#Got malt and some noodle soup

[hajihiko]

I will do my best dont stab me 😨

[irismfrost]

July 21 - Free day

Today, I didn't do much. I got breakfast at a bakery across the street from our hotel. This stuff looks good and is good. You just grab the pastries you want and bring them to the counter. There are so many and they all look fresh. And their cakes are nice too - very straight and shaped well and just neat. They have some interesting little things in the fridge too. However, I also got dinner at some random place I found on some random street. This was street food and it was very questionable. Definitely not vegetarian even though I asked for tofu and veggies. I am not exactly sure what I received. It was soup with noodles and it had tofu and veggies, but it also had a weird ball (fish? chicken? idk?) and little bits of what seemed like chewy meat floating around in the soup and they sprinkled some on the greens too. It had to be some sort of broth additive. The tofu was also sitting there boiling in the same mystery liquid and when I started eating it, I was thinking about it too much and had to stop eating it. I tried to separate the weird liquid and bits but I did not get very far with that meal. 7/11 was my savior. The 7/11s here are like a mix between Wawa, CVS, gas station (except they don't sell gas) and everything in between. You have snacks, medicine, random items, microwave, ATM, printer, and you can order mail there. I had a salad, protein shake, and I also bought some little malt wafer balls which I have yet to eat. I figured out what "onion dressing" is. It is a little sweet and doesn't really taste like onion but I guess it's sorta comparable to caramelized onions because of the sweetness so I see where they got the name, but it's still not super accurate. The protein shake was also not too bad. Also, there's this drink here called Super Supau and it is the best thing ever. It's like a mix between a Gatorade and Pedialyte. Because you sweat so much here, I am literally always dehydrated and these things are amazing. It's really sad that they don't sell them in the US. No reflection piece for today. 

[iamjjmmma]

Cheapest Foods at Walmart (AKA I Tell You My Full Childhood Diet)

For those of you who may be tight on your budget, especially for the people I know who live in Appalachia and frequently struggle with poverty and normally go to Walmart because it’s the only thing around, we know that searching for the cheapest food can be tricky if you’re shopping in basically a giant warehouse. We know the rules, yada yada yada. Buy Great Value, not the name brand. Sell your soul to coupons. Live on leftovers. Buy bulk if you can. Those help, but not as much as choosing cheap purchases in the first place. Right here, straight up, is the cheapest possible food you can buy at Walmart. Ramen Noodles. Hey, they don’t have a reputation without having a reason for it. Basically any type of pasta that strikes you as obviously cheap. A big box of bowtie pasta for 75 cents? GET IT. Birds Eye Veggies. Cheap cuts of meat… you know, the no-name brand, $1 a pound meat. Whole chickens. While it is on the more expensive side, going for $5-6, and it requires lots of prep, whole chickens can last you for a very, very long time. For a cheaper and easier (yet smaller) alternative, buy whole cornish hens. A package of generic hot dogs. Whatever milk you get, make sure you get the Great Value Whole Fat milk. While it’s not “healthy”, per se, being underweight isn’t healthy, either. An 18-pack of eggs. Great Value, of course. Peanut butter’s pretty cheap and a good source of protein. Nice if you can buy sandwich supplies too. Generic white bread. Generic white rice. Beans. Those are seriously cheap. And you can easily grow your own with a water bottle and a wet paper towel. Cooked rotisserie chickens. Those are relatively cheap and good if you’re in a situation to where your power is out due to a snowstorm or something. Fresh potatoes. They’re incredibly cheap and filling. Chili’s pretty cheap, too. A big bag of generic apples if you’re worried about fruit. Those huge Malt-O-Meal cereal bags. They’re about the same price all across, no matter what kind you get, so you can have a nice amount of choices when it comes to cereal. I LIVED on those as a kid in the morning. Dried, steel-cut oats. I remember eating these in front of the TV when I was a kid for HOURS, and my parents had no problem financially with fulfilling my dried oats addiction. Onions. Those are 30 cents each. Saute them and mix them with your ramen noodles and you’ve got yourself a meal under a dollar. A huge tub of plain yogurt. Seriously, it’s so HUGE that you’ll have trouble being able to fit it into your fridge. And for $3, that’s a heck of a lot of yogurt. It’ll taste disgusting, but it’ll give you lots of nutrients and probiotics, which is great for you if you’re sick. Carrots. Those are also cheap, although I hate them. Maybe it’s because I ate them so much as a kid. Lentils. This goes back to the beans idea, but whatever. Bananas are cheap if you’re not keen on apples as a fruit source. Ransack the soup aisle- soup in general is pretty cheap unless you’re going for the organic stuff. Great Value bottled water. I know, I know… not food. But you can buy 78 of these bad boys for $5. Compare that to 5 water bottles for $5 at McDonald’s. You can’t get away with that perfect “we’re cheap” reputation, Walmart. You just can’t. Cookies, like Oreos or Chips Ahoy, sell at a pretty reasonable price. That was our #1 dessert as a kid, and I still love them. A huge bag of Utz Potato Chips. Now, they have a big bag full of tons of little bags that are both cheap and perfect for your lunch box, and that was what I lived on when I went to school. Popcorn. Bagged is more expensive, but still pretty cheap at $2-ish a bag. Chickpeas are pretty underrated. 57 cents a can we’re talking about. That being said, go to the canned veggies aisle and see if you can find anything else obviously cheap there. Generic granola bars. If you’re allergic to nuts like me, you have to do some scouring on the back, but you can walk away with spending $2 on 16 of these. And they have a lot of energy. If you’re craving ice cream, freeze the plain yogurt you just bought. Canned tuna. It may be small, but it’s better than nothing when you only have a dollar on hand. Also an important source of protein. Spinach can come cheap, but make sure you don’t accidentally buy the organic one. Generic spinach is hard to come by in Walmart. Corn when it’s in season. 75 cents an ear is not bad at all.

[banjospring97-blog]

Why I Cooked Every Single Meal for 7 Days (Well, Almost)

In C'mon, It's Just 7 Days, members of the Food52 team share what it was like to take on a personal challenge for one week: skipping caffeine, going plastic-free, and more. (Spoiler alert: We all survived.)

2018 was the year I avoided exercise at all costs, got drinks with friends after work (like, a lot), and ate out multiple times a week (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Not that I don’t believe we should be partaking in such pleasures—we absolutely should. But everything in moderation and all that, right?

It took staying in my high school bedroom over the holidays, sifting through yearbooks and looking at old photographs of myself, for me to realize that my adult life had been missing the kind of discipline I used to have when I was younger: Younger Me was Homecoming King and Principal Flutist in the county orchestra; Younger Me ate green things like avocados and ran track; Younger Me cooked for himself almost every. Single. Day. And it wasn't even his job.

This might sound ironic considering I’m a food editor now and write about how much comfort and pleasure cooking gives me. And of course it does, and I do a lot of it. But I certainly don't do it every day, for every meal—do you? When it comes down to it, I usually just boil an egg in the morning (if I'm not jamming my feet into my Converses, bolting out the door) and I almost always buy my lunch, or compose an elaborate meal out of snacks I've foraged opportunistically from the Food52 test kitchen. Sure, dinner leaves more room for the kind of slow, measured cooking and eating that bleeds into the night and gives me peace before bed, but even in that arena I could still use a bit more work. So, in an effort to take better care of myself this year, I've decided to do a couple of things: join a yoga studio, and cook more food.

First up? Agreeing to cook every single meal for seven whole days, as part of our C'mon, It's Just 7 Days team challenge. For this, I drew inspiration from David Tamarkin's Cook90 plan, where you cook yourself breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day for 30 days with the idea in mind "that you cannot cook for 30 days straight and not come out a better, faster, healthier cook." I was most encouraged by the "better," and the notion that this kind of cooking would make me more skilled in the kitchen. But...30 days is a lot. So I decided to try seven days first.

Here's how it went:

Day One: Monday

It's New Year's Eve. I feel way on top of it because, according to Tamarkin, nearly 200,000 people are starting the Cook90 challenge...tomorrow. And I've got a 24-hour head start. When I wake up in the morning, I usually can't stomach a full breakfast, so I always have a single six-minute boiled egg with Magic Spice and a cup of coffee, which is what I do today. For lunch, Mom and I make kimchi fried rice together. For dinner, I invite my cousins over for an evening of appetizers: nori deviled eggs, shrimp cocktail, and cheesy breakfast sausage pinwheels.

Favorite Meal of the Day: The kimchi fried rice (duh). How’d I Do?: A+ (wow, the sausage pinwheels were incredible; I'm the best).

Day Two: Tuesday

New Year's Day. I feel encouraged by yesterday's success (this is going to be a walk in the park). Of course, I have another boiled egg this morning and go about my day. Mom, Dad, and my brother Kevin are all super busy tonight, so we decide to meet back at the house for lunch. Guess who's cooking? I make a simple rigatoni alla vodka with some leftover sausage from last night—it's so creamy and comforting. My mom says it's the best pasta she's ever had (she always says this about anything new I cook her). To go with, a huge composed Italian-style salad with a homemade garlicky, oregano-scented vinaigrette, plus Texas toast. Dinner is just me, so I make the cover recipe from Cook90: sweet potatoes with chorizo, mushrooms, and lime cream. (It's so. Good.)

Favorite Meal of the Day: The sweet potaters. How’d I Do?: A (I feel kind of guilty about my lazy breakfasts; does boiling an egg really count?).

Day Three: Wednesday

My mom just bought an army of raw, fresh crabs for one of my favorite Korean dishes ever: gaejang (or soy sauce–marinated crabs). I help her make the marinade, which is just water, soy, sugar, jalapeños, and onions that we bring to a boil, cool slightly, then pour over the crabs. We can't eat these until tomorrow (but I think this counts as cooking). Lunch is leftover kimchi fried rice with a bunch of banchan from the fridge (this doesn't count as cooking). I have to rush out to pick up my boyfriend Scott from the airport. Tamarkin says you're allowed to cheat for three of the 90 meals, so we decide to get ramen for dinner at Ton Ton in Ponce City Market (the tonkotsu is my favorite bowl of noodles in America, so I only feel a little guilty).

Favorite Meal of the Day: The ramen! It fed my soul! How’d I Do?: C- (the only thing I cooked today was an egg in the morning and the crabs, which wasn't one of my three meals).

Day Four: Thursday

A little discouraged from yesterday—but hey, life happens. I skip breakfast because I sleep in, but wake up at noon to my uncle's loud, booming voice downstairs: He's brought us some wagyu steaks from Costco. I cook one in a skillet, carve it, and have it with white rice. It's so fatty, almost too fatty, so I take the steak pieces back to the pan to render more of their fat. Much better. It melts in my mouth. Oh! And the crabs are ready. Their sweet-salty flesh is like ceviche, only softer in taste and texture, and the soy flavor tastes incredible with the rice. Utterly addictive (my friend Irene says her grandmother calls gaejang "rice killer" because it makes you want to keep eating more and more rice). For dinner, I drive over to Scott's and we make Urvashi Pitre's Instant Pot Butter Chicken.

Favorite Meal of the Day: Gaejang. How’d I Do?: B+ (missed a meal, but cooked two other times; plus, reaped the fruits of our crab labor yesterday).

Soy crabs, 24 hours later.

Day Five: Friday

Breakfast is white rice with fried eggs, soy sauce, and sesame oil. For lunch, I want to show my mom how to use the new Instant Pot I bought her for Christmas, so we attempt my beef stroganoff recipe (originally intended for a slow cooker), stupidly don't change a thing, and end up with a mess. The beef and mushrooms produce way too much liquid for the pot, so beefy soup spews out of the pressure release valve and ruins the kitchen. It tastes fine, but we feel dumb. For dinner, I go over to Scott's again and we reheat a frozen pizza from Publix; dessert is an Asian pear galette that I ate happily (but didn't help make).

Favorite Meal of the Day: Our Publix dinner. How’d I Do?: B- (reheating a pizza, according to Tamarkin, doesn't count as cooking, and I didn't make the gorgeous galette).

Hello, gorgeous.

Day Six: Saturday

It's my last day in Atlanta. I decide that going to one of my favorite lunch places on Buford Highway with my parents is worth it. I want to treat my family for dinner, so I cook them a Sunday roast with Yorkshire puddings; Nigella's minty pea and avocado salad; my warm eggplant and mint salad; and these clementine chocolate lava cakes. My brother is in charge of the dessert and he forgets the olive oil, so they come out more lava than cake. -_- My parents appreciate all the vegetables, because they love vegetables. (Am I really related to these people?)

Favorite Meal of the Day: The last supper. How’d I Do?: C+ (I may have only cooked once, but I cooked A LOT).

Rise, my children, RISE!

Day Seven: Sunday

Today I'm on the road with my dog for 13 hours, driving from Atlanta back to New York. I didn't cook anything in advance or pack myself breakfast or lunch, so I eat a few clementines when I stop for gas and later scarf down a drive-through chicken sandwich with French fries. (Have I failed you, C'mon It's Just 7 Days challenge?) Even though I should be exhausted, I come home to my Manhattan apartment and feel inspired to cook again—finally, in my own kitchen for a change. I take a giant sheet pan, roast a whole chopped head of cauliflower, plus Italian sausage, red onion, and fennel seed, and toss this with some cooked fusilli and a huge smattering of freshly grated Parmesan. It really hits the spot, as does a glass of the single-malt Scotch that Scott gave me for Christmas. And, belly full and seven days of cooking under my belt, I lay me down to sleep.

Favorite Meal of the Day: The Scotch. How’d I Do?: C (I didn't totally fail today...right?).

Cooking every meal, every day was a lot harder than I thought it'd be. I figured, "Hey, as long as I do this after the holidays, after all the family reunions and parties, then it should be fine." But I still found myself needing breaks and wanting to just go out for a meal instead of cooking it from scratch. And don't even get me started on breakfast! I had to force myself to wake up early enough to have breakfast at all.

Still, I appreciated the exercise and caught myself occasionally noticing the act of my cooking that much more: every stir of the pot, every cracked egg, every little movement in the kitchen that fed my soul and gave me peace. I even caught myself thinking, "I forgot how much I love this." In this way, like Tamarkin said, I do believe the seven days of mindfulness actually made me a better cook—or at least a more thoughtful one. But the thing I loved most was that, at the end of the day, this kind of cooking wasn't about anything other than feeding my family and myself, a challenge primarily for sustenance.

As Nigella Lawson writes in Simply Nigella, "If cooking isn't hinged on necessity, it loses its context, and purpose. I cook to give pleasure, to myself and others, but first it is about sustaining life, and only then about forging a life." So, I've started to make good on at least one of my New Year's resolutions—and just as soon as I can find an inspiring Nigella quote about joining a yoga studio, then I'll be on my way with the next.

How often do you cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: https://food52.com/blog/23626-meal-prep-every-breakfast-lunch-dinner-planner-cook90

[luckyno4-blog]

🍱

symbol starters v.2

Send 🍱 for my muse to cook for yours.

“You haven’t developed any weird food allergies since I last saw you, right?” Leon asked, making sure each bowl had an equal amount of warm, comforting goodness.

While summer was the ‘official’ rainy season in Hong Kong, the autumn months were no stranger to the occasional thunderstorm. The only thing keeping today from being as grey and dreary as his days in London were the blinking neon lights just outside his windows, advertising a number of family owned shops that had been in business since the beginning of time.

Or so it felt.

Leon gingerly placed a hot bowl of noodle soup in front of his former caretaker, eight delightfully plump wontons floating just under the surface. Unsure if the blond would prefer a fork over chopsticks, he set a full set of utensils near the centre of the table, just in case.

Before bringing over his own bowl, he went to check the cupboards for something to throw into the old kettle whistling impatiently on the stove. After searching for a good moment, he grabbed an unmarked tin of tea, popping off the lid in hopes the smell would help him figure out what it was supposed to be. The answer was obvious when he was met with the sight of small flowers instead of the usual dried leaves.

“Uhm…I’ve only got chrysanthemum tea at the moment; is that okay? Well, actually, I think I might have some Vitasoy in my room somewhere, but that stuff tastes disgusting if it isn’t chilled.” Not to mention he highly doubted Arthur would enjoy drinking a juicebox of malted soy, despite it being one of the younger nation’s favourite drinks.

[tonyduncanbb73]

New England News: New Hampshire’s Got a New Speakeasy Hidden Behind a Barbershop

And other regional food and beverage updates beyond Massachusetts

Broadening the scope a bit, here’s the latest restaurant news from beyond Greater Boston; we’re keeping an eye out for dining developments throughout New England. This piece is updated on a rolling basis, covering restaurant openings, closures, and more in Portsmouth, Providence, Portland, and elsewhere.

Check back for updates — the most recent ones will always be at the top — and email boston@eater.com with any news tips pertaining to New England restaurant news beyond Boston.

Note: Jump to the bottom of this page for a list of other links pertaining to New England dining, including a guide to Portsmouth and Kittery, an archive of Maine news, a map of the hottest new restaurants in Providence, and more.

February 13, 2018

CHESTER, CONNECTICUT — Grano Arso(6 Main St.) is now open within a former bank building in Chester, and it showcases a “modern yet familiar approach to traditional Italian cooking.” Chef Joel Gargano mills grain in-house for pasta and bread and has created a menu consisting of crostini, pasta dishes, and entrees ranging from monkfish stew to grilled pork loin with polenta and pesto. There are also cocktails, wines, and beer.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Chuck’s BARbershop(90 Low Ave.) is a new speakeasy-style bar from the team behind Codex in Nashua, serving up classic cocktails in a space hidden behind an actual barbershop.

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — The newly opened Lo Sano Restaurant & Bar (678 Maple Ave.) has a menu full of Latin American classics, including mofongo (made with fried plantains), skirt steak with chimichurri, fried chicken, and tres leches flan for dessert.

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Pemi Public House (115 Main St.) is a new option for those visiting the White Mountains. The restaurant serves sandwiches, soups, flatbreads, and hearty entrees like mac and cheese and pot pie, plus salads and appetizers. The restaurant also has open mic nights.

February 6, 2018

Katie Chudy/Eater

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new cocktail bar has opened in the former Red Door space at 107 State St. The Nice is the work of Kevin Walsh and Bryan Emerson, alums of Moxy and Franklin Oyster House, and they’re running the bar from 6 p.m. on, six days a week (closed Tuesday). Drinks include the Venetian Monk (Bully Boy gin, chartreuse, aperol, lemon, and Peychaud’s) and Pearl Harbor (vodka, jalapeño-infused green chartreuse, pineapple, and melon).

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Coffee fans may soon get the chance to drink their favorite beverage in the presence of a double-decker bus. The Burgundian: Coffee and Waffles is a Rhode Island company that specializes in (as the name suggests) coffee and Liege-style waffles. Founder Shane Matlock purchased a double-decker British bus to restore and convert into a mobile coffee shop, where customers will be able to place orders through a service window but will also be able to enter the bus and partake in coffee and waffles on the second level. Matlock has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the bus conversion.

Xaco Taco is now open in Providence (370 Richmond St.), with ten versions of tacos (available as singles or platters) and a wide selection of tequila, plus beer, wine, and churro doughnuts for dessert.

A pop-up that serves sandwiches has debuted in Providence, from the same folks behind UMelt, a sandwich shop with locations at the University of Rhode Island and Brown. The aptly named Sandwich (stylized as ‘sandwich.’) pop-up operates out of the Brown UMelt location (267 Thayer St.) and offers build-your-own options, breakfast sandwiches, and 15 pre-set menu items.

SMITHFIELD, RHODE ISLAND — Laura’s Bar and Grill (945 Douglas Pke.) debuted in Rhode Island recently, with a menu of flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, and other pub fare. There’s a selection of cocktails, plus sangria.

WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND — New Haven’s famous Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (which has a location near Boston, in Chestnut Hill) plans to expand to Rhode Island, opening in Warwick some time in April or May, the Providence Journal reports. The restaurant will feature a specialty brick, coal-fired oven that requires seasoning.

January 30, 2018

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Gelato Fiasco

BRUNSWICK, MAINE — The Gelato Fiasco— a Maine-based gelato producer that’s previously popped-up in Boston and has been “eyeing properties in Boston for a while” for a potential permanent location here — has first landed on a site a little bit more southern: Orlando, Florida. After producing gelato for distribution and gaining traction in Florida thanks to the state’s beloved grocery store, Publix, Gelato Fiasco has signed a lease for a space at 25 West Crystal Lakes St., planning to open in spring 2018.

LONDONDERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Long Blue Cat Brewing (298 Rockingham Rd.) is up and running with pints, flatbreads, and snacks. Operating varied hours from Wednesday through Sunday, the brewery is the work of two friends, Jason Knight and Shane Sorenson, who are serving several different beers, including a honey ale, a traditional porter, and a kolsch, among others.

MANCHESTER, VERMONT — Mystic Cafe & Wine Barhas opened in Manchester (4928 Main St.), serving lunch and dinner — both cafe fare and entrees, including salmon tartine, Cuban sandwiches, pastries, grilled cheese and tomato soup, salads, and mussels. The restaurant also offers a full bar and wines by the glass.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Poke hit Portsmouth with the opening of Ohana Kitchen several weeks ago (800 Islington St., Plaza 800). The restaurant serves customizable bowls of the Hawaiian dish, in addition to sushi burritos.

January 23, 2018

Dan Watkins for By Chloe

By Chloe in Providence

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Suzette Crepes & Waffles (62 Lowell St.) is a recent addition to Manchester, and it serves what diners might expect from the name. With stuffed crepes and waffles topped with various items (including Nutella), the restaurant is connected to Gaucho’s Brazilian Steakhouse.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Seacoast Online shares the history and longevity of restaurateur John Mikolajcyk, who was born in Portsmouth 80 years ago and is still involved in the industry, as manager of the Portsmouth Elks Lodge.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — By Chloe, a New York City-born restaurant chain that has spawned locations in Los Angeles and Boston (with a couple opening soon in London), officially opened a new location in Providence last week at 223 Thayer St. The entirely vegan menu includes everything from avocado pesto pasta to various burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast items.

January 16, 2017

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Wow Barbecue skewers

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Wow Barbecue got its start as a food truck in Boston before opening restaurants in Malden and Brookline. Now, there’s a new restaurant in play in Providence, open at 183 Angell St., and it’s serving a menu of Chinese barbecue dishes, rice bowls, noodles, and several appetizers.

SEABROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Brown’s Lobster Pound closed down in August 2017 after a fire, but the restaurant is on the verge of reopening, slated to make its return by April 1.

WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — A full-service restaurant and bar specializing in vegan food has opened in Connecticut from the same people behind Rooster Co. in Newington. Flora uses seasonal ingredients for its food and drink menu (there’s a juice bar in addition to wine and beer). In addition to falafel wraps, flatbreads, “mac-no-cheese,” and an avocado bowl, Flora serves the plant-based Impossible Burger. For any meat eaters who visit, Flora offers what it calls “viable fauna” or “sustainable and responsibly raised animal products,” like grass-fed beef, wild shrimp, and arctic char.

