Maine Food & Dining News

| Posted in Maine

New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know on what’s going on:

  • Reverie Coffee (instagram) has leased 117 Main Street (white brick building shown above) in Brunswick where owner Hannah Josselyn plans to evolve her coffee food truck into a brick and mortar coffee shop. The 500 sq ft space will seat ~15 with table seating as well as a couch area and a kid/family-friendly section as well. Reveries serves coffee made with beans from Time & Tide in Biddeford. They’ll continue to serve baked goods from Hankering Pie Company, and in the summer Josselyn plans to sell breakfast tacos produced by her husband’s BBQ food truck business, Gridnstone BBQ. Josselyn and shop manager Kylie Nikas hope to have Reverie 2.0 open by the end of January.
  • The Friar’s Brewhouse & Tap Room in Bucksport has closed after the death of one of the founders, Brother Donald Paul Martel.
  • The Blue Ox Malthouse is tripling the capacity of its facility in Lisbon. The business produce floor-malted grain for the brewing and distilling industry.

Best New Bar: Room for Improvement

| Posted in Reviews

Punch has named Room for Improvement to their list of the Best New Bars of 2023.

Wharf Street, a narrow alleyway in Portland, Maine, is lined with cobblestones and lit at night by tall iron lampposts. Squint, and you might feel like you’ve stepped back in time. But a neon “cocktails” sign in the window of Room for Improvement suggests something wholly new. Opened in April by veteran bartender Arvid Brown (founding bar manager at Crispy Gai and Baharat) and business partner Nick Coffrin, the self-proclaimed “halfway decent bar” pairs serious cocktails with a resolutely unserious atmosphere. The bar’s irreverent ethos marks a deliberate departure from the reigning aesthetic of the sleek, lab-like cocktail bar…

Their fellow honorees are: Nine Bar (Chicago), Post Haste (Philadelphia), Sperbueno (NYC), and Wild Child (Shawnee). The article also recognizes Trick Dog in San Francisco as this year’s Industry Icon.

The 36-seat Room for Improvement is located on Wharf Street and was launched in April by Arvid Brown and Nick Coffin. Brown was named one of Star Chefs’ Coastal New England Rising Stars, and the bar is a regular hangout for many of their fellow bartenders and industry professionals.

Upcoming Events & Thanksgiving List

| Posted in Events

Tuesday – Fish & Whistle in Biddeford will be hosting a Liu Bian Tan pop-up. The Washington Baths is holding the season kick-off for their monthly Bread Soup Cake meal.

Thursday – Judy Gibson is serving a 4-course wine dinner featuring wines from Lauren Bonnois. Mrs. Gee Free Living and Gather are collaborating on a gluten-free dinner which will benefit the Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund. Bow Street is holding a ticketed wine tasting with Bronco Family Wines.

Friday – Maine & Loire is holding a wine tasting with importer Laurent Bonnois.

Friday-Sunday – The  6th Annual Downeast Cider + Cheese Festival is taking place in Ellsworth.

Saturday – Dandelion Spring Farm in Bowdoin is teaching a Pies & Sides cooking class for people who want to tune up their cooking skills in time for Thanksgiving.

Sunday – The Cheese Shop is teaching a reprise of their Cheese 101 class.

November 15 – A whiskey and chocolate tasting featuring Liquid Riot and Dean’s Sweets is taking place at Ballast.

November 15-16 – The Knotted Apron is serving a 6-course French wine dinner.

November 16 – A 4-course Ukrainian dinner is taking place in Lewiston. Community Plate is holding a potluck dinner and story sharing event in Freeport. Hardshore Distilling is holding a release party for their new line of bourbon.

November 17 – the November edition of Guerilla Queer Bar is taking place at Salvage BBQ. David’s Opus Ten is serving a menu created by the restaurants SMCC extern Jordan Withee with David’s owner David Turin serving as Withee’s sous chef for the evening; reservations are by phone (207) 773-4340.

November 18 – Roma Cafe is holding a launch party (12:30 at 767 Congress Street) for Roma Sauce, their new line of fresh pasta, sauces, Italian delicacies and pasta kits.

