French connection

C’est si bon! Opus restaurant in Bangor will hold the first of two French wine dinners at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14. This dinner will focus on lighter styles of French wine, while December’s dinner will pair a game-rich menu with fuller-bodied wines. November’s dinner will start with Pemaquid Oysters with Remoulade, followed by Skate Wing a la Meuniere, a Lemon-Thyme Granita, Coq au Vin Blanc with Brioche Hearts and Celeriac, Steak Tartare with Pommes Frites and Truffled Aioli, and a Tarte Tatin. The dinner costs $65 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations or information, call 945-5100.

Roman holiday

There’s no place like Rome for the holidays. But if you’re staying a little closer to home, the Brooklin Inn’s wine dinner might just inspire you to add a little Italian flair to your holiday fare. Mary Bridges of Winebow will present “Italian Holiday Wines Meet a Downeast Menu” at 6:30 tonight. The four-course menu includes Local Oysters on the Half Shell and Clams Casino paired with a 2004 Agricolas Vermentino; Butternut Squash Soup with Cr?me Fraiche paired with 2003 Zanotto Lugana, a dry Sicilian white; Sliced Roast Duckling or Yankee Pot Roast paired with a 2002 Maccario Barbera d’Asti; a lightly dressed salad of Four Seasons Farm Baby Greens paired with NV Zardetto Prosecco; and a Double Chocolate Baby Cake paired with a 2003 Maculan Dindarello. Dinner costs $50 per person plus tax and gratuity. For information or reservations, call 359-2777.

Caf? touche

Last week’s article about Maine coffee roasters omitted a reader favorite: Portland Roasters. An anonymous reader writes, “If you have never tried their coffee, you are truly missing out.” So if you’re in southern Maine anytime soon, stop by the shop at 111 Commercial St. in Portland and give it a try.

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.