Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, February 2022

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It’s always interesting to see what readers especially like on this little blog—food news dominates, and it’s heartening to see you all like dumplings as much as I do. So here’s what got the most traffic in February 2022. As always, thanks for reading!

5. City Bridge & Tunnel Bar to Open Downtown in the Spring

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A new bar opening in downtown Portland? Maybe the pandemic really is slowing down. In any case, it’s a good thing—City Bridge & Tunnel, a cocktail bar in the old Shift Drinks space is looking to open this spring, hopefully in March.

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Tamales Festival at Portland Mercado February 25-27

I’m going to tell you something that’s a little embarrassing—last month was the very first time I ever visited the Portland Mercado. I’ve lived in Portland for a number of years now, and it took me all this time to make it there. So, please—don’t make my mistake. Go soon—and why not for the upcoming Tamales Festival?

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Four Things I Learned This Week (January 21)

Four Portland spots make it on the list. Yelp’s top 100 US restaurants 2022 list is out and four PDX restaurants are on the list: Miyamoto Sushi in Montavilla; Yama Sushi & Izakaya in Hosford-Abernathy; Thai Sky Kitchen in South Tabor; and Departure downtown. Personally, I’ve been to Thai Sky Kitchen and loved it, as well as Departure during the Gregory Gourdet days. I hear excellent things from Montavillans on Miyamoto. Chime in if you are a fan of Yama Sushi & Izakaya, or any of the winners! Multiple locations in Portland

One day only: Nico’s Ice Cream and Pip’s Original collab. Pip’s is known for it’s “community not competition” mantra and this upcoming collaboration with Nico’s is no doubt part of that. On Saturday, 1/22/22 ONLY, head to Nico’s for the Tropical Reggie Lee: that’s the Nico’s vanilla base with Pip’s donuts blended in, topped with Nutella, honey, and coconut flakes.

Reggie Lee is, of course, the actor that played Sgt. Drew Wu in one of my favorite TV shows ever, Grimm. And not just because it’s set in Portland! It’s just plain awesome. Anyway, see you on Saturday! 5713 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Ice cream is cold but soup is hot. Head to the Portland Mercado today through Sunday, January 23 for their Winter Soup Festival. Soups offered include:

  • POZOLE OAXAQUEÑO from Tierra Del Sol (Oaxaca)
  • OLLA DE CARNE from La Carreta Pura Vida (Costa Rica)
  • BIRRIA BOWL and POZOLE ROJO DE PUERCO from Principe Maya (Yucatan)
  • CALDOSA DE LA ABUELA from Havana Station (Cuba)
  • CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP from Fernando’s Alegría (Mexico)
  • SOPA DE LENTEJAS CON VEGETALES and SOPA DE MANÍ (PEANUTS) from AleCocina (Argentina)
  • AJIACO BOGOTANO from Qué Bacano (Colombia)
  • SOPA DE HONGOS from Xŏcotl (fresh juice and smoothie bar)
  • PIPIAN DE POLLO from Kaah Market (Oaxaca)

Head to the Mercado website for more info on ordering, etc.  7238 SE Foster Road, Portland

RIP Reo Varnado of Reo’s Ribs. Frankly I was shocked to hear of his passing. Very sorry to hear it and our condolences go out to the family. Cause of death? Unknown at the writing of this post.

Small Bites – Bui Tofu, Davenport’s Cheeseburger, Paccasassi, and More

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Bui Tofu’s delicious pandan cake.

Fridays are often reserved for my “Four Things I Learned This Week” column, but I have collected so many tidbits this week, I’m opting instead for a Small Bites post this week. Let’s see what’s up.

Love letter to Bui Tofu. This place is wonderful and it was nice to read of Katherine Chew Hamilton’s love of the place. Her PoMo review highlights one of my favorite items there, the pandan cake; love the sesame balls, too. 520 NE 76th Avenue, Portland

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Four Things I Learned This Week (September 6)

We’re back with four new-to-me things I learned this week in the world of Portland food (week ending Friday, September 6, 2019).

Third time’s a sad charm. This week we got the bad news that Smallwares will close; her Zipper Building spot, Wares, was put on the market this past summer. And, of course, the original Smallwares—which I first became aware of all the way in NYC back in 2016 when I was the editor of Northeast Neighbors magazine—on NE Fremont has been gone for a few years. Johanna Wares has made some seriously tasty “inauthentic Asian” food, and her work will be missed. You have until Saturday, September 28 to eat at Smallwares, and then it will be gone, gone, gone.

More than a michelada. Portland gets a new bar that sells craft beer and hot sauce, Alefire.

Beaverton’s best for food. Thrillist claims Beaverton as one of “the country’s best suburbs for people who love food.” Highlighted eateries are Duh Kuh Bee for noodles, dumplings and kbbq; Yuzu for izakaya; Oyatsupan Bakers for Japanese baked goods; Decarli for Italian food; Best Baguette for banh mi; and Beaverton Sub Station for… well… subs.

Portland Mercado suffers jagoff behavior. We got the bad news this week that someone broke the front door at the Portland Mercado—and so close to their biggest event of the year, Taste of Latinoamérica – Sabor de Latinoamérica, this Saturday, September 7, from noon to 7pm. Property damage sucks.