Four Things I Learned This Week (September 9)

Bastion turns 1. Mark your calendars for a Bastion birthday bash on Saturday, September 17 in the form of their final Summer Maker’s Market for the year. There will be crafts, live music, “Brunchington” (likely with some delicious brunch specials), and good vibes for all. From the Bastion folks: “It’s been a year full to the brim with excitement, overwhelm, learning, growing & enjoying nourishing all of you.”

Bastion subscribes to the “food as medicine” philosophy and is particularly sensitive to their guests who abstain from gluten, refined-sugars, soy, and dairy; they value organic, local, sustainably-grown food. As a happy omnivore, I’ve had some delicious things there, and love their grain-free bread; plus their cookies (yes, made without refined sugars) are really excellent. Their Wild Alaskan Salmon Salad was recommended by Jennifer Joffe of Project Healthy Body during this year’s inaugural Salad Week. 6116 SE Milwaukie Avenue, Portland

And Wedgehead turns 4. This Sunday, September 11, Wedgehead is throwing a “super soft birthday party” from 3pm to 11pm (kids can participate until 6pm). Look for a cupcake decorating station, as well as party punch by Little Hands/Stiff Drinks; feather boas, tiaras, face painting, and pinball wristbands. Are you a princess? A prince? Something else? Regardless of your sex (or gender), experience the joy of wearing frilly things—Wedgehead is here for you. 3728 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

Cheese plates available at Fresh Love. Stop by this gem on NE Fremont in the Roseway neighborhood for their latest offering: a beautiful cheese plate. Lately they’ve been on a goat cheese kick and the cheese plate includes Humboldt Fog and Midnight Moon from Cypress Grove , Sleeping Beauty from Cascadia Creamery, and a special flower petal crusted soft goat cheese (while supplies last). You can also pick up cheeses in their retail cold case. Yum. 7434 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Rey Taco opens in Montavilla. Montavilla News reports that the Rey Taco cart opened on 82nd Avenue near SE Ash, replacing Su Casa Taqueria. Along with improving the kitchen inside, they built a new covered deck with tables. Rey Taco offers “LA Street Food,” including “an assortment of tacos, birria quesa tacos, machetes, tortas, mulitas, burritos, enchiladas, and chilaquiles.” They are open for lunch and dinner. Read more at Montavilla News. 145 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland

You Don’t Want to Miss the 43rd Annual Middle Eastern Festival this Sunday

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Excellent ghraybeh at 2019’s Middle Eastern Festival.

Back in 2019 I attended the Middle Eastern Festival at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in east Portland and was blown away by the event. Along with the beautiful church, its sanctuary adorned with icons, live music and dancing, and friendly event staff, the food was top-notch. Because of the pandemic they did not hold the festival for two years, and I’ve kept an eye on it, hoping for its return. And it has! It is happening this Sunday, August 28.

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Head to the Fremont Fest This Saturday

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Walking the Fremont Fest 2021.

There are a lot of street festivals in Portland, but Fremont Fest is one of my favorites (here’s my 2021 writeup). I love spending time on NE Fremont, whether it’s driving on the way to the Rocky Butte Farmer’s Market (with a stop at Rocky Butte Espresso Bar)l; walking up from the Rose City Golf Course to catch a smoothie at Fresh Love; stopping in at Peter’s Bar & Grill for their incredible food (and ice cream a couple doors down at Nico’s); or grabbing a latte at Prince Coffee after perusing the games at Puddletown. Then there’s the whole Guilder/Lucca beauty further west. What I mean to say is Fremont Street is awesome and what a better way to celebrate a chunk of it then at this Saturday’s Fremont Fest.

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