The Velvet Dog bar and restaurant launches on Preble Street

 Inside The Velvet Dog, a new bar and restaurant on Preble Street. (Courtesy of The Velvet Dog) The Velvet Dog, a bar and restaurant described by its owners as “an elevated dive,” opened recently in the original space of Acadia. Located at 24 Preble St., The Velvet Dog launched on June 25. The venue accommodates about 70 customers. “The vibe is just about exactly what we wanted,” said chef and co-owner Matthew Burns. “We are keeping everything clean and crisp, but at the same time it’s fun and funky and relaxing. We’re thrilled with how it looks.” Burns’ menu includes small plates like roasted bone marrow, Maine mussels with Cajun seasoning, and fried sardines, and mains like braised beef cheek, chicken and waffles, and grilled whitefish with andouille sausage and butter bean ragu. The bar program features cocktails, beer and wine. Main dishes run $25-$27, cocktails from $11-$12, and glasses of wine are all $9. “We wanted to keep everything affordable as much as we could,” Burns said, noting that while he’s happy to welcome tourists, The Velvet Dog is intended for locals first. “The original vision was always about taking care of the residents, workers and industry people of Portland.” A veteran chef, Burns has cooked at Legends Rest Taproom, Paper City BBQ in Westbrook, Nonesuch River Brewing in Scarborough and Gates BBQ in Kansas City, Missouri. The Velvet Dog is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 3-9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 3-10 p.m. Copy the Story Link Tagged: [maine restaurant](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/maine-restaurant/), [the wrap](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/the-wrap/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/timothy-cebula) [Tim CebulaStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/timothy-cebula) Tim Cebula has been a food writer and editor for 23 years. A former correspondent for The Boston Globe food section, his work has appeared in Time, Health, Food & Wine, CNN.com, and Boston magazine,. [More by Tim Cebula](https://www.pressherald.com/author/timothy-cebula)