Category: Four Things

four

Four Things I Learned This Week is a regular column published on Fridays, featuring four short entries of brief tidbits on Portland‘s food scene.

Posted on

Four Things I Learned This Week (November 4)

Nico’s Ice Cream (second location) opens tomorrow (Saturday). The second location of Nico Vergara’s popular ice cream shop will open tomorrow morning, starting at noon and going until 4pm. Along with NZ-style ice cream cones, expect empanadas, half pints of dulce de leche ice cream, music with DJ maddchill, and probably some other treats. The new location is in the old Tea Bar space. 1615 NE Killingsworth, Portland

Eastern Cathay was the original Elmer’s. I’ve been to Elmer’s on NE Sandy just past the turn into Parkrose a number of times but had no idea the original location—known at the time as Elmer’s Colonial House of Pancakes & Steak House—is where Eastern Cathay restaurant is on NE 82nd. I will admit: I have not been to Eastern Cathay but have driven past it often. But, it may be in jeopardy: the property it sits on is for sale, and according to an article by Montavilla News, “The business is available as part of a sale or will shut down after the deal finalizes.” 1411 NE 82nd Avenue, Portland

MidCity SmashBurger has the second best burger in the world. According to the website Big 7 Travel, Portland’s own MidCity SmashBurger was rated number 2 in the world in 2022. The Stark Street cart recently moved up to Sandy Blvd next to Level Beer and continues to offer Smashy Bois, Splashy Bois (fish sandwich), and other tasty things at competitive prices. From the Level 7 Travel article, “On the surface, it’s just meat, cheese and sauce in a bun but the reality is so much more. Two thin and crispy beef patties are smashed together beneath a cast iron press, slathered with American cheese slices and the chef’s own special smash sauce, and then served between two fluffy buns. All for just $6.” 1447 NE Sandy Blvd, 1825 N Williams Avenue, and 6620 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Portland

VilleVelo Bake Shop is expanding. I was over at Rocky Butte Espresso Bar this morning and decided to get a slice of their quiche, made by VilleVelo Bake Shop, which is so very good. In fact, it was one of the few things I could really taste when I had COVID this past summer, and its intense savory-tastiness was like a high during a crappy few days. I had heard they were expanding a little while ago, but decided to look into it. They are moving a couple doors down into the old Capitola Coffee space, which moved to N Mississippi earlier this year. Their grand re-opening is tomorrow, Sunday November 5. On their Instagram they say, “Extracto coffee will be ready and our pastries and savories will be available for everyone!” They open at 8am. 1465 NE Prescott Street, Portland

Posted on

Four Things I Learned This Week (October 28)

Two new food books on my radar. I’ve become aware of two new Portland food-oriented books—one Portland-centric and one by a Portlander that I’ve been following for a while (since my traditional food scene days). The first is Lost Restaurants of Portland, Oregon by Theresa Griffin Kennedy. The beginning of the blurb goes like this: “Delve into the Rose City’s colorful and sometimes tumultuous past through the memories, meals and recipes that put these bygone restaurants on the map.” Author Kennedy is a native Portlander.

The other book is called Cooking with Whey, by Urban Cheesecraft’s Claudia Lucero, who lives in Portland. The book’s subtitle is, “A Cheesemaker’s Guide to Using Whey in Probiotic Drinks, Savory Dishes, Sweet Treats, and More.” I once knew a guy in Queens—who eventually founded a kombucha company—who would buy gallons and gallons of whey from the Amish for his health needs. A friend once made me a whey soda that was out of this world tasty. Whey is amazing stuff. It deserves a book like this.

Hollyween Market is this Saturday. Head to the Hollywood Farmers Market this Saturday for their Halloween parade. There will be costumes. There will be dogs (most of which will also be in costume). And those (humans) in costume can enter a lottery to win fun market prizes post-parade. Plus, as always, there will be excellent vendors and chances to pick up some great food and products. 4420 NE Hancock Street, Portland

Adios, Fills. Fills, as reported, is closing down its Lake Oswego shop. Their final day of business will be Sunday October 30. They were going to close ion November 23 but persistent staffing issues sped things up. Prior to Sunday, you can visit them 8am to 8pm (Breakfast sando: 8am to 11:30am; Berliner Burger: 11:30am to 8pm). 3955 Mercantile Drive, Lake Oswego

Bakeshop and the Thanksgiving pies that won’t happen. Bakeshop announced in an email newsletter that they will not be making Thanksgiving pies and cheesecakes this year, which they understand will be disappointing to some. Here is their message:

“For the first time in twelve years, we will not be making Thanksgiving pies and cheesecakes. This has been a very difficult decision, especially knowing that many of you count on us for your dessert. But as we began this week short 6 of our 12 staff, I decided to admit defeat for my and my staff’s sanity, and to give you ample time to make alternate arrangements. Obviously this was a very difficult decision to make, as holiday pies have represented one of our largest, if not the largest, revenue streams of the year for Bakeshop — a stream that we depend on to buffer us through slow periods of the year.” 5351 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

Posted on

Four Things I Learned This Week (October 21)

Jerry found a new home for Jerry’s Tavern, he but needs your help. After searching for months, Jerry Benedetto of what was known as Jerry’s Pizza, has found a location for his new pizza tavern (offering Midwest thin crust pizza). It is the old Night Light Lounge on 21st and Clinton in SE Portland (the neighborhood where Jerry’s Pizza began) but as you might know, it can be rather competitive when it comes to vying for commercial restaurant space in Portland. If you like what Jerry does and want to support him, you can sign his petition to help him nab this space.

In his words, “Your signature will help strengthen our letter of intent to the landlord and hopefully give our small, family-owned business a chance of bringing cracker crust to Portland. Thank you!”

