Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, June 2022

I hope you all had a relaxing long weekend recently; I know I did. Here’s what was popular in June 2022. It is an interesting mix of older posts, which indicates posts are being indexed on Google a lot better than before, and people are finding the website. A lot of referrers are searches. So enjoy this, “blast from the past,” of sorts.

5. The Jolly Roger Will Be Demolished

This week I learned that Jolly Roger, a “long time Buckman den of fun and frolic” (thank you, Buckman Community Association) will be demolished. What’s coming in its place? Housing.

4. 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.

3. Fresh Love Will Open in Roseway

Back in February, I wrote that The Red Gate, a popular cafe in the Roseway neighborhood, closed for good, and that something else was coming in its place. That something is Fresh Love, a cafe, juice bar, and produce marketplace.

2. Portland Strawberry Museum Returns to Zuckercreme This Year

Last year I remember coming across something called the “Portland Strawberry Museum” and wondering, “what the heck was that?” I mean, what a great name! Is there some kind of museum dedicated to strawberries in Portland? Turns out it was a month of Saturdays in June of celebrating the strawberry, from Brittany Sigal’s Zuckercreme (then a popup). It is back this year for the entire month of June at her space in Montavilla.

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.