Category: Four Things

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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.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (July 29)

Progress at Trela. Earlier this year I wrote about a new Greek taverna and bar, Trela, that’s opening up in the old O’Neill Public House space on the corner of NE Glisan and 60th. They’re getting closer to opening their doors, with a submitted liquor license application. Really looking forward to eating at this place. 6000 NE Glisan Street, Portland

Nathan Hart, aka The Watermelon Man, is back in Cully. He’s been there at least a few weeks now, selling Hermiston watermelons, cantaloupes, and more out of the back of his truck. You can find him Tuesdays through Saturdays (in general) at 72nd & Prescott, right near the Upright Brewing project. Northwest corner of 72nd and Prescott, Portland

RIP Choco Taco, Long Live Choco Taco! Yes, we’ve all heard the news: the Choco Taco has been discontinued. I loved the shape and concept but I have to admit: it tasted mediocre at best. I know, blasphemy. However, a couple local spots are taking up the Choco Taco mantle—at Kate’s Ice Cream it will “live on” this Saturday, July 30. They’ll make 50 available at 10 bucks a pop starting at noon. Later on this year, Salt & Straw will enter the ring and offer their version of the Choco Taco on National Taco Day, October 4. 3713 N Mississippi Avenue, Portland (Kate’s)

Accolades for Creo Chocolate. One of my favorite chocolate spots in Portland is Creo Chocolate. Believe it or not, their unsweetened chocolate bar is delicious. However, the most recent news is about their white chocolate bars. Whether or not you consider white chocolate to be legit chocolate, the world loves it. Three of their bars—Coffee & Cream, Meyer Lemon Pie, and Strawberry & Hibiscus—won Gold and Silver (x2) at the 2022’s Academy of Chocolate Awards in London. Their chocolate has now won a total of 100 awards over the years. 122 NE Broadway, Portland

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Four Things I Learned This Week (July 1)

The Portland Craft Beer Festival starts today. Today through Sunday is the 6th Annual Portland Craft Beer Festival at the Fields Neighborhood Park in NW Portland. Online ticket sales are over as at 11:59am today, otherwise they are $40 at the door. Admission gets you a keepsake tin cup with 10 beer tickets and access to a lot of great beer and food. Non-drinkers: enter for free on Sunday during Family Day. 1099 NW Overton Street, Portland

Yonder becomes Hissyfit next week. There’s a lot of details behind this, but I’ll share this in particular: “The kitchen will carry forward some of Yonder’s personality, with Southern flavors and ingredients nestled alongside globally-inspired goodies with a focus on freedom from constraint. We will be sourcing gorgeous local produce and sustainable meats and fish from local farms and purveyors, continuing our relationships with stewards of Southern cuisine like Allan Benton and Anson Mills, and casting a wide net to capture our favorite flavors and techniques from all over the world.” Hissyfit opens Wednesday, July 6. More info, here. 4636 NE 42nd Avenue, Portland

Changes at Moonstruck. The chocolate company has been bought by Freeport, NY-based Chocolate Works, and “will close the Moonstruck Chocolate retail stores in Beaverton, St. Johns and downtown Portland on July 8.” There is an expectation that there will be “growth and transformation” for Moonstruck under the baton of Chocolate Works. I’m just sorry that any jobs will be lost with the closure of the stores.

Gartner’s Meat Market is back open. A couple of weeks ago they re-opened their indoor retail shop, but it only occurred to me when I drove by and saw folks heading inside. Gartner’s Country Meat Market is a great place to shop for your meat grilling needs on the upcoming holiday. 7450 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland

Bonus: Bridgetown Bites turns 5 on July 3! Yes, that’s right, this little blog will be five years old this Sunday. It has—and I have—been through a lot since 2017, with breast cancer (diagnosis in 2018) being the biggest de-railer to consistent posting over the years. But I’ve been in “keep on, keepin’ on” mode, never giving up on it. (“Never give up! Never surrender!”) So, happy birthday, blog! And thanks to all who have read and continue to read my writing and reporting on Portland food.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (June 24)

Midsommar at IKEA. IKEA—you know, that Dutch-headquartered multinational conglomerate that sells home goods and furniture—is celebrating mid-summer with a bunch of events Saturday and Sunday, including a strawberry cake tasting, meatballs, salmon, and mocktails. 10280 NE Cascades Pkwy, Portland

The Poptart Ice Cream Sandwich is back. Head to Kate’s Ice Cream this Saturday as well, for Poptart Ice Cream Sandwiches. They are super popular: “Last year, these sold out in 1 minute online.” No pre-orders this year, but you can line up at Kate’s at noon for your chance to get one of the 150 gluten-free and vegan ice cream sandwiches. 3713 N Mississippi Avenue, Portland

Top pizzas in Portland. According to Italian pizza-centric website, 50 Top Pizza, five Portland pizzerias made the USA list this year:

