Portsmouth Chef Julie Cutting Opening New Restaurant

Julie Cutting knows exactly what kind of new restaurant experience she wants to give her patrons when they discover the new Cure restaurant in the new year.

Simply put, Cutting plans to give them a menu full of "comfort bistro type of food."

Cutting has been a chef on the Seacoast for the last eight years. She has worked at Brazo and Seaport Fish in Kittery, Maine. She was also a contestant on the Food Network show "Cutthroat Kitchen." 

She recently decided to lease the former Four Restaurant, which closed in November.

"This has been a dream come true," she said. "I have wanted to do this since I was in culinary school in 2004."

Cutting said she will field a staff of 14 people, mostly part-time. Her new restaurant will have seating for up to 40 people inside and another 20 people on the outside patio. She said Cure will be open for dinner and lunch.

In addition to serving flavorful food that will include a wide range of seafood, beef, chicken and pork entrees, Cutting also wants to provide an affordable fine dining experience with appetizers that will range from $8 to $12 each and entrees that will average about $18.

Some of the entrees will include: locally sourced bone-in short ribs with braised red cabbage, stuffed chicken ballotine with mashed cauliflower and grilled hanger steak with roasted root vegetables.

Some of the appetizers will include maple-glazed crispy skinned duck confit leg and house-cured salmon gravlax on brown bread with capers, red onion and sour cream.

"This is going to be a place, where you can come in jeans or dress attire," she said. "You will receive a warm hello when you walk in the door."

To complement the menu, Cutting said she plans to create an eclectic dining environment with bright colors and soulful music.

"People will see that as soon as they walk in the door," Cutting added. "This is my passion when I get up every morning."