Small Bites: Redwood, Hong Phat, Rift Valley Market, Yaowarat, and More

The beautiful pastries at JinJu Patisserie. Stop by before February 16, when they go on a short hiatus.

Final weekend at Bee’s. The ice storm caused chaos, as we know, and delayed the final weekend at Bee’s in Roseway. Head over there today through Sunday to enjoy their cake slices, laminated pastries, cookies, and more. The cafe is open from 8am to 3pm each day. 7137 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Redwood’s dinner service is ending. I mostly know Redwood as a brunch spot but they’ve been doing dinner for many months. They want to pivot back to focusing on brunch (“Our focus going forward will be bringing you the best damn brunch in Montavilla!”), so if you want to enjoy their dinner, head there tonight and tomorrow evening. Also: “Keep your peepers peeled for news of special events, exciting new food items, and all others news as we roll through 2024.” 7915 SE Stark Street, Portland

La Sirenita in Sellwood is closing. They’ve been doing it for 15 years but now’s the time to end their time in Sellwood. The Alberta location remains. Last day of service is January 31. 8029 SE 17th Avenue, Portland

Hong Phat Supercenter is opening in the old Eastport Plaza Walmart. I read on Montavilla News about the new Hong Phat that will open in the shuttered Walmart in Eastport Plaza in FoPo. I liked knowing this detail: “The new Hong Phat Supercenter taking its place could open as soon as June, but more conservative estimates place the timeline into 2025. It will take at least 100 employees to run the store, with the potential to expand to 200.” I think this will be a great addition to the area. 4200 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland

Also, an update on the 99 Ranch Market slated for Mall 205. It was one of the most-read stories on Bridgetown Bites in 2023, “99 Ranch Market to Open in Mill Park’s Plaza 205.” Head over to Montavilla News for an update. “Demolition crews recently removed the remnants of Hometown Buffet and Office Max at a retail plaza building east of Mall 205. This work makes way for Portland’s first 99 Ranch Market opening later this year.” The store will be 40,174 square feet! 10548 SE Washington Street, Portland

Tréla’s sign is up. Very exciting to see this development at Tréla, a Greek restaurant opening in the Mt Tabor neighborhood. One step closer to opening!

Rift Valley Market is open. Back in October 2021 I noticed an OLCC Liquor License for Rift Valley Market in the Hazelwood neighborhood. Now they are open. The Hazelwood Neighborhood Association posted this on Facebook: “If you’re looking for authentic Ethiopian spices in bulk or you have a hankering for Injera—this is your jam. Also we were psyched to find green coffee beans available (in addition to pre-roasted coffee). And don’t forget to go all the way to the back for fresh eats.” 11966 NE Glisan, Portland

Yaowarat is Portland Monthly’s Restaurant of the Year 2023. Big congrats to the Yaowarat team for earning this award. From PoMo: “Yaowarat, [Earl Ninsome’s] seventh project, adds another dimension: an evocative dive into what Ninsom calls ‘one the most fun streets on Earth, equal to Times Square on New Year’s Eve—Bangkok’s Chinatown, traversed by its main artery, Yaowarat Road.” Personally, speaking as a former New Yorker, I would not say that Times Square on NYE is one of the most fun streets on earth (IYKYK), I know what he is trying to say. I’m so happy this location remains a destination for great food—formerly home to the wildly popular Country Cat and the lovely Lazy Susan.

I’ll add that I am a big fan of the food that develops in areas with an immigrant Chinese influence. I’m thinking Kolkata’s Indian-style Chinese (Hakka) cuisine and Peru’s Chifa cuisine. The mixing of cultures via food can be really exciting and delicious. 7937 SE Stark Street, Portland

Portland in the 2024 James Beard Award Semifinals. Good news for Portland for the James Beard Awards this year—semifinalists include:

Outstanding Chef: Sarah Minnick, Lovely’s Fifty Fifty
Outstanding Restaurant: Langbaan
Outstanding Bakery: JinJu Patisserie
Outstanding Hospitality: Han Oak
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: OK Omens
Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA): Gregory Gourdet, kann; Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro; Peter Vuong, Ha VL

McMinville also got some love: Matthew Lightner, okta for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA) and Hayward for Best New Restaurant.

All our support for Chef Q at JinJu. On Instagram the folks at JinJu Patisserie posted, “Chef Q was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of weeks ago and she will undergo a mastectomy on Feb 16th. We will be closing the shop for a while after Feb. 15th to give Q time to recover. Recovery time for returning to work can take up to 4-6 weeks.” As a breast cancer survivor myself, I know on a deep level just how hard this can be. I’m so glad Chef Q got checked out now—early detection saves lives, it’s not just a thing we say! Wishing Chef Q all the best as she embarks on this strange and surreal journey that is fighting cancer. 4063 N Williams Avenue, Portland

Finally, that ice storm really hurt our restaurants. From the Oregonian: “The Independent Restaurant Alliance of Oregon, a group of restaurant owners across the state, said its members reported losing an average of $28,000 in revenue as a result of the frigid cold and ice. Restaurant workers, they said, lost an average of $1,800 in wages.” This alliance has asked Gov Tina Kotek for financial support—and dedicating more future spending related to the damaging weather—because you know it’s coming. Read more: Oregon business groups seek state financial assistance after winter storms