Winterguide 2011
By Judith Gaines
The Gastrognome’s* Guide to Planet Maine rolls out
Eat 3.0
Get your plate out of the past and back to the future. How? Ditch the stuffy 1980s “foodie” label and get ready for some lip-smacking fun right here in Maine.
(*We applaud The Village Voice‘s very public decision last year to ban the word “Foodie” as sounding so Last Century, so Ross-and-Rachel. Seattle Weekly food writer Jason Sheehan, in his blog post “Suck It, Foodies,” ventures “Grubnik” or “Gastronaut” as alternatives. At press time, a couple of glasses of wine to the wind, we’ve selected “Gastrognome.” By way of clarification, the former New York Jets football star is Mark Gastineau.)
Ciao, Portland!
The Italians Are Coming!
June 10-12, 2011
“This won’t have a ‘big-tour-bus’ feel,” says Midge Vreeland of the upcoming Italian Life Expo, a three-day celebration of Italy’s boisterous culture and bold cuisine. Co-sponsored by the Spannocchia Foundation–a Portland- and Siena, Italy-based group dedicated to “encouraging global dialogue about sustaining cultural landscapes for future generations,” of which Vreeland is president–the event will provide a ‘small-town-Italy’ experience for much less than a plane ticket.
For roughly $30, attendees will enjoy sipping a deep, velvety Barolo from the family-owned Salvano vineyard nestled in the Piedmont region; tucking into an egg lasagna “au gratin” with beef, fennel seed, and Tuscan sausage ragu by Chef Pino di Cicco of Antica Osteria Da Divo in Siena; speaking with Tuscan artist Ferro Battuto Biagiotti about his handcrafted iron wares; and imagining themselves on an “agriturismo” vacation, exploring a romantic, centuries-old organic farm under a brilliant Tuscan sun.
For Vreeland, the eponymous co-owner of a Yarmouth marketing firm, the journey is a sentimental one. “My husband, Stew, and I fell in love with Italy and eventually bought a house in the Umbrian hilltown of Panicale. When we are there, we are always thinking of the season and eating accordingly. When our friends, Peter and Gail Cinelli (the Cinelli family has owned Castello di Spannocchia in Siena since 1925, when author Delfino Cinelli acquired the property to use as a place to write) offered me a spot on Spannocchia’s board, I didn’t hesitate.” The organization boasts 700 Mainers on their mailing list (spannocchia.org), and the event is expected to draw about 1,500 attendees.
“We chose to host this event in Portland rather than someplace larger, like Boston, because we wanted an intimate, personable feel. It’s been our experience that the smaller regions and organizations get overwhelmed at the bigger shows by Milan fashion shows and huge auto companies, et cetera. This is about real people.”
Sponsors include Auto Europe and the Institute for International Studies.
January 23, 2011 Pies on Parade
Participants walk or hop a trolley to sample 45 different sweet or savory pies at Rockland inns, restaurants, and businesses. Proceeds support the Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry. 877-762-4667, historicinnsofrockland.com
February 19-20 Maine Home, Remodeling, and Garden Show
Includes “Meet the Chef” series: chefs from Maine and New Hampshire show how to prepare their most famous dishes. 935-2845, homegardenflowershow.com
March 8 Fat Tuesday Party & Cajun Cook-off
WMPG radio invites the public to join in a live broadcast and Cajun Cook-off for Fat Tuesday. Sample jambalaya, gumbo, and crawfish etoufée made by some of Greater Portland’s best chefs–and vote for your favorite dishes. Individual entries welcome. 780-4151, wmpg.org
March 16 Maine Restaurant and Lodging Expo
Trade show for restaurant/lodging professionals features exhibits from over 120 companies. Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland. 623-2177, mainerestaurant.com
March 18 Free ice cream
Gifford’s offers free ice cream cones to welcome Spring. Skowhegan, Bangor, Farmington, Auburn, and Waterville locations. giffordsicecream.com
March 25-26 Flavors of Freeport
Tastings and demonstrations by Freeport chefs and food purveyors. 865-9099, flavorsoffreeport.com
March 27 Eat the Heat Chili Cook-off
Professional and amateur cooks vie for the title “Best Chili Cook.” White Cap Base Lodge. 824-3000, sundayriver.com
March 27 Maine Maple Sunday
Sugarhouses throughout the state invite the public to join in making maple syrup. 287-3491, getrealmaine.com
April 1-3 Parrot Head Festival
Featuring a margarita mix-off and Key Lime pie-eating contest. Sunday River. 824-3000, sundayriver.com
April 22-24 Fishermen’s Festival
A fish fry, lobster trap hauling, and dory bailing. Boothbay Harbor. 633-6280, boothbayharbor.com
