Mandy & Matt’s Cafe Has Opened

Mandy & Matt’s Cafe (facebook, instagram) opened for business on Monday. The cafe is located at 1160 Forest Ave in the building formerly occupied by Samuel’s. Mandy & Matt’s is open daily 6 am – 2 pm with lunch served 11 am – 2 pm.

Owners Amanda and Matt Lebel have made some renovations to dining room and its decorations. The overall layout with a bar on the right and table seating in the rest of the room remains the same. The menu includes a wide range of classic breakfast and lunch fare like pancakes, eggs, oatmeal, with cold and hot sandwiches for lunch. You can see all three pages of the menu on the Mandy & Matt’s Facebook page: page 1, page 2, and page 3. Shown here are blueberry pancakes with grilled ham and home fries, and a pastrami reuben on marble rye with fries.

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.

Upcoming Food & Dining Events

FridayMay 4Maine Seaweed Week is taking place. The program includes a one day seaweed festival at GMRI on the 26th.

SaturdaySeaFest will be taking place in Westbrook. The 2nd Annual Chowderfest is taking place.

SundaySalty Water Pasta will be holding a pop-up at Coveside Coffee, and Seconds Bakery will be holding a pop-up at Lay Day Roasters.

April 28 – Chaval is holding 4-course dinner featuring with Spanish winemaker Raul Perez. Chef Nikhil Naiker from Nimki in Providence will be at Bar Futo for a collaboration dinner. Chef Amadeus Florendo will be holding an edition of his Pulutan Filipino pop-up series at the East Ender.

May 3 – Chef Tara Canaday from Pot + Pan Kitchen will be teaching a cake decorating workshop.

May 4Chaval will be holding their annual Star Wars May the Fourth Dinner.

May 9Botanically Curious is hosting the first of a monthly Curious Mocktail series in collaboration with Elevate Mushrooms.

May 10/11 – The Taste of Nations Food Festival is taking place. Vendors will include Amira Cuisine, Battambang Bistro, Cambodia’s Best, Eduardo’s Brazilian Grill One, Flores Restaurant, Gunnar’s Icelandic Hot Dogs, Hellenic Kitchen, La Gallera, Niyat Catering, Yardie Ting, and Young Nonna. Tickets are now available.

May 11 – The 2025 edition of Cider Feast is taking place.

May 17 – The Maine Wild Wine Fest is taking place in Freeport. Camden Famous is cohosting a Spring Market featuring 20 bakers, restaurants and other food producers.

May 30 – June 1 – The Maine Fungi Fest is taking place.

June 13/14 – The Rockport Donut Festival is taking place.

June 26-28 – The Holy Trinity Greek Festival is taking place.

June 28 – The Wavy Days beer festival is taking place.

June 28/29 – The Maine Oyster Festival is taking place in Freeport.

September 14 – The Maine Cheese Festival is taking place in Pittsfield.

September 19-21 – The Common Ground Country Fair is taking place in Unity.

October 12 – The Maine Open Creamery Day is taking place.

Planning a wedding, holding a business event, or hosting visitors from away? Our printed guides are a great resource to help your guests explore the Maine restaurant scene.
25-packs of the Portland and Midcoast pocket guides are now available on our online store.

Review of Noble

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a review of Noble Pizzeria and Barbeque.

At the end of the evening, I found myself just a little envious of the regulars from Deering Center who were next to us at the bar. I don’t live in Deering Center, or even Portland, yet it felt odd when I left to make the 20-minute drive home. Maybe, because like all good neighborhood restaurants, Noble Pizzeria & Barbecue makes you feel like you’re home already.

