Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, May 2022

Better late than never with this review of May’s top posts on Bridgetown Bites; Salad Week took a lot of time and attention in late May/early June. It was a lot of fun! So here are the top posts for May 2022—as expected, restaurant news and info, including details on various openings, were popular items—Italian food, Latin American food, and pizza got a lot of interest. As always, thanks for reading.

5. Interesting Projects From República’s Team & Associates

República, a restaurant that offers enjoyment and world-expanding flavors in delicious regional Mexican cooking, has garnered high praise from both food media (PoMo’s Restaurant of the Year 2021, PDX Eater’s Best New Restaurant 2021, 2022 James Beard Award Semifinalist as Best New Restaurant) and eaters in Portland. They show us that there is much to experience from a country that is often thought of in the U.S. as simply the home of margaritas, burritos, tacos—and, if you’re getting fancy, tres leches cake (these are all delicious, but are a fraction of what Mexico has to offer as far as food goes). I personally think it’s very important and meaningful to highlight the regional tastes of our neighbor to the south, and I’m glad República is doing just that.

4. Blind Onion Pizza Opening New Portland Location in 2022

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While perusing city documents I came across an indication that Blind Onion Pizza & Pub, a popular pizzeria on NE Broadway near 33rd Avenue, is opening up a new Portland location—in the old Cheese Bar space on SE Belmont.

3. Tartuca Is Coming to N Mississippi Ave This Spring

It’s great to see more Italian places open up in Portland, and Tartuca is the latest one on deck, slated to open next month. They describe themselves as a “new Italian & PNW inspired, full-service restaurant located in the Mississippi area.” They will be located in the old Radar space on N Mississippi Avenue.

2. Reeva Wood-Fired Pizza Truck Opens in Roseway

I’ve been watching this for a while now and wanted to share the news—Reeva, a “family-owned and operated food truck that will offer a variety of delicious coffee, breakfasts, lunch specials, and wood-fired pizzas, all with a touch of love and Latin-American inspired recipes.” They are open at 77th & Sandy, in the Blossom Landscape & Design parking lot, which also used to be home to a great Subaru mechanic (I miss them).

1. Bar Cala Is Coming to NE Alberta Street This Summer

Bar Cala, a “Latin inspired Bar and Kitchen,” will open on NE Alberta and 27th Avenue. Projected opening is summer 2022. This is the original location of the former Pacific Power & Light substation (this historic building is on the National Register of Historic Places), and former location of Station Pizza Pub, which closed in February 2020.