Category: Portland

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Portland! It’s where I live, work, and play. It’s where the food news happens (at least most of it). This category is one of the real constants on Bridgetown Bites and is probably a part of almost every post on this blog.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (July 1)

The Portland Craft Beer Festival starts today. Today through Sunday is the 6th Annual Portland Craft Beer Festival at the Fields Neighborhood Park in NW Portland. Online ticket sales are over as at 11:59am today, otherwise they are $40 at the door. Admission gets you a keepsake tin cup with 10 beer tickets and access to a lot of great beer and food. Non-drinkers: enter for free on Sunday during Family Day. 1099 NW Overton Street, Portland

Yonder becomes Hissyfit next week. There’s a lot of details behind this, but I’ll share this in particular: “The kitchen will carry forward some of Yonder’s personality, with Southern flavors and ingredients nestled alongside globally-inspired goodies with a focus on freedom from constraint. We will be sourcing gorgeous local produce and sustainable meats and fish from local farms and purveyors, continuing our relationships with stewards of Southern cuisine like Allan Benton and Anson Mills, and casting a wide net to capture our favorite flavors and techniques from all over the world.” Hissyfit opens Wednesday, July 6. More info, here. 4636 NE 42nd Avenue, Portland

Changes at Moonstruck. The chocolate company has been bought by Freeport, NY-based Chocolate Works, and “will close the Moonstruck Chocolate retail stores in Beaverton, St. Johns and downtown Portland on July 8.” There is an expectation that there will be “growth and transformation” for Moonstruck under the baton of Chocolate Works. I’m just sorry that any jobs will be lost with the closure of the stores.

Gartner’s Meat Market is back open. A couple of weeks ago they re-opened their indoor retail shop, but it only occurred to me when I drove by and saw folks heading inside. Gartner’s Country Meat Market is a great place to shop for your meat grilling needs on the upcoming holiday. 7450 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland

Bonus: Bridgetown Bites turns 5 on July 3! Yes, that’s right, this little blog will be five years old this Sunday. It has—and I have—been through a lot since 2017, with breast cancer (diagnosis in 2018) being the biggest de-railer to consistent posting over the years. But I’ve been in “keep on, keepin’ on” mode, never giving up on it. (“Never give up! Never surrender!”) So, happy birthday, blog! And thanks to all who have read and continue to read my writing and reporting on Portland food.

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What’s Opening in the Old Rocky Butte Pub Space?

What used to be the Rocky Butte Pub.

On my drives up and down Sandy Blvd, I will pass what has been, for a number of years, the Rocky Butte Pub. A true dive bar (to put it lightly), it was a place that cherished its regulars, was a little intimidating to outsiders, and had the requisit pool tables, stiff drinks & standard bar food, and video lottery. But changes have been afoot, and my research gives me hope as to what could be opening up there.

Continue reading “What’s Opening in the Old Rocky Butte Pub Space?”
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Four Things I Learned This Week (June 24)

Midsommar at IKEA. IKEA—you know, that Dutch-headquartered multinational conglomerate that sells home goods and furniture—is celebrating mid-summer with a bunch of events Saturday and Sunday, including a strawberry cake tasting, meatballs, salmon, and mocktails. 10280 NE Cascades Pkwy, Portland

The Poptart Ice Cream Sandwich is back. Head to Kate’s Ice Cream this Saturday as well, for Poptart Ice Cream Sandwiches. They are super popular: “Last year, these sold out in 1 minute online.” No pre-orders this year, but you can line up at Kate’s at noon for your chance to get one of the 150 gluten-free and vegan ice cream sandwiches. 3713 N Mississippi Avenue, Portland

Top pizzas in Portland. According to Italian pizza-centric website, 50 Top Pizza, five Portland pizzerias made the USA list this year:

  • No. 11: Ken’s Artisan Pizza
  • No. 16: Lovely’s Fifty Fifty
  • No. 18: Apizza Scholls
  • No. 40: Nostrana
  • No. 43: Scottie’s Pizza Parlor

Thursdays On the Plaza in Montavilla. The Montavilla Farmers Market, which operates weekly on Sundays, is expanding to Thursday evenings this summer. “Starting the month of July the 79th street plaza will be back, and July 7th will be the first of a weekly event with a few vendors and live music from 4 to 7pm.” There will also be a beer garden run by Threshold Beer. This has all come to pass thanks to a Vibrant Spaces Community Events Activation Fund from the City of Portland. Check out this Willamette Week article for more info. Southeast 79th Avenue and Stark Street, Portland