{"id":14847,"date":"2018-04-25T19:48:17","date_gmt":"2018-04-25T23:48:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/?p=14847"},"modified":"2018-04-25T19:48:17","modified_gmt":"2018-04-25T23:48:17","slug":"whats-new-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/whats-new-2\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s New?"},"content":{"rendered":"

May 2018 | view this story as a .pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

A fresh crop of entrepreneurial dreamers is ready to ignite your summer.<\/span><\/h3>\n

By Sarah Moore<\/span><\/p>\n

\"MAY18-New-in-the-old-port\"Just when you feel you\u2019ve got the whole city memorized by heart, you turn a corner and dazzling new restaurants, bars, and shops waiting to be explored. Portland is as restless and shifting as the sea that surrounds it. So take a deep breath and dive into the new Old Port\u2026and beyond. <\/span><\/p>\n

Exchange Street Evolution<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

On the last night of 2017, we said goodbye to Sonny\u2019s cocktail bar and hello to Black Cow<\/strong> at 83 Exchange Street. Housed in the same gorgeous 19th-century former bank that provides the picturesque backdrop to Tommy\u2019s Park, Black Cow is nonetheless a very different beast from its predecessor. Gone are the sultry red walls and heavy drapes, replaced by a vibrant teal paint and dove-gray banquettes. Chef de cuisine Nicholas Nappi describes the casual restaurant as \u201celevated classic Americana\u201d\u2013think succulently greasy cheeseburgers made on dense, house-made buns and drizzled with caramelized tomato mayo and mustard, \u201ccured and ground right here.\u201d Heady nostalgia is apparent in the playful menus (Slushburgers are Sloppy Joes for the Instagram world), newly installed soda fountain, and shake bar. Before you panic, the original Sonny\u2019s bar remains, along with much of its original staff and a pared-down list of 10 fancy cocktails. \u201cWe started afresh with the bar program,\u201d Nappi says. \u201cThe new menu features\u00a0 <\/span>citrus-forward drinks and whiskeys that cut through the grease of the burgers.\u201d The air of classic kitsch and Black Cow\u2019s reasonable prices ($5 hamburgers) are sure to appeal to parents and their kids alike. The restaurant looks a lot less friendly for those with dietary restrictions\u2013most options contain meat and dairy. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00c0\u00a0 <\/span>La Cart<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Across Exchange Street you\u2019ll find the brick-and-mortar realization of Highroller Lobster Co. <\/strong>food cart. The punchy design of the interior\u2013a vibrant red and white canteen\u2013and the creative menu list dispel the notion of a lobster roll joint as a seasonal enterprise. As if to prove this, Andy Gerry and Baxter Key opened the restaurant\u2019s (lobster-red) doors in the depths of December. If you like your lobster shacks with a little edge, you\u2019ll feel right at home with a tasty taco made of crisped cheese, filled with a bounty of lobster meat, fresh romaine, and lashings of lime mayo. <\/span><\/p>\n

Wharf Street, But Not As You Know It<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The narrow, cobbled walkway tucked parallel to the bustle of Commercial Street is an after-hours destination for fine dining (think Street & Co., Central Provision) and after-after hours debauchery (think Bonfire and Oasis nightclub). Mark Barnett hopes to change your mind. The owner of Wharf Street\u2019s uber-chic new coffee shop and apothecary, Higher Grounds<\/strong>, has a big dreams for this little street. He moved into 45 Wharf Street in October 2017, after he connected with landlord Joe Cooper over a shared vision for its future. \u201cWe really want to shift the public perception of Wharf Street. Imagine if it could be pedestrianized\u2013we could create boulevard with a European feel right here.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Grab a Speckled Ax coffee and light bite and take a seat among the tropical plants and succulents (some of them whimsically adorned with name tags) amid shelves of locally made tinctures, tonics, and salves. Barnett hopes to expand his herbal offerings in the near future\u2013he\u2019s following state legislature closely to see if the possibility of expanding Higher Grounds into a cannabis retail space could become a viable prospect. \u201cThe space next door [49 Wharf Street] is empty. If cannabis retail becomes a legal possibility, we could always expand.\u201d In the meantime, \u201cwe\u2019ll be open till around 7 or 8 p.m. this summer, and we\u2019ll have patio seating out front of here and 49 Wharf.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Retail-Orientated <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

You can indulge more than your taste buds in the Old Port. A sleek set of boutiques and international brands has found its perch along these narrow streets in recent months. If the food scene leaves you feeling inspired to flex your own Epicurean muscles, SKORDO<\/strong> at 372 Fore Street has all the gadgets and ingredients you could desire to at least look the part of the Michelin-star chef. John Karonis and his family launched the business online in 2016. \u201cSKORDO is Greek for garlic,\u201d he says, a nod to his family\u2019s heritage, though it\u2019s not all Hellenic wares. The tastefully designed storefront sells everything \u201cfrom ceramic rice cookers to Tunisian tagine pots.\u201d Pick up a bag of Greek seasoning and a pot of Maine blueberry pork rub to add a rush to your grills and picnics this summer. <\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond the kitchen, find interior design inspiration at the petite Fitz & Bennett <\/strong>showroom on 43 Silver Street. The store is carefully curated to resemble a Pinterest-worthy array of enviable ceramics, throws, and tchotchkes<\/em>. \u201cPortlanders loves local art and handmade artisanal objects, but we\u2019re practical, too,\u201d says owner Lauren Siviski. \u201cI want to make sure someone can come in with $50 or less and find something really exciting to keep or give as a gift.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

