Two members of the Portland area restaurant community have won city and state elections for their first time:
Tuesday – it’s Election Day. If you haven’t already, Go Out and Vote.
Wednesday – Kit Paschal from Island Creek is Wednesday’s guest chef at the Duckfat Friteshack Grill, and the weekday Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.
Saturday – the weekend Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.
Thanksgiving Resource Guide – a growing list of which restaurants are doing in person or takeout Thanksgiving dinners, as well as bakeries, markets and other providers with special offerings for Thanksgiving. Email me with details at anestes@portlandfoodmap.com if you know of a business that should be added to the list.
For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.
If you are holding a food event this week that’s not listed above, publicize it by adding it as a comment to this post.
The Mount Desserts Pie Company (facebook, instagram) opened for business on Exchange Street on Sunday.
They’re located in the former Holy Donut space, and are building out a permanent location on Fore Street. Today’s menu included a range of sweet and savory hand pies (mushroom, caramelized onion and gorgonzola, brie and raspberry) as well as full sized fruit pies. Mount Desserts will soon also be serving coffee made with beans sourced from Fonte Coffee in Seattle.
In response to the rapidly growing number of Covid cases in Maine, Governor Mills has made changes to rules regarding restaurants, bars and tasting rooms.
The plan for bars and tasting rooms to re-open for indoor service starting on November 2nd has been postponed until further notice. Additionally, indoor gatherings are limited to a maximum capacity of 50 people.
A message from Governor Mills,
“To the business owners and employees of bars and tasting rooms, I am deeply sorry that we have been forced to make this decision to postpone your reopening to prevent the further spread of the virus. I know that you were ready and willing to follow public health guidance to keep yourselves and Maine people safe. We realize that this decision will cause hardship. We do not take this action lightly, but the rapid rise in cases in just the past six days means that we cannot in good conscience proceed with the planned reopening,” said Governor Mills. “My Administration will continue to do all we can to support Maine’s small businesses and hardworking families through these challenging times and will continue to seek further financial relief from Congress for Maine businesses who have lost so much already.”
Today’s Maine Sunday Telegram includes an interview with Vien Dobui, chef and co-owner of Cong Tu Bot. The article includes the recipe for one of the restaurant’s outstanding desserts, the Chè.
Wikipedia tells you that it could be a “sweet beverage, soup, or pudding” and that’s how I’ll usually begin an explanation, but I still find that definition lacking. I’ve yet to explain chè to non-Asians in a way that is satisfying to either party, but I find that gap in translation to be the territory that I’ve always wanted Công Tử Bột to be engaged in.
The article is the first in a series talking with the 5 chefs who were 2020 James Beard Award nominees.
Luke’s Lobster is participating in Chefs for the Polls, an initiative of World Central Kitchen. Chefs for the Polls is partnering with restaurants to provide meals to people at polling places across the country.
At the heart of Luke’s participation is a goal to “help feed potential voters for whom not knowing where their next meal will come from is an impediment to voting” and in doing so “remove hunger as a barrier to making your voice heard at the ballot box.”
The meals being provided are a mix of Luke’s hot and cold seafood dishes with salads and soups are donated by Little Leaf Greens and Hurricane’s Soups.
World Central Kitchen is a non-profit founded by famed chef and humanitarian José Andrés. Here’s an overview from WCK on the program,
We know that a fresh meal is more than a plate of food — it’s a sign that someone cares and that there’s hope for the future. As people across the country get ready to make their voices heard, often facing great, nearly insurmountable challenges to do so, we can support and uplift them and show them how much they matter. We will use the power of food to make Election Day one of community and hope.
People often cast their vote before work, during their lunch break, or after work — all prime meal times. We also know that while long lines are an inconvenience for some, for many they can mean the difference between voting and not voting. For these reasons, World Central Kitchen and its partners are activating Chefs For The Polls to serve nourishing meals on early voting days and Election Day. We’ll be stationed by polling locations around the country, targeting those with historically long lines, predicted massive turnouts, or limited facilities, sharing meals with anyone – no questions asked. If we can help alleviate the challenges of Election Day, we will be there.
Welcome to the November edition of the Portland Food Map restaurant real estate listings sponsored by The Boulos Company. This monthly column gathers in one convenient place the spaces available in Portland that could be potential sites for restaurants and food producers/retailers to locate their next business.
