Portland food news and views
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.
Photo credit: Montelupo Italian Market
Did you know that National Pasta Day is celebrated every October 17? It’s true and has been since 1995, when the World Pasta Congress met. This year, you can celebrate the day at Montelupo Italian Market, where they are giving out a free pound of their boxed dried pasta with each market purchase or dinner order. Continue reading “National Pasta Day Means Free Pasta From Montelupo”
Varieties of tea drinks at Just Tea, a popular business in the Mill Park neighborhood. Photo credit: Just Tea.
I have a soft spot in my heart for hyperlocal reporting—it’s where I started in digital publishing, and before that I participated in BBS communities that focused on very narrow topics and/or locations. I still look for new hyperlocal way stations online, so imagine how happy I was to come across Mill Park Stories on Instagram.
Continue reading “Hyperlocal Goodness: Mill Park Stories”
Some of the delicious things I’ve eaten at Coquine (top) and EEM (bottom).
It’s all over social media today—the NY Times’ 2021 Restaurant List—and I’m thrilled for EEM and Coquine for being chosen for the list, the focus of which is “the 50 places in America we’re most excited about right now.” I love both of these places—the food is delicious and memorable, the space is comfortable, and the hospitality is excellent. Continue reading “Congrats EEM, Coquine on the NY Times 2021 Restaurant List”
Get ready for Bluto’s. As someone who lived in a heavily-Greek neighborhood for many years, and who misses having access to a plethora of Hellenic restaurant, cafe, and grocery options, whenever I hear about Greek food in Portland my interest is seriously piqued. Rick Gencarelli, the force behind Lardo and Grassa, is opening Bluto’s, a “Greek-inspired” spot that will “keep it super fun and embrace the inauthenticness.” It certainly has gotten me wondering… and eager to try it.
Souvlaki will be a major thing there; Greek salads, too, and there was mention of possible saganaki (always a crowd-pleaser). I always loved a plate of dips that include tirokafteri (spicy feta), and have hopes it will make it on the menu. Check out the Oregonian for more details. 2838 SE Belmont Street, Portland (opening November 2021)
Cloudforest hints. Yesterday on Cloudforest’s Instagram stories, they indicated that Ecuadorian-style empanadas and Ecuadorian TRAVIESA roasters coffee for espresso may make it to their menu. Stay tuned for more on that. 727 SE Morrison St, Portland
DarSalam adjusts. They announced that they are closing two of their locations: “After months of adjusting the menu, staffing or other things we have decided to close our Pearl and Hawthorne locations.” On the positive side, though, you can still enjoy their delicious Iraqi food downtown and in Northeast Portland. 2921 NE Alberta Street and 320 SW Alder Street, Portland
Bug out your ice cream. Salt & Straw likes to push the envelope, and they have done so this month—their seasonal scoops in October include “Don Bugito’s Creepy Crawly Critters,” a matcha ice cream with toffee-brittle mealworms and chocolate crickets. Not my style, but I’m sure some of you out there will enjoy. Personally, I’m looking forward to the “Jack o’ Lantern Pumpkin Bread” with chunks of pumpkin bread and whipped cream cheese frosting. Various, including 2035 NE Alberta Street, Portland
Some of my favorite things on 82nd Avenue.
After being cancelled in 2020, Around the World in 82 Dishes—a celebration of global food options situated on and around 82nd Avenue—is back! This “international food tour” runs three consecutive weekends between Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, November 7, 2021: October 23 & 24, October 30 & 31 and November 6 & 7. This event is produced by the 82nd Avenue Business Association and is really a way to celebrate Portland’s most diverse area through food and drink within the 82nd Avenue of Roses Business District, an almost 5-mile long and 1-mile wide section of Portland—think the Clackamas County line to NE Sandy Blvd, and between SE 80th Avenue to 92nd Avenue.
Continue reading “Around the World in 82 Dishes Is Back in 2021”