Whether due to pandemic-era chaos, inflation or fine-dining burnout, newer local restaurants are leaning on iconic comfort food dishes previously relegated to the drive-thru lane.
restaurant industry
Posted inFood, Maine, News
What do Mainers say when it comes to the ethics of eating lobster? Pass the butter
Whether the fishery is harming the endangered right whale is a matter of vehement debate, but local chefs, restaurateurs, fishmongers and ordinary people are still cracking into Maine’s iconic crustacean.
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Posted inBusiness, Food
Local restaurants forge new paths in a post-pandemic market
Forced by labor and supply shortages to adapt their business models, some restaurant owners and chefs are making concept changes to stay viable and eventually thrive.
Posted inBusiness, Food
Dine-and-shop: The trend of restaurants with retail markets comes to Portland
A growing number of local restaurants are incorporating small retail markets where they sell prepared foods, home goods and gifts. Or is it the other way around? Retail stores with a restaurant on the side? Either way, the combination is a winning one.
Posted inFood, Outdoors
Portland bars lean into the hunting lodge look
Local barkeeps and restaurateurs say the national ‘taxidermy chic’ bar trend from 10 to 15 years ago doesn’t account for their design decisions. In a state loaded with avid outdoorspeople, the hunting theme makes sense.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Augusta’s closed Chipotle may be forced to reopen, but only some former workers say they’d come back
Employees who suddenly lost their jobs when they tried to make Augusta the first Chipotle location in the country to unionize are split on returning if a judge rules the restaurant must reopen because of alleged labor law violations.
Posted inBusiness, Food, Maine, News
Why Hugo’s won’t reopen but Portland fine dining will live on
Yes, you can blame the pandemic, but no, there isn’t a plan to expand Eventide.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Portland restaurant workers rally to oppose proposal eliminating tip credit
Servers, bartenders and others at the event Tuesday voiced opposition to Question D, saying it will lead to reduced tips, increased automation and could force some restaurants to close.
Posted inBusiness
Brunswick restaurateur Mike Jerome sees ideas for restaurants wherever he turns
Spend a day with Brunswick restaurateur Mike Jerome, and you never know where you’ll end up or what new ideas will percolate. You may find him working on glitchy electrical outlets. When a microwave at Fat Boy Drive-In, the historic hamburger shack he bought in 2020, was shorting out the whole place recently, he and […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine
No shell, big shock: Maine lobster rolls fetch record prices this season
Lobster lovers can expect to pay in excess of $40 for a single roll at some of the state’s most popular summer eateries. The average price is closer to $30.