Preview Multicultural Menu at Ten Ten Pié, Opening Saturday, August 16

Ten Ten Pié, the Spanish-influenced take-out cafe/market with a Japanese pastry chef, has passed all of its inspections and now has its business license. There will be a quiet opening Saturday, August 16 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., during which pastries and coffee will be served. The business is replacing DiPietro's at 171 Cumberland Avenue in Portland.

Markos Miller, a former Spanish teacher at Deering High School, has partnered with Atsuko Fujimoto, "the mastermind in the kitchen" whose background includes Standard Baking Co., Fore Street, and most recently Miyake. Her diverse experience and talents will be reflected in the menu. Miller says perhaps the most exciting items being tested right now are Fujimoto's steamed buns, especially the pork and kimchi variety. He holds his hands apart to estimate the size, exclaiming, "Some are like a meal, they're basically sandwich size!" Miller is also eager to share with the world Fujimoto's various Bento boxes, traditional Japanese lunchboxes that will have international, non-traditional components and which will be available at lunch.

Aside from the food, Miller says he's hopeful that the location will be a "crossroads." "Whether we're serving people pastries, lunch, or retail, who we see coming through the door will make the difference. We're in the heart of the most diverse neighborhood in the city, the state, for that matter. We want this to be a place where people can connect. It should feel comfortable and familiar but also exotic and different. That's the big picture. Can we make that vision happen? One thing I did as a Spanish teacher was the multicultural Unity project, which was about trying to find common ground as well as celebrate uniqueness. We're holding onto that here too."

Listed below is a selection of items that appear on a preview menu, subject to change.

AM Pastries
"Kuign Amann" Brittany sugar buns; croissants, including twice baked croissant varieties matcha almond and hazelnut-chocolate; Swedish rye bread; soy protein granola biscuit; Chinese sausage croissants.

Bento box: Boxed lunch
Sea salt onigiri: Steamed rice, edamame, nori seaweed; Mixed greens with quinoa, choice of dressing; Vietnamese sandwich: Ham, mayo, cilantro.

Afternoon sweets
Gateau chocolat (GF); lemon pudding cake; French macarons (choc-miso caramel, matcha-sesame, lemon, raspberry); Chevre cheese cake; seasonal fruit galette; tiramisu.

Cookies
Coconut almond rochers; chocolate chip-oats; lemon semolina; Biscotti.
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