#the top one is Basil and the bottom one is June (but as a kid bc thats what i wanted to draw) | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

thisislizheather · 3 years

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June Jaunts 2021

July always feels like one big long nap to me. There’s never really anything going on, kids are off school, adults seem to work less, it’s kind of great in that way. Maybe I won’t hate it this year? In any case, here’s what went down in June.

I compiled the best tweets of June over here and here.

I visited and wrote about the new Rockaway Hotel and pool.

I did Nathan’s podcast amidst his hiatus.

I recapped what I did from my spring list and made an upcoming summer to-do list, which I really encourage you to do on your own.

I read and reviewed The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Archor.

I’ve almost finished watching Living Single and seasons one through four are definitely the best ones. Love the episode where Kyle says goodbye to an old jazz venue that gets demolished, such a solid show.

I just saw the latest issue of the LCBO magazine and someone needs to pick me up that dill pickle vodka immediately.

Dying over how good the Strawberry Pound Cake candle smells from Bath & Body Works. Also picked up the Whipped Coffee candle for later this year from their semi-annual sale.

I went on an impromptu day trip to Connecticut.

I met up with Irene in Chinatown so I went early to walk around because man, I love that area.

Above Photo: Chinatown NYC, June 2021

Above Photo: Doyers Street, Chinatown NYC, June 2021

Above Photo: Irene!

Above Photo: Me!

I ate at dell’anima and it was insanely disappointing. It felt like being in a cafeteria at the mall, it’s just a terrible location. I wasn’t expecting much since I knew it was on 11th Avenue, but still. I had no idea it would be so deeply casual (which is upsetting for an NYC restaurant). The food was as average as could be. Also, can we stop with the plastic cups at restaurants? It’s time.

I also stopped by Anfora which is a pleasant little spot, especially before or after dinner.

I went to Daily Provisions and tried their roast beef sandwich and salted caramel brownie and does everywhere just suck this month? And I support Danny Meyer, but he truly is the master of overpricing food. Also - on what planet can a brownie taste bland?? Tell me??

I’m on the lash extension train again (I know, I’m weak) and I just got them done at Lash Princess in the city and they look incredible so I’m definitely going to return.

I rewatched Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding and yep, still great.

Love the stationary/toy store Modern State on the Upper East Side.

I’ve heard about cotton candy grapes for years and have never been able to get ahold of them, but I just found them and whoa! Everything you want them to be and more. Am I bothered by the fact that they’re 1000% modified and MUST be terrible for humans to eat? A bit.

I finally ate the Wednesday sandwich special at Mama’s Too on the Upper West Side and it was pretty incredible. It was a roast beef au jus with horseradish cream on top of their house-made pizza crust. It was a little heavy on the fatty pieces of meat, but once those were taken out, it was insanity to eat. Take a look.

Above Photo: Roast beef au jus with horseradish cream at Mama’s Too, NYC

We saw A Quiet Place 2 in theatres and yes it’s an okay movie but it was too suspenseful for me after not seeing a movie in theatres for so long. I don’t think I want any more suspense in my life

We also watched The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It at home and meh. Patrick Wilson can still get it, though.

Yet another great song off of Olivia Rodrigo’s album.

I finally got a reservation at Forsythia and it was looooovely, I can’t wait to go again. The restaurant itself is beautiful and such a perfect date place, the chairs are gorgeous and comfortable, the service was flawless and the pastas were phenomenal (the garganelli was a standout for sure). And god knows how much I love a place that serves their bread with olive oil as well as butter, WHY DOESN’T EVERY PLACE DO THIS?

I had to try the panzanella salad at L’Artusi and of course it’s great, but it’s also just so genius to put the cheese ON THE BOTTOM of a salad like this one. (Also, I’ll forever support whatever this team wants to do.)

Above Photo: Heirloom Tomato & Burrata Panzanella with Stonefruit, Sourdough, Basil, Yuza, Nigella at L’Artusi, NYC

Above Photo: Bucatini with Pancetta, Tomato, Chiles, Pecorino at L’Artusi, NYC

I tried the new Milk Bar cookies at Whole Foods and they truly taste like the cake truffles at their stores, so watch out.

