Portland's Restaurant And Bar Launches On Portland, Maine's Waterfront

Portland's Restaurant and Bar celebrated its grand opening with an enthusiastic crowd in attendance on Friday, January 5th, Portland restaurateur Paul Russell announced today. Portland's is offering an innovative menu featuring steak and chops, first-rate seafood selections from Maine suppliers, and flavorful classics such as cassoulet, gnocchi, lobster bisque and braised beef short ribs.

"We're confident that Portland's Restaurant and Bar will be a welcome addition to the Portland dining scene," said Russell. "Until Portland's, the downtown area has lacked a restaurant that serves great steaks, chops and seafood in a setting that's as appropriate for a special occasion as it is for a quiet mid-week dinner or business lunch.

"We're excited to be offering residents of and visitors to our city a first-rate dining experience, but at a reasonable price point," he added. "We're out to prove that a premium cut of meat, flavorful side dishes, and a smart cocktail after a day at work doesn't have to cost a small fortune, and we think this mindset will really appeal to diners."

Portland's is filling the space once occupied by Restaurant Oolong, also owned by Russell, and located at 100 Commercial Street in the heart of the city's historic Old Port neighborhood. Portland's, like Oolong, already is proving to be an instant hit with diners, in part due to the restaurant's premium cuts of meat, locally grown produce, and the freshest seafood selections available from Portland's working waterfront.

The new restaurant has retained many of the unique and popular characteristics enjoyed by patrons of its predecessor, Restaurant Oolong. In addition to including select favorites from the Oolong menu, Portland's is offering a warm and welcoming ambiance, seamless service and, of course, the restaurant's premium, waterfront location. And in a nod to Portland's ever-growing arts scene, Russell plans to feature works from Portland artists at his new restaurant.

Portland's also is carrying on the "classic cocktail culture" popularized in the city by Restaurant Oolong; the new restaurant - which, like its predecessor, will offer a comfortable and lively bar atmosphere - will continue to feature what Russell enthusiastically refers to as "pre-Prohibition cocktails," as well as an impressive selection of New World wines and artisanal beers.

"We plan to hold numerous special dining and wine events at Portland's in the coming months," Russell noted. "We'll be offering special cocktail events and wine-pairing dinners, as well as cooking demonstrations. The live jazz we plan to feature on Wednesday evenings should also really make a nice addition to Portland nightlife."

Russell has recruited Executive Chef Joseph L. Boudreau to head his talented kitchen team at Portland's. Boundreau, a longtime New England resident, brings extensive regional experience to his post at Portland's, having cooked at some of the region's most acclaimed restaurants, including Freeport, Maine's renowned Harraseeket Inn, Boston's Armani Cafi, and Portland's Cafi Uffa!. Most recently, Boudreau served as Executive Chef at MIMS Brasserie, where he earned a variety of national and regional recognition and accolades from culinary press.

"We look forward to hosting visitors to our city, but especially to welcoming Portland residents," Russell said of his new restaurant. "We enjoyed a steady base of loyal Oolong fans in both our dining room as well as our bar area, and believe that those same folks will also soon vote for Portland's as one of their new favorite gathering spots in town."

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