Zaiqa To Open in Old Bambuza Space in Portland

The John Ross Retail building, built in 2007, where Zaiqa plans to open. Photo credit: Loopnet

Zaiqa, a restaurant specializing in Indian and Pakistani cuisine, is set to open in the South Waterfront area, according to filed paperwork with the City of Portland. They will take over the space that Vietnamese restaurant Bambuza held for 16 years.

I reached out to Bambuza’s owner, Adnan Ali to learn more. Adnan is known for his restaurant, Sultan the Flaming Tandoor in Sherwood, among others. He brings a lot of experience in running Indian restaurants to Zaiqa, which means “flavor” in Urdu. Here is what he shared with me.

Zaiqa: Food and Drink

Zaiqa’s menu will offer a variety of Indian and Pakistani foods, including those cooked on a grill, BBQ dishes, tandoor-baked breads, and Indian curries; beer and wine imported from India will also be available. The use of traditional techniques and adherence to authentic flavor profiles are paramount. And they will provide dishes not only for omnivores but also for vegetarians, vegans, and those who need or prefer gluten-free options.

The menu is currently in development, but here are some of the things you can expect to eat at Zaiqa.

Appetizers: pakoras, samosa, pappadum, chaat, chicken lollipop
Tandoor Grill: tandoori chicken, kebabs, mixed grill
Entrees: Achari Masala, Khorma, Madras Curry, Chaana Masala, Baingan Bartha, Dahl Tadka. Note: For the entrees, the main ingredient (sometimes referred to as “proteins” on other menus) is a choice of potatoes, paneer/tofu, chicken, fish/shrimp, or lamb; there is also one goat masala dish on the menu.
Bread: naan, paratha, roti, batura
Desserts: gulab jamun, rasmalai, vanilla ice cream

Zaiqa: The Location

The space is 2,200-square-feet in the John Ross Retail building—again, a location that was formerly home to Bambuza (which is looking for a new location in downtown Portland). This is a mixed-use condominium building right in the heart of the South Waterfront neighborhood, with 32 floors (retail on the ground floor) and 303 condos in total. The Loopnet listing indicates this space will be available starting September 1, 2024, but that is out of date information. Ali bought Bambuza’s assets and has signed a new lease. They are currently going through remodeling.

The current plan is to open on Thursday, June 6, 2024. At that point they will be open daily from 10:30am to 9pm. They do have a website, but at the writing of this article it is not accessible. Note: There was a restaurant also called Zaiqa in Hillsboro, but these are not the same.

The final piece of Zaiqa’s press release reads as thus: “With its rich menu, experienced ownership, and prime location, Zaiqa is poised to become a beloved addition to Portland’s South Waterfront dining scene. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to savor the authentic flavors of Indian and Pakistani cuisine right in the heart of Portland.”

Zaiqa [opening June 2024]
3682 S Bond Avenue, Portland
zaiqapdx.com

Updated May 21, 2024.