April 29 An Evening with Friends
Fine dining with paired wines to support scholarships for Southern Maine Community College and other rotary-club charities. SMCC. 799-2314, breakwater-rotary.org
May 2 Taste of OOB
Participating Old Orchard Beach businesses offer samples of their wares–edible or otherwise. 281-2114, oob365.com
May 21-22 Seed to Soil
Enjoy a vegetarian feast. Rippling Waters Farm, Steep Falls. 642-5161, ripplingwaters.org
June 1-5 Fine Living Festival
Fine food, cooking demonstrations, and wine tastings to celebrate Food Independence Day. Kennebunkport. 423-9387, finelivingfestival.com
June 3-4 Festival Franco Fun
Franco-American food favorites. 783-1585, francoamericanheritage.org
June 4 Family Fishing Festival
Catch your own fish for an outdoor BBQ! Learn to spin and fly cast with complimentary rods and reels. 824-3694, upperandro.com
June 12 Old Port Festival
Featuring local ethnic food. 772-6828, portlandmaine.com
June 17-19 Midsommar Celebration
Swedish communities in New Sweden, Stockholm, Woodland, and Caribou celebrate Maine Swedish Colony’s 141st anniversary with traditional food at various venues. 896-5240, maineswedishcolony.info
June 18 Dairy Day at Morris Farm
Sample cheese, milk, and yogurt from several Maine dairies. Butter churning and milking demonstrations. Wiscassett. 882-4080, morrisfarm.org
June 23-25 Greek Food Festival
Greek food prepared in the traditional way using authentic ingredients. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Portland. holytrinityportland.org
June 24-26 Spirit in America
Featuring a “night glow,” tethered balloon rides, lobster bake, and BBQ contest. Old Orchard Beach. 934-0860, oob365.com
July 4 Food Independence Day
Savor your independence with locally sourced ingredients or food you’ve raised yourself. foodindependenceday.org
July 8-10 Greek Heritage Festival
A three-day homage to Greek culture, with traditional food and entertainment. St. Demetrios Orthodox Greek Church, Saco. 284-5651, stdemetriosmaine.org
July 9-17 Maine Potato Blossom Festival
Nine days to enjoy miles of fields with lovely lavender and white blossoms, farmer olympics, and mashed potato wrestling. Fort Fairfield. 472-3802, potatoblossom.org
July 15-17 Maine’s Celtic Celebration
Features the U.S. National Cheese Rolling Championship. Participants race downhill to catch wheels of cheddar cheese by State of Maine Cheese Company. Winner gets the whole hunk. Also a contest to pick the “Celtic Iron Chef.” Belfast waterfront. 338-2692, mainecelticcelebration.com
July 15-17 Yarmouth Clam Festival
Three days of fried whole clams in batter, fried whole clams in crumbs, clam cakes, steamed clams, clam chowder, clam pizza, fried clam strips, and clam-shucking. 846-3984, clamfestival.com
July 15-17 Waterford World’s Fair
Traditional agricultural fair in a small community. 583-4993 or 514-0333, waterfordworldsfair.org
July 18 Weed and Feed
Help pick weeds in return for a locally raised lunch, and go on a wild food treasure hunt in the forest. Rippling Waters Farm, Steep Falls. 642-5161, ripplingwaters.org
July 19-23 Central Maine Egg Festival
Early bird breakfast, chicken BBQ, “egglympics” for kids, quiche contest, and one of the world’s largest frying pans! Pittsfield. 680-0646, eggfest.craftah.com
July 24 Open Farm Day
Farms throughout Maine offer demonstrations, hay rides, and pick-your-own possibilities. Also free tours by Sabbathday Lake Shaker community in New Gloucester. 287-3491, getrealmaine.com. 926-4597, shaker.lib.me.us
August 3 A Taste of Greater Waterville
Dine under the stars in historic downtown Waterville. Features a beer garden. 873-3315, midmainechamber.com
August 3-4 Merryspring’s Annual Kitchen Tour
Tour interesting kitchens in the Camden, Rockport, and Lincolnville areas, with refreshments provided by local chefs. 236-2239, merryspring.org
August 3-7 Maine Lobster Festival
Savor a succulent lobster as you look out over Penobscot Bay. Last year, more than 20,000 pounds of lobster were steamed here in “the world’s largest lobster cooker,” a show in itself. Book signings and cooking contests. Rockland. 596-0376, mainelobsterfest.com
August 11-15 Acadian Festival
Sample traditional Acadian dishes. Madawaska. 728-7000, acadianfestival.com
August 12-14 Ploye Festival & Muskie Fishing Derby
Sample this Franco-American favorite, see “the world’s largest ploye,” and try muskie fishing on the St. John River. Fort Kent. 834-5354
August 13 Backyard Locavore Tour
Educational garden tour in Cumberland County, provided by University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension Service, showcases ways to increase self-sufficiency. 780-4213
