Cay Bar & Grill Will Open in the Old McCormick & Schmick's Harborside in Portland

A new Vietnamese restaurant will open in what was the McCormick & Schmick’s Harborside restaurant space for many years. It’s called Cay Bar & Grill, and they’ll offer “authentic Vietnamese cuisine with a modern bar experience.” I reached out to owner Khoa Tran the other day and here is what I learned.

First, McCormick & Schmick’s

The original McCormick & Schmick’s opened in downtown Portland in 1979 but some notable things happened before that. Bill McCormick bought Jake’s Famous Crawfish in the early 1970s and hired Doug Schmick, a management trainee. Together, they founded Traditional Concepts in 1974, a restaurant management organization.

They found they worked well together, and opened the first McCormick & Schmick’s restaurant in downtown Portland in 1979; it closed 30 years later in 2009. Fun fact: the restaurant at the Heathman Hotel was operated by McCormick & Schmick’s at one point. At its height, McCormick & Schmick’s expanded as many as 100 restaurants around the U.S.

Mccormick & Schmick’s Harborside opened in the early 1990s. It closed on April 1, 2024.

The interior when it was McCormick & Schmick's Harborside. — Inside the restaurant when it was McCormick & Schmick’s Harborside. Photo credit: McCormick & Schmick’s Harborside.

The Connection to Cay Bar & Grill

Khoa’s grandfather, Tri Nguyen, became a chef at Jake’s Famous Crawfish in Portland. “Coincidentally enough, a sister chain to McCormick & Schmick’s Harborside where our restaurant is located at,” wrote Khoa, “There he spent years cooking American food for Jake’s and perfecting his Vietnamese recipes, sharing his passion for great food.”

Cay Bar & Grill: Some Origins

Their aforementioned grandfather, Tri Nguyen, first worked as a chef in Vietnam. “His love for cooking wasn’t just a profession, it was his way of bringing people together” he said. “Every dish was made with care and love, using recipes and techniques that had been passed down through generations.

It was after his family came to America, that he was able to continue doing what he loved, there at at Jake’s.

“While building a new life here, he never forgot the flavors and traditions of home,” Khoa said. “As time went on and he got older, he passed his recipes and cooking techniques down to my mom. She learned not just how to cook authentic Vietnamese food, but also the importance of hospitality and treating everyone like family. Those are the values we grew up with.”

Cay Bar & Grill: What’s in a Name?

I was familiar with the word, “cay” in the context as a kind of island in the tropical waters, but I wanted to better understand its usage in the name of the restaurant.

“We chose the name “CAY” because it represents flavor,” said Khoa. “In Vietnamese, ‘cay’ means spicy, but to us it represents much more than heat. It symbolizes the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine and the passion and love our family pours into every dish!”

What To Expect at Cay Bar & Grill

Look for a menu of traditional Vietnamese dishes like phở, bún (vermicelli noodle), cơm (rice plates), bò kho ( beef stew), bún bò Huế (beef noodle soup), fresh spring rolls, egg rolls, and more. I would love to see Bánh Xèo on the menu, too.

The team has also thought about their vegetarian customers, and will have phở chay (vegetarian pho) and bún bò Huế chay (vegetarian beef noodle soup) on the menu.

Look for a full bar with handcrafted cocktails, beer, and wine. And a happy hour menu, “since a lot of people are looking forward to that!”

The Space

This is not a small place. It’s 8,350 square feet, with 350 seats in the restaurant and 220 outside. When it was McCormick & Schmick’s Harborside, there were some private dining options, and it would not surprise me if that continued at Cay Bar & Grill.

The lovely riverside views will continue for sure—The Knot said the restaurant has “one of the most breathtaking views of Portland.”

Community and Family

Khoa said that when people walk through their front door they want them to feel like family. “What we’re most looking forward to is sharing our food with the community!” exclaimed Khoa. “Food has always been a way for our family to bring people together, and we’re excited to introduce people to authentic Vietnamese flavors in a warm, welcoming space. We hope Cay becomes a place where friends and families can gather, enjoy a great meal.”

Opening

They are hoping to open in the next one to two months. When that happens, they are looking at being open every day from 11am to 10pm. They plan to have recorded music, live music, DJs, and dancing.

All the best to Khoa and the Cay Bar & Grill team as they work on the space and get it ready to open later this year.

Cay Bar & Grill [projected opening August/September 2026]
309 S Montgomery Street, Portland
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