The two best gelato flavours at il laboratorio del gelato? 1) Peach 2) Ginger. I’m telling you.

I’ve been looking for the perfect navy raincoat for years and I finally found her at J. Crew on sale for $71.

I tried the gelato at Anita Gelato and even though the wild strawberry with ricotta & mascarpone was really good, there’s no way it’s worth waiting in line for twenty minutes.

Above Photo: Wild strawberry with ricotta & mascarpone with a vanilla scoop, Anita Gelato in NYC

A great piece, with great photos on NYC reopening.

I made hash browns at home and does everyone do this already? It’s ridiculously easy and satisfying and I had no idea.

I’ve been on a real orzo bender lately and this tomato one was great. So was this lemon basil one (I added a ton of fresh parmesan and it was nuts).

This sketch is old, but I just saw it for the first time and man it’s great.

The new Halloween trailer is out and I want to love it but can’t we just let some things die?

This Target candle reminds me of Florida vacations and I want to buy ten.

I stupidly ate at Eataly (don’t do it, especially if you live in New York, you should know better) and of course it was bad. What a smart idea to eat at a place called Le Pizza & La Pasta, I’m a moron. Even smarter, I got the steak tartare and it was as bland as the day is long (and look I know I’m a clown for not even ordering pizza OR pasta when it’s in the name). The basil vodka cocktail was pretty good, though.

One thing that Eataly is good for, though, is selling really good dried pastas. I finally tried the brand Afeltra (the pasta as well as their canned tomatoes) and wowza. Definitely will be buying again. Best dried brand I’ve tried so far. Oh! I also bought this Ponti Balsamic Vinegar that tastes like candy, it’s so good. It’s thicker than other balsamics, so maybe it’s more of a finishing vinegar but I highly recommend.

I made these white chocolate apricot scones (and then later that week some white chocolate strawberry scones) and they were phenomenal. I did use cake flour because that’s all I had and I think that might be the reason they tasted so great. Also, it’s a wildly easy recipe to follow incase you’re intimidated by the word “scone.”

Above Photo: White chocolate apricot scone

I started watching the new season of Dave and it’s so well done I could scream (do you remember how good this part was from last season?). Such a good show. I do sort of hate men more by the end of each episode, so I don’t know what that’s about but I think I’m okay with it.

Bought a new nonstick frying pan (the GreenPan) and it’s incredible. Sometimes the answer is new cookware, no matter the question.

Nathan bought a new filtered shower-head and it’s making me excited for every shower now. Just a powerhouse. Feels like I’m at a hotel in there.

Since it’s summer, I’d love to make these summer recipes:

Grilled Caprese Skewers with Halloumi and Sourdough

Pan-Seared Scallops with Chorizo and Corn

BLT Pasta Salad

Summer Coconut Chickpea Curry

Strawberry Crumble Coffee Cake

Some things that I’m looking forward to: I’m not usually into miniseries but Nine Perfect Strangers looks pretty good so I might watch that, we’re going to TWO weddings this month so that will be wonderful, and I really need to get back in a pool so I’m working on that happening.

If you have any interest in reading what went on in May, come on over here.

#June 2021 #June Jaunts 2021 #this is liz heather #Liz Heather #monthly post #monthly roundup #NYC June 2021 #NYC summer 2021

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puzzledorange · 5 years

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OC’s Answer 15 Q’s Tag

okey i know this took a while and there are so many more tag games that I need to do, but once I take over the world i will outlaw school so i can have time to do these, so please don’t hesitate to tag me in more stuff!

I was tagged by @thatsadwriter so thanks for that!

Okay so what I’m gonna do is that P (from the Metalrifter) is answering, but both Rigby and Olsen (from stories Friends & the Universe and Life in the Rivers respectively) are also they’re butting in whenever they want. They are in Violet’s apartment house being interviewed btw.

rules: answer fifteen questions as either yourself or your ocs, then tag fifteen people

————————

what is your full name?

“Oh that’s easy. P.”

