Chef Damian Sansonetti has joined up with a group of 3 partners that are launching a new cafe at 5 Dana Street in the old home of Big Mama’s Diner.
Sansonetti tells me they hope to fill a niche for the weekday lunch crowd and catering for nearby office workers. Just a stones throw from both Commercial and Wharf Streets they would seem to be well positioned to tap into late night weekend Wharf Street crowd as well as serve hungry tourists in the Summer. The menu is still under development but will be sandwich-centric with some interesting twists.
They hope to open the new, and as yet unnamed business, in February.
While working on the Dana Street project, Sansonetti is continuing to search for digs in Portland to open his own restaurant, Sonnet.
Can’t wait! Enjoyed a meal he prepared at Dandelion Spring Farm. Delicious. So glad he and his equally amazing wife Ilma chose Portland as their new home.
I wonder if he tried to call it 5 Dana Street, the actual Dana Street would try and block it since he owns a restaurant a few doors down?
Anybody know what’s going on with Plush? There’s no for lease sign and they’ve covered up the windows which usually tells me somebody is going in.
Nick, I’ve heard that it was leased out within days of Plush closing down. No details yet but there’s definitely a new restaurant/bar under construction.
Well let’s see if my guess that the guys from Nosh are going in is correct. Hopefully a place that knows what neighborhood it’s in and that it has the state theater pre/post crowd to take advantage of. Have good beer and decent comfort food. Really simple for that spot.
Just got a text from this restaurant saying they are opening on Tuesday 03/18.