A new restaurant slated to open downtown in September hopes to “bring some spice up to Bangor,” according to a restaurateur who’s helping with its opening.
Rasa Indian Cuisine will be located at 175 Exchange St. between York and Hancock streets, Sai Guntaka said.
Its owner, Obul Reddy, previously worked at the popular Indian restaurant Taj in South Portland, which Guntaka owns. Although Rasa is not directly affiliated with Taj, Guntaka is funding the new project and helping get it up and running.
The eatery will serve dinner in a casual setting, Guntaka said. It will also offer a lunch buffet seven days a week.
Rasa will be the second restaurant in Bangor to serve Indian cuisine. Taste of India at 68 Main St. offers only take out dining for dinner.
Reddy plans to have a small bar in the restaurant that will serve beer, including a beer that’s a collaboration between Taj and Maine-based Oxbow Brewing Company, Guntaka said. Rasa plans to eventually add a craft cocktail menu.
The interior of the building is being gutted and redone from scratch, Guntaka said. The construction is about halfway complete.
The building on Exchange Street previously housed Kindred at Home and Gentiva, both home health care services.