Category: Under Construction

I just drove by El Rayo and there are signs posted saying that there’s a private party there tonight. New restaurants often have a party with friends and family a couple days before they open as a dry-run with a controlled friendly audience. A call to the restaurant confirmed that they plan to open on Saturday.

Portland Fodder has published photos of a draft menu for The Salt Exchange. The new small plate restaurant is still under construction but hope to open on May 29.

Portland Fodder has published an update on the construction status of The Corner Room and The Salt Exchange.

The finishing touches are going up at the Kon Asian Bistro construction site on Brighton Ave. They’ve had a “Now Hiring” sign up for quite some time and the City Council gave the greenlight to the liquor license back in December. The latest info I have is that they hope to open in June.

An article in today’s Press Herald reports that Luna Rossa “should open by early summer” and when it does the kitchen will be run by Antonio Bruno “who has worked in New York City and grew up on Capri”. Luna Rossa is under construction at 188 Middle Street at the old location of The Pavilion nightclub.

The space is being converted into an Italian restaurant, a banquet facility and a retail mall. The indoor galleria concept is modeled after the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

The restaurant will offer entertainment by Dueling Piano Services, which provides talent to the New York New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The performances are a “high-energy blend of singalong and comedy,” according to the company’s Web site.

The signs in the window at 7 Exchange Street that until recently stated that Wasabi was “coming soon” have been replaced by these For Lease signs from Cardente Real Estate. It’s looking doubtful that Wasabi is still in the works.

Veranda Thai is expanding across the street into the space that had been occupied by Jubba Internet Cafe.

The site for Luna Rossa at 188 Middle Street has cleaned up quite a bit since I last posted a photograph of  it. The restaurant has one-pager website, there’s been a print ad or two promising valet parking and a “dueling piano lounge”, and table linens are out but no word yet on an opening day.

The exterior of El Rayo has been transformed with a new coat of paint and this large-scale replica of the restaurant’s logo. The restaurant is still under construction but they are hiring staff so an opening day is likely not too far in the future.

Paciarino is appearing before the City Council on Monday to apply for a liquor license with outdoor seating. Provided all goes well they hope to start serving dinner on Friday May 8.