  • No. 11: Ken’s Artisan Pizza
  • No. 16: Lovely’s Fifty Fifty
  • No. 18: Apizza Scholls
  • No. 40: Nostrana
  • No. 43: Scottie’s Pizza Parlor

Thursdays On the Plaza in Montavilla. The Montavilla Farmers Market, which operates weekly on Sundays, is expanding to Thursday evenings this summer. “Starting the month of July the 79th street plaza will be back, and July 7th will be the first of a weekly event with a few vendors and live music from 4 to 7pm.” There will also be a beer garden run by Threshold Beer. This has all come to pass thanks to a Vibrant Spaces Community Events Activation Fund from the City of Portland. Check out this Willamette Week article for more info. Southeast 79th Avenue and Stark Street, Portland

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Four Things I Learned This Week (June 17)

We took a break from this column because of Salad Week, but now it’s back. I hope you dads out there have a great Father’s Day, and I lend my respect and honor to those who find meaning in Juneteeth this weekend.

Brasa Haya will close. I read the news this morning—total bummer, as I loved their food. Final service will be Sunday brunch on June 19 (this weekend). Since the pandemic there have been a number of goodbye messages from restaurant owners in this city, but I found the line, “I’m so sorry. We tried so hard.” to be particularly heartbreaking. I wish the Brasa Haya owners and their team the best and hope good things come their way post-BH. 412 NE Beech Street, Portland

Saint Simon’s second location is open. This second location has been open for a couple of weeks now—check out this photo of the interior; it looks like a nice, airy space. I’ve driven by a few times on my way from point A to point B and have always been glad to see them open. It’s a great addition to the neighborhood and I look forward to stopping by soon. They’re open 7am to 2pm, seven days a week. 2526 NE 15th Avenue, Portland

Bipartisan Cafe celebrates 17 years. Earlier this week Montavilla’s Bipartisan Cafe announced they’ve been around for 17 years, and there is no indication that they are stopping any time soon. They revealed their own trepidation when they first opened. (“I literally broke down in tears waiting at the stop light in front of Beet’s Auto wondering if I had just sunk our family.”) They are a beloved part of the Montavilla community and I wish them another successful 17 years (or more) to come. 7901 SE Stark Street, Portland

Sandwich Week starts Monday, June 20. The Portland Mercury will launch their inaugural Sandwich Week on Monday at various spots around Portland. $8 sandwiches all week. Full transparency: There was a bit of controversy over Sandwich Week that did influence some of our decisions about Salad Week. If you’d like more info on Sandwich Week, check it out here. Various locations around Portland

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Four Things I Learned This Week (June 3)

Happy anniversary, Sebastiano’s! I their newsletter, Dan and Elise of Sebastiano’s talked about the early days of the business and all the things that they managed during quite a jarring couple of years. They ended it with an announcement of a party, happening today and tomorrow, June 3 & 4, from 11am to 7pm. It will be the official grand opening of their summer Apertivo pop-up (menu starting at 3pm) in their new Spritz Garden.

Also: “Pro Tip: Our friends Mel & Greg of Suzor Wines are going to be hanging out and pouring their 2020 releases “Tales of the Sun” and “Infinite Emotions” (Pinot & Pinot/Gamay blend) with us on Friday night beginning at 5:00 pm. Their wine is delicious – come grab a glass” 411 SE 81st Avenue, Portland

GRANA pop-up at Montelupo. On Monday, June 6, stop by Montelupo starting at 5pm for the GRANA pop-up. Run by Chris Flanagan, he makes “made-to-order pizza” that is “folded in four, finished with a signature aioli and grana padano, and served in a wrapper.” Check out the different kinds of pizzas he’ll fold for you on the GRANA website.

Along with these pizzas there will be a limited menu of starters, pastas, and desserts available from the Montelupo kitchen. As far as those offerings go, I gotta say this looks amazing: “Burrata—pancetta jam, local spring greens, rhubarb vinaigrette.” I also have to stop in for the Hazelnut Coffee Soda: house-made hazelnut syrup, Push X Pull espresso, orange bitters, and soda water served over ice. Dang! 344 NE 28th Avenue, Portland

Cully Farmers Market opened Thursday. Glad to see them back for the season—they’ll be open for business on Thursdays from 4pm to 8pm until October. You can find them in the Los Pepitos Locos parking lot. NE 42nd and Alberta, Portland

Tokyo Sando wants to access a brick & mortar space. On their Instagram, they posted, “Thank you for keeping us busy, And sorry for selling out almost everyday. We just need a bigger space kitchen. Please message us if you know any kitchen space or restaurant space. So we can make more sandos for everyone who love Our sandos❤️ Arigato!!!” If you know of a space for them, send them a message. I’d love to see them expand.

Bonus: It’s Salad Week next week on Bridgetown Bites! Judith and I look forward to sharing our love of salad in Portland with you. We hope you’ll join us for that!