The Portland Logbook #1

A Little Shake: Portland’s Winter Wake-Up Call

It wasn’t the snowplows, and it wasn’t your upstairs neighbor dropping their cast-iron pan. For a few brief seconds in the early hours, Portland shuddered, just enough to make you pause mid-sip. A small earthquake, the kind you hear about but rarely feel, rippled through the city, rattling windowpanes and giving the old brickwork of the Old Port a momentary shake.

Maine isn’t California. Our ground is supposed to stay put. But every so often, the bedrock beneath us reminds us it’s still alive, shifting in ways we barely notice. This one was just a few magnitudes shy of remarkable. It wasn’t the kind to topple chimneys or send dishes crashing, just a quick jolt, like the city rolling over in its sleep.

At first, I didn’t even consider it. When my boyfriend called, convinced he’d just felt an earthquake, I laughed. “An earthquake? In Portland? More likely the trash man tossing purple bags into the truck with a little too much enthusiasm.” I was halfway through telling him he was crazy when the alert hit. Official confirmation that, yes, the ground really did move. A rare Maine moment where reality felt just slightly off-kilter.

By the time the sun rose over Casco Bay, it was already a story. People comparing stories at Tandem , checking their feeds, wondering if anyone else felt it. A brief thrill of unexpected movement in the still, deep quiet of winter. And just like that, it passed, another footnote in Portland’s long, unshaken history.

Maine’s James Beard Awards: 2024 vs. 2025

Every year, the James Beard Awards drop, and every year, Maine proves it belongs in the conversation. This time, 10 semifinalists across the state made the cut, from Portland’s pastry scene to a new wave of cocktail pros and chefs making their mark beyond the city.

But how does 2025 stack up against last year’s lineup? Who’s back, who’s missing, and what does it all say about where Maine’s food scene is headed? Let’s dig in.

What’s Different in 2025?

📍 More of Maine, Less Just Portland
Last year’s nominations were heavily Portland-based. This year’s list spreads further, pulling in names from Bar Harbor, Biddeford, South Berwick, and Brunswick. That shift is good, but it still leaves plenty of underrated gems overlooked.

🍰 A New Name in the Pastry Scene
2024 was the year of Atsuko Fujimoto (Norimoto Bakery) and ZU Bakery and deservedly so. But in 2025, the focus shifts to Brant Dadaleares (Gross Confection Bar), bringing a more decadent, dramatic take on sweets into the mix. (Which, if I’m being honest, I haven’t been to yet, but I’m very eager to change that.)

☕ Beverage Pros Finally Get Some Love
Maine’s coffee and cocktail scene is unreal, but last year, not a single nomination for it.
This year, Nathaniel Meiklejohn (The Jewel Box) and Mary Allen Lindemann (Coffee By Design) put Maine’s drink culture on the map.

🍣 Portland’s Best Chef Race Tightens
Last year, four Portland chefs made the Best Chef: Northeast semifinals. This year, it’s just Jordan Rubin (Mr. Tuna) and Jake Stevens (Leeward).
Both belong there. But if you’ve eaten your way through this city, you know there are others cooking at the same level.

What Stayed the Same?

🔁 Jake Stevens (Leeward) is Back, For Good Reason
If you’ve eaten at Leeward, you get it. Fresh pasta, precise technique, and zero unnecessary frills. Stevens was nominated last year, and he’s back again.

🔁 Hospitality Gets Recognized
Last year, Woodford Food & Beverage made the cut. This year, Taj Indian Cuisine (South Portland) takes the honor. Both spots nail that warm, welcoming feel that makes a place more than just a meal.

🔁 Emerging Chef Nods Keep Moving
Last year, it was Joseph Robbins (Bissell Brothers Three Rivers, Milo). This year, Jason Eckerson & Kate Hamm (Fish & Whistle, Biddeford).

Is The Beard Foundation Missing Maine’s Best?

Here’s the thing: Maine’s food scene is bigger than the names on this list. There are restaurants putting out incredible food, night after night, without the national attention. But when the James Beard nominations roll in, it’s often places with a lot of press, a lot of buzz, and a narrative that’s already built for an award.

Meanwhile, some of the best meals in Maine are happening right under their noses.

The final nominee list lands April 2nd, with winners revealed June 16th in Chicago. In the meantime, skip the usual suspects and ask the people who actually know where to eat. Your foodie friends, the ones who chase flavors instead of headlines, will always send you somewhere unexpected and almost always somewhere better.