August 13-14 Celebrate Maine
Sample bean-hole beans, local cheeses, fruit juices, beer, Moxie, and mussels. Raitt Homestead Farm Museum, Eliot. 748-3303, celebratemainefestival.com
August 19-21 Machias Wild Blueberry Festival
Enjoy blueberry pancakes, muffins, and pies and pie-eating contests. 255-6665,
machiasblueberry.com
August 25-28 Piscataquis Valley Fair
Features a milking parlor and ice cream. Dover-Foxcroft. 943-2650, piscataquisvalleyfair.com
August 27 Meal by a Maze
Four local chefs prepare a difference course for a dinner in the fields by a maze on Sherman Farms on the Fryeburg/East Conway border. Dinner preceded by a trolley ride to several farms in the Mt. Washington Valley. 800-367-3364 for tickets, fieldsonthesaco.com
August 27 Wells Chili-Fest
Annual chili and salsa cookoff, sanctioned by the International Chili Society. Winners advance to the World Chili Championship. 646-2451, wellschilifest.com
August 28 Kitchen Garden Day
An international time for celebrating home harvests. Participants recognize the day in different ways–from organizing garden tours to hosting home-grown potluck dinners. 956-0606, kitchengardeners.org
September 4 Tomato Tasting and Luncheon
Join the Morris Farm’s master gardeners on the porch for an heirloom tomato tasting followed by a tomato-filled lunch. 882-4080, morrisfarm.org
September 8-10 Lewiston-Auburn Greek Festival
Greek pastries, a taverna, and Greek lunch and dinner. 783-6795, holytrinitymaine.org
September11 Maine Apple Sunday
Visit apple orchards around the state. Check out apple festivals in Alfred, Cornish, Monmouth, Livermore Falls, Manchester, and Farmington. maineapples.org
September16 Soil to Supper
Held at Rippling Waters, a CSA in Standish, the event brings food-lovers right to the source for a late-summer potluck that includes music and agricultural education 2-6:30 p.m. slowfoodportland.org
September 17 Mt. Desert Island Garlic Festival
Chefs, brewers, and garlic growers celebrate the pungent little bulb at Smugglers’ Den Campground. 288-0269
September 23-25 Common Ground Country Fair
Participate in discussions of hot topics in farming, gardening, and food preparation, sponsored by MOFGA. Unity. 568-4142, mofga.org
September 25 Pemaquid Oyster Festival
Slurp only the best oysters at this annual festival. Schooner’s Landing Restaurant, Damariscotta. 380-9912
October 1-10 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta
A ten-day homage to all things pumpkin: a sanctioned pumpkin weigh-off (last year’s winner totaled an amazing 1,471 pounds), pumpkin catapulting, pumpkin boat races, pumpkin pie-eating, and a cooking-with-pumpkin contest. 592-6184, damariscottapumpkinfest.com
October 2 Slow Food Mid-Coast Maine American Harvest Picnic
Celebrate rare foods grown by local farmers and prepared by area chefs. Apple pie contest, and cider pressing. Morris Farm, Wiscasset. 882-4080, morrisfarm.org
October 9 Open Creamery Day
Award-winning Maine cheesemakers offer samples, and cheesemakers around the state invite you to visit their operations. mainecheeseguild.org
October 15-16 York Harvestfest
A roasted ox and bean-hole beans–who can refuse? 363-4422, gatewaytomaine.org
October 29 or 30 Great Maine Apple Day
Workshops on cider and wine making, cooking with old-time recipes, apple art, and tasting of heirloom varieties. Common Ground Educational Center, Unity. 568-4142, mofga.org
November 12 Savor the Flavor
This progressive dinner in Old Orchard Beach goes from restaurant to restaurant for a six-course meal and then in reverse for drinks. 281-2114, oob365.com
November 19 Greek Holiday Bazaar
Greek food is the main attraction at this gathering, where you can get a hot meal or holiday gifts for food-loving friends. St. Demetrios, Saco. stdemetriosmaine.org
November 26-December 24 Taste of Bethel
Sample specialties of local chefs. bethelmaine.com
December 2-11 Christmas Prelude
A week of festive fare, including champagne receptions, roasted chestnuts at the monastery, and holiday table-setting tips. Kennebunkport. christmasprelude.com
December 3 Chester Greenwood Day
The Farmington fellow who invented the earmuff is remembered with chili and gingerbread house contests. 778-4215, franklincountymaine.org
December 3 Shaker Christmas Fair
Homemade, Shaker baked goods, including Brother Arnold’s famous biscuits, cheese, pickles, wreaths, and the famous Shaker oval boxes. New Gloucester. 926-4597
December 24 Feast of the Seven Fishes
Traditional holiday Italian feast with four courses and seven fishes. Cinque Terre, Portland. 347-6154 for reservations.
