News Elsewhere: Warren's Lobster House in Kittery Is Putting Its Property Up for Sale

A renowned seafood spot north of Boston is putting its home on the market.

According to a source, the space in which Warren's Lobster House in Kittery, ME, resides is going up for sale, with a Facebook post from the restaurant saying the following:

We have signed an option agreement to sell the property in Kittery and will have a better idea of what the prospective buyer's intentions are by early September if not sooner....We are not selling the business, the intellectual property (trademarks, copyrights, etc.) or the right to operate as WLH at a different location (it is early in the process and we haven't fully considered the various possibilities).

The post does mention that Warren's plans to remain open "well into 2024," while also saying that "Should the prospective buyer decide to not move forward it is still our intention to list the property for sale because ultimately it is no longer sustainable to operate and maintain a building located on a pier over the water."

Warren's, which first opened in 1940 as a lobster stand, is a 350-seat restaurant on the Piscataqua River that features a variety of seafood options including clam chowder, lobster rolls, boiled lobster, baked stuffed shrimp, seafood casserole, fish and chips, baked lobster mac and cheese, and more.

The address for Warren's Lobster House is 11 Water Street, Kittery, ME, 03904. Its website can be found at https://www.lobsterhouse.com/

NOTE: We need your help, as Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is dealing with health issues and some major related expenses. Please donate at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

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[More restaurant openings/closings from the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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News Elsewhere: Bintliff's in Ogunquit Has Closed for Good

A beloved restaurant along the south coast of Maine has shut down for good, and it appears that the coronavirus was at least part of the reason for its closure.

According to a source (Cara Portnoy), Bintliff's in Ogunquit is closed permanently, with a Facebook post from the place saying the following:

"This has not been an easy decision in any way. We have gone back and forth looking for the right way to approach these challenging times due to COVID-19....This is a very concerning time in our society and within our industry. We have investigated options on how we could keep Bintliffs going. However in conjunction with our accountant's guidance, after looking at loans and grant options, we have arrived at this decision."

Bintliff's, which first opened 17 years ago, was known in part for its breakfast and brunch items along with its steak and seafood dishes; the restaurant also featured a fireplace in the main dining area and elegant decor throughout while also being a casual spot.

The address for Bintliff's in Ogunquit was 335 Main Street (Route 1), Ogunquit, ME, 03907.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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News Elsewhere: Four Locations of Ruby Tuesday in Maine Have Closed for Good

As countless restaurants in the Boston area and elsewhere in New England have temporarily shut down as the Coronavirus crisis continues, more and more dining spots are now announcing permanent closures in the region and across the country, including four Northern New England locations of a national restaurant chain.

According to an article from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel, locations of Ruby Tuesday in Auburn, Augusta, Topsham, and Westbrook in Maine have shuttered this week, with assistant manager Katie Mae of the Auburn location saying that the restaurants "couldn't take the financial hit of doing to-go orders and not dine-in." This comes on the heels of a ruling last week shutting down all restaurants and bars in Maine except for takeout/delivery, a mandate that all other New England states have instituted as well; the shutdown of dining areas was too much for the four outlets of the chain according to Mae, who said that "Our location in Auburn is about 97 percent dine-in...We tried to do to-go only, but it wasn't going to be feasible."

The Tennessee-based Ruby Tuesday first started out in 1972 and today has nearly 500 locations across the country, including outlets locally in Wrentham and Taunton. The website for the chain can be found at http://www.rubytuesday.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Updates: New Hampshire Allows Beer, Wine Sales with Takeout/Delivery; Maine Joins Other States in Restaurant Closings

More news has come out over the past couple of days, including stories focusing on our neighbors to the north--and one of the news items bring a bit of hope to people locally who would like to enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two with their takeout/delivery orders.

New Hampshire Restaurants Give Restaurants Permission to Offer Alcohol to Go
According to WBZ 1030, residents of New Hampshire can now order cans or bottles of beer and wine with their takeout orders, as long as they are unopened, and spirits and cocktails are not allowed. WBZ also says that a request to do the same in Massachusetts has hit Governor Charlie Baker's desk, though no decision has been made as of yet. (New York is also allowing alcohol to go when ordering food.)

