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: 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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Epif Reopens With Brunch This Week in Portland

The exterior of Epif on NE 28th Avenue's restaurant row.
Photo credit: Epif.

Good news: Epif reopens tomorrow! Known for many years as a restaurant serving vegan food “inspired by the Andes region of South America,” it will shift from evening service to brunch service starting Thursday, November 6. And its new menu will remain completely vegan. I spoke with Epif co-owner Nicolle Dirks to learn more.

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Pho Hung at CORE: Coming Soon To This Food Hall in Portland

Pho Hung at CORE: Will they bring their excellent pho with them?
Photo credit: Pho Hung

Recently I was perusing some reports from the city, and noticed one of them indicated that Pho Hung (the one on SE Powell Blvd) was going to have a presence at CORE. I wanted to know more so I reached out to CORE with some questions. I had a phone call with Hanry Ho, one of CORE’s owners, who explained what was going on.

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