Cereus PDX Is Now Open, Offering Worldwide Cocktails, Arepas, and More

A beautiful patacon. Photo credit: Cereus PDX

Recently it appears that Cereus PDX has opened in NE Portland, in one of my favorite little corners of Portland—the buildings that sit on NE Prescott between 14th and 15th Avenues. Cereus is offering a cocktail menu I’m really excited about—even though I don’t drink alcohol right now! Cocktails, including a couple zero-proof (hello, Chicha Morada and Lyre Liar), hail from traditions around the world—from Finland to Peru.

Along with the cocktails they offer wine, beer, and South American food (traditions from Colombia and Peru): arepas, patacones, ceviches, empanadas, and tiraditos, plus a few sides and arroz con leche for dessert. I have my eye on a number of things and can’t wait to head over there and try them.

As you may have suspected, Cereus PDX is located in the previous home to Verdigris, which closed this past spring. The Verdigris folks posted about it over on Facebook, and here’s the relevant section relating to their connection to Cereus:

“I have sold Verdigris restaurant to Epic Restaurants and they are planning on opening a Cocktail forward Bar, called Cereus, with South American Inspired Small Plates. Brad Stephens is the man behind the bar and is well known in the local and national bar industry. Their plan is to be opening sometime in Mid June. Stop by soon and wish them luck!”

The team engine behind Cereus is, along with the aforementioned “nationally recognized bartender” Brad Stephens, “long time Portland bar owner Phil Chung” and Chef Chef Diego Cortes. They’re in soft opening mode right now.

Check out their menus on their website. Here’s the breakdown of the four menu pages:

I once dreamed of opening a restaurant featuring breakfast dishes from around the world. I also thought about writing a book about global dumpling recipes. (Liz Crain had a similar idea and her book, “Dumplings = Love” is excellent.) The point is, I love a menu featuring a single food/drink idea that cultures around the globe have created their own traditions surrounding it, making it their own—so this cocktail menu is very cool.

I have two foods I’d like to encounter there one of these days—an arepa de choclo, which I first learned to love via the Sainted Arepa Lady in Jackson Heights, Queens; and a cholado, a sweet fruity dream from southwestern Colombia. Cholados are the perfect summer shave ice treat. Regardless, though, the menu looks super tasty as it is now, and there is a lot to love on it.

Congrats Cereus PDX folks! See you soon!

Cereus PDX [opened June 2022]
1465 NE Prescott Street, Portland
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