January 9, 2018

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Bissell Brothers

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Lunch Lady Food Truck debuted at the end of 2017 in Concord, serving a school-themed menu featuring items named for grades one through 10. There are burgers, barbecue pork nachos, Buffalo wings, and Reuben egg rolls, among many other items, including sides and drinks. Find it by the Everett Arena (15 Loudon Rd.), and keep an eye on social media for other locations.

DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Burger joint Hop + Grind (7 Madbury Rd. — Madbury Commons) opened at the end of November. The restaurant butchers and grinds its own meats and makes its soda in-house. There are beef, chicken, and pork burgers and two versions of veggie burgers, plus chicken fried mac and cheese and a Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Hop + Grind also serves craft beer and ice cream malts.

MAINE — As a new year kicks off, Portland Food Map takes a look back at the year in 2017 — exploring new restaurants, notable events, trends, and obituaries — while looking ahead towards openings slated for 2018.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Rock apparently has great taste in beer and sent an assistant to procure some. The famed Bissell Brothers Brewing Company (4 Thompsons Pt.) shared the story on Twitter: “An assistant for The Rock just showed up, he took a private jet here to pick up Substance cans. Got shown some credentials… either we just got massively played or THAT IS AWESOME!!”

Also in Portland, Definitive Brewing Company is under construction and could open in the spring at 35 Industrial Wy., near Allagash Brewing Company, according to the Portland Food Map. Few other details are available at this point, but stay tuned for more from Maine.

SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE — The poke trend is creeping its way north to South Portland: Big Fin Poke, which specializes in the Hawaiian raw fish dish, is now open at 29 Western Ave., with this location joining a second in Westbrook, Maine. In addition to rice and salad bowls topped with seafood, chicken, beef, or tofu, Big Fin Poke also serves poke burritos, or seaweed wraps stuffed with sushi rice and proteins.

December 19, 2017

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Smoked pork loin chop at Nibblesworth in Portsmouth

KITTERY, MAINE — The Caribbean-inspiredBlue Mermaid Island Grill, which was previously open in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for over 20 years, returns to the dining scene this week, opening its new Kittery location at 10 Shapleigh Rd. on Thursday, December 21, right next to Tributary Brewing Company. Opening weekend is reservation-only; call (207) 703-2754.

Checkout our beautiful, brand new store front, isn’t she gorgeous?! … . . #bluemermaid #bluemermaidkittery #kitteryme #kittery #newlocation #storefront #restaurantdesign

A post shared by Blue Mermaid (@bluemermaid_kittery) on Dec 16, 2017 at 10:26am PST

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Biryani Pot, which has a location in Framingham, Massachusetts, will add a location in Nashua (295 Daniel Webster Hwy.), and the grand opening will happen soon. The restaurant specializes in Hyderabadi cuisine, including biryani with chicken, goat, egg, shrimp, or vegetables.

PORTLAND, MAINE — Tuscan Table arrives at 390 Gorham Rd. in South Portland on Wednesday, December 20. The restaurant has ties to Royal River Grillhouse in Yarmouth, Maine, and Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro in Freeport, Maine. The restaurant will serve Italian cuisine.

In other Portland news, Bon Appetit recently featured a look at six of the city’s newest restaurants to check out, including Hunt & Alpine Club’s little sibling Little Giant (211 Danforth St.), which is both a restaurant and a market; Noble Barbecue (1706 Forest Ave.), which serves a “formidable” brisket sandwich and more; and Belleville (1 North St.), home of “legitimate Roman-style pizza.”

Eater Maine is also currently featuring some of the hottest new spots in Portland and beyond in the latest updated Heatmap; check it out here.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A restaurant with a wonderfully silly name opened recently in New Hampshire, and it specializes in wood-fired cooking. Nibblesworth (409 The Hill) was started by wife-and-husband team Jenny and Tom Nelson, who launched the restaurant with a goal of taking “classic recipes and rejuvenat[ing] them for today’s palate.” The menu includes items like poutine, pierogi, seafood stew, and lobster tacos. As previously reported, it has taken the place of Blue Mermaid Island Grill, which closed in June and reopens in Kittery this week, as mentioned above.

December 12, 2017

Bill Addison for Eater

Sally’s Apizza

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Nuts & Bolts Brewing Company inches closer to an opening this winter at 7 York St. in the Pepperrell Mill, per the Portland Food Map. The brewery is the work of Patrick Doherty and Deedra Zeeh, and they’re providing progress updates on social media.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new collaboration aims to bring tortillas made with local corn to a pair of restaurants in New Hampshire. Vida Tortilla unites the owners of Vida Cantina (2456 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth) and Dos Amigos Burritos (26 N Main St., Concord, and other locations) with Tuckaway Farm (36 Captain Smith Emerson Rd., Lee), and they’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help pay for the equipment needed to produce the tortillas.

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT — One of New Haven’s oldest and best pizza restaurants, Sally’s Apizza(237 Wooster St.), has been sold to new owners, as Eater reports. The names of those now involved will not be made public until January, but they apparently plan to try to expand the restaurant nationwide.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Portland Harbor Hotel (468 Fore St.) will lean into the cold of winter with an ice bar and ice sculptures in its courtyard garden. From January 25 to 27, the Ice Bar will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online. There will be specialty cocktails and small bites available.

December 5, 2017

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Whiskey & Wine Concord

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Elda opens its doors today, arriving at 140 Main St. with regional-inspired small plates from Bowman Brown, who relocated to the Northeast from Salt Lake City and is a James Beard-nominated chef. The restaurant is named for Brown’s grandmother and will initially serve food only, with wine, beer, and a full bar menu coming soon.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — From the same owners behind Gale Motor Co. in Manchester, Whiskey & Wine has been open for nearly a month in Concord (148 N. Main St.), and it serves exactly that, with 34 varieties of whiskey and American and European wines. The varied food menu includes items like miso and tonkotsu ramen, pulled pork tacos, sushi rolls, chicken potstickers, and seared scallops.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Highroller Lobster, a popular food truck in Portland, now has a permanent home at 104 Exchange St. The restaurant opened over the weekend and will officially begin operations Wednesday through Thursday, starting on December 6, serving lobster in several different forms (including lobster grilled cheese), plus corn dogs, burgers, and a surf n’ turf option.

November 29, 2017

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The Wilder, Portsmouth

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Rover Wood Fired Bagels and Pizza is now open at 111 Elm St. Founders Kimberly Chaurette and Alec Rutter, both alums of Somerville’s Forge Baking Company, started Rover as a bagel pop-up, appearing in Salem at Bambolina and local farmers markets. They’re now in business as a brick-and-mortar up in Maine, serving up bagels and sandwiches, with wood-fired pizza on the way before the end of the year.

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A brunch burger at Sonny’s, closing on December 31

PORTLAND, MAINE — Sonny’s, a nearly decade-old restaurant in Old Port (83 Exchange St.), will close at the end of the year. Taking its place: Black Cow, a burger-and-shake shop with an old-fashioned soda fountain. Jay Villani and Garry Bowcott, who own Sonny’s, Local 188, and Salvage BBQ, are behind the new project, and longtime Local 188 chef Nicholas Nappi (who took a hiatus from the group and worked at Eventide and Hugo’s in the interim) is partnering with them for Black Cow. December 31 is the final day for Sonny’s, and Black Cow could open as soon as mid-February.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — The team behind the Wallingford Dram — an excellent cocktail bar in Kittery, Maine — has opened a new spot in Portsmouth. The Wilder, a “no-rules New England gastropub,” is now open at 174 Fleet St., the site of the former United Kingdom-themed Coat of Arms bar. It’s open daily, with bar service starting at 3:30 p.m. with snacks, the full menu available starting at 5 p.m., and a late-night menu offered until 1 a.m. Dishes include everything from Scotch duck eggs to braised kid ragu, which most likely refers to goats, not children. For dessert? Apple cider beignets with maple sauce. And shakshuka makes an appearance on the late-night menu.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — A food hall slated for Providence just met its fundraising goal through a Kickstarter campaign. The forthcoming West Park Food Hall (233 West Park St.) will have a number of restaurants, a brewery, and a roastery, with communal seating and a roof deck. It raised more than $120,000, which will go towards various expenses, including design and legal costs.

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The second level at Thee Red Fez is now White Rabbit

In other Providence news, Thee Red Fez (49 Peck St.) is changing things up, converting the upstairs dining room into a cocktail bar with its own name, White Rabbit. Get dinner at the Fez Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m., and drink snazzy cocktails upstairs Thursday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m.

And in other Providence news, North is now up and running at its new location, the first floor of the Dean Hotel (122 Fountain St.). Stay tuned for details on what the team plans to do with the original space at 3 Luongo Sq. — owner James Mark promises a simpler neighborhood spot that could open in a few short months.

Further Reading

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Spicy miso ramen at Anju Noodle Bar in Kittery, Maine

New England’s 38 Essential Restaurants: A guide to the best of the best throughout New England, compiled by Eater restaurant editor Bill Addison with the help of food writers from around the region.

The 9 Hottest New Restaurants in Providence, Rhode Island: Updated in October 2017, this map highlights some of the hot new spots to hit the Providence dining scene in 2017.

Eater Maine: Eater Boston’s sister site to the north has been largely retired, but stop by the homepage now and then for updates to major maps, such as the Heatmap, which tracks some of the hottest new openings.

Maine Restaurant News Archive on Eater Boston: While most Maine news going forward will appear right here in this New England news round-up, older stories are archived at the Maine Restaurant News Archive link.

A Guide to Dining and Drinking in Portsmouth and Kittery: Take a trip up to the New Hampshire-Maine border.

Eater Recommends: What to Eat and Drink in Portsmouth and Kittery: Don’t have time to read the whole guide mentioned above? Skip to this map, which highlights some of the Eater Boston team’s Portsmouth and Kittery favorites.

Where to Drink Beer in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: And here’s the beer-specific accompaniment to the above two links.

[gregandnickunplugged]

January 3

I was right, we did indeed sleep very well last night and we woke up to not only new-fallen snow but still-falling snow. We had breakfast at the hotel that was pretty good (eggs and bacon, a potato croquet, Yakult and an assortment of bread) and then went to the rental shop to exchange Nick's snowboard for a pair of skis. He's slowly moving back towards the Light Side.

That done we walked to the gondola and rode it up. The conditions were as close to a white out as I've ever skied in, with very limited visibility but the snow was a whole lot better than yesterday. Unfortunately the need to go slow took a good deal of the fun out of it. We did six runs including some we didn't do yesterday, then stopped at the Sun Terrace restaurant to grab a snack and wait to see if the conditions would clear up. We waited for around an hour and while there was about a five minute window where the conditions started to look up, they ultimately got worse to the point that we could barely see the start of the lift that was right outside the window. After that we decided to call it a day skiing-wise. It's a pity but we got some good views of the mountains yesterday and good snow today so between the two we had one great day. We returned out gear to the shop and headed out to find a lunch spot.

We passed by a place called Ohyokkuri, named after a regional specialty and decided to check it out. I'm very glad we did. The seating was traditional-style on a raised platform covered with tatami and it was very cozy. I had the special set menu consisting of soup with mountain vegetables, dumplings and pork (the special dish of the Hakuba area), a mix of white and purple rice (the latter also a local specialty) and pickles. Nick had karaage (fried chicken) and we both had a local malt beer to wash it all down with. Very tasty and cheap too.

After that we headed back to the hotel to relax and take advantage of the bath, with the same mineral waters of the local onsen but without the same charm. Still, it was incredibly relaxing after a cold morning. I also went out and got some local plum brandy to take home and I got Nick a present of a kitschy nunchaku that he was playing with last night at the souvenir store. I regret that decision already.

Before dinner we headed next door to Bar Cross for drinks. The place was located in the basement of the neighboring hotel and had a bit of a rock and roll theme. I practiced my Japanese on our bartender while he practiced his English on me. Very nice and friendly and he treated the two of us to some of the local sake, along with our drinks. Nick started with a Corona and I started with umeshu ,then we both had the new Yamazaki without an age statement (me straight up, Nick on the rocks). Fun time.

We had our dinner at Sharaku which was quite nice. We split a starter plate of local beef, then I had udon noodles and Nick had spicy tuna sushi. After that, Nick headed back to the room and I took one last walk around before we both turned it. Tomorrow, Kyoto!

[tonyduncanbb73]

New England News: New Hampshire’s Got a New Speakeasy Hidden Behind a Barbershop

And other regional food and beverage updates beyond Massachusetts

Broadening the scope a bit, here’s the latest restaurant news from beyond Greater Boston; we’re keeping an eye out for dining developments throughout New England. This piece is updated on a rolling basis, covering restaurant openings, closures, and more in Portsmouth, Providence, Portland, and elsewhere.

Check back for updates — the most recent ones will always be at the top — and email boston@eater.com with any news tips pertaining to New England restaurant news beyond Boston.

Note: Jump to the bottom of this page for a list of other links pertaining to New England dining, including a guide to Portsmouth and Kittery, an archive of Maine news, a map of the hottest new restaurants in Providence, and more.

February 13, 2018

CHESTER, CONNECTICUT — Grano Arso(6 Main St.) is now open within a former bank building in Chester, and it showcases a “modern yet familiar approach to traditional Italian cooking.” Chef Joel Gargano mills grain in-house for pasta and bread and has created a menu consisting of crostini, pasta dishes, and entrees ranging from monkfish stew to grilled pork loin with polenta and pesto. There are also cocktails, wines, and beer.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Chuck’s BARbershop(90 Low Ave.) is a new speakeasy-style bar from the team behind Codex in Nashua, serving up classic cocktails in a space hidden behind an actual barbershop.

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — The newly opened Lo Sano Restaurant & Bar (678 Maple Ave.) has a menu full of Latin American classics, including mofongo (made with fried plantains), skirt steak with chimichurri, fried chicken, and tres leches flan for dessert.

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Pemi Public House (115 Main St.) is a new option for those visiting the White Mountains. The restaurant serves sandwiches, soups, flatbreads, and hearty entrees like mac and cheese and pot pie, plus salads and appetizers. The restaurant also has open mic nights.

February 6, 2018

Katie Chudy/Eater

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new cocktail bar has opened in the former Red Door space at 107 State St. The Nice is the work of Kevin Walsh and Bryan Emerson, alums of Moxy and Franklin Oyster House, and they’re running the bar from 6 p.m. on, six days a week (closed Tuesday). Drinks include the Venetian Monk (Bully Boy gin, chartreuse, aperol, lemon, and Peychaud’s) and Pearl Harbor (vodka, jalapeño-infused green chartreuse, pineapple, and melon).

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Coffee fans may soon get the chance to drink their favorite beverage in the presence of a double-decker bus. The Burgundian: Coffee and Waffles is a Rhode Island company that specializes in (as the name suggests) coffee and Liege-style waffles. Founder Shane Matlock purchased a double-decker British bus to restore and convert into a mobile coffee shop, where customers will be able to place orders through a service window but will also be able to enter the bus and partake in coffee and waffles on the second level. Matlock has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the bus conversion.

Xaco Taco is now open in Providence (370 Richmond St.), with ten versions of tacos (available as singles or platters) and a wide selection of tequila, plus beer, wine, and churro doughnuts for dessert.

A pop-up that serves sandwiches has debuted in Providence, from the same folks behind UMelt, a sandwich shop with locations at the University of Rhode Island and Brown. The aptly named Sandwich (stylized as ‘sandwich.’) pop-up operates out of the Brown UMelt location (267 Thayer St.) and offers build-your-own options, breakfast sandwiches, and 15 pre-set menu items.

SMITHFIELD, RHODE ISLAND — Laura’s Bar and Grill (945 Douglas Pke.) debuted in Rhode Island recently, with a menu of flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, and other pub fare. There’s a selection of cocktails, plus sangria.

WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND — New Haven’s famous Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (which has a location near Boston, in Chestnut Hill) plans to expand to Rhode Island, opening in Warwick some time in April or May, the Providence Journal reports. The restaurant will feature a specialty brick, coal-fired oven that requires seasoning.

January 30, 2018

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Gelato Fiasco

BRUNSWICK, MAINE — The Gelato Fiasco— a Maine-based gelato producer that’s previously popped-up in Boston and has been “eyeing properties in Boston for a while” for a potential permanent location here — has first landed on a site a little bit more southern: Orlando, Florida. After producing gelato for distribution and gaining traction in Florida thanks to the state’s beloved grocery store, Publix, Gelato Fiasco has signed a lease for a space at 25 West Crystal Lakes St., planning to open in spring 2018.

LONDONDERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Long Blue Cat Brewing (298 Rockingham Rd.) is up and running with pints, flatbreads, and snacks. Operating varied hours from Wednesday through Sunday, the brewery is the work of two friends, Jason Knight and Shane Sorenson, who are serving several different beers, including a honey ale, a traditional porter, and a kolsch, among others.

MANCHESTER, VERMONT — Mystic Cafe & Wine Barhas opened in Manchester (4928 Main St.), serving lunch and dinner — both cafe fare and entrees, including salmon tartine, Cuban sandwiches, pastries, grilled cheese and tomato soup, salads, and mussels. The restaurant also offers a full bar and wines by the glass.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Poke hit Portsmouth with the opening of Ohana Kitchen several weeks ago (800 Islington St., Plaza 800). The restaurant serves customizable bowls of the Hawaiian dish, in addition to sushi burritos.

January 23, 2018

Dan Watkins for By Chloe

By Chloe in Providence

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Suzette Crepes & Waffles (62 Lowell St.) is a recent addition to Manchester, and it serves what diners might expect from the name. With stuffed crepes and waffles topped with various items (including Nutella), the restaurant is connected to Gaucho’s Brazilian Steakhouse.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Seacoast Online shares the history and longevity of restaurateur John Mikolajcyk, who was born in Portsmouth 80 years ago and is still involved in the industry, as manager of the Portsmouth Elks Lodge.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — By Chloe, a New York City-born restaurant chain that has spawned locations in Los Angeles and Boston (with a couple opening soon in London), officially opened a new location in Providence last week at 223 Thayer St. The entirely vegan menu includes everything from avocado pesto pasta to various burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast items.

January 16, 2017

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Wow Barbecue skewers

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Wow Barbecue got its start as a food truck in Boston before opening restaurants in Malden and Brookline. Now, there’s a new restaurant in play in Providence, open at 183 Angell St., and it’s serving a menu of Chinese barbecue dishes, rice bowls, noodles, and several appetizers.

SEABROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Brown’s Lobster Pound closed down in August 2017 after a fire, but the restaurant is on the verge of reopening, slated to make its return by April 1.

WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — A full-service restaurant and bar specializing in vegan food has opened in Connecticut from the same people behind Rooster Co. in Newington. Flora uses seasonal ingredients for its food and drink menu (there’s a juice bar in addition to wine and beer). In addition to falafel wraps, flatbreads, “mac-no-cheese,” and an avocado bowl, Flora serves the plant-based Impossible Burger. For any meat eaters who visit, Flora offers what it calls “viable fauna” or “sustainable and responsibly raised animal products,” like grass-fed beef, wild shrimp, and arctic char.

January 9, 2018

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Bissell Brothers

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Lunch Lady Food Truck debuted at the end of 2017 in Concord, serving a school-themed menu featuring items named for grades one through 10. There are burgers, barbecue pork nachos, Buffalo wings, and Reuben egg rolls, among many other items, including sides and drinks. Find it by the Everett Arena (15 Loudon Rd.), and keep an eye on social media for other locations.

DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Burger joint Hop + Grind (7 Madbury Rd. — Madbury Commons) opened at the end of November. The restaurant butchers and grinds its own meats and makes its soda in-house. There are beef, chicken, and pork burgers and two versions of veggie burgers, plus chicken fried mac and cheese and a Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Hop + Grind also serves craft beer and ice cream malts.

MAINE — As a new year kicks off, Portland Food Map takes a look back at the year in 2017 — exploring new restaurants, notable events, trends, and obituaries — while looking ahead towards openings slated for 2018.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Rock apparently has great taste in beer and sent an assistant to procure some. The famed Bissell Brothers Brewing Company (4 Thompsons Pt.) shared the story on Twitter: “An assistant for The Rock just showed up, he took a private jet here to pick up Substance cans. Got shown some credentials… either we just got massively played or THAT IS AWESOME!!”

Also in Portland, Definitive Brewing Company is under construction and could open in the spring at 35 Industrial Wy., near Allagash Brewing Company, according to the Portland Food Map. Few other details are available at this point, but stay tuned for more from Maine.

SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE — The poke trend is creeping its way north to South Portland: Big Fin Poke, which specializes in the Hawaiian raw fish dish, is now open at 29 Western Ave., with this location joining a second in Westbrook, Maine. In addition to rice and salad bowls topped with seafood, chicken, beef, or tofu, Big Fin Poke also serves poke burritos, or seaweed wraps stuffed with sushi rice and proteins.

December 19, 2017

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Smoked pork loin chop at Nibblesworth in Portsmouth

KITTERY, MAINE — The Caribbean-inspiredBlue Mermaid Island Grill, which was previously open in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for over 20 years, returns to the dining scene this week, opening its new Kittery location at 10 Shapleigh Rd. on Thursday, December 21, right next to Tributary Brewing Company. Opening weekend is reservation-only; call (207) 703-2754.

Checkout our beautiful, brand new store front, isn’t she gorgeous?! … . . #bluemermaid #bluemermaidkittery #kitteryme #kittery #newlocation #storefront #restaurantdesign

A post shared by Blue Mermaid (@bluemermaid_kittery) on Dec 16, 2017 at 10:26am PST

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Biryani Pot, which has a location in Framingham, Massachusetts, will add a location in Nashua (295 Daniel Webster Hwy.), and the grand opening will happen soon. The restaurant specializes in Hyderabadi cuisine, including biryani with chicken, goat, egg, shrimp, or vegetables.

PORTLAND, MAINE — Tuscan Table arrives at 390 Gorham Rd. in South Portland on Wednesday, December 20. The restaurant has ties to Royal River Grillhouse in Yarmouth, Maine, and Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro in Freeport, Maine. The restaurant will serve Italian cuisine.

In other Portland news, Bon Appetit recently featured a look at six of the city’s newest restaurants to check out, including Hunt & Alpine Club’s little sibling Little Giant (211 Danforth St.), which is both a restaurant and a market; Noble Barbecue (1706 Forest Ave.), which serves a “formidable” brisket sandwich and more; and Belleville (1 North St.), home of “legitimate Roman-style pizza.”

Eater Maine is also currently featuring some of the hottest new spots in Portland and beyond in the latest updated Heatmap; check it out here.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A restaurant with a wonderfully silly name opened recently in New Hampshire, and it specializes in wood-fired cooking. Nibblesworth (409 The Hill) was started by wife-and-husband team Jenny and Tom Nelson, who launched the restaurant with a goal of taking “classic recipes and rejuvenat[ing] them for today’s palate.” The menu includes items like poutine, pierogi, seafood stew, and lobster tacos. As previously reported, it has taken the place of Blue Mermaid Island Grill, which closed in June and reopens in Kittery this week, as mentioned above.