Maine Food & Dining News: Brunswick, Gorham, Cape Neddick, Camden, Stockton Springs, Lisbon Falls, Boothbay Harbor, Biddeford

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

  • Tern Coffee Roasters (website, instagram) owners Chris and Heidi Townsend have leased space at 141A Maine St in Brunswick. The storefront will be part production space for their line of coffee and teas, a retail shop, a to-go coffee counter and a coffee lab where customers might participate in cuppings and learn more about coffee. In addition to coffee and tea Tern will also offer a selection of house-made baked goods. The Townsends hope to have the shop open to the public in May when it will be open Tuesday through Saturday. The Townsends have been looking for a space to add a retail element to their coffee roasting business and when they saw 141A Maine Street it immediately felt just right for their vision.
  • The Villager Cafe (websiteinstagram) in Camden opened for business Friday morning. The cafe is located at 25 Mechanic Street and will be open Wednesday through Sunday, 8 am – 2 pm. The menu (see lunch menu below) includes pancakes, breakfast skillets, breakfast sandwiches and tacos, cold and hot sandwiches, salads and desserts. The cafe is being launched by the parent company of the Maine’s newest newspaper, the Midcoast Villager, which serves Knox and Waldo counties.
  • A specialty market and gift shop in Gorham called Third Space Market (website, instagram) is expected to launch on April 22nd. The Littlefield family is stocking the shelves with locally made pantry items and will also sell baked goods, sweets and ice cream. They also hope to get Third Space licensed to serve beer and wine. There’s seating for ~15 people with a mix of couch lounge seating, tables, and standing desks for remote work use. The market is located at 18 Elm Street in the space formerly occupied by Carter’s Greenmarket and will be open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm.
  • The outdoor eatery Food for Thought has moved from their original location in Ogunquit to  Odd by Nature Brewing in Cape Neddick. They opened for the season yesterday.
  • The seasonal farm-to-table restaurant The Hichborn in Stockton Springs has closed and is for sale. Owners Kirk Linder and Charlie Zorich continue to operate their popular bar and restaurant Hey Sailor and adjacent event space the Starboard Lounge in Searsport.
  • The Bangor Daily News reports that Cutterman’s Variety Story in Stockton Springs has closed.
  • The Lewiston Sun Journal has a report on how women-owned hospitality businesses are making an impact in Lisbon Falls. Mentioned in the article are Olive Pit Brewing, Two Moms Diner, and the Lisbon House of Pizza.
  • The Boothbay Register reports that the owners of Harborside 1901 Bar and Grill are taking food service at  Oceanside Resort’s Coastal Prime Restaurant in Boothbay Harbor.
  • The Saco Bay News reports that The Hamburger Stand in Biddeford has closed. The announcement posted on the Hamburger Stand’s social media accounts cites “rising operational costs, increased rent, and vendor prices” that made it increasingly difficult “to stay afloat—especially while trying to keep our prices affordable for our amazing patrons.” The social media post goes on to share, “While we’re sad to say goodbye, we’re incredibly proud of the 9 fun, flavorful, and fulfilling years we’ve had. From the families who made us part of their weekly routine, to the travelers who stumbled upon us and stayed for the vibe—thank you. It’s been a joy to serve you, to share laughs, to build connections, and to be a part of this community.”

Allagash Brewing at The Downs

Allagash Brewing has announced plans to launch their new tasting room at The Downs in Scarborough in July.

…we couldn’t be more excited to expand the Allagash experience to Scarborough at The Downs. The space will have the same Allagash good vibes we’re known for, plenty of fun events, and more drink options—including house-made cocktails, wine, and of course, our beer. You can also expect a new menu from the celebrated team at Bite Into Maine.

Allagash first announced plans to have a Scarborough tasting room in 2022.

Tony’s Donuts

The Press Herald reports that both the building and the business of Tony’s Donuts is for sale.

The article quotes manager Michelle Goddard “We were trying hard not to have to do it,” Goddard said. “I’m still hoping somebody buys it and keeps it what it is.”

Tony’s was founded by Antonio Fournier in 1965 and his son Rick Fournier took over in 2005.

