ROCKLAND’S PEARL — The Black Pearl, a restaurant on the Rockland Waterfront, burned down just after Christmas 2004, and for all the time since it has remained empty. Until now, that is. The restaurant re-christened The Pearl opened a few weeks ago, with a remodeled look and a revamped menu. The seafoodcentric eatery boasts a raw bar featuring oysters, ceviche, tuna tartare, and shrimp and lobster cocktails. Halibut, swordfish, scallops, lobster and steak dominate the remainder of the menu, along with a classic cioppino, scallop fritters and mussels en brodo. The Pearl is located on the public landing in downtown Rockland at 275 Main St.; it is open for lunch, dinner and cocktails. For information, call 594-9889 or visit www.thepearlrockland.com.
THREE COOKING WORKSHOPS — Its not too late to register for one of the many workshops offered by the Schoodic Arts Festival, set for Aug. 2-15 in Winter Harbor. It may seem like August is far away, but the multitudes of art, craft, music, writing and dance workshops fill up quickly. Three cooking workshops also will be offered during the course of the festival. Irene Cortese will teach a 3½-hour workshop on Mexican cooking with local ingredients, at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3; the cost is $45. Indian cuisine will be the focus of a workshop Sunday, Aug. 8, with renowned Maine chef Gunjan Gilbert; the class runs from 1 to 5 p.m. and costs $50. A workshop from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8, will focus on making Japanese sushi rolls with chef Akemi Wray; the cost is $40. The first two workshops are at the Masonic Hall in Winter Harbor; the last, at the Women’s Club. For information or to register, visit www.schoodicartsforall.org or call 963-2569.
BENEFITS BY THE COAST — Two events this week are perfect for food and wine aficionados who also want to help out area organizations. Thursday, June 17, brings Pop the Cork 2010, a daylong downtown Rockport event, benefiting Bay Chamber Concerts, now celebrating its 50th anniversary. Multiple venues will be the sites for music from performers such as the Grammy-nominated Oleta Adams, Secret Service, Grupo Esperanza and Line of Force. There will be food and wine pairings featuring Spanish tapas and a raw oyster bar created by Lani Temple of Megunticook Market in Camden. Tickets for the whole day are $75, available at www.mainewine.com.
Up the coast, Bar Harbor’s Mussel and Wine Festival is an afternoon of local mussel dishes, farm fresh produce and local wines, held to raise money for Angel Flight Northeast, a nonprofit that provides free air transportation to those who need access to medical care. The event will be held 1-5 p.m. Saturday, June 19, at the Bar Harbor Cellars Winery at 854 Route 3. The cost is $12 per person, which includes samplings of gourmet mussel dishes prepared by local chefs. For information, e-mail atwecare@angelflightne.org.