“Are you serious? You’re the one with some weird-ass nickname and you decided to take this question?” Rigby says.

“Well I don’t have any other names, do I?” P snaps back. “What about your name huh? If mine’s so flawed.”

“I never thought you’d ask.” chuckles Rigby. He tilts his head to the side and combs his hair back. “Rigby Diggins here.” P chortles.

“What’s so funny to you?” Rigby hisses.

“No matter how many times I hear your last name, I laugh.” P responds. “It sounds like a cartoon character’s.”

“Enough.” Rigby says, “Alright Olsen, hit us with your full name.”

“Oh me?” Olsen says. “Well my full name is Olsen Maegan Rivers.”

“At least SOMEBODY has a normal name here.” P says.

“Wait weren’t you technically adopted by Violet though?” Olsen asks. “You guys are technically brother and sister or something right?”

P sighs. “Yeah, I guess.”

“So what is your real full name?”

“P Patterson.”

“I’m calling you Peepa from now on.” Rigby says.

“Please don’t.”

what is your gender? “I’m a guy.” P says.

“Are you sure about that, Peepa?” Rigby teases.

“I’m this close to whooping your ass into next week.”

what does your full name mean?

“Uh, I don’t know. It just is my name.” says P.

“Why did you answer the question if that was the answer you would give” asked Rigby.

“Fine then, its over to you.” says P.

“That’s what I’m talking about! Well my name is Rigby because of my free spirit. What can I say, I’m special!”

“Yeah, I don’t doubt that.” says P. “What about you Olsen?”

“Well I looked it up, and a website said that my name meant ‘descendant’. I guess that makes sense, since my ancestor founded my hometown.”

any nicknames or other names?

“My code name is Captain Orbit, or just Orbit.” says P. “That’s what they call me up in space.”

what is your sexuality?

“Huh, I’ve actually never really thought about what kind of people I like.” P says.

“You gotta be kidding me, you’re the most boring person ever.” Rigby says. “And by the way, I’m bi.”

“What does it mean to be bi?” P asks.

“You’re joking.”

P shakes his head.

“Oh, come on!” Rigby exclaims. “Even Olsen knows what that means! How are you this royally uneducated? I thought you were Violet’s brother, but it really is evident that you two are adopted siblings.”

“Hey!” Olsen snaps his fingers. “Calm down. Jesus, you’re always a lit fuse aren’t you?”

“Lit in more ways than one.” Rigby says with a sly smile. He looks at P thinking that he would get the joke, but his humor is that of a wet towel.

where are you from?

“I’m not really sure.” says P.

“EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR ANSWERS HAVE BEEN EXCEPTIONALLY SHITTY OH MY GOD I CANNOT HANDLE THIS ANY LONGER” says Rigby.

“Shut your goddamn mouth up.” P says, sending metal up to Rigby’s mouth to inhibit his speech. In response, he starts clawing at it.

Olsen raises his hand in anticipation. “Hey, can I go?”

“Sure go ahead.” P responds.

“Okay so,” Olsen starts. “I was born in Riveria, a small town in--”

Rigby rips off the metal restraining his mouth. “God, can’t a man have freedom of speech? I think you just single-handedly cured my iron deficiency. Anyways I know you guys don’t care, but I was born and raised in glamorous LA.”

“Can you just shut it and listen to Olsen?” P says.

“I knew you wouldn’t care. Hurts, man.”

“As Olsen was saying, he lives in Riveria, and…?” P says.

“Oh yeah! And my great great great great grandfather actually founded the town.” Olsen continues.

“Oh really? Do you want a medal?” Rigby says, reclining back in his chair.

when were you born?

“I WILL take this one, okay?” Rigby says.

“Fine.” says P.

“I was born June the 22nd, 1990. The greatest day on Earth.” Rigby says.

P scoffs.

“You guys can’t even say anything, because your author was negligent enough to not give you definitive birthdays yet!”

Olsen sighs. “Yeah, that’s a problem.”

whoops sorry

how old are you?

“I’m about twenty two I’d say,” says P.

