Category: Under Construction

Mainebiz has published an update on Monte’s Fine Foods which is slated to open on Washington Ave in May.

The plan morphed into a retail operation selling local and imported food products, mostly Mediterranean. Plus, they’ll have in-store dining featuring Roman-style pizza made on the premises. There are several types of Roman pizza, he said. In this case, they’ll make Roman “pinsa,” a rustic multi-grain flatbread that’s crispy and light, he explained. Toppings will feature the local and imported ingredients sold in the store.

Today’s Press Herald reports on a 175-seat Luke’s Lobster planned for Portland Pier.

The restaurant at 60 Portland Pier will be the seafood chain’s largest by far, with 175 indoor seats and a patio that seats 25, according to company founder Luke Holden, a native of Cape Elizabeth. The typical Luke’s location seats about 25 patrons.

Holden hopes to have the restaurant open at the start of Summer.

Maiz (website, facebook, instagram) owners Martha Leonard and Niky Walter have leased 621 Forest Ave where they plan to open a second location in 2019.

Maiz opened their original location in the Public Market House July 2, 2017 where they serve a menu of arepas and other Latin American street food.

Boston.com has published an article about Three Dollar Deweys and the new owner’s plans for it.

Throughout its history, Deweys was known for its impeccable selection of beer and a welcoming atmosphere.

Those are traits that Christopher is keen to preserve. The Maine native said that the spirit of Deweys — and its 36 tap lines — will remain intact, with an emphasis on pouring local and international beers. However, he said he will make some changes to both the food and the space. The menu will include more vegetarian and grain-free options, and a made-in-house approach will be applied to the bar food. The bar will also receive some cosmetic updates, with fewer communal tables and more private seating areas.

3 Dollar Deweys is under renovations and slated to reopen under new management. I’ll share more details as they become available.

The original Deweys was opened at the corner of Fore and Union Streets and was an pillar of the early craft beer community in Portland. The pub eventually moved to its present location and closed after nearly 4 decades in operation at the end of July 2018.

Update: Joe Christopher is the new owner of Three Dollar Deweys. Christopher is the GM and partner of the Shipyard Brew Haus at Sugarloaf as well as the owner of three other businesses: Jump and Raft, Three Rivers Whitewater Rafting and Inn by the River. He hopes to reopen Deweys around the beginning of March.

I am beyond excited to be a part of this great place and its history. We will be working hard to offer great food, beverage and FUN, friendly service for years to come. There will live music, great beer, wine and spirits from local providers from all around the world. 

Just about a month after the pocket-sized coffee shop opened on Washington Ave, All Those Who Wander is moving to a new location. The windows are papered over and a sign states, “We have begun the process of moving to our new location…very exciting things to come! Thank you all for patience and understanding as we make this transition.”

No details are available yet on their new location.

 

The food truck Farm to Coast Mobile Kitchen has leased space Biddeford’s North Dam Mill where they’re opening a cafe.

This is the latest in a very long list of new restaurants that have opened over the last few years that got their start as a food truck.

Sticky Sweet (website, facebook, instagram) has successfully completed a $22k Kickstarter campaign. Co-owners Kelley and Ashley Dow raised the funds to expand the production capacity of their dairy-free, gluten-free vegan ice cream business.

The Dows have leased a 600 sq ft space at 115 Cumberland Ave—just around the corner from the restaurants on Washington Ave—where they’ll be opening a Sticky Sweet scoop shop.

Plans for Rock Row, the new development in the former gravel pit off Brighton Ave, is slated to feature a 25,000 sq ft “food hall” with space for 15 food vendors, 7 beverage tasting rooms and seating for more than 500 people.

Inspired by the great public markets of the past and the future of Greater Portland’s deeply authentic food culture, Rock Row’s Beer and Food Hall will be an unparalleled dining, tasting, beer and wine experience. Curated by Colicchio Consulting, purveyors will offer a wide selection of local ingredients, artisanal goods, and onsite brews, while chef driven cuisine will mix with live music to bring together a vibrant mix of locals and visitors.

They’re now accepting vendor applications from “purveyors [that] will offer a wide selection of local ingredients, artisanal goods, and onsite brews…[and]…chef driven cuisine”. They’re now accepting vendor applications.

A new project called Candy’s (website, instagram) is under development with plans to open in West Bayside next year. Billed as a queer community hub, Candy’s will include a cafe/coffee shop and bar:

grab a coffee and hang in the queer library in the morning. shoot some pool. teach a workshop. attend a workshop. come to a show. host a show. listen to our podcast. bring the fam, whatever that may mean to you. drink a drink. eat some snacks. talk to pals. be kind to one another.

There’s more details on the project and future programming on the Tell Me About It, What’s Happening, and FAQ pages of their website.

Candy’s will be holding an information session on the project and kick-off for their community fundraising efforts on November 9th, 6-8:30pm at LB Kitchen.