Category: Under Construction

A new wine bar called Vinbar is now under development at 3 Deering Ave in the space vacated by Tawakal Store in Bramhall Square.

co-owners Colleen Callahan, David Levi and Robert Swain intend to serve a line-up of natural wines accompanied by “food items that are thoughtfully made, and do so at an accessible price point.” They plan to serve breakfast and lunch and anticipate their customers will come from the surrounding neighborhood as well as Maine Med and staff from other nearby businesses.

The draft menu (page 63) supplied with Vinbar’s liquor license application includes items like buckwheat galettes, smoked fish pate as well as grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers and fish chowder. They plan to be open 7 days a week.

David Levi is the chef/owner of Vinland.

Vinbar is the second natural wine bar project that’s been announced. Last month, Maine & Loire made public there plans to launch Drifter’s Wife on Wahington Ave.

Lee Farrington is planning to renovate 249 Congress Street, the home of her former restaurant Figa, where she and her wife plan to open a new restaurant called LB Kitchen(instagram). They hope to open LB Kitchen sometime early next year.

The restaurant is billed as “a modern cafe”, but specific details on concept, menu, etc are at present still tbd. It’s great to hear that Farrington will be running another restaurant and that the former Figa location is going back into productive use.

 

The Forecaster has published an article about Foulmouthed Brewing(twitter, instagram) which is under development in South Portland.

A Portland couple unveiled plans this week for the first brewery in Knightville, and only the second in the city. 

Pending approval from the Planning Board, which is scheduled to hold its first hearing on the proposal Tuesday, Oct. 13, Craig and Julia Dilger’s Foulmouthed Brewing will open in a building that was once an auto garage at the corner of Ocean and A streets. 

Julia and Craig Dilger are holding a casual meet and greet this evening at CIA Cafe to talk about the new brewpub they have under development in the Knightsville neighborhood of South Portland.

The business is called Foulmouthed Brewery(twitter, instagram). It’s located at 15 Ocean Street and they hope to open in June.

Empire Chinese Kitchen co-owner Todd Bernard and Otto Pizza co-owner Mike Keon have formed a company. Bernard tells me that they have ideas for a “couple bar and restaurant concepts” and are at the very early stages on their first project.

More details will become available in the next couple months.

Farm Truck Juice(facebook, website, twitter, instagram) has leased a retail space at the corner of Brackett and Pine Streets next to Rosemont Market.

The juice bar will serve “fresh pressed juices made from organic, locally sourced ingredients”. Additionally, the cooperatively run business promises,

FTJ customers will be aware of exactly how and where the ingredients are being sourced as well as how and where their dollars are being spent…We strive for excellence while maintaining our values. We will not only be offering a healthy product, but by doing so, we will play an active role in the stewardship of our growing community.

Update: Restaurateur Walter Loeman who founded Walter’s, Perfetto’s, Mazza, Cotton Street Cantina and several other restaurants is part of the cooperative team launching Farm Truck Juice.

The Golden Dish has posted a report on the Roustabout pop-up that took place earlier this week at Piccolo.

This was a collaborative dinner with super-star chef Damian Sansonetti and wife and pastry chef Ilma Lopez giving a ”helping hand” in their kitchen where Roustabout co-owners Kit Paschal (drinks manager) and Anders Tallberg (chef) put on a fabulous show. In fact it’s one of the best meals I’ve had since the opening nights (and repeated visits) to Evo, Tempo Dulu and Union— the new one-percenters of Portland’s signature restaurants.

Roustabout(twitter, instagram, facebook, website) is under construction at 59 Washington Ave. It’s expected to open later this year.

A new 5,000 square foot distillery called Stroudwater Spirits is under development at Thompson’s Point, according to reports from the Bangor Daily News and Press Herald. The distillery plans to produce “small-batch bourbon, vodka, and gin” and also “host tastings and private events” at the facility when they open in early summer next year.

“This location is a great fit for us because it puts us in a location that will surely become a destination for people who love craft spirits, wines, and beers,” said Jeff Johnson, a founding partner of Stroudwater Spirits. “We are looking forward to opening our doors and getting down to distilling.”