Ocean Avenue Location to be New Site of Italian Restaurant. Chef de Cuisine is Mike Smith.

Executive Chef Mike Smith at SCALES Recently. This is His Last Week There..

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,665)

This is Executive Chef Mike Smith’s last week at SCALES, the seafood mecca on the Portland waterfront, confirmed Michael Burke, a business partner, by email.   Smith has been there since its opening day, but decided it isn’t the right fit for him. SCALES is known for its fresh fish as well as its wharf location at 68 Commercial Street.

Rather he will become the Chef de Cuisine at a new venue on Ocean Avenue with friends Paige and Chris Gould, owners of the award-winning Central Provisions in the Old Port.  It will be an Italian cuisine focusing on wood fire style Neapolitan pizza, handmade pastas, crudos and salads.  The as yet unnamed venue is expected to open in December or January.

Meanwhile, Fred Elliott formerly of Petite Jacqueline and Tavis Olson will work as co-chef’s at SCALES.  Tavis has been part of the SCALES team since it opened earller this year.  Lunch is served between 11:30 am – 2:30 pm daily.

“We couldn’t be more excited for this team to take the helm,” wrote Michael Burke, in an email to mhn.com

The August issue of “Down East” magazine has an article on SCALES, focusing on Executive Chef Smith.