Author: Judith Rich

Judith Rich is a writer and co-contributor to Bridgetown Bites. She’s been a proud Portlander since 2014 and is now raising two Portland natives who are budding foodies. Judith loves cooking at home and experimenting with new recipes, as well as checking out new and tried and true Portland restaurants. She loves a good food adventure (together with Meg Cotner!)
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Passover 2026 in Portland: Eats, Treats, and Celebrations

Matzo layer cake for Passover 2026.
Homemade matzo layer cake.

Passover 2026 begins on the evening of Wednesday, April 1 and runs through Thursday, April 9. This Jewish high holiday of liberation is traditionally celebrated with a Seder, a ritual meal held on the first two nights of Passover, where family and friends gather to retell the story of the Exodus. Some of the foods you can expect to see at a Seder include matzo (a flat dry unleavened cracker), bitter herbs, charoset (a paste of nuts, apples, and wine), and four cups of wine.

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Pinolo Gelato Drops “Melody” for Gelato Day in Portland

Melody, the gelato flavor for Gelato Day in Portland.
Melody, gelato flavor of the year, for Gelato Day at Pinolo Gelato. Photo credit: Pinolo Gelato.

On Tuesday, March 24, European nations celebrate Gelato Day—short for European Artisanal Gelato Day—honoring the excellence of artisanal gelato. Each year, the occasion is marked with a special gelato flavor—and this year it comes with a melodic twist! Additionally, it should come as no surprise that Pinolo Gelato, home to authentic Tuscan gelato, is celebrating Gelato Day in Portland, too.

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Sneak Peek: Inside Gumba’s New Space

Gumba's new space: a sneak peek.
Inside Gumba’s new space—dining room in-progress.

About a month after temporarily closing for its highly anticipated move, Gumba Pasta Parlor is gearing up for its next chapter. While fans and locals await their reopening, the Bridgetown Bites team got a sneak peek of Gumba’s new space and wanted to share a preview. It’s still under construction, but here’s a glimpse at what’s taking shape ahead of Gumba’s exciting reopening later this month.

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First Look: Honorable Mention Lounge Opens at The Benson Hotel in Portland

Espresso Martini at Honorable Mention.
Honorable Mention’s Sucker Punch Cocktail

It’s official! Portland has its own version of the 40/40 Club with the newly opened Honorable Mention—at least according to this New York expat. Honorable Mention, Portland’s new sports lounge, which is co-owned by Portland Trail Blazers’ point guard Damian Lillard, opened earlier this month inside The Benson Hotel. The space blends a sultry, luxe vibe with a cozy, welcoming feel that’s perfect for gathering with your crew of friends and sports lovers. The Bridgetown Bites team stopped by its media night this week and came away impressed.

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Purim 2026: Tasty Treats and Celebrations in Portland

Edie and a plate of hamentaschen for Purim 2026.
My then 7-year-old Edie who is now a pre-teen but still loves their hamantaschen.

The holiday of Purim is almost here—a joyous holiday filled with tasty treats and celebrations, observed by Jews around the world. Purim begins on the evening of Monday, March 2, and continues through March 3 (and through March 4 in Jerusalem). The holiday commemorates the story of Queen Esther, whose courage helped save the Jewish people from Haman’s evil plot to kill the Jews of ancient Persia.

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