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Interior work at 100 Commercial St. [Photo: Ebb & Flow, FB]
Fall is almost here, unless you subscribe to the Shipyard Brewing Company school of thought, in which case last week's release of "fall seasonal" Pumpkinhead suggests summer is long gone. Either way, here's the Eater Maine Fall Tracking guide, mapping out the most anticipated spots of the season. Note that these restaurants are in no particular order and that we'll be updating the status as they open this autumn. If you've got another favorite, please do leave it in the comments below.
The Bearded Lady's Jewel Box
Location: 644 Congress Street
Team: Nathaniel Meiklejohn, aka Nan'l, aka The Bearded Lady
Projected Opening: late-September
Nan'l is something of a legend in Portland, having helmed the bar at scads of pop-ups and private events over the years. He makes his own bitters, he pays homage to the classics while inventing his own modern drinks, and he has a style all his own. That style is about to be open to the public, and anyone with a hankering for a "bad-ass mixed drink" should track down his Jewel Box when it opens - ideally next month. All Eater coverage; website.
Status: Now Open.
The Portland Food Co-op
Location: 290 Congress Street
Team: General Manager Kevin Gadsby, 16 current members of the Board of Directors, and over 1600 member-owners
Projected Opening: mid-fall
Oddly enough, Maine's most populous city has been without a food co-op retail space for years. That will change next month when The Portland Food Co-op opens a grocery store (plus limited seating and prepared foods) in the Rite-Aid Plaza between the East End and the Old Port. The business is made up of member-owners, which anyone can become; it's also currently staffing up, for those seeking greater involvement. All Eater coverage; website.
Status: Now Open.
Bramhall
Location: 769 Congress Street
Team: Mike Fraser and bar manager Guy Streitburger
Projected Opening: mid-October
This speakeasy will replace the old Bramhall Pub in the West End, continuing the strong growth of the area. Owner Fraser is a longtime Fore Street employee who plans to bring American comfort food to the unique space. Expect a solid beverage program under the watchful eye of Guy Streitburger, formerly of Ginkgo Blue and winner of Eater Maine's Bartender of the Year award two years ago. All Eater coverage.
Status: Now Open.
Ebb & Flow
Location: 100 Commercial Street
Team: Chef William D'Auvray, partner Angelo Ciocca of Nova Seafood
Projected Opening: early November
Someone had to be the next to take a crack at the large, inauspicious site that most recently housed Spread. Armchair chefs are eager to see if D'Auvray, a seafood-specializing chef from LA coming to Maine by way of Florida, and Ciocca, with his direct access to fresh seafood, can be the ones to succeed. Look for the restaurant's Mediterranean fare next month, according to its active Facebook and Twitter feeds. All Eater coverage.
Status: Now Open.
BaoBao Dumpling House
Location: 133 Spring Street
Team: Chef Cara Stadler
Projected Opening: September?
Stadler's Tao Yuan is a smash success in Brunswick, and the young chef/owner was named one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs of 2014. Originally slated for spring of this year, her more casual, lower-price point second restaurant should cause a stir when it finally opens in the former West End Deli location. Hopeful sources suggest next month. All Eater coverage.
Status: Now Open.
Openings that should still happen pre-September: Tandem Cafe and Bakery (Now Open), Arcadia National Bar (Now Open), Craft Beer Cellar Portland (Now Open).
Other fall openings: Sur Lie (Now Open) Golden Lotus (Now Open) an unnamed Japanese noodle bar (Now called Suzukiya Ramen, bumped to a probable winter opening).
· All Fall Tracking Coverage [-EME-]