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]
I got the news in my inbox this week that Xico, a Mexican restaurant that has served Oaxacan food in kind of “relaxed bougie” surroundings, will close. Thursday, March 23 will be their final day of service.
Continue reading “Goodbye, Xico”
Photo credit: Ladda Thai House
Earlier this month I reported, thanks to a Bridgetown Bites tipster, that The Ranger Station had closed. I was told that in its place was planned a new Thai restaurant. Well, that detail is now a reality—Ladda Thai House is now in that location on SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Continue reading “Ladda Thai House Has Opened in the Old Ranger Station Space”
My favorite product from Olympia Provisions, their summer sausage. Photo credit: Olympia Provisions
About a month ago I came across details of an application with the OLCC for something called/DBA “Altropino,” with the address of what is the Hotel Grand Stark in SE Portland’s Central Eastside District. The hotel has been without its original restaurant/cafe (Grand Stark Deli) since last year and Bar Chamberlain is no longer mentioned on the Hotel’s website. It has also become clear that Altropino is indeed a project from the folks behind Olympia Provisions. (NB: there is some speculation in this article.)
Continue reading “More on What Is DBA Altropino”
The building in 2016. Photo credit: Google Maps
A new Mexican restaurant/bar is going to open in a space on SE Belmont Street currently next to Bluto’s, named La Patroncita. It looks to be connected to the people behind the beloved Mexica restaurant, Tortilleria y Tienda De Leon.
Continue reading “La Patroncita Is Coming to SE Belmont”Bar Mame is coming to SE Hawthorne. Matthew Dooney, who has worked as a manager for McMenamins, and Nicole Nelson, an immigration attorney, are opening Bar Mame in SE Portland. It will be located on SE Hawthorne and 33rd Ave underneath The Hazel Room (looks like the Red Velvet Parlour was there for a while, but closed there late last year). Matt says, “I’m super excited (and of course terrified) to announce that we’ll be opening our own bar (Mame) on 33rd and Hawthorne. This has been a dream of mine for years and can’t wait to see how this comes into fruition.” 3279 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland
Barista (some of them) rebranding. A tipster told me that the Barista family cafes is changing up their name, but only for a couple of their locations. It’s the KOIN and Alberta locations that will be changing their name—initial research indicates “Enjoy Coffee LLC” is the corp behind them. These will be wholly owned by Billy Wilson; the Nob Hill and Pearl locations, which will remain Barista, will be under a partnership between Billy and Sortis (who owns the Barista brand).
Doug Fir Lounge will move a little to the southwest. Another tip that found its way to the Bridgetown Bites inbox is about Doug Fir Lounge—it will close at its current location, then move elsewhere this fall. And it seems that it will be reopening at the old Le Bistro Montage space—the new address on the documents filed with the state this year regarding Doug Fir is 301 SE Morrison Street. Look for a more official kind of announcement from the powers that be in March. And I’m seriously curious about what Jupiter NEXT will do with that space.
Free ice cream for a year. Nico’s is running a contest to win free ice cream for a year: “Beginning March 1st, make sure to buy all the half pints you can, because at some point in March, we will be putting a golden ticket inside one of our half pints (only sold at either of our two locations) and you will have the chance to win FREE ice cream for a year!” If you like to eat ice cream on the regular, this one is for you. Nico’s half pints can be found at various grocery stores in the Portland area, as well as his shops at 5713 NE Fremont Street and 1615 NE Killingsworth Street.