December 12, 2017

Bill Addison for Eater

Sally’s Apizza

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Nuts & Bolts Brewing Company inches closer to an opening this winter at 7 York St. in the Pepperrell Mill, per the Portland Food Map. The brewery is the work of Patrick Doherty and Deedra Zeeh, and they’re providing progress updates on social media.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new collaboration aims to bring tortillas made with local corn to a pair of restaurants in New Hampshire. Vida Tortilla unites the owners of Vida Cantina (2456 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth) and Dos Amigos Burritos (26 N Main St., Concord, and other locations) with Tuckaway Farm (36 Captain Smith Emerson Rd., Lee), and they’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help pay for the equipment needed to produce the tortillas.

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT — One of New Haven’s oldest and best pizza restaurants, Sally’s Apizza(237 Wooster St.), has been sold to new owners, as Eater reports. The names of those now involved will not be made public until January, but they apparently plan to try to expand the restaurant nationwide.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Portland Harbor Hotel (468 Fore St.) will lean into the cold of winter with an ice bar and ice sculptures in its courtyard garden. From January 25 to 27, the Ice Bar will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online. There will be specialty cocktails and small bites available.

December 5, 2017

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Whiskey & Wine Concord

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Elda opens its doors today, arriving at 140 Main St. with regional-inspired small plates from Bowman Brown, who relocated to the Northeast from Salt Lake City and is a James Beard-nominated chef. The restaurant is named for Brown’s grandmother and will initially serve food only, with wine, beer, and a full bar menu coming soon.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — From the same owners behind Gale Motor Co. in Manchester, Whiskey & Wine has been open for nearly a month in Concord (148 N. Main St.), and it serves exactly that, with 34 varieties of whiskey and American and European wines. The varied food menu includes items like miso and tonkotsu ramen, pulled pork tacos, sushi rolls, chicken potstickers, and seared scallops.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Highroller Lobster, a popular food truck in Portland, now has a permanent home at 104 Exchange St. The restaurant opened over the weekend and will officially begin operations Wednesday through Thursday, starting on December 6, serving lobster in several different forms (including lobster grilled cheese), plus corn dogs, burgers, and a surf n’ turf option.

November 29, 2017

Facebook

The Wilder, Portsmouth

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Rover Wood Fired Bagels and Pizza is now open at 111 Elm St. Founders Kimberly Chaurette and Alec Rutter, both alums of Somerville’s Forge Baking Company, started Rover as a bagel pop-up, appearing in Salem at Bambolina and local farmers markets. They’re now in business as a brick-and-mortar up in Maine, serving up bagels and sandwiches, with wood-fired pizza on the way before the end of the year.

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A brunch burger at Sonny’s, closing on December 31

PORTLAND, MAINE — Sonny’s, a nearly decade-old restaurant in Old Port (83 Exchange St.), will close at the end of the year. Taking its place: Black Cow, a burger-and-shake shop with an old-fashioned soda fountain. Jay Villani and Garry Bowcott, who own Sonny’s, Local 188, and Salvage BBQ, are behind the new project, and longtime Local 188 chef Nicholas Nappi (who took a hiatus from the group and worked at Eventide and Hugo’s in the interim) is partnering with them for Black Cow. December 31 is the final day for Sonny’s, and Black Cow could open as soon as mid-February.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — The team behind the Wallingford Dram — an excellent cocktail bar in Kittery, Maine — has opened a new spot in Portsmouth. The Wilder, a “no-rules New England gastropub,” is now open at 174 Fleet St., the site of the former United Kingdom-themed Coat of Arms bar. It’s open daily, with bar service starting at 3:30 p.m. with snacks, the full menu available starting at 5 p.m., and a late-night menu offered until 1 a.m. Dishes include everything from Scotch duck eggs to braised kid ragu, which most likely refers to goats, not children. For dessert? Apple cider beignets with maple sauce. And shakshuka makes an appearance on the late-night menu.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — A food hall slated for Providence just met its fundraising goal through a Kickstarter campaign. The forthcoming West Park Food Hall (233 West Park St.) will have a number of restaurants, a brewery, and a roastery, with communal seating and a roof deck. It raised more than $120,000, which will go towards various expenses, including design and legal costs.

Instagram

The second level at Thee Red Fez is now White Rabbit

In other Providence news, Thee Red Fez (49 Peck St.) is changing things up, converting the upstairs dining room into a cocktail bar with its own name, White Rabbit. Get dinner at the Fez Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m., and drink snazzy cocktails upstairs Thursday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m.

And in other Providence news, North is now up and running at its new location, the first floor of the Dean Hotel (122 Fountain St.). Stay tuned for details on what the team plans to do with the original space at 3 Luongo Sq. — owner James Mark promises a simpler neighborhood spot that could open in a few short months.

Further Reading

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Spicy miso ramen at Anju Noodle Bar in Kittery, Maine

New England’s 38 Essential Restaurants: A guide to the best of the best throughout New England, compiled by Eater restaurant editor Bill Addison with the help of food writers from around the region.

The 9 Hottest New Restaurants in Providence, Rhode Island: Updated in October 2017, this map highlights some of the hot new spots to hit the Providence dining scene in 2017.

Eater Maine: Eater Boston’s sister site to the north has been largely retired, but stop by the homepage now and then for updates to major maps, such as the Heatmap, which tracks some of the hottest new openings.

Maine Restaurant News Archive on Eater Boston: While most Maine news going forward will appear right here in this New England news round-up, older stories are archived at the Maine Restaurant News Archive link.

A Guide to Dining and Drinking in Portsmouth and Kittery: Take a trip up to the New Hampshire-Maine border.

Eater Recommends: What to Eat and Drink in Portsmouth and Kittery: Don’t have time to read the whole guide mentioned above? Skip to this map, which highlights some of the Eater Boston team’s Portsmouth and Kittery favorites.

Where to Drink Beer in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: And here’s the beer-specific accompaniment to the above two links.

[tonyduncanbb73]

New England News: New Hampshire’s Got a New Speakeasy Hidden Behind a Barbershop

And other regional food and beverage updates beyond Massachusetts

Broadening the scope a bit, here’s the latest restaurant news from beyond Greater Boston; we’re keeping an eye out for dining developments throughout New England. This piece is updated on a rolling basis, covering restaurant openings, closures, and more in Portsmouth, Providence, Portland, and elsewhere.

Check back for updates — the most recent ones will always be at the top — and email boston@eater.com with any news tips pertaining to New England restaurant news beyond Boston.

Note: Jump to the bottom of this page for a list of other links pertaining to New England dining, including a guide to Portsmouth and Kittery, an archive of Maine news, a map of the hottest new restaurants in Providence, and more.

February 13, 2018

CHESTER, CONNECTICUT — Grano Arso(6 Main St.) is now open within a former bank building in Chester, and it showcases a “modern yet familiar approach to traditional Italian cooking.” Chef Joel Gargano mills grain in-house for pasta and bread and has created a menu consisting of crostini, pasta dishes, and entrees ranging from monkfish stew to grilled pork loin with polenta and pesto. There are also cocktails, wines, and beer.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Chuck’s BARbershop(90 Low Ave.) is a new speakeasy-style bar from the team behind Codex in Nashua, serving up classic cocktails in a space hidden behind an actual barbershop.

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — The newly opened Lo Sano Restaurant & Bar (678 Maple Ave.) has a menu full of Latin American classics, including mofongo (made with fried plantains), skirt steak with chimichurri, fried chicken, and tres leches flan for dessert.

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Pemi Public House (115 Main St.) is a new option for those visiting the White Mountains. The restaurant serves sandwiches, soups, flatbreads, and hearty entrees like mac and cheese and pot pie, plus salads and appetizers. The restaurant also has open mic nights.

February 6, 2018

Katie Chudy/Eater

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new cocktail bar has opened in the former Red Door space at 107 State St. The Nice is the work of Kevin Walsh and Bryan Emerson, alums of Moxy and Franklin Oyster House, and they’re running the bar from 6 p.m. on, six days a week (closed Tuesday). Drinks include the Venetian Monk (Bully Boy gin, chartreuse, aperol, lemon, and Peychaud’s) and Pearl Harbor (vodka, jalapeño-infused green chartreuse, pineapple, and melon).

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Coffee fans may soon get the chance to drink their favorite beverage in the presence of a double-decker bus. The Burgundian: Coffee and Waffles is a Rhode Island company that specializes in (as the name suggests) coffee and Liege-style waffles. Founder Shane Matlock purchased a double-decker British bus to restore and convert into a mobile coffee shop, where customers will be able to place orders through a service window but will also be able to enter the bus and partake in coffee and waffles on the second level. Matlock has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the bus conversion.

Xaco Taco is now open in Providence (370 Richmond St.), with ten versions of tacos (available as singles or platters) and a wide selection of tequila, plus beer, wine, and churro doughnuts for dessert.

A pop-up that serves sandwiches has debuted in Providence, from the same folks behind UMelt, a sandwich shop with locations at the University of Rhode Island and Brown. The aptly named Sandwich (stylized as ‘sandwich.’) pop-up operates out of the Brown UMelt location (267 Thayer St.) and offers build-your-own options, breakfast sandwiches, and 15 pre-set menu items.

SMITHFIELD, RHODE ISLAND — Laura’s Bar and Grill (945 Douglas Pke.) debuted in Rhode Island recently, with a menu of flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, and other pub fare. There’s a selection of cocktails, plus sangria.

WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND — New Haven’s famous Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (which has a location near Boston, in Chestnut Hill) plans to expand to Rhode Island, opening in Warwick some time in April or May, the Providence Journal reports. The restaurant will feature a specialty brick, coal-fired oven that requires seasoning.

January 30, 2018

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Gelato Fiasco

BRUNSWICK, MAINE — The Gelato Fiasco— a Maine-based gelato producer that’s previously popped-up in Boston and has been “eyeing properties in Boston for a while” for a potential permanent location here — has first landed on a site a little bit more southern: Orlando, Florida. After producing gelato for distribution and gaining traction in Florida thanks to the state’s beloved grocery store, Publix, Gelato Fiasco has signed a lease for a space at 25 West Crystal Lakes St., planning to open in spring 2018.

LONDONDERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Long Blue Cat Brewing (298 Rockingham Rd.) is up and running with pints, flatbreads, and snacks. Operating varied hours from Wednesday through Sunday, the brewery is the work of two friends, Jason Knight and Shane Sorenson, who are serving several different beers, including a honey ale, a traditional porter, and a kolsch, among others.

MANCHESTER, VERMONT — Mystic Cafe & Wine Barhas opened in Manchester (4928 Main St.), serving lunch and dinner — both cafe fare and entrees, including salmon tartine, Cuban sandwiches, pastries, grilled cheese and tomato soup, salads, and mussels. The restaurant also offers a full bar and wines by the glass.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Poke hit Portsmouth with the opening of Ohana Kitchen several weeks ago (800 Islington St., Plaza 800). The restaurant serves customizable bowls of the Hawaiian dish, in addition to sushi burritos.

January 23, 2018

Dan Watkins for By Chloe

By Chloe in Providence

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Suzette Crepes & Waffles (62 Lowell St.) is a recent addition to Manchester, and it serves what diners might expect from the name. With stuffed crepes and waffles topped with various items (including Nutella), the restaurant is connected to Gaucho’s Brazilian Steakhouse.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Seacoast Online shares the history and longevity of restaurateur John Mikolajcyk, who was born in Portsmouth 80 years ago and is still involved in the industry, as manager of the Portsmouth Elks Lodge.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — By Chloe, a New York City-born restaurant chain that has spawned locations in Los Angeles and Boston (with a couple opening soon in London), officially opened a new location in Providence last week at 223 Thayer St. The entirely vegan menu includes everything from avocado pesto pasta to various burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast items.

January 16, 2017

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Wow Barbecue skewers

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Wow Barbecue got its start as a food truck in Boston before opening restaurants in Malden and Brookline. Now, there’s a new restaurant in play in Providence, open at 183 Angell St., and it’s serving a menu of Chinese barbecue dishes, rice bowls, noodles, and several appetizers.

SEABROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Brown’s Lobster Pound closed down in August 2017 after a fire, but the restaurant is on the verge of reopening, slated to make its return by April 1.

WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — A full-service restaurant and bar specializing in vegan food has opened in Connecticut from the same people behind Rooster Co. in Newington. Flora uses seasonal ingredients for its food and drink menu (there’s a juice bar in addition to wine and beer). In addition to falafel wraps, flatbreads, “mac-no-cheese,” and an avocado bowl, Flora serves the plant-based Impossible Burger. For any meat eaters who visit, Flora offers what it calls “viable fauna” or “sustainable and responsibly raised animal products,” like grass-fed beef, wild shrimp, and arctic char.

January 9, 2018

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Bissell Brothers

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Lunch Lady Food Truck debuted at the end of 2017 in Concord, serving a school-themed menu featuring items named for grades one through 10. There are burgers, barbecue pork nachos, Buffalo wings, and Reuben egg rolls, among many other items, including sides and drinks. Find it by the Everett Arena (15 Loudon Rd.), and keep an eye on social media for other locations.

DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Burger joint Hop + Grind (7 Madbury Rd. — Madbury Commons) opened at the end of November. The restaurant butchers and grinds its own meats and makes its soda in-house. There are beef, chicken, and pork burgers and two versions of veggie burgers, plus chicken fried mac and cheese and a Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Hop + Grind also serves craft beer and ice cream malts.

MAINE — As a new year kicks off, Portland Food Map takes a look back at the year in 2017 — exploring new restaurants, notable events, trends, and obituaries — while looking ahead towards openings slated for 2018.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Rock apparently has great taste in beer and sent an assistant to procure some. The famed Bissell Brothers Brewing Company (4 Thompsons Pt.) shared the story on Twitter: “An assistant for The Rock just showed up, he took a private jet here to pick up Substance cans. Got shown some credentials… either we just got massively played or THAT IS AWESOME!!”

Also in Portland, Definitive Brewing Company is under construction and could open in the spring at 35 Industrial Wy., near Allagash Brewing Company, according to the Portland Food Map. Few other details are available at this point, but stay tuned for more from Maine.

SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE — The poke trend is creeping its way north to South Portland: Big Fin Poke, which specializes in the Hawaiian raw fish dish, is now open at 29 Western Ave., with this location joining a second in Westbrook, Maine. In addition to rice and salad bowls topped with seafood, chicken, beef, or tofu, Big Fin Poke also serves poke burritos, or seaweed wraps stuffed with sushi rice and proteins.

December 19, 2017

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Smoked pork loin chop at Nibblesworth in Portsmouth

KITTERY, MAINE — The Caribbean-inspiredBlue Mermaid Island Grill, which was previously open in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for over 20 years, returns to the dining scene this week, opening its new Kittery location at 10 Shapleigh Rd. on Thursday, December 21, right next to Tributary Brewing Company. Opening weekend is reservation-only; call (207) 703-2754.

Checkout our beautiful, brand new store front, isn’t she gorgeous?! … . . #bluemermaid #bluemermaidkittery #kitteryme #kittery #newlocation #storefront #restaurantdesign

A post shared by Blue Mermaid (@bluemermaid_kittery) on Dec 16, 2017 at 10:26am PST

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Biryani Pot, which has a location in Framingham, Massachusetts, will add a location in Nashua (295 Daniel Webster Hwy.), and the grand opening will happen soon. The restaurant specializes in Hyderabadi cuisine, including biryani with chicken, goat, egg, shrimp, or vegetables.

PORTLAND, MAINE — Tuscan Table arrives at 390 Gorham Rd. in South Portland on Wednesday, December 20. The restaurant has ties to Royal River Grillhouse in Yarmouth, Maine, and Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro in Freeport, Maine. The restaurant will serve Italian cuisine.

In other Portland news, Bon Appetit recently featured a look at six of the city’s newest restaurants to check out, including Hunt & Alpine Club’s little sibling Little Giant (211 Danforth St.), which is both a restaurant and a market; Noble Barbecue (1706 Forest Ave.), which serves a “formidable” brisket sandwich and more; and Belleville (1 North St.), home of “legitimate Roman-style pizza.”

Eater Maine is also currently featuring some of the hottest new spots in Portland and beyond in the latest updated Heatmap; check it out here.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A restaurant with a wonderfully silly name opened recently in New Hampshire, and it specializes in wood-fired cooking. Nibblesworth (409 The Hill) was started by wife-and-husband team Jenny and Tom Nelson, who launched the restaurant with a goal of taking “classic recipes and rejuvenat[ing] them for today’s palate.” The menu includes items like poutine, pierogi, seafood stew, and lobster tacos. As previously reported, it has taken the place of Blue Mermaid Island Grill, which closed in June and reopens in Kittery this week, as mentioned above.

December 12, 2017

Bill Addison for Eater

Sally’s Apizza

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Nuts & Bolts Brewing Company inches closer to an opening this winter at 7 York St. in the Pepperrell Mill, per the Portland Food Map. The brewery is the work of Patrick Doherty and Deedra Zeeh, and they’re providing progress updates on social media.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new collaboration aims to bring tortillas made with local corn to a pair of restaurants in New Hampshire. Vida Tortilla unites the owners of Vida Cantina (2456 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth) and Dos Amigos Burritos (26 N Main St., Concord, and other locations) with Tuckaway Farm (36 Captain Smith Emerson Rd., Lee), and they’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help pay for the equipment needed to produce the tortillas.

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT — One of New Haven’s oldest and best pizza restaurants, Sally’s Apizza(237 Wooster St.), has been sold to new owners, as Eater reports. The names of those now involved will not be made public until January, but they apparently plan to try to expand the restaurant nationwide.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Portland Harbor Hotel (468 Fore St.) will lean into the cold of winter with an ice bar and ice sculptures in its courtyard garden. From January 25 to 27, the Ice Bar will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online. There will be specialty cocktails and small bites available.

December 5, 2017

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Whiskey & Wine Concord

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Elda opens its doors today, arriving at 140 Main St. with regional-inspired small plates from Bowman Brown, who relocated to the Northeast from Salt Lake City and is a James Beard-nominated chef. The restaurant is named for Brown’s grandmother and will initially serve food only, with wine, beer, and a full bar menu coming soon.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — From the same owners behind Gale Motor Co. in Manchester, Whiskey & Wine has been open for nearly a month in Concord (148 N. Main St.), and it serves exactly that, with 34 varieties of whiskey and American and European wines. The varied food menu includes items like miso and tonkotsu ramen, pulled pork tacos, sushi rolls, chicken potstickers, and seared scallops.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Highroller Lobster, a popular food truck in Portland, now has a permanent home at 104 Exchange St. The restaurant opened over the weekend and will officially begin operations Wednesday through Thursday, starting on December 6, serving lobster in several different forms (including lobster grilled cheese), plus corn dogs, burgers, and a surf n’ turf option.

November 29, 2017

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The Wilder, Portsmouth

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Rover Wood Fired Bagels and Pizza is now open at 111 Elm St. Founders Kimberly Chaurette and Alec Rutter, both alums of Somerville’s Forge Baking Company, started Rover as a bagel pop-up, appearing in Salem at Bambolina and local farmers markets. They’re now in business as a brick-and-mortar up in Maine, serving up bagels and sandwiches, with wood-fired pizza on the way before the end of the year.

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A brunch burger at Sonny’s, closing on December 31

PORTLAND, MAINE — Sonny’s, a nearly decade-old restaurant in Old Port (83 Exchange St.), will close at the end of the year. Taking its place: Black Cow, a burger-and-shake shop with an old-fashioned soda fountain. Jay Villani and Garry Bowcott, who own Sonny’s, Local 188, and Salvage BBQ, are behind the new project, and longtime Local 188 chef Nicholas Nappi (who took a hiatus from the group and worked at Eventide and Hugo’s in the interim) is partnering with them for Black Cow. December 31 is the final day for Sonny’s, and Black Cow could open as soon as mid-February.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — The team behind the Wallingford Dram — an excellent cocktail bar in Kittery, Maine — has opened a new spot in Portsmouth. The Wilder, a “no-rules New England gastropub,” is now open at 174 Fleet St., the site of the former United Kingdom-themed Coat of Arms bar. It’s open daily, with bar service starting at 3:30 p.m. with snacks, the full menu available starting at 5 p.m., and a late-night menu offered until 1 a.m. Dishes include everything from Scotch duck eggs to braised kid ragu, which most likely refers to goats, not children. For dessert? Apple cider beignets with maple sauce. And shakshuka makes an appearance on the late-night menu.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — A food hall slated for Providence just met its fundraising goal through a Kickstarter campaign. The forthcoming West Park Food Hall (233 West Park St.) will have a number of restaurants, a brewery, and a roastery, with communal seating and a roof deck. It raised more than $120,000, which will go towards various expenses, including design and legal costs.

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The second level at Thee Red Fez is now White Rabbit

In other Providence news, Thee Red Fez (49 Peck St.) is changing things up, converting the upstairs dining room into a cocktail bar with its own name, White Rabbit. Get dinner at the Fez Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m., and drink snazzy cocktails upstairs Thursday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m.

And in other Providence news, North is now up and running at its new location, the first floor of the Dean Hotel (122 Fountain St.). Stay tuned for details on what the team plans to do with the original space at 3 Luongo Sq. — owner James Mark promises a simpler neighborhood spot that could open in a few short months.

Further Reading

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Spicy miso ramen at Anju Noodle Bar in Kittery, Maine

New England’s 38 Essential Restaurants: A guide to the best of the best throughout New England, compiled by Eater restaurant editor Bill Addison with the help of food writers from around the region.

The 9 Hottest New Restaurants in Providence, Rhode Island: Updated in October 2017, this map highlights some of the hot new spots to hit the Providence dining scene in 2017.

Eater Maine: Eater Boston’s sister site to the north has been largely retired, but stop by the homepage now and then for updates to major maps, such as the Heatmap, which tracks some of the hottest new openings.

Maine Restaurant News Archive on Eater Boston: While most Maine news going forward will appear right here in this New England news round-up, older stories are archived at the Maine Restaurant News Archive link.

A Guide to Dining and Drinking in Portsmouth and Kittery: Take a trip up to the New Hampshire-Maine border.

Eater Recommends: What to Eat and Drink in Portsmouth and Kittery: Don’t have time to read the whole guide mentioned above? Skip to this map, which highlights some of the Eater Boston team’s Portsmouth and Kittery favorites.

Where to Drink Beer in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: And here’s the beer-specific accompaniment to the above two links.

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New England News: New Hampshire’s Got a New Speakeasy Hidden Behind a Barbershop

And other regional food and beverage updates beyond Massachusetts

Broadening the scope a bit, here’s the latest restaurant news from beyond Greater Boston; we’re keeping an eye out for dining developments throughout New England. This piece is updated on a rolling basis, covering restaurant openings, closures, and more in Portsmouth, Providence, Portland, and elsewhere.

Check back for updates — the most recent ones will always be at the top — and email boston@eater.com with any news tips pertaining to New England restaurant news beyond Boston.

Note: Jump to the bottom of this page for a list of other links pertaining to New England dining, including a guide to Portsmouth and Kittery, an archive of Maine news, a map of the hottest new restaurants in Providence, and more.

