Portland food news and views
News, analysis, and current topics in the world of food.
This is truly one of the most wonderful times of the year—time when the annual Iliamna salmon—and cod—shares are available to order. They are provided by a family who has fished the waters of Alaska’s Bristol Bay for multiple generations, catching salmon and cod in a sustainable way. And their salmon is delicious. Iliamna Salmon Shares 2026: Here’s how to get them!
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Last month I heard about some plans to bring New Zealand-style ice cream to Columbia Farms U-Pick on Sauvie Island starting this summer. We’ve known there’s an interest in this style of ice cream in Portland through Nico’s and Beaux Berry, and it’s great to see it poised to arrive on Sauvie Island. I spoke to Steven Hallstone—his wife’s family runs the farm where the berries are sourced and the ice cream will be sold—to learn more about this delicious project.
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A new restaurant and bar called Say When opens today, offering “blue collar French food and drink.” It’s from the same folks who brought you Sit Tite in the Arbor Lodge neighborhood, which offers “blue-collar East Coast Italian fare.” I had a chance to chat with co-owner BJ Smith over the weekend to hear more about Say When, and here is what I learned.
Continue reading “Say When Opens Today in Northwest Portland”
Burger Syndicate has opened. This is a new spot downtown from the Nacheaux folks. They opened on Thursday, April 9. They wrote on social media, “Burger Syndicate is everything we’ve learned, every sacrifice, every lesson poured into one space. Creative smashburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, loaded fries, weekly specials, house-made lemonades, merch, and the same fun and flavor Nacheaux is known for.”
They have some late night hours: midnight on Sunday (after opening at 6pm that day); 1am Thursday to Saturday; and 1:30am on Monday nights. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. 221 SW Ankeny Street, Portland
Continue reading “Small Bites: Burger Syndicate, Eclairs, Bar Casa Vale, and More”
Earlier this week I had a chance to stop in on the 8th Floor of The Nines Hotel to get a sneak peek at the plans for the inaugural Churchill Nines party in May. This is a chance to watch the Kentucky Derby, AKA “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” with a festive crowd under the light-filled atrium alongside the hotel’s onsite restaurant, Urban Farmer.
We tried a few of the scheduled eats, mint juleps were passed around (more on the NA option later), and I had a number of interesting conversations with folks there—on both the upcoming Derby event and some thoughts and feelings about the efforts in service of a vibrant downtown Portland.
Continue reading “Churchill Nines: Watch the Kentucky Derby at The Nines Hotel in Portland”