Thanksgiving Resource List – Restaurants, market and other food purveyors are sharing details on the Thanksgiving options. We will be adding them to this list as the information is made public.  Drop us a line if you know of a Thanksgiving-themed offering not yet on the list.

  • Ancho Honey (Tenants Harbor) – has a variety of sides and complete Thanksgiving meals sized for 2, 4 or 8 people available for preorder; order by the 19th for pick-up on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Aubrey Coffee House (South Berwick) – is taking preorders (text 603-534-2004) for their Thanksgiving line-up of desserts.
  • Baked Maine/Pottery Cafe – is taking preorders in-person for pies and other baked goods. They’ll have pick-up in Portland and Wells.
  • Balboosta (Brunswick) – is taking preorders for Thanksgiving cookies and sides; order by November 16th for pick-up on the 22nd.
  • Banh Appetit – has a Thanksgiving menu of appetizers, main courses and dessert.
  • Bev’s Cafe (Kennebunk) – is taking preorders until November 19th for a variety of side dishes.
  • Big Tree Grocery – the team behind Eventide and Honey Paw has a variety of starters, turkeys, sides and baked goods available for preorder to make your home meal prep a little easier. They have 5 pick-up locations in the Portland area.
  • Bistro + Terrace – the restaurant at the Portland Harbor Hotel is serving a Thanksgiving dinner; $85 per person with optional $40 wine pairings.
  • Bistro Leluco (South Portland) – is taking preorders by phone (207-536-1690) or in person for whole and half roasted turkeys as well as a range of appetizers, sides and desserts for pick-up on the 22nd and 23rd.
  • Chaval – is taking preorders for pumpkin and maple pecan pie, Thanksgiving ricotta pie, bourbon cake, and apple and vanilla bean cheesecake for pick-up on November 22nd.
  • Dandelion Catering (Yarmouth) – is taking preorders for turkeys, sides, breads, desserts for pick-up on the 22nd.
  • Dizzy Bird – is taking preorders for brined and ready to roast turkeys and for entire meals.
  • Feast & Fettle – have a number of entree, side and dessert options for delivery; order deadline November 18th for delivery on November 22nd.
  • Fika (Saco) – is taking preorders for pies and other desserts. Order by the 16th for pick-up on the 22nd.
  • Five Fifty-Five North (Brunswick) – is serving a 3-course Thanksgiving dinner (menu) for $85 per person; online reservations.
  • Hanks (Scarborough) – is taking preorders for turkey, sides and desserts; order deadline on November 12th for pick-up on November 22nd.
  • Harraseeket Inn (Freeport) – will have three seatings for their Thanksgiving Day grand buffet (menu); $165 per person, $65 per for kids 6 to 12, call for reservations (207) 865-9377.
  • Lake & Co. (Yarmouth) – has a variety of turkeys, sides and desserts as well as a full dinner for two available for preorder. The order deadline is November 14th for pick-up or delivery on November 22nd or 23rd.
  • Maggie Mae’s (Yarmouth) – is taking preorders for sides (deadline November 15th) and pies (deadline November 14th) for Thanksgiving.
  • Magno Terrace (Yarmouth) – will start taking orders this weekend for sides available to pick-up in Yarmouth and South Portland.
  • MK Kitchen (Gorham) – will be serving a 3-course Thanksgiving Dinner (menu); reservations can be made on OpenTable.
  • Natalie’s (Camden) – will be serving a 5-course Thanksgiving dinner for $147 per person with optional wine pairings for $93.
  • Night Moves (South Portland) – is taking preorders for breads and other baked goods for pick-up on the 21st or 22nd of November.
  • Nina June (Rockport) – is taking preorders for their Everything but the Bird takeout menu of appetizers, sides, salads, desserts and drinks for pick-up on November 22nd.
  • The Norumbega (Camden) – is serving a 4-course Thanksgiving dinner with seatings at 2 and 5 pm for $95 per person. Call (207) 236-4646.
  • Orchard Ridge Farm (Gorham) – is taking preorders for turkeys, ducks and ham.
  • Ore Nell’s (Biddeford) – is offering a full Thanksgiving Meal that feeds 6-8 for $165.99 plus tax. SOLD OUT.
  • Other Side Diner – is taking pre-orders in-person or by phone (207-772-0002) for mezze platters, breads and sides. They’re located at 500 Washington Ave.
  • Parlor Ice Cream – is taking preorders for a sweet potato ice cream pie or a salty malty pretzel pie for pick-up on November 19th.
  • Pat’s Meat Market – has a selection of meats available including turkeys, prime rib, duck, pork crown roast.
  • Pepperell Provisions (Biddeford) – has a full spectrum of turkeys, sides, appetizers and desserts available for preorder. Place your order by November 20 for pick-up on the 22nd.