Prescott Cafe has potentially sold. According to a recent OPB article, the Prescott Cafe, which closed for good at the end of September, got itself a buyer. From the article: “There’s a chance [it] could undergo another change. Owner Rose Funk says shortly after she closed the cafe’s doors for good, someone made a cash offer, seemingly with the intention of keeping it as a restaurant.” A Coldwell Banker sale page says “sale pending,” too. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Viking Soul Food is opening a brick & mortar. Good news for Viking Soul Food fans, past, present, and future. Their announcement on social media this week indicates they’ll be expanding (meaning the original truck will remain where it is on Belmont) into the Woodstock neighborhood:

“We are so excited to officially announce a new brick and mortar location coming to the Woodstock neighborhood in November! From an expanded menu, to potential deli offerings, to all the VSF classics, we can’t wait to welcome you in to our new space that’s filled with the love, warmth, values and flavors that have brought this community together for 12 beautiful years. We’re so thankful for your support and hope you’ll come see us!”

Café Zamora has a new location. I’ve always enjoyed my time spent at Café Zamora, which serves coffee from beans grown in Guatemala, and was sorry to learn they had to close. Good news, though: they have a new space on Powell near SE 36th, just three blocks away from the original location on Gladstone. They started a GoFundMe campaign and it met its goal within a few weeks, so the necessary work that needs to be done can start. In his words:

“We are waiting on plumbing permits for the landlord to start working on the water lines and sewer system, and as soon as that is done I will be able to install the sinks, grease trap, counter and do the set up for the working area to get an inspection for our licenses to operate.”

Good luck to the Café Zamora folks and I look forward to stopping by when they are back open.

Posted on

Four Things I Learned This Week (October 7)

RIP Sarah Pliner. I first heard about the “crash with a bicyclist” on the news and via a FlashAlert, when the name of the victim hadn’t been released. It all came quickly into view when I read a post on the Bluto’s Instagram page that it was Sarah Pliner who died. She was a chef previously at Aviary and, most recently, Bluto’s (hence their post). There have been a number of recent articles about her, the tragedy forced upon her, and her work here in Portland’s restaurant world—you can read them on Willamette Week, Bike Portland, The Oregonian, Eater, and listen to the most recent podcast at Right at the Fork.

I’m also intrigued by Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty’s call to transfer SE Powell (US 26) from ODOT to PBOT, with the hopes of increasing safety on this dangerous stretch of road. My heart goes out to Sarah’s friends and family during this difficult time.

Nico’s Coffee is open. In his fourth act, Nico Vergara has opened a coffee shop (previously he opened an ice cream cart, then an ice cream shop—soon to be two—and a cantina). Along with the usual menu suspects like lattes, cappuccino, and matcha, the coffee house is offering interesting drinks like a chicha cold brew and cafecito, as well as empanadas. At this point, I think it’s safe to say that a twist on the old Smucker’s slogan, “With a name like Nico’s, it has to be good,” is appropriate. Definitely stop by and check it out. 5308 NE 30th Avenue, Portland

Birrieria PDX is opening a brick & mortar spot. One of the places in Portland that really put birrieria on the map in town is the Birrieria PDX cart. Their OG car is out in east Portland near the city limits, but are moving a little closer with their newest spot in what I believe used to be home to Amai Teriyaki in a strip mall near NE Glisan and 122nd. 12118 NE Glisan Street, Portland

Thien Hong for sale? Apparently yes—at least the building, anyway. Folks in Roseway are worried that the restaurant will also close if the property is sold. This longstanding Chinese-and-Vietnamese restaurant is known especially for their salt & pepper squid. According to LoopNet, the price of the property is for sale for $1.4M—and this is on two tax lots. One callout in the ad says, “Ideal for Owner-User, Potential Redevelopment or Lease.” There’s a fancy sales document on this property, too. But for you salt & pepper squid fans, apparently you can get it down the road at Zien Hong, which is owned by the same family as Thien Hong—in case the restaurant really does close. 6749 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

Posted on

Four Things I Learned This Week (September 23)

Portland Fermentation Fest will not happen in 2022. The organizers behind Portland’s own “Stinkfest” announced they are now holder the Fermentation Festival this year: “The three of us (volunteer organizers Wanpaku Natto, Liz Crain and Urban Cheesecraft Kits) will re-evaluate for 2023. Time will tell. Thank you so much for your support over the years and patience in the last couple of years. We miss our sweet stinkfest and we miss you!”

It’s a great festival (see my writeup from 2019) and I do hope they will return in 2023.

Red Sauce Pizza will open their dining room. It’s coming, and for that I’m glad: the Red Sauce dining room is opening … soon. I’ll be there. 4641 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Future Days will pop up in the old Handsome Pizza space. Kiki and Casey, former employees at Handsome Pizza/Seastar Bakery, are popping up in their old digs this weekend as Future Days. They’ll be making pizza that was a hot ticket item during their time in SLC. Head there Sunday September 25, 5-9pm. It will be nice to have that oven working again. 1603 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland

Kalesa Coffee opens tomorrow morning. Head to the new brick & mortal space of former popup Kalesa Coffee tomorrow morning from 9am to 1pm for their grand opening party. There will be coffee, of course (their own roast), with Filipino flavors (ube, for one), plus breakfast sandwiches, toast, and sides from Balong. Definitely check them out! 7024 N Richards Street, Portland

Bonus: NYC’s Cevallos brothers custom made a sign for Laughing Planet in PDX. You can read about these brothers originally from Ecuador who work with many Queens businesses (in Jackson Heights, among other neighborhoods) to make hand-crafted signs as promotional tools. I have to admit I am delighted to see when Queens and Portland intersect. You can check out the sign here.