Restaurants Celebrate French Food, Farmers

PORTLAND — This week is "La Semaine du Gout" (Taste Week) at Petite Jacqueline, echoing a national, food-education event held for the last 16 years in France. Each night through Friday, Oct. 19, the restaurant will offer a 3-course, prix-fixe menu focused on a different theme. Students who present a valid student ID will receive a 10 percent discount. [EaterWire]

PORTLAND — On Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 5 to 10 p.m., both El Rayos will celebrate the local farmers that supply the taqueria and cantina with a prix-fixe "farm dinner" for $20. The menu items will also be available ala carte. [EaterWire]

SKOWHEGAN — The family of bar manager Christen Dore has purchased the landmark Old Mill Pub, which sits on the ledges above the Kennebec River Gorge downtown. Greg Dore, Christen's father-in-law, is chairman of a group proposing a whitewater rafting park in the gorge; he, his wife Paula will be silent partners while their four sons and their wives are involved in day-to-day operations. The new management team is scheduled to re-open the pub, with the current staff, on Oct. 26. [PPH]