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 (February 18)

Akadi will return, and with new offerings. Portland Monthly published an article this week about Akadi, one of Portland’s great African restaurants, which went on hiatus in 2020. The gist of the article is: “First, [chef-owner Fatou Ouattara will] open an African grocery store in North Portland called House of Flavor, focused on teaching the public how to use African ingredients in everyday cooking. Later this spring, Akadi will reopen in a bigger space on SE Division with a broader menu.” Read more over on PoMo. 3901 N Williams Avenue (store) and 1001 SE Division, Portland (restaurant)

Tasty will also return. Portland Business Journal reports that a group of restaurant partners will open House of Tasty, a “community supper club and culinary gathering space” that brings the Tasty brand back to Portland. You may remember that in 2020 the Toro Bravo restaurant group was dissolved (aside: John Gorham is backing Rancher Butcher Chef in Bend, OR). The name was purchased by some former Tasty employees and they opened a Tasty in Lake Oswego in 2021. Look for the new Portland Tasty space to open in the former Bar King location this spring. You can also follow their progress on their Instagram. 726 SE Sixth Avenue, Portland

Furmint Fest tonight. Over at Bar Norman they are hosting a celebration of wines made from the Furmint grape, “Hungary’s darling white grape.” If you’ve ever had Tokaj dessert wines, you’ve likely had a taste of the Furmint grape, which Bar Norman calls, “expressive as hell, entirely unique.” Local importer/distributor, Lone Wolf, knows a lot about Central and Eastern European wines, and will be on hand to pour for you and answer questions about wines from the region. So stop by tonight from 7-9pm to taste a range of Furmint bottlings (note: the party’s on the patio, so dress appropriately). DJ Broken Arrow will be spinning, as well. 2615 SE Clinton Street, Portland

Two soft openings. A couple of spots I’ve written about are now operating in the “soft opening” stage: Wu-Rons and Wallflower Coffee. Wu-Rons is the celebrated ramen restaurant from Charlotte, NC that moved to Portland last year. Wallflower Coffee, a “community-centric coffeeshop,” ran an Indiegogo campaign last year to fund their efforts. Glad to see they are both open. 1430 SE Water Avenue, Portland and 3158 SE Division Street, Portland

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Tamales Festival at Portland Mercado February 25-27

I’m going to tell you something that’s a little embarrassing—last month was the very first time I ever visited the Portland Mercado. I’ve lived in Portland for a number of years now, and it took me all this time to make it there. So, please—don’t make my mistake. Go soon—and why not for the upcoming Tamales Festival?

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Participate in Chocolate for Congo in Portland in February 2022

I only recent became aware of the campaign, Chocolate for Congo, a month-long benefit for Action Kivu and Eastern Congo Initiative. These are two organizations that work to repair the harm done by years of violence and neglect in Eastern Congo by investing in the women, children and communities in the region. You can read about the Kivu conflict on Wikipedia for more background.

The benefit works like this: you enjoy chocolate at restaurants and bakeries in Portland throughout February and $1 from each dessert will benefit these organizations. You still have about half a month to participate!

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The Red Gate Has Closed in Portland

The Red Gate in Portland, Oregon.
The Red Gate was located in what resembles an old Portland Foursquare house. The previous tenant was a hair salon.

For a number of months, neighbors have wondered what is up with The Red Gate, a much-beloved cafe/teahouse on NE Fremont in the Roseway neighborhood that has been closed for some time. Starting in September 2018, they served up espresso drinks, bubble tea, jianbings, and avocado toast, among other things; it was an interesting mix in a nice space. A reliable source has informed me, unfortunately, that they are truly and officially closed and will not be returning.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (February 11)

RIP WordPress “Post Format” option—the latest version of the software running this site has done away with one of my favorite editing options. This column will, going forward, have the headline visible from the front page. Now, onto the news.

Bialys are back at Ben & Esther’s. Bialys are less common than bagels, so get them when you find them. And you can find them at Ben & Esther’s Vegan Jewish Deli—both locations in Portland and only on Saturdays. As they say, “Historically, we sell out of these very quickly…like, within minutes. Get ‘em while you can!” 6912 NE Sandy Blvd and
1800 NE Alberta Street, Portland

Top 10 spots for chicken wings in Portland. PDX Monthly published a roundup of top chicken wing places in Portland this week and it’s an interesting group. It gathers places from Beaverton to Happy Valley, and includes a wide range of flavors. The place that especially caught my eye is the Sandy Hot Wings Café, on NE Sandy and 139th. I’ve been meaning to check out Tinker Tavern in Montavilla, too. Lots of great options on this list. 13912 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

Hindsight Beer Cart is opening a tap room. Via a liquor license application and a post on Instagram, the news that Hindsight Beer Cart is opening a new taproom on SE Powell is real. Their cart has been at the Bite on Belmont pod for a while; the new location looks like the former home of Brewery 26.

At this point they are ready to start things up in the South Tabor neighborhood, but are “Just waiting on the approvals. Stay tuned!” They’ll have 20 indoor seats and 30 outdoor seating (outdoor enclosed in a tent), food, and will be open seven days a week. 5829 SE Powell Blvd, Portland

Boxer Ramen is back, and a new location. They indicated this and other changes back in December 2021: “We will return next month to Our New Location just down the street! Why, you may ask? We are moving into a larger space, expanding the menu (did someone say sushi!?!?), and we will have a full bar with fun cocktails! Happy Hour? You Bet!” See all the things they have to offer on their website. 1668 NW 23rd Avenue, Portland