The windows of 83 Exchange Street are covered in brown paper, and it looks like a new restaurant is already being planned for the former O’Naturals space. Given the prime location in the heart of the Old Port, it’s no surprise that it hasn’t remained vacant for long.
Category: Under Construction
Walter's Moving
Walter’s has put in motion a plan that will have the long-time Old Port restaurant moving off Exchange Street and to near the intersection of Union and Fore Streets. If all goes as planned, September 26 will be their last day on Exchange and they will open in the new location in mid-October.
Luna Rossa Update
Portland in a Snap has published an update on the yet-to-be-opened Luna Rossa.
Executive Chef Antonio Bruno, an Italian native, says the plan is to offer seating for a whopping 220+, including a full bar and lounge space. The bar, located on the mezzanine, has Las Vegas-style dueling pianos, which should offer a high-energy Thur-Sat entertainment option.
Under Construction: Maine Bean Cafe
As you can see from this photo the Maine Bean Cafe is doing some renovation before opening in the old Portland Coffee Roasters space on Commercial Street.
Under Construction: Public Market House
The Public Mark House main entrance is blocked off while they install an elevator (you can still get in through the temporary entrances on either side). This part of the ongoing construction project to expand the market to the second floor which will be home to a number of small shops and cafes. They hope to have construction completed by mid-July.
Grace Opening in July
Grace has announced that they have “ALL licenses in hand!” and are ready to open the “first week in July, however, we will be closed July 4,5 & 6 on purpose with a reopen date of July 7th”.
Public Market House
Head on over to Portland Fodder to see some nice under construction photos of the 2nd floor space at the Public Market House. According to Fodder, “Spartan Grill will be relocating to the second floor with such possible vendors as, Maine Coffee Roasters, KamaSOUPra, It’s Only Natural…GF, and an unnamed pizza place.”
According to a May 28 article in the Press Herald, the 2nd floor retail spaces will be available by mid-summer.
The Corner Room
Jim Keithly from ABC affiliate WMTW interviewed Harding Lee Smith about his new Italian restaurant The Corner Room (via Portland Psst!). According to the report, Smith plans on opening The Corner Room on June 25. As you can see from this photo I took today, there’s still a lot of work to do to get the space ready.
The WMTW report also includes some footage and information on Smith’s Windham farm where he’s currently raising 350 chickens. The farm to table operation is being expanded with a 48 foot green house that “will eventually produce a variety of herbs, lettuce and other vegetables”.
Otto Pizza
A new pizzeria, Otto Pizza, is under construction on Congress Street near the intersection with Forest Ave.
Veranda Noodle Bar
The owners of Veranda Thai plan on opening a Vietnamese restaurant across the street in the old Supper at Six location. Construction started several weeks ago, and according to papers filed with the city they hope to later this month. The new restaurant will be named Veranda Noodle Bar.