February 13, 2018

CHESTER, CONNECTICUT — Grano Arso(6 Main St.) is now open within a former bank building in Chester, and it showcases a “modern yet familiar approach to traditional Italian cooking.” Chef Joel Gargano mills grain in-house for pasta and bread and has created a menu consisting of crostini, pasta dishes, and entrees ranging from monkfish stew to grilled pork loin with polenta and pesto. There are also cocktails, wines, and beer.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Chuck’s BARbershop(90 Low Ave.) is a new speakeasy-style bar from the team behind Codex in Nashua, serving up classic cocktails in a space hidden behind an actual barbershop.

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — The newly opened Lo Sano Restaurant & Bar (678 Maple Ave.) has a menu full of Latin American classics, including mofongo (made with fried plantains), skirt steak with chimichurri, fried chicken, and tres leches flan for dessert.

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Pemi Public House (115 Main St.) is a new option for those visiting the White Mountains. The restaurant serves sandwiches, soups, flatbreads, and hearty entrees like mac and cheese and pot pie, plus salads and appetizers. The restaurant also has open mic nights.

February 6, 2018

Katie Chudy/Eater

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new cocktail bar has opened in the former Red Door space at 107 State St. The Nice is the work of Kevin Walsh and Bryan Emerson, alums of Moxy and Franklin Oyster House, and they’re running the bar from 6 p.m. on, six days a week (closed Tuesday). Drinks include the Venetian Monk (Bully Boy gin, chartreuse, aperol, lemon, and Peychaud’s) and Pearl Harbor (vodka, jalapeño-infused green chartreuse, pineapple, and melon).

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Coffee fans may soon get the chance to drink their favorite beverage in the presence of a double-decker bus. The Burgundian: Coffee and Waffles is a Rhode Island company that specializes in (as the name suggests) coffee and Liege-style waffles. Founder Shane Matlock purchased a double-decker British bus to restore and convert into a mobile coffee shop, where customers will be able to place orders through a service window but will also be able to enter the bus and partake in coffee and waffles on the second level. Matlock has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the bus conversion.

Xaco Taco is now open in Providence (370 Richmond St.), with ten versions of tacos (available as singles or platters) and a wide selection of tequila, plus beer, wine, and churro doughnuts for dessert.

A pop-up that serves sandwiches has debuted in Providence, from the same folks behind UMelt, a sandwich shop with locations at the University of Rhode Island and Brown. The aptly named Sandwich (stylized as ‘sandwich.’) pop-up operates out of the Brown UMelt location (267 Thayer St.) and offers build-your-own options, breakfast sandwiches, and 15 pre-set menu items.

SMITHFIELD, RHODE ISLAND — Laura’s Bar and Grill (945 Douglas Pke.) debuted in Rhode Island recently, with a menu of flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, and other pub fare. There’s a selection of cocktails, plus sangria.

WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND — New Haven’s famous Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (which has a location near Boston, in Chestnut Hill) plans to expand to Rhode Island, opening in Warwick some time in April or May, the Providence Journal reports. The restaurant will feature a specialty brick, coal-fired oven that requires seasoning.

January 30, 2018

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Gelato Fiasco

BRUNSWICK, MAINE — The Gelato Fiasco— a Maine-based gelato producer that’s previously popped-up in Boston and has been “eyeing properties in Boston for a while” for a potential permanent location here — has first landed on a site a little bit more southern: Orlando, Florida. After producing gelato for distribution and gaining traction in Florida thanks to the state’s beloved grocery store, Publix, Gelato Fiasco has signed a lease for a space at 25 West Crystal Lakes St., planning to open in spring 2018.

LONDONDERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Long Blue Cat Brewing (298 Rockingham Rd.) is up and running with pints, flatbreads, and snacks. Operating varied hours from Wednesday through Sunday, the brewery is the work of two friends, Jason Knight and Shane Sorenson, who are serving several different beers, including a honey ale, a traditional porter, and a kolsch, among others.

MANCHESTER, VERMONT — Mystic Cafe & Wine Barhas opened in Manchester (4928 Main St.), serving lunch and dinner — both cafe fare and entrees, including salmon tartine, Cuban sandwiches, pastries, grilled cheese and tomato soup, salads, and mussels. The restaurant also offers a full bar and wines by the glass.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Poke hit Portsmouth with the opening of Ohana Kitchen several weeks ago (800 Islington St., Plaza 800). The restaurant serves customizable bowls of the Hawaiian dish, in addition to sushi burritos.

January 23, 2018

Dan Watkins for By Chloe

By Chloe in Providence

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Suzette Crepes & Waffles (62 Lowell St.) is a recent addition to Manchester, and it serves what diners might expect from the name. With stuffed crepes and waffles topped with various items (including Nutella), the restaurant is connected to Gaucho’s Brazilian Steakhouse.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Seacoast Online shares the history and longevity of restaurateur John Mikolajcyk, who was born in Portsmouth 80 years ago and is still involved in the industry, as manager of the Portsmouth Elks Lodge.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — By Chloe, a New York City-born restaurant chain that has spawned locations in Los Angeles and Boston (with a couple opening soon in London), officially opened a new location in Providence last week at 223 Thayer St. The entirely vegan menu includes everything from avocado pesto pasta to various burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast items.

January 16, 2017

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Wow Barbecue skewers

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Wow Barbecue got its start as a food truck in Boston before opening restaurants in Malden and Brookline. Now, there’s a new restaurant in play in Providence, open at 183 Angell St., and it’s serving a menu of Chinese barbecue dishes, rice bowls, noodles, and several appetizers.

SEABROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Brown’s Lobster Pound closed down in August 2017 after a fire, but the restaurant is on the verge of reopening, slated to make its return by April 1.

WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — A full-service restaurant and bar specializing in vegan food has opened in Connecticut from the same people behind Rooster Co. in Newington. Flora uses seasonal ingredients for its food and drink menu (there’s a juice bar in addition to wine and beer). In addition to falafel wraps, flatbreads, “mac-no-cheese,” and an avocado bowl, Flora serves the plant-based Impossible Burger. For any meat eaters who visit, Flora offers what it calls “viable fauna” or “sustainable and responsibly raised animal products,” like grass-fed beef, wild shrimp, and arctic char.

January 9, 2018

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Bissell Brothers

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Lunch Lady Food Truck debuted at the end of 2017 in Concord, serving a school-themed menu featuring items named for grades one through 10. There are burgers, barbecue pork nachos, Buffalo wings, and Reuben egg rolls, among many other items, including sides and drinks. Find it by the Everett Arena (15 Loudon Rd.), and keep an eye on social media for other locations.

DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Burger joint Hop + Grind (7 Madbury Rd. — Madbury Commons) opened at the end of November. The restaurant butchers and grinds its own meats and makes its soda in-house. There are beef, chicken, and pork burgers and two versions of veggie burgers, plus chicken fried mac and cheese and a Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Hop + Grind also serves craft beer and ice cream malts.

MAINE — As a new year kicks off, Portland Food Map takes a look back at the year in 2017 — exploring new restaurants, notable events, trends, and obituaries — while looking ahead towards openings slated for 2018.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Rock apparently has great taste in beer and sent an assistant to procure some. The famed Bissell Brothers Brewing Company (4 Thompsons Pt.) shared the story on Twitter: “An assistant for The Rock just showed up, he took a private jet here to pick up Substance cans. Got shown some credentials… either we just got massively played or THAT IS AWESOME!!”

Also in Portland, Definitive Brewing Company is under construction and could open in the spring at 35 Industrial Wy., near Allagash Brewing Company, according to the Portland Food Map. Few other details are available at this point, but stay tuned for more from Maine.

SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE — The poke trend is creeping its way north to South Portland: Big Fin Poke, which specializes in the Hawaiian raw fish dish, is now open at 29 Western Ave., with this location joining a second in Westbrook, Maine. In addition to rice and salad bowls topped with seafood, chicken, beef, or tofu, Big Fin Poke also serves poke burritos, or seaweed wraps stuffed with sushi rice and proteins.

December 19, 2017

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Smoked pork loin chop at Nibblesworth in Portsmouth

KITTERY, MAINE — The Caribbean-inspiredBlue Mermaid Island Grill, which was previously open in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for over 20 years, returns to the dining scene this week, opening its new Kittery location at 10 Shapleigh Rd. on Thursday, December 21, right next to Tributary Brewing Company. Opening weekend is reservation-only; call (207) 703-2754.

Checkout our beautiful, brand new store front, isn’t she gorgeous?! … . . #bluemermaid #bluemermaidkittery #kitteryme #kittery #newlocation #storefront #restaurantdesign

A post shared by Blue Mermaid (@bluemermaid_kittery) on Dec 16, 2017 at 10:26am PST

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Biryani Pot, which has a location in Framingham, Massachusetts, will add a location in Nashua (295 Daniel Webster Hwy.), and the grand opening will happen soon. The restaurant specializes in Hyderabadi cuisine, including biryani with chicken, goat, egg, shrimp, or vegetables.

PORTLAND, MAINE — Tuscan Table arrives at 390 Gorham Rd. in South Portland on Wednesday, December 20. The restaurant has ties to Royal River Grillhouse in Yarmouth, Maine, and Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro in Freeport, Maine. The restaurant will serve Italian cuisine.

In other Portland news, Bon Appetit recently featured a look at six of the city’s newest restaurants to check out, including Hunt & Alpine Club’s little sibling Little Giant (211 Danforth St.), which is both a restaurant and a market; Noble Barbecue (1706 Forest Ave.), which serves a “formidable” brisket sandwich and more; and Belleville (1 North St.), home of “legitimate Roman-style pizza.”

Eater Maine is also currently featuring some of the hottest new spots in Portland and beyond in the latest updated Heatmap; check it out here.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A restaurant with a wonderfully silly name opened recently in New Hampshire, and it specializes in wood-fired cooking. Nibblesworth (409 The Hill) was started by wife-and-husband team Jenny and Tom Nelson, who launched the restaurant with a goal of taking “classic recipes and rejuvenat[ing] them for today’s palate.” The menu includes items like poutine, pierogi, seafood stew, and lobster tacos. As previously reported, it has taken the place of Blue Mermaid Island Grill, which closed in June and reopens in Kittery this week, as mentioned above.

December 12, 2017

Bill Addison for Eater

Sally’s Apizza

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Nuts & Bolts Brewing Company inches closer to an opening this winter at 7 York St. in the Pepperrell Mill, per the Portland Food Map. The brewery is the work of Patrick Doherty and Deedra Zeeh, and they’re providing progress updates on social media.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new collaboration aims to bring tortillas made with local corn to a pair of restaurants in New Hampshire. Vida Tortilla unites the owners of Vida Cantina (2456 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth) and Dos Amigos Burritos (26 N Main St., Concord, and other locations) with Tuckaway Farm (36 Captain Smith Emerson Rd., Lee), and they’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help pay for the equipment needed to produce the tortillas.

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT — One of New Haven’s oldest and best pizza restaurants, Sally’s Apizza(237 Wooster St.), has been sold to new owners, as Eater reports. The names of those now involved will not be made public until January, but they apparently plan to try to expand the restaurant nationwide.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Portland Harbor Hotel (468 Fore St.) will lean into the cold of winter with an ice bar and ice sculptures in its courtyard garden. From January 25 to 27, the Ice Bar will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online. There will be specialty cocktails and small bites available.

December 5, 2017

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Whiskey & Wine Concord

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Elda opens its doors today, arriving at 140 Main St. with regional-inspired small plates from Bowman Brown, who relocated to the Northeast from Salt Lake City and is a James Beard-nominated chef. The restaurant is named for Brown’s grandmother and will initially serve food only, with wine, beer, and a full bar menu coming soon.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — From the same owners behind Gale Motor Co. in Manchester, Whiskey & Wine has been open for nearly a month in Concord (148 N. Main St.), and it serves exactly that, with 34 varieties of whiskey and American and European wines. The varied food menu includes items like miso and tonkotsu ramen, pulled pork tacos, sushi rolls, chicken potstickers, and seared scallops.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Highroller Lobster, a popular food truck in Portland, now has a permanent home at 104 Exchange St. The restaurant opened over the weekend and will officially begin operations Wednesday through Thursday, starting on December 6, serving lobster in several different forms (including lobster grilled cheese), plus corn dogs, burgers, and a surf n’ turf option.

November 29, 2017

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The Wilder, Portsmouth

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Rover Wood Fired Bagels and Pizza is now open at 111 Elm St. Founders Kimberly Chaurette and Alec Rutter, both alums of Somerville’s Forge Baking Company, started Rover as a bagel pop-up, appearing in Salem at Bambolina and local farmers markets. They’re now in business as a brick-and-mortar up in Maine, serving up bagels and sandwiches, with wood-fired pizza on the way before the end of the year.

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A brunch burger at Sonny’s, closing on December 31

PORTLAND, MAINE — Sonny’s, a nearly decade-old restaurant in Old Port (83 Exchange St.), will close at the end of the year. Taking its place: Black Cow, a burger-and-shake shop with an old-fashioned soda fountain. Jay Villani and Garry Bowcott, who own Sonny’s, Local 188, and Salvage BBQ, are behind the new project, and longtime Local 188 chef Nicholas Nappi (who took a hiatus from the group and worked at Eventide and Hugo’s in the interim) is partnering with them for Black Cow. December 31 is the final day for Sonny’s, and Black Cow could open as soon as mid-February.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — The team behind the Wallingford Dram — an excellent cocktail bar in Kittery, Maine — has opened a new spot in Portsmouth. The Wilder, a “no-rules New England gastropub,” is now open at 174 Fleet St., the site of the former United Kingdom-themed Coat of Arms bar. It’s open daily, with bar service starting at 3:30 p.m. with snacks, the full menu available starting at 5 p.m., and a late-night menu offered until 1 a.m. Dishes include everything from Scotch duck eggs to braised kid ragu, which most likely refers to goats, not children. For dessert? Apple cider beignets with maple sauce. And shakshuka makes an appearance on the late-night menu.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — A food hall slated for Providence just met its fundraising goal through a Kickstarter campaign. The forthcoming West Park Food Hall (233 West Park St.) will have a number of restaurants, a brewery, and a roastery, with communal seating and a roof deck. It raised more than $120,000, which will go towards various expenses, including design and legal costs.

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The second level at Thee Red Fez is now White Rabbit

In other Providence news, Thee Red Fez (49 Peck St.) is changing things up, converting the upstairs dining room into a cocktail bar with its own name, White Rabbit. Get dinner at the Fez Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m., and drink snazzy cocktails upstairs Thursday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m.

And in other Providence news, North is now up and running at its new location, the first floor of the Dean Hotel (122 Fountain St.). Stay tuned for details on what the team plans to do with the original space at 3 Luongo Sq. — owner James Mark promises a simpler neighborhood spot that could open in a few short months.

Further Reading

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Spicy miso ramen at Anju Noodle Bar in Kittery, Maine

New England’s 38 Essential Restaurants: A guide to the best of the best throughout New England, compiled by Eater restaurant editor Bill Addison with the help of food writers from around the region.

The 9 Hottest New Restaurants in Providence, Rhode Island: Updated in October 2017, this map highlights some of the hot new spots to hit the Providence dining scene in 2017.

Eater Maine: Eater Boston’s sister site to the north has been largely retired, but stop by the homepage now and then for updates to major maps, such as the Heatmap, which tracks some of the hottest new openings.

Maine Restaurant News Archive on Eater Boston: While most Maine news going forward will appear right here in this New England news round-up, older stories are archived at the Maine Restaurant News Archive link.

A Guide to Dining and Drinking in Portsmouth and Kittery: Take a trip up to the New Hampshire-Maine border.

Eater Recommends: What to Eat and Drink in Portsmouth and Kittery: Don’t have time to read the whole guide mentioned above? Skip to this map, which highlights some of the Eater Boston team’s Portsmouth and Kittery favorites.

Where to Drink Beer in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: And here’s the beer-specific accompaniment to the above two links.

[tonyduncanbb73]

New England News: New Hampshire’s Got a New Speakeasy Hidden Behind a Barbershop

And other regional food and beverage updates beyond Massachusetts

Broadening the scope a bit, here’s the latest restaurant news from beyond Greater Boston; we’re keeping an eye out for dining developments throughout New England. This piece is updated on a rolling basis, covering restaurant openings, closures, and more in Portsmouth, Providence, Portland, and elsewhere.

Check back for updates — the most recent ones will always be at the top — and email boston@eater.com with any news tips pertaining to New England restaurant news beyond Boston.

Note: Jump to the bottom of this page for a list of other links pertaining to New England dining, including a guide to Portsmouth and Kittery, an archive of Maine news, a map of the hottest new restaurants in Providence, and more.

February 13, 2018

CHESTER, CONNECTICUT — Grano Arso(6 Main St.) is now open within a former bank building in Chester, and it showcases a “modern yet familiar approach to traditional Italian cooking.” Chef Joel Gargano mills grain in-house for pasta and bread and has created a menu consisting of crostini, pasta dishes, and entrees ranging from monkfish stew to grilled pork loin with polenta and pesto. There are also cocktails, wines, and beer.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Chuck’s BARbershop(90 Low Ave.) is a new speakeasy-style bar from the team behind Codex in Nashua, serving up classic cocktails in a space hidden behind an actual barbershop.

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — The newly opened Lo Sano Restaurant & Bar (678 Maple Ave.) has a menu full of Latin American classics, including mofongo (made with fried plantains), skirt steak with chimichurri, fried chicken, and tres leches flan for dessert.

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Pemi Public House (115 Main St.) is a new option for those visiting the White Mountains. The restaurant serves sandwiches, soups, flatbreads, and hearty entrees like mac and cheese and pot pie, plus salads and appetizers. The restaurant also has open mic nights.

February 6, 2018

Katie Chudy/Eater

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new cocktail bar has opened in the former Red Door space at 107 State St. The Nice is the work of Kevin Walsh and Bryan Emerson, alums of Moxy and Franklin Oyster House, and they’re running the bar from 6 p.m. on, six days a week (closed Tuesday). Drinks include the Venetian Monk (Bully Boy gin, chartreuse, aperol, lemon, and Peychaud’s) and Pearl Harbor (vodka, jalapeño-infused green chartreuse, pineapple, and melon).

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Coffee fans may soon get the chance to drink their favorite beverage in the presence of a double-decker bus. The Burgundian: Coffee and Waffles is a Rhode Island company that specializes in (as the name suggests) coffee and Liege-style waffles. Founder Shane Matlock purchased a double-decker British bus to restore and convert into a mobile coffee shop, where customers will be able to place orders through a service window but will also be able to enter the bus and partake in coffee and waffles on the second level. Matlock has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the bus conversion.

Xaco Taco is now open in Providence (370 Richmond St.), with ten versions of tacos (available as singles or platters) and a wide selection of tequila, plus beer, wine, and churro doughnuts for dessert.

A pop-up that serves sandwiches has debuted in Providence, from the same folks behind UMelt, a sandwich shop with locations at the University of Rhode Island and Brown. The aptly named Sandwich (stylized as ‘sandwich.’) pop-up operates out of the Brown UMelt location (267 Thayer St.) and offers build-your-own options, breakfast sandwiches, and 15 pre-set menu items.

SMITHFIELD, RHODE ISLAND — Laura’s Bar and Grill (945 Douglas Pke.) debuted in Rhode Island recently, with a menu of flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, and other pub fare. There’s a selection of cocktails, plus sangria.

WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND — New Haven’s famous Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (which has a location near Boston, in Chestnut Hill) plans to expand to Rhode Island, opening in Warwick some time in April or May, the Providence Journal reports. The restaurant will feature a specialty brick, coal-fired oven that requires seasoning.

January 30, 2018

Facebook

Gelato Fiasco

BRUNSWICK, MAINE — The Gelato Fiasco— a Maine-based gelato producer that’s previously popped-up in Boston and has been “eyeing properties in Boston for a while” for a potential permanent location here — has first landed on a site a little bit more southern: Orlando, Florida. After producing gelato for distribution and gaining traction in Florida thanks to the state’s beloved grocery store, Publix, Gelato Fiasco has signed a lease for a space at 25 West Crystal Lakes St., planning to open in spring 2018.

LONDONDERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Long Blue Cat Brewing (298 Rockingham Rd.) is up and running with pints, flatbreads, and snacks. Operating varied hours from Wednesday through Sunday, the brewery is the work of two friends, Jason Knight and Shane Sorenson, who are serving several different beers, including a honey ale, a traditional porter, and a kolsch, among others.

MANCHESTER, VERMONT — Mystic Cafe & Wine Barhas opened in Manchester (4928 Main St.), serving lunch and dinner — both cafe fare and entrees, including salmon tartine, Cuban sandwiches, pastries, grilled cheese and tomato soup, salads, and mussels. The restaurant also offers a full bar and wines by the glass.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Poke hit Portsmouth with the opening of Ohana Kitchen several weeks ago (800 Islington St., Plaza 800). The restaurant serves customizable bowls of the Hawaiian dish, in addition to sushi burritos.

January 23, 2018

Dan Watkins for By Chloe

By Chloe in Providence

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Suzette Crepes & Waffles (62 Lowell St.) is a recent addition to Manchester, and it serves what diners might expect from the name. With stuffed crepes and waffles topped with various items (including Nutella), the restaurant is connected to Gaucho’s Brazilian Steakhouse.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Seacoast Online shares the history and longevity of restaurateur John Mikolajcyk, who was born in Portsmouth 80 years ago and is still involved in the industry, as manager of the Portsmouth Elks Lodge.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — By Chloe, a New York City-born restaurant chain that has spawned locations in Los Angeles and Boston (with a couple opening soon in London), officially opened a new location in Providence last week at 223 Thayer St. The entirely vegan menu includes everything from avocado pesto pasta to various burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast items.

January 16, 2017

Facebook

Wow Barbecue skewers

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Wow Barbecue got its start as a food truck in Boston before opening restaurants in Malden and Brookline. Now, there’s a new restaurant in play in Providence, open at 183 Angell St., and it’s serving a menu of Chinese barbecue dishes, rice bowls, noodles, and several appetizers.

SEABROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Brown’s Lobster Pound closed down in August 2017 after a fire, but the restaurant is on the verge of reopening, slated to make its return by April 1.

WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — A full-service restaurant and bar specializing in vegan food has opened in Connecticut from the same people behind Rooster Co. in Newington. Flora uses seasonal ingredients for its food and drink menu (there’s a juice bar in addition to wine and beer). In addition to falafel wraps, flatbreads, “mac-no-cheese,” and an avocado bowl, Flora serves the plant-based Impossible Burger. For any meat eaters who visit, Flora offers what it calls “viable fauna” or “sustainable and responsibly raised animal products,” like grass-fed beef, wild shrimp, and arctic char.

January 9, 2018

Facebook

Bissell Brothers

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Lunch Lady Food Truck debuted at the end of 2017 in Concord, serving a school-themed menu featuring items named for grades one through 10. There are burgers, barbecue pork nachos, Buffalo wings, and Reuben egg rolls, among many other items, including sides and drinks. Find it by the Everett Arena (15 Loudon Rd.), and keep an eye on social media for other locations.

DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Burger joint Hop + Grind (7 Madbury Rd. — Madbury Commons) opened at the end of November. The restaurant butchers and grinds its own meats and makes its soda in-house. There are beef, chicken, and pork burgers and two versions of veggie burgers, plus chicken fried mac and cheese and a Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Hop + Grind also serves craft beer and ice cream malts.

