The owners of the Schwartz Building, 600 Congress at the intersection of High and Congress, gave an interview to the Portland Daily Sun and indicated they’re planning for a “sit-down-with-linen style restaurant”. No other details were provided in the article.
Category: Under Construction
Under Construction: 34 Vannah Ave
Arlin Smith, Mike Wiley and Andrew Taylor are leasing 34 Vannah Avenue. The new location will serve two functions for the owners of Hugo’s and Eventide: providing much needed additional kitchen capacity located just a few minutes way from Middle Street, and opening a small 600 sq ft eatery to serve the local neighborhood.
Under Construction: Lolita
Lolita (facebook) will be the name of the new restaurant that Guy and Stella Hernandez along with business partner Neil Reiter have under construction at 90 Congress Street. Lolita will serve “American cuisine with a Mediterranean flare” in a completely renovated 28-seat space which includes a custom designed zinc bar for 10.
Check out the Lolita facebook page for more information and to stay up to date on the latest developments as they make progress towards an opening date in May.
Lolita’s website is at www.lolita-portland.
2nd Truck for Bite into Maine
Bite into Maine has purchased a new vehicle and plans on launching a second BIM food truck later this year. The truck is a 1965 Grumman Olson Kurbside, which in the 1980’s was used as hot dog truck at a car dealership in South Portland.
Under Construction: Sweetgrass, Chez Biso, Indian Bazaar, Blue Lobster
Here are a few under construction updates:
- The Blue Lobster Urban Winery project that originally surfaced a couple years ago is back on track albeit at a different location. Details at this point are slim but the owners hope to launch later this year. Check the BLUW website for updates.
- Sweetgrass Farm Winery & Distillery (facebook, twitter, website) is opening a tasting room at 324 Fore Street later this month, according to a report from Urban Eye.
- Indian Bazaar is under construction at 1700 Forest Ave, specializing in take-out.
- Chez Biso Na Biso (photo) is the new name of the African restaurant and lounge under development at 52 Washington Ave, the former home of Chiang Mai.
Black Dinah Moving to Portland
Black Dinah Chocolatiers (facebook, website, twitter) are planning to move to the Portland area, according to a report from the Bangor Daily News.
After a Christmas season of rough weather and doubling sales, the owners of Black Dinah Chocolatiers on Isle au Haut are charting a course for Portland.
“Resources are difficult and limited here,” said Steve Shaffer, who has run the high-end chocolate business with his wife Kate Shaffer on the Penobscot Bay island for eight years. “We have to bring everything out here, take everything off the boat. Our utilities and insurance are three times as much as the mainland.”
For more detail on new restaurants and food producers under development in Portland see the PFM Under Construction list.
Under Construction: Interview with Chef Cara Stadler
Booze, Fish & Coffee has posted an interview with Tao’s chef/owner Cara Stadler. Among other topics, they discuss Stadler’s plans to launch a Chinese dumpling shop in Portland later this year (late night hours, full bar, likely launching in late spring/early summer). Stadler also provides a rundown of some of her favorite eating destinations in Portland.
Under Construction: Arcadia National Bar
According to Eater Maine, a new bar called Arcadia National Bar (facebook, twitter) is the early stages of development in Portland.
Reviews of Tandoor, Silly’s with a Twist and More
Today’s Press Herald includes a review of Tandoor Bread Bakery (the name may have changed to Tenur Bread and Restaurant)
Tucked in a blink-and-you-miss-it locale on Forest Avenue in Portland is Tenur Bread and Restaurant, which has been open for a couple of years now. I had gone soon after it opened but somehow managed to forget just how incredible the bread is.
a bar review of Silly’s with a Twist,
Silly’s with a Twist, connected by a walkway to the original Silly’s, is lively and welcoming with a full bar and the same menu as Silly’s next door. The kitschy decor and festive drink and food options will make you chuckle, but you’ll feel right at home almost instantly, as the friendly service is unmatched. Silly’s with a Twist is good for smaller groups.
and articles about GrandyOats in Brownfield and Biscuits & Co. in Biddeford.
Under Construction: Timber
North Point owner Noah Talmatch has applied for a liquor license for the steakhouse he has under development on upper Exchange Street called Timber. In his cover letter Talmatch explains,
Timber will be a full services restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, brunch & dinner.
The menu is varied and will primarily focus on delicious aged steaks and chops. However there will be salads, sides, seafood as well.
You can see the draft menu which Talmatch submitted on page 49 of the meeting materials.
On Monday night the City Council will also consider an expansion of the license for Artemisia Cafe (page 29) and an application from Muse Paint Bar (page 12).