Punchy lunch

If you’re sick of your sandwiches getting smooshed in your lunch bag, try one of these stylish and cheap lunch boxes from the Pearl River Market in New York City. The stainless-steel boxes come in two sizes: 5 by 61/2 inches for $3.95 or 51/2 inches by 7 1/2 inches for $4.95. To order, visit www.pearlriver.com, and be sure to check out the other goodies, such as the bamboo rice steamers and chopstick sets.

Clam-tastic

Chowder heads unite! If your restaurant serves up a bowl of outstanding chowder – clam or otherwise – enter it into the 22nd annual Schweppes Great Chowder Cook-Off. This year’s competition will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at the Newport Yachting Center in Newport, R.I. The event draws chefs from around the country, and this year it will include its first international contender, Outerbridges Sherry Peppers Seafood Chowder from Bermuda. For information or an entry form, visit www.chowdercookoff.com.

The “Dog” days of spring

The much-anticipated reopening of the Sea Dog has arrived. The restaurant on Bangor’s waterfront will open at 4 today and Thursday for dinner only. Starting Friday, the Sea Dog will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. The restaurant will feature a renovated interior and revamped menu. For information, call 947-8004.

Tidbits is hungry for news about local food products and events. Send your Tidbits by mail to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.