“I’m twenty nine. Hah, beatcha.” Rigby says.

“I’m seventeen.” Olsen says.

where do you live?

“Oh, uh, here.” P says, pointing down at the ground.

Rigby mocks him. “Uh, oh, um, uh, here. Where is here dumbass?”

“Queens. New York.” P says in a stiff tone.

“Better. Now watch an interesting person take this question.” Rigby says. “Right now, I’m currently residing in space, specifically in the port of the Planet Happi.”

“P-Probably not so, uh, ‘Happi’ when you’re there!” Olsen calls out.

“Hey-o! High five!” P exclaims. The two share a hand slap. “So where do you live, Olsen?”

“Well I lived Riveria until I left to LA during my middle school years. I came back to my hometown about 2 years ago.”

P suppresses a laugh. “Sorry, I just can’t let that joke go.”

“It wasn’t even that funny.” Rigby says, crossing his arms.

what are your quirks?

“What would constitute as a quirk?” Olsen asks.

“It’s what makes you weird and shit.” Rigby says. “P should go first, since this is literally the only question that can make him sound like a cool person.”

“I’d clock you, but I have to answer this question.” P says. “So, I Metalrift. What that essentially means is that I can control and manipulate metal with my mind. It’s super useful, but it took a grueling process to acquire. I have a few other friends that can rift other things, like Scott Walker. He can rift rock, and he’s damn good at it too.”

“I for one,” Rigby says, “Am competent at what I do without the help of magic, but with the help of a little bit of alchies. I shoot aliens and shit. Ain’t that right Peepa?” He smiles as he puts his hand on P’s shoulder. He shrugs Rigby’s hand off.

“What about you, Olsen?” Rigby asks.

“Well, I’m really good with a blade, a machete specifically. Still, my friend, Lisa, taught me how to properly fight. I have a signature backswing and everything.” Olsen says. “Also P I hope you wouldn't mind metalrifting for us. I mean I've seen it in combat, but not really up close and personal. Could you?”

“Uh, sure, I don’t see why not,” P says, looking around the apartment for any loose metal lying around. “I don’t see any metal though.”

“Wait no, I got you.” Rigby says, pulling out a ray gun and a hammer from the inside of his coat.

“Perfect! I can just extract the metal from the g--”

Rigby starts to casually smash the gun, reducing it to metal bits and bobs. “There you go, rift away.” Rigby says.

P lifts the metal with his mind, and formulates a small elephant on the table using the bits and bobs. It walks around and spurts tiny pieces of metal out of its trunk.

“Oh sweet!” Olsen exclaims.

“Okay yeah, that’s pretty sick, I gotta admit.” says Rigby. “Hey, that rhymes!”

who are your family members? “Uh, next question.” Olsen says. who are your pets?

“I have a turtle, and he is the light of my life.” says Rigby.

“And what’s his name?” Olsen asks.

“Cadet. What a little man.” Rigby says.

“Why’s his name Cadet?” P asks.

“I’m glad you asked.” says Rigby. “I named him after my favorite wine, Mouton Cadet.”

“How original.” P dryly says.

what do you look like?

“Well, I have black hair and green eyes” says P. “Also, I wear a red flannel with a black shirt underneath, and topping it all off with my signature blue pants and black shoes.”

“Alright, my turn!” says Rigby. “So I dyed my hair blond, but my original hair color is brown. I have blue eyes and an amazing goatee. I’m wearing my space uniform right now, which is a blue collar necked coat-jacket that has a white stripe near the bottom, black pants strapped with a holster, black boots, and black gloves. Oh, also I’m a hell of a lot taller than P. Five foot ten ass…”

“How tall are you then?” asks P.

“Six foot three.” Rigby triumphantly says.

“What about you Olsen?”

“Alright,” Olsen says, “Well I have brown hair, a bit combed to the side, brown eyes, and freckles. I wear a red short sleeve with a gray long sleeve undershirt, along with blue jeans and regular sneakers. Oh, and I’m five foot ten too!”

“Shorties.” says Rigby.

who’s your hero?

