Category: Openings

Gingko Blue, a new jazz/blues bar, opened for business this afternoon. The Tony Boffa Quartet is scheduled to start playing at 8:30.

The bar is run by Cheryl and Jeff Buerhaus, the couple who own and operate Walter’s.

Deux Cochon opened for business earlier this week. They’re located on the 2nd floor of the Public Market House and have taken the place of Peanut Butter & Jelly Time.

A Cambodian restaurant named Apsara has opened on Cumberland Ave.

Gogi is now open for business. The menu is a mash-up of Latin American and Asian food such as Shiitake Mushroom Tacos, Kimchi Fried Rice and Scallop Ceviche. Prices range from $2.50 for the Tofu Taco to $8 for the Crabmeat Quesadilla. Gogi is owned by Ian Farnsworth who also runs Slainte.

China Taste, Portland’s newest Chinese restaurant, is now open for business. They’re located out on Washington Ave a few blocks short of the intersection with Allen Avenue.

Dobra Tea is scheduled to open at noon on Friday. The tea house is located in the same building on Middle Street as Anthony’s, Bull Moose and Videoport.

It’s in the retail space that was last occupied by Maple’s Organics.

 

Top Thai opened for business on Monday. Portland’s newest Thai restaurant is located at 267 Saint John Street which is the former location of the Saeng Thai House.

Petite Jacqueline is now open for business in Longfellow Square. The French bistro is the creation of Steve and Michelle Corry, the owners of Five Fifty-Five. Petite Jacqueline is reportedly named for Michelle Corry’s French grandmother.

On opening night they’re serving a limited 3-course Maine Restaurant Week menu with a handful of options for appetizers, entrees and desserts. (Note: a sample menu is now on the restaurant’s website)

For additional reporting see the Maine Travel Maven and The Golden Dish.

After several months in limbo, Little Lad’s reopened last Wednesday.

Last July, a Facebook follower wondered what it would take for Little Lad’s Bakery and Cafe at 482 Congress St. to reopen.

The answer, it turns out, was Steve Jordan and Renee Keele. The couple reopened the popular vegan cafe near Monument Square last Wednesday, after months when the business sat idle while the restaurant owner paid rent on the site.

Today’s Press Herald includes a report on the opening day of Red’s Dairy Freeze in South Portland. Red’s was originally opened in 1952 by Leonard “Red” Bolling as a Tastee Freeze franchise and in 1965 he went independent and changed the name to Red’s Dairy Freeze. The business has been offline since last May when a fire severely damaged the building.

First in line at the walk-up window was South Portland firefighter Chris Swenson. On the morning of the fire, he and firefighter Josh Perry broke in the back door of Red’s and entered the hot, dark and smoky space.

On Friday, Swenson ordered a triple-chocolate Boston, one of Red’s signature shakes topped with ice cream and sauce.

The Forecaster reports that Red’s Dairy Freeze will reopen soon.

Laura Bolling, the owner’s daughter, is coy about a specific date. Rather than dishing out the information, Bolling this week offered nuggets, like the little pieces of candy in Red’s’ tasty Nor’easters.

The countdown can be measured in days, not weeks, she said. And, the total number of days is less than seven.

…and according to an article in the Friday Press Herald, Red’s will open at noon today.

The family that owns Red’s Dairy Freeze confirmed late Thursday night that it will begin serving soft-serve ice cream at noon today.