Category: Under Construction

According to a report in the American Journal, the French Press Eatery is temporarily closed while it changes from a breakfast and lunch coffee/sandwich shop to a BBQ and Cajun restaurant serving lunch and dinner. (via Westbrook Diarist)

On Tuesday, James Tranchemontagne admitted they have struggled to keep the French Press profitable, saying, “It never really clicked that it was breakfast and lunch.” He and his brother sat down to discuss its prospects recently and determined the best course was to transition to a lunch and dinner menu. He said the plan is different from last year’s attempted expansion.

“We probably should have done this in July. We are a young company and we learn a lot as we go,” he said.

James Tranchemontagne is the chef of the Frog & Turtle. He and his brother Andre are co-owners of both restaurants.

The signs and paper blocking the windows at 47 Middle Street are now down and pedestrians on Middle Street can now get a look in at the renovations underway for the EastEnder, the restaurant that’s taking the place of Norm’s East End Grill.

According to the liquor license application submitted by the Corry’s and their business partner Elizabeth Koenigsberg, the name of the French bistro the trio are opening in Longfellow Square will be Petite Jacqueline. You can see draft lunch and dinner menus for Petite Jacqueline on pages 31-35 pf the City Council agenda for January 3, 2011.

Mainebiz has published a report on a pair of new restaurants that the owners and managers of El Rayo have in the works.

The owners of El Rayo Taqueria are expanding in two directions. Tod Dana and Alex Fisher are opening a cantina in the building next door to their popular Mexican restaurant on York Street. And in the other direction, a few blocks west, they are working on a new restaurant at 231 York St. called River House.

The Portland Daily Sun has published a report on Otto and the impending opening of their new location at the foot of Munjoy Hill.

“It’s a really neat space, we’ve done neat things with the dining room,” said the co-owner.

Topping that list of neat things would be the restaurant’s booths — five grand pianos salvaged from around the state by Keon and turned into one-of-a-kind seating.

The For Rent signs are down at 190 State Street. Steve and Michelle Corry have taken a lease on the space and intend on opening a casual dining destination serving lunch and dinner in Spring 2011. They are  joining the growing list of Portland restaurateurs that operate more than one business.

The past year has seen a lot of changes in and around Longfellow Square with the opening of Yordprom Coffee, Boda, Pai Men Miyake and Local Sprouts, as well as the rebuilding of 645 Congress Street, construction at the old Binga’s Wingas building, establishment of the Quimby Colony in the old Roma Cafe and the face lift for King of the Roll. Tropa Wine closed in 2010 as did Barava and most notably Evangeline.

A new liquor license application has been filed for the Italian restaurant under construction at the old Walter’s location. The name of the restaurant has been changed from G’Vanni’s Bistro to 15 Exchange and a new sample menu has been provided.