Even in these tough times for the hospitality industry some people are pursuing their dreams and opening new food businesses. Finding the right spot is one of the crucial early challenges in launching a new business and hopefully this new resource will make that step just a little bit easier.
West End
747 Congress St – the space formerly occupied by Flood’s is available for lease. 1,400 sq ft space (not including a shared dining room, bathrooms, and storage area) and features a fully equipped kitchen and working hood system for $2500/month + 3% of gross revenue less taxes and discounts. For more information contact Tony DeLois, tony@uncommongroups.com, (646) 784-3304.
785 Congress St – a renovated 1,378 sq ft space near Bramhall Square is available for lease for $2,000 per month (MG).
64 Pine St – The former Aurora Provisions space is for sale or lease. The 4,629 sq ft is listed at $12.83/sq ft (NNN) and is also available for sale for $1,495,000.
101 York St – a 15,000 sq ft sub-dividable space in the new building on the corner of York and High Street is available for $15-20/sq ft (NNN). The space already has a hood vent and grease traps installed.
Arts District
11 Brown St – the space where BRGR Bar is located on Brown Street is for lease. The 4,321 turnkey restaurant space is available for $19/sq ft (NNN). All furniture, fixtures & equipment included, as are 2 parking spots and 2,000 sq ft of storage space.
114 Center St –this 1,500 – 10,000 sq ft space off Free Street is for lease at $8-25/sq ft (MG).
555 Congress St – the former Five Fifty-Five is available to lease. The 1,089 – 3,647 sq ft space is listed at $22/sq ft (NNN).
593 Congress St – The former Vinland is available to lease. The 1,720 sq ft space is listed at $19.41/sq ft (MG).
605 Congress St – Two spaces in the State Theater Building is available. They are 543 sq ft and 2,685 sq ft and are listed at $25-35/sq ft (MG).
646 Congress St – adjacent to The Jewel Box, 960 sq ft at $25/sq ft (MG).
Bayside
84 Cove St – The former Milk & Honey in Bayside is available for $13/sq ft (NNN).
23 Marginal Way – a 1,300 sq ft space in Century Plaza is available for $28/sq ft (NNN).
Old Port
1 Commercial St – the original location of Benkay at the corner of Commercial and India Streets is available. The 2,494 sq ft is for lease at $35/sq ft (NNN).
5 Commercial St – the former Rosemont Market at the corner of Commercial and India Streets is available. The 1,700 sq ft is for lease at $35/sq ft (NNN).
9 Commercial St – the former Commercial Street location of Arabica is available. 3,018/sq ft for $35/sq ft (NNN).
100 Commercial St – the former K Collette 3,759 sq ft space in the Thomas Block is available for $24.75 (MG).
123 Commercial St – 2,587 sq ft of space at $32/sq ft (NNN).
266 Commercial St – 6,689 sq ft of new construction retail space will be available for $20-22/sq ft (NNN).
267 Commercial St – the former Bam Bam Bakery space is available. 2,355 sq ft at $28/sq ft (NNN).
383 Commercial St – 4 street retail spaces will be available (1,631 – 1,971 sq ft) at $28/sq ft (NNN) in a new building under construction at the corner of Maple and Commercial Streets. It’s building is expected to be finished in the fall of 2020.
98 Cross St – two retail spaces (991 and 1891 sq ft) are available for $20/sq ft (MG).
225 Federal St – the former Old Port Po’ Boys & Pickles is available. 1,000 sq ft at $30/sq ft (MG).
422 Fore St – the former Pearl space is available, 2,400 sq ft at $38/sq ft (MG).
425 Fore St – The former Five Guys is available. $2,900/sq ft and $40/sq ft (MG).
443 Fore St – the space currently occupied by Evo Kitchen + Bar is for lease and will be available once Evo is moves into the Pattern Storehouse building at the 58 Fore site. The 1,706 sq ft are available for $54.51/sq ft (MG) or $7,750 per month.
40 Free St – A new building is under construction on Free Street by JB Brown. The first floor will have 4/5 storefronts ranging in size from 1,358 to 3,067 sq ft. The construction is expected to be completed in early 2021. The rate is $30/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 $24/sq ft (NNN).
