• The East Ender, a project of Mitch Gerow and Megan Schroeter (both formerly of Evangeline), is now open with a full menu at 47 Middle St., Portland. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 879-7669.

• We dug up some fresh details about the new Portland properties being developed by the Sol Food Group, the folks who own El Rayo Taqueria. Cantina, located at 85 York St. directly next door to El Rayo, will be Latin-influenced with an emphasis on more “exotic” ingredients such as rabbit, lobster, duck and tongue, says Norine Kotts, who is developing the menus for both places with Cheryl Lewis. Small plates for sharing will be the norm, and the full bar will include some local beers on tap. The hours are expected to be 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily. Kotts hopes Cantina will open by May. The second project, River House, 231 York St., will be a casual bistro serving European-influenced fare. This place will have a fully stocked bar, two small dining rooms serving lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, and a porch with seating overlooking the Fore River. Kotts said it may be open by fall.

• Shipyard Brewing Co. is opening a new Shipyard Emporium market, bakery and brew pub on Jan. 28 in Winter Park, Fla.

• The Salt Exchange, 245 Commercial St., Portland, has a new prix fixe menu offering three courses for $30.

• A new oceanfront resort on Goose Rocks Beach called The Tides Beach Club will open in May. Its restaurant will have a raw bar serving local oysters, littlenecks, Maine shrimp and lobster.

• Five Guys Burgers and Fries is coming to Fore Street in the Old Port. It’s not health food, but if you love a juicy burger and crispy fries, you’ll love Five Guys. A Facebook fan page, “Five Guys to Maine,” has garnered 49 “likes.”

 

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