It’s been another banner year in 2015 for Portland area restaurants, with the best and brightest showing remarkable menus and innovative cooking, giving the birth of cool cuisine vitality.

Lobster tartine at The Honey Paw

Lobster tartine at The Honey Paw

While last year was all about small plates, 2015 mixed it up with both small and large plate menus in the mix. Of the 20 or so new establishments in our region, only 10 really made the grade as being special.  Union, Isa, East Ender, Tiqa, Roustabout, Evo, Tempo Dulu, Terlingua, The Honey Paw and even Cape Elizabeth chimed in with Rudy’s in the heart of that coastal suburb.

The spectacular space at Evo serves divine Mediterranean/Middle Eastern fare with chef Matt Ginn at the helm

The spectacular space at Evo serves divine Mediterranean/Middle Eastern fare with chef Matt Ginn at the helm

What was distinctive about these newcomers was the Big Money spent on décor, creating unique, often luxurious interiors beyond the traditional post and beam and brick confines that Maine restaurants favor.

Tiqa, which can accommodate hundreds of diners managed to make the large space intimate with various dining rooms and the lounge; the food is a fine example of the Mediterranean-Middle Eastern cooking

Tiqa, which can accommodate hundreds of diners, managed to make the large space intimate with various dining rooms and the lounge; the food is a fine example of the Mediterranean-Middle Eastern cooking

The lineup so far for 2016 is still sputtering.  But there are a few notables. One humble stretch of Cumberland Avenue will soon see a new eatery called Pizzaiolo at number 360, across from the strip’s only other restaurant, Schulte & Herr. It will offer New York style pizza—the old-fashioned slice that you can fold (not thin crust) and eat on the go.  It will also be scratch pizza, from homemade dough to artisanal quality toppings. Pat Scally is the proprietor, formerly director of operations for the Otto chain.

Located in the city's most urbane hotel, The Press Hotel, its restaurant, Union, is a sure-fire winner with chef Josh Berry calling the shots with his stylish farm-to-table fare

Located in the city’s most urbane hotel, The Press Hotel, its restaurant, Union, is a sure-fire winner with chef Josh Berry calling the shots with his stylish farm-to-table fare

Of course the Big Megillah of 2016 is sure to be the opening of Scales on Portland Harbor brought to us by the inimitable Dana Street/Sam Hayward (Fore Street and Street & Co) and their team.  It’s slated to open next month.

Not just another BBQ joint but Terlingua tenders the Texas-Latin touch with its well smoked meat, fish and dips

Not just another BBQ joint but Terlingua renders the Texas-Latin touch with its well smoked meat, fish and dips.

Still, 2013-2014 had some stellar eateries such as Central Provisions, PiccoloSur-Lie, Lolita and Ebb and Flow.  And diners still cram into Duck Fat, Eventide and Empire Chinese. All these are shining brightly, even better than ever.  Not to be outdone, however, are the city’s standard-bearers: Fore Street, Back Bay Grill and the ultimate neighborhood standby, Caiola’s.

The decor is sumptuous in the ultra luxurious Tempo Dulu house in the grandeur of the Danforth Inn; the food from chef Lawrence Klang introduces Southeast Asian cuisine to Portland and one of the few restaurants in the country that does it so well

The decor is sumptuous at the ultra luxurious Tempo Dulu housed in the grandeur of the Danforth Inn; the food from chef Lawrence Klang introduces Southeast Asian cuisine to Portland and is one of the few restaurants in the country that does it so well; barmeister Trevin Hutchins is Tempo Dulu’s master maven of mixology in Portland

There was one curious note to the city’s restaurant scene and that is the closing of Petite Jacqueline by January 1, 2016.  It’s  not due to lack of success; by all accounts it was a favorite haunt for those who savored chef Fred Elliot’s inspired French cuisine.

Restaurateurs Kit Paschal (mixologist) and chef Anders Talberg have put together one of the most stylish eateries in Portland with their new wave Italian-American menu

Restaurateurs Kit Paschal (mixologist) and chef Anders Talberg (chef) have put together one of the most stylish eateries in Portland with their new-wave Italian-American menu

The Corry’s of 555 and Portland Patisserie fame who own Petite Jacqueline did not want to renew their lease at 190 State St. because of the poor condition of the space, which their landlord allegedly wouldn’t repair.  Flood-prone basement and sinking kitchen floor were the major faults.  Often the tenant bears the costs of repairs, but major, big-buck fixes were untenable to the Corry’s. They will re-open in the spring.

A far cry from its former self as a farm-to-table gastro pub, the new East Ender is holding the torch for good American bistro fare in a casual setting with chefs and owners Karl Deuben and Bill Leavy taking their food-truck panache to brick and mortar splendidness

A far cry from its former glory as a farm-to-table gastro pub, the new East Ender is holding the torch for good American bistro fare in a casual setting with chefs and owners Karl Deuben and Bill Leavy taking their food-truck panache to brick and mortar splendidness

Rumor has it that the space is already rented, the tenancy still under wraps. Speculation is, however,  that Otto’s Ocho (burrito) will take over.  Seems like a stretch.  Time will tell.

Isa is all bistro and style with beautifully prepared food along the wilds of Bayside; but neighbor Back Bay Grill has managed for years, so too, will Isa with chef and co-owner Isaul Perez with co-proprietor wife Suzie St. PIerre

Isa is all bistro and style with beautifully prepared food along the wilds of Bayside; but neighbor Back Bay Grill has managed for years, so, too, will Isa with chef and co-owner Isaul Perez and co-proprietor wife Suzie St. Pierre

Rudy's entered Cape Betty's dining scene with a big splash and is popular with diners on both sides of the bridge who enjoy chef Daron Goldstein's inspired bistro fare

Rudy’s entered Cape Betty’s dining scene with a big splash and is popular with diners on both sides of the bridge who enjoy chef Daron Goldstein’s inspired bistro fare in a stylish roadhouse vibe