MAINE — As a new year kicks off, Portland Food Map takes a look back at the year in 2017 — exploring new restaurants, notable events, trends, and obituaries — while looking ahead towards openings slated for 2018.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Rock apparently has great taste in beer and sent an assistant to procure some. The famed Bissell Brothers Brewing Company (4 Thompsons Pt.) shared the story on Twitter: “An assistant for The Rock just showed up, he took a private jet here to pick up Substance cans. Got shown some credentials… either we just got massively played or THAT IS AWESOME!!”

Also in Portland, Definitive Brewing Company is under construction and could open in the spring at 35 Industrial Wy., near Allagash Brewing Company, according to the Portland Food Map. Few other details are available at this point, but stay tuned for more from Maine.

SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE — The poke trend is creeping its way north to South Portland: Big Fin Poke, which specializes in the Hawaiian raw fish dish, is now open at 29 Western Ave., with this location joining a second in Westbrook, Maine. In addition to rice and salad bowls topped with seafood, chicken, beef, or tofu, Big Fin Poke also serves poke burritos, or seaweed wraps stuffed with sushi rice and proteins.

December 19, 2017

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Smoked pork loin chop at Nibblesworth in Portsmouth

KITTERY, MAINE — The Caribbean-inspiredBlue Mermaid Island Grill, which was previously open in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for over 20 years, returns to the dining scene this week, opening its new Kittery location at 10 Shapleigh Rd. on Thursday, December 21, right next to Tributary Brewing Company. Opening weekend is reservation-only; call (207) 703-2754.

Checkout our beautiful, brand new store front, isn’t she gorgeous?! … . . #bluemermaid #bluemermaidkittery #kitteryme #kittery #newlocation #storefront #restaurantdesign

A post shared by Blue Mermaid (@bluemermaid_kittery) on Dec 16, 2017 at 10:26am PST

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Biryani Pot, which has a location in Framingham, Massachusetts, will add a location in Nashua (295 Daniel Webster Hwy.), and the grand opening will happen soon. The restaurant specializes in Hyderabadi cuisine, including biryani with chicken, goat, egg, shrimp, or vegetables.

PORTLAND, MAINE — Tuscan Table arrives at 390 Gorham Rd. in South Portland on Wednesday, December 20. The restaurant has ties to Royal River Grillhouse in Yarmouth, Maine, and Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro in Freeport, Maine. The restaurant will serve Italian cuisine.

In other Portland news, Bon Appetit recently featured a look at six of the city’s newest restaurants to check out, including Hunt & Alpine Club’s little sibling Little Giant (211 Danforth St.), which is both a restaurant and a market; Noble Barbecue (1706 Forest Ave.), which serves a “formidable” brisket sandwich and more; and Belleville (1 North St.), home of “legitimate Roman-style pizza.”

Eater Maine is also currently featuring some of the hottest new spots in Portland and beyond in the latest updated Heatmap; check it out here.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A restaurant with a wonderfully silly name opened recently in New Hampshire, and it specializes in wood-fired cooking. Nibblesworth (409 The Hill) was started by wife-and-husband team Jenny and Tom Nelson, who launched the restaurant with a goal of taking “classic recipes and rejuvenat[ing] them for today’s palate.” The menu includes items like poutine, pierogi, seafood stew, and lobster tacos. As previously reported, it has taken the place of Blue Mermaid Island Grill, which closed in June and reopens in Kittery this week, as mentioned above.

December 12, 2017

Bill Addison for Eater

Sally’s Apizza

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Nuts & Bolts Brewing Company inches closer to an opening this winter at 7 York St. in the Pepperrell Mill, per the Portland Food Map. The brewery is the work of Patrick Doherty and Deedra Zeeh, and they’re providing progress updates on social media.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new collaboration aims to bring tortillas made with local corn to a pair of restaurants in New Hampshire. Vida Tortilla unites the owners of Vida Cantina (2456 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth) and Dos Amigos Burritos (26 N Main St., Concord, and other locations) with Tuckaway Farm (36 Captain Smith Emerson Rd., Lee), and they’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help pay for the equipment needed to produce the tortillas.

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT — One of New Haven’s oldest and best pizza restaurants, Sally’s Apizza(237 Wooster St.), has been sold to new owners, as Eater reports. The names of those now involved will not be made public until January, but they apparently plan to try to expand the restaurant nationwide.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Portland Harbor Hotel (468 Fore St.) will lean into the cold of winter with an ice bar and ice sculptures in its courtyard garden. From January 25 to 27, the Ice Bar will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online. There will be specialty cocktails and small bites available.

December 5, 2017

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Whiskey & Wine Concord

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Elda opens its doors today, arriving at 140 Main St. with regional-inspired small plates from Bowman Brown, who relocated to the Northeast from Salt Lake City and is a James Beard-nominated chef. The restaurant is named for Brown’s grandmother and will initially serve food only, with wine, beer, and a full bar menu coming soon.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — From the same owners behind Gale Motor Co. in Manchester, Whiskey & Wine has been open for nearly a month in Concord (148 N. Main St.), and it serves exactly that, with 34 varieties of whiskey and American and European wines. The varied food menu includes items like miso and tonkotsu ramen, pulled pork tacos, sushi rolls, chicken potstickers, and seared scallops.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Highroller Lobster, a popular food truck in Portland, now has a permanent home at 104 Exchange St. The restaurant opened over the weekend and will officially begin operations Wednesday through Thursday, starting on December 6, serving lobster in several different forms (including lobster grilled cheese), plus corn dogs, burgers, and a surf n’ turf option.

November 29, 2017

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The Wilder, Portsmouth

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Rover Wood Fired Bagels and Pizza is now open at 111 Elm St. Founders Kimberly Chaurette and Alec Rutter, both alums of Somerville’s Forge Baking Company, started Rover as a bagel pop-up, appearing in Salem at Bambolina and local farmers markets. They’re now in business as a brick-and-mortar up in Maine, serving up bagels and sandwiches, with wood-fired pizza on the way before the end of the year.

Instagram

A brunch burger at Sonny’s, closing on December 31

PORTLAND, MAINE — Sonny’s, a nearly decade-old restaurant in Old Port (83 Exchange St.), will close at the end of the year. Taking its place: Black Cow, a burger-and-shake shop with an old-fashioned soda fountain. Jay Villani and Garry Bowcott, who own Sonny’s, Local 188, and Salvage BBQ, are behind the new project, and longtime Local 188 chef Nicholas Nappi (who took a hiatus from the group and worked at Eventide and Hugo’s in the interim) is partnering with them for Black Cow. December 31 is the final day for Sonny’s, and Black Cow could open as soon as mid-February.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — The team behind the Wallingford Dram — an excellent cocktail bar in Kittery, Maine — has opened a new spot in Portsmouth. The Wilder, a “no-rules New England gastropub,” is now open at 174 Fleet St., the site of the former United Kingdom-themed Coat of Arms bar. It’s open daily, with bar service starting at 3:30 p.m. with snacks, the full menu available starting at 5 p.m., and a late-night menu offered until 1 a.m. Dishes include everything from Scotch duck eggs to braised kid ragu, which most likely refers to goats, not children. For dessert? Apple cider beignets with maple sauce. And shakshuka makes an appearance on the late-night menu.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — A food hall slated for Providence just met its fundraising goal through a Kickstarter campaign. The forthcoming West Park Food Hall (233 West Park St.) will have a number of restaurants, a brewery, and a roastery, with communal seating and a roof deck. It raised more than $120,000, which will go towards various expenses, including design and legal costs.

Instagram

The second level at Thee Red Fez is now White Rabbit

In other Providence news, Thee Red Fez (49 Peck St.) is changing things up, converting the upstairs dining room into a cocktail bar with its own name, White Rabbit. Get dinner at the Fez Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m., and drink snazzy cocktails upstairs Thursday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m.

And in other Providence news, North is now up and running at its new location, the first floor of the Dean Hotel (122 Fountain St.). Stay tuned for details on what the team plans to do with the original space at 3 Luongo Sq. — owner James Mark promises a simpler neighborhood spot that could open in a few short months.

Further Reading

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Spicy miso ramen at Anju Noodle Bar in Kittery, Maine

New England’s 38 Essential Restaurants: A guide to the best of the best throughout New England, compiled by Eater restaurant editor Bill Addison with the help of food writers from around the region.

The 9 Hottest New Restaurants in Providence, Rhode Island: Updated in October 2017, this map highlights some of the hot new spots to hit the Providence dining scene in 2017.

Eater Maine: Eater Boston’s sister site to the north has been largely retired, but stop by the homepage now and then for updates to major maps, such as the Heatmap, which tracks some of the hottest new openings.

Maine Restaurant News Archive on Eater Boston: While most Maine news going forward will appear right here in this New England news round-up, older stories are archived at the Maine Restaurant News Archive link.

A Guide to Dining and Drinking in Portsmouth and Kittery: Take a trip up to the New Hampshire-Maine border.

Eater Recommends: What to Eat and Drink in Portsmouth and Kittery: Don’t have time to read the whole guide mentioned above? Skip to this map, which highlights some of the Eater Boston team’s Portsmouth and Kittery favorites.

Where to Drink Beer in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: And here’s the beer-specific accompaniment to the above two links.

[tonyduncanbb73]

New England News: New Hampshire’s Got a New Speakeasy Hidden Behind a Barbershop

And other regional food and beverage updates beyond Massachusetts

Broadening the scope a bit, here’s the latest restaurant news from beyond Greater Boston; we’re keeping an eye out for dining developments throughout New England. This piece is updated on a rolling basis, covering restaurant openings, closures, and more in Portsmouth, Providence, Portland, and elsewhere.

Check back for updates — the most recent ones will always be at the top — and email boston@eater.com with any news tips pertaining to New England restaurant news beyond Boston.

Note: Jump to the bottom of this page for a list of other links pertaining to New England dining, including a guide to Portsmouth and Kittery, an archive of Maine news, a map of the hottest new restaurants in Providence, and more.

February 13, 2018

CHESTER, CONNECTICUT — Grano Arso(6 Main St.) is now open within a former bank building in Chester, and it showcases a “modern yet familiar approach to traditional Italian cooking.” Chef Joel Gargano mills grain in-house for pasta and bread and has created a menu consisting of crostini, pasta dishes, and entrees ranging from monkfish stew to grilled pork loin with polenta and pesto. There are also cocktails, wines, and beer.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Chuck’s BARbershop(90 Low Ave.) is a new speakeasy-style bar from the team behind Codex in Nashua, serving up classic cocktails in a space hidden behind an actual barbershop.

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — The newly opened Lo Sano Restaurant & Bar (678 Maple Ave.) has a menu full of Latin American classics, including mofongo (made with fried plantains), skirt steak with chimichurri, fried chicken, and tres leches flan for dessert.

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Pemi Public House (115 Main St.) is a new option for those visiting the White Mountains. The restaurant serves sandwiches, soups, flatbreads, and hearty entrees like mac and cheese and pot pie, plus salads and appetizers. The restaurant also has open mic nights.

February 6, 2018

Katie Chudy/Eater

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new cocktail bar has opened in the former Red Door space at 107 State St. The Nice is the work of Kevin Walsh and Bryan Emerson, alums of Moxy and Franklin Oyster House, and they’re running the bar from 6 p.m. on, six days a week (closed Tuesday). Drinks include the Venetian Monk (Bully Boy gin, chartreuse, aperol, lemon, and Peychaud’s) and Pearl Harbor (vodka, jalapeño-infused green chartreuse, pineapple, and melon).

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Coffee fans may soon get the chance to drink their favorite beverage in the presence of a double-decker bus. The Burgundian: Coffee and Waffles is a Rhode Island company that specializes in (as the name suggests) coffee and Liege-style waffles. Founder Shane Matlock purchased a double-decker British bus to restore and convert into a mobile coffee shop, where customers will be able to place orders through a service window but will also be able to enter the bus and partake in coffee and waffles on the second level. Matlock has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the bus conversion.

Xaco Taco is now open in Providence (370 Richmond St.), with ten versions of tacos (available as singles or platters) and a wide selection of tequila, plus beer, wine, and churro doughnuts for dessert.

A pop-up that serves sandwiches has debuted in Providence, from the same folks behind UMelt, a sandwich shop with locations at the University of Rhode Island and Brown. The aptly named Sandwich (stylized as ‘sandwich.’) pop-up operates out of the Brown UMelt location (267 Thayer St.) and offers build-your-own options, breakfast sandwiches, and 15 pre-set menu items.

SMITHFIELD, RHODE ISLAND — Laura’s Bar and Grill (945 Douglas Pke.) debuted in Rhode Island recently, with a menu of flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, and other pub fare. There’s a selection of cocktails, plus sangria.

WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND — New Haven’s famous Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (which has a location near Boston, in Chestnut Hill) plans to expand to Rhode Island, opening in Warwick some time in April or May, the Providence Journal reports. The restaurant will feature a specialty brick, coal-fired oven that requires seasoning.

January 30, 2018

Facebook

Gelato Fiasco

BRUNSWICK, MAINE — The Gelato Fiasco— a Maine-based gelato producer that’s previously popped-up in Boston and has been “eyeing properties in Boston for a while” for a potential permanent location here — has first landed on a site a little bit more southern: Orlando, Florida. After producing gelato for distribution and gaining traction in Florida thanks to the state’s beloved grocery store, Publix, Gelato Fiasco has signed a lease for a space at 25 West Crystal Lakes St., planning to open in spring 2018.

LONDONDERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Long Blue Cat Brewing (298 Rockingham Rd.) is up and running with pints, flatbreads, and snacks. Operating varied hours from Wednesday through Sunday, the brewery is the work of two friends, Jason Knight and Shane Sorenson, who are serving several different beers, including a honey ale, a traditional porter, and a kolsch, among others.

MANCHESTER, VERMONT — Mystic Cafe & Wine Barhas opened in Manchester (4928 Main St.), serving lunch and dinner — both cafe fare and entrees, including salmon tartine, Cuban sandwiches, pastries, grilled cheese and tomato soup, salads, and mussels. The restaurant also offers a full bar and wines by the glass.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Poke hit Portsmouth with the opening of Ohana Kitchen several weeks ago (800 Islington St., Plaza 800). The restaurant serves customizable bowls of the Hawaiian dish, in addition to sushi burritos.

January 23, 2018

Dan Watkins for By Chloe

By Chloe in Providence

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Suzette Crepes & Waffles (62 Lowell St.) is a recent addition to Manchester, and it serves what diners might expect from the name. With stuffed crepes and waffles topped with various items (including Nutella), the restaurant is connected to Gaucho’s Brazilian Steakhouse.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Seacoast Online shares the history and longevity of restaurateur John Mikolajcyk, who was born in Portsmouth 80 years ago and is still involved in the industry, as manager of the Portsmouth Elks Lodge.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — By Chloe, a New York City-born restaurant chain that has spawned locations in Los Angeles and Boston (with a couple opening soon in London), officially opened a new location in Providence last week at 223 Thayer St. The entirely vegan menu includes everything from avocado pesto pasta to various burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast items.

January 16, 2017

Facebook

Wow Barbecue skewers

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Wow Barbecue got its start as a food truck in Boston before opening restaurants in Malden and Brookline. Now, there’s a new restaurant in play in Providence, open at 183 Angell St., and it’s serving a menu of Chinese barbecue dishes, rice bowls, noodles, and several appetizers.

SEABROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Brown’s Lobster Pound closed down in August 2017 after a fire, but the restaurant is on the verge of reopening, slated to make its return by April 1.

WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — A full-service restaurant and bar specializing in vegan food has opened in Connecticut from the same people behind Rooster Co. in Newington. Flora uses seasonal ingredients for its food and drink menu (there’s a juice bar in addition to wine and beer). In addition to falafel wraps, flatbreads, “mac-no-cheese,” and an avocado bowl, Flora serves the plant-based Impossible Burger. For any meat eaters who visit, Flora offers what it calls “viable fauna” or “sustainable and responsibly raised animal products,” like grass-fed beef, wild shrimp, and arctic char.

January 9, 2018

Facebook

Bissell Brothers

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Lunch Lady Food Truck debuted at the end of 2017 in Concord, serving a school-themed menu featuring items named for grades one through 10. There are burgers, barbecue pork nachos, Buffalo wings, and Reuben egg rolls, among many other items, including sides and drinks. Find it by the Everett Arena (15 Loudon Rd.), and keep an eye on social media for other locations.

DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Burger joint Hop + Grind (7 Madbury Rd. — Madbury Commons) opened at the end of November. The restaurant butchers and grinds its own meats and makes its soda in-house. There are beef, chicken, and pork burgers and two versions of veggie burgers, plus chicken fried mac and cheese and a Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Hop + Grind also serves craft beer and ice cream malts.

MAINE — As a new year kicks off, Portland Food Map takes a look back at the year in 2017 — exploring new restaurants, notable events, trends, and obituaries — while looking ahead towards openings slated for 2018.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Rock apparently has great taste in beer and sent an assistant to procure some. The famed Bissell Brothers Brewing Company (4 Thompsons Pt.) shared the story on Twitter: “An assistant for The Rock just showed up, he took a private jet here to pick up Substance cans. Got shown some credentials… either we just got massively played or THAT IS AWESOME!!”

Also in Portland, Definitive Brewing Company is under construction and could open in the spring at 35 Industrial Wy., near Allagash Brewing Company, according to the Portland Food Map. Few other details are available at this point, but stay tuned for more from Maine.

SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE — The poke trend is creeping its way north to South Portland: Big Fin Poke, which specializes in the Hawaiian raw fish dish, is now open at 29 Western Ave., with this location joining a second in Westbrook, Maine. In addition to rice and salad bowls topped with seafood, chicken, beef, or tofu, Big Fin Poke also serves poke burritos, or seaweed wraps stuffed with sushi rice and proteins.

December 19, 2017

Facebook

Smoked pork loin chop at Nibblesworth in Portsmouth

KITTERY, MAINE — The Caribbean-inspiredBlue Mermaid Island Grill, which was previously open in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for over 20 years, returns to the dining scene this week, opening its new Kittery location at 10 Shapleigh Rd. on Thursday, December 21, right next to Tributary Brewing Company. Opening weekend is reservation-only; call (207) 703-2754.

Checkout our beautiful, brand new store front, isn’t she gorgeous?! … . . #bluemermaid #bluemermaidkittery #kitteryme #kittery #newlocation #storefront #restaurantdesign

A post shared by Blue Mermaid (@bluemermaid_kittery) on Dec 16, 2017 at 10:26am PST

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Biryani Pot, which has a location in Framingham, Massachusetts, will add a location in Nashua (295 Daniel Webster Hwy.), and the grand opening will happen soon. The restaurant specializes in Hyderabadi cuisine, including biryani with chicken, goat, egg, shrimp, or vegetables.

PORTLAND, MAINE — Tuscan Table arrives at 390 Gorham Rd. in South Portland on Wednesday, December 20. The restaurant has ties to Royal River Grillhouse in Yarmouth, Maine, and Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro in Freeport, Maine. The restaurant will serve Italian cuisine.

In other Portland news, Bon Appetit recently featured a look at six of the city’s newest restaurants to check out, including Hunt & Alpine Club’s little sibling Little Giant (211 Danforth St.), which is both a restaurant and a market; Noble Barbecue (1706 Forest Ave.), which serves a “formidable” brisket sandwich and more; and Belleville (1 North St.), home of “legitimate Roman-style pizza.”

Eater Maine is also currently featuring some of the hottest new spots in Portland and beyond in the latest updated Heatmap; check it out here.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A restaurant with a wonderfully silly name opened recently in New Hampshire, and it specializes in wood-fired cooking. Nibblesworth (409 The Hill) was started by wife-and-husband team Jenny and Tom Nelson, who launched the restaurant with a goal of taking “classic recipes and rejuvenat[ing] them for today’s palate.” The menu includes items like poutine, pierogi, seafood stew, and lobster tacos. As previously reported, it has taken the place of Blue Mermaid Island Grill, which closed in June and reopens in Kittery this week, as mentioned above.

December 12, 2017

Bill Addison for Eater

Sally’s Apizza

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Nuts & Bolts Brewing Company inches closer to an opening this winter at 7 York St. in the Pepperrell Mill, per the Portland Food Map. The brewery is the work of Patrick Doherty and Deedra Zeeh, and they’re providing progress updates on social media.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new collaboration aims to bring tortillas made with local corn to a pair of restaurants in New Hampshire. Vida Tortilla unites the owners of Vida Cantina (2456 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth) and Dos Amigos Burritos (26 N Main St., Concord, and other locations) with Tuckaway Farm (36 Captain Smith Emerson Rd., Lee), and they’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help pay for the equipment needed to produce the tortillas.

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT — One of New Haven’s oldest and best pizza restaurants, Sally’s Apizza(237 Wooster St.), has been sold to new owners, as Eater reports. The names of those now involved will not be made public until January, but they apparently plan to try to expand the restaurant nationwide.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Portland Harbor Hotel (468 Fore St.) will lean into the cold of winter with an ice bar and ice sculptures in its courtyard garden. From January 25 to 27, the Ice Bar will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online. There will be specialty cocktails and small bites available.

December 5, 2017

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Whiskey & Wine Concord

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Elda opens its doors today, arriving at 140 Main St. with regional-inspired small plates from Bowman Brown, who relocated to the Northeast from Salt Lake City and is a James Beard-nominated chef. The restaurant is named for Brown’s grandmother and will initially serve food only, with wine, beer, and a full bar menu coming soon.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — From the same owners behind Gale Motor Co. in Manchester, Whiskey & Wine has been open for nearly a month in Concord (148 N. Main St.), and it serves exactly that, with 34 varieties of whiskey and American and European wines. The varied food menu includes items like miso and tonkotsu ramen, pulled pork tacos, sushi rolls, chicken potstickers, and seared scallops.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Highroller Lobster, a popular food truck in Portland, now has a permanent home at 104 Exchange St. The restaurant opened over the weekend and will officially begin operations Wednesday through Thursday, starting on December 6, serving lobster in several different forms (including lobster grilled cheese), plus corn dogs, burgers, and a surf n’ turf option.

November 29, 2017

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The Wilder, Portsmouth

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Rover Wood Fired Bagels and Pizza is now open at 111 Elm St. Founders Kimberly Chaurette and Alec Rutter, both alums of Somerville’s Forge Baking Company, started Rover as a bagel pop-up, appearing in Salem at Bambolina and local farmers markets. They’re now in business as a brick-and-mortar up in Maine, serving up bagels and sandwiches, with wood-fired pizza on the way before the end of the year.

