Category: Under Construction

211 Danforth Street, the current home of Vespucci’s Market, is under contract for sale and hopeful new owner, Keith Hickman has submitted a zoning variance request for a change of use to a restaurant. If approved, Hickman intends on opening a 64-seat restaurant and bar called 211 Danforth. Josh Kaplan will be serving as the chef at 211 Danforth.

Here’s an excerpt from Hickman’s application:

We firmly believe that there is a need and a market available for a quality and affordable neighborhood dining option in this area. Furthermore, we are confident that 211 Danforth Restaurant will be welcome addition to the West End and surrounding neighborhoods.

211 Danforth would add to the growing cluster of restaurants currently anchored by Ruski’s (1982), Ohno Cafe (2004), Outliers (2013) and Omi’s (2013). There are other spaces in the neighborhood that would also lend themselves well to further additions to the food and dining options in the area.

Update: For additional reporting see Maine a la Carte.

Maine a la Carte reports that the owners of Zapoteca, Tom and Shannon Bard, are planning to open a Spanish restaurant in Portland next year.

Tom Bard confirmed today that he is working on a location and hoping to open in early summer, 2014. Depending on the space, he said the atmosphere could either be quite casual (he mentioned Boston’s super-hot Toro as a reference), or somewhat more upscale than Zapoteca, the Bards successful Mexican restaurant in Portland.

Chef/owner David Levi has submitted his liquor license application for his restaurant Vinland (website, facebook, twitter) to the Portland City Council. A sample menu includes some interesting choices like the “potato risotto with daylily pollen and black trumpet mushrooms” and “grilled aged beef with roasted marrow, seared cauliflower, currant and yarrow” entrees.

According to the cover letter (page 221) Levi plans to open sometime in November. The restaurant is currently under construction at 593 Congress Street immediately adjacent to Congress Square Park.

Jason Loring, chef/owner of Nosh, is partnering up with Stephen Lanzalotta to launch a new bakery. Loring tells me that the plan for the new business is to “set Stephen free” and to “let him do what he does which is amazing”.

They’ve picked out a really great spot for this new venture. I’ll share more on that once they sign a lease.

Insurance Guy Beer Blog has posted a summary of new breweries under development in Maine.

I know things have been a bit quiet around here but trust me things are about to get interesting. Fall is my favorite time of year in Maine and due to tons of activity in Maine beers scene the fall of 2013 should be a great one. In the next few months there are several new breweries that should be selling beer.

Baker Stephen Lazalotta is “in the early stages of planning a new pizza spot in Portland” according to a report from Eater Maine.

According to a report from Eater Maine, a new wholesale business called Maine Pie Line (facebook, website) is under development at 200 Anderson Street in East Bayside. Baker Briana Warner will be preparing “Unique sweet and savory pies made with local Maine ingredients”.

A new restaurant called Oscar’s New American (facebook) is under construction in Yarmouth in the space formerly occupied by the Sea Grass Bistro. Chef/owner Nick Krunkkala was formerly the chef at Fog Bar and at Rock City Cafe in Rockland. According to Oscar’s Facebook page they hope to open this month, and are

…a farm to table concept focusing on local ingredients. We make everything in house from our bread to our ice cream. At Oscar’s we try and give the diner the most unique eating experience with our menu changing weekly.