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The Weekly Food Report: Latest in Portland’s Culinary Scene

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  • The Weekly Food Report: Latest in Portland’s Culinary Scene

This week in Portland’s food scene, there’s plenty to sip, savor, and celebrate!

Franciska wine bar is gearing up to open its doors, bringing a new spot for vino lovers to explore. Portland Press Herald just dropped its list of the best restaurants and bars for 2025—did your favorites make the cut? Happy hour at Old Port Sea Grill & Raw Bar is making waves, Benny’s is popping up at Regards for a one-night-only smash burger affair, and St. Patrick’s Day menus and events are starting to roll out. Let’s dig in! 

Here’s the rundown of the latest culinary news in Portland, Maine

News Update

Anything from recent closings, openings, and headliners: 

  • A new wine bar called Franciska is set to  open at 111 Middle Street (formerly Cabana which closed suddenly in 2023). Launched by owner Alex Marchesini, this new wine bar will feature a wine program highlighting small producers from Argentina. In addition, American wines, as well as Old World wines from Spain, Italy and France will be featured. In a shared statement, Marchesini wrote:

    “Franciska is a wine bar dedicated to Argentine Bodegón cuisine a culinary tradition deeply rooted in Spanish and Italian influences brought by immigrants to Buenos Aires at the turn of the century. In our intimate 20-seat space in Portland’s Old Port, we bring people together over thoughtfully crafted dishes made with New England-sourced ingredients and house-made specialties. Our mission is to create a warm, welcoming space where good food, good wine, and good company come together. 

    Our wine program highlights small-grower producers from Argentina, showcasing the country’s diversity far beyond Malbec. Our goal is to curate an innovative selection that surprises and delights, offering a fresh perspective on South American wines. We’ll also feature selections of domestic wines, alongside a nod to the Old World with rotating selections from Italy, Spain, and France.

    Alex Marchesini has spent his career building restaurants and wine programs that bring people together. As a consultant, he has worked with chefs and industry leaders on projects including NIKA Buenos Aires, Explora Patagonia, Smood Café in New York and Miami, The Jack London in Glen Ellen, Locanda Estate in Kenwood, and Relais & Châteaux’s Camden Harbour Inn in Maine.

    As a Restauranteur he was a partner at Varro in Venice, California, where he helped open the restaurant alongside Bill Chait and (50 Best Chef) Leo Lanussol. In L.A., he also teamed up with Chad Robertson and mixologist Julian Cox to launch The Hideout, a speakeasy inside Tartine Bakey. Prior to that In Oregon, he co-founded Arden with a Michelin Starred Chef.”

    Franciska is aiming for an April 3rd opening. Reservations are live on OpenTable.

  • Room for Improvement has been added to 50 Best Discovery’s global listing listing of bars, restaurants and hotels. In a statement made via social media, 

    “We are continually humbled by the impression this hot little hole-in-the-wall manages to make on people. We owe so much of this to our team who work tirelessly to give people not just great drinks but a hoot of a time! A big thank you to Portland for constantly showing up for us as well! Having these walls packed with all of you is a huge part of what makes this bar feel so special. We love ya! Now come help us celebrate the only way we know how: drink it as fast as you can from the bottom up!!”
  • Ramona’s shared a little sneak peek at the designs for their upcoming sandwich shop and restaurant, Benny’s, which plans to open at 545 Congress Street. A Philly-inspired sandwich shop with counter service by day, Benny’s will transition into a sit down restaurant serving classic Italian-American comfort food. Owner Josh Sobel has launched a NuMarket campaign to fund the finishing touches as they work toward the finish line. Contributions will help cover everything from essential kitchen equipment and improvements to the space, start-up costs, and more. And for every dollar you chip in, you’ll earn 120% back in credits you can use at Benny’s when open.

Happenings

Fun for the modern day foodie! Events, happenings, tastings, pop-ups, parties and more!

New Additions

  • Five of Club’s next Crafted Conversations is set for Thursday, March 13th with Bimini Gin. Happening every 2nd Thursday of the month, you’ll hear from the artisans behind your favorite local spirits, wines, and brews. Custom drinks are served as well.
  • St. Patrick’s Day events + menus are rolling out! The Porthole and RiRa Irish Pub have both published details regarding special menus and live music happening all weekend. More to come!
  • Benny’s (coming soon) owner and chef Josh Sobel will be popping up at REGARDS on Thursday, March 20th. Sobel will combine his love of homestyle comfort cooking with REGARD’s forward-thinking coastal repertoire to create something unforgettable for one night only. Tickets available via OpenTable.

Ongoing Events

  • Enjoy Happy Hour at Terlingua daily from 3pm – 5pm. Deals on drinks, including $1 Jello Shots, $10 Margaritas, $10 Spirit of the Day, $5 Mocktails, $3 Tecates, $4 Modelos, $20 Tequila Flight, and $8 Wine Pours. Deals on food include a $9 Frito Pie and Pork Sliders and Brisket Sliders around $3-4 each.

  • Enjoy Happy Hour at The Five of Clubs bar and lounge. Enjoy rotating drink specials every day 4pm – 6pm and all day Mondays (3pm -9 pm). Includes $2 oysters. 
  • Root Wild Kombucha runs Happy Hour every Monday – Thursday from 4pm – 6pm. 1/2 off your first pour of 12oz pour of kombucha, hard kombucha, or beer.
  • Every Tuesday, you can get a shot of bourbon, a beer, and a delicious burger for just $16 at Bramhall

  • If you’re looking for a place to work outside the office or your home, Belleflower Brewing Co.s’ ‘Work from Belle’ hours run weekly from 12pm – 3pm Tuesday through Friday. Enjoy free WiFi, plenty of parking, and a warm quiet space as well as deals on drinks ($3 N/A varieties, $4 short pours, $5 wines, $6 pints under 6%). 

Did we miss something? Have something exciting on the horizon for us to share? Shoot us an email at [email protected]

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