Tim Cebula, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Salvatore's Hoagie Shop coming to Forest Avenue

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Tim Cebula

May 7—Salvatore's Hoagie Shop, now operating out of Howie's Pub on Washington Avenue, plans to move to the former Pizza Joint space on Forest Avenue this September. Salvatore's specializes in Philly-style hoagies and cheesesteaks on fresh-baked rolls. Owners Kara Picone and Owen Price will also put the new venue's pizza oven to use, adding Sicilian and New York-style pizza and grandma pies to the menu, along with panzerotti (fried calzones) and stromboli.
Maine restaurateurs share a secret ingredient: A dash of Mom on the menu

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Tim Cebula

May 7—A tried-and-true recipe from mom can be a home cook's secret weapon. But savvy pros use them, too. Some restaurants were practically built on mom's cooking, like the former Anthony's Italian Kitchen on Middle Street in Portland, where now-retired owner Anthony Barrasso proudly filled his menu with recipes from his mother, Lucy. We talked with a few Portland chefs, bakers and restaurateurs who feature their mom's cooking or baking on their menus today.
Solo Italiano and Solo Pane named among world's best Italian restaurants and bakeries

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Tim Cebula

May 5—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.
Ocotillo offers plenty of excellent reasons to get up and eat brunch

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Tim Cebula

Apr. 30—Asked to describe the color scheme inside his West End restaurant Ocotillo, co-owner Pliny Reynolds pauses and chuckles. "I don't know," he says. "Maybe desert sunset."It's a fitting summation of the shades of orange featured on the walls, booths and banquettes throughout Ocotillo, named after a thorny succulent plant native to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexican desert (and distantly related to the blueberry bush). But it may be more apt to call it desert sunrise.
German beer garden opening in Skowhegan

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Tim Cebula

Apr. 23—A German-inspired beer garden and restaurant serving craft beer and locally sourced food is slated to open this spring in downtown Skowhegan. The Biergarten, a 125-seat venue, will be located in the Spinning Mill, a mixed-use development at 7 Island Ave., which also includes a 21-room boutique hotel and 41 apartments. The Biergarten space, on track to open in early June, features indoor and outdoor patio seating and also a performance stage.
Tern Coffee and Tea coming to Brunswick

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Tim Cebula

Apr. 23—A Jefferson couple aims to open a shop selling coffee, tea and coffee-brewing equipment in Brunswick this spring. Heidi Townsend said she and her husband, Chris, expect to launch Tern Coffee and Tea in early May at 140A Maine St., formerly home to Vinylhaven. The Townsends have been running Tern Coffee Roasters since 2023 out of their home in Jefferson. Chris Townsend also operates Coastal Coffee Tech, a repair service for coffee equipment and roasting machines.
Sal de la Tierra closed for renovations

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Tim Cebula

Apr. 22—Downtown Portland pan-Latin restaurant Sal de la Tierra is closed for renovations, aiming to reopen early this summer. Workers are removing drop ceilings to uncover the Congress Street venue's original 14-foot ceilings and doing some cosmetic touch-up work to "modernize" the rest of the restaurant. Co-owner Isai Galvez said work began on the site in mid-March and that he had hoped to have the project wrapped up by May. "But permits and inspections take a while in Portland," Galvez said.
Third Space Market launches in Gorham

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Tim Cebula

Apr. 22—Third Space Market, a specialty store offering food and gift items along with community gathering and coworking space, launched in Gorham on Tuesday. The 1,100-square-foot space, at 18 Elm St., was formerly Carter's Greenmarket. Staffer Tristan Littlefield, whose wife, Michelle, is the owner, said about half the venue is being used for retail. The other half seats up to 20 people at small cafe tables, couches, upholstered chairs and also desks, for anyone using the space for remote work.
Maine Beer Company wins Green Restaurant Award

3 weeks ago | pressherald.com | Tim Cebula

Maine Beer Company was recently named “Greenest Independent Restaurant” in the Green Restaurant Association’s annual awards program. The awards recognize restaurants from among the 1,200 North American restaurants that the association has certified as “green,” for taking significant steps to ensure sustainability through measures like water conservation, energy efficiency and waste reduction.
Find your home away from home at Noble Pizzeria & Barbecue

4 weeks ago | pressherald.com | Tim Cebula

It’s been open in Deering Center only five months, but Noble Pizzeria & Barbecue already has the vibe of a go-to neighborhood hang. A recent Friday night saw it packed with young families and groups of cheery, chatty friends tucked into booths and picnic-style tables, while regulars wisecracked with staff at the bar and others posted up on counter seats to enjoy the theater of the open kitchen.