Some 4th of July Images

Herb Adams, Portland historian, reads the Declaration of Independence in front of the Longfellow House at noon on the 4th of July. The Maine Historical Society's copy of the "Dunlap Broadside" issued by the Continental Congress, printed by John Dunlap for distribution thru-out the then colonies is one of only 26 known to exist.

A house on Ocean Ave

A little watermelon was a nice addition to this party 

The Portland Symphony Orchestra Plays the national anthem for the assembled masses.

As the sun begin to dip below the horizon it highlighted the crowd toward the lower edge of the eastern promenade hill.

Members of the Campbell family, of Portland, adds some sparkle to the evening

The closer the fireworks the more Casco Bay filled with small boats 

I spotted this window on Congress Street during the 1st Friday art walk.

Bresca / Good Things Come In Small Packages!

The 2010 Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in the U. S. Survey came out last week with Portland placing 5 of the top 15 in the New England region. Friday night I was happily snapping away at # 9 on that list Krista Kern Desjarlais' bresca, ( Catalonian for honeycomb). The small, make that tiny two person kitchen, is the stage for a two act play. I caught the first act (seating) and left by 8:30 before the second act started.  The handful of tables is serviced by two wait staff.  French cafe music was playing over the kitchen stereo.

bresca

111 Middle Street

Portland, Maine

tel. 207-772-1004

www.bresca.org

Feast Of The Seven Fishes

Well , maybe six, because yours truly sort of missed one course, again, sort of.  When I mentioned to my wife that I might shoot in the kitchen at Cinque Terre on Christmas Eve for the traditional Italian "Feast of the Seven Fishes" she showed more then a little interest in tagging along.  So a little trade of a picture and voila, a night on the town, again sort of, because I'm running back n forth taking pictures and in a lull coming out front to sit for a few minutes.  At one point she looks into the kitchen and says you have to try this, it's fabulous! So while I somehow didn't take any pictures of "Maine Shrimp Fritto, radicchio, basil and caper sauce" I did get to taste it and she didn't lie, it was great! So without further ado:

 Cinque Terre 

Feast of the Seven Fishes

December 24, 2009

Winter Point Oysters with prosecco mignonette

Crab Arancini and mozzarella white anchovy crostini

Warmed Leeks and lobster vinaigrette

*Maine Shrimp Fritto, radicchio, basil and caper sauce

Creamy Codfish Ravioli with tomato, fennel and basil oil

Seared Sea Scallops, parsnips, chicory and balsamic aioli

White Chocolate Cranberry Semifreddo, orange crème anglaise, pistachio tuile

The flow of every kitchen is different and I've taken to going with the flow so to speak, shooting the parts of the plate, as it comes together, until I get a picture of the whole.  Still video like.

Now not everybody dining at Cinque Terre on Christmas Eve was there for the "Feast", some had come for the regular menu which on that night had a a variety of seafood dishes to choose from...

Portland has an abundance of good food to choose from and many of the best restaurants offer these prix fix multi course meals, which are usually a great value, so if your thinking of going out New Years Eve, check the Portland Food Map Calendar as at last look about a dozen choices in all price ranges where listed, including a pig roast at Shima on Fore Street. 

I'll be out there somewhere, with my wife, enjoying myself with or without my camera. I hopr you are too!