on the peninsula in a while.

These first three pictures are of the Portside Residences / Hampton Inn Hotel / Sebago Brewing Company Restaurant building on the corner of Fore and Franklin Streets. Per Munjoy Hill News, Sebago Brewing will be opening over memorial day weekend and the hotel will be opening in July.

Progress being made on the Oak Street Lofts, a new Avesta property. Located on... Oak Street. Formerly a parking lot. I'm looking forward to following the building's progress. It will be four stories in height, containing 37 apartments and some sort of community space on the first floor. It is aimed towards artists.

This new building at 231 York Street, by the bridge, is going be a new restaurant named River House. Per Portland Food Map, it is by the owners of nearby El Rayo. This was formerly the site of  the Ice House / Popeye's. 

Dutch's

A quiet scene outside of the new restaurant, Dutch's, at 28 Preble Street. This photo fits in with my odd hobby of photographing bicycles and restaurants with similar color schemes. 

David's Monument Square

Passing by David's Restaurant, in the middle of Monument Square, a few weeks ago.

Spanish for the Heart Restaurant

A welcoming sidewalk in front of the newly opened Restaurante El Corazon restaurant in Longfellow Square. The company is still operating their popular food truck, El Corazon, as well.

Restaurant Grace

This is a not-so-perfectly framed shot of the old Chestnut Street Church with the City Hall dome in the background. The church was purchased a few years ago after its congregation moved out, and will soon open as a restaurant, known as Grace. They have a blog here and here are some great shots of the interior by a professional photographer. I dig the circular bar in the middle. I applaud this creative reuse of a beautiful structure.

Building Boom

For a city of its size, Portland is doing quite well in the real estate department. Here are the major projects now under way around the peninsula. These photos were taken this morning, so pardon the overcast sky.

123-room Canal Plaza Hotel on Fore Street, includes some retail space on the corner of Union and Fore Streets.

The Bay House Condominiums in the Eastern Waterfront neighborhood:

131-room Courtyard by Marriott plus apartment residences and a restaurant on Commercial Street

Danforth on High residences on the corner of (any guesses?) Danforth and High Streets.  You can see the recently completed Elm Terrace across the intersection. 

The $40 million renovation of the Eastland Park hotel into a Westin property is still underway. Shown is this photo is part of the expansion to the "Top of the East" restaurant and lounge area. 

Phase one of renovations to the Civic Center, involving a new entrance and administrative offices on Free Street.

Through the Glass

Reflections of Congress Street, looking through a corner of Union Restaurant.

Waterfront Dining

Today's photo is looking towards Flatbread Company (downstairs) and a portion of Ri Ra Irish Pub and Restaurant (Upstairs). You can also see the deck of Dry Dock Restaurant in the distance. I took this photo from the area where the Casco Bay Lines ferries dock on the Maine State Pier so there wasn't much room to try different angles but I was happy to be able to capture some of the light reflections on the water. 

Maine Restaurant Week 2010

Today marks the beginning of the 2nd annual Maine Restaurant Week. Check out the event's website for a full list of participating restaurants. The deal is:

"Participating restaurants will once again showcase their signature dishes on specially priced, prix fixe menus. For 2010, restaurants will serve three-course meals priced at 20.10, 30.10 or 40.10. Also some restaurants are serving $15.10 lunches."

Here is a poster for the event:

Here's my pick for today, Five Fifty-Five on Congress Street. Here is the"dish."