Category: Under Construction

Pat’s Pizza is planning on opening a new location in Portland on Market Street in the former location of Market Street Eats. Pat’s has 11 locations throughout Maine. The restaurant traces its roots back to 1931 when C.D. “Pat” Farnsworth opened a restaurant in Orono. For a full accounting of upcoming restaurants take a look at the Under Construction List.

Both the Portland Phoenix and Forecaster have published their year end wrap-ups on Portland area restaurants that have recently launched/moved or are under construction.

The Portland Daily Sun has published an interview with Jay “Accidental Restauranteur” Villani about 188 aand his news restaurant Sonny’s. According the article, Sonny’s is aiming to open on January 8.

“Sonny’s” — named after Villani’s eight year old son — will replace the decor left by the exiting O’Natural’s Cafe at 83 Exchange Street with more traditional environs, trying to re-create the casual energy familiar to Local 188 fans. ButVillani says the food will differ, bringing him “full circle” back to the Latin influences of his native New York City — offerings will range from Tex-Mex to South American.

PortlandTown has published photos of the new Walter’s on Union Street which will re-open next week.

The bar area will feature a wall of wine at the far end. They plan on two private dinners on sunday and monday evenings for their contractors and family & friends as a shake out before opening to the general public on tuesday.  For those of you who ate at the old place on Exchange street, this space will be a real shock.  It has not only a totally different feel but also a different feel to any other space in Portland.

The new issue of Mainebiz has also published an article about Havana and the new Siano’s Pizzeria that’s slated for the space formerly occupied by Una.

Just down the street, another restaurateur team plans to bring a version of Havana, their fine dining eatery in Bar Harbor, to the Old Port. Michael Boland and Cassady Pappas have leased 8,000 square feet at 44-52 Wharf St. to open Havana South, according to broker Nate Stevens of CB Richard Ellis/The Boulos Co.

The new issue of Mainebiz has also published an article about Havana and the new Siano’s Pizzeria that’s slated for the space formerly occupied by Una.

Just down the street, another restaurateur team plans to bring a version of Havana, their fine dining eatery in Bar Harbor, to the Old Port. Michael Boland and Cassady Pappas have leased 8,000 square feet at 44-52 Wharf St. to open Havana South, according to broker Nate Stevens of CB Richard Ellis/The Boulos Co.

According to a report from Portland Food Heads, Siano’s is working on opening a third pizzeria. The new restaurant will be at 505 Fore St where Una used to be located. Siano’s website is predicting an opening date of February 1, 2010.

Some updates from the Under Construction list:

• Aroma Joe’s is replacing Fog Cutter as the drive-thru coffee business on Warren Ave.
• According to the Munjoy Hill News, Figa was granted their liquor license last night. The article provides some additional details on the restaurant but no definitive statement on when they’re going to open. December 10 Update: MHN posted an update on Figa: The restaurant “expects a series of soft openings ending in possibly a Grand Opening on New Year’s Eve.”
• Meredith Goad tweeted on the menu in store at Po’Boys, “Creole sausage & fried oyster sammies, La. gumbo & PRALINE BACON!“
• The Portland Daily Sun reports that Walter’s hopes to re-open at their new location this month.

Norm Jabar recently launched a set of websites for his three restaurants, Norm’s Bar & Grill, Norm’s East End Grill and the Downtown Lounge.  Additionally, K Horton has just relaunched the site for her cheese shop and market in the Public Market House. These and many other additions continue to flesh out the collective online presence for the restaurants, bars and other food vendors in town. However, some of the businesses that are part of the local food economy don’t have a site yet.
Here’s a partial list:

• Asmara
• Blue Spoon
• Bar of Chocolate Cafe
• Greek Corner
• Federal Spice
• Happy Teriyaki
• Bogusha’s
• Susan’s Fish and Chips
• Miyake
• Yosaku
• King of the Roll
• Shima
• The Wine Bar
• 158 Pickett St Cafe
• Artemisia
• Market Street Eats
• Rosie’s
• Ruski’s
• Arabica
• Maine Squeeze
• and the list goes on

Plenty of potential customers for some enterprising web designers to work with 2010 . . .