Portland food news and views
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]
Ticket To Dine 2025 is almost here! This will be its third year, having first been implemented as we were crawling out of the height of the COVID pandemic. Its predecessor was Portland Dining Month, which was held from 2009 to 2020.
But despite the different names, the core idea behind the two is very similar—celebrate Portland’s restaurant scene with special menu items. Here’s what you can expect this year for Ticket To Dine.
Continue reading “Ticket To Dine 2025 Is This March in Portland”
A while back, a reader asked me if I knew what was going in at the old Green Zebra on N Lombard Street. After some research, I’ve come to understand that it looks like it’s going to become a McDonald’s—fast food. Maybe not the most exciting news possible, but it’s satisfying to know the future of that space.
Continue reading “McDonald’s To Open in Old Green Zebra Space on N Lombard in Portland”Mika Paredes will be L’Echelle’s Executive Chef. It seems very apt for Mika Paredes (Cornet Custard) to take the helm of L’Echelle, what with her close connection to the late Naomi Pomeroy, who founded the restaurant. More on Instagram. 4537 SE Division Street, Portland
Lansdowne Social opens next week. I was randomly fed by Instagram’s algorithm the page for Lansdowne Social, and was definitely intrigued by it. First, it looks like events—dinner and afternoon tea—will take place in what was the ÄNIKS space. Martin Pfeifer was Chef de Cuisine there and is now Executive Chef at Lansdowne.
They describe themselves as “a NE Portland neighborhood restaurant with a communal dining concept, all about good food and great company. Twice a night we serve up a rotating, five-course, prix fixe menu of the best seasonal ingredients from the Pacific Northwest.” You can reserve your seat on their Tock page. They look to launch February 28, 2025. 518 NE 28th Avenue, Portland
The McMenamins Ram’s Head will close. It’s uncommon for a McMenamins property to close, so this was a surprise. But they do not own the property, and they chose after 35 years, to not renew the lease. They will close in June, with a big farewell party as a sendoff. 2282 NW Hoyt Street, Portland
Portland has a food cart dedicated to loukoumades. Yanni’s Greek Donuts opened in January but I only became aware of them recently. It’s run by brothers Theo and Luke, who grew up here in Portland’s Greek community. Their cart is decked out with the look of the Greek flag.
They offer three flavors of loukoumades: a classic Honey and Cinnamon, Chocolate Pistachio, and Caramel Coconut. Plus you can get a Greek frappé with it! I love frappés! (And yes, they use Necafé.) These loukomades are the ball-shaped version, not the ring shape (personally that’s my preference, but they are harder to find). 1400 SE 9th Avenue, Portland
Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:
Listen to Meg Cotner on Portland’s Right at the Fork Podcast
New Food Cart at Portland’s My-O-My: Kona Kitchen
CSA Share Fairs Will Take Place in Hillsboro and Portland in 2025
Blasphemy BBQ To Open at the Flying Tortoise Pod in Portland
Zwickelmania is this weekend, too! As is the west side CSA Share Fair. And 82 Acres has opened their doors for diners. I went to a media preview, and took a few photos.
Change in Peter’s Bar & Grill ownership. This past week, the Facebook page for Peter’s Bar & Grill posted a goodbye message: “After a little over 11 years, today was our last day as the owners of Peter’s Bar & Grill. We feel so fortunate to have had this experience. We are so grateful to everyone who welcomed us into this community …. Because of all of you, we’re excited for what Peter’s will be in the future.” It was signed by Tim, Tara, Alex, Piper, & Casey.
I’ve reached out to learn more. My hope is that they do not end up closing. 5701 NE Fremont Street, Portland
Continue reading “Small Bites: Peter’s, Pears, Pizza, and More”Culmination Brewing Company is shuttering. Unfortunately, Culmination Brewing will close both their brewery and taproom. The reasons? Economics and the linger COVID pandemic effects: “We never fully recovered from the financial challenges that COVID brought us despite Herculean efforts by our incredible staff and our amazing brewers Daniel Hughes and Andy Scott.” The last day to enjoy their beer is Saturday, February 15. Fomo Kitchen will also be there at the taproom. 2117 NE Oregon Street, Portland
Union on Hawthorne is open. Steeplejack Beer announced the opening of their location on SE Hawthorne and 38th Avenue. This is the building that burned in December 2022. But the good folks at Steeplejack ave turned this space around and are sharing it with Harder Day Coffee Company and Musette bakery. There will be some food carts, too. They’ll be open 7am to 4pm for coffee, 11am to 9pm for beer. 3757 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland
Dick’s Primal Burger launches breakfast. They started their breakfast service in late January, and you can access it on the weekends from 8am to 11am. Look for waffles (GF) biscuits & gravy, avocado toast, scrambles, bowls, and more, including coffee and mimosas. Bread products all have gluten-free options. 4905 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland
Monty’s Red Sauce is open. After months of preparation, this east coast Italian-American red sauce joint will serve dinner nightly. “Heaping portions, cozy booths, big space, long bar, all perfect for date night to big groups and everything in between.” You can make a reservation or just walk in between 5pm and 9pm. 6716 SE Milwaukie Avenue, Portland
Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:
Fat Milo’s Will Open a Second Location in NE Portland
82 Acres Will Open in the Old Quaintrelle Space in Portland
Dumpling Week 2025 Returns in Portland
Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, January 2025
Also, the Robert Burns Supper—possibly the final one of the season—is this Saturday at the East Gate Lodge/Parkrose Masonic Center. We’ve listed it in our cultural + food festivals page, along with lots of other events, updated throughout the year.
