Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, September 2025

Welcome to September 2025’s review of top 5 posts for the month. It was more of a mixed bag this month: an event, a technical post, a couple of openings, and a “coming soon.”

As far as traffic goes, we had a little bit of a dip compared to August, likely due to moving Bridgetown Bites to a new web host, which involved some downtime. We are happy to be hosted with Innerplanet, which is a local hosting business based out of Vancouver, WA. Big thanks to Joe at FIKA for recommending them to me. The transition was a very positive experience, and I’m really relieved to have parted ways with my previous host.

But as for the traffic dip, it’s not too bad. In total, a little over 36,000 unique visitors generated a little over 51,000 page views, a 4% and 3% decrease, respectively, compared to August 2025.

As always, thanks for reading, sharing, commenting, and sending tips! I am grateful for your time and attention to this Portland-area food news outpost.

5. The Inaugural Portland Craft Chocolate Festival Is This Weekend

Portland Craft Chocolate Festival this year.

This coming weekend will be a chocolate-lover’s dream: The very first Portland Craft Chocolate Festival starts on Friday and goes all weekend in Southeast Portland. It’s a great opportunity to taste products and treats from local makers, vote on your favorites, and more.

4. SUN RICE Reopens in Old XLB Space in North Portland

SUN RICE, a Filipino restaurant serving Filipino breakfast dishes and more, has soft opened in the old XLB space in North Portland; their grand opening is later this week. I reached out to co-founder Ken Tran to learn more and here is what he told me.

3. Rosenstadt Taproom Is Open in Northeast Portland

Rosenstadt Taproom is open!

This week I was contacted by Nick Greiner, co-founder of Rosenstadt Brewery, with some good news: “After ten years in business as wholesale only to restaurants and retailers … we’ve opened a taproom in Portland.” It looks like they are occupying the former Culmination Brewing space.

2. Foodvilla Under New Management in Portland

Foodvilla, a local independent corner market, has been in operation for many years on NE 33rd Avenue next door to Aladdin’s Cafe. I recently learned that they are under new management along with new ownership, so I reached out to find out more. I had a chance to speak with Diyana Kassab and her son Elias Kassab, the new owners; you may know them as part of the family runs Aladdin’s Cafe, next door. Here is what I learned from them.

1. What We Know About Hearth & Vine, Opening in NW Portland’s Pearl District

The old Henry's Tavern, future home of something new.

Back in 2019, Henry’s Tavern in the Pearl District closed its doors forever. Earlier this spring it became clear that there were plans to alter the space, with a new tenant to move in when the time was right. According to city documents, that tenant is called Hearth & Vine. Here is what we know so far.