Category: News

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

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Wyrd Leatherworks and Meadery Has a New Home in Milwaukie

Transformed windows at the new location of Wyrd Leatherworks and Meadery.
Windows transformed, very pretty. Photo credit: Wyrd Leatherworks and Meadery.

Back in January 2026, Wyrd Leatherworks and Meadery announced that they chose to not to renew their lease that ends in June 2026. This means that they needed to find a new location, because they emphasized, “Wyrd is not closing.”

The good news is that they did find a new space. Fast forward to now and they are hard at work bringing their dreams to life in Milwaukie. Travis Sigler, Wyrd’s owner, and I had an email exchange over what is to come for Castle Wyrd, and here’s what I’ve learned.

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Vya Brings Tapas, Vegan Paella, and More To Southeast Portland

Vegan paella, view from the side, at Vya.
Vegan paella at Vya.

In late February, a new tapas restaurant called Vya (pronounced “Vye-uh”) opened in the old Palomar space on SE Division. Paella—including a vegan version—is an important part of their menu. They also offer, of course, a variety of tapas, some desserts, as well as cocktails, wine, beer, cider, and no-proof drinks. We had a chance to try some, too.

I chatted with Vy and Steve Chao, the owners of Vya, to learn more about the restaurant, and here is what I learned.

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Angelina’s Will Open in Slabtown in Portland

The logo for Angelina's.

It’s nice to be able to write about this after first catching wind of it last July. The Sesame Collective folks are opening a restaurant called Angelina’s, an upscale bar and grill, in what was the Cosube space on the ground floor of the Saltwood Apartments building on NW 21st Avenue in Slabtown. They expect to open this summer.

I had a chance to chat with Laura Amans and Kasey Mills at Sesame Collective, and here are some of the things we talked about.

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Small Bites: República Returns, Dat Banh Mi, Better Half, and More

República returns with the high quality food they are known for.
Deliciousness at República.

República returns. It’s true! They’ve decided to open back up for daytime service, Thursday through Sunday, 11am to 2:30pm. Founder Angel Medina posted the news on his Substack:

“Quesadillas. Tacotes. Guisados. Pozole. Maybe a surprise or two along the way.

No timeline. No promises. As long as you keep showing up, we’ll keep doing it right.

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