Under Construction: Boone’s, Sonnet, Bresca and the Honey Bee, Vinland, Chris Gould

Today’s Maine Sunday Telegram includes a feature article about Harding Smith and his fourth “Room” restaurant, Boone’s Fish House and Oyster Room.

This has been Smith’s life the past few months, as he juggles managing his three Portland restaurants while trying to open a fourth: Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room, a new seafood place on Custom House Wharf.

In a year with an unusually large number of restaurant openings in the works in Portland, Boone’s is one of the most anticipated. It’s a project that will give Smith an unprecedented fourth restaurant within the city limits, and revitalize the late-19th-century waterfront building where it’s said Alexander Boone first served baked stuffed lobster.

Food writer Meredith Goad has also put together a series of sidebars on four other up and coming restaurants that are set to launch this year: Chris Gould’s restaurant on Fore Street, Bresca and the Honey Bee, Sonnet and Vinland.

Brunch Review of Artemisia Cafe

The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a brunch review of Artemisia Cafe.

If salmon hash ($10.50) is on the menu, order it. One of many hash selections, this version includes roasted salmon with a Dijon sauce, sautéed onions, capers and dill creme fraiche. Two eggs any style are included in the order, and the salmon combination of flaky filet and fried potato make for a tasty variation on a familiar standard. Dill is fresh and not overpowering, and the creme fraiche on potatoes tasted lovely.