Fair pub fare

Paddy Murphy’s, the popular downtown Bangor restaurant and pub, retooled its menu recently, thanks to new chef Stephanie Reynolds. It reflects the establishment’s Irish aesthetic even more than before, with the addition of such items as scotch eggs (eggs, ground beef and Worcestershire dipping sauce) and a pot of tea with finger sandwiches (I say, kind sir, how delightful!). For those who crave something a little more contemporary, there’s now a swordfish steak, a chicken with brie and mango sandwich, and a pulled-pork sandwich. Fear not, though – you can still get giant burgers, fried Mars Bars (yeah, you heard me), bangers ‘n’ mash and those amazing homemade chicken tenders. For more, visit

www.paddymurphysbangor.com.

Harvest health

On Wednesday, Sept. 17, Maine kids in schools across the state will get a lesson in local eating, with the annual Maine Harvest Lunch Day. Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association sponsors the yearly event, and provides districts with resources to plan a meal featuring all local ingredients. Chef Cheryl Wixson, founder of the nonprofit Cheryl Wixson’s Kitchen, an organization dedicated to promoting healthy eating and Maine foods, has 11 easy, healthful recipes for schools to use, ranging from Aroostook Wheat Berry Fruit Salad to Chicken Pot Pie with Maine Mashed Potatoes. For more, visit www.mofga.org.

The ripe stuff

It’s tomato time, folks, and what better way to celebrate the season than to attend the tomato tasting offered by the master gardener program at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension? Master gardeners will be on hand to share their freshly ripened tomatoes from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at Brae Maple Farm in Union. The gardeners will describe the properties and qualities of the numerous tomato varieties that will be available for tasting, and will demonstrate methods for saving tomato seeds. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own tomatoes and seeds, especially heirloom varieties. To reach Brae Maple, take Route 17 to Union and turn onto North Union Road; it’s the first farm on the right.

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