Several much-anticipated new restaurants in Portland are now open with several others to follow any day now.

Chaval, a new French and Spanish restaurant from Damian Sansonetti and Ilma Lopez, opened Thursday night in the old Caiola’s spot at 58 Pine St. Cong Tu Bot, a Vietnamese restaurant at 59 Washington Ave. from Vien Dobui and Jessica Sheahan, also opened Thursday night. And Noble BBQ opened Wednesday night off the peninsula at 1706 Forest Ave., the former home of Taco Trio.

Little Giant, the new restaurant from the owners of the Hunt & Alpine Club, has announced it will open this Thursday at 211 Danforth St. in the West End.

Meanwhile, North 43 Bistro at Spring Point Marina in South Portland, which opened this month, has started serving lunch. And, back in Portland, Island Creek Oysters, at 123 Washington Ave., now plans to open in August.