Friday Food Insider Notebook: One closing, two awards and lots of apples

Photo / Courtesy, Sisters Gourmet Deli Sisters Gourmet Deli, owned by Michaela McVetty, opened in Portland in 2016.

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Sisters Gourmet Deli in Portland’s Monument Square is closing for good next week.

The Portland cafe, owned by Michaela McVetty, was established in 2016. It serves specialty sandwiches.

McVetty said in a news release that she is forever grateful for her success in Monument Square, but her business has outgrown the spot. She plans to focus on her second location in Bath, which opened in 2019 at the former Amato’s space at 111 Centre St.

The Portland cafe has remained closed this week but will open for a final day on Monday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. until sell-out. McVetty plans to continue to offer catering services in the Portland area.

“I was a girl with a dream of creating a sandwich empire,” said McVetty. "We have made so many friends in this little shop. We have catered thousands of events. We have won awards. We have supported people through college, including myself.

"I have been invited to incredible places because of sandwiches and I am forever grateful for the opportunities brought to light because of this place. I also know it's time to get out while we’re on top.”

McVetty says she and her team plan to spend October shutting the Portland business down, selling the equipment and renting out the space.

Sign of the Times

The New York Times released its fourth annual restaurant fave list and one spot in Maine has made the cut.

This list compiles 50 of the best dining locations across the country, which the Times calls “our 50 favorite places in America right now.” Four of the 50 are in New England, with one each in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

In 2023, Tinder Hearth in Brooksville represented Maine on the list. This year, the Times singled out the Alna Store, a market and restaurant in the Lincoln County town of Alna.

The eatery serves elevated dishes and cocktails with a twist, working in collaboration with numerous Maine farms and partners. The Times praised the restaurant's market, which features shelves of farm market goods, including wine, tinned fish, hot sauce and kimchi.

“And in front, an ambitious restaurant serves a thoroughly of-the-moment, local menu that’s full of sophisticated touches without being at all pretentious,” said Melissa Clark, a food reporter and recipe columnist for the New York Times.

“The house margarita is made with mezcal; the buttermilk wedge salad is dusted with crispy fried shallots and capers; and the shrimp topping a mound of creamy grits are coated in warm, fragrant spices, then seared until caramelized. The place is also open for brunch — a great option if you’d prefer to take a long drive to midcoast Maine during daylight hours.”

The Alna Store, which is owned by Brian Haskins and Jasper Ludwig, took to social media to express gratitude “to all who have supported us, to all of the conscientious farmers + fishermen we work with, and to our sweetheart crew of adaptive, innovative, hilarious and hard working industry professionals.

"Literal dream team. This beautiful place we call home and the persevering community of dedicated and passionate people we work with are what make us great.”

Apple season is here

Libby & Son U-Picks in Limerick has been awarded second place in USA Today’s prestigious Readers’ Poll for the Best Apple Orchard in the United States — a year after being voted No. 1.

Libby’s has been a multigenerational, family-owned and -operated farm since 1999, growing fruit there since the 1950s.

“We are incredibly honored to be recognized again among the best apple orchards in the country,” said owner Aaron Libby. “This award reflects the hard work and love that our staff and family pour into our orchard every day. We are grateful to our loyal customers and look forward to welcoming new visitors to share in our passion for growing fruit and community.”

Photo / Courtesy, Libby & Son

Libby & Son U-Picks, in the western York County town of Limerick, has been a multigenerationa,l family-owned and -operated farm since 1999, growing fruit there since the 1950s.

The orchard offers various apples, including fan favorites like Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Gala, Cortland, and Macoun. In addition to picking fruit, the orchard features fresh cider donuts, fruit smoothies and fruit slushies.

This season, Libby’s will also feature a beer garden, food trucks, live music, balloon twisting, and kids' games.

From August through October, Maine’s apple orchards are ready to pick. So get all those apple recipes ready.

Many orchards like Libby’s have also turned apple picking into an event, with apple cider pressing demonstrations, hayrides, corn mazes and pumpkin harvesting.

The Friday Food Insider is working on some fun stories for the coming months. What restaurants have you waited in line for that I should try? The Mainebiz Food Insider wants to hear from you! Contact Alexis Wells at awells@mainebiz.biz.

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