“Definitely my uncle,” says Olsen. “He’s a real inspiration and always has great advice for me.”

“Both my friends Violet and Basil are amazing people and I wouldn’t be alive for them, so probably those two people.” says P.

“I really like the Hamburglar.” says Rigby. The others stare at him. “What? He really got me to buy more burgers, honest!”

what’s your moral alignment?

“Yo dude!” Rigby says. “I’m uhh,” He snaps his fingers, “Chaotic good.”

P chimes in, “I’m definitely lawful good.”

“And that leaves neutral good for me!” says Olsen. “Wait that’s the last question right?”

“Yeah, and wow I’m so glad we’re done with this.” says P.

“Why?” asks Olsen.

“So I can do this.” P says, getting up from his seat and knocking Rigby’s lights out.

——————————————–

Cool, this was fun! I’ll be tagging @starlightinhumanform, @ill-write-when-im-dead, and @kaigods, but don’t be obligated to do them. You’re an independent person!

#Metalrifter #Friends&Universe #LifeinRivers #ocs #myocs #tag game #i was tagged ages ago but whatever #hope you dont mind something like months later #sorry but school's kickin my ass rn #dyin but still thrivin :')

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tonyduncanbb73 · 6 years

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Portsmouth Burger Joint Lexie’s Is Turning Into a Seacoast Empire

And other regional food and beverage updates from New England, beyond the borders of Massachusetts

Broadening the scope a bit, here’s the latest restaurant news from beyond Massachusetts; we’re keeping an eye out for dining developments throughout the rest of New England. This piece is updated on a weekly basis, covering restaurant openings, closures, and more in Portsmouth, Providence, Portland, and elsewhere. (Find the archive of winter 2017-2018 news here.)

Check back for updates — the most recent ones will always be at the top — and email [email protected] with any tips pertaining to New England restaurant news beyond the borders of Massachusetts.

Note: Jump to the bottom of this page for a list of other links pertaining to New England dining, including a guide to Portsmouth and Kittery, an archive of Maine news, a map of the hottest new restaurants in Providence, and more.

April 17, 2018

HAMPTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Shane’s Texas Pit (61 High St.) is now open, serving barbecue. Brisket, pork spare ribs, sausage, turkey, and more are available with assorted sauces, including a blackberry barbecue sauce. There are also sandwiches, sides (cole slaw, beans, etc.), and sheet cake and peach cobbler for dessert.

PORTLAND, MAINE — Blue Lobster Wine Company (219 Anderson St.) held a test run of its tasting rooms over the weekend, ahead of an official opening on April 20. Self-described as “not your typical winery,” Blue Lobster offers wine in cans and kegs, calling it a “convenient, sustainable, economical” way of delivering wine with little waste. The winery will offer several varieties, including chardonnay, zinfandel, rose, and other red wines. In four separate tasting rooms, customers can also buy wine by the glass and by the flight.

Maine Lobster Shack(425 Fore St.) is now open in Portland, serving items like lobster rolls and fish and chips. There’s also wine on tap and oysters available. The restaurant debuted on Friday, April 13.

RYE, NEW HAMPSHIRE — The Carriage House(2263 Ocean Blvd.) debuts today in its newest form from owners James Woodhouse, RJ Joyce, and executive chef Brett Cavanna. The partners were forced to close their Portsmouth restaurant, Louie’s, due to a fire in April 2017, but they have taken on the task of rebooting this historic restaurant, which opened in 1931. They’ll serve a mix of New England fare, operating Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Lunch service will arrive for the summer, and the Carriage House will serve Sunday brunch starting April 29.

STRATHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Lexie’s Burgers in Portsmouth (212 Islington St.) has three additional locations in New Hampshire (one is seasonal) and one in Massachusetts, plus a couple food trucks, or “burger buses,” as they’re known. Now, the business has signed a lease for the former Eastern Burger Co. space at 157 Portsmouth Ave. in Stratham, where it will operate a commissary kitchen and food truck catering site. Eventually, there will be a restaurant at the Stratham space, though it may not be under the Lexie’s name. In other Lexie’s news, the Exeter location (56 Lincoln St.) will relocate to the former 3 Brothers Marketplace space (82 Lincoln St.), where it will have 42 seats. And in other Lexie’s news, it will also open at Seacoast United’s Epping complex — possibly by June 2018 — with an eye towards a partnership that could ultimately put it in another Seacoast United locations as well.