Look Up, Portland: State Street Church

Portland is full of buildings we pass every day without a second glance. But I want you to stop. Look up. Really see them. This city is layered with history, craftsmanship, and details that deserve more than a passing nod. , is one of those buildings.

At the corner of State and Spring, the deep red stone stands solid, a landmark that feels as permanent as the streets themselves. But it wasn’t always this way. The church originally had a wooden tower and spire, a more delicate structure. In 1892-93, John Calvin Stevens, whose influence is everywhere in Portland, reimagined it. He replaced the timber with red freestone, giving the building its bold, grounded presence.

The Romanesque Revival arches, the weight of the stone, and the way the light shifts across its façade throughout the day make this architecture meant to be noticed. Yet too often, it fades into the background.

That’s why I’m writing this. Portland isn’t just a city. It’s an archive of artistry, shaped by hands that turned wood and stone into something lasting. I want you to see what I see. The details, the history, the beauty in the everyday. Next time you walk by State Street Church, pause. Tilt your head back. Look closer. Buildings like this deserve to be seen.

The Antique That Got Away (For Now)

It’s just a bench. That’s what I told myself when I walked away. But this isn’t just any bench, it’s the bench, dark, sturdy wood legs. A woven red leather seat that could’ve been pulled straight from a Bottega Veneta showroom. That signature weave, tight and structured, makes it feel more like a design statement than just a place to sit.

And that color , warm, rusty red, my favorite color. The kind of rich, deep tone that makes everything around it look better. Against my oak furniture? It would’ve been perfect. Just the right amount of contrast to break up the wood tones, without trying too hard.

But then I saw the price. $250. Enough to make me pause, but apparently not enough to make me stop thinking about it. I told myself if it’s still there next week, maybe it’s meant to be.

And now, against my better judgment, I’m going to tell you where it is. Gurley Antiques Gallery. Since this is my first newsletter, I’m holding onto hope that it’s still waiting for me. But if one of you gets to it first… well, at least I’ll know it went to someone with good taste.

Where Should I Eat Next? Let the Pros Decide.

If I’m going to start asking restaurant people where to eat next, it only makes sense to start at one of my favorite spots, Another Round on Congress Street. The vibe is exactly what you want from a café-bar hybrid, the kind of place that feels just as good in the morning as it does at night. And their Smoky Orange Latte? Easily the best specialty latte in the city. (But I’m looking at you, Onggi, let’s see if you can take the title.)

While I was there, I asked the Assistant Manager Heather where I should go next, and they didn’t hesitate: Ruski’s Tavern.

It makes sense. Ruski’s is the kind of spot that doesn’t need fanfare or social media buzz. Breakfast until 1 AM, a bartender who’s been there forever, and a room full of regulars who’ve been coming long enough to feel like part of the furniture. It’s the kind of spot that doesn’t try to impress anyone, which is exactly why it does. The kind of place industry people actually recommend, because they’re the ones keeping it in business.

So that’s my next stop. And from there? I’ll ask again.

The Rumor Mill: Openings, Closings & Industry Whispers

Some of this is fact. Some of it is what I’ve heard floating around. Either way, here’s what’s happening in Portland’s restaurant scene this week.

🔹 Otto (225 Congress) is closing after February 9. Staff just found out yesterday,

🔹 A new spot is moving into the old Slab space on Preble Street. Jessica and Brandon Tenney, the owners of Truckin Pizza, are taking it over for their new project, Za. 

🔹 Hot Suppa has new owners, but it’s staying in the family. Founders Moses and Alec Sabina have sold the restaurant to two longtime staff members, Amber Nachreiner and Cameron Rodrigues. No major changes expected, just a shift behind the scenes.

Some of this will be locked in next week. Some of it might stay a mystery. Either way, if you hear something good, send it my way.

What’s Happening in Portland ( Feb 4th - 11th)

Feb 4th - Trivia Night - Trivia Night at Another Round at 6:30pm

Feb 6th - Art Opening - Portland Art Gallery from 5-7pm

Feb 7th - Print Your Own Valentine - At The Art Mart from 2-5. A show by James Sylvester

Feb 7th - Love Market - Live Music, Food, Crafts, Art 6-9pm

Feb 7th - Off-Congress Art Walk, 4-7pm

Feb 7th & 8th - Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival at the State Theater

Feb 7th - 9th - Biddeford's Winterfest

Feb 9th - Maker’s Market at the Point - Sun. 10am to 3pm.

Feb 9th - Traditional Acadian music - Forêt Endorme, SPACE, Sun at 7pm

Feel free to reach out with feedback, your favorite spots you want me to cover, or just to say hi.

Cheers,
Jake Newman

The Portland Logbook