Peggy Grodinsky

Portland

Food and Source Editor at The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram

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Articles

Lady Oyster wins culinary experience award from World Food Travel Association

3 weeks ago | pressherald.com | Peggy Grodinsky

Phippsburg-based Lady Oyster has received the “Best Rural Culinary Heritage Experience Award” from the World Food Travel Association, a nonprofit NGO that works internationally. Virginia Shaffer, owner of Lady Oyster, said she was surprised to win the award, considering her business has only been open for about a year. Shaffer is Maine’s first “oyster sommelier,” or certified oyster expert under the Oyster Master Guild.
Salsa Mexican Grill has opened in Yarmouth

3 weeks ago | pressherald.com | Peggy Grodinsky

A new fast-casual restaurant, Salsa Mexican Grill, has taken over 367 Main St., the Yarmouth space most recently occupied by Dandy’s Handy Store and Thoroughfare restaurant. Salsa Mexican Grill, which has been in the works for about three years, opened in early May, aptly the weekend of Cinco de Mayo. The menu includes house-made tortillas and slow-cooked meats. This past weekend, the restaurant launched a salsa bar, featuring 12 hot sauces and eight other salsas.
Chez Rosa to move to larger space in Kennebunk

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Peggy Grodinsky

May 14—After five years, Chez Rosa, a French bistro in Kennebunkport, is moving across the bridge to a new space in Kennebunk. The new location will allow the restaurant to expand, open a patio and provide parking for both its customers and employees, said Yazmin Saraya, a pastry chef who owns the restaurant with her husband, Chef Kyle Robinson. The space, at 173 Port Road, is the former home of Old Vines Wine Bar, which closed after 10 years on May 3.
French-inspired bar, restaurant planned for Old Port

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Peggy Grodinsky

May 13—Alex Wight is planning a new venture in the Old Port: a French-themed wine bar to be called Elizabeth. Wight, who owns Crown Jewel on Great Diamond Island, aims to open the business in October. The restaurant/bar will be located at 47 Wharf St. in the space that used to house Jefe Juan's. Wight is undertaking the venture with chef Duncan Biddulph and pastry chef Ashley Robinson, who are moving to Maine from Chicago to open Elizabeth.
Tin Pan Bakery in Portland to close

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Peggy Grodinsky

May 13—After nine years in business, Tin Pan Bakery has announced it will close its doors later this month. The bakery, which sold especially delicious versions of homey treats like snickerdoodles, molasses-ginger cookies, key lime pies and layer cakes, will permanently close on May 23.
French-inspired bar, restaurant planned for Old Port

1 month ago | pressherald.com | Peggy Grodinsky

Alex Wight is planning a new venture in the Old Port: a French-themed wine bar to be called Elizabeth. Wight, who owns Crown Jewel on Great Diamond Island, aims to open the business in October. The restaurant/bar will be located at 47 Wharf St. in the space that used to house Jefe Juan’s. Wight is undertaking the venture with chef Duncan Biddulph and pastry chef Ashley Robinson, who are moving to Maine from Chicago to open Elizabeth.
Tin Pan Bakery in Portland to close

1 month ago | pressherald.com | Peggy Grodinsky

After nine years in business, Tin Pan Bakery has announced it will close its doors later this month. The bakery, which sold especially delicious versions of homey treats like snickerdoodles, molasses-ginger cookies, key lime pies and layer cakes, will permanently close on May 23.
North Deering Tavern opens in Allen’s Corner

1 month ago | pressherald.com | Peggy Grodinsky

North Deering Tavern, the latest iteration of the former Samuel’s Bar & Grill, opened Tuesday in Allen’s Corner. The tavern is located at 1349 Washington Ave., which hosted Parker’s restaurant for 33 years until the industry’s labor shortage forced it to close in 2022. In March, Samuel Minervino closed Samuel’s Bar & Grill on Forest Avenue — which had been open since 1996 — with the aim of reopening on Washington Avenue as North Deering Tavern.
Solo Italiano and Solo Pane named among world’s best Italian restaurants and bakeries

1 month ago | pressherald.com | Peggy Grodinsky

Fine dining restaurant Solo Italiano and its sister operation, Bath’s Solo Pane e Pasticceria, recently earned coveted distinctions from the Italian food authority Gambero Rosso, Italy’s equivalent of the Michelin Guide. The Gambero Rosso organization awarded Solo Italiano “due forchette” — two forks out of a possible three — for the quality of its service, ambiance and menu, with particular concern for the authenticity of the food.
Fusion taco spot has opened on Forest Avenue

1 month ago | pressherald.com | Peggy Grodinsky

Loco Taco opened on Forest Avenue in Portland Tuesday, the newest restaurant from Ahmed Abbas and his extended family. The restaurant specializes in fusion tacos in surprising combinations, such as chicken tikka masala taco, Greek doner lamb or beef taco, falafel taco and crispy Cajun chicken taco. The more traditional fish taco is also represented. For now, 12 taco fillings are on offer, which encompass beef, chicken, vegetarian and fish, something for everyone, Abbas said.