Top 10 Posts on Bridgetown Bites for 2022

It’s 2023! And though we are in a new year, I’m looking back at the top 10 posts of 2022. I realize that the last time I did this was … 2017.

It was, as usual, interesting to see what got the most traffic in 2022—meaning, what readers were particularly drawn to. It’s no surprise that restaurant news was the main driver, and summer seems to be a bit of a theme.

Over 55,000 visits were recorded, and almost 35,000 of those visits were new to the site. Not bad for this modest operation.

As always, thanks for reading!

10. 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.

Update: Zuckercreme has enjoyed great success in Montavilla and will be remodeling their space, closing temporarily on Sunday January 8: “we’re tearing down walls. building new ones. expanding our kitchen so we can host more pop-ups and expand our menu. making our dining room more cozy. we’re very excited for 2023!!” They are selling a bunch of things to prepare for this, so head on over. (via Instagram)

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

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.”

Update: They also enjoyed quite a bit of success in 2022, including their New Year’s Eve event. “Thanks again Portland for such a grand send off to 2022. We had so much fun, there will definitely be more prix fixe events in the future so stay tuned!” (via Instagram)

8. Boozy Brunch Spot Flattop & Salamander Opening in the Buckman Neighborhood

Back in 2018, we learned about Flattop & Salamander, a brunch spot that was to open in the Lents neighborhood that September. Fast forward to 2022 and you should see them open in the Buckman neighborhood with a cocktail-heavy menu and brunch stalwarts like french toast and biscuits & gravy.

Update: They are still going strong, offering breakfast and lunch things—plus boozy cocktails, all from 7:30am to 3pm daily.

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

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.

Update: They are looking at a January 2023 opening and Monster Smash is joining them on the patio for burgers and more. Sumner is hungry for this kind of spot.

6. Sloan’s Tavern Is Closing

Opened in 1979, Sloan’s Tavern, is set to close this year; that’s over 40 years in business. This week I’ve read a lot of tributes to the place in its owners, matriarch Shirley Sloan and her family (Bob Sloan died in 2013). So what’s going to happen to the place? Shirley sold her lots to a developer, and it sounds like retirement is in the plans. A mixed-use apartment building will be built on those properties.

Update: Sloan’s closed on December 20, 2022.

5. Thanksgiving 2022 in Portland

It’s almost Thanksgiving! Can you believe it? Here are some options for for eat-in, take-out, meats, baked goods and treats for the holiday in Portland.

Update: A number of you told me that this list was helpful. I’ll aim to do it again in November.

4. You Don’t Want to Miss the 43rd Annual Middle Eastern Festival this Sunday

Back in 2019 I attended the Middle Eastern Festival at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in east Portland and was blown away by the event. Along with the beautiful church, its sanctuary adorned with icons, live music and dancing, and friendly event staff, the food was top-notch. Because of the pandemic they did not hold the festival for two years, and I’ve kept an eye on it, hoping for its return. And it has! It is happening this Sunday, August 28.

Update: I attended the festival and it was a good time, as usual. Michael Teeny, one of the organizers, posted this on Facebook after the event ended: “Thank you all who came today and supported our 43rd Annual Middle Eastern Festival. Your presence, participation and support are greatly appreciated. Thank you also to all those who volunteered their time and talent to ensure the success of the festival. A lot of time and planning took place to ensure the success of the festival after a two year absence. Thank you to all the parishioners, volunteers, friends, family members and donors whom worked very hard for many days.”

See you next year!

3. 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.

Update: República has expanded its reach with additional spots: Lilia Comedor, Comala, De Noche, and Electrica. Eater has more details on each. Additionally, the news of Nick Herrera’s death was heartbreaking.

2. 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.

Update: They are still going strong. Check out their food and drink offerings, here.

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.

Update: Bar Cala got a number of accolades at the end of 2022, including a place in the Oregonian’s top 25 best new restaurants list; the Oregonian’s “Best excuse to quit work early” category for “the happy hour chips, guac and Tommy’s margarita”; a nod from Gary Okazaki (@garythefoodie) on Eater for Bar Cala’s “super-solid burger and dorados”; and a nice writeup from the PoMo folks. They assert it’s “summer 365 days a year there,” and in this chilly weather that sounds really nice right now.