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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Two Roosters Offers Vietnamese Coffee and More in East Portland

Two Roosters signage on NE Halsey.

There’s a new Vietnamese cafe in East Portland’s Parkrose Heights neighborhood called Two Roosters, owned and operated by Khang Duong and Jun Robles. They opened their doors on Saturday, July 25 in a space on the north side of NE Halsey just up the street from classics like Gateway Breakfast House and Taipei Noodle Haus.

I stopped in over the weekend to check it out and found a light and airy cafe offering a selection of strong and tasty Vietnamese coffee drinks.

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Small Bites: Il Corso, Melons, The Italian Job, and More

Panzanella salad at Il Corso.
Panzanella salad. Photo credit: Il Corso.

Il Corso is for lunch. They’ve changed their hours, which are now noon to 7pm, Tuesday through Saturday. “Our new menu is definitely what you want for a nice comfortable lunch or your Power Lunch with friends!” Their new chef, Keenan McDonald, has created this new menu.

They have 10 wines by the glass, 5 cocktails (including one NA), beer, cider, NA wine and beer, and soda for drinks. The Il Corso food menu has a nice variety: Marconas and olives, a panzanella salad (you can add burrata to that, too), cured meats and cheese, and “The Tony”—crispy Mortadella, melted Provolone, Dijon mustard, herb aioli, all on brioche with chili crisp. 1204 NW Glisan Street, Portland

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August 2026 Story Updates: Mr. Chip, Angelina’s, and More

August 2026 Story Updates for Portland, Beaverton, and Hillsboro.

Welcome back! Here are our August 2026 story updates—who has opened, who is still getting ready to open, and who has moved.

Angelina’s. We reported on this new restaurant from the Sesame Collective folks that is opening in the old Cosube space in Slabtown. They are still working hard but have pushed their expected opening to fall 2026. I’m really looking forward to stopping in when they do open. 1580 NW 21st Avenue, Portland

Previously: Angelina’s Will Open in Slabtown in Portland

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Bar Sprezzatura Will Open at The Heathman Hotel in Portland

A rendering of the dining room of Bar Sprezzatura.
Rendering image of Bar Sprezzatura (click to enlarge). Photo credit: The Mina Group.

I have seen the good news floating around the internet, but wanted to talk about it here, too: Bar Sprezzatura, from award-winning (James Beard Awards, Michelin stars) Chef Michael Mina, will move into the Heathman Hotel this fall.

This will be his only restaurant in the PNW. Here is what we know (and what to expect).

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A Second Location of Pamana Will Offer Filipino Food in the Former Expatriate Space

The exterior of the building when it was for lease, that will be a second location ofPamana.
Not for lease anymore!

A second location of Pamana, a Filipino American restaurant and bar currently operating inside the Hoxton hotel in downtown Portland, is opening in Northeast Portland. They’ll be in the space that most recently was home to Expatriate, a legendary and beloved bar on NE 30th Avenue near NE Killingsworth Street. I spoke with Pamana owners Geri and Ethan Leung about their plans and here is what I learned.

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