Delicious Winter
Dining on the Peak
Ride the chondola up the mountain at Sunday River ski resort in Bethel for dinner on the mountaintop. Saturdays only. 824-5076, sundayriver.com
Dinner with Romann
Three- ($38), four- ($46), or five- ($55) course dinner special. January-April, Grissini Italian Bistro, Kennebunkport. Reservations required. 967-2211, restaurantgrissini.com
Like
Maine Restaurant Week
March 1-12 & November
Restaurants throughout the state offer special, three-course meals at $20.11, $30.11, or $40.11 for dinner, or $15.11 for lunch. Proceeds help hungry and homeless Mainers. Past participants have included Hugo’s, Eve’s at the Garden, Back Bay Grill, Five Fifty-Five, The Front Room, Cinque Terre, Bar Lola, and Bresca. This is a great way to sample a restaurant you’ve been wanting to try and also help those in need. Some hotels and inns offer special stay-and-dine packages. Reservations advised.
775-2126, mainerestaurantweek.com
Sensational Spring
Portland Symphony Wine Dinner
Enjoy wines expertly paired with culinary creations in a multi-course meal prepared by Maine’s most distinguished chefs. Proceeds benefit the PSO. portlandsymphony.org
Fiddlefest
Celebrate spring with its tasty harbingers: fiddleheads, peas, ramps, and asparagus, fixed imaginatively. March 11, University of Southern Maine. maineasta.org
Maine Foodie Tours
Explore why Portland is a culinary destination with daily walking tours stopping to sample locally-made food and drink. This year the tour focuses on Portland’s “West Side Story” and its ethnic flare. Tours begin in the spring and continue through December. 233-7485, mainefoodietours.com
Interface
Art and food come together in a creative collage.
Art at the Grill
Monthly receptions for local artists, featuring different works each month. Includes free appetizers, wines, and cocktails by Chef Rick Hirsch. Year round, Damariscotta River Grill. 563-2992, damariscottarivergrill.com
Slow Food Portland Writers’ Night
Authors who write about food read from their works, with tasty food offerings from Maine’s most talented Slow Food cooks. Past participants have included Ed Behr, Anne Mendelson, Max Watman, Sandy Oliver, Nancy Harmon Jenkins, and Kathy Gunst. March 10. slowfoodportland.org
Pop the Cork
Three toasts to the arts with food, wine, music, and dance and proceeds to benefit a local arts NPO. June 23, MidCoastal area; July 28, Ogunquit; August 18, Portland. 763-4478, mainewine.com
Kennebunkport Festival
Paintings and sculptures grace inns and restaurants in Kennebunkport, and chefs create special meals inspired by the art. Includes a Grand Tasting of global wines and Maine food at The Colony restaurant, a casual BBQ and microbrew fest, plus dinners with winemakers and artists in private homes. June 1-5. 772-3373, kennebunkportfestival.com
Writers’ Night
Regional food writers join local culinary talents to present a January evening of readings and a taste of Maine’s winter bounty. Past readers have included Ed Behr, Nancy Harmon Jenkins, Sandy Oliver, James Peterson, Anne Mendelson, and Margaret Hathaway. slowfoodportland.org
Bookmark
Revel with the Rabble
French writer Francois Rabelais’s last words reportedly were: “I go to seek The Great Perhaps.” This could be the motto for this Portland bookstore of the same name, purveyors of fine books on food, wine, farming, and gardening. Bon Appetit calls it “the clubhouse” for Maine food-lovers who gather for receptions, signings, exhibits, book club meetings, and discussions throughout the year. rabelaisbooks.com
Beta Version
Maine Food lab
(at the former Roma Cafe) 769 Congress
Street Watch for delicious developments at Maine Food Lab, Quimby Colony’s “culinary incubator” featuring lectures, workshops, and tastings for the general public.
