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Benny’s

Josh Sobel launch Benny’s on May 14, 2025.

Bennys, Congress Street, Portland, ME, USA
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Portland Food Map launched in 2007 as a simple directory of the local food community. Other features have been added over the years including food event listings, the Under Construction page, guides to Maine apples and cider producers, the restaurant real estate listings, Year in Review reports, the My Kitchen Their Table chef interview series, the Maine Food Map guide, Maine news reporting, and the annual Maine Thanksgiving List.


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Here’s a look inside Benny’s (@bennys_maine) t Here’s a look inside Benny’s (@bennys_maine) the new red sauce Italian restaurant and Philly sandwich shop that’s been under construction the last few months at 545 Congress Street in the Arts District. The 32-seat Benny’s is being launched by Josh Sobel the chef/owner of Ramona’s (@ramonas_maine). The dining room features an 11-seat bar opposite a row of 2-top banquet tables along with some counter seating in the front windows. The room is decked out with art and memorabilia evocative of Philadelphia like a portrait of Sylvester Stallone in his role of Rocky Balboa. Sobel worked with @mey_and_co on the design of the restaurant. As you can see (photos 4 and 5) the menu includes Italian-American standards like chicken parmesan and spaghetti with meatballs. Shown here (3rd photo) are Benny’s pretzel garlic knots. The bar menu includes a line-up of Italian wines representing regions from the Veneto to Sicily. The cocktail list has some house creations like a Margherita pizza inspired Margarita, and the Benny’s Handshake Spritz made with the locally produced Handshake bitters, as well as classic cocktails. Benny’s official opening day is this Wednesday May 14th. They’ll initially be open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, 4 pm – 9 pm (and until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday). #redsauceitalian #bennysrestaurant #mainefood #pretzelgarlicknots #rockybalboa #margheritamargarita #portlandmaine
Alex Wight has taken over the Jefe Juan’s space Alex Wight has taken over the Jefe Juan’s space at 47 Wharf Street where she plans to open Elizabeth (@elizabeth.portlandme) a French-inspired wine bar that will be “unapologetic, sexy and fun”. Joining the Elizabeth team are chef Duncan Biddulph and pastry chef Ashley Robinson. The couple have relocated to Maine from Chicago where Biddulph worked at Lula Cafe, Publican, and was the executive chef at Rootstock and Tortello. Robinson grew up in Cape Elizabeth and after attending Harvard worked in New York and Chicago, notably as the head chef at The Bakery at Fat Rice. Together with Wight they’re planning a forward-thinking menu inspired by classic French cuisine along with a bar menu of natural wine and French cocktails. Wight is planning a full renovation and redesign of the space. She hopes to launch the 30-seat space in late fall. Wight is the owner of Crown Jewel restaurant. She launched the 35-seat restaurant on Great Diamond Island in July 2018. She previously ran the influential Flanagan’s Table dinner series in Buxton. #mainefood #elizabethwinebar #wharfstreet #frenchwinebar #alexwight
RAFFLE COMPLETED Welcome to the May edition of th RAFFLE COMPLETED Welcome to the May edition of the Portland Food Map raffle sponsored by Evergreen Credit Union (@evergreen_credit_union). The winner will receive a $150 Visa gift card for use at Guerrero Maya in South Portland and either two tickets to the Portland Sea Dogs OR two tickets to the Portland Museum of Art. Simply comment on this Instagram image and tag a friend (or, two, or three...), and you’re entered to win. To whet your appetite for a visit here’s a look at Guerreo Maya: a margarita made with1800 reposado tequila, ceviche mixto, fajita tacos, guacamole (prepared table side), steak with sauteed mushrooms, onions and peppers. When the check is delivered it comes with sweet gift of chips topped with whip cream and strawberry sauce. #mainefood #evergreeneverywhere #reposadomargarita #cevichemixto #fajitanachos #tablesideguacamole NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. 