Small Bites: Negroni Week, Lil' Barbecue, Prtonto Gelato, and More

flavors of gelato — Strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate gelato from Pronto Gelato.

Negroni Week starts Monday. Over 70 bars and restaurants in the Portland metro area are participating in this international celebration of the Negroni. Find a participating venue here. Multiple locations

EMSWCD celebrates 75 years. The East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) is 75 years old this year, a huge accomplishment. And they are celebrating this weekend with a party. There will be live music, hands-on activities, and food & treats—Nico’s Ice Cream and Tamale Boy. This is a free, family-friendly event. Saturday, September 20, from 1pm to 4pm. 5211 N Williams Avenue, Portland

The Absolute Best Bakery In Each State. Now, who doesn’t love a good listicle? The folks over at The Takeout did one on the best bakery in each of the 50 states, and guess who ends up as Oregon’s best? That would be James Beard Award winners Jinju Patisserie! Very much deserved. 4063 N Williams Avenue, Portland

Lil’ Barbecue has a location! Michael Russell at The O reports, “Lil’ Barbecue, a ‘far west outpost’ of [La Barbecue,] the celebrated Austin restaurant, plans to open as early as October at Tough Luck, the Northeast Portland bar from the Three on a Match group (The Old Gold, Paydirt, Holy Ghost). The move follows the bar group’s success collaborating with Matt’s BBQ Tacos to open The Last Rodeo, a popular new Sellwood-Moreland bar.” We’ll have more info on this to come. 1771 NE Dekum Street, Portland

Aztec Willie’s has closed. Over on NE Broadway, this popular Mexican restaurant is no more, with Sunday, September 14 having been their final day of service. They posted their goodbyes over on Facebook: “After 31 unforgettable years of serving this neighborhood with food, music, dancing, and memories, we’ve done everything we could to keep going. And while we made it farther than we ever thought possible, the time has come to say goodbye.” And right before Mexican Independence Day, too. We wish them well on whatever is next. 1501 NE Broadway, Portland

Grand Amari and the adjoining Little Bitter Bar will close. They reported this on their Instagram: “We are sad to announce after two wonderful years, we will be saying goodbye to Grand Amari and Little Bitter Bar. It’s bittersweet to say goodbye, but we are so grateful to our amazing team who poured their hearts into creating a place filled with warm hospitality, perfect Italian cuisine, and more than a few amari shared with friends.” These two spots are part of the Olympia Provisions family of eating and drinking establishments. I remember when it was the Grand Stark Deli; I wonder what will go in next. Final day of service will be on Saturday, October 4. 509 SE Grand Avenue, Portland

Tan Sang Tropical Fruit has one location. They used to have two locations—5839 SE 82nd Avenue and 332 SE 82nd Avenue. Just the latter remains. They sell all sorts of interesting and unusual fruits. 332 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland

Bar Loon is changing over their menu today. I was at Bar Loon last night and the bartender mentioned to me that it was the last night for their summer menu. The autumn menu will no doubt have all sorts of interesting things on them—food and drink. 3326 SE Belmont Street, Portland

Two Brothers is back. Earlier this month I reached out to my contact at Two Brothers, the Balkan/Rakia spot on SE Belmont and Cesar Chavez, on behalf of a questioner on Discord. He told me that at the time his parents were on vacation in the Balkans and that they’d open the restaurant back up when they returned. Over on Facebook that was confirmed—they are back open today with regular hours of 4pm to 10pm. And “that means chevapi are back.” They’d love to see you.