Instagram

A brunch burger at Sonny’s, closing on December 31

PORTLAND, MAINE — Sonny’s, a nearly decade-old restaurant in Old Port (83 Exchange St.), will close at the end of the year. Taking its place: Black Cow, a burger-and-shake shop with an old-fashioned soda fountain. Jay Villani and Garry Bowcott, who own Sonny’s, Local 188, and Salvage BBQ, are behind the new project, and longtime Local 188 chef Nicholas Nappi (who took a hiatus from the group and worked at Eventide and Hugo’s in the interim) is partnering with them for Black Cow. December 31 is the final day for Sonny’s, and Black Cow could open as soon as mid-February.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — The team behind the Wallingford Dram — an excellent cocktail bar in Kittery, Maine — has opened a new spot in Portsmouth. The Wilder, a “no-rules New England gastropub,” is now open at 174 Fleet St., the site of the former United Kingdom-themed Coat of Arms bar. It’s open daily, with bar service starting at 3:30 p.m. with snacks, the full menu available starting at 5 p.m., and a late-night menu offered until 1 a.m. Dishes include everything from Scotch duck eggs to braised kid ragu, which most likely refers to goats, not children. For dessert? Apple cider beignets with maple sauce. And shakshuka makes an appearance on the late-night menu.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — A food hall slated for Providence just met its fundraising goal through a Kickstarter campaign. The forthcoming West Park Food Hall (233 West Park St.) will have a number of restaurants, a brewery, and a roastery, with communal seating and a roof deck. It raised more than $120,000, which will go towards various expenses, including design and legal costs.

Instagram

The second level at Thee Red Fez is now White Rabbit

In other Providence news, Thee Red Fez (49 Peck St.) is changing things up, converting the upstairs dining room into a cocktail bar with its own name, White Rabbit. Get dinner at the Fez Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m., and drink snazzy cocktails upstairs Thursday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m.

And in other Providence news, North is now up and running at its new location, the first floor of the Dean Hotel (122 Fountain St.). Stay tuned for details on what the team plans to do with the original space at 3 Luongo Sq. — owner James Mark promises a simpler neighborhood spot that could open in a few short months.

Further Reading

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Spicy miso ramen at Anju Noodle Bar in Kittery, Maine

New England’s 38 Essential Restaurants: A guide to the best of the best throughout New England, compiled by Eater restaurant editor Bill Addison with the help of food writers from around the region.

The 9 Hottest New Restaurants in Providence, Rhode Island: Updated in October 2017, this map highlights some of the hot new spots to hit the Providence dining scene in 2017.

Eater Maine: Eater Boston’s sister site to the north has been largely retired, but stop by the homepage now and then for updates to major maps, such as the Heatmap, which tracks some of the hottest new openings.

Maine Restaurant News Archive on Eater Boston: While most Maine news going forward will appear right here in this New England news round-up, older stories are archived at the Maine Restaurant News Archive link.

A Guide to Dining and Drinking in Portsmouth and Kittery: Take a trip up to the New Hampshire-Maine border.

Eater Recommends: What to Eat and Drink in Portsmouth and Kittery: Don’t have time to read the whole guide mentioned above? Skip to this map, which highlights some of the Eater Boston team’s Portsmouth and Kittery favorites.

Where to Drink Beer in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: And here’s the beer-specific accompaniment to the above two links.

[tonyduncanbb73]

New England News: New Hampshire’s Got a New Speakeasy Hidden Behind a Barbershop

And other regional food and beverage updates beyond Massachusetts

Broadening the scope a bit, here’s the latest restaurant news from beyond Greater Boston; we’re keeping an eye out for dining developments throughout New England. This piece is updated on a rolling basis, covering restaurant openings, closures, and more in Portsmouth, Providence, Portland, and elsewhere.

Check back for updates — the most recent ones will always be at the top — and email boston@eater.com with any news tips pertaining to New England restaurant news beyond Boston.

Note: Jump to the bottom of this page for a list of other links pertaining to New England dining, including a guide to Portsmouth and Kittery, an archive of Maine news, a map of the hottest new restaurants in Providence, and more.

February 13, 2018

CHESTER, CONNECTICUT — Grano Arso(6 Main St.) is now open within a former bank building in Chester, and it showcases a “modern yet familiar approach to traditional Italian cooking.” Chef Joel Gargano mills grain in-house for pasta and bread and has created a menu consisting of crostini, pasta dishes, and entrees ranging from monkfish stew to grilled pork loin with polenta and pesto. There are also cocktails, wines, and beer.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Chuck’s BARbershop(90 Low Ave.) is a new speakeasy-style bar from the team behind Codex in Nashua, serving up classic cocktails in a space hidden behind an actual barbershop.

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — The newly opened Lo Sano Restaurant & Bar (678 Maple Ave.) has a menu full of Latin American classics, including mofongo (made with fried plantains), skirt steak with chimichurri, fried chicken, and tres leches flan for dessert.

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Pemi Public House (115 Main St.) is a new option for those visiting the White Mountains. The restaurant serves sandwiches, soups, flatbreads, and hearty entrees like mac and cheese and pot pie, plus salads and appetizers. The restaurant also has open mic nights.

February 6, 2018

Katie Chudy/Eater

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new cocktail bar has opened in the former Red Door space at 107 State St. The Nice is the work of Kevin Walsh and Bryan Emerson, alums of Moxy and Franklin Oyster House, and they’re running the bar from 6 p.m. on, six days a week (closed Tuesday). Drinks include the Venetian Monk (Bully Boy gin, chartreuse, aperol, lemon, and Peychaud’s) and Pearl Harbor (vodka, jalapeño-infused green chartreuse, pineapple, and melon).

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Coffee fans may soon get the chance to drink their favorite beverage in the presence of a double-decker bus. The Burgundian: Coffee and Waffles is a Rhode Island company that specializes in (as the name suggests) coffee and Liege-style waffles. Founder Shane Matlock purchased a double-decker British bus to restore and convert into a mobile coffee shop, where customers will be able to place orders through a service window but will also be able to enter the bus and partake in coffee and waffles on the second level. Matlock has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the bus conversion.

Xaco Taco is now open in Providence (370 Richmond St.), with ten versions of tacos (available as singles or platters) and a wide selection of tequila, plus beer, wine, and churro doughnuts for dessert.

A pop-up that serves sandwiches has debuted in Providence, from the same folks behind UMelt, a sandwich shop with locations at the University of Rhode Island and Brown. The aptly named Sandwich (stylized as ‘sandwich.’) pop-up operates out of the Brown UMelt location (267 Thayer St.) and offers build-your-own options, breakfast sandwiches, and 15 pre-set menu items.

SMITHFIELD, RHODE ISLAND — Laura’s Bar and Grill (945 Douglas Pke.) debuted in Rhode Island recently, with a menu of flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, and other pub fare. There’s a selection of cocktails, plus sangria.

WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND — New Haven’s famous Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (which has a location near Boston, in Chestnut Hill) plans to expand to Rhode Island, opening in Warwick some time in April or May, the Providence Journal reports. The restaurant will feature a specialty brick, coal-fired oven that requires seasoning.

January 30, 2018

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Gelato Fiasco

BRUNSWICK, MAINE — The Gelato Fiasco— a Maine-based gelato producer that’s previously popped-up in Boston and has been “eyeing properties in Boston for a while” for a potential permanent location here — has first landed on a site a little bit more southern: Orlando, Florida. After producing gelato for distribution and gaining traction in Florida thanks to the state’s beloved grocery store, Publix, Gelato Fiasco has signed a lease for a space at 25 West Crystal Lakes St., planning to open in spring 2018.

LONDONDERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Long Blue Cat Brewing (298 Rockingham Rd.) is up and running with pints, flatbreads, and snacks. Operating varied hours from Wednesday through Sunday, the brewery is the work of two friends, Jason Knight and Shane Sorenson, who are serving several different beers, including a honey ale, a traditional porter, and a kolsch, among others.

MANCHESTER, VERMONT — Mystic Cafe & Wine Barhas opened in Manchester (4928 Main St.), serving lunch and dinner — both cafe fare and entrees, including salmon tartine, Cuban sandwiches, pastries, grilled cheese and tomato soup, salads, and mussels. The restaurant also offers a full bar and wines by the glass.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Poke hit Portsmouth with the opening of Ohana Kitchen several weeks ago (800 Islington St., Plaza 800). The restaurant serves customizable bowls of the Hawaiian dish, in addition to sushi burritos.

January 23, 2018

Dan Watkins for By Chloe

By Chloe in Providence

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Suzette Crepes & Waffles (62 Lowell St.) is a recent addition to Manchester, and it serves what diners might expect from the name. With stuffed crepes and waffles topped with various items (including Nutella), the restaurant is connected to Gaucho’s Brazilian Steakhouse.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Seacoast Online shares the history and longevity of restaurateur John Mikolajcyk, who was born in Portsmouth 80 years ago and is still involved in the industry, as manager of the Portsmouth Elks Lodge.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — By Chloe, a New York City-born restaurant chain that has spawned locations in Los Angeles and Boston (with a couple opening soon in London), officially opened a new location in Providence last week at 223 Thayer St. The entirely vegan menu includes everything from avocado pesto pasta to various burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast items.

January 16, 2017

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Wow Barbecue skewers

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Wow Barbecue got its start as a food truck in Boston before opening restaurants in Malden and Brookline. Now, there’s a new restaurant in play in Providence, open at 183 Angell St., and it’s serving a menu of Chinese barbecue dishes, rice bowls, noodles, and several appetizers.

SEABROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Brown’s Lobster Pound closed down in August 2017 after a fire, but the restaurant is on the verge of reopening, slated to make its return by April 1.

WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — A full-service restaurant and bar specializing in vegan food has opened in Connecticut from the same people behind Rooster Co. in Newington. Flora uses seasonal ingredients for its food and drink menu (there’s a juice bar in addition to wine and beer). In addition to falafel wraps, flatbreads, “mac-no-cheese,” and an avocado bowl, Flora serves the plant-based Impossible Burger. For any meat eaters who visit, Flora offers what it calls “viable fauna” or “sustainable and responsibly raised animal products,” like grass-fed beef, wild shrimp, and arctic char.

January 9, 2018

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Bissell Brothers

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Lunch Lady Food Truck debuted at the end of 2017 in Concord, serving a school-themed menu featuring items named for grades one through 10. There are burgers, barbecue pork nachos, Buffalo wings, and Reuben egg rolls, among many other items, including sides and drinks. Find it by the Everett Arena (15 Loudon Rd.), and keep an eye on social media for other locations.

DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Burger joint Hop + Grind (7 Madbury Rd. — Madbury Commons) opened at the end of November. The restaurant butchers and grinds its own meats and makes its soda in-house. There are beef, chicken, and pork burgers and two versions of veggie burgers, plus chicken fried mac and cheese and a Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Hop + Grind also serves craft beer and ice cream malts.

MAINE — As a new year kicks off, Portland Food Map takes a look back at the year in 2017 — exploring new restaurants, notable events, trends, and obituaries — while looking ahead towards openings slated for 2018.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Rock apparently has great taste in beer and sent an assistant to procure some. The famed Bissell Brothers Brewing Company (4 Thompsons Pt.) shared the story on Twitter: “An assistant for The Rock just showed up, he took a private jet here to pick up Substance cans. Got shown some credentials… either we just got massively played or THAT IS AWESOME!!”

Also in Portland, Definitive Brewing Company is under construction and could open in the spring at 35 Industrial Wy., near Allagash Brewing Company, according to the Portland Food Map. Few other details are available at this point, but stay tuned for more from Maine.

SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE — The poke trend is creeping its way north to South Portland: Big Fin Poke, which specializes in the Hawaiian raw fish dish, is now open at 29 Western Ave., with this location joining a second in Westbrook, Maine. In addition to rice and salad bowls topped with seafood, chicken, beef, or tofu, Big Fin Poke also serves poke burritos, or seaweed wraps stuffed with sushi rice and proteins.

December 19, 2017

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Smoked pork loin chop at Nibblesworth in Portsmouth

KITTERY, MAINE — The Caribbean-inspiredBlue Mermaid Island Grill, which was previously open in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for over 20 years, returns to the dining scene this week, opening its new Kittery location at 10 Shapleigh Rd. on Thursday, December 21, right next to Tributary Brewing Company. Opening weekend is reservation-only; call (207) 703-2754.

Checkout our beautiful, brand new store front, isn’t she gorgeous?! … . . #bluemermaid #bluemermaidkittery #kitteryme #kittery #newlocation #storefront #restaurantdesign

A post shared by Blue Mermaid (@bluemermaid_kittery) on Dec 16, 2017 at 10:26am PST

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Biryani Pot, which has a location in Framingham, Massachusetts, will add a location in Nashua (295 Daniel Webster Hwy.), and the grand opening will happen soon. The restaurant specializes in Hyderabadi cuisine, including biryani with chicken, goat, egg, shrimp, or vegetables.

PORTLAND, MAINE — Tuscan Table arrives at 390 Gorham Rd. in South Portland on Wednesday, December 20. The restaurant has ties to Royal River Grillhouse in Yarmouth, Maine, and Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro in Freeport, Maine. The restaurant will serve Italian cuisine.

In other Portland news, Bon Appetit recently featured a look at six of the city’s newest restaurants to check out, including Hunt & Alpine Club’s little sibling Little Giant (211 Danforth St.), which is both a restaurant and a market; Noble Barbecue (1706 Forest Ave.), which serves a “formidable” brisket sandwich and more; and Belleville (1 North St.), home of “legitimate Roman-style pizza.”

Eater Maine is also currently featuring some of the hottest new spots in Portland and beyond in the latest updated Heatmap; check it out here.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A restaurant with a wonderfully silly name opened recently in New Hampshire, and it specializes in wood-fired cooking. Nibblesworth (409 The Hill) was started by wife-and-husband team Jenny and Tom Nelson, who launched the restaurant with a goal of taking “classic recipes and rejuvenat[ing] them for today’s palate.” The menu includes items like poutine, pierogi, seafood stew, and lobster tacos. As previously reported, it has taken the place of Blue Mermaid Island Grill, which closed in June and reopens in Kittery this week, as mentioned above.

December 12, 2017

Bill Addison for Eater

Sally’s Apizza

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Nuts & Bolts Brewing Company inches closer to an opening this winter at 7 York St. in the Pepperrell Mill, per the Portland Food Map. The brewery is the work of Patrick Doherty and Deedra Zeeh, and they’re providing progress updates on social media.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new collaboration aims to bring tortillas made with local corn to a pair of restaurants in New Hampshire. Vida Tortilla unites the owners of Vida Cantina (2456 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth) and Dos Amigos Burritos (26 N Main St., Concord, and other locations) with Tuckaway Farm (36 Captain Smith Emerson Rd., Lee), and they’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help pay for the equipment needed to produce the tortillas.

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT — One of New Haven’s oldest and best pizza restaurants, Sally’s Apizza(237 Wooster St.), has been sold to new owners, as Eater reports. The names of those now involved will not be made public until January, but they apparently plan to try to expand the restaurant nationwide.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Portland Harbor Hotel (468 Fore St.) will lean into the cold of winter with an ice bar and ice sculptures in its courtyard garden. From January 25 to 27, the Ice Bar will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online. There will be specialty cocktails and small bites available.

December 5, 2017

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Whiskey & Wine Concord

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Elda opens its doors today, arriving at 140 Main St. with regional-inspired small plates from Bowman Brown, who relocated to the Northeast from Salt Lake City and is a James Beard-nominated chef. The restaurant is named for Brown’s grandmother and will initially serve food only, with wine, beer, and a full bar menu coming soon.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — From the same owners behind Gale Motor Co. in Manchester, Whiskey & Wine has been open for nearly a month in Concord (148 N. Main St.), and it serves exactly that, with 34 varieties of whiskey and American and European wines. The varied food menu includes items like miso and tonkotsu ramen, pulled pork tacos, sushi rolls, chicken potstickers, and seared scallops.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Highroller Lobster, a popular food truck in Portland, now has a permanent home at 104 Exchange St. The restaurant opened over the weekend and will officially begin operations Wednesday through Thursday, starting on December 6, serving lobster in several different forms (including lobster grilled cheese), plus corn dogs, burgers, and a surf n’ turf option.

November 29, 2017

Facebook

The Wilder, Portsmouth

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Rover Wood Fired Bagels and Pizza is now open at 111 Elm St. Founders Kimberly Chaurette and Alec Rutter, both alums of Somerville’s Forge Baking Company, started Rover as a bagel pop-up, appearing in Salem at Bambolina and local farmers markets. They’re now in business as a brick-and-mortar up in Maine, serving up bagels and sandwiches, with wood-fired pizza on the way before the end of the year.

Instagram

A brunch burger at Sonny’s, closing on December 31

PORTLAND, MAINE — Sonny’s, a nearly decade-old restaurant in Old Port (83 Exchange St.), will close at the end of the year. Taking its place: Black Cow, a burger-and-shake shop with an old-fashioned soda fountain. Jay Villani and Garry Bowcott, who own Sonny’s, Local 188, and Salvage BBQ, are behind the new project, and longtime Local 188 chef Nicholas Nappi (who took a hiatus from the group and worked at Eventide and Hugo’s in the interim) is partnering with them for Black Cow. December 31 is the final day for Sonny’s, and Black Cow could open as soon as mid-February.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — The team behind the Wallingford Dram — an excellent cocktail bar in Kittery, Maine — has opened a new spot in Portsmouth. The Wilder, a “no-rules New England gastropub,” is now open at 174 Fleet St., the site of the former United Kingdom-themed Coat of Arms bar. It’s open daily, with bar service starting at 3:30 p.m. with snacks, the full menu available starting at 5 p.m., and a late-night menu offered until 1 a.m. Dishes include everything from Scotch duck eggs to braised kid ragu, which most likely refers to goats, not children. For dessert? Apple cider beignets with maple sauce. And shakshuka makes an appearance on the late-night menu.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — A food hall slated for Providence just met its fundraising goal through a Kickstarter campaign. The forthcoming West Park Food Hall (233 West Park St.) will have a number of restaurants, a brewery, and a roastery, with communal seating and a roof deck. It raised more than $120,000, which will go towards various expenses, including design and legal costs.

Instagram

The second level at Thee Red Fez is now White Rabbit

In other Providence news, Thee Red Fez (49 Peck St.) is changing things up, converting the upstairs dining room into a cocktail bar with its own name, White Rabbit. Get dinner at the Fez Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m., and drink snazzy cocktails upstairs Thursday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m.

And in other Providence news, North is now up and running at its new location, the first floor of the Dean Hotel (122 Fountain St.). Stay tuned for details on what the team plans to do with the original space at 3 Luongo Sq. — owner James Mark promises a simpler neighborhood spot that could open in a few short months.

Further Reading

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Spicy miso ramen at Anju Noodle Bar in Kittery, Maine

New England’s 38 Essential Restaurants: A guide to the best of the best throughout New England, compiled by Eater restaurant editor Bill Addison with the help of food writers from around the region.

The 9 Hottest New Restaurants in Providence, Rhode Island: Updated in October 2017, this map highlights some of the hot new spots to hit the Providence dining scene in 2017.

Eater Maine: Eater Boston’s sister site to the north has been largely retired, but stop by the homepage now and then for updates to major maps, such as the Heatmap, which tracks some of the hottest new openings.

Maine Restaurant News Archive on Eater Boston: While most Maine news going forward will appear right here in this New England news round-up, older stories are archived at the Maine Restaurant News Archive link.

A Guide to Dining and Drinking in Portsmouth and Kittery: Take a trip up to the New Hampshire-Maine border.

Eater Recommends: What to Eat and Drink in Portsmouth and Kittery: Don’t have time to read the whole guide mentioned above? Skip to this map, which highlights some of the Eater Boston team’s Portsmouth and Kittery favorites.

Where to Drink Beer in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: And here’s the beer-specific accompaniment to the above two links.

[tonyduncanbb73]

New England News: New Hampshire’s Got a New Speakeasy Hidden Behind a Barbershop

And other regional food and beverage updates beyond Massachusetts

Broadening the scope a bit, here’s the latest restaurant news from beyond Greater Boston; we’re keeping an eye out for dining developments throughout New England. This piece is updated on a rolling basis, covering restaurant openings, closures, and more in Portsmouth, Providence, Portland, and elsewhere.

Check back for updates — the most recent ones will always be at the top — and email boston@eater.com with any news tips pertaining to New England restaurant news beyond Boston.

Note: Jump to the bottom of this page for a list of other links pertaining to New England dining, including a guide to Portsmouth and Kittery, an archive of Maine news, a map of the hottest new restaurants in Providence, and more.

February 13, 2018

CHESTER, CONNECTICUT — Grano Arso(6 Main St.) is now open within a former bank building in Chester, and it showcases a “modern yet familiar approach to traditional Italian cooking.” Chef Joel Gargano mills grain in-house for pasta and bread and has created a menu consisting of crostini, pasta dishes, and entrees ranging from monkfish stew to grilled pork loin with polenta and pesto. There are also cocktails, wines, and beer.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Chuck’s BARbershop(90 Low Ave.) is a new speakeasy-style bar from the team behind Codex in Nashua, serving up classic cocktails in a space hidden behind an actual barbershop.

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — The newly opened Lo Sano Restaurant & Bar (678 Maple Ave.) has a menu full of Latin American classics, including mofongo (made with fried plantains), skirt steak with chimichurri, fried chicken, and tres leches flan for dessert.

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Pemi Public House (115 Main St.) is a new option for those visiting the White Mountains. The restaurant serves sandwiches, soups, flatbreads, and hearty entrees like mac and cheese and pot pie, plus salads and appetizers. The restaurant also has open mic nights.

February 6, 2018

Katie Chudy/Eater

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new cocktail bar has opened in the former Red Door space at 107 State St. The Nice is the work of Kevin Walsh and Bryan Emerson, alums of Moxy and Franklin Oyster House, and they’re running the bar from 6 p.m. on, six days a week (closed Tuesday). Drinks include the Venetian Monk (Bully Boy gin, chartreuse, aperol, lemon, and Peychaud’s) and Pearl Harbor (vodka, jalapeño-infused green chartreuse, pineapple, and melon).

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Coffee fans may soon get the chance to drink their favorite beverage in the presence of a double-decker bus. The Burgundian: Coffee and Waffles is a Rhode Island company that specializes in (as the name suggests) coffee and Liege-style waffles. Founder Shane Matlock purchased a double-decker British bus to restore and convert into a mobile coffee shop, where customers will be able to place orders through a service window but will also be able to enter the bus and partake in coffee and waffles on the second level. Matlock has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the bus conversion.

Xaco Taco is now open in Providence (370 Richmond St.), with ten versions of tacos (available as singles or platters) and a wide selection of tequila, plus beer, wine, and churro doughnuts for dessert.

A pop-up that serves sandwiches has debuted in Providence, from the same folks behind UMelt, a sandwich shop with locations at the University of Rhode Island and Brown. The aptly named Sandwich (stylized as ‘sandwich.’) pop-up operates out of the Brown UMelt location (267 Thayer St.) and offers build-your-own options, breakfast sandwiches, and 15 pre-set menu items.

SMITHFIELD, RHODE ISLAND — Laura’s Bar and Grill (945 Douglas Pke.) debuted in Rhode Island recently, with a menu of flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, and other pub fare. There’s a selection of cocktails, plus sangria.

WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND — New Haven’s famous Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (which has a location near Boston, in Chestnut Hill) plans to expand to Rhode Island, opening in Warwick some time in April or May, the Providence Journal reports. The restaurant will feature a specialty brick, coal-fired oven that requires seasoning.