To track up to 12 events per month here, visit mainefoodlab.com.
Bits & Bytes
Late October Harvest on the Harbor
Seminars, tastings of Maine-made products, and meals crafted by the state’s best chefs. Greater Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau. harvestontheharbor.com
As You Like It
Meals in the Fields
Chef Sebastian Carosi orchestrates meals in farm fields, barns, creameries, and other romantic spots using organic, locally grown ingredients. eatmainefoods.org
Moon Meals
Once a month all year round, on the eve of the full moon, Salt Water Farm in Lincolnville offers a special four-course meal for $65, BYOB. 230-0966, saltwaterfarm.com
Farmer’s Markets
Locals sell freshly harvested produce, meat, cheese, bread, flowers, and assorted speciality products directly to their neighbors. Maine has nearly 100 of these markets throughout the state, including during the winter months. 287-3491, getrealmaine.com
Meal Deal
Solo Bistro in Bath offers a special three-course dinner for $15.99 every Wednesday. 443-3373, solobistro.com
Chef Encounters
Watch Executive Chef Jeffrey Hodgdon prepare your feast right in front of you at the Chef’s Table. Reservations required. The Salt Exchange, Portland. 347-5687, thesaltexchange.net
Budget Gourmet
Chefs-in-training from Southern Maine Community College’s Culinary Arts program prepare four-course dinners Wednesday and Thursday, buffet lunch on Friday. $12. SMCC Dining Room, South Portland. 741-5612, smccme.edu
Crostini Bar
Family-style platters of your favorite crostini. Every Wednesday, 5-8:30 p.m. Grotta at Grissini Italian Bistro, Kennebunkport. 967-2211, restaurantgrissini.com
Tutorial
Appleton Creamery
Two-day workshops for cheeses you can make at home, including jack, mozzarella, and ricotta, as well as butter, using grocery store cow’s milk. Appleton Creamery, Appleton. appletoncreamery.com
Bayleaf Bistro
Cooking classes June through September on Wednesdays featuring different international cuisines. Lincolnville. 505-0458, bayleafcottages.com
Black Tie Bistro
Classes throughout the year. Topics include truffles and brittle, tempeh, risotto, Cajun and Creole, and mixology. 761-6665, blacktieco.com
Café Miranda
Chef Kerry Altiero offers Saturday cooking classes throughout the year. 594-2034, cafemiranda.com
Cellardoor Winery
Cooking classes throughout the year including “Lobster Lovers” and “Cooking with a Maine Farmer.” Lincolnville. 763-4478, mainewine.com
Hartstone Inn
Chef Michael Salmon offers weekend cooking classes, including Tuscan dishes and gourmet meals on a budget. Camden. 236-4259, hartstoneinn.com
Maine Culinary Vacations
Join chef and cookbook author Anne Mahle on a several-day windjammer cruise during August, with cooking demonstrations on the ship’s wood-burning stove. 800-869-0604, mainewindjammer.com
On the marsh bistro
Join Executive Chef Jeffrey Savage, a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner and James Beard presenter, for “An Insider’s Culinary Class.” May-June, Kennebunk. 967-2299, onthemarsh.com
Saltwater Farm
Classes held throughout the year. Topics include home brewing, cassoulet, Catalan cuisine, and cheesemaking. Lincolnville. saltwaterfarm.com
Stone Turtle Baking and Cooking School
Classes held throughout the year, with topics that include breads, pies, tarts, and cake decorating. 324-7558, stoneturtlebaking.com
Ten Apple Farm
Homesteading workshops offered throughout the year. Topics include cheesemaking, bread-baking, and cleaning and cooking your own duck. Gray. tenapplefarm.com
The White Barn Inn
Classes held the first and third Thursday of every month from November to April. Kennebunkport. 967-2211, restaurantgrissini.com
Sharing
Feast your eyes and feed your belly during First Friday Art Walks!