On the corner of Tommy\u2019s Park and Middle Street, clothing retailer Rambler\u2019s Way<\/strong> installed a 5,000-square-foot storefront to showcase the brand\u2019s upscale eco-clothing line. Launched by Tom Chapell (of Tom\u2019s of Maine fame), the shop offers Merino-wool and organic cotton basics. The clothes are 100-percent American-made, though the style is classically British\u2013think Meghan Markle crossed with Kate Middleton.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jump aboard the \u201cathleisure\u201d train with a trip to lululemon <\/strong>on 18 Exchange Street. The global brand opened its first Portland store on Milk Street in 2010, but closed several years later. The new shop front on one of the Old Port\u2019s busiest thoroughfares assures visitors it\u2019s \u201cHere to be, here to stay,\u201d according to hand-lettering on the windows. The minimal, sleekly lined interior is an expression of the brand\u2019s ethos of clean living, exercise, and authenticity. Pop in for a pair of snug yoga pants or information on the store\u2019s exercise classes and events. Expect to leave with your wallet feeling significantly lighter. <\/span><\/p>\n

You Can Always Go Downtown<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Further uptown, the action continues with exciting new eateries popping up along the fertile stretch of Congress Street. Here, two architectural treasures recently found their second lease on life. The Roma Caf\u00e9<\/strong>, which brought foodie delight to Portlanders long before we were ever considered foodies, rises from its ashes to offer classic red-sauce Italian fare in The Rines Mansion at 767 Congress, where the restaurant lived from 1936 until 1989. If you\u2019re weary of modern dining, with its communal tables and trend-driven ingredients, find a table at the tastefully reimagined Roma and order up a plate of spaghetti, meatballs, and Caesar salad\u2026and enjoy. <\/span><\/p>\n

Just 250 feet away, The Francis Hotel<\/strong> in the Mellen E. Bolster House has shaken off its dust sheets to begin a new life as a hip boutique hotel with accompanying restaurant, Bolster, Snow & Co.<\/strong> Described by owners Nate DeLois, Tony DeLois, Jake DeLois, and Jeff Harder as a \u201crestaurant with rooms,\u201d the petite hotel (named for famed architect Francis Fassett) is an homage to its history, with restored fireplace and classic furnishings dotted around the living spaces and 15 bedrooms. <\/span><\/p>\n

Lafayette, We Are Here<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Another historical face peeks out from the corner Park and Congress from the lobby of the Lafayette Building. When you catch a glimpse of Teddy Roosevelt\u2019s toothy grin, you\u2019ve come face-to-face with the area\u2019s latest high-end cocktail joint, Sagamore Hill Lounge<\/strong>. Owner Ryan Deskins describes Sagamore as \u201ca world-class place to get a drink inside a former luxury hotel\u2013which happened to be built during Roosevelt\u2019s first term.\u201d There will be beer and wine along with \u201ca selection of presidentially inspired drinks. The Rough Rider himself was fond of mint juleps, with fresh mint from the White House garden. Sagamore Hill is a place that we think Teddy would happily saddle up to today.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

On the same row, tucked in beside Merchant & Co., Pok\u00e9 Pop<\/strong> will fuse the popularity of Hawaiian pok\u00e9 bowls (fresh, raw tuna served with assorted vegetables and rice) with Asian delicacies rarely seen in Maine. Owner and sushi chef Anusat Limsitong plans to familiarize us with tasty, healthful treats like bubble tea and bingsu\u2013a type of dessert made from shaved ice and sweet toppings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Electric Avenue<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The dark horse of the Portland scene, Washington Avenue<\/strong> keeps on giving us more reasons to go east. After two years of speculation and planning, an unusual development on the corner of Washington and Marion Street has finally come to fruition. \u201cYes! At long last, the Black Box shipping-container project<\/strong> is moving ahead,\u201d says Jed Harris, commercial real-estate developer. The vision for pop-up commercial spaces housed in six reused shipping containers has been on Harris\u2019s mind for several years, inspired by the success of similar projects in other U.S. cities and London. \u201cWe have a reservation agreement with The Cheese Shop of Portland <\/strong>and a new espresso bar. The containers have been modified by a company in Brewer called SnapSpace. If all goes well, they\u2019ll arrive onsite this month, and tenants will be able to occupy by June 1. We\u2019re very excited to see what types of businesses show up.\u201d Take a trip past the Nissen Building to see the new industrial-chic structure come to life, as this stretch of Portland evolves before our eyes. Sometimes the new energy feeds on new energy: The Cheese Shop owners Will and Mary Sissle were put in contact with Harris by Pete and Orenda Hale, the restaurateurs who recently expanded Drifters Wife <\/strong>bistro and wine shop a few doors down. \u201cWashington Avenue is one of our favorite places to visit,\u201d Mary says. \u201cIt felt natural to open our shop among those places we love the most. This was the perfect way for us to get our shop going in our ideal neighborhood quickly and cost efficiently.\u201d The little storefront will offer cheeses cut-to-order and an array of dairy and deli items from Maine and beyond. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ogunquit\u2019s Bob\u2019s Clam Hut <\/strong>owner Michael Landgarten teased back in January that the building (formerly 3 Buoys seafood shack) at the corner of Cumberland and Washington would soon be transformed into \u201can urban Bob\u2019s,\u201d complete with a large outdoor patio for hungry visitors to devour fried clams and lobster in a less frenetic, more local-centric hangout than the Old Port. Landgarten aims to open before summer gets underway. <\/span><\/p>\n