January 30, 2018

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Gelato Fiasco

BRUNSWICK, MAINE — The Gelato Fiasco— a Maine-based gelato producer that’s previously popped-up in Boston and has been “eyeing properties in Boston for a while” for a potential permanent location here — has first landed on a site a little bit more southern: Orlando, Florida. After producing gelato for distribution and gaining traction in Florida thanks to the state’s beloved grocery store, Publix, Gelato Fiasco has signed a lease for a space at 25 West Crystal Lakes St., planning to open in spring 2018.

LONDONDERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Long Blue Cat Brewing (298 Rockingham Rd.) is up and running with pints, flatbreads, and snacks. Operating varied hours from Wednesday through Sunday, the brewery is the work of two friends, Jason Knight and Shane Sorenson, who are serving several different beers, including a honey ale, a traditional porter, and a kolsch, among others.

MANCHESTER, VERMONT — Mystic Cafe & Wine Barhas opened in Manchester (4928 Main St.), serving lunch and dinner — both cafe fare and entrees, including salmon tartine, Cuban sandwiches, pastries, grilled cheese and tomato soup, salads, and mussels. The restaurant also offers a full bar and wines by the glass.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Poke hit Portsmouth with the opening of Ohana Kitchen several weeks ago (800 Islington St., Plaza 800). The restaurant serves customizable bowls of the Hawaiian dish, in addition to sushi burritos.

January 23, 2018

Dan Watkins for By Chloe

By Chloe in Providence

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Suzette Crepes & Waffles (62 Lowell St.) is a recent addition to Manchester, and it serves what diners might expect from the name. With stuffed crepes and waffles topped with various items (including Nutella), the restaurant is connected to Gaucho’s Brazilian Steakhouse.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Seacoast Online shares the history and longevity of restaurateur John Mikolajcyk, who was born in Portsmouth 80 years ago and is still involved in the industry, as manager of the Portsmouth Elks Lodge.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — By Chloe, a New York City-born restaurant chain that has spawned locations in Los Angeles and Boston (with a couple opening soon in London), officially opened a new location in Providence last week at 223 Thayer St. The entirely vegan menu includes everything from avocado pesto pasta to various burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast items.

January 16, 2017

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Wow Barbecue skewers

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Wow Barbecue got its start as a food truck in Boston before opening restaurants in Malden and Brookline. Now, there’s a new restaurant in play in Providence, open at 183 Angell St., and it’s serving a menu of Chinese barbecue dishes, rice bowls, noodles, and several appetizers.

SEABROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Brown’s Lobster Pound closed down in August 2017 after a fire, but the restaurant is on the verge of reopening, slated to make its return by April 1.

WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — A full-service restaurant and bar specializing in vegan food has opened in Connecticut from the same people behind Rooster Co. in Newington. Flora uses seasonal ingredients for its food and drink menu (there’s a juice bar in addition to wine and beer). In addition to falafel wraps, flatbreads, “mac-no-cheese,” and an avocado bowl, Flora serves the plant-based Impossible Burger. For any meat eaters who visit, Flora offers what it calls “viable fauna” or “sustainable and responsibly raised animal products,” like grass-fed beef, wild shrimp, and arctic char.

January 9, 2018

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Bissell Brothers

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Lunch Lady Food Truck debuted at the end of 2017 in Concord, serving a school-themed menu featuring items named for grades one through 10. There are burgers, barbecue pork nachos, Buffalo wings, and Reuben egg rolls, among many other items, including sides and drinks. Find it by the Everett Arena (15 Loudon Rd.), and keep an eye on social media for other locations.

DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Burger joint Hop + Grind (7 Madbury Rd. — Madbury Commons) opened at the end of November. The restaurant butchers and grinds its own meats and makes its soda in-house. There are beef, chicken, and pork burgers and two versions of veggie burgers, plus chicken fried mac and cheese and a Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Hop + Grind also serves craft beer and ice cream malts.

MAINE — As a new year kicks off, Portland Food Map takes a look back at the year in 2017 — exploring new restaurants, notable events, trends, and obituaries — while looking ahead towards openings slated for 2018.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Rock apparently has great taste in beer and sent an assistant to procure some. The famed Bissell Brothers Brewing Company (4 Thompsons Pt.) shared the story on Twitter: “An assistant for The Rock just showed up, he took a private jet here to pick up Substance cans. Got shown some credentials… either we just got massively played or THAT IS AWESOME!!”

Also in Portland, Definitive Brewing Company is under construction and could open in the spring at 35 Industrial Wy., near Allagash Brewing Company, according to the Portland Food Map. Few other details are available at this point, but stay tuned for more from Maine.

SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE — The poke trend is creeping its way north to South Portland: Big Fin Poke, which specializes in the Hawaiian raw fish dish, is now open at 29 Western Ave., with this location joining a second in Westbrook, Maine. In addition to rice and salad bowls topped with seafood, chicken, beef, or tofu, Big Fin Poke also serves poke burritos, or seaweed wraps stuffed with sushi rice and proteins.

December 19, 2017

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Smoked pork loin chop at Nibblesworth in Portsmouth

KITTERY, MAINE — The Caribbean-inspiredBlue Mermaid Island Grill, which was previously open in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for over 20 years, returns to the dining scene this week, opening its new Kittery location at 10 Shapleigh Rd. on Thursday, December 21, right next to Tributary Brewing Company. Opening weekend is reservation-only; call (207) 703-2754.

Checkout our beautiful, brand new store front, isn’t she gorgeous?! … . . #bluemermaid #bluemermaidkittery #kitteryme #kittery #newlocation #storefront #restaurantdesign

A post shared by Blue Mermaid (@bluemermaid_kittery) on Dec 16, 2017 at 10:26am PST

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Biryani Pot, which has a location in Framingham, Massachusetts, will add a location in Nashua (295 Daniel Webster Hwy.), and the grand opening will happen soon. The restaurant specializes in Hyderabadi cuisine, including biryani with chicken, goat, egg, shrimp, or vegetables.

PORTLAND, MAINE — Tuscan Table arrives at 390 Gorham Rd. in South Portland on Wednesday, December 20. The restaurant has ties to Royal River Grillhouse in Yarmouth, Maine, and Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro in Freeport, Maine. The restaurant will serve Italian cuisine.

In other Portland news, Bon Appetit recently featured a look at six of the city’s newest restaurants to check out, including Hunt & Alpine Club’s little sibling Little Giant (211 Danforth St.), which is both a restaurant and a market; Noble Barbecue (1706 Forest Ave.), which serves a “formidable” brisket sandwich and more; and Belleville (1 North St.), home of “legitimate Roman-style pizza.”

Eater Maine is also currently featuring some of the hottest new spots in Portland and beyond in the latest updated Heatmap; check it out here.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A restaurant with a wonderfully silly name opened recently in New Hampshire, and it specializes in wood-fired cooking. Nibblesworth (409 The Hill) was started by wife-and-husband team Jenny and Tom Nelson, who launched the restaurant with a goal of taking “classic recipes and rejuvenat[ing] them for today’s palate.” The menu includes items like poutine, pierogi, seafood stew, and lobster tacos. As previously reported, it has taken the place of Blue Mermaid Island Grill, which closed in June and reopens in Kittery this week, as mentioned above.

December 12, 2017

Bill Addison for Eater

Sally’s Apizza

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Nuts & Bolts Brewing Company inches closer to an opening this winter at 7 York St. in the Pepperrell Mill, per the Portland Food Map. The brewery is the work of Patrick Doherty and Deedra Zeeh, and they’re providing progress updates on social media.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new collaboration aims to bring tortillas made with local corn to a pair of restaurants in New Hampshire. Vida Tortilla unites the owners of Vida Cantina (2456 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth) and Dos Amigos Burritos (26 N Main St., Concord, and other locations) with Tuckaway Farm (36 Captain Smith Emerson Rd., Lee), and they’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help pay for the equipment needed to produce the tortillas.

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT — One of New Haven’s oldest and best pizza restaurants, Sally’s Apizza(237 Wooster St.), has been sold to new owners, as Eater reports. The names of those now involved will not be made public until January, but they apparently plan to try to expand the restaurant nationwide.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Portland Harbor Hotel (468 Fore St.) will lean into the cold of winter with an ice bar and ice sculptures in its courtyard garden. From January 25 to 27, the Ice Bar will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online. There will be specialty cocktails and small bites available.

December 5, 2017

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Whiskey & Wine Concord

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Elda opens its doors today, arriving at 140 Main St. with regional-inspired small plates from Bowman Brown, who relocated to the Northeast from Salt Lake City and is a James Beard-nominated chef. The restaurant is named for Brown’s grandmother and will initially serve food only, with wine, beer, and a full bar menu coming soon.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — From the same owners behind Gale Motor Co. in Manchester, Whiskey & Wine has been open for nearly a month in Concord (148 N. Main St.), and it serves exactly that, with 34 varieties of whiskey and American and European wines. The varied food menu includes items like miso and tonkotsu ramen, pulled pork tacos, sushi rolls, chicken potstickers, and seared scallops.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Highroller Lobster, a popular food truck in Portland, now has a permanent home at 104 Exchange St. The restaurant opened over the weekend and will officially begin operations Wednesday through Thursday, starting on December 6, serving lobster in several different forms (including lobster grilled cheese), plus corn dogs, burgers, and a surf n’ turf option.

November 29, 2017

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The Wilder, Portsmouth

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Rover Wood Fired Bagels and Pizza is now open at 111 Elm St. Founders Kimberly Chaurette and Alec Rutter, both alums of Somerville’s Forge Baking Company, started Rover as a bagel pop-up, appearing in Salem at Bambolina and local farmers markets. They’re now in business as a brick-and-mortar up in Maine, serving up bagels and sandwiches, with wood-fired pizza on the way before the end of the year.

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A brunch burger at Sonny’s, closing on December 31

PORTLAND, MAINE — Sonny’s, a nearly decade-old restaurant in Old Port (83 Exchange St.), will close at the end of the year. Taking its place: Black Cow, a burger-and-shake shop with an old-fashioned soda fountain. Jay Villani and Garry Bowcott, who own Sonny’s, Local 188, and Salvage BBQ, are behind the new project, and longtime Local 188 chef Nicholas Nappi (who took a hiatus from the group and worked at Eventide and Hugo’s in the interim) is partnering with them for Black Cow. December 31 is the final day for Sonny’s, and Black Cow could open as soon as mid-February.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — The team behind the Wallingford Dram — an excellent cocktail bar in Kittery, Maine — has opened a new spot in Portsmouth. The Wilder, a “no-rules New England gastropub,” is now open at 174 Fleet St., the site of the former United Kingdom-themed Coat of Arms bar. It’s open daily, with bar service starting at 3:30 p.m. with snacks, the full menu available starting at 5 p.m., and a late-night menu offered until 1 a.m. Dishes include everything from Scotch duck eggs to braised kid ragu, which most likely refers to goats, not children. For dessert? Apple cider beignets with maple sauce. And shakshuka makes an appearance on the late-night menu.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — A food hall slated for Providence just met its fundraising goal through a Kickstarter campaign. The forthcoming West Park Food Hall (233 West Park St.) will have a number of restaurants, a brewery, and a roastery, with communal seating and a roof deck. It raised more than $120,000, which will go towards various expenses, including design and legal costs.

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The second level at Thee Red Fez is now White Rabbit

In other Providence news, Thee Red Fez (49 Peck St.) is changing things up, converting the upstairs dining room into a cocktail bar with its own name, White Rabbit. Get dinner at the Fez Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m., and drink snazzy cocktails upstairs Thursday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m.

And in other Providence news, North is now up and running at its new location, the first floor of the Dean Hotel (122 Fountain St.). Stay tuned for details on what the team plans to do with the original space at 3 Luongo Sq. — owner James Mark promises a simpler neighborhood spot that could open in a few short months.

Further Reading

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Spicy miso ramen at Anju Noodle Bar in Kittery, Maine

New England’s 38 Essential Restaurants: A guide to the best of the best throughout New England, compiled by Eater restaurant editor Bill Addison with the help of food writers from around the region.

The 9 Hottest New Restaurants in Providence, Rhode Island: Updated in October 2017, this map highlights some of the hot new spots to hit the Providence dining scene in 2017.

Eater Maine: Eater Boston’s sister site to the north has been largely retired, but stop by the homepage now and then for updates to major maps, such as the Heatmap, which tracks some of the hottest new openings.

Maine Restaurant News Archive on Eater Boston: While most Maine news going forward will appear right here in this New England news round-up, older stories are archived at the Maine Restaurant News Archive link.

A Guide to Dining and Drinking in Portsmouth and Kittery: Take a trip up to the New Hampshire-Maine border.

Eater Recommends: What to Eat and Drink in Portsmouth and Kittery: Don’t have time to read the whole guide mentioned above? Skip to this map, which highlights some of the Eater Boston team’s Portsmouth and Kittery favorites.

Where to Drink Beer in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: And here’s the beer-specific accompaniment to the above two links.

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New England News: New Hampshire’s Got a New Speakeasy Hidden Behind a Barbershop

And other regional food and beverage updates beyond Massachusetts

Broadening the scope a bit, here’s the latest restaurant news from beyond Greater Boston; we’re keeping an eye out for dining developments throughout New England. This piece is updated on a rolling basis, covering restaurant openings, closures, and more in Portsmouth, Providence, Portland, and elsewhere.

Check back for updates — the most recent ones will always be at the top — and email boston@eater.com with any news tips pertaining to New England restaurant news beyond Boston.

Note: Jump to the bottom of this page for a list of other links pertaining to New England dining, including a guide to Portsmouth and Kittery, an archive of Maine news, a map of the hottest new restaurants in Providence, and more.

February 13, 2018

CHESTER, CONNECTICUT — Grano Arso(6 Main St.) is now open within a former bank building in Chester, and it showcases a “modern yet familiar approach to traditional Italian cooking.” Chef Joel Gargano mills grain in-house for pasta and bread and has created a menu consisting of crostini, pasta dishes, and entrees ranging from monkfish stew to grilled pork loin with polenta and pesto. There are also cocktails, wines, and beer.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Chuck’s BARbershop(90 Low Ave.) is a new speakeasy-style bar from the team behind Codex in Nashua, serving up classic cocktails in a space hidden behind an actual barbershop.

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — The newly opened Lo Sano Restaurant & Bar (678 Maple Ave.) has a menu full of Latin American classics, including mofongo (made with fried plantains), skirt steak with chimichurri, fried chicken, and tres leches flan for dessert.

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Pemi Public House (115 Main St.) is a new option for those visiting the White Mountains. The restaurant serves sandwiches, soups, flatbreads, and hearty entrees like mac and cheese and pot pie, plus salads and appetizers. The restaurant also has open mic nights.

February 6, 2018

Katie Chudy/Eater

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new cocktail bar has opened in the former Red Door space at 107 State St. The Nice is the work of Kevin Walsh and Bryan Emerson, alums of Moxy and Franklin Oyster House, and they’re running the bar from 6 p.m. on, six days a week (closed Tuesday). Drinks include the Venetian Monk (Bully Boy gin, chartreuse, aperol, lemon, and Peychaud’s) and Pearl Harbor (vodka, jalapeño-infused green chartreuse, pineapple, and melon).

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Coffee fans may soon get the chance to drink their favorite beverage in the presence of a double-decker bus. The Burgundian: Coffee and Waffles is a Rhode Island company that specializes in (as the name suggests) coffee and Liege-style waffles. Founder Shane Matlock purchased a double-decker British bus to restore and convert into a mobile coffee shop, where customers will be able to place orders through a service window but will also be able to enter the bus and partake in coffee and waffles on the second level. Matlock has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the bus conversion.

Xaco Taco is now open in Providence (370 Richmond St.), with ten versions of tacos (available as singles or platters) and a wide selection of tequila, plus beer, wine, and churro doughnuts for dessert.

A pop-up that serves sandwiches has debuted in Providence, from the same folks behind UMelt, a sandwich shop with locations at the University of Rhode Island and Brown. The aptly named Sandwich (stylized as ‘sandwich.’) pop-up operates out of the Brown UMelt location (267 Thayer St.) and offers build-your-own options, breakfast sandwiches, and 15 pre-set menu items.

SMITHFIELD, RHODE ISLAND — Laura’s Bar and Grill (945 Douglas Pke.) debuted in Rhode Island recently, with a menu of flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, and other pub fare. There’s a selection of cocktails, plus sangria.

WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND — New Haven’s famous Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (which has a location near Boston, in Chestnut Hill) plans to expand to Rhode Island, opening in Warwick some time in April or May, the Providence Journal reports. The restaurant will feature a specialty brick, coal-fired oven that requires seasoning.

January 30, 2018

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Gelato Fiasco

BRUNSWICK, MAINE — The Gelato Fiasco— a Maine-based gelato producer that’s previously popped-up in Boston and has been “eyeing properties in Boston for a while” for a potential permanent location here — has first landed on a site a little bit more southern: Orlando, Florida. After producing gelato for distribution and gaining traction in Florida thanks to the state’s beloved grocery store, Publix, Gelato Fiasco has signed a lease for a space at 25 West Crystal Lakes St., planning to open in spring 2018.

LONDONDERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Long Blue Cat Brewing (298 Rockingham Rd.) is up and running with pints, flatbreads, and snacks. Operating varied hours from Wednesday through Sunday, the brewery is the work of two friends, Jason Knight and Shane Sorenson, who are serving several different beers, including a honey ale, a traditional porter, and a kolsch, among others.

MANCHESTER, VERMONT — Mystic Cafe & Wine Barhas opened in Manchester (4928 Main St.), serving lunch and dinner — both cafe fare and entrees, including salmon tartine, Cuban sandwiches, pastries, grilled cheese and tomato soup, salads, and mussels. The restaurant also offers a full bar and wines by the glass.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Poke hit Portsmouth with the opening of Ohana Kitchen several weeks ago (800 Islington St., Plaza 800). The restaurant serves customizable bowls of the Hawaiian dish, in addition to sushi burritos.

January 23, 2018

Dan Watkins for By Chloe

By Chloe in Providence

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Suzette Crepes & Waffles (62 Lowell St.) is a recent addition to Manchester, and it serves what diners might expect from the name. With stuffed crepes and waffles topped with various items (including Nutella), the restaurant is connected to Gaucho’s Brazilian Steakhouse.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Seacoast Online shares the history and longevity of restaurateur John Mikolajcyk, who was born in Portsmouth 80 years ago and is still involved in the industry, as manager of the Portsmouth Elks Lodge.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — By Chloe, a New York City-born restaurant chain that has spawned locations in Los Angeles and Boston (with a couple opening soon in London), officially opened a new location in Providence last week at 223 Thayer St. The entirely vegan menu includes everything from avocado pesto pasta to various burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast items.

January 16, 2017

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Wow Barbecue skewers

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Wow Barbecue got its start as a food truck in Boston before opening restaurants in Malden and Brookline. Now, there’s a new restaurant in play in Providence, open at 183 Angell St., and it’s serving a menu of Chinese barbecue dishes, rice bowls, noodles, and several appetizers.

SEABROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Brown’s Lobster Pound closed down in August 2017 after a fire, but the restaurant is on the verge of reopening, slated to make its return by April 1.

WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — A full-service restaurant and bar specializing in vegan food has opened in Connecticut from the same people behind Rooster Co. in Newington. Flora uses seasonal ingredients for its food and drink menu (there’s a juice bar in addition to wine and beer). In addition to falafel wraps, flatbreads, “mac-no-cheese,” and an avocado bowl, Flora serves the plant-based Impossible Burger. For any meat eaters who visit, Flora offers what it calls “viable fauna” or “sustainable and responsibly raised animal products,” like grass-fed beef, wild shrimp, and arctic char.

January 9, 2018

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Bissell Brothers

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Lunch Lady Food Truck debuted at the end of 2017 in Concord, serving a school-themed menu featuring items named for grades one through 10. There are burgers, barbecue pork nachos, Buffalo wings, and Reuben egg rolls, among many other items, including sides and drinks. Find it by the Everett Arena (15 Loudon Rd.), and keep an eye on social media for other locations.

DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Burger joint Hop + Grind (7 Madbury Rd. — Madbury Commons) opened at the end of November. The restaurant butchers and grinds its own meats and makes its soda in-house. There are beef, chicken, and pork burgers and two versions of veggie burgers, plus chicken fried mac and cheese and a Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Hop + Grind also serves craft beer and ice cream malts.

MAINE — As a new year kicks off, Portland Food Map takes a look back at the year in 2017 — exploring new restaurants, notable events, trends, and obituaries — while looking ahead towards openings slated for 2018.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Rock apparently has great taste in beer and sent an assistant to procure some. The famed Bissell Brothers Brewing Company (4 Thompsons Pt.) shared the story on Twitter: “An assistant for The Rock just showed up, he took a private jet here to pick up Substance cans. Got shown some credentials… either we just got massively played or THAT IS AWESOME!!”

Also in Portland, Definitive Brewing Company is under construction and could open in the spring at 35 Industrial Wy., near Allagash Brewing Company, according to the Portland Food Map. Few other details are available at this point, but stay tuned for more from Maine.

SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE — The poke trend is creeping its way north to South Portland: Big Fin Poke, which specializes in the Hawaiian raw fish dish, is now open at 29 Western Ave., with this location joining a second in Westbrook, Maine. In addition to rice and salad bowls topped with seafood, chicken, beef, or tofu, Big Fin Poke also serves poke burritos, or seaweed wraps stuffed with sushi rice and proteins.

December 19, 2017

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Smoked pork loin chop at Nibblesworth in Portsmouth

KITTERY, MAINE — The Caribbean-inspiredBlue Mermaid Island Grill, which was previously open in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for over 20 years, returns to the dining scene this week, opening its new Kittery location at 10 Shapleigh Rd. on Thursday, December 21, right next to Tributary Brewing Company. Opening weekend is reservation-only; call (207) 703-2754.

Checkout our beautiful, brand new store front, isn’t she gorgeous?! … . . #bluemermaid #bluemermaidkittery #kitteryme #kittery #newlocation #storefront #restaurantdesign

A post shared by Blue Mermaid (@bluemermaid_kittery) on Dec 16, 2017 at 10:26am PST

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Biryani Pot, which has a location in Framingham, Massachusetts, will add a location in Nashua (295 Daniel Webster Hwy.), and the grand opening will happen soon. The restaurant specializes in Hyderabadi cuisine, including biryani with chicken, goat, egg, shrimp, or vegetables.

PORTLAND, MAINE — Tuscan Table arrives at 390 Gorham Rd. in South Portland on Wednesday, December 20. The restaurant has ties to Royal River Grillhouse in Yarmouth, Maine, and Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro in Freeport, Maine. The restaurant will serve Italian cuisine.

In other Portland news, Bon Appetit recently featured a look at six of the city’s newest restaurants to check out, including Hunt & Alpine Club’s little sibling Little Giant (211 Danforth St.), which is both a restaurant and a market; Noble Barbecue (1706 Forest Ave.), which serves a “formidable” brisket sandwich and more; and Belleville (1 North St.), home of “legitimate Roman-style pizza.”