New Ruling for Restaurants/Bars in Maine
As mentioned earlier, every state in New England but Maine has recently ruled that restaurants and bars remain closed for now except for takeout and/or delivery, and now Maine has followed the other states in instituting the same ruling. According to a Twitter post from Governor Janet Mills, the mandate stays in place until March 31, at least for now.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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News Elsewhere: Howard Johnson Restaurant in Bangor, ME, to Close, Leaving Sole Location in Lake George, NY

What was once a household name on the local and national restaurant scene will soon be down to one remaining dining spot.

According to an article from MWTW Portland, the Howard Johnson restaurant location in Bangor, ME, will be closing September 6, as owner Sally Patel says that business has been "very slow." Once it shuts down, the only HoJo's restaurant left will be in Lake George, NY, as a third location of the chain in Lake Placid, NY, closed down last year. WMTW does say that the hotel part of Howard Johnson in Bangor will remain in operation.

The first Howard Johnson restaurant opened in Quincy in 1925 (according to a post in the Sun Chronicle), with the dining spot soon expanding throughout the country and becoming known for such items as fried clams, roast turkey, macaroni and cheese, and ice cream. A number of HoJo's outlets called the Boston area and Eastern Massachusetts their home over the years, including restaurants in Chelmsford, Concord, Dorchester, Framingham, Haverhill, Lexington, and Quincy.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Mainely Burgers Is Opening in Former Four Burgers Space in Cambridge's Central Square

Last night we reported that a burger place in Cambridge had shut down for good, and now we have learned that another burger spot is moving into the space, with this one having its roots in the food truck business.

According to a license commission general hearing page, Mainely Burgers is planning to open in the city's Central Square area, taking over the space on Mass. Ave. where Four Burgers had been until recently closing. The notice mentions that the upcoming eatery will have seating for 40 inside and another 8 on a seasonal outdoor patio, and that it looks like the place will be open for lunch and dinner daily with counter service offered.

Mainely Burgers is a food truck company that focuses on gourmet burgers; its trucks can be found in Portland and at Scarborough Beach.

The address for the new  brick-and-mortar location of Mainely Burgers is 704 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139. Its Twitter page is at https://twitter.com/mainelyburgers

[August 19 update: Eater Boston states that Mainely Burger soft-opens in Cambridge's Central Square today, with a grand opening soon on the way.]

[September 14 update: The Boston Globe confirms what sources have told us, that Mainely Burger is now fully open.]

[Earlier Article]
Four Burgers in Cambridge's Central Square Has Closed

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Burgers from Restaurants in the Boston Area]

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News Elsewhere: NYC's Pearl Oyster Bar to Open in Kennebunk, ME

A popular "upscale lobster shack" in New York City is expanding to Southern Maine, and it is a homecoming of sorts for the restaurant's owner.

According to a job post within the Craigslist site, Rebecca Charles of Pearl Oyster Bar in the West Village of Manhattan is opening another location of the dining spot in Kennebunk, ME, which is where her family has summered for many decades and where she worked at the landmark White Barn Inn as executive chef in the 1980s, according to Pearl's website. It is not yet known where in Kennebunk the new location of Pearl will be, nor is it known when it might open; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Pearl Oyster Bar, which is known in part for its lobster rolls, has received much praise since opening in 1997, with the eatery being picked as a semifinalist for the 2014 James Beard Foundation Awards for outstanding restaurant. Another page within the restaurant's site shows that the eatery has also gotten recognition from Gourmet Magazine, Bon Appetit, and the Washington Post, and celebrity chef and restaurateur Mario Batali is quoted as calling it "...my favorite lunch spot on the planet..."

The address for the original Pearl Oyster Bar in the West Village is 18 Cornelia Street, New York, NY, 10014.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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News Elsewhere: Arrows Restaurant in Ogunquit, ME Is Up for Sale

An award-winning restaurant in Southern Maine is for sale, as the owners have decided to focus more on their other dining spot--as well as an upcoming restaurant that is coming to Boston.

