Velveteen Habit Becomes Reality; Slacktide Cafe Launches in Arundel

1) CAPE NEDDICK — The farmhouse that housed Arrows, where chefs Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier made their names, is now home to The Velveteen Habit, soft opened April 8 and grand opened last weekend (references to Narnia and questions like "Wanna play?" abound in the site's cutesy Facebook presence). Expect a variety of homegrown produce from a biointensive garden on-site. A preview menu suggests that chef Chris Wilcox will turn out such dishes as house tater tots in the "start" section ranging from $3 to $8; stuffed sauerkraut in the "large" section from $28 to $37; and whole-roasted sea bass or Cold Spring Ranch porterhouse, both with a variety of sides as service for two in the "family meal" section with no pricing. Owner and certified sommelier Benjamin Goldman told the Press Herald the steak would be around $79. Status: Certified open. 37 Ogunquit Road, Cape Neddick, (207) 216-9884.

2) GORHAM — MK Kitchen opened to the public yesterday, offering drinks at the bar from 4 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. six nights a week. Chef and co-owner Mitchell Kaldrovich (formerly of Sea Glass at Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth) will prepare a changing menu of New American cuisine from scratch, fusing his Argentinian heritage with Italian, Spanish, and more. His wife, general manager and co-owner Lisa, brings years of experience from Fore Street and elsewhere to the business side of the restaurant. Status: Certified open. 2 School Street, Gorham, (207) 222-2588.

3) ARUNDEL — Slacktide Cafe opened April 13, offering breakfast and lunch from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Check out the menu online. An Eater tipster had this to say: "I settled on the pork belly cheeseburger with fried avocado and BBQ sauce and fries. It turns out they do everything in house from the burger buns to the sauces to pressing the pork belly. The hard work put into the food was highly evident. Clocking in at eight bucks this meal was a steal. Not sure who these young guys are but I'll be going back shortly." Chef Brian Grossman (formerly of Abbondante and 50 Local) and Jack Graves (formerly of Owen's Farmhouse) are co-owners. Status: Certified open. 1697 Portland Road, Arundel, (207) 459-0408.

Update, 4/20/15: An earlier version of this piece misstated the former employers of Brian Grossman.