Meg Cotner

December 5, 2022December 5, 2022

Roundup: Bests and Awards of 2022

Excited for all the winners!

It’s that time of year again: the time when local media outlets (and nationwide ones, too, but that’s not the focus here) gather their bests and make lists of various things—including food. Personally, I love lists and it’s fun to see what the different food media sources deem “the best” in any given year. It’s unclear in my mind if I’m going to do that kind of roundup before the close of 2022, so I thought I’d round up what’s out there already.

November 18, 2022November 18, 2022

Four Things I Learned This Week (November 18)

Kann is in the news again, and it’s rated the best (plus, Comedor Lilia and Okta). Esquire Magazine released their Best New Restaurants in America, 2022 list, and Kann tops the chart. Congrats to Gregory Gourdet, his staff, and all involved in making this a place where people love to eat Haitian food. Comedor Lilia, part of the República family, also made the list at number 16, which offers “Pacific Northwest cuisine through the lens of a Mexican-American chef.” Okta, in McMinville, which offers a “multi-course experience inspired by the Pacific Northwest,” made the list, too. There’s a lot of interesting sounding restaurants on the list, so be sure to check out all of the places. 548 SE Ash Street (Kann) and 3159 S Moody Avenue (Comedor Lilia), Portland; 618 NE 3rd Street, McMinnville (Okta)

Brunch at Nico’s Cantina for the World Cup. El Mañanero, a new brunch menu for the 2022 World Cup games season, was crated by Chef Fernanda, and it looks great! It will be served every morning they play the WC games over the next month starting next week. I’m particularly happy to see chilaquiles and champurrado on the menu. 4318 NE Cully Blvd, Portland

Chin’s Kitchen is back open for dine-in. I saw this morning that Chin’s Kitchen, home to great dumplings and Dongbei cuisine, has re-opened—and renovated, as well. I’ll be making a visit soon. 4126 NE Broadway, Portland

Deeply Rooted on NE Fremont will open December 10. This sports bar offering plant-based eats is opening in early December, still in time for some of the later matchups during World Cup. Along with their food and drink, you’ll also find pool tables, darts, a golf sim room and … a 200-inch theater screen for big sporting events. That’s seriously huge. NICE. 4765 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Also: Bridgetown Bites will not be publishing next week, the week of Thanksgiving—I’m giving myself some time off. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

November 17, 2022November 17, 2022

The Ongoing Issue of Loud Restaurants

For decades now, I’ve heard one topic discussed when it comes to restaurants, bars, cafes, and other eateries, regardless of the condition of the physical space, menu quality, and cost spectrum—and that’s how loud a place is. I’ve heard older folks talk about it as well as those younger, and everyone in between. A lot of people wish restaurants were quieter (though not as quiet as a “mausoleum,” as per WaPo restaurant critic Tom Sietsema). So why does it persist?

November 15, 2022November 17, 2022

Vincenzo’s Pizza Is Open

The Spicy Sicilian pizza at Vincenzo’s Pizza. Photo credit: Vincenzo’s Pizza.

After a few months of preparation, Vincenzo’s Pizza is now open in the Rose City Park neighborhood. Their opening was last week, and already they have gained plenty of fans in the area already. They have a pretty nice menu featuring both Sicilian pies and round NY-style pizza pies, appetizers, salads, and pastas.

November 14, 2022November 15, 2022

Fresh Love on Hello, Rose City! Today

Screencap from Serina Leedy representing Fresh Love on KGW’s “Hello, Rose City!” segment today.

Back in June of this year, Fresh Love opened to the public in Roseway, in the old Red Gate space on NE Fremont. Ben Cutler and Serina Leedy, Fresh Love’s owners, have totally transformed the space, with a vegetable mural circling the insides; new bench seating; a bright, light-filled dining room; and lots of delicious things, prepared and otherwise.