Owner of Taj opening new Italian restaurant in South Portland
Il Forno to Open in South Portland, Filling a Gap in Local Italian Dining
South Portland, Maine – The downtown dining scene will expand this fall with the opening of Il Forno, an Italian restaurant that will occupy the former Port City Nutrition space at 333 Clarks Pond Parkway. The establishment, slated to open in mid‑October, is a joint venture between Sai Guntaka, owner of the popular Taj Indian Cuisine, and Jim Baldi, Taj’s bar manager and co‑owner of Portland’s Silver Street by Taj.
Guntaka, who has watched South Portland’s culinary offerings grow, said he noticed a lack of authentic Italian fare in the city. “I don’t think there’s anything like this in South Portland,” he told reporters, noting that the new restaurant aims to fill that void. He also emphasized affordability, adding, “The prices are going to be very reasonable, like Taj. We wanted to have an Italian joint that was priced for the local community with some elevated experiences.”
The menu will feature handmade pastas—including tagliatelle al ragu and butternut‑squash ravioli—brick‑oven pizzas, salads, and entrees such as strip steak with salsa al vino rosso and grilled chicken with lemon‑herb sauce. Guntaka said the menu will change frequently to keep the offerings fresh. The bar will highlight Italian wines, along with draft beer and a selection of cocktails.
Il Forno will be staffed by a team of seasoned chefs. Jim Baldi and former Portland Regency Hotel chef Jim Fitzgerald will serve as executive chefs. Chef de cuisine will be Ron Medlock, formerly of Bar Publica, and pasta maker Ruth Connelly, who previously worked at Via Vecchia and Papi.
The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week. Hours will be 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch, and 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (or 11:00 p.m. on certain nights) for dinner.
With its blend of classic Italian staples and a focus on community pricing, Il Forno promises to become a new staple in South Portland’s dining landscape.
