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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Dream Deli Will Open in Southeast Portland

Dream Deli logo

Over the summer I had heard talk about Dream Deli—it’s a new deli that is influenced by the owners’ Jewish and Italian heritages, opening on SE Division Street. I was definitely intrigued, and wanted to learn more—in part because if there’s one thing Portlanders are clamoring for, it’s a Jewish deli.

I reached out to Jessie Levine, one of the owners, who brought along John Bissell, the other owner, to our conversation. Here is what I learned from them.

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Thanksgiving 2025 in Portland

Happy Thanksgiving 2025 in Portland - with lady liberty in the background.

Thanksgiving 2025—it’ll be here before you know it (November 27). We hope this resource will be of help for those making their dinner and ingredient pre-orders, as well as for those trying to snag a reservation at one of our local restaurants. 

This roundup will be updated as new options and information becomes available. Happy Thanksgiving (to come)!

Poultry and Meat | Pies and Dessert
Meal Kits & Takeout | Restaurant Meals | Misc

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Sunday Sauce: Italian American Comfort Food Comes to Portland via New Jersey

Sunday Sauce. Actual Sunday sauce over pasta.
The titular Sunday Sauce. Photo credit: Devin White/Sunday Sauce.

Good news: Sunday Sauce opens this week! Get ready for comforting plates of chicken parm, meatballs, giardiniera misto, garlic cheese bread, and yes—Sunday sauce over pasta. Here’s what we know about this new Italian American restaurant from Amanda and Judson Winquist (of Normandie fame) in North Portland.

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Bangkok Belly: Bringing Thai Skewers, Salads, and Spirits to Portland

Skewers at Bangkok Belly.
Photo credit: Bangkok Belly.

A new Thai restaurant is opening on SE Belmont Street called Bangkok Belly. They’re setting up shop in what was most recently the home to Daily Fuel (they closed this past summer), but I remember it more as the location of Suzette, whose crepes I still miss.

I spoke with Kat Thirakomen, who owns Bangkok Belly with her husband David Fiske, about their plans for the restaurant. Here is what I learned.

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Edan Pizza Will Open in Downtown Portland

A test pizza at Edan Pizza in Portland, Oregon.
A recent test pizza, “The best practice pie yet” in September 2025. Photo credit: Edan MacQuaid.

A new pizzeria is in the works for downtown Portland called Edan Pizza. It will be helmed by Edan MacQuaid, a very respected pizzaiolo know for his work in the Washington D.C. area. We first published a little blurb about his pizzeria in a recent Small Bites column. Since then, I’ve spoken with Edan to hear more about his plans—here is what I learned.

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