Photo / Anthony Di Biase
A look at the interior of Lucky Cheetah, opening soon in Portland.
July 26, 2024
Friday Food Insider: An underground, hideaway restaurant is set to open in Portland
Photo / Courtesy, Anthony Di Biase
Lucky Cheetah will open Aug. 6 at 11 Moulton St. in Portland.
Psssst — keep the news to yourself! A hideaway of a restaurant will open its doors, just a crack, in Portland on Aug.6.
Lucky Cheetah is located at 11 Moulton St., or rather below it, in the site of the former Old Port Tavern, which closed in 2022 after a half century in business.
The new eatery was created by Portland natives Wills Dowd and Jared Dinsmore, owners of Bird & Co. Lucky Cheetah will have 110 seats and serve up Chinese cuisine, specializing in dim sum and dumplings.
“As native Portlanders, we’re excited to bring this truly unique dining experience to the Old Port, in one of the most historic buildings on the block,” Dowd and Dinsmore told Mainebiz. “It was kind of a serendipitous opportunity to bring Lucky Cheetah to life and we can’t wait to welcome friends, old and new.”
Susie Smith Coughlin renovated and designed the 5,000-square-foot space. It features a 10-seat Italian pink marble bar, a lounge area, a dining room with circular corner booths, and a 16-seat private dining and event space. A collection of large-format prints by photographer Slim Aarons are displayed throughout the dining room.
The dining room features vintage lighting accenting the walls and ceilings, while cool blue mirrored tiles in the washrooms create a jewel-box sensation. In the private dining room, vintage silk-painted ceiling panels from the 1940s add a historic touch.
About the menu
Executive Chef Zachary Johnson heads the kitchen. He will serve Cantonese classics, including xiaolongbao and char siu bao, which are different types of steamed dumplings. The menu will also include some different dishes with a modern twist, like foie gras blackberry dumplings with brown butter miso crumb, wok-fried rice and noodle dishes, a collection of diversely spiced sauces, slaws and soups.
Photo / Anthony Di Biase
The restaurant will serve Cantonese classics, including xiaolongbao and char siu bao.
Over at the bar, Ben Bozeman, the bar manager, will use Asian-made and sourced liquors with traditional spices for reimagined cocktails. The cocktail menu will also include a sparkling wine list with over 20 selections of champagne.
The restaurant will be working with vendors to use Maine ingredients and locally produced spirits.
Lucky Cheetah will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 5-10 p.m.
A lot of new restaurants have popped up this summer. Which ones are you excited to visit? The Mainebiz Food Insider wants to hear from you! Contact Alexis Wells at awells@mainebiz.biz.
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