Small Bites: Yanni's, Pizza, Strawberries, Matcha, Aurora, and More

Strawberries from Pablo Munoz Farm, purchased at the Rocky Butte Farmers Market. — It’s strawberry season!

Yanni’s Greek Donuts grand opens this weekend. I mentioned this loukoumades cart back in February, run by a couple of brothers named Theo and Luke, who grew up here in Portland. They passed on the news that they are having a party on Saturday from 6pm to 10pm to celebrate their grand opening. Find them in the parking lot of the Lucky Lab on SE 9th and Madison.

They will offer up fresh loukoumades, a pita souvlaki special, beer, cider, wine, and Greek dancing. It’s great to see more Greek food happening in Portland, with Yanni’s joining this new scene of Greek spots including Tréla, Yiayia’s, and Souvlaki Queen. 1400 SE 9th Avenue, Portland

Parallel Wine Bar events. Last year I stopped in at Parallel Wine Bar, where I had some kickass food and discovered a canned NA wine that I actually quite liked (of all the NA bevs, wine is the one that is the least evolved, IMO). I’ve learned they have a series of events coming up this month, which I’ll share with you here (copy from the organizers):

Uncorked & Cultured: Wine & Cheese Pairing (Wednesdays, May 21 and 28).
Hosted by Stacey Gibson, each session features a different Oregon winery (starting with Cooper Mountain), paired with three cheeses and accoutrements. Guests receive a custom pairing booklet to take home. Resy link.
The Sunday Blind Flight: Oregon vs… (Every Sunday in May).
Three wines, same grape, one from Oregon. Can you guess which is which? This ongoing series is part palate test, part party trick—and regulars can earn a spot on the Parallel wall of fame. Drop in.
Chicken & Bubbles: Winemaker Dinner (Wednesday, May 29 at 6pm).
A family-style feast of Chef Joey’s famous fried chicken with Oregon sparkling wine pairings and guest winemakers on han to mingle and share their stories. Resy link. 3101 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

Specials at Saraveza. I recently became aware that Saraveza is a Midwest-oriented bar, where you can get tavern pies (in a party cut), pasties, smoked sausages, and fried cheese curds, among other things. They are also running some specials, including a pizza (house kimchi and Korean chili-smoked pork), a jalapeño jam burger, and a Penang beef curry pasty, which sounds amazing. Also look to their sister space Bad Habit for comedy brunch, starting this Sunday. 1004 N Killingsworth Street, Portland

“Bar Hollywood is just the tip of the iceberg.” This week there was an article in the Willamette Week about fantastic new happenings in the Hollywood District. Bar Hollywood was just the start—Movie Madness is moving into the building that has been for sale—and was sold this year—that was once home to Blackwell’s and The Magnolia (around 41st and Sandy). The Hollywood Theatre offices will also move across the street from the theater.

As you may know, Missionary Chocolates is also joining the Hollywood District. There are good places to eat in the neighborhood, including Xiao Ye and Shandong at the west end, Harder Day, The Whole Bowl, JC PDX Taqueria, and Fusion Curry Pizza on the east end, plus Moon & Sixpence, Aunt Tillie’s Deli, The Bulgogi, Chin’s Kitchen, and more in the center of the District. I look forward to seeing the area move out of the malaise it’s been in since COVID. Multiple locations

U-Pick strawberry guide. I’ve written a lot of roundups in my days, but this is a topic I hadn’t considered, and it’s excellent: a guide to local U-Pick strawberry farms. Check it out on Stumptown Savings. Multiple locations

New vegan breakfast sandwich at Fresh Love. It’s no secret that I love Fresh Love. And here’s another reason to love them: They’ve got a new breakfast sandwich. And it’s vegan! It’s made with toasted sourdough, creamy Veganaise, Mama Lil’s pickled peppers, a Just Egg patty, organic avocado, Roma tomato, and melted vegan cheddar. 7434 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Yum’s of PDX will open May 22. This much-anticipated pizzeria is poised to open Thursday, May 22. They’ll offer their Neo-Neapolitan and Sicilian pies, meatballs, burrata, and a couple of sweets (including black and white cookies). Here’s the menu; I’m excited. 830 SE 8th Avenue, Portland

Japanese Garden has arrived. Pip’s Original is known for its tiny donuts and chai. They’ve decided to get on the matcha train with the “world’s first blend of housemade chai and green tea matcha.” Color me intrigued. 4759 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Ruthie’s is now at The End. No more cart behind Someday, as of end of April. They’ve set up shop at The End, right there next to the Tomorrow Theater. Check out their menu, too. 3532 SE Division Street, Portland

Eleni’s Kitchen is getting a new location. On Facebook, Eleni of Eleni’s Kitchen, who makes wonderful Ethiopian food, posted news about her new location in Beaverton: “I’m excited to share that our Ethiopian takeout and Injera kitchen in Beaverton is almost ready for move-in—we’re just waiting on final inspections! Many of you have heard me talk about this project at farmers’ markets and events. Turning an old home into a commercial kitchen has been a long journey filled with both joy and challenges, but I couldn’t be happier with how everything has turned out.”

When they open, they’ll offer outdoor seating and take-home food options. Redditor smackpony also confirmed the location. 4820 SW Lombard Avenue, Beaverton

Aurora at PDX. I’m a little slow on the draw here, but better late than never when it comes to Aurora. It’s a speakeasy-style bar in the Loyal Legion at PDX. And pre-security, at that. The Stuck at the Airport blog wrote about it:

“The password to get in? No password is required. According to our insider at PDX airport, “Guests only have to approach the bar team and ask a question to receive the access code,” because… ‘Curiosity Opens the Door.’” 7000 NE Airport Way, Portland

Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:

Capes and Crepes Board Game Cafe Will Open in Portland
Nevermind Bar Will Open in Old Apex Bar Space in Portland
Yunomi Matcha Portland Will Open on NE 28th Avenue
Foster Food Carts Return To Southeast Portland

Tomorrow is Syttende Mai Celebration: Norway’s Constitution Day, the Oregon AAPI Food & Wine Fest is this weekend, and the Pink! Rosé Festival is Sunday in Hillsboro. You can see more event on our lists of Portland Area Cultural + Food Festivals and Portland Food and Drink Festivals lists.