Also, the restaurant is still for sale. 829 SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd, Portland

This chocolate cake looks amazing. That’s it—this fabulous cake at Redwood in Montavilla is seriously enticing. “Return of the cake! House made gluten-free buttermilk chocolate cake with ganache frosting available Wed-Sun.” 7915 SE Stark Street, Portland

Final weekend of the season at Pronto Gelato. This excellent gelato spot in Cully will close down for about six months after this weekend. They’ll be back on Friday, March 20, the first day of spring. 4205 NE Alberta Street, Portland

The Middle Eastern Festival is this weekend. This year they’ve made some changes: It’s happening in September rather than August; and it’s going on for two days instead of one! This is a one of Portland’s best cultural and food events (here’s our previous coverage). Free to attend. 2101 NE 162nd Avenue, Portland

Updated menu at Moon Pocha. This Korean food and drinking spot that opened at the start of the year has updated their menu. Lil Fire Chicken and Spicy-Tteok-Bokki are calling my name, ngl. 28 NE 28th Avenue, Portland

What’s next for the Gateway Fred Meyer? Maybe another Hồng Phát? There is also concern about blight. Bryan from Stumptown Savings posted on Bluesky that maybe a location of Chuck’s Fresh Market could go in there. The O has more on this topic. 1111 NE 102nd Avenue, Portland

The Barista Olympics are almost here. AKA Bridgetown Brewdown is happening Thursday, September 25. Doors open at 6pm, first event is at 7pm. Said events include The Latte Lap, Udder Chaos, What In The Cup, Dis-order, and Whipped Into Shape (these kinda sound like Jeopardy categories). There will also be comedy, free food and drink, and more. Takes place at Wild Rose Coffee on the PSU campus. 1909 SW 6th Avenue, Portland

Desayuno pop-up with Cup Coffee and Cuinos Cuisine at Commensal Fermentation. I encountered Cup Coffee popping-up at Balong not too long ago, and really enjoyed it. They’ll be up this weekend at Commensal Fermentation along with Cuinos Cuisine. Cuinos will offer pancakes, benedicts, breakfast tacos, and frittata. Cup Coffee will pour hot and cold coffee, as well as a preview of their new Mexico coffee in a Café de Olla–inspired drink for Hispanic Heritage Month. Saturday, September 20, 8am to 1pm. 3901 N Williams Avenue, Suite A, Portland

Edan Pizza is opening in the old Mod Pizza on SW Yamhill. Perusing the liquor license applications brought me to one filed by celebrated DC pizzaiolo Edan MacQuaid. The news may very well have broken on the DonRockwell.com forums, on September 10, 2025:

“I have some wonderful news for the denizens of Portland: You’re getting one of the greatest Pizzaiolos that the Washington, DC area ever had, Edan Macquaid (our own pizza man). Edan and his lovely wife Thea will be opening Edan Pizza in a former MOD Pizza space at 204 SW Yahmill Street. As of this writing, they’re shooting for an October 1st, 2025 opening, but that might be pushed back, with beer and wine coming sometime after that as the license is being delayed (you know how it goes).”

It’s likely that he’ll be making Neapolitan-style pies, because he said in the past in an interview with DC Eater, “Well, I think it’s the best style of pizza myself.” 204 SW Yamhill Street, Portland

Bánh Xèo night is Monday night. Over at Annam VL they are celebrating the last day of summer with an evening of bánh xèo at their restaurant on Belmont. Bánh Xèo is one of my favorite Vientamese dishes. “Crispy, savory turmeric Việt crepes battered with Bia Saigon, coconut milk, shrimp/pork belly (or with tofu) served with fresh herbs & nước mắm (or vegetarian fish sauce aka fermented pineapple). Bánh xèo and bánh xèo only. Sold until sold out. [Actually we will also sell drinks and maybe some skewers.]”

So head there Monday night from 5pm to 9pm, or until sold out. 3336 SE Belmont Street, Portland

Reader recc: Kaleido. A reader emailed me about Kaleido, a Thai coffee shop that soft opened back in May and from what I can tell had their grand opening at the end of August. “There’s a great new Thai coffee shop called Kaleido in slabtown. Great pandan toast.” I am always up for a good pandan recommendation. 2112 NW Quimby Street, Portland

Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:

Rosh Hashanah 2025—New Year 5786—in Portland [This has been updated.]
LaVerne’s Will Open in Portland’s Woodlawn Neighborhood [Update: they are looking at a late September opening]
Chef In Your Garden, a Fundraiser for Growing Gardens, Is Sunday in Portland
Vtopian and Adellada Will Open in Portland’s Central Eastside