Meg Cotner

April 16, 2026April 12, 2026

Tiny Love Bakery Will Celebrate One Year in Cully

Exterior of the Tiny Love Bakery. — Approaching Tiny Love Bakery from the south—on my way there I had a convo with the British Motor Car guy about the MG Midget I helped restore part of the way, years ago.

The other day I had a chance to speak to the folks behind Tiny Love Bakery, a little walk-up bakery on NE 42nd Avenue near Alberta Street in Cully. Julie and Dillon are getting close to their one-year anniversary of the bakery, and since I didn’t have a chance to chat with them when they opened last year, this was a great opportunity to connect. I really enjoyed learning about them and their work and how it’s been going over the past year.

Plus, their baked goods are excellent. If you haven’t had a chance to stop by, I encourage you to head there and give their delicious products a try. Here’s part of our conversation from the other day.

April 15, 2026April 14, 2026

Churchill Nines: Watch the Kentucky Derby at The Nines Hotel in Portland

Mint Julep, Straightaway Cocktails, flowers, and a horse for Churchill Nines.

Earlier this week I had a chance to stop in on the 8th Floor of The Nines Hotel to get a sneak peek at the plans for the inaugural Churchill Nines party in May. This is a chance to watch the Kentucky Derby, AKA “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” with a festive crowd under the light-filled atrium alongside the hotel’s onsite restaurant, Urban Farmer.

We tried a few of the scheduled eats, mint juleps were passed around (more on the NA option later), and I had a number of interesting conversations with folks there—on both the upcoming Derby event and some thoughts and feelings about the efforts in service of a vibrant downtown Portland.

April 14, 2026April 27, 2026

Hua Hin Will Bring Thai Fine Dining To Southeast Portland

The entrance to Hua Hin on SE Hawthorne.

In early March, a Bridgetown Bites tipster told me that there was going to be a new restaurant in the space that was recently home to Phaya Thai Express—and that it was going to be a “Thai fine dining” concept. Then late last month I learned the new restaurant’s name: Hua Hin. I reached out to the owner, Ize Piyanut (Sampaotong), to learn more, and we spent a little time chatting about what’s to come there.

April 13, 2026April 12, 2026

The Second Annual WasabiFest Returns To Portland

Wasabi rhizomes at the WasabiFest. — The wasabi rhizome.

Last year I attended the inaugural WasabiFest, which celebrated all things wasabi. There was a chance to try freshly-grated samples of the rhizome itself, get to know products made with wasabi, and there was even a wasabi-eating contest. And this year, it’s back! The second annual WasabiFest is Saturday, June 13. Here are more details about this awesome event.

April 10, 2026April 9, 2026

Small Bites: Greg Higgins Will Retire, the Elk, Forbidden Fruit, and More

Greg Higgins will retire from creating dishes like these at Higgins. — A few dishes from HIggins: risotto, chicory salad, and Vegan Kabocha croquettes. Photo credit: Higgins.

Greg Higgins will retire. He sent an email out with the announcement: “So, it is with a full and grateful heart that I share my own important milestone with you: I’m planning to retire.” He is looking to sell the restaurant, for “the right steward for Higgins, someone who understands what this place means to our guests and employees, and will carry it forward into its next chapter here in Portland.” He wants the restaurant to continue to thrive.