Deux Cochon announced today that “[d]ue to an unforseen change of wind direction, Deux Cochon has unfortunately been put on immediate kibosh.”
Category: Closings
Tranchmontagne’s Closed
The American Journal has published a report on the closing of Tranchemontagne’s in Westbrook. (via the Westbrook Diarist)
“We’ve been doing a lot of off-site catering,” said Richardson. “This business has been growing so fast that we just wanted to focus our attention on one thing. With Andre’s band getting signed, something had to give a little.”
Ricetta’s Closing in SoPo
According to a report from the Press Herald, Ricetta’s will be closing their pizzeria in South Portland.
The Western Avenue location’s last day of operation is Sunday. The company cited the rising cost of fuel and operating costs and shrinking revenues in the restaurant industry as factors. The company’s Falmouth location remains open.
Henry VIII in Monument Square Closing
After 7 years in Monument Square, Henry VIII’s will be going out of business at “the end of the month”.
Owner Alice Olcott told the Press Herald that,
while they had a loyal customer base, it just wasn’t big enough. She said business is off 20 percent from last year and food prices have gone up.
“We are just not covering our expenses,” said Olcott.
Under Construction: Zapoteca & Old Port Siano’s
Mainebiz reports that Siano’s Old Port location has closed and is making way for Zapoteca, a new Mexican restaurant that, according to the article, “will be competing with upper-level Portland restaurants such as Havana South, Fore Street and Street and Co.”
Shannon Bard trained at the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio, Texas, which specializes in Latin American cooking, and will be the restaurant’s head chef. Possible entrees include Red Snapper Veracruz with a tomato, green olive, cilantro and lemon sauce; carne asada with an anchovy-chili sauce; and stuffed, baked jalapenos. The restaurant’s salsa and mole sauce will be homemade, and the bar will serve 70 to 80 tequilas and fresh-squeezed juices, Tom [Bard] says.
Urban General Store
The Urban General Store on Congress Street has gone out of business. The store was owned by Norm Jabar who also operates Norm’s Bar & Grill and the Downtown Lounge. Norm’s East End Grill on Middle Street closed last Fall.
Closing of Terroni’s, Burger Chains in the Old Port
Today’s Press Herald includes a pair of front page stories on “food-service transitions”. The first article is on the closing of Terroni’s Market on Park Ave—today is its last day. Terroni’s was opened by Florence Terroni in 1949.
And as regulars dropped in for lunch and said their goodbyes, it was an emotional time.
“Don’t get me crying again,” [44-year employee Sheila] Cunningham said while reminiscing about her years at Terroni’s.
The second article is on the increased interest of chain restaurants in Portland and the plans two burger chains that have plans to open in the Old Port.
“They are looking for niche markets that they wouldn’t have touched a few years ago, (when) they had bigger fish to fry,” said Dick Grotton, president and CEO of the Maine Restaurant Association.
This spring, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, a nationwide chain based in Lorton, Va., will open in the Old Port, in a 2,900-square-foot space at 425 Fore St.
Another Virginia-based burger chain, Arlington’s Elevation Burger, plans to open three Maine locations, including one in the Portland area this year, said spokesman James Stewart.
Mousse, Liban Market and Chinese
Here are few food news updates:
- Mousse Cafe closed up shop for the last time on Saturday ending a run that started 2 years ago in August 2008.
- Liban Market, an African market on Washington Ave, has been added to the food map.
- A new Chinese restaurant is under construction on Washington Ave at the location formerly occupied by Litza’s.
Norm's East End Closing
I’ve heard from a couple readers that Norm’s East End Grill is closing down. A call to the restaurant confirmed that this is their last night.
Norm’s East End Closing
I’ve heard from a couple readers that Norm’s East End Grill is closing down. A call to the restaurant confirmed that this is their last night.