The Twin City of Bushmills competition runs through March 17 at midnight. That gives all of us plenty of time to vote for Portlsand -- many many times... there's no limit to how many times we vote. This timing also gives us time to visit the restaurants included below. Each has, in some creative way, integrated Bushhmills Irish Whiskey into their menus. The Bushmills Irish Whiskey menu items are being specially created to remind guests dining at the restaurants to “Vote Portland, Make History.” They're serving up Bushmills to draw attention to the competition and support Southern Maine Share Our Strength.

Here are the featured Bushmills Irish Whiskey menu items

BACK BAY GRILL (65 Portland St.)
"Bushmills Blood Orange Champagne Cocktail" -- Bushmills Irish Whiskey with blood orange juice, a sugar cube, and blood orange bitters

"Warm Vanilla Waffle” served with orange zest ice cream and Bushmills caramel sauce

BRESCA (111 Middle St.)
“Bushmills Maple Marscarpone Cheesecake” with roasted grapes and toasted walnut shortbread crust

CINQUE TERRE (36 Wharf St.)
"Blood and Sand" (Cocktail) -- Bushmills Irish Whiskey, orange juice, sweet vermouth, and cherry liqueur

EVE'S AT THE GARDEN (468 Fore St.)
"Bushmills Brisket" -- Beef brisket braised in Bushmills Irish Whiskey, wrapped in a cabbage leaf, caramelized onions and fried potato cake

FORE STREET (288 Fore St.)
"Warm Orange and Chocolate Bushmills Irish Whiskey Bread Pudding" with cardamom and vanilla bean creme anglaise and Bushmills Irish Whiskey ice crea

HUGO'S (88 Middle St.)
"Heritage Pork Loin and Bushmills Irish Whiskey Glazed Pork Belly" with raisin chutney, caramelized bread pudding, and grainy mustard emulsion

WHY THESE CHEFS
The chefs of Back Bay Grill, Bresca, Cinque Terre, Eve’s at the Garden, Fore Street and Hugo’s are supporters of Southern Maine Share Our Strength; they prepare our annual “Taste of the Nation” fundraising wine dinner.

Vote Portland, Make History http://www.bushmills400years.com

ABOUT THE TWIN CITY COMPETITION
Chef Jeff Landry, executive chef of Eve’s at the Garden Restaurant submitted Portland’s application to become Bushmills’ “Twin City.” The application was endorsed by Portland Mayor, Ed Suslovic. Applicants were reviewed by representatives of Bushmills Irish Whiskey, including Master Distiller, Gordon Donoghue. Gordon visited Portland all day Friday. He left Portland thoroughly impressed with our passion for winning this competition. (He also experienced Boston, MA and Louisville, KY last week... he didn't have much to say about their passion.)

If Portland wins the “Twin City” title, Southern Maine Share our Strength will receive $20,000 and the city of Portland will receive $20,000 to support responsible drinking programming. The city receiving the most online votes through March 17, 2008 will be the winner. Vote for Portland at: www.bushmills400years.com (you must be of legal drinking age to participate).