April 10, 2018

Two Fat Cats Bakery/Facebook

Pies at Two Fat Cats Bakery

AUGUSTA, MAINE — This week, the Boston Globe tells the story of the Red Barn in Augusta, which bounced back from financial struggles by offering free food and donating proceeds to charity. Through the process of giving away money, owner Laura Benedict began to make it back and has been able to keep the restaurant running — and it’s become an institution.

PORTLAND, MAINE — Two Fat Cats Bakery(47 India St.) opens its second location on April 14 at 740 Broadway in South Portland, featuring the same menu of pies, pastries, and more sweet treats as at the India Street location, but this one will have ample seating for patrons. On opening day, the bakery will be offering free slices of cake while supplies last and will donate a portion of its proceeds from the day’s pie sales to the South Portland Food Cupboard.

The long-planned Lio (3 Spring St.)— from chef Cara Stadler and her mother, Cecile, who are also behind BaoBao Dumpling House (Portland) and Tao Yuan (Brunswick) — is under construction. When it opens, the restaurant will have a heavy focus on wine, and its menu will change daily based on available ingredients.

Paciarino (470 Fore St.)will open a new location in the former Zapoteca space down the street at 505 Fore St. Owners Enrico Barbiero and Fabiana de Savino plan to serve the restaurant’s pasta, brick oven pizza, and other Italian classics at the new space, while converting the original location into a retail space. The new Paciarino is slated for a May opening.

April 3, 2018

Bob’s Clam Hut/Facebook

Food at Bob’s Clam Hut

DANBURY, CONNECTICUT — Barrister’s Coffee Co.(1 West St.) opened earlier this year, and it serves coffee and tea, plus pastries, bagels, and baked goods brought in from New York. The shop is spacious with seating at tables, in leather chairs, and in cubicle nooks.

GORHAM, MAINE — Portland’s Bier Cellar, which has been around since 2012, now has a second location in the works for 593 Main St. in Gorham. “We are incredibly excited to bring our love of beer, wine, cider and mead to the rapidly growing community of Gorham,” the owners wrote in a blog post on the website. “We want to be a part of making Gorham a craft beer mecca just like we have watched the City Of Portland became one of the best craft beer destinations in the United States since we opened in 2012.”

PORTLAND, MAINE — Kittery’s famous Bob’s Clam Hut is in the process of expanding to Portland, at 109 Cumberland Ave. The restaurant has been in business since 1956, and owner Michael Landgarten hopes to open the new location in time for summer. Bob’s is known for its fried seafood baskets, fish sandwiches, burgers, and sides.

Union Bagel Co. opened a second location in the East Deering neighborhood of Portland (46 Veranda St.), serving its familiar variety of bagels, spreads, and breakfast sandwiches. The restaurant also offers vegan spreads.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — “It’s time to meet the waffle of your dreams,” and Providence’s Waffle(45 Weybosset St.) is ready for introductions. The restaurant, which opened about two months ago, serves a variety of waffles, including liege-style, gluten-free, and in the form of ice cream sandwiches. There’s also a pizza waffle topped with marinara sauce, cheese, crushed red pepper, and basil.

The Lotus Garden (223 Atwells Ave.) is open in Federal Hill with a selection of Southeast Asian dishes, including pho, sushi, stir fry noodles, rice bowls, and more. The restaurant also offers cocktails, beer, and wine.

SEABROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Brown’s Lobster Pound(407 State Rd. 286) at long last has reopened following a fire in August 2017. This week, the restaurant will operate Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (April 6, 7, and 8), and then starting April 13, Brown’s will be open for the summer season, per a post on Facebook. Brown’s first opened in 1950 and serves a menu of fried seafood boxes and platters, sandwiches, and more.