  • Rosemont Market – is taking preorders for turkeys, baked goods, prepared dishes and more; place your order by the 17th for pick-up on the 21st or 22nd.
  • Salt Yard – at the Canopy Hotel will be serving a Thanksgiving buffet, $59 per adult and $36 per child. Reservations can be made on Resy.com.
  • Salt and Pepper (Damariscotta) – is taking preorders for plant-based Thanksgiving dinners and other dishes. Pick-up in Portland on the day before Thanksgiving is available.
  • Saltwater Grille (South Portland) – will be serving a Thanksgiving buffet with seatings at 11:30, 1:30, 3:30, and 5:30; $75/ per adult, $35 per kids 6-12, free of children 5 and under.
  • Scapes Cafe (Mount Vernon) – is taking preorders for cheesecake, tortes, pies, cannolis, turkey confit and some vegan and gluten-free options; order deadline is on the 19th.
  • Scratch Baking (South Portland) – is taking preorders for rolls, pies, cakes and quiche for pick-up on November 22nd.
  • Sea Glass (Cape Elizabeth) – the restaurant at the Inn by the Sea is serving a Thanksgiving dinner ($85/adult, $32/children 4-12yo), and also has a Thanksgiving dinner to go sized to serve 6-8 people for $275 plus tax & 18% gratuity (order deadline November 16th).
  • Shay’s Grill Pub – is taking pre-orders for some table condiments and desserts for pick-up on November 21st or 22nd.
  • Standard Baking – is taking preorders for baked goods and breads for pick-up on the day before Thanksgiving; order deadline is November 17th.
  • Sticky Sweet – is taking preorders for a pair of Thanksgiving vegan and gluten-free pies for pick-up on the 21st or 22nd.
  • Tandem Coffee + Bakery – is taking preorders for pies, scones, biscuits, cookies and other baked goods; order by November 17th for pick-up on on the 21st or 22nd.
  • Three Dollar Deweys – is serving a Thanksgiving dinner for $35 per person.
  • Treats (Wiscasset) – is taking preorders for a variety of pies and baked goods; order by the 19th for pick-up on the 23rd.
  • Twelve – is taking preorders for pies to pick-up on the 21st and 22nd.
  • Two Fat Cats – has pies, cakes and other baked goods available to preorder for Thanksgiving; orders musts be in 48 hours before pick-up. Available from both their Portland and South Portland locations.
  • Ugly Duckling – is taking preorders for pumpkin and maple pecan pie, Thanksgiving ricotta pie, bourbon cake, and apple and vanilla bean cheesecake for pick-up on November 22nd.
  • Union – is taking preorders for a Thanksgiving dinner for two; order deadline on the 18th for pick-up on the 21st or 22nd.
  • Union Wharf Market – is taking preorders for entire dinners, turkeys, gravy and other dishes for your Thanksgiving meal. Order by November 17th for pick-up on November 22nd.
  • Vina Ann’s – is taking preorders for Thanksgiving desserts; order by the 18th for pick-up on the 22nd.
  • Vy Banh Mi – is taking preorder for a variety of dishes and a full Vietnamese meal serving 5-7; Pick-up in on November 23rd. Call/text 207-206-9662, DM them on instagram or email vybanhmi.maine@gmail.com to place your order.
  • Wayside Tavern – is serving a 4-course family-style Thanksgiving Feast for $90/person with optional wine pairings for $55; ticketed reservations available online.
  • Wine Wise – has put together a selection of 6 wines recommended by six local wine distributors. Place your order for box of wines for home delivery.
  • Yardie Ting – is taking preorder for Thanksgiving meals and sides; order by the 20th for pick-up on Thanksgiving Day.
  • COMMUNITY RESOURCES
    • Dandelion Catering – is holding their Thanksgiving dinner giveaway for the 9th year and are asking for your help in identifying families in need.
    • The Good Shepherd Food Bank plays an integral role in distributing food during Thanksgiving and all year round in Maine. See their website for information where to find food through their partner agencies in Maine or to make a donation.
    • Wayside Food Programs is producing 400 Thanksgiving meals to go, and 50 boxes that contain the ingredients to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner at home (frozen turkey, a pie, squash, potatoes, butter, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, cranberry sauce, stuffing & gravy). Anyone interested in one of the meals or Thanksgiving dinner boxes can call (207) 775-4939 to register for one by November 13th. The meals will be delivered to three different locations and the boxes will be distributed on November 21st. Call Wayside at (207) 775-4939 for all the details.

