In Portland, 4 new eateries are coming to sites where old ones stood
File Photo / Renee Cordes
Lio Restaurant, at 3 Spring St. in Portland, closed its doors in September 2020. Plans call for the site to become the second taproom of Freeport-based Stars and Stripes Brewing Co.
After shuttering months and even years ago in the heart of downtown Portland, four former restaurant sites will open soon with new names, owners and menus.
The City Council on Monday approved a series of food service and liquor licenses for the new establishments, all within a mile of each other between the Congress Street corridor and the Old Port District.
Here’s a roster of the new eateries and their plans, according to the license applications.
- On April 1, Stars and Stripes Brewing Co. plans to open its second taproom at 3 Spring St., the former site of Lio, which closed in September 2020 because of the pandemic. Stars and Stripes has operated in Freeport for over three years, and says its first branch site will offer beer, wine, cider, pizza and light food.
- In May, at the former 2 Portland Square site of Walter’s, Rian Wyllie plans to open Lenora, a Mexican-cuisine restaurant with a seating capacity of 38. Walter’s closed in May 2019 and was a high-end dinner spot popular with business clientele. Wyllie will serve as executive chef and a co-owner, along with his wife and three Massachusetts partners.
- Also in May, Japanese-inspired Bar Futo will be coming to 425 Fore St., the former site of Five Guys Burgers and Fries, which shut down there in January 2021. The new eatery is being launched by the owners of Mr. Tuna, which operates a sushi bar in the Portland Public Market as well as a food truck business. The new restaurant will have a capacity of 66.
- Nom Cafe will open in early April at 23 Forest Ave., in space formerly occupied by the restaurant Yobo, which closed two months ago. The new owners, Thamolbhorn Mantasut and Genko Stanilov, currently operate Orchid Thai in Lewiston. They say their 40-seat Portland restaurant will offer Mediterranean and European-style cuisine and full bar service.
The City Council OK'd each business license unanimously. In addition, the council approved a license for Tomaso’s Canteen, at 18 Hampshire St., to offer outdoor “parklet” dining.
Following the meeting, City Hall spokeswoman Jessica Grondin told Mainebiz the timing of the license approvals — during Maine Restaurant Week — was “just a coincidence."
“There will be a lot of Outdoor Dining Licenses considered in the upcoming meetings as restaurants prepare for better weather,” she added.
Last week, a 35-year fixture of Portland's dining scene, Back Bay Grill, announced it was closing permanently.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated to clarify details of the openings.
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