Mermosa PDX's Location in NW Portland Has Closed

Last night on my way to dinner at Zula, I walked by Mermosa PDX on NW 23rd and Quimby and was surprised to see that it had closed. Whenever I walked by there it was always a lively scene with people obviously having a good time. I looked closer and saw a goodbye sign on the front door, which explains their closure there.

Why Mermosa PDX Closed

Here is the sign (click to enlarge):

They also posted the note on their social media (here’s Instagram). Here’s the main point, and it comes down to the cost of rent in Portland:

“After taking time to reflect on our operations where Brunch, Catering and Events are the most successful, we have decided to close operations at 1422 NW 23rd Ave in Portland. We will continue our catering and off-site events, but can no longer justify the ultra-premium rent on NW 23rd Ave – especially when the vast majority of our guests travel in from other neighborhoods, cities, states and countries to visit us.” This was posted over this past weekend.

In an interview with Friendly House, Noisette gives the sense that she really wanted Mermosa PDX to be a physical presence there on NW 23rd Ave, to be part of the community: “One of the reasons why we selected this space, as opposed to other spaces, for us, is that it’s a cultural hub. From live music to exhibitions to wine festivals and some catering, that’s enough for us now. We are just gonna continue being active participants in the community and organizations feel like they can come and bring their concept to life, in addition to our regular programming for now.”

About Mermosa PDX

They opened in June 2023 as a popup at the NW 23rd Avenue location, and fully opened the following month. Brunch was a big deal and it was also place to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and pretty much anything you wanted to toast to. Spending time there felt kind of like being on vacation.

Founded by Desiree Noisette, the bar/restaurant offered French Haitian and Lowcountry food. On the menu you’d find things like okra, mac & cheese, shrimp and grits, fried chicken, and griyo, considered to be Haiti’s national dish (from the menu: “marinated and double cooked pork, side kale ranch salad, fried smashed plantains, black beans & rice and pikliz”). Also cocktails and mocktails. At the writing of this article the Doordash page is still up with menu items that were available.

In the aforementioned interview with Friendly House, she explained the concept: “We are French, Haitian, we are Black and we are also from South Carolina. Mermosa is a restaurant that pays homage to our family heritage as a fusion. We specialize in bringing people together from all walks of life and one of the ways we do that is through our food and our ‘Don’t Take Things Too Seriously’ type of environment.”

Noisette’s Mermosa PDX is also a brand of canned and bottled wine beverages. There is no indication that their production will cease.

About Desiree Noisette

Originally, Noisette produced a line of swimwear ca. 2017. Then she decided to go into the wine business, leading to the founding of Mermosa PDX, releasing their first wine in 2018. At that point she was Florida’s first Black winemaker. However, she and her family fell in love with Portland and relocated here during the pandemic.

An Eater article from 2023 has some interesting details about Noisette, including her 18th century ancestor Celestine Noisette. Because of the dumb miscegenation laws of the time in South Carolina, Celestine was forced to be declared a slave in her marriage to Philippe, originally from Paris (the two of them left Haiti in 1794 because of the Haitian slave revolution). But then…

“Shortly before his death, in 1835, Philippe petitioned the state of South Carolina for the emancipation of his faithful slave Celestine and their six children. Philippe died without knowing the results of his petition.Philippe’s family was in fact later emancipated and allowed to secure their inheritance and remain in the state of South Carolina.”

What’s Next?

If you want to keep up with what’s next for Mermosa PDX, follow their directions: “Please sign up for our email list and stay tuned as we share our next phase. You know we always have something going on!” You can sign up on their website.

Wishing Noisette and her staff all the best as they work on this next chapter in the Mermosa PDX story.

Mermosa PDX [closed September 2024]
1422 NW 23rd Avenue, Portland
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