November 30 – deadline for the public and industry professionals to submit recommendations to the James Beard Foundation to consideration for the 2024 Awards program.

December 7 – Secret Supper is holding a (sold out) holiday dinner in the Portland area.

June 26 – Secret Supper (instagram) is holding a dinner in the Portland area.

4½ Stars for The Alna Store

| Posted in Reviews, Maine

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of The Alna Store.  Restaurant critic Andrew Ross gave the Midcoast restaurant a rating of 4½ which places it midway on the Sunday Telegram scale between excellent and extraordinary.

Eventually, I found my way to Lincoln County and the admittedly remote Alna Store, and I’m delighted I did. Here, owners Jasper Ludwig and Brian Haskins have reimagined a tumbledown convenience store as an eclectic, upscale New American restaurant that centers sustainability and seasonality. Chef Devin Dearden and pastry chef Kristen LaMontagne bring impressive skill and technique to the restaurant’s ever-changing menu concept, without ever losing sight of the humble space’s roots and locale. Custardy Basque cheesecake with apple-butter caramel, house-extruded ditalini pasta with pepitas and Romanesco cauliflower, and a peerless roasted pork belly dish probably won’t be on offer when you go, but don’t let that put you off from a little drive.

The Alna Store opened on December 22, 2022. They’re located in the small Midcoast town of Alna which is just a little bit inland from Wiscasset.

Photos: Customers at The Alna Store on the opening night, a dish of hamachi sashimi from earlier this year.

Restaurant Real Estate: November 2023

| Posted in Under Construction, Real Estate

Welcome to the November 2023 edition of the Portland Food Map restaurant real estate listings sponsored by The Boulos Company—a commercial real estate brokerage that has helped Maine’s restauranteurs buy and lease restaurant spaces since 1975.

This resource gathers in one convenient place the spaces available in Portland (and a few in the surrounding area) that could be potential sites for restaurants and food producers and retailers to locate their next business. Finding the right spot is one of the crucial early challenges in launching a new business and hopefully this resource will make that step just a little bit easier.

West End/Parkside

867 Congress St – the 3,200 sq ft former church that had been slated to be the new home of Vena’s is for sale for $775,000.

Arts District

554 Congress St – 1,621 sq ft former Dunkin’ Donuts space with hood for $2,301/month (NNN).

594 Congress St – with the upcoming close of the Congress Street Starbucks, their 2,592 sq ft space in the Upper Hay Building will become available for $35/sq ft (MG).

600 Congress St – for lease signs are in the window of the ground floor space at the corner of High and Congress. The Schwartz Building has been under renovation for a decade. For more info call (207) 773-7100.