Soakology Closing

The Soakology tea room and spa on Congress Street is closing. Their last day in business will be May 11th. Their announcement reads in-part,

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives, special occasions, celebrations, and memories over the past 20 years. Our Portland community and loyal customers have been the joy of our day-to-day interactions, and we will be forever thankful…Our hearts are heavy, yet full of gratitude for the loyal customers who have kept us thriving for so many years. Thank you for being a part of it all and please, be well.

Soakology opened November 16, 2004 and moved to their current location in 2015. They were originally located 30 City Center in the space that Hifi Donuts has occupied.

Za Opens on Preble Street

Za (websitefacebookinstagram) opened for business late last week. The new pizzeria is located at 25 Preble Street. The interior design has been updated with a similar overall layout to when Slab occupied the space.

Owners Jessica and Brandon Tenney and their team are serving pizza by the slice and as whole pies as well as sandwiches, salads, and appetizers (see menu below). The bar menu offers wine, draft beers, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks. Shown here are the B-Sting pizza, Simple Greens salad and a Hibiscus Chili Mezcalita NA drink.

Za is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11:30 am – 10 pm.

 

Best US East Restaurant Bar: Papi

Congratulations to the team at Papi on being named one of the top 10 honorees in the Best Restaurant Bars category for the East Coast in this year’s Spirited Awards. Papi is listed along with establishments in larger communities like New York, DC, Savannah, and Miami.

The awards program is run by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation which organizes the annual Tales of the Cocktail conference. A short list of honorees will come out on May 21st, and a winner will be announced at the conference on July 24th.

Papi opened for business in March 2023. They were an honoree in the Best New Cocktail Bar category in 2024.

Upcoming Food & Dining Events

WednesdayHospitality Maine is holding their annual conference for professionals who work in the restaurant and hotel industries. Mrs Gee Free Living and Gather are collaborating on a gluten-free dinner.

Saturday – It’s the first day of the 2025 Deering Oaks farmers’ market. The market will take place Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7 am – 1 pm through November 26th. Absolem will be in Portland for a cider tap takeover at Anoche. The event will include the release of a collaboration cider called Last Night made with foraged apples from Portland, Bethel, Lovell, and Oxford. Vagabundo is holding a pop-up at Lambs in South Portland.

April 25May 4Maine Seaweed Week is taking place. The program includes a one day seaweed festival at GMRI on the 26th.

April 26SeaFest will be taking place in Westbrook. The 2nd Annual Chowderfest is taking place.

April 27Salty Water Pasta will be holding a pop-up at Coveside Coffee, and Seconds Bakery will be holding a pop-up at Lay Day Roasters.

April 28 – Chaval is holding 4-course dinner featuring with Spanish winemaker Raul Perez. Chef Nikhil Naiker from Nimki in Providence will be at Bar Futo for a collaboration dinner.

May 4Chaval will be holding their annual Star Wars May the Fourth Dinner.

May 10/11 – The Taste of Nations Food Festival is taking place. Vendors will include Amira Cuisine, Battambang Bistro, Cambodia’s Best, Eduardo’s Brazilian Grill One, Flores Restaurant, Gunnar’s Icelandic Hot Dogs, Hellenic Kitchen, La Gallera, Niyat Catering, Yardie Ting, and Young Nonna. Tickets are now available.

May 11 – The 2025 edition of Cider Feast is taking place.

May 17 – The Maine Wild Wine Fest is taking place in Freeport.

May 30 – June 1 – The Maine Fungi Fest is taking place.

June 13/14 – The Rockport Donut Festival is taking place.

June 26-28 – The Holy Trinity Greek Festival is taking place.

June 28 – The Wavy Days beer festival is taking place.

June 28/29 – The Maine Oyster Festival is taking place in Freeport.

September 14 – The Maine Cheese Festival is taking place in Pittsfield.

September 19-21 – The Common Ground Country Fair is taking place in Unity.

October 12 – The Maine Open Creamery Day is taking place.

Planning a wedding, holding a business event, or hosting visitors from away? Our printed guides are a great resource to help your guests explore the Maine restaurant scene.
25-packs of the Portland and Midcoast pocket guides are now available on our online store.