1 winner will be chosen at random and will receive either 2 tickets to a Portland Sea Dogs home game OR 2 guest Admission Tickets to the Portland Museum of Art. Date of Sea Dogs game to be determined with the winner. Meal for two at Guerrero Maya is good for up to $150 in the form of a VISA gift card; any additional costs will be the responsibility of the winner. The winner will be chosen on May 6th, and will be notified via Instagram direct message by Portland Food Map. The winner will connect with Evergreen Credit Union to receive their prize package. Per Instagram rules, this promotion is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc. By entering, entrants confirm that they are 18+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s terms of use. This contest is in no way sponsored or administered by the Portland Sea Dogs, Portland Museum of Art, or Guerrero Maya. By entering, entrants confirm that they release the Portland Sea Dogs and Portland Museum of Art, and Guerrero Maya of responsibility.
Mandy & Matt’s Cafe (@mandyandmattscafe) opened Mandy & Matt’s Cafe (@mandyandmattscafe) opened for business on Monday. The cafe is located at 1160 Forest Ave in the building formerly occupied by Samuel’s. Mandy & Matt’s is open daily 6 am – 2 pm with lunch served 11 am – 2 pm. Owners Amanda and Matt Lebel have made some renovations to dining room and its decorations. The overall layout with a bar on the right and table seating in the rest of the room remains the same. The menu includes a wide range of classic breakfast and lunch fare like pancakes, eggs, oatmeal, with cold and hot sandwiches for lunch. You can see all three pages of the menu on the most recent post on the Mandy & Matt’s Instagram account (@mandyandmattscafe). Shown here are blueberry pancakes with grilled ham and home fries, and a pastrami reuben on marble rye with fries. Samuel’s owner Sam Minervino recently closed Samuel’s and is in the process of launching the North Deering Tavern at 1349 Washington Ave in the former Parker’s building in Allen’s Corner. #portlandmaine #mainefood #blueberrypancakes #pastramireuben #mandyandmatts
Za (@zaportlandmaine) opened for business late las Za (@zaportlandmaine) opened for business late last week. The new pizzeria is located at 25 Preble Street. The interior design has been updated with a similar overall layout to when Slab occupied the space. Owners Jessica and Brandon Tenney and their team are serving pizza by the slice and as whole pies as well as sandwiches, salads, and appetizers. The bar menu offers wine, draft beers, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks. Shown here are the B-Sting pizza, Simple Greens salad and a Hibiscus Chili Mezcalita NA drink. See 5th and 6th images for the menus. Za is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11:30 am – 10 pm. #portlandmaine #mainefood
RAFFLE COMPLETE Welcome to the April edition of th RAFFLE COMPLETE Welcome to the April edition of the Portland Food Map raffle sponsored by Evergreen Credit Union (@evergreen_credit_union). The winner will receive a $150 Visa gift card for use at The Good Table and either two tickets to the Portland Sea Dogs OR two tickets to the Portland Museum of Art. Simply comment on this Instagram image and tag a friend (or, two, or three...), and you’re entered to win. To whet your appetite for a visit here’s a look at some drinks and dishes from The Good Table: seared halibut, a winter citrus and burrata salad, orecchiette with beef sugo, roasted brussels sprouts, avocado toast and a cinnamon roll at Sunday brunch. #mainefood #evergreeneverywhere #bluefincrudo #orecchiette #avocadotoast #cinnamonbun NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. 1 winner will be chosen at random and will receive either 2 tickets to a Portland Sea Dogs home game OR 2 guest Admission Tickets to the Portland Museum of Art. Date of Sea Dogs game to be determined with the winner. Meal for two at The Good Table is good for up to $150 in the form of a VISA gift card; any additional costs will be the responsibility of the winner. The winner will be chosen on April 15th, and will be notified via Instagram direct message by Portland Food Map. The winner will connect with Evergreen Credit Union to receive their prize package. Per Instagram rules, this promotion is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc. By entering, entrants confirm that they are 18+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s terms of use. This contest is in no way sponsored or administered by the Portland Sea Dogs, Portland Museum of Art, or The Good Table. By entering, entrants confirm that they release the Portland Sea Dogs and Portland Museum of Art, and The Good Table of responsibility.
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