Category: News

News, analysis, and current topics in the world of food.

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Head to the Bee’s Cakes Cafe Pop-Up in September

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Beautiful lemon loaves. Photo credit: Bee’s Cakes

As you may know, Bee’s Cakes is now occupying the space at the northwest corner of NE Fremont and 72nd Avenue. It’s currently operating as a wholesale bakery but there are cafe/retail plans in the works (interior renovations continue). However, Rebecca Powazek  (the upbeat force behind Bee’s Cakes) announced that she’s doing a retail bakery pop-up event on Saturday, September 4! So exciting!

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Four Things I Learned This Week (August 20)

Need a custom vegan cake? Ben & Esther’s, Portland’s own vegetarian (soon to be vegan, I believe) bagel shop, can make your vegan cake dreams come true. In their own words: “Need a custom vegan cake for your next event? We got you! Shoot us an email at info@benandesthers.com and let us know what you’re thinkin’!”

Blind Ox Fremont is closing. According to their Facebook page, they are closing their Fremont location due to “failed lease negotiations.” People are super bummed. Join them for a last hurrah at this location (their N Interstate location remains open) on Saturday 8/29 and Sunday 8/29 for $2 pints, $8 growler fills, 50% off packaged beer.

Delta dashes indoor dining hopes for Pip’s. The folks at Pip’s posted on their Instagram, “Our dining room is closed and we are offering to-go only. This will be our business model for the foreseeable future. It is frustrating, it’s not how we hoped things would go, but it is the reality.” We respect their decision and are grateful that they have made it through the COVID-19 pandemic so far! Their donuts and chai remain excellent, so go get some to-go.

Bee’s is still wholesale but you can find her stuff all over the place. Rebecca of Bee’s Cakes reminds us that they are still a wholesale bakery, but with definite plans to open as a cafe in the future (interior renovations continue). Meanwhile you can find her pastries at a lot of spots around town, including Sullivan Gulch’s Steeplejack,  Roseway’s Rosebridge Coffee, and Parkrose Heights vegan coffee house Jet Black Coffee Company.

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Upright Brewery’s Future Cully Home – Building Status

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While hanging out with The Watermelon Man yesterday,  I snapped a photo of the nearby former auto repair shop that’s slowly making its transformation (it’s a little hard to see but I love the art on the grey patch). Last time I reported on this, the news was that Upright Brewing was moving in with a couple of food trucks. Eater reported last month that Portland coffee roaster Junior’s will join them in that space.

This is a very cool development, and just adds even more value to what’s in store. Probably my favorite detail from the Eater article was this: “Upright and Junior’s feel personally invested in the Roseway and Cully area, as both owners and employees of each company live within walking distance of the new spot.” I absolutely love this.

Last night I perused a bunch of city permit documents about the space and it’s pretty interesting; I love nerding out on this stuff. It’s gonna be a great addition to the neighborhood. Here’s to a fab 2022 opening!

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Checking In With Nathan Hart, The Watermelon Man

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I was on a walk this morning and and decided to stop by Nathan Hart’s truck filled with watermelons. Mr. Hart goes by the moniker, “The Watermelon Man” (it’s on his business card) because he brings delicious Hermiston watermelons to the city and sells them during the summers. From what I can tell, he’s done this for a number of years. His location sometimes changes, and this year he’s parked at the northwest corner of Prescott and 72nd Avenue.  Last year he was over on 82nd Ave near NE Alberta.

I enjoyed our chat—he’s a really nice, personable guy that has become beloved among folks in the neighborhood. “The community has really embraced me,” he said. As an example, he told me a story about a little girl in the neighborhood who gets really excited when she sees him and his truck—“It’s the watermelon man, the watermelon man!” she cries. I mean, how adorable is that?

I noticed on his truck signs indicating that he sells seeded watermelons, seedless watermelons, cantaloupe, and corn. “Of course, that changes as the season changes,” he explained. You can stop by his truck on Mondays to Saturdays until Labor Day; he’s off on Sundays. You can call ahead to order watermelons at 503-756-1257, or just stop on by. He’s a great conversationalist. And his watermelons are fantastic. I’m glad he’s here.