FSR November 2022

HOT MARKE T S

Portland

P ortland, Maine, is steeped in seafood tradition, largely thanks to its status as a com mercial fishing cen ter. The fishing indus try connects to the city’s bountiful dining scene through restaurants like Eventide—a James Beard Award–winning oyster bar renowned for its brown butter lob ster roll—that deal in the freshest fare from the sea. But there is plenty of space in Portland for concepts of other vari POPULATION: 543,221 GROWTH IN HOSPITALITY JOBS: 10.7%

eties, too. As a buzzy tourist town that brings in slews of out-of-town ers annually, Portland is poised to continue flourishing as Ameri cans move farther from 2020 shutdowns and resume travel at levels that are, in many cases, proving to be greater than they were pre-pan demic. Thus, the city is adding restaurants to its already robust din

Portland, Maine, is steeped in seafood tradition, largely thanks to its status as a commercial fishing center.

And while the sum mertime tourist sea son might prove most lucrative for opera tors, Portland brings in guests year-round. As the state’s largest city and strongest economic region, Portland posts a high success rate for small businesses in par ticular.

ing scene, and newcom ers are getting attention. For example, Leeward— an Italian eatery focused on simple, fresh pastas made with painstaking care—was a semifinal ist James Beard nomina tion for “Best New Res taurant” and brought in scores of positive reviews.

LOBSTER ROLL

ADOBE STOCK (4)

NOVEMBER 2022

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