Category: Under Construction

The Portland Daily Sun has published a report on Otto and the impending opening of their new location at the foot of Munjoy Hill.

“It’s a really neat space, we’ve done neat things with the dining room,” said the co-owner.

Topping that list of neat things would be the restaurant’s booths — five grand pianos salvaged from around the state by Keon and turned into one-of-a-kind seating.

The For Rent signs are down at 190 State Street. Steve and Michelle Corry have taken a lease on the space and intend on opening a casual dining destination serving lunch and dinner in Spring 2011. They are  joining the growing list of Portland restaurateurs that operate more than one business.

The past year has seen a lot of changes in and around Longfellow Square with the opening of Yordprom Coffee, Boda, Pai Men Miyake and Local Sprouts, as well as the rebuilding of 645 Congress Street, construction at the old Binga’s Wingas building, establishment of the Quimby Colony in the old Roma Cafe and the face lift for King of the Roll. Tropa Wine closed in 2010 as did Barava and most notably Evangeline.

A new liquor license application has been filed for the Italian restaurant under construction at the old Walter’s location. The name of the restaurant has been changed from G’Vanni’s Bistro to 15 Exchange and a new sample menu has been provided.

A new liquor license application has been filed for the Italian restaurant under construction at the old Walter’s location. The name of the restaurant has been changed from G’Vanni’s Bistro to 15 Exchange and a new sample menu has been provided.

Mainebiz has published a report on the new location of Otto Pizza under construction at the old North Star in the East end.

The new Otto Pizza at 225 Congress St. will have a bar and a sit-down dining room with 95 to 100 seats. Allen says they’ll hire up to eight additional staff. They already have a crew of 17 employees at the other Otto location.

The menu will also expand, slightly, with a salad and a dessert, and they’ll serve beer and wine. “It’s a little more of a grown-up place,” Allen says. “There’s more elbow room.”

A few under construction updates:

• Shanghai Tokyo provided a draft menu (see page 59) as part of their liquor license application. The Portland City Council will be voting on the application on Monday.
• The restaurant moving in to the old Norm’s space on Middle Street was originally slated to be called The East End Grill, but the owners have rebaptized it as the EastEnder. The sign in the window promises “Bold New England Flavor”.
• Work on the future site of Gorgeous Gelato is underway at 434 Fore Street.
  
• The Press Herald reported earlier this week that Otto Pizza is scheduled to open their new East End location on the day after Thanksgiving.

Sign(s) in the window at 511 Congress Street where Soju is/was located indicates that a new restaurant named Shanghai-Tokyo will be opening there soon under a new owner.

MaineBiz has published an update on Gingko Blue, a new jazz/blues bar that’s being opened by the owners of Walter’s.

Renovation work is under way on the 1,800-square-foot lounge, in space formerly occupied by clothing retailer Betsy’s, and Gingko Blue will likely open in mid-November. [PR Manager Ann] Ewing would not divulge the cost of the renovation work or the Buerhaus’ lease for the space.