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.
It’s always interesting to go through the stats and see what readers are drawn to here on Bridgetown Bites. July 2017 was our inaugural month so there’s not a ton of content on the site yet, but here’s what you all were reading over the month.
This year’s artwork, designed by local artist Kirsten Karkanen, honors longtime friend of the Festival, Richard Frank, who passed away on January 28, 2017.
On Friday afternoon I spent some time at the 2017 Oregon Brewers Festival, which celebrates its 30th year this summer. I attended last year with family and we all had a blast, so I was definitely looking forward to it again this year. It did not disappoint (full disclosure: I was provided with a mug and tokens by the Festival organizers). I also learned something about my own current beer preferences—it took having a feast of tasting opportunities at my fingertips to see where my inclinations are these days. Spoiler: it’s beer brewed with or flavored with fruit.
The Belmont Dairy building, former home to Zupans, future home to H Mart. Photo credit: Another Believer
While in the midst of a late night internet rabbit hole session, I came across the good news that H Mart will open up shop in SE Portland in 2018. This is relatively old news in internet time, but I’m still elated about it—it means a good Korean grocery will be a short bus ride away. They’re opening up in the space that formerly held Zupans, at 3301 SE Belmont Street.
My previous experience with H Mart was in NYC; you’ll find H Marts throughout the city and in eastern New Jersey. I used to visit the original store in Woodside, Queens, still called Han Ah Reum, which in Korean means “one arm full of groceries; it’s relatively small but packed with products. Actually, a lot of H Marts can feel cramped, but there are some large megastores in New Jersey. The SE Belmont space is over 20,000 square feet, which is about half the size of the average American supermarket, but for a standard H Mart it might feel spacious. I have not been to the other H Marts in the suburbs to compare.
Sunday, July 23, 2017 marked our one year anniversary of moving to the Hollywood District in Portland. We spent the day taking it easy and not doing much at all—completely the opposite of the year before.
Four fruit and collagen drinks for summer. From L-R, Melon Moon, Flame Tamer, Sweet Greens, and Beauty Lemonade.
Let’s hear it for tempting, refreshing summer drinks! And it’s a bonus when they’re good for you. Now, we have exactly that: enter, the Summer Collagen Coolers. Note: Salt Fire & Time has closed.