The Portland Press Herald is reporting that Arrows Restaurant in Ogunquit has been put up for sale, with owners Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier hoping that the new owner(s) will keep the Arrows name (though that is not a requirement of the deal) and open it in time for the 2014 season. The article says that Gaier and Frasier will be concentrating on their other Ogunquit eatery--MC Perkins Cove--along with MC Medici Ristorante & Bar, which plans to open in Boston's Seaport District in February of 2014 [Ed note: MC Medici is now open]. Arrows had a 25th anniversary celebration in late September, closing down for the 2013 season a week later, according to the Press Herald.

Gaier and Frasier are James Beard Award winners, with Arrows receiving countless accolades over the years, including from Gourmet Magazine and Bon Appetit.

[October 24 update: Seacoast Online mentions that there may be "other MC-brand restaurants" on the way from Gaier and Frasier, though no specific spots have been confirmed as of yet.]

[July 2, 2014 update: A new article from the Portland Press Herald states that the Arrows property is still up for sale, and that the asking price has dropped from $1.2 million to $995,000.]

The address for Arrows is 41 Berwick Road, Ogunquit, ME, 03907.

[Earlier Article]
MC Medici Ristorante and Bar to Replace 606 Congress in Boston's Seaport District

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News Elsewhere: When Pigs Fly Is Opening a Pizza Restaurant in Kittery, Maine

It looks like a New England-based bakery and retailer with several locations in the region (including two in the Boston area) may be opening a restaurant in Southern Maine that features pizza.

According to SeacoastOnline.com, the people behind When Pigs Fly are hoping to open a pizza restaurant at the site of Durgin Farm on Route 1 in Kittery. The plan is to have a dining spot that features a wood-fired oven, along with a store that sells the bakery's breads. The article states that if the plans for the place work out, the restaurant will be housed in a 5,000-square-foot structure that also has a 1,200-square-foot porch, and seating for 50 to 100 diners.

SeacoastOnline.com mentions that the restaurant still needs to go through several steps before it can become reality, including approval from the Kittery Planning Board.

[May 24, 2011 update: When Pigs Fly did receive approval for its new When Pigs Fly Wood Fired Oven Pizzeria on Route 1 in Kittery, and construction seems to be moving along. About two weeks ago, the Facebook page for When Pigs Fly indicated that the new restaurant should be opening "in only a few more weeks," so expect the place to open very soon.]

[July 5, 2011 update: According to their Facebook page, When Pigs Fly Wood Fired Oven Pizzeria in Kittery is now open.]

When Pigs Fly first started out in Wells, Maine in 1993, and has now grown to include stores in York, Kittery, and Freeport, as well as Portsmouth, NH, and Brookline and Somerville in the Boston area. Its breads can be found in markets and stores throughout the Northeast, as well as Farmers' Markets in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

For more information on the opening of a pizza restaurant from When Pigs Fly, please go to the SeacoastOnline.com link below.

A new pizza place? When Pigs Fly

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News Elsewhere: The Maine Diner in Wells to Be Featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives

Food Network host Guy Fieri will be featuring another New England restaurant next week, with this one being a popular diner in Southern Maine.

According to the TV show's site, "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" will include The Maine Diner in Wells on Monday, August 9 between 10:00 PM and 10:30 PM. Guy Fieri had recently been in the area, checking out a number of restaurants in Massachusetts and Maine, including The Maine Diner, Greek Corner in Cambridge, and Rino's Place in East Boston.

The Maine Diner, which has been open on Route 1 near the Wells/Kennebunk border since 1983, features all kinds of classic American dishes, as well as a number of seafood items. Their menu includes chicken pot pie, macaroni and cheese, codfish cakes and beans, lobster pie, roast turkey, fried shrimp rolls, and chili dogs.

The address for The Maine Diner is: Maine Diner, 2265 Post Road (Route 1), Wells, ME, 04090. The phone number is (207) 646-4441. And their website can be found at: http://www.mainediner.com/

Next Monday's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" will also feature restaurants in Nashville, TN, and Saint Simons Island, GA.