WETHERSFIELD, CONNECTICUT — Kaliubon Ramenis now open at 1323 Silas Deane Hwy., serving a menu of shoyu, tonkotsu, and miso ramen, along with assorted bao filled with pork, lamb, or tofu. There are also wings, dumplings, lettuce wraps, and salad.

March 27, 2018

Big J’s Chicken Shack/Facebook

Hot chicken from Big J’s Chicken Shack in Portland

HOPKINTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Lakehouse Tavern (157 Main St.) has opened with some sustainable practices in place. In addition to serving a broad selection of dishes ranging from wings and lobster fritters to wraps, sandwiches, burgers, and steaks, the restaurant roasts its own turkey, ham, and prime rib and recycles its cooking oil with Newport Biodiesel.

PORTLAND, MAINE — A restaurant and bar at the Danforth Inn (163 Danforth St.) will close at the end of the month, as the business prepares to file for bankruptcy, per the Portland Press Herald. Tempo Dulu and Opium — the restaurant and bar, respectively — shut down for good on March 31. Co-owner Raymond Brunyanszki cited the niche of the Southeast Asian restaurant as a contributing factor to the closure, along with profitability. Opium also drew ire for its name upon opening. When the business makes it through the bankruptcy filing, the bar will resume operation, perhaps under a new name.

Big J’s Chicken Shack (4 Thompsons Pt.), perhaps best known for providing sustenance in the form of Nashville hot chicken and waffles to visitors at the neighboring Bissell Brothers Brewing Company, will close down at the end of the month. It will be replaced by Locally Sauced, which has six years under its belt as a food cart. It serves burritos, tacos, and barbecue, and it will arrive this May.

Ice It Bakery (502 Stevens Ave.) now has a new location up and running to go along with its original location in Yarmouth, Maine. The bakery serves specialty cupcakes, cookies, pastries, coffee cakes, and gluten-free concoctions, and it offers decorating parties for kids.

Sagamore Hill(150 Park St.) is coming to Portland with the spirit of Teddy Roosevelt. The restaurant takes its name from an area of New York the president called home. The space is currently under construction, and when it opens it will accommodate 100 people inside with 40 on a patio outdoors.

SEBAGO, MAINE — Sportsman’s Kitchen & Keg (46 Sebago Rd.) is on the way to Sebago Lake, courtesy of father-and-son team Paul and Rocco Severino, slated for a summer 2018 opening. The restaurant labels itself an “homage to Portland’s old Sportsman’s Grill,” which previously operated at 905-911 Congress St., according to the Portland Food Map.

March 20, 2018

Eventide Oyster Co./Instagram

Little Spruce Baking Co. baked goods

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — A new arm of the Big Tree Hospitality group — which runs the acclaimed Eventide restaurants, Hugo’s, and The Honey Paw — has made its official debut. Little Spruce Baking Co.has taken croissants to a new level, appearing at Elements: Books, Coffee, Beer (265 Main St.) in Biddeford on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, along with the Saco River Farmers Market on Saturdays. There are several types of croissants available, most notably a pizza version made with tomato jam, ricotta, and pepperoni. There’s also a Moonstruck version with egg, mushroom, and mustard greens, a PB&J version, and more.

PORTLAND, MAINE — Black Cow(83 Exchange St.) is now open in the former Sonny’s space in Old Port, from the same team, featuring burgers and shakes.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Cup of Joe (31 Market St.) has opened in Portsmouth with a lengthy lineup of beverages, pastries, and other snacks. The shop serves all kinds of coffees and espresso beverages, plus kombucha on tap, chai lattes, and more.

SACO, MAINE — The Lady and the Mensch (172 Main St.) has a selection of cocktails, craft beer, and more on the menu in Saco. The recent opening is pegged as a community hangout spot, with a lounge area and a central location in the neighborhood.

YORK, MAINE — First Hill Restaurant (369 US Rte 1.) is now open in York and serving a varied menu including brunch. Dishes range from avocado toast and a Greek yogurt waffle to salmon burgers, sticky Thai fried chicken, and steamed mussels.