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]
Pizza from Lovely’s Fifty Fifty and donuts from Pip’s. Pizza photo credit: Lovely’s Fifty Fifty
Two of my favorite spots in Portland—ones I admire and feel warm fuzzies when I think about them—are departing pandemic limitations on indoor dining and I’m here to yell that from the rooftops of this little blog. Those two businesses are Lovely’s Fifty Fifty and Pip’s Original.
Continue reading “Two Full Reopenings of Note: Pip’s and Lovely’s Fifty Fifty”Kurt Russell’s Birthday Bash is back. On Thursday, March 17, head to Wedgehead to celebrate Kurt Russell’s 71st birthday at a party that is “bigger and better than ever before.” Before the shindig on the 17th, Wedgehead is partnering with the Hollywood Theatre for their screening of John Carpenter’s The Thing on Saturday & Sunday, March 12 & 13. If you attend, you’ll get a voucher good for half-off pinball at the birthday party on the 17th.
On the day of the birthday bash (the 17th) there will be a custom Pork Chop Express piñata made by The Venderia, an all-day movie marathon, free birthday cake, birthday cards to sign, and more. Read their Facebook post for the full range of offerings. 3728 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland
Rangoon Bistro is open. I mentioned Rangoon Bistro in a Small Bites column last year and the good news is: they are finally open! You can visit them for delicious Burmese food in the Breathe Building today through Sunday. Regular hours will be Wednesday-Friday 5-9pm and Saturday/Sunday 12am-9pm. Liquor license is coming. 2311 SE 50th Avenue, Portland
Snack Fest is here. The Portland Night Market is host to Snack Fest, “your new favorite food festival.” There will be 135 food and beverage vendors featuring treats from local restaurants, pop-ups, food carts/trucks, and more. Tonight from 5pm to 10pm and Saturday from noon to 10pm. 100 SE Alder Street, Portland
Get your St. Joseph’s Day pastries at Sebastiano’s. When I lived in Astoria, Queens—home to not only a famous Greek immigrant community but also a longtime Sicilian immigrant community—St. Joseph’s Day pastries were an annual occurrence. Whether you preferred zeppole or sfinge, you were guaranteed to eat something delicious. So I’m thrilled to see that Montavilla’s Sebastiano’s is offering zeppole this year. They describe it as, “a deluxe cream puff with a choux pastry, pastry cream and ricotta filling, topped with powdered sugar and an Italian Amarena cherry.” Seriously accurate, seriously good.
They come in packs of four ($16), eight ($30), or twelve ($42). Reserve yours now for pickup next week from Wednesday to Saturday, right there at Sebastiano’s. Monday night, March 14, is the cutoff for pre-orders, so get yours in today. 411 SE 81st Avenue, Portland
Ever since I heard about a new Greek restaurant opening up in the North Tabor neighborhood, I’ve been keeping an eye out for any news confirming the word-of-mouth details I encountered last year. Earlier this month a neighbor posted online a picture of the OLCC Public Notice affixed to the exterior of 6000 NE Glisan, and I knew this was it. The new restaurant is called Trela (or “tréla” on the logo), and I’m eagerly anticipating its opening.
Continue reading “Trela, a Greek Taverna & Bar, Will Open in Former O’Neill Public House Space”
Lemon Bar Cake. Photo credit: Bee’s Cakes
It’s been a long time coming, but on this Saturday, March 12 you’ll have the chance to spend time indoor at Bee’s Cakes—and Cafe! Rebecca has done a number of pop-ups over the past several months, but it’s always been walk-up/take-away. This time, though, you can get a treat, a drink, and a seat.
Continue reading “First Chance to Hang Out at Bee’s Cakes and Cafe Is This Saturday”What a week—I almost had Grand Jury Duty, but wasn’t randomly picked, so Bridgetown Bites will continue to publish this month, when it was at risk of taking a month-long hiatus (Grand Jury Duty is a month-long commitment). Have a good weekend!
A reminder about Ukranian perogies. Every Saturday at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Sellwood sells Ukrainian-style perogies, cabbage rolls, and garlic sausages. This is just one way to support the Ukrainian community in Portland. 8014 SE 16th Avenue, Portland
Kachka is raising funds to help Ukraine. 100% of proceeds of their Chervona Wine cocktail will be donated to Red Cross Ukraine to support the people experiencing the war in Ukraine. 960 SE 11th Avenue, Portland
Pho Kim reopens. They’ve been in the midst of a soft opening this past week, and this 82nd Avenue Vietnamese restaurant will have their grand opening on Sunday, March 6. Back in 2020 a fire shut them down and they’ve been working on repairs since then. Along with enjoying delicious food there will be a White Lotus Lion Dance performance around noon to celebrated the re-opening. Check out the Montavilla News article for more info. 2204 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland
Vtopia Restaurant & Cheese Shop is now Fru Fru Terra. This vegan cheese shop in SW Portland has changed their name and currently operates as a vegan cheese and wine bar. They have set their sights on moving to SE Portland from their current Goose Hollow location, likely in fall 2022. Now, why did they change their name to Fru Fru Terra? Here’s their explanation:
“It is in abbreviation of the Latin words, Frui Fruges Terrae, which means to ‘enjoy fruits of the earth,’ which is precisely the experience we want you to have when entering our new space and elevated concept.” 1628 SW Jefferson Street, Portland
