Maine Menu: Lucky Cheetah, transforming the former Old Port Tavern space [Video]

When the beloved Old Port Tavern bid goodbye to its historic basement space in the Mariner’s Church, it left big shoes to fill. Now, Lucky Cheetah is here to take up the mantle, offering an exciting new venture in Southern Chinese cuisine with a unique speakeasy ambiance. As you step inside, it’s clear that this isn’t the Old Port Tavern anymore. The decor is dark and cool, highlighted by cheetah-themed elements — cheetahs on the wallpaper, shelves, and even on the lighting. The striking motif complements the restaurant’s focus on dim sum cuisine.”We’re focusing mainly on dumplings and small plates, often wrapped in herbs or starch,” says Jared Dinsmore, co-owner of Lucky Cheetah. One standout dish is the Char Sui Bao — steamed buns filled with Chinese barbecue pork.”They’re pillowy, marshmallowy, large fluffy buns filled with sweet Chinese five-spice pork shoulder, wrapped in our house-made dough,” Dinsmore said. In Lucky …