Four Things I Learned This Week (July 28)

Pono Brewing has closed. In the “I’m Late to the Party Club,” I saw while walking around the Hollywood District this week that Pono Brewing closed their Hollywood pub in late June. Very sorry to see that storefront is no longer active. That said, it must have been hard to operate at such a weird time of the pandemic. Judging from their Instagram, it seems like they are doing ok! I’m glad. 1728 NE 40th Avenue, Portland

Update on Lazy Susan. Over at Montavilla News they have more details on what’s going to happen at the Lazy Susan restaurant, which closed earlier this month. It’s going to turn into a Thai restaurant, probably named Yaowarat (Eater has details on Earl Ninsom’s concept). 7937 SE Stark Street, Portland

The Portland Polish Festival returns this year. The Portland Polish Festival is likely one of the most popular festivals in Portland, and between the pandemic and some safety issues from last year they’ve been inactive for too long. But they are back! Enjoy the music, dance, and food of Poland—like pierogi (dumplings made with either cheese & potato or cabbage & mushroom), kielbasa (sausage), or placki ziemniaczane (potato pancakes). And beer! 3900 N Interstate Avenue, Portland

Fancy burgers at Coquine as “Johnny Burgs.” “For the next few Wednesdays we’ll be cueing up The Clash, and offering a concise dinner menu with an all Burgundy by the glass list. Come for a few different burger options, crab rolls, frites, and a menu for which we’re leaning into classic French cuisine for inspiration.”

A few of the things you might see on the menu include Burger “Le François”: Comté, rosemary griddled shallots, Dijon; Burger “La Marie-Louise”: Cantal Jeune, crispy Tropea onions, Jimmy Nardello peppers; a Dungeness crab roll, gougère fritters, and of course, the Coquine Cookie. You can make reservations on their Tock page. 6839 SE Belmont Street, Portland

A New Bar, Silk Road, Looks to Open in the Pearl

The first thing that comes to mind when I hear “Silk Road” (click to enlarge). Image credit: PBWorks

While doing some research, I came across a liquor license application for a new bar/restaurant opening in the Pearl District, called Silk Road. From what I can gather, the people behind it are also responsible for LULU (beautiful cocktails) and Jarana (Nikkei food) in SE Portland.

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Tréla, a Greek Kitchen and Taverna, Has Launched a Kickstarter

Artist’s rendering of Tréla, a Greek taverna planned to open in NE Portland’s North Tabor neighborhood. Photo credit: Tréla

Back in March 2022 I wrote about Tréla, a Greek taverna planning to open on the southeast corner of NE Glisan and 60th Avenue (the former O’Neill Public House). For a long time they seemed—from an outsider’s view—dead in the water. But about a month ago, their social media woke up and they have continued to post there. Most recently they announced a Kickstarter, which at the time of the writing of this article, has raised a little over $800 with 36 more days to go.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (July 14)

It’s Bastille Day today! Celebrate this weekend. The Alliance Française de Portland is celebrating the French national holiday with the 21st Annual Bastille Day Festival on Saturday, July 15. “In 1789 the French stormed the Bastille prison, marking the birth of the modern French nation. The storming of the Bastille symbolizes the key values of Liberté, Fraternité, and Egalité, which endure in the hearts of the French people.” Head to Jamison Park in the Pearl between noon and 6pm to celebrate French culture—music, dancing, food and drink, and good time with friends and family. 810 NW 11th Avenue, Portland

Nico’s Cantina now has mocktails. Starting yesterday, Nico’s Cantina has mocktails on their drink list. I tried two of them and they were delicious. Here’s what they have:

  • El Toro: tamarind, lime juice, ginger beer
  • La Isla: jamaica, pineapple juice, lime juice
  • Picoso: grapefruit juice, lime juice, jalapeño, soda water
  • Cafecito: cold brew, lemon juice, simple syrup
  • NA Margarita: everything but the (boozy) tequila (they’ll be using NA tequila when it arrives)
  • Seasonal: always changing

I really enjoyed the El Toro and La Isla. These drinks are a tasty option for those of us who do not drink. 4318 NE Cully Blvd, Portland

Indio de Oro Mexican restaurant coming to old Grain & Gristle space. The building on the NW corner of Prescott and NE 15th will get a new tenant in the old Grain & Gristle space, which closed May: Indio de Oro, a new Mexican (not New Mexican) restaurant. Though there’s not many details out there yet, it looks like the people associated with Indio de Oro have also been part of Puerto Mazatlan in Ashland. I’ve reached out for more info. 1473 NE Prescott Street, Portland

More seafood is coming to 82nd Ave. Ocean City Seafood closed during the pandemic; New City Seafood is opening up in its place. An online work request described the restaurant as this: “The restaurant is 5,000 sq ft, and is the type of Chinese Restaurant that holds big events at night like weddings and company parties. During the day, it is a Dim Sum restaurant.” I suspect this will be good news for dim sum fans in Portland. 3016 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland

Personally Bummed: Lazy Susan Is Closing July 23

Mennonite Peanut Butter Pie—one of the best desserts in Portland.

I saw the news on their Instagram today: Lazy Susan is closing; Sunday, July 23 is their final day of service. This is a surprise to me, as it seemed—judging from the difficulty in getting a walk-in table—that they were doing ok. And as the headline says, I am personally bummed about this closure.

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