89 Market St – The former Old Port Sandwich Shop is available. Call (207) 772-6579 for more information.
131 Middle St – 3,512 sq ft at $14.50/sq ft (NNN).
3 Portland Square – This new building will include 2,500 – 20,000 square feet of retail space for$28.50/sq ft.
3 Spring St – the 2,554 – 3,500 sq ft former Lio space is available at $23/sq ft (NNN).
5 Spring St – the first floor space located below the former home of Lio at the corner of Cross and Spring Streets. 3,069 sq ft at $20-23/sq ft (NNN).
23 Temple St – 947 sq ft at $25/sq ft (MG).
India/Washington Ave
100 Fore St – 2 retail spaces are available in a new building planned for Fore Street. 1,141 and 1,914 sq ft respectively, $27 – 30/sq ft (NNN).
15 Middle St – located in one of the new buildings off India Street. 991 sq ft at $22/sq ft (NNN).
The Black Box – 300 sq ft, $1,450 per month (3 month minimum) which includes all utilities, high speed WiFi, and shared access to a common unit that includes two bathrooms (1 ADA) as well as shared use of the adjacent patio space that can accommodate outdoor seating.
Forest Ave
688 Forest Ave – the former Valley Chinese space is for lease for $12/sq ft (MG).
949 Forest Ave – the former Maelily Ryleigh’s is for lease. The 4,185 sq ft restaurant is available at $19/sq ft (NNN).
1569 Forest Ave – a former gas station on outer Forest Ave is available for $1-99/sq ft (NNN). The building is $1,352 sq ft in size.
Other
559 Brighton Ave – when Rosemont Market moved their kitchen, warehouse and office space in one building the retail space in their original building on Brighton became available for sale for $550,000.
441 Congress St – The 2,400 sq ft former home of Guitar Grave across the street from 1 Monument Square is available for $20/sq ft.
1283 Congress St – part of this build was in the process of becoming a restaurant. A hood was installed a couple years. Those plans have apparently been shelved and the space is now for lease. For more information call Harbor City Realty (207) 775-1991.
327 Saint John St – the former Dunkin Donuts is available. 1,876 sq ft at $35/sq ft (NNN).
139 Riverside St – a 5,020 sq ft restaurant space available for $15/sq ft (MG).
Other Spaces – the spaces formerly occupied by Piccolo, Cider House, Candy’s, and Sip of Europe have all been vacated but there’s no online real estate listings for them. Regardless, they’re probably still worth checking out.
173 Ocean St, South Portland – a 1,000 sq ft space in Knightville available for $15.50/sq ft (NNN).
117 Route 1, Freeport – the former Conundrum building in Freeport is for sale for $1.2M.
66 Cove St – Brewery Extrava is for sale for $750,000.
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.
Chef Siddharta Rumma is launching a new food delivery business called Fusillo (instagram) selling fresh pasta, pasta kits, sauces, and a “few really old regional specialties from Italy”. Orders will come with prep instructions and details about the history of the dish. Rumma is also planning to hold pop-up events.
I’ll be personally making small batches of fresh pasta, sauces, Italian specialties and other delicacies, you’ll get your favorite kit delivered, contactless, to your door…
Follow the detailed instructions. Have fun plating. Read the story behind the dish, get suggestions on how to pick the right wine or local craft beer pairing and enjoy a love letter.
Fusillo is coming to you.
With love.
Sid
For the last three years Rumma has been the executive chef for Ada’s in Rockland and Portland.
After a long Covid hiatus, Cong Tu Bot (website, facebook, instagram) will be re-opening this Sunday for takeout, 2 – 8 pm. All ordering will be online.
CTB will launch with a limited menu but plans to expand hours out to 11 – 8, and bring back more of the old menu and even some new dishes as they move forward. In future weeks online order for Sunday pick-up will go live 1-2 days ahead of time.
Flood’s (website, instagram, facebook) vacated their space at 747 Congress Street over the weekend and has permanently closed.
Flood’s had re-opened for takeout and outdoor dining during the summer. Owner Greg Mitchell closed down again in late August. At the time there was still some possibility that Flood’s might re-open or the space might be used for a new venture, but that turned out not to be the case.
Mitchell opened Flood’s in late May of last year. It received a four star review from the Maine Sunday Telegram and mentions in the New York Times and Boston Globe.
For more information on which local restaurants have closed for good see the Pandemic Casualty List.