Category: Maine

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

• Congratulations to Black Goat Test Kitchen. The Midcoast restaurant is one of 47 establishments selected for the USA Today 2024 Restaurants of the Year list.
• A bakery called Pine Tree Bakery (website, instagram) is under construction at 1557 Bridgton Road in Windham. Owner/baker Lesa Beck is hoping to launch in April when she’ll be selling desserts and pastries (e.g. scones, muffins, cakes, cookies, tarts, Danish, quiche, and cinnamon rolls) as well as hot breakfast sandwiches, espresso-based coffee, soups, salads, and sandwiches.
• Silly’s fans will want to know that the Silly’s food truck is in operation in Standish. Follow their instagram account for details.
• The Courrier-Gazette reports that the restaurant Foda in Appleton has closed as the result of a serious accident that befell chef/owner Brian Beggarly in early December. The restaurant and the property it’s on is for sale.
• The Lincoln County News reports that The Contented Sole is moving to a new location after their original building in Pemaquid Harbor was severely damaged by the storms in January.
• Green & Healthy magazine has published an article about Community Plate. CP is a non-profit organization that’s organizing potluck dinners all across Maine with the goal of bringing “together people of all ages and backgrounds who gather for unforgettable evenings of homemade food, deep conversations and heartfelt storytelling.”
• Mainebiz has published an article about Baker Bru, a new bakery under construction in North Berwick which is set to open in March.

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

• The owners of Spark Bagel (website, instagram) have leased the former The Stone Pizzeria building in Northport. Initially they’ll use it solely as a bagel production kitchen, but plan to eventually open it up as a retail shop as well.
• The Courrier-Gazette has published an article about Alsace the new restaurant that opened last year in the town of Union.
• The Lincoln County News has published an article about The Alna Store. The restaurant was recently named a 2024 Beard Awards semifinalist in the Best New Restaurant category.
• The Bangor Daily News reports that a new restaurant called Maple Pig Bar & Grill is under construction in Presque Isle.
• Whittle Bird (instagram) is operating a coffee pop-up at 83 East Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft. The coffee shop will be in operation through the spring while they’re working on a new coffee trailer.

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

• A new bakery called Baker Bru (instagram) is under development in North Berwick. It will be co-located at the Boulay Farm and Market (facebook) currently under construction at 381 High Street. Owner Alex d’Emarese will be channeling his South African and Italian heritage selling a menu that includes focaccia and ciabatta bread, various types of cornetti, tarts, cookies, and featuring South African meat pies (spinach and feta, peppered steak, chicken and veggies, bacon/egg/cheese). Baker Bru will also have ready to eat sandwiches and prepared meals to go. d’Emarese plans to have gluten-free variations for many of his menu items. The bakery and market is expected to launch by the end of February open 8 am – 6 pm daily.
• Reverie Coffee House (instagram) in Brunswick opened for business (upper left) on Sunday. Reverie serves a variety of baked goods and coffee drinks prepared with beans from Time and Tide in Biddeford. They’re located at 117 Maine Street and will be open Thursday through Monday, 7 – 2.
• Dos Gatos Gastropub (instagram) in Belfast launched on Friday. Their menu features tacos and a drinks list that includes mocktails, classic cocktails, margarita variants and a small list of specialty cocktails. See this report from Camden Famous for additional details. They’re open Friday through Monday, 4:30 – 10 pm.
• The First Fig (instagram) cafe/winebar/wine shop in Camden is scheduled to open on Friday. Owner Joanna Spinks will be serving Kavka Coffee, croissants from The Place bakery, breads from Brazen Baking as well as wine and beer by the glass. First Fig will be open Wednesday through Saturday 10 am – 6 pm.
• The Madawaska location of Sami’s Cuisine and Cocktails is closing but the Fort Kent location will remain in business.
• Down East has published a profile of Pottles in Liberty. “Comfort food and a complete lack of pretense prevail at the cozy new pub in Liberty.”
• The Bowdoin Orient has published an article about The Abbey—a hybrid coffee shop and cocktail bar that opened in December in Brunswick.
• Edelweiss in Biddeford and Tres Leches in South Portland recently opened for business.
• Meridians in Fairfield (upper right photo) and Maples in New Gloucester recently went out of business.
• Blake Orchard has announced plans to expand to Brunswick and Scarborough.

