Four Things I Learned This Week (October 15)

Jenn at Heim at Fressen. Good news—this holiday season Jenn Plitzko from Heim will be “taking responsibility for the Christmas production” at Fressen Artisan Bakery, one of the best bakeries in Portland. They feature German breads, pastries, and food, which is right in Jenn’s wheelhouse. She’ll also be doing Heim pop-ups there, and has already put together a pastry box—the current one is sold out, but look for more later this year. She will be leaving for Boise in the spring, so enjoy her work here while we have it.

Sizzle Pie buys Checkerboard Pizza. Significant pizza news is the purchase of Ken Forkish’s Checkerboard Pizza (in the Pine Street Market) by Matt Jacobson of Sizzle Pie. The Oregonian reported this story with this tidbit: “[Jacobson] plans to revive the brand at two new locations, including one on the Moda Center’s Club Level. The Pine Street Market location will not reopen.” Jacobson is a big fan of Checkerboard’s pizza work, and remarks, “I want Checkerboard to be the same as it was, but in a better location.” The other location will be in Sellwood next year. Lots more info in The O, so check it out.

Riyadh’s GoFundMe. You may be aware that a building on SE Hawthorne near SE 13th Ave burned earlier this month. One of the restaurants in that building was Riyadh’s Lebanese Restaurant. Nancy Chapin, Administrator at the Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association, has put together a GoFundMe fundraiser for them, as “insurance has proven to not be very promising.” As of this writing, they are very near their $25,000 goal, and all money raised by this campaign will go to Riyadh’s; hope you can help.

Montavilla Farmers Market raffle. One of my favorite farmers markets on the east side of Portland, based in Montavilla, has announced their 2021 raffle: “Purchase a chance to win one of 17 different prize packages that all offer you a ‘taste’ of Oregon. The prize packages highlight food and beverages from our market vendors and restaurants in Montavilla, art from area artists, and goods from businesses based in Portland and across the state.” Enter the raffle for as little as a dollar, and all monies will go to support the Montavilla Farmers Market. Deadline to enter is October 27, which you can do on their RallyUp page.