Good evening from the BDN Portland office on Congress Street. Our intern had a big lunch. Then he wrote about it.
What we’re talking about
Nosh Kitchen Bar on Congress Street is known for its preposterously gluttonous entrees, including burgers with fried mac and cheese buns, churro tacos and pork belly apple pie.
When I found out it also serves a dessert burger with s’mores ingredients, I had to try it. I love s’mores, but I haven’t managed to get to the Marshmallow Cart before it packs up for the day. Plus, I’m pretty skeptical of Portland food trends.
The S’mores Burger includes Nutella, four lightly toasted marshmallows, vanilla ice cream and dulce de leche on a brioche bun dusted with Nosh’s signature bacon dust.
When it arrived at my table, I gawked at it, not knowing where to start. Someone from the table beside me told me to just press it down and go for it. So I did.
I took one bite and I felt like I needed a shower.
But it was really good. After eating nearly a whole falafel, I really wanted to hate it. It made me feel awful about myself, but it was really good.
With all the sweet flavors on the burger, I figured it couldn’t possibly be as good as it sounds. You have to eat it with a spoon, or else you’re going to be covered in ice cream and Nutella. Also, eat it fast, because it will melt.
At $9, this was a good dessert to share with another person.
Is this the best s’more in Portland? I’m still looking for you, Marshmallow Cart. — Sam Shepherd
ICYMI
Police order homeless people to clear out of camp on outskirts of Portland — The Portland Police Department is giving a group of nearly 30 homeless men, women and families until Aug. 22 to vacate a camp in the woods near the Westbrook city line, where some say they’ve been living for more than a year.
The order to vacate the encampment of stretched tarps and worn tents comes in response to a recent rash of thefts in the area, which some of the longtime homeless residents blame on a small group that recently took up residence in the tent city.
This will be the second time in the past year that a homeless camp has been cleared in Portland, and comes as the city’s shelters struggle to take in a ballooning itinerant population. A recent survey found that there are at least 115 homeless people living outdoors in the city, according to an employee of Preble Street Resource Center.
Many of the residents of the camp have been left uncertain of what comes next.
“It’s not that we want to be here,” said one. “I just don’t have anywhere else to go.”
Read the full story by Jake Bleiberg and see the video by Troy Bennett here.
If convicted, the man accused of threatening Portland police could serve time in his home country — Lawyers for Espen Brungodt, the Norwegian tourist accused of threatening to kill Portland police officers earlier this month, said today that there is a chance their client could be transferred back to Norway if he is convicted here, because of a treaty the U.S. signed with other countries in 1977, the Press Herald reported.
Settlement allows embattled Munjoy Hill condo project to proceed — A condominium project on Munjoy Hill has resumed after the developers, city and neighbors settled out of court, the Press Herald reported. The lawsuit — filed by six property owners — argued the development didn’t meet multiple standards.
The news came as neighbors of another condo proposal on The Hill questioned whether it would block views from Fort Sumner Park.
The Big Idea
A Republican mayor’s incredibly simple idea to help the homeless seems to be working — The Washington Post reports:
Seeing that sign gave Berry an idea. Instead of asking them, many of whom feel dispirited, to go out looking for work, the city could bring the work to them.
Next month will be the first anniversary of Albuquerque’s There’s a Better Way program, which hires panhandlers for day jobs beautifying the city. In partnership with a local nonprofit that serves the homeless population, a van is dispatched around the city to pick up panhandlers who are interested in working. The job pays $9 per hour, which is above minimum wage, and provides a lunch. At the end of the shift, the participants are offered overnight shelter as needed.
In less than a year since its start, the program has given out 932 jobs clearing 69,601 pounds of litter and weeds from 196 city blocks. And more than 100 people have been connected to permanent employment.
Got any interesting story ideas, suggestions or links to share? Email Dan MacLeod at dmacleod@bangordailynews.com, or tweet @dsmacleod.
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