Small Bites: Kachka, Bar Nouveau, Mayor Millie, and More

Mayor Millie's Mexican Lager label at Montavilla Brew Works. — Mayor Millie will be there at this Saturday’s event!

A new cocktail bar from Kachka is coming this summer. The Portland Business Journal reports that Kachka will open a “full bar concept” in what was the Aimsir Distilling space. Aimsir closed in early January; you may be aware of the tension between them and Jade Rabbit, who are now operating on SE Belmont and 23rd.

Anyway, the article indicates that “[Owner Bonnie] Morales had already leased 2,100 square feet in the same building for a production facility. Half of that space was earmarked for distilling Kachka’s horseradish vodka. The vodka production started in the new space in February, Morales said. By taking over the Aimsir lease, Kachka is adding another 1,500 square feet, but more importantly, the space comes with a fully built out kitchen and distilling equipment.” No name for the bar yet, but I’ll keep an eye on it. 2117 NE Oregon Street, Portland

Futura Coffee’s SE Division location will close this weekend. They announced the news on their Instagram account. The last day of service will be this Sunday, March 16; they opened this location in early 2024. “We’ve poured countless hours and passion into this space, and we’re incredibly grateful for every visit, every conversation, and every cup shared. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to try our arepas, supported our pop-ups, or simply enjoyed our everyday coffee.” Their other locations (including the one on NE Glisan) are still operating. 4330 SE Division Street, Portland

The Mini Mercado is open. Their grand opening was March 1, and they are located in that pink building on the southwest corner of NE 42nd Avenue and Killingsworth (across the street from the old Ole Frijole, and next door to Taqueria Santo Domingo). It used to be Dulce’s Place. They offer Mexican bread and cakes, piñatas, fresh produce, and more. 4124 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland

Moon Pocha has opened. This Korean-style pub had their soft opening on March 8 and officially opened on March 11. They offer Korean cocktails and drinking food in the old Sudra space—the Korean Mama recently stopped in, so check out her experience there. 28 NE 28th Avenue, Portland

The mini mystery is solved (Popeye’s). I was crossing the Hawthorne Bridge the other day, and as I arrived at the light at Grand Avenue on the east side of the bridge, I looked to the right and saw this big “COMING SOON” sign. I was curious about it and after a little research I found out what it will be. It’s gonna be a Popeye’s—with a drive-thru. So now you know, too. 1525 SE Grand Avenue, Portland

New loyalty card at Rose City Food Park for beer lovers. Here’s how it works: Every time you order from a food cart or Adda Beer, you get a punch in your card. When the card is full, you get a free beer. 5235 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

Muchas Gracias opens today in the old Los Taquitos space. Willamette Week classifies Los Taquitos as a victim of the COVID pandemic hangover, but the good news is this space will reopen—this time as a Muchas Gracias. All day long (8am to midnight) TODAY they will offer their entire menu 50% off, plus there will be live Mariachi music from 5pm to 8pm. Muchas Gracias is a local, family-run pseudo-franchise, from what I’ve been told. They have a following. 5832 NE Glisan Street, Portland

Sincerely, Bagel’s soft opening is today. That’s right, this little bagel shop on NE 24th Avenue is having their soft opening today. They’ll be open until 3pm—stop in on the early side if you can, since limited quantities of bagels will be available. 525 NE 24th Avenue, Portland

1919 is growing some veggies. I saw on their stories this week that local bar & lounge 1919 is growing a vegetable garden! Hopefully some of what they’ll grow will end up in the food. Speaking of growing a vegetable garden, I recommend the Incredible Edible sale in May in NE Portland, from the Multnomah County Master Gardener Association. 3588 SE Division Street, Portland

Two items of note from the Oregon coast and Sandy. The Oregonian has an article about students at the coast learning to harvest food resources to create interesting dishes. It’s part of a culinary program at the Siletz Valley Schools in Lincoln County, led by director Patrick Clarke. He “hopes will open students’ eyes to the abundance and opportunity in the place they call home … and believes the education combining French cooking methods with local Native American traditions” is valuable. Read more about it here.

And over on Here Is Oregon (also produced by The O), they did a nice roundup on food in Sandy. I’m partial to the maple bar at Joe’s Donuts. Various locations

Marmellata at Fresh Love. I was recently at Sebastiano’s and bought a jar of their blood orange marmellata. This stuff is very good—not really bitter at all, but not super sweet. And for those further up in NE Portland, you get get your hands on it at Fresh Love! Definitely give it a try. 7434 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Bar Nouveau starts up on Monday. From Althea Grey Potter (Oui! Wine Bar and Restaurant, The Flavor Society) comes Bar Nouveau, operating in residency (reminiscent of Estes in Broder Nord) at Gracie’s Apizza in St. Johns on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5pm to 9pm. It will be a “wood-fired, French inspired, farm driven bistro.” Here’s the initial menu. 7304 N Leavitt Avenue, Portland

Palomar and Champagne Poetry may open this weekend. Looks like we may see an opening of Palomar’s new location on NW 23rd Avenue, according to Ricky Bella at the restaurant. I’ve also heard a rumor that Champagne Poetry’s second location, also on NW 23rd (they are about a block-and-a-half from each other), may also open this weekend. 1422 NW 23rd Avenue and 1620 NW 23rd Avenue, Portland

Mayor Millie’s Mexican Lager release is this weekend. As part of the 10-year anniversary at Montavilla Brew Works, they are releasing a new Mexican lager named after Millie, the unofficial chiweenie mayor of Montavilla. They celebration will be Saturday, March 15 from 4pm to 9pm. There will be a nacho bar potluck (“we got chips and cheese, you bring a side”), DJ MD will spin, pets are welcome—Millie will be on hand to sign autographs—and draft and cans of the lager will be for sale. 7805 Stark Street, Portland

Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:

Montavilla Brew Works Celebrates 10 Years in Portland
Get Your St. Joseph’s Day Pastries in Portland
Alphabet Burger Co., a New Food Truck, Will Open in North Portland
Cascadia Taphouse To Open in Timberview’s Array Food Hall in East Portland

St. Patrick’s Day is Monday, but there’s celebrating all weekend. Ticket To Dine continues this week until the end of March. The Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce Restaurant Week‘s final day is tomorrow, too. Also exciting: the first day of spring is this coming week!