Eater Maine is also currently featuring some of the hottest new spots in Portland and beyond in the latest updated Heatmap; check it out here.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A restaurant with a wonderfully silly name opened recently in New Hampshire, and it specializes in wood-fired cooking. Nibblesworth (409 The Hill) was started by wife-and-husband team Jenny and Tom Nelson, who launched the restaurant with a goal of taking “classic recipes and rejuvenat[ing] them for today’s palate.” The menu includes items like poutine, pierogi, seafood stew, and lobster tacos. As previously reported, it has taken the place of Blue Mermaid Island Grill, which closed in June and reopens in Kittery this week, as mentioned above.

December 12, 2017

Bill Addison for Eater

Sally’s Apizza

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Nuts & Bolts Brewing Company inches closer to an opening this winter at 7 York St. in the Pepperrell Mill, per the Portland Food Map. The brewery is the work of Patrick Doherty and Deedra Zeeh, and they’re providing progress updates on social media.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new collaboration aims to bring tortillas made with local corn to a pair of restaurants in New Hampshire. Vida Tortilla unites the owners of Vida Cantina (2456 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth) and Dos Amigos Burritos (26 N Main St., Concord, and other locations) with Tuckaway Farm (36 Captain Smith Emerson Rd., Lee), and they’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help pay for the equipment needed to produce the tortillas.

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT — One of New Haven’s oldest and best pizza restaurants, Sally’s Apizza(237 Wooster St.), has been sold to new owners, as Eater reports. The names of those now involved will not be made public until January, but they apparently plan to try to expand the restaurant nationwide.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Portland Harbor Hotel (468 Fore St.) will lean into the cold of winter with an ice bar and ice sculptures in its courtyard garden. From January 25 to 27, the Ice Bar will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online. There will be specialty cocktails and small bites available.

December 5, 2017

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Whiskey & Wine Concord

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Elda opens its doors today, arriving at 140 Main St. with regional-inspired small plates from Bowman Brown, who relocated to the Northeast from Salt Lake City and is a James Beard-nominated chef. The restaurant is named for Brown’s grandmother and will initially serve food only, with wine, beer, and a full bar menu coming soon.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — From the same owners behind Gale Motor Co. in Manchester, Whiskey & Wine has been open for nearly a month in Concord (148 N. Main St.), and it serves exactly that, with 34 varieties of whiskey and American and European wines. The varied food menu includes items like miso and tonkotsu ramen, pulled pork tacos, sushi rolls, chicken potstickers, and seared scallops.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Highroller Lobster, a popular food truck in Portland, now has a permanent home at 104 Exchange St. The restaurant opened over the weekend and will officially begin operations Wednesday through Thursday, starting on December 6, serving lobster in several different forms (including lobster grilled cheese), plus corn dogs, burgers, and a surf n’ turf option.

November 29, 2017

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The Wilder, Portsmouth

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Rover Wood Fired Bagels and Pizza is now open at 111 Elm St. Founders Kimberly Chaurette and Alec Rutter, both alums of Somerville’s Forge Baking Company, started Rover as a bagel pop-up, appearing in Salem at Bambolina and local farmers markets. They’re now in business as a brick-and-mortar up in Maine, serving up bagels and sandwiches, with wood-fired pizza on the way before the end of the year.

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A brunch burger at Sonny’s, closing on December 31

PORTLAND, MAINE — Sonny’s, a nearly decade-old restaurant in Old Port (83 Exchange St.), will close at the end of the year. Taking its place: Black Cow, a burger-and-shake shop with an old-fashioned soda fountain. Jay Villani and Garry Bowcott, who own Sonny’s, Local 188, and Salvage BBQ, are behind the new project, and longtime Local 188 chef Nicholas Nappi (who took a hiatus from the group and worked at Eventide and Hugo’s in the interim) is partnering with them for Black Cow. December 31 is the final day for Sonny’s, and Black Cow could open as soon as mid-February.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — The team behind the Wallingford Dram — an excellent cocktail bar in Kittery, Maine — has opened a new spot in Portsmouth. The Wilder, a “no-rules New England gastropub,” is now open at 174 Fleet St., the site of the former United Kingdom-themed Coat of Arms bar. It’s open daily, with bar service starting at 3:30 p.m. with snacks, the full menu available starting at 5 p.m., and a late-night menu offered until 1 a.m. Dishes include everything from Scotch duck eggs to braised kid ragu, which most likely refers to goats, not children. For dessert? Apple cider beignets with maple sauce. And shakshuka makes an appearance on the late-night menu.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — A food hall slated for Providence just met its fundraising goal through a Kickstarter campaign. The forthcoming West Park Food Hall (233 West Park St.) will have a number of restaurants, a brewery, and a roastery, with communal seating and a roof deck. It raised more than $120,000, which will go towards various expenses, including design and legal costs.

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The second level at Thee Red Fez is now White Rabbit

In other Providence news, Thee Red Fez (49 Peck St.) is changing things up, converting the upstairs dining room into a cocktail bar with its own name, White Rabbit. Get dinner at the Fez Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m., and drink snazzy cocktails upstairs Thursday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m.

And in other Providence news, North is now up and running at its new location, the first floor of the Dean Hotel (122 Fountain St.). Stay tuned for details on what the team plans to do with the original space at 3 Luongo Sq. — owner James Mark promises a simpler neighborhood spot that could open in a few short months.

Further Reading

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Spicy miso ramen at Anju Noodle Bar in Kittery, Maine

New England’s 38 Essential Restaurants: A guide to the best of the best throughout New England, compiled by Eater restaurant editor Bill Addison with the help of food writers from around the region.

The 9 Hottest New Restaurants in Providence, Rhode Island: Updated in October 2017, this map highlights some of the hot new spots to hit the Providence dining scene in 2017.

Eater Maine: Eater Boston’s sister site to the north has been largely retired, but stop by the homepage now and then for updates to major maps, such as the Heatmap, which tracks some of the hottest new openings.

Maine Restaurant News Archive on Eater Boston: While most Maine news going forward will appear right here in this New England news round-up, older stories are archived at the Maine Restaurant News Archive link.

A Guide to Dining and Drinking in Portsmouth and Kittery: Take a trip up to the New Hampshire-Maine border.

Eater Recommends: What to Eat and Drink in Portsmouth and Kittery: Don’t have time to read the whole guide mentioned above? Skip to this map, which highlights some of the Eater Boston team’s Portsmouth and Kittery favorites.

Where to Drink Beer in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: And here’s the beer-specific accompaniment to the above two links.

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New England News: New Hampshire’s Got a New Speakeasy Hidden Behind a Barbershop

And other regional food and beverage updates beyond Massachusetts

Broadening the scope a bit, here’s the latest restaurant news from beyond Greater Boston; we’re keeping an eye out for dining developments throughout New England. This piece is updated on a rolling basis, covering restaurant openings, closures, and more in Portsmouth, Providence, Portland, and elsewhere.

Check back for updates — the most recent ones will always be at the top — and email boston@eater.com with any news tips pertaining to New England restaurant news beyond Boston.

Note: Jump to the bottom of this page for a list of other links pertaining to New England dining, including a guide to Portsmouth and Kittery, an archive of Maine news, a map of the hottest new restaurants in Providence, and more.

February 13, 2018

CHESTER, CONNECTICUT — Grano Arso(6 Main St.) is now open within a former bank building in Chester, and it showcases a “modern yet familiar approach to traditional Italian cooking.” Chef Joel Gargano mills grain in-house for pasta and bread and has created a menu consisting of crostini, pasta dishes, and entrees ranging from monkfish stew to grilled pork loin with polenta and pesto. There are also cocktails, wines, and beer.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Chuck’s BARbershop(90 Low Ave.) is a new speakeasy-style bar from the team behind Codex in Nashua, serving up classic cocktails in a space hidden behind an actual barbershop.

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — The newly opened Lo Sano Restaurant & Bar (678 Maple Ave.) has a menu full of Latin American classics, including mofongo (made with fried plantains), skirt steak with chimichurri, fried chicken, and tres leches flan for dessert.

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Pemi Public House (115 Main St.) is a new option for those visiting the White Mountains. The restaurant serves sandwiches, soups, flatbreads, and hearty entrees like mac and cheese and pot pie, plus salads and appetizers. The restaurant also has open mic nights.

February 6, 2018

Katie Chudy/Eater

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new cocktail bar has opened in the former Red Door space at 107 State St. The Nice is the work of Kevin Walsh and Bryan Emerson, alums of Moxy and Franklin Oyster House, and they’re running the bar from 6 p.m. on, six days a week (closed Tuesday). Drinks include the Venetian Monk (Bully Boy gin, chartreuse, aperol, lemon, and Peychaud’s) and Pearl Harbor (vodka, jalapeño-infused green chartreuse, pineapple, and melon).

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Coffee fans may soon get the chance to drink their favorite beverage in the presence of a double-decker bus. The Burgundian: Coffee and Waffles is a Rhode Island company that specializes in (as the name suggests) coffee and Liege-style waffles. Founder Shane Matlock purchased a double-decker British bus to restore and convert into a mobile coffee shop, where customers will be able to place orders through a service window but will also be able to enter the bus and partake in coffee and waffles on the second level. Matlock has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the bus conversion.

Xaco Taco is now open in Providence (370 Richmond St.), with ten versions of tacos (available as singles or platters) and a wide selection of tequila, plus beer, wine, and churro doughnuts for dessert.

A pop-up that serves sandwiches has debuted in Providence, from the same folks behind UMelt, a sandwich shop with locations at the University of Rhode Island and Brown. The aptly named Sandwich (stylized as ‘sandwich.’) pop-up operates out of the Brown UMelt location (267 Thayer St.) and offers build-your-own options, breakfast sandwiches, and 15 pre-set menu items.

SMITHFIELD, RHODE ISLAND — Laura’s Bar and Grill (945 Douglas Pke.) debuted in Rhode Island recently, with a menu of flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, and other pub fare. There’s a selection of cocktails, plus sangria.

WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND — New Haven’s famous Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (which has a location near Boston, in Chestnut Hill) plans to expand to Rhode Island, opening in Warwick some time in April or May, the Providence Journal reports. The restaurant will feature a specialty brick, coal-fired oven that requires seasoning.

January 30, 2018

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Gelato Fiasco

BRUNSWICK, MAINE — The Gelato Fiasco— a Maine-based gelato producer that’s previously popped-up in Boston and has been “eyeing properties in Boston for a while” for a potential permanent location here — has first landed on a site a little bit more southern: Orlando, Florida. After producing gelato for distribution and gaining traction in Florida thanks to the state’s beloved grocery store, Publix, Gelato Fiasco has signed a lease for a space at 25 West Crystal Lakes St., planning to open in spring 2018.

LONDONDERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Long Blue Cat Brewing (298 Rockingham Rd.) is up and running with pints, flatbreads, and snacks. Operating varied hours from Wednesday through Sunday, the brewery is the work of two friends, Jason Knight and Shane Sorenson, who are serving several different beers, including a honey ale, a traditional porter, and a kolsch, among others.

MANCHESTER, VERMONT — Mystic Cafe & Wine Barhas opened in Manchester (4928 Main St.), serving lunch and dinner — both cafe fare and entrees, including salmon tartine, Cuban sandwiches, pastries, grilled cheese and tomato soup, salads, and mussels. The restaurant also offers a full bar and wines by the glass.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Poke hit Portsmouth with the opening of Ohana Kitchen several weeks ago (800 Islington St., Plaza 800). The restaurant serves customizable bowls of the Hawaiian dish, in addition to sushi burritos.

January 23, 2018

Dan Watkins for By Chloe

By Chloe in Providence

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Suzette Crepes & Waffles (62 Lowell St.) is a recent addition to Manchester, and it serves what diners might expect from the name. With stuffed crepes and waffles topped with various items (including Nutella), the restaurant is connected to Gaucho’s Brazilian Steakhouse.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Seacoast Online shares the history and longevity of restaurateur John Mikolajcyk, who was born in Portsmouth 80 years ago and is still involved in the industry, as manager of the Portsmouth Elks Lodge.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — By Chloe, a New York City-born restaurant chain that has spawned locations in Los Angeles and Boston (with a couple opening soon in London), officially opened a new location in Providence last week at 223 Thayer St. The entirely vegan menu includes everything from avocado pesto pasta to various burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast items.

January 16, 2017

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Wow Barbecue skewers

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Wow Barbecue got its start as a food truck in Boston before opening restaurants in Malden and Brookline. Now, there’s a new restaurant in play in Providence, open at 183 Angell St., and it’s serving a menu of Chinese barbecue dishes, rice bowls, noodles, and several appetizers.

SEABROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Brown’s Lobster Pound closed down in August 2017 after a fire, but the restaurant is on the verge of reopening, slated to make its return by April 1.

WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT — A full-service restaurant and bar specializing in vegan food has opened in Connecticut from the same people behind Rooster Co. in Newington. Flora uses seasonal ingredients for its food and drink menu (there’s a juice bar in addition to wine and beer). In addition to falafel wraps, flatbreads, “mac-no-cheese,” and an avocado bowl, Flora serves the plant-based Impossible Burger. For any meat eaters who visit, Flora offers what it calls “viable fauna” or “sustainable and responsibly raised animal products,” like grass-fed beef, wild shrimp, and arctic char.

January 9, 2018

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Bissell Brothers

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Lunch Lady Food Truck debuted at the end of 2017 in Concord, serving a school-themed menu featuring items named for grades one through 10. There are burgers, barbecue pork nachos, Buffalo wings, and Reuben egg rolls, among many other items, including sides and drinks. Find it by the Everett Arena (15 Loudon Rd.), and keep an eye on social media for other locations.

DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Burger joint Hop + Grind (7 Madbury Rd. — Madbury Commons) opened at the end of November. The restaurant butchers and grinds its own meats and makes its soda in-house. There are beef, chicken, and pork burgers and two versions of veggie burgers, plus chicken fried mac and cheese and a Nashville hot chicken sandwich. Hop + Grind also serves craft beer and ice cream malts.

MAINE — As a new year kicks off, Portland Food Map takes a look back at the year in 2017 — exploring new restaurants, notable events, trends, and obituaries — while looking ahead towards openings slated for 2018.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Rock apparently has great taste in beer and sent an assistant to procure some. The famed Bissell Brothers Brewing Company (4 Thompsons Pt.) shared the story on Twitter: “An assistant for The Rock just showed up, he took a private jet here to pick up Substance cans. Got shown some credentials… either we just got massively played or THAT IS AWESOME!!”

Also in Portland, Definitive Brewing Company is under construction and could open in the spring at 35 Industrial Wy., near Allagash Brewing Company, according to the Portland Food Map. Few other details are available at this point, but stay tuned for more from Maine.

SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE — The poke trend is creeping its way north to South Portland: Big Fin Poke, which specializes in the Hawaiian raw fish dish, is now open at 29 Western Ave., with this location joining a second in Westbrook, Maine. In addition to rice and salad bowls topped with seafood, chicken, beef, or tofu, Big Fin Poke also serves poke burritos, or seaweed wraps stuffed with sushi rice and proteins.

December 19, 2017

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Smoked pork loin chop at Nibblesworth in Portsmouth

KITTERY, MAINE — The Caribbean-inspiredBlue Mermaid Island Grill, which was previously open in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for over 20 years, returns to the dining scene this week, opening its new Kittery location at 10 Shapleigh Rd. on Thursday, December 21, right next to Tributary Brewing Company. Opening weekend is reservation-only; call (207) 703-2754.

Checkout our beautiful, brand new store front, isn’t she gorgeous?! … . . #bluemermaid #bluemermaidkittery #kitteryme #kittery #newlocation #storefront #restaurantdesign

A post shared by Blue Mermaid (@bluemermaid_kittery) on Dec 16, 2017 at 10:26am PST

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Biryani Pot, which has a location in Framingham, Massachusetts, will add a location in Nashua (295 Daniel Webster Hwy.), and the grand opening will happen soon. The restaurant specializes in Hyderabadi cuisine, including biryani with chicken, goat, egg, shrimp, or vegetables.

PORTLAND, MAINE — Tuscan Table arrives at 390 Gorham Rd. in South Portland on Wednesday, December 20. The restaurant has ties to Royal River Grillhouse in Yarmouth, Maine, and Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro in Freeport, Maine. The restaurant will serve Italian cuisine.

In other Portland news, Bon Appetit recently featured a look at six of the city’s newest restaurants to check out, including Hunt & Alpine Club’s little sibling Little Giant (211 Danforth St.), which is both a restaurant and a market; Noble Barbecue (1706 Forest Ave.), which serves a “formidable” brisket sandwich and more; and Belleville (1 North St.), home of “legitimate Roman-style pizza.”

Eater Maine is also currently featuring some of the hottest new spots in Portland and beyond in the latest updated Heatmap; check it out here.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A restaurant with a wonderfully silly name opened recently in New Hampshire, and it specializes in wood-fired cooking. Nibblesworth (409 The Hill) was started by wife-and-husband team Jenny and Tom Nelson, who launched the restaurant with a goal of taking “classic recipes and rejuvenat[ing] them for today’s palate.” The menu includes items like poutine, pierogi, seafood stew, and lobster tacos. As previously reported, it has taken the place of Blue Mermaid Island Grill, which closed in June and reopens in Kittery this week, as mentioned above.

December 12, 2017

Bill Addison for Eater

Sally’s Apizza

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Nuts & Bolts Brewing Company inches closer to an opening this winter at 7 York St. in the Pepperrell Mill, per the Portland Food Map. The brewery is the work of Patrick Doherty and Deedra Zeeh, and they’re providing progress updates on social media.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A new collaboration aims to bring tortillas made with local corn to a pair of restaurants in New Hampshire. Vida Tortilla unites the owners of Vida Cantina (2456 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth) and Dos Amigos Burritos (26 N Main St., Concord, and other locations) with Tuckaway Farm (36 Captain Smith Emerson Rd., Lee), and they’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to help pay for the equipment needed to produce the tortillas.

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT — One of New Haven’s oldest and best pizza restaurants, Sally’s Apizza(237 Wooster St.), has been sold to new owners, as Eater reports. The names of those now involved will not be made public until January, but they apparently plan to try to expand the restaurant nationwide.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Portland Harbor Hotel (468 Fore St.) will lean into the cold of winter with an ice bar and ice sculptures in its courtyard garden. From January 25 to 27, the Ice Bar will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online. There will be specialty cocktails and small bites available.

December 5, 2017

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Whiskey & Wine Concord

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Elda opens its doors today, arriving at 140 Main St. with regional-inspired small plates from Bowman Brown, who relocated to the Northeast from Salt Lake City and is a James Beard-nominated chef. The restaurant is named for Brown’s grandmother and will initially serve food only, with wine, beer, and a full bar menu coming soon.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — From the same owners behind Gale Motor Co. in Manchester, Whiskey & Wine has been open for nearly a month in Concord (148 N. Main St.), and it serves exactly that, with 34 varieties of whiskey and American and European wines. The varied food menu includes items like miso and tonkotsu ramen, pulled pork tacos, sushi rolls, chicken potstickers, and seared scallops.

PORTLAND, MAINE — The Highroller Lobster, a popular food truck in Portland, now has a permanent home at 104 Exchange St. The restaurant opened over the weekend and will officially begin operations Wednesday through Thursday, starting on December 6, serving lobster in several different forms (including lobster grilled cheese), plus corn dogs, burgers, and a surf n’ turf option.

November 29, 2017

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The Wilder, Portsmouth

BIDDEFORD, MAINE — Rover Wood Fired Bagels and Pizza is now open at 111 Elm St. Founders Kimberly Chaurette and Alec Rutter, both alums of Somerville’s Forge Baking Company, started Rover as a bagel pop-up, appearing in Salem at Bambolina and local farmers markets. They’re now in business as a brick-and-mortar up in Maine, serving up bagels and sandwiches, with wood-fired pizza on the way before the end of the year.

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A brunch burger at Sonny’s, closing on December 31

PORTLAND, MAINE — Sonny’s, a nearly decade-old restaurant in Old Port (83 Exchange St.), will close at the end of the year. Taking its place: Black Cow, a burger-and-shake shop with an old-fashioned soda fountain. Jay Villani and Garry Bowcott, who own Sonny’s, Local 188, and Salvage BBQ, are behind the new project, and longtime Local 188 chef Nicholas Nappi (who took a hiatus from the group and worked at Eventide and Hugo’s in the interim) is partnering with them for Black Cow. December 31 is the final day for Sonny’s, and Black Cow could open as soon as mid-February.

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE — The team behind the Wallingford Dram — an excellent cocktail bar in Kittery, Maine — has opened a new spot in Portsmouth. The Wilder, a “no-rules New England gastropub,” is now open at 174 Fleet St., the site of the former United Kingdom-themed Coat of Arms bar. It’s open daily, with bar service starting at 3:30 p.m. with snacks, the full menu available starting at 5 p.m., and a late-night menu offered until 1 a.m. Dishes include everything from Scotch duck eggs to braised kid ragu, which most likely refers to goats, not children. For dessert? Apple cider beignets with maple sauce. And shakshuka makes an appearance on the late-night menu.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — A food hall slated for Providence just met its fundraising goal through a Kickstarter campaign. The forthcoming West Park Food Hall (233 West Park St.) will have a number of restaurants, a brewery, and a roastery, with communal seating and a roof deck. It raised more than $120,000, which will go towards various expenses, including design and legal costs.

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The second level at Thee Red Fez is now White Rabbit

In other Providence news, Thee Red Fez (49 Peck St.) is changing things up, converting the upstairs dining room into a cocktail bar with its own name, White Rabbit. Get dinner at the Fez Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m., and drink snazzy cocktails upstairs Thursday through Saturday, starting at 5 p.m.

And in other Providence news, North is now up and running at its new location, the first floor of the Dean Hotel (122 Fountain St.). Stay tuned for details on what the team plans to do with the original space at 3 Luongo Sq. — owner James Mark promises a simpler neighborhood spot that could open in a few short months.

Further Reading

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Spicy miso ramen at Anju Noodle Bar in Kittery, Maine

New England’s 38 Essential Restaurants: A guide to the best of the best throughout New England, compiled by Eater restaurant editor Bill Addison with the help of food writers from around the region.

The 9 Hottest New Restaurants in Providence, Rhode Island: Updated in October 2017, this map highlights some of the hot new spots to hit the Providence dining scene in 2017.

Eater Maine: Eater Boston’s sister site to the north has been largely retired, but stop by the homepage now and then for updates to major maps, such as the Heatmap, which tracks some of the hottest new openings.

Maine Restaurant News Archive on Eater Boston: While most Maine news going forward will appear right here in this New England news round-up, older stories are archived at the Maine Restaurant News Archive link.

A Guide to Dining and Drinking in Portsmouth and Kittery: Take a trip up to the New Hampshire-Maine border.

Eater Recommends: What to Eat and Drink in Portsmouth and Kittery: Don’t have time to read the whole guide mentioned above? Skip to this map, which highlights some of the Eater Boston team’s Portsmouth and Kittery favorites.

Where to Drink Beer in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: And here’s the beer-specific accompaniment to the above two links.