Four Things I Learned This Week (January 21)

Four Portland spots make it on the list. Yelp’s top 100 US restaurants 2022 list is out and four PDX restaurants are on the list: Miyamoto Sushi in Montavilla; Yama Sushi & Izakaya in Hosford-Abernathy; Thai Sky Kitchen in South Tabor; and Departure downtown. Personally, I’ve been to Thai Sky Kitchen and loved it, as well as Departure during the Gregory Gourdet days. I hear excellent things from Montavillans on Miyamoto. Chime in if you are a fan of Yama Sushi & Izakaya, or any of the winners! Multiple locations in Portland

One day only: Nico’s Ice Cream and Pip’s Original collab. Pip’s is known for it’s “community not competition” mantra and this upcoming collaboration with Nico’s is no doubt part of that. On Saturday, 1/22/22 ONLY, head to Nico’s for the Tropical Reggie Lee: that’s the Nico’s vanilla base with Pip’s donuts blended in, topped with Nutella, honey, and coconut flakes.

Reggie Lee is, of course, the actor that played Sgt. Drew Wu in one of my favorite TV shows ever, Grimm. And not just because it’s set in Portland! It’s just plain awesome. Anyway, see you on Saturday! 5713 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Ice cream is cold but soup is hot. Head to the Portland Mercado today through Sunday, January 23 for their Winter Soup Festival. Soups offered include:

  • POZOLE OAXAQUEÑO from Tierra Del Sol (Oaxaca)
  • OLLA DE CARNE from La Carreta Pura Vida (Costa Rica)
  • BIRRIA BOWL and POZOLE ROJO DE PUERCO from Principe Maya (Yucatan)
  • CALDOSA DE LA ABUELA from Havana Station (Cuba)
  • CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP from Fernando’s Alegría (Mexico)
  • SOPA DE LENTEJAS CON VEGETALES and SOPA DE MANÍ (PEANUTS) from AleCocina (Argentina)
  • AJIACO BOGOTANO from Qué Bacano (Colombia)
  • SOPA DE HONGOS from Xŏcotl (fresh juice and smoothie bar)
  • PIPIAN DE POLLO from Kaah Market (Oaxaca)

Head to the Mercado website for more info on ordering, etc.  7238 SE Foster Road, Portland

RIP Reo Varnado of Reo’s Ribs. Frankly I was shocked to hear of his passing. Very sorry to hear it and our condolences go out to the family. Cause of death? Unknown at the writing of this post.

Kobe + Portland Yakisoba Project: Year Three

Kobe + Portland Yakisoba Project’s Umi Kobe Combo grid/map for year three. Illustration by Jillian Barthold. Image credit: Umi Organics

I want to tell you about the Kobe + Portland Yakisoba Project, now in its third year. So what is it? A two-week festival of sorts, celebrating “cross-Pacific collaborations around food” that both Kobe, Japan and Portland, Oregon share. And it means a lot of tasty times for us all.

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Cloud Pine Tea + Culture Announces Winter 2022 Dim Sum Menu

Black sesame rice balls on the winter 2022 menu at Cloud Pine Tea + Culture. Photo credit: Cloud Pine Tea + Culture

Late last year I met up with a friend from my music performing days to have dumplings and tea at Cloud Pine Tea + Culture in Milwaukie. Proprietor Emily Lau has put together two new dim sum menus for the winter season that look enticing, with both sweet and savory items available, along with delicious hot and cold teas.

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Five Guys Opening on NE Broadway in Lloyd District

Photo credit: Five Guys

A tipster alerted me to a sign posted about a new tenant coming to the 1200 NE Broadway building (aka Lloyd’s Station), with the name “Burgers & Fries.” Another sign posted indicated the space is leased to “NW Burgers & Fries,” which is Five Guys. Looking at the list of locations on their website, this seems to be the first location in Portland proper (there are locations established in the surrounding suburbs).

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