New Pop-Up Seafood Restaurant Set to Open in Former Bar Futo Space in Portland, Maine

A new restaurant called Ladyfish is expected to open at 425 Fore Street in Portland, Maine. It is being created by Jordan and Marisa Rubin and will take over the space where their previous restaurant, Bar Futo, used to be.

Ladyfish will be a summer pop-up restaurant, and they are hoping to open it by May 2026. The restaurant will run from May through October and will focus mostly on seafood dishes made with local Maine ingredients.

The menu at Ladyfish will include a mix of seafood classics and some unique dishes. Some of the main items mentioned are Whole Fried Fluke Francese, Lobster Frites, and Little Neck Clams roasted on the half shell. Along with those specialty dishes, they will also serve classic popular Maine seafood foods like oysters, chowder, and lobster rolls.

The drink menu will include local beers, cocktails, wines by the glass, and non-alcoholic options.

The kitchen will be led by chef Christine Lau, who is moving to Portland to run the restaurant. Before this, she worked as the executive chef at Kimika, which was a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in 2022. She has also been recognized by places like Eater NYC, Condé Nast Traveler, and Food & Wine.

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Jordan Rubin is already well known for his work in Portland’s food scene. He started the Mr. Tuna food truck in 2017 and later opened a Mr. Tuna restaurant in 2024. He also helped open Crispy Gai in 2021.

Overall, Ladyfish is expected to be a relaxed summer seafood restaurant that highlights local ingredients. With experienced owners and a well-known chef, it will likely become a popular seasonal spot in Portland when it opens.