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 (November 4)

Nico’s Ice Cream (second location) opens tomorrow (Saturday). The second location of Nico Vergara’s popular ice cream shop will open tomorrow morning, starting at noon and going until 4pm. Along with NZ-style ice cream cones, expect empanadas, half pints of dulce de leche ice cream, music with DJ maddchill, and probably some other treats. The new location is in the old Tea Bar space. 1615 NE Killingsworth, Portland

Eastern Cathay was the original Elmer’s. I’ve been to Elmer’s on NE Sandy just past the turn into Parkrose a number of times but had no idea the original location—known at the time as Elmer’s Colonial House of Pancakes & Steak House—is where Eastern Cathay restaurant is on NE 82nd. I will admit: I have not been to Eastern Cathay but have driven past it often. But, it may be in jeopardy: the property it sits on is for sale, and according to an article by Montavilla News, “The business is available as part of a sale or will shut down after the deal finalizes.” 1411 NE 82nd Avenue, Portland

MidCity SmashBurger has the second best burger in the world. According to the website Big 7 Travel, Portland’s own MidCity SmashBurger was rated number 2 in the world in 2022. The Stark Street cart recently moved up to Sandy Blvd next to Level Beer and continues to offer Smashy Bois, Splashy Bois (fish sandwich), and other tasty things at competitive prices. From the Level 7 Travel article, “On the surface, it’s just meat, cheese and sauce in a bun but the reality is so much more. Two thin and crispy beef patties are smashed together beneath a cast iron press, slathered with American cheese slices and the chef’s own special smash sauce, and then served between two fluffy buns. All for just $6.” 1447 NE Sandy Blvd, 1825 N Williams Avenue, and 6620 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Portland

VilleVelo Bake Shop is expanding. I was over at Rocky Butte Espresso Bar this morning and decided to get a slice of their quiche, made by VilleVelo Bake Shop, which is so very good. In fact, it was one of the few things I could really taste when I had COVID this past summer, and its intense savory-tastiness was like a high during a crappy few days. I had heard they were expanding a little while ago, but decided to look into it. They are moving a couple doors down into the old Capitola Coffee space, which moved to N Mississippi earlier this year. Their grand re-opening is tomorrow, Sunday November 5. On their Instagram they say, “Extracto coffee will be ready and our pastries and savories will be available for everyone!” They open at 8am. 1465 NE Prescott Street, Portland

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Gebeta Ethiopian Bar & Restaurant Opened in Cully

Photo credit: Keala V via Yelp

In the “Well, I’m Late to the Party” category, I recently learned that Gebeta Ethiopian Bar & Restaurant opened in Cully last February. I’ve not gotten a chance to get over there, but online reviews are mostly positive. It’s located in part of Cully’s industrial section, and its presence there is a welcome surprise.

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Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, October 2022

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I’ll admit it—October was a bit of a tough month for Bridgetown Bites because of a deluge of editing work that came my way. Not really anything to complain about but I missed my daily time with the blog. Regardless, here are the most read articles from October 2022. As always, thanks for reading, especially during a relatively dry month content-wise.

5. Interesting Projects From República’s Team & Associates

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República, a restaurant that offers enjoyment and world-expanding flavors in delicious regional Mexican cooking, has garnered high praise from both food media (PoMo’s Restaurant of the Year 2021, PDX Eater’s Best New Restaurant 2021, 2022 James Beard Award Semifinalist as Best New Restaurant) and eaters in Portland. They show us that there is much to experience from a country that is often thought of in the U.S. as simply the home of margaritas, burritos, tacos—and, if you’re getting fancy, tres leches cake (these are all delicious, but are a fraction of what Mexico has to offer as far as food goes). I personally think it’s very important and meaningful to highlight the regional tastes of our neighbor to the south, and I’m glad República is doing just that.

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Mattino’s Wine, From the Folks Who Brought You No Saint, Will Open in Buckman

Pizza from No Saint’s pop-up at Dame Restaurant in 2021.

While perusing my sources today I saw one document that had a big ol’ “No Saint” written on it. I thought, “Huh, that’s so familiar.” I wracked my brain and then it hit me—No Saint was the pizza/Italian eats pop-up I went to with my friend Annie many months ago. Turns out they are the same folks behind Mattino’s Wine, a “natural wine bottle shop + luncheonette” that will open on Hawthorne Blvd in the Buckman neighborhood.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (October 28)

Two new food books on my radar. I’ve become aware of two new Portland food-oriented books—one Portland-centric and one by a Portlander that I’ve been following for a while (since my traditional food scene days). The first is Lost Restaurants of Portland, Oregon by Theresa Griffin Kennedy. The beginning of the blurb goes like this: “Delve into the Rose City’s colorful and sometimes tumultuous past through the memories, meals and recipes that put these bygone restaurants on the map.” Author Kennedy is a native Portlander.

The other book is called Cooking with Whey, by Urban Cheesecraft’s Claudia Lucero, who lives in Portland. The book’s subtitle is, “A Cheesemaker’s Guide to Using Whey in Probiotic Drinks, Savory Dishes, Sweet Treats, and More.” I once knew a guy in Queens—who eventually founded a kombucha company—who would buy gallons and gallons of whey from the Amish for his health needs. A friend once made me a whey soda that was out of this world tasty. Whey is amazing stuff. It deserves a book like this.

Hollyween Market is this Saturday. Head to the Hollywood Farmers Market this Saturday for their Halloween parade. There will be costumes. There will be dogs (most of which will also be in costume). And those (humans) in costume can enter a lottery to win fun market prizes post-parade. Plus, as always, there will be excellent vendors and chances to pick up some great food and products. 4420 NE Hancock Street, Portland

Adios, Fills. Fills, as reported, is closing down its Lake Oswego shop. Their final day of business will be Sunday October 30. They were going to close ion November 23 but persistent staffing issues sped things up. Prior to Sunday, you can visit them 8am to 8pm (Breakfast sando: 8am to 11:30am; Berliner Burger: 11:30am to 8pm). 3955 Mercantile Drive, Lake Oswego

Bakeshop and the Thanksgiving pies that won’t happen. Bakeshop announced in an email newsletter that they will not be making Thanksgiving pies and cheesecakes this year, which they understand will be disappointing to some. Here is their message:

“For the first time in twelve years, we will not be making Thanksgiving pies and cheesecakes. This has been a very difficult decision, especially knowing that many of you count on us for your dessert. But as we began this week short 6 of our 12 staff, I decided to admit defeat for my and my staff’s sanity, and to give you ample time to make alternate arrangements. Obviously this was a very difficult decision to make, as holiday pies have represented one of our largest, if not the largest, revenue streams of the year for Bakeshop — a stream that we depend on to buffer us through slow periods of the year.” 5351 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland