Portland food news and views
News, analysis, and current topics in the world of food.
Last month I stopped in at Recess, the restaurant in the new Cambria Hotel located in the Pearl District. They opened this past August 7. I had a chance meet the staff, hear about their work, and see what they are bringing to the neighborhood—especially when it comes to food and drink. Here’s what I learned during that visit.
Continue reading “Get to Know Recess, the Restaurant in Portland’s Cambria Hotel”
OK Chicken & Khao Soi has been the source of a lot of chatter and speculation over the months since it was first reported in The Oregonian. I, too have been curious and wanted to learn more, so I reached out to them. I had a chance to chat with Sam Smith, one of the owners. Here is what I learned.
Continue reading “OK Chicken & Khao Soi Will Open in the Old Pok Pok Space in Portland”
Tamalada in Portland is back! I attended a tamalada—a group tamale-making party around the holidays—organized by Hot Mama Salsa and Three Sisters Nixtamal pre-pandemic (2019) and loved it. We learned how to prepare the masa, fill the corn husks, and steam the tamales—and we got to take some tamales home. It was fantastic!
So you can imagine how happy I was to see that these same two women-owned and led businesses have brought it back this year. This time it will take place at Hot Mama Salsa’s headquarters in Southeast Portland. There are two sessions on Sunday, December 14: 2pm to 3:30pm and 4pm to 5:30pm. It’s $65; you can reserve your spot and pay them on Venmo. DM them with questions. 333 SE 2nd Avenue, Portland
Continue reading “Small Bites: Tamalada, Crispy Cones, ZabPinto Thai, and More”
Last month I meet up with Arlen Kallunki, who is opening Mayger Coffee in the southwestern corner of the Madison South neighborhood. He’s taking over the space that used to be home to a Vientamese bakery and deli called TM Banh Mi. We met up at Futura Coffee on NE Glisan and had a very nice chat about the new cafe. Here’s what I learned.
Continue reading “Mayger Coffee Will Open in the Madison South Neighborhood in Portland”
Mako Matcha Mill is a new matcha cafe and mill coming to Southwest Portland’s West End section—and true to their name, they will be milling matcha there on site. I stopped by the cafe the other day (under construction at the time) and spoke with the two owners, Edison Zeng and Emily Dewey, to hear about their work with matcha and their plans for the cafe. Here is what I learned.
(Bonus: I had my first taste ever of Nong’s Khao Man Gai’s chicken and rice, located right across the street).
Continue reading “Mako Matcha Mill Will Indeed Mill Matcha in Portland”