Restaurants Opening and Closing in Portland: Tréla and Quaintrelle

Over the weekend, we learned about an exciting opening and a notable closing in Portland’s restaurant scene. First, the long-awaited opening of Greek restaurant Tréla in mid-December; and the startling news of PNW New American restaurant Quaintrelle closing at the end of the year.

Tréla

Artist rendering of the Trela space in Portland, Oregon. — An artist rendering of the interior of Tréla. Photo credit: Tréla

I’ve been following this story since 2021 when Tréla was mentioned on Nextdoor, then only referred generically to as “a restaurant and bar.” In March 2022, I first wrote about them, and at the end of last year I included them in my short list of anticipated restaurants for 2024. Looks like they are getting here right under the line.

Tréla’s Philosophy

Napoleon and Anthony Tzakis, the brothers behind Tréla, have written a little bit about their philosophy on their website, but the phrase that is repeated is “the freshest, locally sourced ingredients,” which indicates to me they are thinking quite a bit about their sourcing. They also write, “Join us on a culinary journey that celebrates the timeless traditions of Greek cuisine, right here in Northeast Portland.”

This sentiment reminds me of what Tokyo Sando often says: “We’re not just making sandwiches 🥪 We’re sharing our Japan.”

They also mention that Tréla (τρέλα) means “madness” or “craziness” in English.
“Commonly used to describe wild enthusiasm or passionate excitement, to playfully emphasize something intense, fun, or a bit over the top.”

The menu details are unclear to me right now but I know what I’d like to see: tirokafteri, horta (dandelion greens), branzini, lemon potatoes, grilled halloumi, keftedes, horiatiki (a kind of Greek salad), pastitio, and galaktaboureko. I hope to learn more about the menu this week.

Tréla posted over on Instagram that their grand opening is Monday, December 16 and they’ll be open 4pm to 10pm. Reservations will be open on Tuesday, December 10, via OpenTable.

Quaintrelle

Spoiler: New Year’s Eve is the final day of service for Quaintrelle. More specifics from their Instagram page:

“Our dinner service on New Year’s Eve will be Quaintrelle’s final hurrah. The restaurant will close on January 1.

‘From surviving a pandemic to thriving in two different locations, it’s been an incredible journey full of triumphs and unforgettable moments—all made possible by you, our supporters. We thank you. As we close out this chapter at SE Clinton Street, we invite you to celebrate with us one last time the Quaintrelle way—with foie gras and caviar paired with a cocktail flight or Champagne.”

You can check for available seats via their Resy page; while writing this article, both their Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve event had very low seating availability. But, there are plenty of seats on the days they are open apart form those shindigs.

Quaintrelle: Some Background

Quaintrelle opened on June 29, 2016 on North Mississippi Avenue. The name means “a woman who emphasizes a life of passion, expressed through personal style, leisurely pastimes, charm, and cultivation of life’s pleasures.”

Eater wrote about them way back then, and quoted co-owner Emily Everett: “We’re nicknaming it ‘gourmet industrial.’ The food is rustic yet sexy.” Bill Wallender was the first chef, followed by Ryley Eckersley. He left in January 2023 and eventually opened ÄNIKS last spring, which unfortunately closed this fall. Current chefs are Elijah Rivers (Executive Chef) and Ray Leferink (Chef de cuisine).

In August 2021, they moved and reopened in their current location on SE Clinton Street—this was not because of the pandemic. At that point they offered five, seven, or nine-course tasting menus; the seven-course menu remains, and the nine-course was bumped up to a 10-course. They also offer an a la carte menu. They also have a bar menu that is basically olives, a burger, salad, and pie. All of this to say … we’ll have to bid their fine PNW food farewell in 2025.

While I’m sorry to say goodbye to Quaintrelle, I’m happy to know they are leaving on what seems like an high note. Their mentioning of “this chapter at SE Clinton Street” makes me wonder if they have any future plans for doing this work together. Only time will tell.

And I’m overjoyed to see that Tréla will open! At this point it looks like it’s taken about three-and-half years—perhaps even four—to get this place open. I can only imagine how happy the Tzakis brothers are to open this Greek restaurant in Portland.

Trela Kitchen & Taverna [opening December 16, 2024]
6000 NE Glisan Street, Portland
Tréla website | Instagram

Quaintrelle [closing December 31, 2024]
2032 SE Clinton Street, Portland
Quaintrelle website | Instagram

Updated December 10, 2024.