29 Forest Ave – As part of the renovations at Portland Stage a new 2,700 sq ft restaurant space with a kitchen is being built out. Portland Stage is seeking a restaurant tenant to lease the space for $19.50/sq ft.

44 Oak St – 4,347 sq ft of space in a beautiful historic building at the corner of Oak and Free Streets is available for $15.50/sq ft (NNN).

Bayside

73 Cove St – a 5,519 sq ft industrial space in East Bayside is listed for $35/sq ft; it’s expected to become available in 2024.

46 Elm St – this 385 sq ft corner space in the parking garage at the corner of Elm Street and Cumberland Ave. It’s available for $500/month (MG).

52 Hanover St – On the first floor of a new building will be 1,500 – 4,500 sq ft retail space available for $30/sq ft (NNN). One spot in the building has earmarked for a coffee shop.

178 Kennebec St – 2,644 sq ft of space are available in a newly constructed Bayside building for $25/sq ft (NNN).

34 Portland St – the 3,400 sq ft building that was formerly occupied by Candy’s is for sale for $525,000. It’s also available to lease for $13.50/sq ft (NNN).

Munjoy Hill

89 Congress St – the former Blue Spoon space is for lease; 1200 sq ft available for $25/sq ft (MG). Contact davit70@gmail.com for more information.

Old Port

1 Canal Plaza – 4,284 – 14,412 sq ft of ground floor retail space will be available as part of upcoming renovations; $30/sq ft (NNN).

1 Commercial St – the original location of Benkay at the corner of Commercial and India Streets is undergoing renovations. The 900-2,950 sq ft is for lease at $35/sq ft (NNN).

100 Commercial St – 1,535 sq ft of retail space at the corner of Commercial and Portland Pier is for lease for $28.75/sq ft (MG)

185 Commercial St – a new building under construction will include 2,334 sq ft of ground floor retail space that will be available in 2024; $55/sq ft (NNN).

215 Commercial St – 2,487 sq ft of retail space near the corner of Commercial and Dana Streets is available for $65/sq ft (MG).

327 Commercial St – the former Tiqa restaurant is for lease—7,981 sq ft @ $30/sq ft (NNN)—or for sale for $3,500,000.

383 Commercial St – 1,193 – 4,805 square feet of space in a newly constructed building on Commercial Street is available for $28/sq ft (NNN).

441 Congress St – the 2,400 sq ft former Guitar Grave retail space is available for $15/sq ft (MG).

201 Federal St – 2 retail spaces will be available in the new 18-story building under construction at the corner of Temple and Federal Streets. The 527 and 2,300 sq ft spaces are listed at $40/sq ft (MG).

420 Fore St – the space formerly occupied by the Old Port Slice Bar is for lease; 2,600 sq ft @ $55/sq ft (MG).

446 Fore St – a 1,600 sq ft space on the corner of Fore and Union Streets is available for $30-40/sq ft (MG).

40 Free St – a 1,511 sq ft space in the new building constructed by JB Brown is available for $27.50/sq ft (NNN).

46 Market St – the 2,100 sq ft space formerly occupied by Petite Jacqueline is for lease for $45/sq ft (NNN).

55 Market St – this 3,700 sq ft space on Market Street was formerly occupied by the Big Easy. It’s available for $18/sq ft (NNN).

121 Middle St – a 2,482 sq ft retail spot is available for $45/sq ft (MG).

157 Middle St – 1,091 – 5,155 sq ft of retail space is available for $27 – 29.95/sq ft (MG).

1 Monument Square – 1,500 sq ft of first floor space adjacent to Cera is available for $3,125/month (MG).

25 Pearl St – 1,689 sq ft former Subway space available for $30/sq ft (MG).

66 Pearl St – 5,796 sq ft of space—the former Bull Moose retail shop—is available for $15.75/sq ft (MG).

3 Spring St – the space currently occupied by the Stars & Stripes tasting room is for lease; 2,554 sq ft for $17.50/sq ft (NNN).