9 Hands Gallery
Appetizers and sparkling water. 615a Congress St., Portland. 865-1300, ninehandsgallery.com
Fraser Art Studio
Appetizers, vegan options. 81 Congress St., Portland. 650-3437, paintsquared.com
The Gallery at Harmon’s and Barton’s
Wine and appetizers. 584 Congress St., Portland. 775-2303, harmonsbartons.com
Mike’s Rock and Roll Sandwich Shop
Food platters. 437 Congress St., Portland. 809-5113, mikesrockdeli.com
Maine Historical Society
Appetizers and drinks. 489 Congress St., Portland. 774-1822, mainehistory.org
Space
Appetizers. 538 Congress St., Portland. 828-5600, space538.org
For Armchair Travel At Its Best
Latin Night
South American and Spanish tapas and wines. March 11, Blue Sky on York Beach. 363-0050 for reservations, blueskyonyorkbeach.com
Dine Around the World
Over 25 Greater Portland restaurants and caterers offer samples of international hors d’oeuvres, entrées, and desserts. Proceeds benefit Gary’s House. March 23. 400-7169, mercyhospital.com
Argentinean Wine Dinner
Featuring cuisine from Chef Mitchell Kaldrovich’s native Argentina during its harvest time. February 24, Sea Glass Restaurant, Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth. 799-3134, innbythesea.com
Summer Seductions
Bar Harbor Food & Wine Classic
This nine-day celebration includes wine tastings and dinners featuring local ingredients. 800-328-5033, theharborsidehotel.com
La Kermesse Franco-American Festival
Franco-American block party with traditional foods. St. Louis Field, Biddeford. 282-2894, lakermessefestival.com
Strawberry Festivals
Maine’s succulent strawberry is honored with shortcakes, berries and cream, chocolate-covered berries, pies, and assorted activities in communities around the state, including South Berwick (June 25, southberwickstrawberryfestival.com), Wells, Oquossoc, Sangerville, Lincolnville, New Gloucester, Washington, Bangor, Boothbay Harbor, Wiscasset, and Locke Mills. Contact local chambers of commerce for additional information.
Twilight Dinners
On alternating Thursdays Turkey Hill Farm in Cape Elizabeth offers evening dinners in its orchard, starring food grown on the farm. July-September. 761-4769, cultivatingcommunity.org
Love Emoticon
Valentine’s Four-Course Dinner
February 12. Sea Glass Restaurant, Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth. 799-3134, innbythesea.com
Valentine’s Day Gourmet
February 14 presents plenty of dining opportunities for grubnik couples: Aphrodisiac Tasting Menu
at Hugo’s, Portland, 774-8538, hugos.net; a special five-course meal at Five Fifty-five, Portland, 761-0555, fivefifty-five.com; a special four-course meal at Blue Sky, York Beach, 363-0050, blueskyonyorkbeach.com
Chocolate Festival
Choose a dozen samples from 30 decadent chocolate desserts at this family festival, sponsored by
Moosehead Lake’s Chamber of Commerce. February 20, Greenville’s Masonic Hall.
695-2702, mooseheadlake.org
Chocolate-Lovers’ Fling
An afternoon of chocolate delights created by chefs and chocolatiers in York and Cumberland
Counties. Proceeds support Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine. April 3,
Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland. 828-1035, chocolateloversfling.org
Caviar Dinner
Champagne and caviar followed by a fourcourse meal with wine and caviar pairings.
Caviar expert Rod Mitchell of Browne Trading Company will be on hand to add to the flavor.
