Category: Openings

Woodford Food & Beverage (facebook, twitter, instagram, website) has announced plans to open on Wednesday January 20th at 5pm.The 85-seat restaurant is located in the center of Woodfords Corner, 660 Forest Ave, at the location of the original Valle’s Steakhouse.

Chef Courtney Loreg with owners Birch Shambaugh and Fayth Preyer have had as their goal to create a “classic neighborhood eatery where you can count on having a reasonable, simple meal or, when you feel like it, something a bit more special”.

Here’s and advance look at the opening night menu (click to enlarge). There’s a daily rotating list of specials (I’m looking forward to Friday’s braised lamb shanks) along with a mix of classic neighborhood restaurant dishes like roast chicken,  strip steak, brussels sprouts, mussels and roast beet salad. The menu’s accompanied by a food friendly list of wine and beer and a short list of cocktails.

Woodford Food & Beverage will be open dinner 6 days a week (closed Tuesdays). They plan to start serving Sunday brunch (10-3) on January 31st.

Liquid Riot is releasing a fernet style amaro which they have named Fernet Michaud. The Fernet goes on sale at Commercial Street brewpub and distillery starting on Thursday.

Intervale Mercantile Co.(instagram) had a soft opening on Saturday and is now “slightly open“, 10-2 Monday through Friday with a grand opening planned for Saturday.

Intervale is located at 4 School Street in Freeport. A studio and retail shop for Erik Desjarlais’ line of Weft & Warp brand products (knife rolls, aprons, leather goods, etc) as well as a growing assortment of vintage chefs knive, grooming products and an interesting collection of flatware based jewelry and decorative items.

Tomaso’s Canteen(website, facebook, instagram, twitter) is now open.

Tomaso’s is located in the former Sangillo’s building at 18 Hampshire Street. Owner Sam Minervino has fully renovated the space; a long bar runs along the right wall and a kitchen has been installed at the back. The opening night menu includes the Wings (buffalo, Thai chili, or dirt) as well as single, double or triple Flat-Top Burgers and sandwiches such as Blackened Haddock, Fried Chicken and Italian Sausage with peppers and onions.

Tomaso’s is named for Minervino’s great grandfather.

Veranda Noodle House is now open at 245 Commercial Street. It’s located in the space formerly occupied by The Salt Exchange.

The Noodle House serves several types of Phô, Tom Yum of Mi soups as well as Thai appetizer, curries and rice/noodle dishes. They’re open until 10 pm tonight.

Roustabout(twitter, instagram, facebook, website) is now open. Last night’s menu includes dishes such as Pasta Fagioli, Seafood Salad with octopus, chickpeas chilies and bitter greens, Bolognese with garganelli, fonduta and basil, Roast Chicken Fra Diavolo, Skate Piccata and Eggplant Parmesan.

The 75-seat restaurant and bar is located at 59 Washington Ave near Oxbow, Tu Casa and Terlingua and immediately next to Maine & Loire.

The Drink Exchange(facebook) is scheduled to open today. It’s located at 43 Wharf Street in the space formerly occupied by The Merry Table. Owner Tanner Herget also runs 51 Wharf, Dusk and Bonfire—all on Wharf Street.

Chez Okapi held their grand opening on September 26 and is now open for business. The restaurant is located at 249 Saint John Street in the space formerly occupied by Taqueria Tequila. Owner Raphael Kabata serves a dishes inspired from the cuisine his native country of Congo.