Small Bites: Hearth & Vine Opened, Nyamazo, Spotlight Brewing, and More

Hearth & Vine opened yesterday and you can get this burger and fries there.
Burger and fries at Hearth & Vine. Photo credit: Aubrie LeGault

Hearth & Vine opened yesterday. We covered this restaurant last year when it was shrouded in mystery. I can’t deny that doing the research at the time was a lot of fun, uncovering details incrementally. There are a couple of publications that got the first bite of info right before Hearth & Vine opened, but here’s a condensed version of the press release we received yesterday, with tidbits we think you’d like to know.

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Year of the Horse: Lunar New Year 2026 in Portland

Lunar New Year 2026, Year of the Horse.

Lunar New Year 2026 is almost here! While last year was the Year of the Snake, this year brings the Year of the Horse—and specifically, the Fire Horse. Lunar New Year 2026 starts on Tuesday, February 17 (which also happens to be Mardi Gras) and Year of the Horse ends February 5, 2027. It’s considered to be an optimistic year with plenty of opportunities, associated with success and good fortune.

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Tap Season 2026 Has Started in the Tualatin Valley

Beer flight for Tap Season 2026.
Photo credit: Explore Tualatin Valley.

Tap Season 2026, a two month celebration of Tualatin Valley breweries, cideries, and taprooms, launched last Thursday, January 15. This is a great opportunity to get to know the Valley’s craft beer and cider scene, thanks in part to the organizing efforts of Explore Tualatin Valley, the local DMO/tourism group. They’ve created a digital passport, planned a launch party, helped bring a collaborative brew to life, and gathered some alpacas.

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Summary: Portland Restaurant Openings and Closings, 2025

The dining room at ZabPinto Thai PDX. Portland Restaurant Openings and Closings, 2025
The dining room at Zabpinto Thai PDX.

Welcome to the summary of our coverage of Portland restaurant openings and closings, 2025. Our Portland Restaurant Openings and Closings List is the source (here is the 2025 archive), which we update throughout the year. It’s fun and interesting to look back and get that broader view of just exactly what restaurants did open and close. Here are our thoughts and observations.

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Fourth of July 2025 in Portland and Nearby Communities

Fourth of July 2025 in Portland.
Photo credit: TriMet.

Fourth of July 2025 is almost here! Also known as Independence Day, the Fourth of July is one of the biggest holidays of the summer, if not the year. And while it’s a major grilling, parade, and fireworks day—and a chance to relax with friends, families, and neighbors—it also commemorates something pretty significant: On this day in 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress. 

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