After five years of offering books and gatherings about food, drinks, farming and gardening at 86 Middle St. in Portland, Rabelais book store is moving to the North Dam Mills in Biddeford in January. Owners Samantha Hoyt Lindgren and Don Lindgren will shift their business focus from retail to rare books, imports and special American releases. The new space will also have a test kitchen so they can recreate recipes from their collection.

In Portland, Plush West End has opened at 106 High St. The business offers tapas, desserts, wine and specialty cocktails. It is open every day from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

Another place for martinis is the FortiFem Martini Lounge, at 45 Wharf St., Portland. FortiFem (Norweigan for the number 45) offers tapas from 4 to 9 p.m. daily, and is open seven days a week, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

The Dogfish Cafe at 953 Congress St., Portland, which has been closed for renovations since Oct. 31. is reopening this week for dinner service. The restaurant is completely renovated, with new floors and a new kitchen.

In Freeport, the Harraseeket Inn, 162 Main St., made the Conde Nast Reader’s Choice List for the second year in a row. This year, the inn was voted one of the top 200 hotels in the country. In 2010 it was one of the top 500 hotels in the world.

The upstairs dining area at the Falmouth Sea Grill, at Handy Boat Marina on Falmouth Foreside, reopened for business in October. The upstairs bar and dining room have been renovated, and the menu highlights local and seasonal produce and seafood, and offers an expanded raw bar.

Frontier, in Fort Andross on Maine Street, Brunswick, closed for renovations on Sunday, Nov. 20. The renovated Frontier is expected to reopen in early December. Renovations will include a new kitchen and a new bar area. The menu will incorporate more vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. There will also be a new brunch menu for Sundays. The art and cultural programs will be expanded, too.

Cafe Mojo, an art gallery, Internet cafe and gift shop, is at 506 Harpswell Neck Road in Harspwell. Hours are Sunday, Monday and Wednesday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Customers can enjoy baked muffins, cookies, soups, salads and deli sandwiches, artisan pizza, beer and wine. There is a function room, lunch catering, delivery available and outdoor seating.

In Cape Elizabeth, The Good Table, at 527 Ocean House Road, will offer a “Sunday Suppers” menu, dinner theatre entertainment and has plans to build a bar. Starting as early as December, members of the Old Port Theatre will participate in the dinner theatre productions. Then, starting on Sunday, Jan. 8, customers will be able to order from a three-course, prix fixe menu from 4 to 8 p.m. The bar is expected to be built by March, and there will be a separate bar menu. Potential menu items include bratwurst, meatball sliders and charcuterie, fried olives and warm spiced cashews.

The SoPo, formerly Beale Street BBQ, at 725 Broadway, in South Portland, has closed, but is expected to reopen under new ownership. According to a Facebook post, the new operators of the restaurant will be chef Troy Mains, former executive chef at the No. 10 Restaurant in Brunswick, and Chris Johnston of the Montsweag Roadhouse in Woolwich. Beale Street BBQ is still smokin’ along at 215 Water St. in Bath.

Amy Anderson can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or aanderson@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @amy_k_anderson.

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