restaurant race takes off in Portsmouth

The restaurant industry experiences more turnovers in new businesses than just about any other industry. Just when you think you have the scene nailed, a new spot opens up or a favorite coffee shop closes down. As the unofficial restaurant capital of the Seacoast, Portsmouth’s food scene is constantly evolving to cater to the city’s ever-changing character. Below are a few of the changes that have recently taken place or are on the way.

Rudi’s
20 High Street

Ownership:
Keith Prince and Brook Jassner

Menu:
American Cuisine

For those who have come to love the relaxed atmosphere, hip décor and quality food of Colby’s Breakfast & Lunch, Rudi’s will be a welcome addition to the Portsmouth restaurant scene. Opening in mid-June, Rudi’s is the creation of Colby’s co-owner Keith Prince. He will partner with Brook Jassner to open a new “casual fine-dining” restaurant at 20 High St., in the space previously occupied by The Metro, which shut its doors this winter, according to Prince. Colby’s, which is located at 105 Daniel St., has been open since 2003. Unlike Colby’s, Rudi’s will offer dinner and a full bar in addition to lunch. If the new arrival successfully duplicates its older brother’s laid back atmosphere and delicious food, it will no doubt be accepted into the Portsmouth restaurant family with open arms.

The Green Monkey
86 Pleasant Street

Ownership:
Deb Weeks and Chef Phelps Diek

Menu:
New American Cuisine

Owners of The Green Monkey on Pleasant Street are set to open a new restaurant across the street from their current location. The building formerly housed the restaurant 43 Degrees North, and more recently K ’n R Wood Grill. Although they plan on opening this summer, owner Deb Weeks was reluctant to divulge any information about the new restaurant.

Ristorante Massimo
59 Penhallow Street

Ownership:
Massimo Morgia

Menu:
Authentic Italian

Everything to do with Ristorante Massimo is the same, except, of course, its name. Formally known as Anthony Alberto’s Ristorante Italiano, a new title adorns this downtown gem on Penhallow Street. But the food, service and style are all the same. In 1994, Morgia and his former co-owner started Anthony Alberto’s, but as of April 24 Morgia took over sole proprietorship and changed the name to Ristorante Massimo. There have been a few minor modifications to the interior of the building, such as the addition of more fine art to the walls. But the most eye-catching change is the new sign hanging outside. It was all done by hand and took over two months to prepare, said Morgia.

Molly Malone’s Irish Steak House and Pub
177 State Street

Owners:
Andrew Corbin and Maria Desantis

Menu:
 Traditional Irish-American

Molly Malone’s has been a Portsmouth staple for 15 years. On March 1, 2006, Corbin and Desantis purchased the restaurant. The downstairs dining room was introduced as Mint, an Asian fusion restaurant, which won critical acclaim. Unfortunately, it didn’t garner the local community following to which Molly’s traditionally catered. Corbin switched the dining room back to Molly Malone’s in early 2007, reinstating classic dishes like Guinness braised lamb shanks, Maine lump crab, corned beef and cabbage and a lengthy list of steaks. Owners refurbished the downstairs dining room and laid hardwood floors over the entire restaurant. Discounts for military personal, live Irish music and locally produced ingredients are just a few attractions Molly Malone’s offers the community. “Our mission is local, local, local,” Corbin said. 

Pesce Blue
103 Congress Street

Owners:
Cliffe Arrand and Susan Dequattro

Menu:
Coastal Italian

The Italian philosophy on food is that meals are a product of their environment. The community from which meals are derived is just as important as the restaurant that cooks them. Cliffe Arrand has taken this philosophy to the heart of Pesce Blue’s new menu. Although the restaurant has been in Portsmouth for five years, Arrand and Dequattro have only owned it since February 1, 2007. The pair of new owners made swift changes. They hired a new executive chef and Arrand started buying ingredients from local farms, including Nelson Farms, which uses waste oil from Pesce Blue to run their equipment. The restaurant introduced a small plate menu, has a full bar and an extensive wine selection, which they offer by the glass or in quarter-liter pitchers called quartinos. The casual modern atmosphere and constantly evolving menu make eating at Pesce Blue an accessible fine dining experience. 

Café Mediterraneo
119 Congress Street

Ownership:
Adel Semmar and Mounsif Ghninou

Menu:
Italian/Mediterranean

Seven weeks ago, Café Mediterraneo relocated from its former location on Fleet Street to a new storefront on Congress Street. Instead of paying month-to-month rent at the spot on Fleet Street, owners Semmar and Ghninou decided to buy the empty space next to Flatbread Co. and continue their tradition of providing Italian food infused with Mediterranean influences. The pair has owned Café Mediterraneo for 14 years, opening in 1993. Lunch and dinner are offered seven days a week and there is a full bar. Semmar suggests the New Zealand rack of lamb, the lobster ravioli or the seafood risotto.

Old Caffé Kilim Space
79 Daniel Street

Ownership:
Patrick Pagnani

Menu:
TBA

In January 2007, The Wire published a story detailing the departure of Caffé Kilim from its Daniel Street location. Due to the high cost of rent, Kilim vacated the space to make room for the imminent arrival of a coffee shop called Zarella’s Café, owned by Pagnani. However, after five months of renovations, which have left the hardwood floors looking spectacular, the space remains empty, save for a bright orange For Rent sign taped to the window.