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

• Ana “Betty” Guzman has leased space at 1012 Stillwater Ave in Bangor where she plans to open Betty’s Ice Cream. Guzman hopes to have Betty’s open by early March. Guzman hails from Degollado, Mexico and her menu will feature Mexican-style ice cream.
• The Northern Maine Kolache Co. (facebook, instagram) is set to open this Saturday in Van Buren in Aroostook County. Owner Donita Ayotte plans to specialize in preparing Kolaches filled with savory and sweet ingredients.
• The Brick House Kitchen (facebook, instagram) in Skowhegan recently reopened under the ownership of Sarah Dore and Alex Wyman. The restaurant is open for lunch 6 days a week and plans are in the works to add a brunch service.
• Three of the 2024 Beard Awards semifinalists from Maine are located outside of Portland in Milo, Brunswick and Alna.
• Amandine (instagram) opened for business on Thursday. The Searsport bakery is is selling breads, custom cakes, and other baked good including Kürtőskalács a Hungarian pastry. Ladonna Bruce is the head baker for Amandine. They’ll be open Monday through Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm.
• The Don’s Lunch food truck is opening a restaurant in the former River’s Edge Deli site in Westbrook. Owner Craig Bernier hopes to open later this winter or in early spring.
• The Kickstarter campaign to help purchase S. Fernald’s Country Store in Damariscotta has so far raised $31k of their $35k goal.

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

• A new bakery cafe called Amandine (instagram) is under construction in Searsport (see above). The business is being launched by Russell and Oana Manton who also own and operate Rio’s Restaurant in Searsport. Amandine will sell breads, custom cakes, and other baked good including Kürtőskalács a Hungarian pastry. Ladonna Bruce will be the head baker for Amandine. The bakery is scheduled to launch on January 25th and will be open Monday through Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm.
• The Lebanese bakery in Waterville has closed after 44 years in business. Lebanese Cuisine closed after owner Laya Joseph passed away earlier this month.
• Students at the Lewiston Regional Technical Center culinary program are kicking-off the 2024 lunch series at their student-run restaurant The Green Ladle (instagram). Thursdays and Fridays from January 25th through early April they serve a different weekly themed menu. Reservations required (207-777-3199).
• Lil Jam Cookies (website, instagram) is moving from Lisbon Falls to Maine Street in Brunswick.
• A new roastery called Crouse House Coffee Roastery (website, instagram) recently launched in Lewiston. They’re located at 25 Landry Road and are open Saturdays, 1 – 5 pm.
• Lalu Dedi Sutanto plans to open a Japanese hibachi steakhouse called Crazy Sumo 2 in Newport early this year.
• The Kickstarter campaign to help purchase S. Fernald’s Country Store in Damariscotta has so far raised $20k of their $35k goal.

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

• Four Midcoast residents (Alexandra Welch, Jon Merry, Ramsea Lucas, Derek Degeer) have launched a $35k crowdfunding campaign to help them purchase S. Fernald’s Country Store. The team (instagram) shared that they “love Fernald’s and want to emphasize its role in the community through outreach and special events. We also plan to incorporate a market with local produce and dry goods.” They have 75% of the funds needed and are using Kickstarter to raise the remaining $35k with ~$12k already pledged to the campaign. For additional information see this article in The Lincoln County News.
• Down East magazine has published an article about the restaurant renaissance taking place in Bethel. The article features Le Mu Eats, Modern Barn, Gemini Cafe, Watershed, Elizabeth Guest House and Mountain Social.
• The Bangor Daily News reports that a new diner called Legends is under construction at the former Wicked Munchies spot in Ellsworth.
• Camdan Poisson and Jordan Ott are the new owners of Franks Restaurant & Pub in Lisbon Falls.