Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, July 2022

July was a month spent more or less in bizarro world for me because of stupid COVID, so real talk: I did not feel connected to the blog during that month as much as I usually am. So seeing the top posts for July 2022 feels a little like “it’s news to me.” But, nonetheless, it’s still fun to see what readers liked in particular—restaurant news, of course. It’s an interesting group of places. BTW, Bar Cala, Old Pal, and Sugar Hill are now open.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

5. The My-O-My Arrives on NE Sandy Blvd This Summer

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Yesterday I published a speculative post about the old Rocky Butte Pub space on NE Sandy near 86th Ave. Fortunately, a reader tipped me off to what is actually going in there: the new place will be called the My-O-My ,”Your Favorite Bar East of 82nd.” The folks from the White Owl Social Club are behind it.

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. Old Pal, a Restaurant Coming to Sunnyside, Will Be Your New Summer Friend

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I recently became aware of Old Pal, a new restaurant opening in “late June” in the Sunnyside neighborhood in SE Portland. They will offer “vegetables, little fishes, fine wines, craft brews & spirits” with a sense of purpose: “[We will] focus on doing our part to make the planet a better place to live.”

2. 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.

1. Sugar Hill Bar to Open This Summer in SE Portland

Sugar Hill, a new ’70s themed bar, will open this summer in SE Portland. The people behind Sugar Hill are the same ones behind Jackie’s (formerly Century) on SE Sandy Blvd and Two Wrongs on NW 13th Ave in the Pearl. Neither of these places have a reputation for “taking themselves too seriously,” and I expect Sugar Hill will carry on that tradition.