By day, Portland Pottery is the cozy cafe-cum-workshop that has inhabited 118 Washington Avenue for over thirty years. But by night, it transforms into something altogether more romantic. When dusk falls and the candles are lit, Lena\u2019s Italian <\/strong>dishes up wholesome slabs of parmesan (in eggplant, veal, or chicken iterations) baked in sweet and sharp tomato sauce and generous amounts of oozing mozzarella with a side of crisp romaine Caesar salad. Seated in mismatched spindle-back chairs and surrounded by handmade pottery, you could\u2019ve been transported back to Nonna\u2019s kitchen.<\/p>\n

Get Down to Business<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Despite appearances, there\u2019s more to Portland\u2019s urban ecosystem than bars and restaurants. Entrepreneurial Mainers are sending waves out from our little seacoast state across the globe. Figures from The Maine Department of Labor suggest unemployment rates in the state have dipped to 2.9 percent\u2013the lowest since 1976. Portland caps in even further beneath the curve at 2.5 percent. According to The Financial Post<\/em>, 2018 looks set to be another bumper year of lobster exports, with China hungrier than ever for our lucky red lobsters. So what\u2019s happening under the surface of The Forest City?<\/span><\/p>\n

On the Move<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Moving eastward beyond the Maine State Pier, you\u2019ll notice big changes underfoot. After all, the rumbling construction vehicles are hard to miss. Several large firms have made moves to this end of town in the past year, eager grab a position close to the beating heart of the Old Port. CEO Joshua Broder chose 16 Middle Street from among 20 other properties to establish his new Tilson <\/strong>HQ. It was a strategic move: the tech information service company is listed as one of America\u2019s 5,000 fastest-growing companies by Inc.<\/em> this year, and \u201cwe\u2019ll probably add another 30 people to our 115-strong Portland team in 2018,\u201d Broder says. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of young talent in Maine.\u201d The tech-savvy employees can enjoy a walking commute to work, \u201caffordable condos,\u201d and choice lunch spots\u2013\u201cWe\u2019re responsible for the lines outside Micucci\u2019s <\/strong>these days!\u201d Tilson took a gamble on this relatively quiet neighborhood last year, but now they\u2019re in good company. WEX <\/strong>has chosen the corner of Hancock and Thames Street, a former city parking lot, as the downtown site for its new headquarters. The 100,00-square-foot, five-story space will give 450 of the company\u2019s population enviable sea views. Sensing opportunity, AC Hotel <\/strong>will open the doors to its swanky 150-room hotel at 158 Fore Street, no doubt hoping to entice visiting businessmen and women. <\/span><\/p>\n

Fresh Picks<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not all big corporations taking steps this year. A number of startup incubators around the state are giving wings to small-scale entrepreneurial efforts. CoworkHERS <\/strong>launched a glossy female-only workspace at 411 Congress to nurture women-lead businesses and freelancers\u2013not a bad move, considering Maine leads revenue growth among women-owned business, according to the 2018 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report. \u201cWhat I aim to do is bring a community of women together to help them connect with like-minded women and find their confidence, be independent, successful and unafraid to tackle their dreams and goals,\u201d says founder Heather Ashby. \u201cAfter touring numerous coworking spaces in Maine and Boston, I realized that they\u2019re quite dude-centric. At CoworkHERS, women not only have a place to work, but they enjoy free coffee, wine, snacks, lockers, high-speed internet, printers and meeting rooms, plus a whole community of amazing women.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

On the foodie front, Fork Food Lab<\/strong> on Parris Street was bought out by Brooklyn\u2019s Pilotworks, a nationally leading commercial kitchen and business incubator enterprise. The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs has launched the Cultivator Food, Beverage & Agriculture Accelerator<\/strong> program. The new start-up food business initiative will nurture its first crop of local entrepreneurs this year. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

May 2018
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