I wonder who really misses Joe’s Boathouse, the rough and tumble waterfront restaurant that was so popular for years at South Portland’s Spring Point Drive, at Port Harbor Marine. Maybe at one time, when Greater Portland’s dining public was not so discerning, it passed for a decent meal out. But now North 43 Bistro is in its place—a remake so remarkable that you wonder if are you still in South Portland. Housed in a 2-story boxy building, the contemporary space is right out of an Elle Décor spread of modern cool. Its grays and browns only seem to accentuate the water views through the large plate glass windows on the water.
While under construction in early June, North 43 was taking shape (photo courtesy of The Forecaster).
In fact, the entire dining experience is so pleasing that you wonder why there aren’t more restaurants like this dotting Maine’s 3,000 miles of coastline.
The chef and co-owner is Stephanie Brown with restaurateur Laura Argitis (Old Port Sea Grill). Brown came on the dining scene many years ago with her restaurant Sea Grass, which operated in Yarmouth for 8 years. Then she moved on to become the executive chef of the Woodland’s dining room for some years until this opportunity came along.
First floor dining room
