Here’s a look inside Cuties (instagram) the all-day bar that’s been under construction on Market Street in the Old Port. The business is being launched by a group of friends and industry colleagues—Bryce Summers, Garrett Lenderman, Ryan Nielsen, Arvid Brown and Nick Coffin. Coffin and Brown are the team that launched Room for Improvement in 2023.

The 2,100 sq ft former Petite Jacqueline space sports a new look. The central bar is now complemented by soft seating communal areas along the south wall and a long window counter looking out over Market Street. A mural by artist Jenna Pirello graces the main entrance, and John Sundling from Plant Office created the greenery design for the bar and the plant rail that circuits high along the windows.

Cuties will initially be open Tuesday through Sunday, 5 pm  to midnight. The owners will be expanding their hours and embracing their full all-day concept starting in mid-May.

The evening drinks menu will feature wine and cocktails. The opening menu will include options like a frozen Mango Cadillac Margarita, a Miami Vice-inspired Sazerac, an espresso Martini on nitro, and a clarified freezer Martinez served with a sidecar short pour of Oyster River Morphos. The food menu will include a range of bar snacks like Nashville hot popcorn shrimp with black lime mayo, and Oaxacan cheese stuffed hushpuppies prepared in a Japanese taiyaki press.

Cuties is located at 46 Market and is set to open on April 8th at 5 pm.

Hank & Arties (instagram) has been working on a food trailer. This morning they and Argenta Brewing announced a collaboration that will see the trailer stationed outside the West Bayside brewery starting in May.

Chef/owner Sean Telo has been holding a number of pop-ups around Portland since last fall. While his day job is with a software company, a decade ago he was working in kitchens like Miller Union in Atlanta and Extra Fancy in Brooklyn.

Here’s a draft of the menu Telo hopes to serve starting in May. Telo has included a kid’s section and hopes that will be a big part of what they do.

Acclaimed chef Masa Miyake has leased a pair of adjacent space in Bayside where he plans to launch a restaurant and Japanese-style convenience store. The new businesses are a family project that are being worked on by Miyake along with his son Reo Miyake and Reo’s partner Helen Carter.

We are especially excited about Aomori and Aomori Market + Kitchen because they will be family-run businesses. These projects allow us to bring together our experiences from both Maine and Japan, creating something very personal. Once we are up and running, we hope to extend this family-focused model to our customers and employees, creating a space that is welcoming to all.

Aomori Restaurant (instagram) will be located in the corner space next to Hanover Street. The 40-seat restaurant will include a bar, table seating, and a 6-8 seat chefs counter and will have outdoor seating during the summer. The concept is of a casual Japanese restaurant inspired by Maine and Japan’s Tohoku Region serving small plates inspired by classic izakaya dishes and Japanese home cooked meals.

Aomori Kitchen and Market (instagram) will be modeled after the conbini convenience stores in Japan—an all-day combination convenience store, cafe, bar and quick service eatery. The market will stock Japanese specialty items as well as some basic everyday essentials. Cold and hot food (karage, nigiri, etc) will be available to grab and go, or to enjoy at one of the markets 10 counter seats. In the evening it will also serve as waiting area bar for customers before getting seated at the restaurant.

The 1,500 and 1,800 square foot space are located at 52 Hanover Street in the Armature building across  from Wilson County Barbecue, Bar Publica and Argenta Brewing. Work with Woodhull on the architecture and design for the restaurant and market are just wrapping up and the hope is to have both businesses open before the end of the year.

Masa Miyake opened Food Factory Miyake in 2007 at 129 Spring Street. The small BYOB sushi bar quickly developed a reputation for excellence. The restaurant moved to its present location on Fore Street in 2011 and for a time the original space was home to Miyake Diner, an izakaya-style restaurant. Pai Men Miyake opened on September 15, 2010. In early 2024 he sold his restaurants to two members of his staff Emily Phillips and Courtney Packer.

Aomori is a region in Japan that’s had a relationship with Maine since the Cheseborough from Bath, Maine crashed there in 1889. The Friends of Aomori have maintained a connection between Aomori Prefecture and Maine for more than 30 years. Coincidentally, it’s also the part of Japan where Masa Miyake is from. The similarity in climate was part of why he opened his first restaurant in Portland and the new restaurant is named for his hometown.

Amanda and Matt Lebel have purchased the former Samuel’s building at 1160 Forest Ave where they plan to open Mandy & Matt’s Cafe. They’ll being doing some light renovations and when the cafe launches later this year Mandy & Matt’s will be open daily 6 am – 2 pm with lunch served 11 am – 2 pm.

As they shared in their liquor license application cover letter,

Mandy & Matt’s Café will prioritize sustainable practices and exceptional customer service. Our menu will feature a variety of classic and creative breakfast options, including home-cooked, original-style breakfast dishes, catering to a diverse range of dietary preferences. Additionally, we aim to contribute to the local economy by creating job opportunities and collaborating with nearby bakeries.

Amanda Lebel’s mother, Kathleen Geary, was the owner of Kathy & Dave’s Cafe/Maelily Ryleighs which had operated on Forest Ave 1996-2017. Mandy & Matt’s Cafe is in-part an effort to bring back to life the spirit of that establishment and serve that community. Amanda Lebel has 30 years experience working at her mother’s business and other establishments. She hopes to put all that working knowledge to good use in bringing her own business to life.

Their draft menu includes breakfast sandwiches, omelets and scrambles, pancakes, French toast, breakfast bowls, oatmeal as well as a lunch menu and a kid’s menus. Brunch cocktails and beer will be available.

Samuel’s owner Sam Minervino recently closed Samuel’s and is in the process of launching the North Deering Tavern at 1349 Washington Ave in the former Parker’s building in Allen’s Corner.