The signs and paper blocking the windows at 47 Middle Street are now down and pedestrians on Middle Street can now get a look in at the renovations underway for the EastEnder, the restaurant that’s taking the place of Norm’s East End Grill.
Category: Under Construction
Under Construction: Petite Jacqueline
According to the liquor license application submitted by the Corry’s and their business partner Elizabeth Koenigsberg, the name of the French bistro the trio are opening in Longfellow Square will be Petite Jacqueline. You can see draft lunch and dinner menus for Petite Jacqueline on pages 31-35 pf the City Council agenda for January 3, 2011.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
The Virginia-based franchise Five Guys Burgers and Fries is planning on opening a location in Portland. According to an article in the Portland Daily Sun, the burger shop will be located at 425 Fore Street.
Legendary franchise “Five Guys Burgers And Fries” is planning to open its first Maine location at 425 Fore St., site of the former “Moon” nightclub, and is getting a social media reaction similar to when Trader Joe’s announced the opening of a Marginal Way location.
“It’s kind of the Trader Joe’s of burgers,” said one fan.
For more information on the food at Five Guys, read the review published by The Blueberry Files on her recent visit to a Five Guys in Maryland.
Under Construction: River House and El Rayo Cantina
Mainebiz has published a report on a pair of new restaurants that the owners and managers of El Rayo have in the works.
The owners of El Rayo Taqueria are expanding in two directions. Tod Dana and Alex Fisher are opening a cantina in the building next door to their popular Mexican restaurant on York Street. And in the other direction, a few blocks west, they are working on a new restaurant at 231 York St. called River House.
Under Construction: Gogi Asian Fusion
Gogi, an Asian fusion restaurant, is under construction at 653 Congress Street. The draft menu (see page 83) includes items like kim chee fries and bulgogi beef tacos. When it opens it will bring a fourth Asian restaurant to Longfellow Square which is already home to Boda, Pai Men Miyake, and King of the Roll.
While that location has changed hands a number of times in the last few years, it has a long history. Influential restaurateur James Ledue ran Zephyr Grill and then Bella Cucina at that spot 1996-2002, for 24 years (1962-1986) it was Soule’s Candy Kitchen and in 1885 Augustus Schlotterbeck ran an apothecary at that address. Schlotterbeck co-founded the flavor extract business Schlotterbeck-Foss that still operates today from a John Calvin Stevens building on Preble Street.
Otto @ Munjoy
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.
Mousse, Liban Market and Chinese
Here are few food news updates:
- Mousse Cafe closed up shop for the last time on Saturday ending a run that started 2 years ago in August 2008.
- Liban Market, an African market on Washington Ave, has been added to the food map.
- A new Chinese restaurant is under construction on Washington Ave at the location formerly occupied by Litza’s.
Corry Opening Restaurant in Longfellow Square
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.
G'Vanni's–>15 Exchange
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.
G’Vanni’s–>15 Exchange
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.