September 2026 Story Updates: Aura Dorada, Sushi Dash, and More

September 2026 story updates include some on the west side of town.

We’re back with our September 2026 story updates, from places that have yet to open, to those that are still waiting to open. Enjoy catching up!

Aura Dorada. They’ve been on the search for a new space, as the one they had hoped to open in fell through, as per a colleague in the know. Last week they posted a video hinting at a new location, which was around the intersection of NW Broadway and Everett. Bowery Bagels, John’s Cafe, and the North Park Blocks are all nearby. Could it be the old Stone Soup space? Pearl District, Portland

Previously: Aura Dorada: Bringing Coffee, Cocktails, and Chill To Portland

Battle Grounds Gaming Cafe. We wrote about them in March 2024, shortly after they opened there on NE Sandy Blvd in the Hollywood District. Well, they closed on Saturday, August 29, with a Sunday, August 30 date for selling things they needed to offload, as you do when you’re shutting down a business. Along with providing a place to buy games, play games, and generally nerd out on games of all kinds, they had a nice cafe inside with coffee, tea, and pastries.

That cafe was really the only spot for coffee in the immediate area—Holly Rose is all the way over by the library and Harder Day is 10 blocks east on Sandy. However, earlier this year 33 Cafe opened a couple blocks away with coffee, tea, and snacks.

Steve Coker, Battle Grounds’ owner, originally wanted to open the business in Vancouver, and now he is realizing this dream. He’s found a space in downtown Vancouver, exact address is forthcoming. In the meantime, you may find him popping up in Portland at Board Bard in Montavilla. Wishing Steve all the best in the Couve. New address to come

Previously: Battle Grounds Gaming Cafe Has Coffee and More

Jade Rabbit. They successfully opened their new, bigger restaurant on SE Hawthorne and it’s full steam ahead with their vegan dim sum program. 3632 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland

Previously: Jade Rabbit Is Moving to SE Hawthorne in Portland

Nana’s Exquisite Confections. Florence Jenkins, owner and operator of Nana’s Exquisite Confections, has successfully moved into her new space on NE 82nd Avenue and Thompson, across the street from McDaniel High School. I stopped in and got a piece of German Chocolate cake that was fabulous. She’s been serving soup, too.

There’s a nice seating area for folks who are waiting for their orders to be filled, and she plans for a mural to be painted in that section, too. 2236 NE 82nd Avenue, Portland

Previously: Nana’s Exquisite Confections Opens Today in Portland

Oregon City Market. I checked in on this little local market in Oregon City and the start of September marked six months in business for them. For the month of September, you can take 10% off your bill of $50 or more. They’ve also started up their Oregon City Market Wine Club, where they hand-curate six bottles of wine per month. They explain how it works, here. 610 Main Street, Suite A, Oregon City

Previously: Oregon City Market Opens Its Doors This Week

Sushi Dash. This little spot was a bit of a mystery at the time of discovery, but now that it’s open it’s been mostly well-received by the neighborhood. Their opening day was Tuesday, August 11. The impression I get is that this is not destination sushi, but a small local spot.

I was just looking at their takeout menu and there are some less-conventional appetizers that caught my eye: Crunchy Banana, which look like banana fries; Jalapeño Poppers stuffed with cream cheese and …. spicy tuna‽‽; and Takoyaki.

The rest of the menu has the usual suspects, but also a tuna salad nigiri, something called Seared Salmon Avocadonut (seared salmon, avocado, cheese rice seasoning, pork floss, scallion, tobiko), and a Crispy Mango Sandwich (rice seasoning, salmon, pork floss, mango sauce). Note: a lot of the images look like AI on the UberEats menu, so take that as you will. 4523 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland

Previously: Sushi Dash Will Open in Portland’s Woodstock Neighborhood

Gumba. I thought I’d peek over into Gumba World, and they having a great time in their current space. Their monthly chicken parm caught my eye—last month, along with their base of a breaded and fried chicken cutlet, vodka sauce, and Mozzarella, it involved Green Goddess spread and a cabbage, fennel, and radish slaw. This month it’s served with grilled scallion and herb yogurt, all topped with grilled chili oil onions and charred Jimmy Nardello peppers.

Their food is so flavorful and fun. If you haven’t been by, I recommend a course correction in their direction. 2203 NE Alberta Street, Portland

Previously: Sneak Peek: Inside Gumba’s New Space

On Watch: Angelina’s and Feli. We are still waiting for Angelina’s—an upscale bar and grill from the Sesame Collective folks—and Feli—featuring food from southern Spain from the Urdaneta folks—to open up, just a block away from each other. We reported on Angelina’s back in March and Feli last month. These are two restaurants we are eager to check out when they do open their doors. 1580 NW 21st Avenue and 2070 NW Quimby Street, Portland

Previously: Angelina’s Will Open in Slabtown in Portland and Feli Will Open in Northwest Portland’s Slabtown Neighborhood