Four Things I Learned This Week (July 29)

Progress at Trela. Earlier this year I wrote about a new Greek taverna and bar, Trela, that’s opening up in the old O’Neill Public House space on the corner of NE Glisan and 60th. They’re getting closer to opening their doors, with a submitted liquor license application. Really looking forward to eating at this place. 6000 NE Glisan Street, Portland

Nathan Hart, aka The Watermelon Man, is back in Cully. He’s been there at least a few weeks now, selling Hermiston watermelons, cantaloupes, and more out of the back of his truck. You can find him Tuesdays through Saturdays (in general) at 72nd & Prescott, right near the Upright Brewing project. Northwest corner of 72nd and Prescott, Portland

RIP Choco Taco, Long Live Choco Taco! Yes, we’ve all heard the news: the Choco Taco has been discontinued. I loved the shape and concept but I have to admit: it tasted mediocre at best. I know, blasphemy. However, a couple local spots are taking up the Choco Taco mantle—at Kate’s Ice Cream it will “live on” this Saturday, July 30. They’ll make 50 available at 10 bucks a pop starting at noon. Later on this year, Salt & Straw will enter the ring and offer their version of the Choco Taco on National Taco Day, October 4. 3713 N Mississippi Avenue, Portland (Kate’s)

Accolades for Creo Chocolate. One of my favorite chocolate spots in Portland is Creo Chocolate. Believe it or not, their unsweetened chocolate bar is delicious. However, the most recent news is about their white chocolate bars. Whether or not you consider white chocolate to be legit chocolate, the world loves it. Three of their bars—Coffee & Cream, Meyer Lemon Pie, and Strawberry & Hibiscus—won Gold and Silver (x2) at the 2022’s Academy of Chocolate Awards in London. Their chocolate has now won a total of 100 awards over the years. 122 NE Broadway, Portland

Water Avenue Coffee Is Opening a New Cafe in the Hollywood District

Photo credit: Water Avenue Coffee

When I was driving home from my first post-COVID massage this afternoon, I glanced over at the old Joule space on NE Sandy and 46th Ave and saw a sign installed indicating Water Avenue Coffee is opening a new cafe there. I’m really glad to see that something is being done with that space; it has been vacant for too long.

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COVID, It Got Me—Don’t Let It Get You

Just brief placeholder note here to say I got COVID and it wasn’t pretty, hence the temporary break in posting. It took me two weeks to deal with the virus and catch up on client work. Now I’m back.

Let me tell you—you don’t want COVID. Current messaging out in the world is that “at least you didn’t die,” and while that is absolutely true, going through the virus is no picnic, either. It is serious business (unlike the internet) and I highly recommend you do everything you can to avoid it. Part the misery was that I totally lost my appetite, plus briefly my sense of smell (it’s back now)—not a great thing for a food blogger.

Now, back to our scheduled programming.