The Portland Daily Sun interviewed Wild Burritos owner Miguel Collins about his cross-Congress expansion into the former site of Stir Crazy.
The expansion is part of Collins’ goal of providing more affordable dining options in the Arts District.
“[In] Portland it’s so expensive to go out to eat. Wild Burritos offers you something for $5 or less. Everything we have is affordable, everything is under $6 and made with all natural ingredients,” he said.
Today’s Portland Daily Sun reports that the White Cap Grille will take over the space being vacated by Sebago Brewing at 164 Middle Street. Sebago is moving into the new hotel on Fore Street.
White Cap Grille is a spinoff of the Black Cap Grille, located in North Conway, N.H. at the intersection of routes 16 and 302 between EMS and L. L. Bean in the Settlers’ Crossing shopping plaza.
Here’s a few under construction updates:
Buttercup Cupcakes has leased the space at 426 Fore Street. Owner Alysia Zoidis hopes to move quickly on refitting the space and open by early June.
Today’s Portland Daily Sun profiled Deux Cochon and its owner Adam Alfter,
“I love pickled pig’s feet, they are so good, but people are kind of scared of them,” said Adam Alfter, owner of the Public Market House’s newest BBQ joint, Deux Cochon.
“Probably about three people will eat it and I’ll eat the rest of them, but I’m cool with that, because those three people get to know what it’s like,” said Alfter.
reported on the upcoming return of the Groceria Cafe (aka Cafe at Pat’s),
“I had leased it for the last five years, and now I have it back with Greg Gilman, who is the original chef who built it with me. He’s coming back. Everybody’s excited,” [Jaime] Vacchiano said.
The cafe won rave reviews in local media, and one patron who dined at the cafe in its early years said Gilman’s return is great news.
and spread the word about Broke 207’s call for more affordable restaurants and the PFM Top 10 List.
Here’s a set of under construction updates:
A new eatery is under construction at 15 Monument Square at the former location of Henry VIII. The sign in the window promises “soup, salad and sandwiches” are “coming soon”. According to a job posting on Craigslist they plan on opening in May.
The Business section in today’s Press Herald also includes an interview with Ed & Molly Foley who are bringing Foley’s Bakery back to life in Monument Square.
Ed and Molly Foley of Gorham started and ran the original Foley’s Bakery at 341 Congress St. from 1997 to 2002. They are returning to the baking business after taking a nine-year break to focus on raising their two sons.
Three new businesses are under construction in South Portland:
Bathras Market– the Bathras Market was a mainstay in Willard Square for 35 years (1954 – 1989). Now the former owner’s grandson and his wife are working on bringing the market back to life. They will be selling “local and natural foods, cheeses, meats, wine, beer, and specialty food” as well as “seafood, including lobsters, as well as sandwiches and distinctive prepared foods.” They’re targeting early May for the grand opening.
Mr. Delicious– Glenn Perry and Ian Hayward are teaming up to open a “a small but complete grocery store, with selective produce, meat and fish, wines and lots of prepared foods” in Willard Square. The plan on having “lots of grilled and braised meats, and, above all, genuinely memorable sandwiches.” Mr. D will be located in a building at 7 Pillsbury Street. They’re target open date is mid-July.
Taco Trio – a late night taco shop is planning to open in South Portland on Ocean Street. According to The Forecaster, the owners are Manuel Peña and Karen Massmussen.
“This will be like the traditional food you get on the streets of Mexico,” he said. “Soft corn tacos and traditional spices.” For now it will be a lunch take-out with brunch once a week, but they hope to offer dinner service in the future.
Foley’s Bakery is returning to 1 Monument Square to take over the space that was most recently occupied by Mousse. I’ve also heard that a second bakery may be opening in Monument Square this Summer but don’t have any firm details on that yet.
A Cambodian restaurant called Apsara is under construction at 349 Cumberland Ave. For a long time this was slated to be the home of Mitpheap World Cafe.
See the Under Construction List for information on other up and coming businesses in Portland.