For more on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" (as well as the Food Network in general), please go to the following link:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/diners-drive-ins-and-dives/index.html

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Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives Checks Out Rino's, Greek Corner, Lobster Shanty

Food Network host Guy Fieri has returned to New England, this time checking out restaurants in Southern Maine as well as three dining spots in the Boston area.

According to the Friends of Guy Fieri blog, the host of "Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives" recently looked at Rino's, an Italian restaurant in East Boston, Greek Corner, a Greek eatery in North Cambridge, and The Lobster Shanty, a seafood spot in Salem. (As confirmation, photos of Fieri at both Rino's and The Lobster Shanty were posted on Facebook, while at least one poster on Facebook mentioned a sighting of him at Greek Corner.)

Restaurants in Maine that Guy Fieri apparently visited include The Maine Diner in Wells, Bob's Clam Hut in Kittery, and Becky's Diner and the Porthole Restaurant, both in Portland, according to the Friends of Guy Fieri blog.

At this point, we are not sure whether all of these restaurants will make it onto "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives," but based on previous filmings for the show at local spots, the chances are pretty good that most if not all of these places will be featured on the show.

On a side note, two of the three restaurants (Rino's and Greek Corner) that Guy Fieri recently visited in the Boston area have also been featured on our Boston's Hidden Restaurants site. Links to reviews of those spots can be found below:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/Rinos.html

http://www.hiddenboston.com/GreekCorner.html

For more information on Guy Fieri's recent visit to New England, please go to the Friends of Guy Fieri blog link below.

Triple D goes to New England

And for more on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" (as well as the Food Network in general), please go to the link below:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/diners-drive-ins-and-dives/index.html

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Fire Destroys the Tan Turtle Tavern in Northeast Harbor, Maine

Yet another fire has ravaged the little town of Northeast Harbor, Maine. This time, the Tan Turtle Tavern and an apartment above were destroyed in a blaze that took place on Friday, January 23. According to the Bangor Daily News, the popular restaurant on Main Street was closed and going through renovations when the fire hit, and the upstairs apartment was vacant. The newspaper goes on to say that the owner of the Tan Turtle Tavern does plan to rebuild.

Last July, another fire hit Main Street in Northeast Harbor, destroying three buildings, with a restaurant and bakery called the Colonel's being a total loss.

Thanks to visitingnewengland.com for letting us know about the latest fire in Northeast Harbor.

For more information on this story, please go to the Bangor Daily News link below:

Tan Turtle Restaurant fire under investigation

Fire, Explosions Rock Northeast Harbor, Maine; Colonel's Restaurant Destroyed

A fire and series of explosions that apparently started in the Colonel's Restaurant destroyed a part of Northeast Harbor this morning.

According to the Bangor Daily News, three Main Street buildings were destroyed in the fire, which started at about 3:00 AM, and that the explosions were believed to have been caused by propane tanks in the Colonel's, a popular dining spot and bakery in the heart of the town.

WMTW in Portland also mentions that a number of residences above the businesses on Main Street were also destroyed.

Latest Review: Lompoc Cafe, Bar Harbor, Maine

The latest review on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Web site is for the Lompoc Cafe , an eclectic restaurant hidden away on the backstreets of Bar Harbor, Maine. The Lompoc Cafe features mostly healthy, organic food, much of which is made with locally-grown products. Indoor and outdoor dining can be found here, as well as entertainment on weekends and a bocce court in the outdoor dining area. To read more about the Lompoc Cafe in Bar Harbor, please click on the link above.

Latest Review: Impastable Dream in Ogunquit

The latest review that is on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site is an Italian restaurant in Ogunquit, Maine, called the Impastable Dream. A cozy, romantic restaurant located on Shore Road (about midway between Perkins Cove and the center of Ogunquit), the Impastable Dream is favorite among locals, but isn't very well know to tourists and other visitors to the Ogunquit area. The restaurant's menu features a mix of pasta dishes and veal, chicken, and seafood entries, and the prices are mostly decent. To read more about the Impastable Dream, click the link above.