Isabella Roy, Oldest Daugher of Mark and Renae Roy, Owners of Thames Lnnding, 60 Thames Street, on the Portland Watefront, that Had its Grand Opening Today. “Izzy” Recently Graduated from the University of New England School of Nursing and is Currently Employed Locally as a Nurse.
The Entrance to “Thames Landing” that Seats about 96 Guests – Including Inside and Outide. The Outside Patio is “Dog-Friendly.”
“This opportunity just fell into my parents lap,” said Isabella Roy, oldest of Mark and Renae Roy’s four children, and owners of Thames Landing, during a slack time in its grand opening this afternoon.
“Izzy” was referring to the popular Navis Caf located immediately next door in the WEX building at 56 Thames Street. (The Cafe was the subject of a blog post herein back in December of 2020.) “This was a great opportunity for my parents to expand their business ideas,” she said. Her parents signed the lease in April – just three months ago.
Because the space has served previously as a restaurant, Helm Oyster Bar & Bistro, there was less work to be done by Mark and Renae Roy than starting from scratch. It was mostly an effort to demolish and replace. A banquette and an oyster bar were removed and replaced with additional tables with new tops. New paintings have been added to the large wall spaces.
Roy describes the menu as “Modern New England Fare” – it includes lobster rolls, fish & chips, a smash burger, and B.L.T. to name a few of the favorites on the menu. “The menu will be evolving as more fish becomes available as the summer progresses,” she said. There are extensive salad and appetizer options on the menu. Kristen Smedbers, formerly at ISA, on Portland Street, is the chef at Thames Landing. There is a children’s menu as well.
David Lacy, formerly with Fore Street, is the new Head Bar Tender at Thames Landing. All four children of the Roys work in the restaruant as their schedules permit; some as wait staff and others in the kitchen.
Thames Landing is closed on Tuesdays.
For more information on Navis Cafe, please visit post herein dated December 28, 2020.