A New Bar, Silk Road, Looks to Open in the Pearl

The first thing that comes to mind when I hear “Silk Road” (click to enlarge). Image credit: PBWorks

While doing some research, I came across a liquor license application for a new bar/restaurant opening in the Pearl District, called Silk Road. From what I can gather, the people behind it are also responsible for LULU (beautiful cocktails) and Jarana (Nikkei food) in SE Portland.

The location looks to be the space that Montesacro occupied for a while. They closed in March 2022, during the pandemic. Honestly, I don’t think anything else has been in there since then (but I could be wrong, but also—bravo to neighbor, Cider Bite, for making it through very hard times these past few years). It will be nice to see something go in there, and from the looks of LULU, the place is in very capable hands.

The two names I’ve found that are associated with Silk Road are Gilberto Leon and Vijay Kumar, the latter of which was interviewed about LULU and Jarana, here. I did reach out to Vijay Kumar requesting more info on Silk Road, but I have not heard anything back.

I do find the choice of the name “Silk Road” both interesting and appealing. From a food standpoint, cultures that exist along the actual Silk Road are home to beautiful culinary traditions filled to the brim with delicious food—China, Central Asia, the Middle East, India. I love the food from all these places and would be pretty chuffed to see a menu featuring the best of them (give me a good samsa any day). That said, I could be totally off! They may have chosen the name for completely different reasons.

Silk Road also has various other associations here in Portland, too. There was a juice bar called Silk Road (now closed); a Montessori school called Silk Road (now closed); and Departure had a Silk Road cocktail (perhaps that’s some inspiration for the Silk Road in the Pearl?).

I am hopeful that the folks behind Silk Road will respond with more info, and if they do, I’ll pass on what I learn. If you know anything, too, about this new bar, feel free to shoot me an email.

Silk Road [open March 2024]
1230 NW Hoyt, Suite B, Portland
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Updated March 19, 2024