Small Bites - No Saint Pizza, Baon Kainan's Arrival, Bee's Cakes at Steeplejack, and More

Cicoria’s pizza in their fave party cut. Photo Credit: Cicoria

It’s been a while! I’ve been working hard to improve some health issues, which have really been a buzzkill for this blog. But my curiosity about Portland food got the better of me, and I took a review of my regular sources for things that interest me. Here’s what I found.

Filipino (food) popup at the Side Yard Farm Friday. An enticing-sounding popup at the Side Yard Farm in Cully featuring Filipino businesses is happening this Friday, August 6. Among others, vegan bakery Kumare will be participating and offering “our mini ube ensaymada as well as NEW all plant-based Filipino goodies such as Biko (coconut rice cake), Turon (fried banana rolls), and Cantaloupe Juice.” No pre-order necessary. 5-9pm. 4800 NE Simpson Street, Portland

No Saint, no kidding. In the “it’s news to me” department, I only became aware of No Saint, a “dinner pop-up series” based at Concordia’s Dame restaurant. They offer grandma-style pizzas (one of my favorite styles) and “not pizza”—vegetable dishes and a sandwich. The August menu looks really good and I can see myself enjoying some delicious things there this month. Mondays and Tuesdays, 5pm to sold out. Outdoor dining and takeout only; tables are first come, first served. 2930 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland

Bitter Rose Coffee Bar under new ownership. That’s about the size of it—this little cafe adjacent to the Hollywood Library has been under new management for about a month now. Staff has remained, menu looks the same, and the coffee is as good as ever. The previous owners left Portland for Austin for what sounds like a solid opportunity. 2035 NE 41st Avenue, Portland

Coquine’s new things. Coquine has a new pastry case and market! “We are now open for market hours including coffee, pastries, market goods, bread, produce, wine, etc., Wednesday through Sunday from 10am-2pm.” Also know that they will be closed for a summer break August 15-22. 6839 SE Belmont Street, Portland

Cicoria Pizzeria will see you in person next week. Submarine Hospitality mentioned they are “getting ready to serve you pizza, appetizers, root beer floats and more in person” next week. I think it’s been quite something for these guys, opening Fall 2019, right before things went to pot with this pandemic. They’ve been interviewing staff— line cooks, bartenders, servers. I noticed on their Instagram way back when that they make their own fresh mozzarella (starting with established curd). That’s exciting all on its own. And they are big fans of the party cut. 3377 SE Division Street, Portland

Changes at Beaux Berry. The folks behind Beaux Berry, a cart offering New Zealand-style real fruit ice cream (and some super-premium scoops) have had some business and personal setbacks this year, and are looking to change things up. In a Facebook/Instagram post they mentioned, “We feel like we’ve built a beautiful thing in the community and would like to see it continue so we are considering several options, including selling our business to the right individual(s) who would continue to uphold the integrity of our product, downsizing or finding someone to partner with.” Read more about their status, here. We wish them well.

Morning Star is here. Rocky Butte Coffee Roasters offers a new signature roast: Morning Star. “Morning Star greets each sunrise with vitality and offers a nostalgic return to the sensory pleasures Columbian coffee is known for: balance, confident acidity, and deep chocolate impulses. The aroma and cup notes are milk chocolate, lime zest, magnolia, crisp pear, and almond. Acidity is high-toned but not over the top.” You can order it here.

Baon Kainan is opening a cart in Cully. I saw on Everout that Seattle-based Baon Kainan—serving Filipino-American food—plans to open a cart near Metalwood Salvage in Cully. Portland Monthly also wrote about it, and points out that they will be located “steps away from Matta” (Vietnamese food cart). Looks like this will be a destination for high-quality food. Opening hours will be Thursday–Monday, 4pm to 7pm. 4311 NE Prescott Street, Portland

Tito’s Taquitos is on my must-eat list. I was glad to see this PoMo article on Tito’s Taquitos, a cart in the Hayhurst/Vermont Hills section of SW Portland. The meats all look good but I’m particularly intrigued by these al pastor chickpeas. I’ll be by soon. 4616 S Vermont Street, Portland

Bee’s Cakes at Steeplejack. Portland’s hottest brewpub is Steeplejack Brewing Company. Located in a 110-year old church in Sullivan’s Gulch, this place has everything: historic architecture, stained glass windows, high ceilings, excellent beer, and pastries from Roseway’s own Bee’s Cakes! We’re very excited for her (and those lemon berry slices look fab). We’re also looking forward to her opening the cafe in Roseway, and will be delighted when that happens. 2400 NE Broadway, Portland

Recent good eats: Peter’s Bar & Grill on NE Fremont; Prescott Cafe on NE Prescott; Taco Pedaler on NE Broadway; ChiMcking on NE Sandy; Bistro 23 on NE 122nd; Nicholas Restaurant on SE Madison.