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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Small Bites: Cocina de Mary, Tariffs, Shorebird Bakery, and More

Chiles at Cocina de Mary.
Photo credit: Cocina de Mary.

Welcome, Cocina de Mary. This is another case of two restaurants operating in one space at different times. RJ Skillets is there from 8am to 3pm (starting 10am on Mondays) and Cocina de Mary operates 5pm to 9pm (closed Mondays). They offer Guatemalan food: cuchitos, a type of tamal; churrasco; hilachas, similar to ropa vieja; pepián; and tayuyos, similar to pupusas. They also offer familiar dishes like quesadillas, fried plantains, empanadas, burritos, and more. They officially opened on Friday, February 6. 2529-B NE Alberta Street, Portland

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Purim 2026: Tasty Treats and Celebrations in Portland

Edie and a plate of hamentaschen for Purim 2026.
My then 7-year-old Edie who is now a pre-teen but still loves their hamantaschen.

The holiday of Purim is almost here—a joyous holiday filled with tasty treats and celebrations, observed by Jews around the world. Purim begins on the evening of Monday, March 2, and continues through March 3 (and through March 4 in Jerusalem). The holiday commemorates the story of Queen Esther, whose courage helped save the Jewish people from Haman’s evil plot to kill the Jews of ancient Persia.

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Small Bites: Tastebud, Costa Rican Food, Radicchio, and More

Tastebud wood fired margherita pizza
Photo credit: Tastebud Pizza.

Tastebud gets review-bombed. This week some folks took issue with statements Mark Doxtader, owner of Tastebud, posted on the pizzeria’s website. This led to articles posted about it on conservative outlets like Fox News, the New York Post and the Daily Mail (UK). That, in turn, inspired the practice of “review bombing” by some invested in protesting against statements like “Release the Trump/Epstein files.” and “The Holocaust was real.” GoodStuffNW has more details. Find additional info on this developing story in The Oregonian.

Tastebud makes wood-fired pizzas and more in Multnomah Village. 7783 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland

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Baka Umai Ramen Den Is Open in Northwest Portland

Cho-maz at Baka Umai Ramen Den.
Cho-Maz, made with housemade chorizo. Photo credit: Baka Umai.

Last week Baka Umai (soft) opened their second location in Northwest Portland. Affectionately called the Ramen Den, they offer their same creative dishes in a new, cozy space—which previously was the second location of Grant’s Philly Cheesesteaks. I spoke with one of Baka Umai’s owners, Robert Greenup, recently to find out more about the Baka Umai Ramen Den. Here’s what I learned.

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