Hey Friends,
If you haven't heard yet, we have a new website you must check out for all the latest Giacomo news...www.giacomosbangor.com. Please note this site is a work in progress and is still under re-design. For now, however, you'll find lots of important news regarding special promotions, live music schedule, catering services and more. Stop in soon, we love to make new friends and visit with old friends!
Our remodeling project is going well. The excitement is building as we continue to work on our concept change. Although, I can't reveal too much at this point I can say the "new and improved" Giacomo's is all about providing delicious, exciting foods in a fun and friendly environment. Stay tuned!!
The story below appeared yesterday in the Bangor Daily News. I've said it before and will continue to say it...the revitalization of our downtown district will occur only through the efforts of the private sector not the public! Don't think City Hall will make it happen 'cause they've never been able to before! I'm talking average citizens who live and work in the neighborhood who see an opportunity and run with it -- they are making the difference! Way to go, Gibran!
"It’s 8:30 a.m. on a weekday, somewhere in Greater Bangor. You’re on your way to work, or maybe already at the office, at your computer. Suddenly your BlackBerry goes off, your e-mail dings, or a little red flag appears on your Facebook home page. Gasp! It’s Lunch Mob day! Sound the alarm! Grab your wallets! We’re going out for lunch!
That’s the hoped-for reaction among those who have signed up for Facebook, Twitter and e-mail updates, announcing the weekly location for Bangor Lunch Mob. The Mob, brainchild of local event planner Gibran Graham (he of BangPop and SnowCon fame), designates a downtown Bangor eatery each week as the place for people to congregate, associate and grab some grub during lunch hours.
Graham, who works at the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau, got the idea for the Bangor Lunch Mob in mid-February, after one of his favorite local businesses shuttered its doors.
“I discovered while walking to work that Giacomo’s was closed. My heart just sunk. I was like, ‘What is happening to our downtown?’” said Graham, who was pleased to learn several weeks later that Giacomo’s will, in fact, reopen this May. “All day at meetings I was telling people, ‘Did you know Giacomo’s closed?’ They were all so disappointed. It’s scary when the economy is so weak and people are reeling it in.”
Ever the schemer, Graham slept on it that night.
“I woke the next morning with the idea of, ‘What if we do something like those flash mobs, just with lunch?’ You know, where people get an e-mail or text saying meet here at this time on this day and do this?” he said. “And that’s how Lunch Mob was born. We don’t announce it until that day, we send it out on Facebook and Twitter, and it just creates its own buzz.”
Generally speaking, the Mob gathers between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on a given day. Thus far, Mob targets have included the reopened Central Street Cafe, Epi Sub and Pizza on Main Street, Taste of India, also on Main Street, and Bagel Central this past Monday.
The Facebook group has reached more than 500 members, including Kate and Scott Cuddy, a Hermon couple. The Cuddys, parents to 1-year-old Ellie, are thankful for organizers such as Graham and local music promoter Myke Billings, along with groups such as River City Cinema, for keeping downtown vibrant.
“We try to do downtown stuff as much as possible,” said Scott Cuddy, who works at United Electrical Systems. “With a 1-year-old, we don’t get to go out as much. Things like this make it easier to support downtown and be sociable.”
“It kind of does what Fusion [the group sponsored by the Bangor Chamber of Commerce] does, which is an informal kind of networking,” said Kate Cuddy, a graduate student in spatial information science at the University of Maine. “And who can argue with food? You’ve always got lunch, whether you’re at work or not.”
Matthew and Rachel Pulley of Bangor, a chiropractor and high school foreign language teacher, respectively, were already voracious downtown restaurant supporters. With the advent of the Lunch Mob, the couple has even more reason to eat local.
“We really prefer eating downtown, at local restaurants,” said Matthew Pulley. “You get to know the staff and build rapport. The food is so much fresher and not really any more expensive than a big chain restaurant. I like to know who made my food. I can’t stand big, corporate, boring restaurants.”
The Pulleys are also fans of the diversity of food in downtown Bangor. For a city of just more than 30,000 people, the wealth of ethnic dining choices is surprising for those who don’t live here.
“I’m always amazed by the diversity of ethnic food in this area. How many cities our size have Indian, Thai, Chinese, Italian, Japanese and Pakistani, all within a few blocks of one another?” said Rachel Pulley, who eats at the Whig & Courier Pub and Panda Garden on a weekly basis with her husband. “Plus, there’s all the pub grub and bakeries and sandwich shops. We walk from our house on French Street and we have really wonderful choices.
Tess Keeran of Bangor, a realtor with Adams Real Estate, enjoys Bangor Lunch Mob not only for the opportunity to eat locally, but also the social networking options it brings.