3 Spring St – the space currently occupied by Stage Cannabis is for lease; 2,000 sq ft for $15.50/sq ft (NNN).

144 State St – 2 retail spaces will be available in the development in the former Mercy Hospital building on State Street. The 1,100 and 2,566 sq ft spaces are available for $26/sq ft (MG).

15 Temple St – the 2,086 sq ft space formerly occupied by Bubble Maineia is available for $26/sq ft (MG).

23 Temple St – a 947 sq ft retail space in the Temple Street garage is available for $26/sq ft (MG).

110 Thames St – a 2,700 sq ft space and a 3,200 sq ft space are available in the newly constructed building in the Portland Foreside development, $35/sq ft (NNN).

53 Wharf St –a 1,600 sq ft space on the corner of Wharf and Union Streets is available for $30-40/sq ft (MG).

India Street Area

144 Fore St – the former VA building is near the Portland Foreside development and adjacent to several new office buildings off Thames Street. It has 1,560 – 10,620 sq ft of space available for $24-29/sq ft (NNN).

Outer Forest Ave

301 Forest Ave – the former Higher Concept space is for lease, 4,000 sq ft at $15/sq ft (NNN).

503 – 509 Forest Ave – the exterior of this building is slated to be restored to its historic design. It has 4,500 – 9,500 sq ft of space available for $10/sq ft (NNN).

701 Forest Ave – 3,147 – 6,405 sq ft with parking available for $16/sq ft (NNN).

Deering

476 Stevens Ave – the Elsmere BBQ building in Deering Center is for sale for $1,450,000; the sale includes all FF&E inventory.

550 Washington Ave – 2,000 – 2,400 sq ft of the former Botto’s bakery is available to lease for $18/sq ft (NNN).

Elsewhere in Portland

Northgate Shopping Center – 2,000 to 3,500 sq ft of space is available.

Westgate Shopping Center – three spaces are for lease at $18-40/sq ft (NNN).

Other Spaces – some vacated restaurant spaces haven’t yet been formerly listed for by the owner. Check the closing announcements for the latest information.

Outside of Portland

Bath – the former  home of Salt Pine Social is available. The 3,535 sq ft building is available for $16/sq ft (NNN).

Glossary

MG – Modified Gross which indicates that the operating expenses (taxes, insurance, maintenance, etc.) for the property are included in the lease rate. The tenant would pay its own utilities, which sometimes includes heat.

NNN – Triple Net which indicates that operating expenses are not included in the lease rate, and the tenant will pay them separately. They are often referred to as CAM (Common Area Maintenance) charges and taxes, which are expressed as $/sf. The tenant is also responsible for utilities.

Gross – Gross indicates all expenses including utilities are included in the lease rate. The tenant would be responsible for phone and internet access, as well as interior janitorial.

Judy Gibson Closing

| Posted in Closings

Judy Gibson chef/owner Chris Wilcox has announced he’ll be permanently closing the South Portland restaurant. November 19th will be their last day in business.

I cannot begin to express the sadness I feel as I write this. The last four years of my life have been wholly dedicated to Judy Gibson. We opened on March 4th of 2020 and were forced to close ten days later because of the global pandemic. We lost 80% of our operating capital in those first four months. Once we were able to open again for outdoor dining we saw a strong surge in revenue and had a great summer to help keep us pushing through. We did not receive any large federal financial assistance and have been riding the highs and lows of seasonality in Maine ever since. We’ve fried chicken and made corndogs to allow for Judy Gibson to continue as we always wanted to be. This past summer was good, but not good enough to sustain us through the slower months of winter. The decision to close now is so that we can guarantee that our staff can get paid while they figure out what is next and that all of our vendors are paid in full. All gift cards with remaining balances after we close will also be reimbursed in full.

The Maine Sunday Telegram selected Judy Gibson as the Best New Restaurant of 2021 and restaurant critic Andrew Ross gave it a four star rating (excellent) in a review in 2022.