October.775-9090 , portlandharborhotel.com
Buzz
Portland Harbor Hotel Ice Bar
It’s cool to be cool at this ice bar sculpted by artist Jeff Day. Drinks and appetizers by new chef William (Bill) Clinton. January 27-29. 775-9090, portlandharborhotel.com
Lakes Brewfest
Down beers from more than 20 different brewers from throughout Maine and beyond. September 24, Point Sebago Resort, Casco. 647-3472, mainelakesbrewfest.com
Acadia’s Oktoberfest
Cheese and wine pairings and a brewfest. October 7-8. 244-9264, acadiaoktoberfest.com
Brewfest
Maine brewers provide a traditional German brewfest. October. York. 363-4422, gatewaytomaine.org
Brewers’ Festival
Meet Maine’s award-winning brewmasters and sample their creations. Includes the popular “Dinner with the Brewers,” a multi-course meal with beer pairings. November 5, Portland Expo Center. learnyourbeer.com
Brewers’ Workshop
Brew a pale ale and learn how to bottle your own home brew. November 29. Morris Farm, Wiscasset. 882-4080, morrisfarm.org
Spirit Tastings
Spirit tastings the last Wednesday of every month. The Salt Exchange, Portland. 347-5687, thesaltexchange.net
Fall Fantasies
Maine Fare
A three-day, September celebration of Maine’s culinary harvest with panels, tastings, classes, films, dinners, and a marketplace featuring an array of local artisanal products. Camden. mainefare.com
Annual Grand View Farm Dinner
Staffs of Cinque Terre and Vignola jointly create this meal in September. Grand View Farm, Greene. 347-6154, cinqueterremaine.com
Maine Salmon Festival
Eastport heats up in September with a community potluck “pie party” featuring savory and sweet pies, a chowder lunch, and a grilled salmon dinner. Other events include a salmon cooking demonstration and juried vendor competition selling smoked salmon and other treats. 853-2300, eastport.net
Twenty-Mile Meal
Local culinary superstars craft tastings from ingredients grown, raised, or landed at the Turkey Hill Farm in Cape Elizabeth or within a 20-mile radius. October. 761-4769, cultivatingcommunity.org
Foliage, Food, and Wine Festival
Chefs and food producers invite you to sample their best treats on scenic Blue Hill peninsula in mid-October. 374-3242, bluehillpeninsula.org
Friend Me
Maine Whoopie Pie Festival
Bakers “from around the country” share their versions of whoopie pie. June 25, Center Theatre, Dover-Foxcroft. 564-8943, centertheatre.org
Moxie Festival
Created by Maine’s own Dr. Augustin Thompson, Moxie is our official soft drink and a cult object for followers who gather for this annual tribute. Includes a contest for the best recipe incorporating Moxie, which was described on its original label like this: “Contains not a drop of Medicine, Poison, Stimulant or Alcohol…” July 8-10, Lisbon Falls. moxiefestival.com
Winepaedia
Double Diamond Wine Dinner
Prestigious French wines expertly paired with a five-course gourmet dinner. February 10, Double Diamond Steakhouse, Sugarloaf. 237-4220
A Taste of Italy
Enjoy the best of Italy at this premier event. Four-course dinner with wines pairings, along with expert wine commentary to benefit Cathedral School. February 11, 7 p.m. Maria’s Restaurant, Portland. 772-9232 or 775-1491, cathedralportland.com
Cellardoor Winery
Learn to identify and evaluate wine flavors and aromas at a “Demystifying the Wine Experience” class, April 13. Also wine-making classes May 28, June 18, and July 9. Lincolnville. 763-4478, mainewine.com
Vinfest
Grape-stomping, homemade wine competition, wine tastings, cellar tours, dinner, and dancing in the vineyard fields. September 30-October 1. Cellardoor Winery, Lincolnville. 763-4478, mainewine.com
Wine Camp
Learning vacation features hands-on wine-making education at Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville, a cooking class with Lawrence Klang, chef de cuisine at Camden Harbour Inn, a four-day stay at the inn, and a take-home wine-making kit. Mid-October. 800-236-4266, camdenharbourinn.com, mainewine.com
Sips to Savor
Wine Tastings
Black Cherry Provisions
Every second Saturday, 2-5 p.m. Falmouth. 781-5656, blackcherrymaine.com
Browne Trading Company
Every third Thursday, 5-7 p.m. Portland. 775-7560, brownetrading.com
Havana South
“$10 for 10” wine tastings every third Wednesday, 5:30-8 p.m. Portland. 772-9988, havanamaine.com
Old Port Wine Merchants
Every third Wednesday, 4-7:30 p.m. Portland. 772-9463, oldportwine.com
RSVP
Every second Wednesday, 4-7 p.m. Portland. 773-8808
West End Deli & Catering
Every first Friday, 6-8 p.m. Portland. 874-6426, thewestenddeli.com
Wine Wise Tastings
Organized tastings at different venues throughout the year. 619-4630, winewiseevents.com
Hungry Holidays
Christmas by the Sea
Ogunquit’s holiday merriment features chowder and chocolate fests. 649-2939, ogunquit.org
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