Pho real

Christine Chou, owner of four Chinese restaurants in the area, has made it her mission to bring fresh, authentic Asian cuisine to the people of Bangor. Now she’s serving pho, the traditional Vietnamese noodle soup, at House of Hunan on Wilson Street in Brewer. Featuring beef, chicken, shrimp or vegetables, it’s a healthful yet satisfying option for lunch or dinner – and at $7.99 for a big bowl, it’s also a healthful yet satisfying steal. Back in Bangor, Chou features dim sum at Chopsticks, located on Center Street. Like a cross between a brunch buffet and tapas, dim sum is small plates of dumplings, rolls, meats and vegetables, accompanied by good, strong tea. Chopsticks serves dim sum from noon to 4 p.m. every Sunday. For more information, call House of Hunan at 989-1128, and Chopsticks at 262-2170.

Tuscan treats

Though they couldn’t be more different geographically, the hills of Tuscany and the coast of Maine make a perfect pairing, culinarily speaking. The Edge Oceanfront Dining, off Route 1 in Lincolnville, offers a Tuscan-themed wine dinner on Saturday, April 26, featuring the talents of Edge head chef Bryan Dame, with the owner of culinary adventure tour company Ecco La Cucina and guest chef Gina Stipo, and Michael Burke of Vias Wine Imports. Stipo lives outside of Siena, Italy, where she has studied authentic Tuscan cuisine for the past eight years. She started Ecco La Cucina as a way to share her knowledge and love of the unique food of the region. She has written three cookbooks, which she will sign at the Owl and Turtle Bookshop in Camden from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 25. Saturday’s wine dinner features five courses, each with locally grown and harvested ingredients. Four Tuscan wines will be offered. Tickets to this event are $80 plus gratuity; to reserve a spot, call the Edge at 236-4430.

Holiday wine

In celebration of Passover, Bangor Wine & Cheese is offering several new kosher wines, including Baron Herzog from California, Recanati and Barken Estate from Israel, a Spanish tempranillo, a Moscato d’Asti by Rashi from Italy, and Goose Bay from New Zealand. The next wine tasting is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 17, and will feature all Spanish wines, starting with a Cava and ending with a 1927 Pedro Ximenez sherry. And while you’re in the neighborhood, it might behoove you to enjoy a meal at Caf? Nouveau, now featuring chef Chris Converse. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and rumors abound that the tuna burrito is astoundingly delicious. Dinner hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call 942-3338 for Bangor Wine and Cheese, and 942-3336 for Caf? Nouveau.

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