Category: Under Construction

Spoon & Shutter has published a set of preview photos from Timber Steakhouse & Rotisserie, located at 106 Exchange Street.

Timber has announced that they’ll be accepting reservations starting at 10 am today for next week’s opening on Thursday.

The menu is classic steakhouse, with some less-traditional dishes in the mix. The appetizer list includes jumbo shrimp cocktail ($18) and steak tartare ($14), but also “smokey bourbon-infused chicken chili” ($12) and “batter-dipped fried bacon strips with Maine maple syrup.” ($8) Steaks — 16 oz. New York strip ($46), 10 oz. filet mignon ($26), 40-day aged, 24 oz. ribeye ($55) and a 2-pound porterhouse ($78) — are all Certified Angus Beef.

“We are the only restaurant in the state to be Certified Angus,” said Noah. “When you eat here, you will be guaranteed that it will be delicious.”

A new food truck called Maine-ly Meatballs (website, facebook) is under development and expected to launch at the end of May, according to a report from Eater Maine.

With nearly a full day still to go, the Kickstarter campaign for The Bearded Lady’s Jewel Box has met and is exceeding their $21,000 goal.

The Jewel Box is a craft cocktail bar under development by Nathaniel Meiklejohn. Construction is underway at 644 Congress Street and Meiklejohn hopes to open later this summer.

Meredith Goad’s weekly article in the Press Herald Food & Dining section highlights some of the new restaurants due to launch this summer.

Here are a few more construction updates:

• Eater Maine reports that the former KFC on Forest Ave is going to be a restaurant called Thurston’s Wicked Good Burgers (website).
• Two new vendor spaces are under construction on the 2nd floor of the Public Market House for a Dominican restaurant and Kupcakes/Love Cupcakes

CN Shawarma (facebook, twitter) which promises to deliver “Arabian BBQ…exotic flavors, local ingredients” to the streets of Portland is under development.

Owner Clayton Norris aims to launch the truck in the first week of June and will be doing a few test runs during the later part of May.

Guy Hernandez, chef and co-owner of Lolita, appeared on WCSH where he spoke about the plans for the restaurant and prepared a dish dandelion greens and garlic puree.

Near the end of the interview Hernandez indicates that they’re targeting “right after Memorial Day” for the launch of Lolita (facebook, website).

The Urban Eye has posted an update on Old Port Spirits.

So much so that two weeks ago he purchased Downeast Beverage Co. from Doug Webber. Five blocks away, the store at 79 Commercial is transforming to Old Port Spirits and Cigars by the end of the month. After eight years running a wine shop downtown, he is ready for more.

“My goal is to have the best selection of bourbon, whiskey and craft beer,” said deVillier, who dropped $150,000 to improve the store, which had seen better days.

Vespucci’s Market has closed. Owner Keith Hickman as begun renovating the space into a 64-seat restaurant and bar called 211 Danforth.

He plans on opening a new neighborhood market in the coming weeks in the retail on the side of the building (formerly Cordell’s) to be called Clark Street Deli & Market.