Michael’s Italian Beef and Sausage Co. Will Reopen on SE Hawthorne

Kouzina is out, Michael’s is in.

A Bridgetown Bites tipster email me earlier this week: “Walked by today and saw Kouzina moving out. A sign in the window states that Michael’s Italian Beef and Sausage Co. is moving in soon.” They offer Italian-style beef, sausage, and various cold sandwiches; and Chicago-style hot dogs.

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Eat Pancakes in Portland on Candelmas (February 2)

Pancakes in Portland: the dutch baby we used to get at Beeswing in the Cully neighborhood in NE Portland
I still miss you, Dutch Baby from Beeswing.

Did you know that February 2 is an apt time to eat pancakes in Portland? This is the date of of Candlemas, a Christian feast day, that coincides around the time of Imbolc (February 1, so good chance there was some borrowing going on), a cross-quarter day at the midpoint between the Solstice and Equinox. It marks “the first stirrings of spring.” It makes me think of crocuses, stretching toward the sunlight.

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Small Bites: Redwood, Hong Phat, Rift Valley Market, Yaowarat, and More

pastries-jinju-portland-oregon

The beautiful pastries at JinJu Patisserie. Stop by before February 16, when they go on a short hiatus.

Final weekend at Bee’s. The ice storm caused chaos, as we know, and delayed the final weekend at Bee’s in Roseway. Head over there today through Sunday to enjoy their cake slices, laminated pastries, cookies, and more. The cafe is open from 8am to 3pm each day. 7137 NE Fremont Street, Portland

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Four Things I Learned This Week (January 19)

Sandy Jug to open this month. Over on Instagram, the Sandy Jug Tavern posted, “pushed back a week. hopefully this next weekend.” Sounds like they’ll be open not this weekend but the next, so that would be the weekend of January 26 (if you count Friday evening as part of the weekend). It’s exciting to think they’ll be open soon; I can’t wait to check it out. 7417 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

Rescheduled collab between Nico’s and Pip’s. This crazy icy weather has thrown multiple monkey wrenches into multiple businesses this week, so the originally planned collab between Nico’s Ice Cream and Pip’s Original had to be postponed. They are attempting to do it this weekend: “We’ll be blending in Pip’s donuts into our vanilla base, then topping it with nutella, honey, and coconut flakes. We call it the Tropical Reggie Lee!” If you can, head to Nico’s Fremont location on Saturday, January 20 all day (noon to 9pm). 5713 NE Fremont Street, Portland

That “10 Places” bit on social. I’ve seen it mostly on Instagram, but people are sharing the 10 restaurants/small businesses they want to support after the ice recedes enough to get back out into the world. For me, I want to support the following:

  1. Fresh Love, 7434 NE Fremont Street
  2. Thai Seasons, 5824 NE Sandy Blvd
  3. My-O-My + Lawless BBQ in the back (so, a twofer), 8627 NE Sandy Blvd
  4. Sandy-O’s, 10505 NE Sandy Blvd
  5. Extracto, 2921 NE Killingsworth Street
  6. Flour Market, 5507 NE 30th Avenue
  7. Bastion, 6116 SE Milwaukie Avenue
  8. Los Burros Supremos, 4529 SE Division Street
  9. Hollywood Farmers Market, NE Hancock St. between 44th and 45th Avenues
  10. Javi’s Breakfast Cafe, 6236 NE Sandy Blvd

If you have suggestions or favorite place you want to support, drop a comment.

Upcoming relevér popup. I recently came across the Instagram for relevér and have learned that the key element of the work of this popup is “spicy.” Last November their food was influenced by “Korean, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, French and Spanish cuisines.” This time, it’s …. TACO BELL? Yes, it sure looks like it. Whatever the inspiration, there will be food by Chef Han Ly Hwang of Kim Jong Grillin and natural wines by Chef Kyle Christy of Street Disco. Coming soon. 4144A SE 60th Avenue, Portland

Hummus Vitality Opening in Argay Terrace

Photo credit: Hummus Vitality

A Bridgetown Bites tipster emailed me the following: “Neighborhood rumour has it that the people who run Nicholas Restaurant … are in the process of opening a new restaurant – Hummus Vitality.” I love the food at Nicholas—and flavor profiles from the Middle East—so this was welcome news to me. I did some poking around and this is what I found. Note: This article includes some updates as of February 22.

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