Category: Restaurants

first-look-dining-room-grand-stark-deli-portland-oregon

News and reviews of restaurants in Portland, Oregon.

Some of the most written about places on this blog include:

Portland Mercado [Latin American]
Ben & Esther’s [Jewish/Vegan]
Sizzle Pie [Pizza]
Bee’s Cakes [Cakes and Baked Goods]
Salt & Straw [Ice Cream]
Nepali Kitchen [Nepalese]
Vivienne[Bakery, Wine Bar, Bookstore]
Kachka [Russian]
Chin’s Kitchen [Dongbei Chinese]
Arrowood [New American]

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Small Bites: Loncheria Los Mayas, Soen, 28 Tigers, and More

The Fall Feast Salad at Fresh Love (part of a Small Bites list with Loncheria Los Mayas).
The Fall Feast Salad. Photo credit: Fresh Love.

The Loncheria Los Mayas truck has moved. I drove by the corner of NE Prescott and 42nd the other day and noticed that the Loncheria Los Mayas truck was no longer there. The property has been sold, too, in September 2025. However, I since learned that the taco truck folks have consolidated into their location on NE Alberta. And a neighbor said, “They will hopefully have a 42nd Ave location early next spring.” Meanwhile, enjoy their delicious Yucatecan food on NE Alberta. 2515 NE Alberta Street, Portland

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Get to Know Recess, the Restaurant in Portland’s Cambria Hotel

Pavlova at Recess.
A beautiful and tasty pavlova at Recess, the restaurant inside the Cambria Hotel.

Last month I stopped in at Recess, the restaurant in the new Cambria Hotel located in the Pearl District. They opened this past August 7. I had a chance meet the staff, hear about their work, and see what they are bringing to the neighborhood—especially when it comes to food and drink. Here’s what I learned during that visit.

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OK Chicken & Khao Soi Will Open in the Old Pok Pok Space in Portland

The titular dish at OK Chicken & Khao Soi.
Photo credit: OK Chicken & Khao Soi.

OK Chicken & Khao Soi has been the source of a lot of chatter and speculation over the months since it was first reported in The Oregonian. I, too have been curious and wanted to learn more, so I reached out to them. I had a chance to chat with Sam Smith, one of the owners. Here is what I learned.

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Small Bites: Tamalada, Crispy Cones, ZabPinto Thai, and More

Making tamales during a tamalada in 2019 in Portland, Oregon.
The tamalada from 2019.

Tamalada in Portland is back! I attended a tamalada—a group tamale-making party around the holidays—organized by Hot Mama Salsa and Three Sisters Nixtamal pre-pandemic (2019) and loved it. We learned how to prepare the masa, fill the corn husks, and steam the tamales—and we got to take some tamales home. It was fantastic!

So you can imagine how happy I was to see that these same two women-owned and led businesses have brought it back this year. This time it will take place at Hot Mama Salsa’s headquarters in Southeast Portland. There are two sessions on Sunday, December 14: 2pm to 3:30pm and 4pm to 5:30pm. It’s $65; you can reserve your spot and pay them on Venmo. DM them with questions. 333 SE 2nd Avenue, Portland

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Small Bites: Gabbiano’s Expansion, Dadash Grill, Reeva, and More

Some of the beautiful food at Astera, a plant-based restaurant in Portland. Photo credit: Astera.

The Gabbiano’s expansion. They’ll be expanding next door into the space that held Lil’ Dame, according to the Portland Business Journal. This additional space will operate as “Gabby’s Next Door” where you can get lunch, and as a private event space. Lunch service will include things like focaccia pizza and soups; you’ll be able to eat in or get takeout. More details in the article. 5425 NE. 30th Avenue, Portland

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