Maine Food & Dining News

| Posted in Maine

New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know on what’s going on:

  • Miller’s Market (website, instagram) is opening on Friday November 3rd, noon to 8 pm. They’re in Gorham center at 29 School Street. Owner Sam Smith plans to have on tap “select cuts of beef, pork and poultry in the cases, some of our grab-n-go dinners, and our sandwich and salad menu for take out or dine in” on Friday. Smith plans to add breakfast hours the following week.
  • A new owner has taken over the Eat More Cheese market in Belfast and renamed it as Salvatore & Roscia (website, instagram). Owner Maura Salvatore has built on the market’s existing strengths in wine and cheese retail to include homewares and charcuterie boards with grab and go sandwiches and salads in the cards for early 2024. The market is open Tuesday through Saturday 10:30 am – 5:30 pm.
  • The team from Blue Spoon is opening their Rockport restaurant on November 9th. Check their website for the menu; reservations are available on OpenTable. They’ll be open nightly, 5 – 9 pm.
  •  Mainebiz reports the Pizza by Michael in Saco is under new ownership.
  • The Kennebec Journal reports that the “bagel craze” is spreading through central Maine. The article features Sand Hill Bagel Company and Sunrise Bagels with a mention of Bagel Mainea.
  • The Lincoln County News has published an article about Jonathan Turcotte and Kelsey Grossmann and their new Wiscasset cafe Yonder.
  • Mr. Tuna is working with Maiz to operate a pocket outpost of their business out of Maiz’s Brunswick location. Maiz in Brunswick is located at 11 Pleasant Street near Vessel and Vine.
  • As reported on Monday, South Portland’s Cafe Louis is opening a second location in Camden. Cafe Louis is joining Maiz, Solo Italiano, and the owners of the former Ruby’s West End in seeing opportunity to expand in the Midcoast.

Mesa Grande Taqueria

| Posted in Under Construction

A “California-Mexican inspired fast casual” restaurant called Mesa Grande Taqueria (website, instagram) is under construction at 140 Fore Street near the Roux Institute. This will be the second location of a business that opened in Auburn, New York in 2010. The Portland location is being launched by Yarmouth resident Collin Henderson.

The Mesa Grande menu will include tacos, burritos, quesadillas, bowls, and salads as well as a children’s menu. They will have a full liquor license.

Renovations are just getting underway but when completed the restaurant will seat (see floor plan below) approximately 40 people with seasonal outdoor seating as well. Henderson hopes to open Mesa Grande in the spring. He chose the location on Fore Street because of its proximity to the businesses located in the area and to the Munjoy Hill neighborhood.

The Grill Room Reopened

| Posted in Openings

Chef/owner Harding Smith reopened The Grill Room on Saturday night. This comes after a 4-month repair and renovation of the Exchange Street restaurant following a fire in June.

The Grill Room will be open Tuesday and Wednesday 4 – 9 pm and Thursday though Saturday 4 – 10 pm.

Renovations are ongoing in the former Swiss Time space which is slated to become part of The Grill Room when completed.

Cafe Louis Expands to Camden

| Posted in Under Construction, Maine

South Portland-based Cafe Louis (website, facebook, instagram) has purchased the former Wolf Peach building in Camden where owner Evan Richardson plan to open a second location.

The new restaurant will be nicknamed Costa Media and will be offering a very similar menu to what Richardson and team serve in South Portland. He hopes to have Costa Media (instagram) open by the end of December.

Richardson shared he’s always enjoyed his time visiting the Midcoast and so has been watching for opportunities to open a restaurant there for sometime. He sees parallels between the communities in South Portland and Camden, and hopes diners there will also find the Cafe Louis menu and hospitality a good fit for what they have an appetite for.

Several of the the kitchen and front of house staff from Wolf Peach will be joining the Costa Media staff including the bar manager Austin Boyle. The South Portland Cafe Louis sous chef Orchard White is from Camden will also be lending a hand. As part of the growth of the team, Khristian Martinez will be taking over as chef de cuisine at the South Portland location.

Richardson launched a food truck (in 2017) and then restaurant (in 2018) on Exchange Street called Eaux. Eaux is currently on sabbatical while Richardson locates a new location for it. The South Portland Cafe Louis opened on July 1, 2021.