PORTLAND — The Porthole restaurant is open and serving lunch Monday, after the city’s health inspector shut down the waterfront eatery last Thursday for numerous code violations.
The Porthole, the Comedy Connection, and the Harbour’s Edge banquet hall, all located on Custom House Wharf, have been cleared to open by health inspector Michele Sturgeon, said city spokeswoman Nicole Clegg.
An employee answering the phone Monday said the Porthole, which provides food to the other businesses, will be serving lunch until 3 p.m.
The three businesses passed an inspection conducted Saturday afternoon, two days after Sturgeon reported finding “rat droppings everywhere” in the businesses’ liquor storage area and on shelves, as well as “rotting, decayed mouse traps,” and “tons of flies all over the food.”
A pest management company was brought in Friday to correct many of the issues Sturgeon found, Clegg said.
Sturgeon required the owner, Oliver Keithly, to show proof of a pest management contract to address flying, crawling and exterior issues, according to inspection reports.
Sturgeon also noted that a cleaning company would be hired as soon as possible and suggested that all Porthole staff members be trained in pest management efforts.
On Saturday, Sturgeon noted “flies present, but quantity reduced significantly.”
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