Veranda Kitchen and Bar, the Thai and Vietnamese restaurant on Main Street in Westbrook, now has Portland's approval of a liquor license application for a new location at 425 Fore St., Suite 103. City councilors approved the application unanimously on Monday, Oct. 5, the same date the company had listed on its city and state filings as its target opening day. The menu filed with the city lists pho, bun noodle bowls and Thai curries, and the state filing lists 45 seats, indoors and on a fenced patio.
The application was filed by Veranda Group LLC, which lists Hai Pham as its owner, with Sonka Nguyen as the contact on the state filing. The company told the city it has held Portland licenses for Veranda Thai Cuisine and Veranda Noodle Bar, and its letter to the council said the Fore Street restaurant would serve the same style of menu as Westbrook. The city received the application Sept. 14, and zoning staff confirmed on Sept. 25 that a restaurant is a legal use of the unit.
At the Oct. 5 hearing, Michelle Peacock told councilors she represented Pham in his lease. "It is a seven year lease that he's already committed to," she said. "So liquor license is key to that being successful."
City approval alone does not authorize alcohol sales; a state liquor license is also required. The state received the application Sept. 10. The Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations' license data, current as of Oct. 1, listed no license for Veranda Group LLC or for Suite 103. As of Oct. 8, Veranda Kitchen and Bar's website gave hours only for the Westbrook restaurant and no date for the Fore Street opening.
Sources:
Portland City Council agenda, Oct. 5, 2026
council agenda packet, Order 51-26/27, pages 104 to 131
city video of the Oct. 5 meeting
Maine liquor license data, current as of Oct. 1, 2026
Veranda Kitchen and Bar website
checked Oct. 8, 2026. Also reported by