The Somali Bantu Community Association in collaboration with the Agrarian Trust has launched a crowdfunding campaign so the association can acquire a 107-acre farm in Wales, Maine. The goal is to raise $367k by December 1st. Donors have already contributed $57,875.
For more information and to make a contribution online visit agrariantrust.org
A new food truck called Liu Bian Tan (instagram) is under development. Owner Chung Heng Liu hopes to launch sometime this fall serving a menu of “old school” Taiwanese street food such as house-made noodles, buns, pancakes, dumplings. Liu wants to “share often overlooked Taiwanese flavors” and recreate the comfort foods remembered from growing up in Taiwan.
Liu had 20 years+ of experience working in the family Chinese restaurant before moving to Portland three years ago. The name of the food truck is a mash up between Lu Bian Tan which means street stalls in Mandarin and Liu’s last name.
Silly’s will be returning to Washington Ave in the space that was the home to Simply Vegan by Silly’s, 68 Washington Ave.
The Silly’s facebook page features a picture of a mixer making cake batter with the caption “Coming Soon!” Needless to say, the response from Silly’s fans has been enthusiastic.
Silly’s went out of business last year. Their former building is currently under construction and will be the new location of Terlingua.
Navis Cafe (website, facebook, instagram) is under construction in the first floor of the WEX building on Thames Street. Navis will be adjacent to Helm which is also under construction in the same building. Navis will be sell provisions and food to go and be an “all-day cafe”.
Little Woodfords (website, instagram, twitter, facebook) announced that they’ll be moving their coffee shop from Woodfords Corner to 316A Congress Street by the end of the month.
that being said, our lease expires at the end of june and after trying wholeheartedly (and tirelessly) to negotiate with our landlords for months, there is simply no way we can afford the significant increase in rent and other costs they are requiring to occupy this space. please know we tried our very best to make this work, and that if we agreed to the new terms, we wouldn’t have lasted the summer.
now for the good news: over the past couple of weeks, when it seemed like we were going to have to close our doors forever, we found a space where little woodfords can call home. it is not in our current neighborhood, but you have our word we will create an additional coffee shop back in woodfords corner when the opportunity presents itself. we are excited, nervous, caffeinated and optimistic about what tomorrow will bring!
Little Woodfords was founded by Andrew and TJ Zarro in 2017.
A new restaurant called New York Fried Chicken has leased the former Bob’s Clam Hut space on Washington Ave. The signage indicates they’ll be selling a menu of fried chicken, kebabs, gyro, seafood, subs and ice cream. New York Fried Chicken will be a halal restaurant.
There are restaurants by the same name according to Wikipedia they are not a chain or a franchise despite operating a very similar concept.
A Go Fund Me campaign has been set-up for Mé Lon Togo, a West African restaurant with locations in Waterville and Searsport. The money will help owner Jordan Benissan in relocating his Waterville restaurant.
Here’s the project background share on the site:
Jordan Benissan is the proud owner and chef of Mé Lon Togo (translated to I love Togo)—two West African inspired restaurants in Searsport and Waterville, Maine. Unfortunately due to the current challenging economic and social landscape, he was recently forced to close his Waterville location. We’re hoping to help Jordan keep his business going by giving him the chance to re-open his Waterville restaurant and share his Togolese cuisine and his experience once again with the local community. Jordan himself is a long-time community member of Maine, and while food may be his passion, he is also an accomplished musician having taught African drumming professionally for decades at colleges across Maine, including Colby and Bowdoin, as well as across the United States. -from Jake, Eating Through the Seacoast (Instagram: eatingthroughtheseacoast)
For more information on Mé Lon Togo visit their website, follow them on facebook and instagram, or read these articles from the Kennebec Journal and Down East magazine., and watch this video about Benissan and Mé Lon Togo.
Donate to the campaign on gofundme.com.
Update: The Go Fund Me campaign raised $16k and Me Lon Togo is in the process of re-opening the restaurant in Camden.
Chef Cara Stadler and her business partner/mother Cecile Stadler have announced plans to launch Zao Ze Cafe and Market (instgram) in Brunswick. Zao Ze will be located in the first floor of the Stadler’s aquaponics greenhouse just across the parking lot from Tao Yuan.
Zao Ze will feature “Asian street foods, with a focus on breakfast and lunch”. Their will be an open air seating area, and the Tao Yuan kitchen will be used for Zao Ze while the remaining renovations of the market and cafe space are being completed.
The Stadlers plan to continue serving takeout from Lio and Bao Bao, as well as open the deck at Lio for outdoor seating. Tao Yuan is expected to remain closed until this fall.
Evo Kitchen + Bar is launching a new outdoor eatery. Named Evo X (instagram) the mobile kitchen will be located adjacent the Eastern Prom walking trail near the former Portland Company Complex.
The concept for Evo X is of a waterfront seafood shack serving a menu of on-concept dishes and a few options (e.g. chickpea fries) carried over from the regular Evo menu. There will be outdoor picnic table seating, counter service and drinks will be available from the Fore Points Marina bar which is also currently under development. The menu is a collaboration between chefs Matt Ginn and John Glover.
Planning for the project got underway last year with the goal to launch in the summer of 2019. The owners are aiming to launch Evo X in the second half of June.
Wild Burritos on Congress Street has permanently closed. Taking its place is a new eatery, Sal de la Tierra (instagram).
Owners Carlos Sanchez and Isai Galvez are in the process of renovating the space at 581 Congress Street. They hope to open their Mexican/Puerto Rican restaurant in the next few weeks.