“I got a message this morning that said, ‘It’s Lunch Mob day,’ and I invited my friend Michelle out,” said Keeran. “We haven’t eaten lunch together in probably 20 years, and we probably wouldn’t have without Lunch Mob.”
Bangor Lunch Mob says volumes about the impact Web sites such as Facebook and Twitter have had on the way we connect to other people and the way we hear about what’s happening in our communities.
“I hear about tons of stuff through Facebook,” said Kate Cuddy. “The ability for someone to invite a mass amount of people to an event is amazing. You look for it there. It’s really contributed to the scene downtown.”
“Facebook has really improved the way that I connect with people, both personally and professionally,” said Keeran. “I connect with clients on it. I connect with old friends. I wouldn’t know about half the things that happen around here without it.”
Even if Mobbers can’t set aside the time to sit down and eat lunch, they can always order take-out for themselves or several people in their workplace, or even just stop in for coffee or a soda.
“I ordered food at Bagel Central, and the woman next to me was buying a bottle of water,” said Graham. “She leaned over to me and said, ‘You’re the only reason I’m here today.’ She just came in to buy a bottle of water. I thought that was pretty amazing.”
In Graham’s view, Bangor Lunch Mob is as much about creating community as it is about supporting the local economy. His goal with the project is simply to improve life for people who live and work in Bangor — and to eat some seriously tasty food while they’re at it.
“I think of it as kind of a rally. It’s a community project,” said Graham. “I have no stake in it, aside from the fact that I live in this community and I want to help it. I don’t get a free lunch. I wouldn’t want to either. If we don’t see any more eateries downtown close, then I will give myself a half-pat on the back, and hope I had something to do with it.”
The Bangor Lunch Mob Twitter Feed is http://twitter.com/bangorlunchmob, and the Facebook group can be found by searching for "Bangor Lunch Mob."
Last week, my cousin Silvia in Abruzzo face-booked me the gift of a "mimosa". At the time, I was thinking "Great, I could really use a drink (albeit virtual)!" But then it hit me, it wasn't that kind of mimosa, idiota! It's March, afterall and in Italy that means the return of the bright yellow flowers of the Mimosa tree, also the symbol of La Festa della Donna (Woman's Day). In fact, one of my favorite memories of living in Florence was passing under the Mimosa tree on my way to class at the Universita' di Firenze. The tree was literally inches from the doorway and one couldn't help but walk practically under it to get into the building. It was so strikingly beautiful I always tried to stop and breathe it in. As I look at the picture up above I just love the way it reminds me of new beginnings and the passage of time from the cold dead of winter to the warmth and light of spring.
Speaking of new beginnings, I can't tell you how excited I am about the future of Giacomo's. When Stephen and I started our little "Italian" food experiment in 2008 we had no idea where it would take us or how we would get there. We've come so far in so little time and we're still amazed by the number of customers that have thrown their collective arms around us.
Although, the store is currently closed for renovations, I've kept myself busy by working on several projects including the new sandwich menu. Our new menu will include many of our popular signature sandwiches like the Malafemmina and Vegetable Antipasto as well as some fabulous new additions made with some of my favorites like proscuitto and sopressata. We're increasing our vegetarian options too!
Giacomo's is looking really nice on the inside. It's almost completely sheetrocked now which brightens an already light space even more. The best part of the renovation is the addition of about 20 seats which will all be placed along several very large windows. Every seat in the house will now be a window seat which is not really typical in downtown Bangor! We'll that's all for now, folks! More soon....A presto...
My heart is so full of gratitude and love right now for the many customers, employees and friends that sent their good thoughts and wishes our way. One of those customers is John Rohman, CEO of WBRG Architects, former mayor of Bangor and the man responsible for bringing the Folk Festival to town. John came to visit me last Wednesday and offered to help in any way he could with our issues with the City of Bangor. By Thursday, those issues (that had forced us to close) were resolved! We are now back on track with our remodeling project and fully expect to reopen in the Spring. We anticipate a closure of about 2 months.
Thank you, John! And thank you to everyone that has supported us along the way! Ciao for now!
The staff of Giacomo's Groceria regretfully announces that, as of Sat. Feb. 21, 2009 Giacomo's has closed and will not reopen. Several majors set-backs related to the remodeling of our store, as well as some personal factors have forced us to make this very difficult decision.
Giacomo's was a success and we are extremely proud of our accomplishments. To our many loyal customers, we will miss you more than you know and we thank you for your patronage.
If you are holding a gift certificate to Giacomo's we will happily refund you for it. Please send your certificate to the following address by May 1, 2009: Milva Smith, c/o Smith Law Offices, 9 Central St., Bangor, ME 04401. Please note: Gift certificates received after May 1st will not be eligible for a refund.
