Small Bites: Beijing Hot Pot, Canard, Pizza Machine, and More

Beijing Hot Pot's offerings in a beautiful blue pot.
Photo credit: Beijing Hot Pot.

Beijing Hot Pot gets some love. The Korean Mama and The Korean Son recently went to Beijing Hot Pot and had a great meal at a good price. Watch them here—and maybe stop by yourself! They are just south of Ha VL and just north of Fubonn in East Portland. 2768 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland

Continue reading “Small Bites: Beijing Hot Pot, Canard, Pizza Machine, and More”

The Quince Fest 2025 Celebrates This Glorious Fruit in Portland

A container of quinces.
Photo credit: Shaun Linehan.

Quince Fest 2025 will be here soon—just two and a half weeks at the writing of this article. Last year I heard about this festival after the fact and was really disappointed that I missed it. I don’t want to make that same mistake again, so I am here to tell you about next month’s celebration of this ancient fruit.

Continue reading “The Quince Fest 2025 Celebrates This Glorious Fruit in Portland”

Bangkok Belly: Bringing Thai Skewers, Salads, and Spirits to Portland

Skewers at Bangkok Belly.
Photo credit: Bangkok Belly.

A new Thai restaurant is opening on SE Belmont Street called Bangkok Belly. They’re setting up shop in what was most recently the home to Daily Fuel (they closed this past summer), but I remember it more as the location of Suzette, whose crepes I still miss.

I spoke with Kat Thirakomen, who owns Bangkok Belly with her husband David Fiske, about their plans for the restaurant. Here is what I learned.

Continue reading “Bangkok Belly: Bringing Thai Skewers, Salads, and Spirits to Portland”

Durant’s Olio Nuovo Festival Is Next Month in Dayton, Oregon

Photo credit: Durant at Red Ridge Farms.

I received an email from the folks at Durant at Red Ridge Farms about their Olio Nuovo Festival next month. Durant happens to be Oregon’s only commercial olive mill, founded in 2008 in Dayton, right there in the Willamette wine country. Back during Salad Week I spent some time in the wine country, which was stunning and full deliciousness—and is closer to Portland than I originally thought.

I find the idea of a monthlong olive oil festival really appealing, and I am here to tell you about what’s going on in November at Durant in celebration of this liquid gold.

Continue reading “Durant’s Olio Nuovo Festival Is Next Month in Dayton, Oregon”

Edan Pizza Will Open in Downtown Portland

A test pizza at Edan Pizza in Portland, Oregon.
A recent test pizza, “The best practice pie yet” in September 2025. Photo credit: Edan MacQuaid.

A new pizzeria is in the works for downtown Portland called Edan Pizza. It will be helmed by Edan MacQuaid, a very respected pizzaiolo know for his work in the Washington D.C. area. We first published a little blurb about his pizzeria in a recent Small Bites column. Since then, I’ve spoken with Edan to hear more about his plans—here is what I learned.

Continue reading “Edan Pizza Will Open in Downtown Portland”