The owner of Taj Indian Cuisine is expanding to Bangor with a new restaurant expected to open next week.
Sai Guntaka plans to open Rasa Indian Cuisine at 175 Exchange St., where he is leasing 3,200 square feet from 175 Exchange Street LLC.
Guntaka also operates Taj Indian Cuisine in South Portland and Silver Street by Taj, which opened in Portland last year.
The Bangor space has been vacant for five years, Betsy Lundy, the executive director of Downtown Bangor, told Mainebiz.
The restaurant is expected to open on April 6.
The deal was brokered by Bill Riley of Riley-Anders Commercial and John Bonadio of Maine Commercial Realty. The design and interior were done by Portland-based Ervin Architecture.
Rasa Indian Cuisine will feature South Indian dishes, a bar and a lunch buffet.
Bonadio said renovations have been underway for the past year and have cost the tenant more than $1 million.
"They have done a beautiful job in Bangor and the public is very excited about the opening," said Bonadio. "I believe they will do very well here."
Other restaurant openings
Makoto, a sister restaurant to Portland's Yosaku, has opened at 448 Cottage Road in South Portland, in the former Elsmere BBQ space, which closed in 2024.
Owners and operators Chef Rattanak Tray and Hope MacVane-Tray will offer wood-fired dishes alongside a selection of sushi similar to Yosaku's menu.
Makoto is open Wednesday through Sunday, 5-9 p.m.
Makoto is located at 448 Cottage Road in South Portland. PHOTO / RENEE CORDESElizabeth, a French-inspired wine bar, has opened at 47 Wharf St. in Portland.
Owner Alex Wright also operates Crown Jewel, a small tropical-inspired restaurant on Great Diamond Island.
The menu features wine, cocktails, small plates and a raw bar.
Elizabeth will be open Tuesday through Thursday, 4-10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 4-11 p.m.
Reader feedback
Which new spots statewide are worth keeping an eye on? The Mainebiz Food Insider wants to hear from you! Contact Alexis Wells at awells@mainebiz.biz.