Did you know that Casanova's first name was Giacomo? Yes, it's true. I didn't know either! Good thing we've come up with some extra-special offerings for St. Valentine's Day! Here's what you'll find if you stop in this week:
1. Zardetto Prosecco: Fun, fruity and flavorful! Available in full & half bottles -- great with a variety of different foods. Pair them with a box of Perugina Baci and your honey will be impressed by your worldly sophistication.
2. Specialty Sweets chocolate truffles: These decadent handmade creations are made locally right here in Bangor, Maine. You'll find four delicious flavors at Giacomo's - tiramisu, champage, raspberry cream, and cappuccino. A beautifully decorated box of two is just $1.75. As one satisfied customer has recently said: "Specialty Sweets has taught me to love again."
3. Nutella Cupcakes: Who won't just love love love to receive a moist delicious chocolate cupcake covered in nutella frosting and sprinkled with little hearts from their sweetheart? That's true love in my book!
4. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Latte: All this week, we're offering this yummy V-day treat featuring Torani white chocolate sauce, Torani strawberry syrup, lowfat milk and 2 shots of Lavazza espresso. Only $4 for 16oz.size.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FROM GIACOMO'S!
How much time do you spend with your friends and family just lingering around a table after a good meal, drinking wine, reminiscing about the ol' days and laughing about the 'new' days? If you're anything like me - not nearly enough! But I want to change that this year.
I had this "Aha" moment recently at Cathy & Bruce's when the discussion turned to Cathy's parents and how much they loved to entertain when she was growing up. During their many dinner parties Cathy's father would take a photograph of the group as a way to remember the moment. Cathy remembers albums and albums full of pictures of their family friends sitting around the diningroom table smiling, laughing, and having fun.
What great memories must have been born from those moments! I too was lucky enough to grow up in a family that valued spending time with their amici. During the week, we were a busy family like any other but on the weekends there was always some occasion that brought us together with our friends, mostly other Italian families. Full of plenty of delicious food and homemade wine, the adults laughed and joked and teased one another in a unique mix of dialects that only they could understand!
As I turn the corner on my 30's I'm realizing just how important it is to spend time with others, enjoying the simple things in life, as they say, like good conversation and a few belly laughs. In today's busy, fast-paced "no time to talk" world, isn't it nice to know that for no more than the price of a good bottle of wine and a pound of pasta you can have a evening that's priceless.
Nothing says Natale to an Italian family more than the annual appearance of Panettone. A delicious, sweet bread studded with raisins and citron and a hint of vanilla, it is traditionally served after the Christmas meal along with a glass of dessert wine (we highly recommend 2006 Maculan Dindarello Veneto Moscato, $21.99). At Giacomo's we're pleased to offer two amazing versions from the Abruzzo region by Rustichella d'Abruzzo, already well-known throughout the globe for their artisanal pastas. Their cherry panettone, elegantly presented in red holiday wrap is one of the best panettones I've ever had, here or in Italy! Delicious black cherries are studded throughout this new twist on a classic holiday cake. A wonderful addition to your holiday feast this year.($27)
Sandwiches
Monday - Prosciutto, Provolone and Marinated Vegetables on a Fresh Baked Baguette
Tuesday - Homemade Tuna Salad Wrap with Lettuce, Tomato and Red Onion
Wednesday – Fresh Mozzarella, Tomato and Fresh Basil Grilled Panini on Peasant Bread
Thursday - Closed - Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday - Hot Pastrami on Rye with Lettuce, Tomato and Red Onion
Soups, Bisques, and Chowders
Monday - Vegetarian Tomato Basil
Tuesday - French Onion
Wednesday - Vegetarian Butternut Squash
Thursday - Closed - Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday - Chicken Noodle
Specialty Beverages Monday - Warm Apple Cider Tuesday - Chai Latte Wednesday - Pumpkin Spice Latte Thursday - Closed - Happy Thanksgiving! Friday - Peppermint Hot Chocolate Have you visited our “Grab & Go” section? Fresh salads, sandwiches, soup, pasta and more!
Fresh off the runaways of Milan and Paris...Giacomo's T-shirts!! Terrific gifts for anyone who appreciates great food including yourself! These 100% cotton tees are only $15 and are available in S, M, L, XL, XXL.
