Inside the Bramhall Pub. (photo/The Fuge)

Roma/Bramhall sold; 51 Wharf gets bigger

The Roma Café/Bramhall Pub on Congress Street has changed ownership after over two years on the market.

The new proprietor is John Cloutier, a Scarborough resident related to former Portland City Councilor and Mayor Jim Cloutier and members of the Napolitano family who run Bruno’s Restaurant and Tavern and Maria’s  Restaurant.

Cloutier, the former mayor, who represented his cousin before city officials to get the required licenses, said the new owner does not plan to make major changes to the restaurant and pub, but hopes to reestablish the Roma as a premium dinner destination and make it more of a neighborhood place. He also said a new emphasis will be put on serving pub fare at the Bramhall, the neighborhood
pub in the basement of the 19th century mansion.

The pub will continue to host live music.

Former owner Peter Landrigan put the property up for sale in the summer of 2006. The Roma has occupied the historic building since 1935.

City councilors approved liquor and entertainment licenses for the business at their meeting on Monday. They also gave the green light to the owners of 51 Wharf, the Old Port restaurant and nightclub, who plan to expand into the space last occupied by the furniture store Thai’d in Knots.

In a letter to the city, owner Tanner Herget said the expanded area will include wheelchair-accessible bathrooms and a lounge area.

Councilors OK’d the expansion without debate. Although cops noted a slew of fights and assaults in the vicinity of the restaurant/club over the past year, they found no reason to recommend denial of the expansion request.

— Chris Busby