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New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know:
- Molly Pritchett and Josh Grindstaff have leased the former Secundo space at 279 Main Street in South Berwick where they plan to open Catbird (website, facebook, instagram). The menu is still under development but will include options like an oxtail ragu, house made pastas, and dishes inspired by their travels complemented by wine and cocktails. They aim to offer a menu that “will feel approachable but full of surprises”. They shared some thoughts on their vision for Catbird “We’re building it with heart, humor, and a little edge. I [Pritchett] care deeply about creating an environment where staff feel supported and trained to succeed, while Josh brings a calm and grounded energy to the kitchen that inspires trust. With the right team, Catbird won’t just be a restaurant; it’ll be a space that feels alive, approachable, and a little extraordinary.” The couple initially met when working at Dufour in 2021 and have continued working together at several restaurants since including Northern Union where Pritchett was the GM and Grindstaff the executive chef. Interior design renovations are underway and they hope to launch Catbird by the end of October.
- The Biergarten (instagram) opens today. During this first phase of the launch the Skowhegan restaurant is serving an abbreviated menu (“selection of classics from our menu and cold drinks”) using a counter service model. Biergarten is expected to fully open sometime this fall. You can pay them a visit Thursday through Sunday, noon – 8 pm.
- The new 8-lane bowling alley and bar called The Gutter (website, instagram) opened for business yesterday in Biddeford (above, left). The Gutter is located at 129 Main Street in the building known as the Marble Block. They’re serving a menu (above, right) of hot dogs, pressed sandwiches, a meatloaf plate, a caesar salad, frito pie, and bar snacks. The Gutter offers a range of draft beer and has a full liquor license They’ll be open daily, noon – 1 am with 7 pm onward reserved for 21+ customers. Eating Through the Seacoast has published a video walkthrough of The Gutter.
- The King’s Head has opened their Freeport location. They’re located in the building formerly occupied by the Jameson Tavern which closed this past November.
- The Midcoast Villager has published an article about Brian Smith, the founder of Oyster River Winegrowers in Warren.
- The Bangor Daily News has published an article about Katahdin Kitchen (instagram) which recently opened in Old Town. “The Kitchen offers Indigenous food using local ingredients that would have been the cuisine before settlers came to the area, he said. The menu creates contemporary dishes, like wraps and smoothies, using ingredients like squash, corn and game meats.” Additionally, the BDN has reported that DragonFire Pizza in Ellsworth has gone out of business.
- Frannie Eats Maine has provided a look at the food, drink and games inside the new Rift Arcade in Biddeford.
- The Press Herald reports that a restaurant called Rambler Irish Bistro (facebook, instagram) is under development at the former Old & Elm space in Yarmouth. Rambler is being launched by Rick Boyd who also operates Backwoods Burger Shack in Gorham and Wonderdogs in Naples. Owl & Elm closed in July.
- We posted a new Maine road-trip report on instagram with photos Spark Bagel in Northport, The Corner Bar in Rangeley, Wakie Wakies in Westbrook, TunkJoy Bakery in Steuben, Claws in Rockland, and the Keag Store in South Thomaston.
- Dutchman’s in Brunswick will be participating in the 2025 New York BagelFest. They’re one of 23 bagel producers from around the globe participating in the event, and the only one from New England.
For a statewide guide to eating and drinking see the Maine Food Map—a growing list of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, bakeries, cafes, plus other food and dining businesses in all of Maine’s 16 counties.