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Sandwich Specials
Monday - The "PLT" - our version of the classic - Imported pancetta, lettuce and tomato with mayo on rye bread
Tuesday - Giacomo's Garden Salad and Soup
Wednesday - Prosciutto, brie, and roasted red peppers on a baguette with lettuce, tomato, and red onion
Thursday - Tuna salad or homemade hummus wrap with lettuce, tomato and red onion
Friday - Caprese with homemade pesto on rosemary focaccia bread
Espresso Specials
Monday - Mayan Mocha Latte
Tuesday - Cinnamon Roll Latte
Wednesday - Caramello Latte
Thursday - Pumpkin Spice Latte
Friday - White Chocolate Latte
Soup Specials
Monday - Sicilian Lentil with pancetta crisps
Tuesday - Pumpkin Bisque (vegetarian)
Wednesday - Wild Mushroom Bisque (vegetarian)
Thursday - Chicken Stellete
Friday - Tomato Basil (vegetarian)
Ciao ragazzi! Check out this funny little video! If you are Italian or have ever visited or even lived in Italy you will totally relate!
All my life, I've been exposed to sandwiches that my American friends like to call "Italian" sandwiches. " A Real Italian" as Amato's Sandwich Shops like to say. I know that kind of "Italian" sub...my Dad owned an Amato's on Forest Ave. in Portland, Maine for over 28 years. If you've never had one then let me describe it. First you start with a footlong roll, white bread and super soft. (Wonder bread, if you ask my husband) Then you layer it with boiled ham, american cheese, yellow onions, sour pickles, tomatoes, black olives, and drizzle with a very light olive/vegetable oil. That's what they call a real Italian. Okay, I have to admit I craved them often when pregnant with my sons but honestly folks that is NOT a real italian sandwich.
And that is NOT the kind of sandwich we make at Giacomo's. Let's just put it this way: the last time my parents were visiting me in Bangor, I brought them over to the store for lunch and made them each a sandwich of sopressata and provolone topped with roasted red peppers and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil all on a crusty french baguette. My mother looks at me and says: "Did you make this sandwich special for us?" "No mom," I say, "This is the kind of sandwich I make for everyone." You see, in my house growing up we had this saying: The sandwiches your father makes at the store (Amato's) those are for the Americans. At home we eat a different kind of 'panino.' Our sandwiches consisted of fine imported meats like mortadella, proscuitto, sopressata, capicola etc. and delicious cheeses like aged provolone and asiago on crusty breads. And we'd always drizzle the bread with extra vigin olive oil.
I'm telling you this little story because I hear my customers say "Your Italian sandwiches are so different." That's because we make sandwiches the way Italians make sandwiches, great meats, great cheeses and the best breads. So folks, if you are looking for a sandwich like the kind they've eat throughout Italy then try Giacomo's. Of course, we offer lots and lots of American favorites too like roastbeef, pastrami, and turkey but only at Giacomo's can you get the best of both worlds, the old world and the new world!
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We're often asked if Giacomo's caters so I'm here to shout a really loud "si"...we cater! We cater events big and small and every size in between. And no matter what size the catering job (we've made a platter of delicious imported meats and cheeses for a client to impress a girl on their first date) our goal is to make it memorable.
I'd love to share with you one of our finest catering moments which happened just this past weekend. We catered a fabulous event for 75 people at our client's very elegant private residence. It was a fantastic evening of delici
ous food and wines featuring a handsome 15 foot international Grand Buffet which included a variety of imported cheeses (piave, cotswold, drunken goat, smoked mozzarella, gorgonzola, manchego, taleggio, aged asiago, humboldt), meats (finocchiona, soppressata, abrusseze, pannini rolls, salumetti), pate (2 varieties), fresh fruits and vegetables, baguette slices, crackers and breadstickseverything from wheels of piave vecchio, asiago, gorgonzola dolce, sopressata, finocchina salami as well as marinated vegetables and stuffed sweet peppers.
In addition, our waitstaff passed several appetizers including sundried tomato pesto crostini with smoked mozzarella, artichoke brushetta crostini with pancetta, tuscan olive pesto crostini with roasted red pepper, caprese skewers (grape tomatoes, marinated cow's milk mozzarella marinated in olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and basil), whipped gorgonzola and caper croustades (little pastry cups) with glazed walnuts, smoked salmon and cream cheese canapes on pumpernickel squares with red onion and cucumber "salsa", beggar's purses of proscuitto and honeydew melon with a chive tie, and the grand finale was our very own signature cannoli dusted with sugar. 
For me, it was a dream event and a chance to really show off our stuff!
I have to say, my favorite part of catering an event such as this is watching the expression on my client's face when they realize just how much we've exceded their expections. That feels molto buono amici, it really does!
Here's a shot of our crew that worked that event. From left to right (Backrow)...
Me (Milva, William,Josh, Rachel, Rocco, Wendy, and Annalisa (Front row) Amy and Kara.
Thanks guys for another great event!
