Category: News

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

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The Mekha-Yen Ha Connection

Ever since Yen Ha announced they were closing, neighbors have speculated that the people behind Mekha—located just a little ways up the road at 6846 NE Sandy Blvd—are now somehow involved in the Yen Ha space. I’ve perused a variety of documents online and what is clear is that the owner of Mekha, Long Nguyen, is leading a demolition project in the old Yen Ha (6820 NE Sandy Blvd).

Property records indicate that the owner of 6818-6828 NE Sandy Blvd is Long Nguyen, yet property records also indicated that 6828 NE Sandy Blvd is owned by Duc Tran, owner of Yen Ha.  Just a little confusing here. But the folks at Yen Ha have indicated that they will return—perhaps in that building with the help of the Mekha team?

Now, you might think, “why can’t they just cut a doorway between Mekha and Yen Ha and make it a bigger space? There is a little Vietnamese market in between the two buildings, Nam Phuong Market. They’ve been around since 1997, and personally I hope they don’t close with all these changes going on.

A recent permit with the city indicates that Long Nguyen (also serving as the general contractor) is taking out all the non-load-bearing walls in Yen Ha. He and his crew will be remodeling the dining room—walls and ceiling—as well as the kitchen.

Hopefully someone with more access will be able to fill in the missing pieces. Bottom line, though, looks like that space will be home to another restaurant.

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Spud Monkey’s Is Coming to Hollywood

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Swings as seating at Spud Monkey’s in Fairview. Perhaps they’ll install them in Hollywood, too.

I noticed the news today that the old Columbia River Brewing space is getting a new tenant—Spud Monkey’s. This is a bar that opened in 2011 in Gresham; the Hollywood District will be their third location. The boast that they are “primarily female owned and operated” and that they “specialize in potato-themed plates, including the Spuddy; a burger with a baked potato bun.” That’s a baked potato that serves as a bun, in case there was any confusion there. Continue reading “Spud Monkey’s Is Coming to Hollywood”

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Four Things I Learned This Week (January 10)

No big introduction, let’s just get to the news!

Bing Mi has new digs. One of my favorite food trucks in Portland is the Bing Mi truck—they make the delicious Chinese jianbing street snack. It’s all things savory, spicy, sweet, and eggy. I love them. This week I learned that they have found a new location, since they were part of the group of trucks in the Alder Street pod forced out because of the impending Ritz Carlton hotel development. Details on their move:

“Good news friends: We signed the lease to move our food cart into @nobhillfoodcarts_pdx pod. Yep, Bing Mi is moving to Nob Hill Food Cart pod which is located at NW 23rd Place and Thurman St hopefully open late January or early February 2020. After struggling for a long time since our cart at 10th&Alder closed, we’re excited that we will be reopening our food cart in the NW. We can’t wait to make more delicious jianbings and potentially some other authentic Chinese street foods. We’ll update again once we’re sure about the opening date.”

Delish knish news. Ben & Esther’s Bagels keeps adding the hits to their menu—this time it’s knishes! Cheese and potato right now, with kasha (buckwheat) to come. That is a real-deal Jewish deli delight. They look fantastic from what I can tell. Also treat yourself to one of their black & white cookies while you’re there.

The churros are returning… the churros are returning!! Portland Monthly shared the news that Jose Chesa is bringing back a scaled-down version of 180 Xurros and Xocalata inside the lobby of the impending Hyatt Centric hotel at SW Alder and 11th, likely in February. More details:

“The new iteration of 180 Xurros and Xocalata will serve grab-and-go Spanish flauta sandwiches, smoky pimenton lattes, and hot xurros to order at its long tile and stone counter. It will stand as a super casual companion piece to the Chesa’s next project, Masia (pronounced “mah-seeya”), the hotel’s anchor restaurant (read our October 2019 news story here). Those xurros will make an appearance at Masia, too, during the rustic-refined Spanish breakfast and brunch.”

New businesses at Providore. I love this market with its fun selection of high-quality products and the excellent Arrosto connected on the side of the building. Good Stuff NW shared news of some new businesses coming to the market, including Revel Meat, a new venture by Old Salt’s Ben Meyer and James Serlin; and Kenny Belov’s Two X Sea (Two By Sea), which will set up in the space vacated by Flying Fish Company. Sounds like two fantastic additions to an already excellent market.

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Get Bagels, Help Australia

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Image credit: Ben & Esther’s Bagels

Over the weekend I spied a campaign from Ben & Esther’s Bagels in service of supporting those fighting the terrifying Australian brushfires. Bottom line: spend money at Ben & Esther’s this Tuesday, January 7, and all of it (not just profit but ALL of it) will go to support the Australian Red Cross. More from Ben & Esther’s on Facebook:

Continue reading “Get Bagels, Help Australia”
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Four Things I Learned This Week (December 20)

Back on track and here with the news—here’s four things I learned this week.

Portland, Prince of Barbecue. Texas Monthly magazine proclaims it: Portland has the best Texas Barbecue scene outside of Texas. That’s pretty high praise. The article gives shout outs to Holy Trinity Barbecue, Matt’s BBQ, Podnah’s Pit Barbecue, Bark City BBQ, Botto’s BBQ, and Bullard.

The Rock scoops Portland. This week we learned that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has purchased a stake in Salt & Straw, and has put together a couple new flavors for the holiday season “based on Johnson’s “Dwanta Claus” character.” Here are the descriptions from Salt & Straw:

I Saw Mommy Kissing Dwanta Claus: We upgraded the classic kiss cookie with peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough and a milk chocolate caramel fudge swirl. Then we brought the naughty with rich whiskey ice cream.

The Rock’n Around the Christmas Tree: We hid one of Dwanta’s favorite “cheat day” gifts under the tree—gooey brownies made extra indulgent with buttery frosting. Pacific Northwest spruce ice cream gets decorated with raspberry jam and glacé cherries, just like you’d find in fruitcake.

Peppermint Cocoa, Cinnamon Chai Spiced Eggnog (v), and Chocolate Gooey Brownie round out the holiday flavors this year.

Guide to Fish & Chips on the coast. Not really about Portland, but awesome just the same if you like fish & chips as much as I do (Bennett’s Fish Shack in WA is my overall fave in the PNW region), this is an exciting map of 14 fish & chips spots on the Oregon Coast from Jennifer Burns Bright. I know what I’ll be doing on the coast when I’m out there.

Masía’s Instagram woke up. New Spanish restaurant from Jose Chesa, Masía, published their first post on Instagram yesterday.

“Hello, friends! We’re building and testing and cooking and getting ready to open very soon! In Spain a Masía is a rural home away from home, and we’re building our space in downtown Portland in that spirit: your Spanish home away from home here in Portland. A cozy and welcoming place to escape and enjoy all the very best flavors of Catalan cuisine with family and friends. Stay tuned!”

They’ll open on the ground floor of the upcoming Hyatt Centric hotel on SW Adler and 11th, hopefully in January 2020.