PortlandTown

Friday, June 10, 2011

Italian Life Expo

The Italian Life Expo opening reception came off without a hitch last night as Portlander's had a chance to sample the best from a new generation of artisans producing Italy’s finest specialties in centuries-old traditions including: hand-crafted Italian cheeses and delicate hams; exclusive regional wines and olive oils; traditional copper pans, housewares and ceramics.

Local tasties were provided by Seagrass Bistro and Rosemont market.

Speaking of touring, Auto Europe can show you the best way to drive Italy or the continent and there are also folks to help plan your trip or guide you along the way. Check the website for particulars!

This cheese from Tuscany was one of my favorites. Tuada is made from sheeps milk and aged 8 to 9 months. It has a mild slightly nutty flavor and would go well with any number of wines.

Proceeds of this event will support the educational programs at Spannocchia Foundation and the Institute for Italians. Studies.

Luisa De Luca, from the Institute of Italian Studies & Giuseppe Pastorelli, the Consul General of Italy in Boston say a few words to the crowd.

Music was provide by Al Dente's Inferno, a mandolin and piano duet.

Several local companies were also on hand to show case their wares , including Libby Margolis Pineo / Italy Direct, Auto Europe, The Rodgers Collection, (which imports much more the just Italian food items as astute readers of this blog should know) and R Bonechi Imports to only a few.

Lots of people eyed these lovely traditional copper cooking pieces from Bottega Del Rame, from Montepulciano.

Check the Italian Life Expo website for info on times and attractions for each of the different sessions. You can also buy your tickets online and save time waiting in line at the door. There is plenty of parking around the Ocean Gateway facility, just north of the Casco Bay Ferry terminal. Make a full day of it as Portland and the surrounding area has several fine Italian Restaurants Partnering with the Expo, serving both lunch and dinner.

Mangiamo!

I'll also be returning for another look on Friday, maybe Saturday?

Friday, June 3, 2011

The Art Of Fine Dining, Part II

Dinner on Wednesday night was at the Van Der Kaay's in Kennebunk.

One of the stately old homes along Summer Street as you head down to the "Port" Mary Jo and Erik have done a marvelous job in not only preserving it's past but in adding their own modern touches.

Dinner was provided by Chef Steven True and his crew

from the Nonantum Resort, in Kennebunkport.

Erica Archer from Wine Wise selected the wines for the evening. Erica is a Certified Wine Expert who creates fun & memorable public and private events geared towards building your knowledge of and taste for fine wines.

The artist for this dinner was David Graeme Baker, from Dowling Walsh Gallery in Rockland.

1st / Tomato Pomodoro
Roma Tomato, Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella, Tomato Confit & Crispy Basil
Carmel Road Monterey County Pinot Gris 2009

2nd / Lighthouse Salad
greens, Goat Cheese, Dried Cranberries, Toasted Walnut & Frizzled Onions
Mantanzas Creek Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 2008

3rd / Whole Fish Seafood Feast
Stuffed with Thyme, Lemon, Shrimp, Scallops, Lobster and Mussels. Served over Saffron Rice
Byron Santa Barbara Pinot Noir 2009

These are my only two scheduled events from the Kennebunkport Festival, which runs thru Sunday, but I may try to squeeze in one more this weekend. Proceeds from the festival go to Share Our Strength Maine which funds programs to alleviate hunger in kids. Just a reminder, Share Our Strenght's / Taste of The Nation event in Portland is coming on June 26th. Tickets for this event can be purchased in advance on their website. A good idea as it sells out every year.

This year's Kennebunkport Festival is Produced & Promoted by Maine Magazine in cooperation with the Kennebunkport Festival Committee.

A larger group of photos of this event is posted on flickr.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

The Art Of Fine Dining

For those of you who haven't heard about the Kennebunkport Festival, your missing out on a really "Good" & fun event. The "Good" is Taste Of The Nation Maine's - Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry program, which since 2006 has mobilized thousands of volunteers and raised over a quarter million dollars for anti-hunger programs across the state. The fun part comes from a dozen or so foodie events, over six nights, in the Kennebunkport area. Starting with An Intimate Evening at the White Barn Inn and ending with Bubbles, Brunch & Jazz at the Nonantum. But the heart of this festival is really the 13 intimate and elegant dinners prepared in private homes by some of the areas best chefs. This is where Portlandtown comes in as I was happy to be in the kitchen for two of these dinners on Tuesday & Wednesday evening.

Chef David Ross, of Local 50, in Kennebunk, stands behind a built to order La Cornue stove, the first French stove imported to the US, in the kitchen of Nicki Bongiorno, on the ocean in Kennebunkport.