Four Things I Learned This Week (March 1)

Three Fifty Cafe has closed. The good folks behind the Three Fifty Cafe in Cully posted on social media this week that they have shut their doors: “We are sad to announce that our café has permanently closed. Thank you for all the support from our neighbors and friends over this past year. We will truly miss you!” This is a real bummer. I wish them only the best of luck in whatever new path they take. 6205 NE Prescott Street, Portland

The Wild Bunch kickoff is tonight. The Wild Bunch, a celebration of natural wine (which I would totally be into if I drank alcohol) is this Saturday evening, but they are doing a kickoff party at Bar Norman tonight (Friday), and it’s looking good. Head there, “no tickets, just drop in,” from 6pm to 9pm.

“Stop tonight to taste 13 tasty wines from the heart of Central Europe. The winemakers from Blažič and Rodica (both from Slovenia) will be pouring, as well two of our favorite importers, Black Lamb Wines and Vinum. Expect to find wines from Slovakia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia in your glass!” There will also be smash burgers and short rib sandwiches from Little Brother; DJ Broken Arrow will be spinning tunes. 2615 SE Clinton Street, Portland

Quiche Me if You Can arrives in Montavilla this month. The old Sebastiano’s space has a new tenant: Quiche Me if You Can. The Montavilla News has more info:

“Owner Christa Voytilla will take over the shop on March 1st and begin reshaping the space with an indoor service counter and quiche-focused kitchen. Since 2019, the farmers’ market chef has grown her business and is now expanding into the company’s first brick-and-mortar location. Although the new Montavilla storefront will become the central home for Quiche Me if You Can, they will retain their farmers market roots.” Read more here. 411 SE 81st Avenue, Portland

More food trucks coming to Portland’s west side. In the continuing efforts to revitalize downtown Portland, “Portland City Council passed an emergency ordinance in January, directing the Portland Bureau of Transportation to establish the two-year [food truck] pilot [program].” The idea is to offer more dining options to folks downtown, workers and residents alike; and, to give food truck operators more opportunities, too. Three locations are already set:

Pacwest Center, 1121 Southwest Fifth Avenue. Tuesday to Thursday, 11am to 2pm.
NV Apartments, 1261 Northwest Overton Street. Thursdays, 5pm to 7:30pm.
Lownsdale Square Park, 350 Southwest Salmon Street. Monday to Friday, 11am to 2pm with daily food truck rotations.

Participants are limited to mobile food trucks, no static food carts. You can find a bunch of those at the Midtown Beer Garden. Read more about this pilot program from the city, here.