The owners of Portland ‘s Yosaku aim to open a sushi and small plates Japanese restaurant on Cottage Road in South Portland this spring.
Rattanak “Ram” Tray and his wife, Hope MacVane-Tray, are launching Makoto at 448 Cottage Road, former home to Elsmere BBQ. The Trays bought the property last spring.
Ram Tray said Makoto means honesty and sincerity, and refers in part to the new restaurant’s open kitchen format that leaves “nothing to hide.”
Tray said he expects to open the 60-seat Makoto April 1. He plans to put the wood-fired grill he inherited from Elsmere to extensive use, estimating that about 80% of the kitchen menu will come off the grill.
“Between the quality of sushi we have and that grill, it’s a good combo,” Tray said. The menu will include wood-fired seasonal veggies, seafood, duck, lamb and beef. Makoto’s bar program features seasonal and staple cocktails, beer and wine, along with sake, Japanese whiskey and a highball machine for consistently mixed whiskey sodas.
Makoto will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 4:30-9 p.m.
