In’finiti→Liquid Riot Bottling Co.

liquidriot

Owners Eric and Julie Michaud have announced plans to rename and reconcept In’finiti as the Liquid Riot Bottling Company (facebook, instagram, twitter).

Part of the new identity of Liquid Riot is the “tasting room.” The raised dining area of In’finiti has been removed in order to open up the space and bring the room together on one level. Instead of a “restaurant” which typically has a focus on food, we now have a “tasting room” where one can focus on the taste of our cocktails made from our house-made spirits and the taste of our beer brewed on premise. To accompany these offerings we will have tasty, fresh food prepared in our kitchen. You can still get a full meal or just apps and snacks, just as you can still get an array of intoxicatingly delicious liquids. Our products are not changing, just the name, a little bit of the layout, and the idea of what that space provides.

The Michauds are just completing a renovation of the space at 250 Commercial Street and plan to re-open the business today at 3pm.

Under Construction: Japanese Food Truck

According to Eating Portland Alive, chef Austin Miller will be launching a new food truck this Spring.

Chef Austin Miller of East Ender fame is taking to the streets this April with a food truck that will feature Japanese-inspired fare. He will be sourcing ingredients from local farms & fishermen to whip up okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, yakitori-style items, yakisoba, as well as a hot dog with a Japanese twist.

Under Construction: Brew Pub, Scales, Trouble, Figgy’s

29 Wharf Street, the former location of Dancing Elephant II, has been leased where business owner Richard Binet is planning to open a brew pub. The name of business is Portland Mash Tun, LLC.

As expected, the seafood restaurant Dana Street and Sam Hayward have under development on Commercial Street will be named Scales.

The Portland Phoenix reports that Josh Soley’s project to open Trouble, an “old fashioned theater-bar”, is on hold because Soley is 20 years old and so too young to hold a liquor license.

The Urban Eye has published an update on Figgy’s,

Behind Yordprom Coffee on Congress Street something tasty is taking shape. Figgy’s, a take-out spot featuring fried chicken, wings and high-end comfort food, is rising from the ground up.

Under Construction: Otherside Delicatessen

otherside

Pete Sueltenfuss has leased 164 Veranda Street where he plans on opening the Otherside Delicatessen(facebook). An updated take on a neighborhood market, the Other Side will sell house butchered and cured meats, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, prepared meals to go and market staples. Sueltenfuss hopes to have The Otherside up and running by the end of January. 164 Veranda Street is the former home of Quatrucci’s Variety.

Since moving to to Maine from Massachusetts, Sueltenfuss has worked for Fore Street, Miyake, Rosemont and helped launch District. For two years until early 2014 he was the executive chef at Grace.

No matter where he’s I’ve always enjoyed Pete’s food. I expect I’ll be making plenty of trips over to Veranda in the this year.

Maine & Loire Opening January 13

maineloire

Orenda and Peter Hale have announced that they plan to open the new wine shop on Tuesday January 13. Located at 63 Washington Ave, Maine & Loire (website, instagram, facebook) will focus on organic and biodynamic natural wines.

[T]he store will offer a laid-back, unhurried feel for shoppers. “I always loved going to record stores and talking to the folks working there” says Peter. “You could chat, every time you went in — about what you were into — and get turned on to new stuff that, somehow, complemented what you had been listening to already… it was an ongoing conversation.” This kind of energy is what Maine & Loire (Wine Shop) hopes to encourage. Adds Orenda: “the store is as much about learning new things as it is about selling or buying wine… for our regulars and us to learn about each other, and for everyone to get into cool, undiscovered wines.” These wines come from recognizable areas like Burgundy, Napa and Tuscany and many other places less well-known, but equally compelling. Places like the Ardeche, the Jura, and Swabia will be well-represented.

The shop is named for the Maine-et-Loire region of France. It will be open Tuesday -Saturday 12 -8, and on Sunday 12 – 6.

Photo courtesy of Maine & Loire.