Small Bites: Strawberry Shortcake Malasada, Pride, Nostrana, and More

A strawberry shortcake malasada from Departure.
Strawberry Shortcake Malasada at Departure. Photo credit: Departure.

Late to the party, but no doubt delicious. It’s Strawberry Shortcake Week this week, and while they are not on the original list, Departure has something to share: their Strawberry Shortcake Malasada. It’s got a strawberry li hung mui filling and Thai basil whip inside the yeasted donut-style pastry. This sounds really good and is gorgeous to behold. 525 SW Morrison Street, 15th Floor, Portland

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Small Bites: The Slide Inn Closes, Hey Luigi, Maree, and More

Fried spaetzle with speck, onions, and Swiss cheese at The Slide Inn.
Fried spaetzle with speck, onions, and Swiss cheese at The Slide Inn.

The Slide Inn closes. They announced the closure on their website; their final day of service will be Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10. That day they will serve just brunch, no dinner.

They first opened The Slide Inn in 2012. From the owner: “It’s been my passion and love when I started cooking professionally at age 15 when I did my apprenticeship whilst living in Germany. Sadly, I am now retiring what I have been doing for 51 years. It has brought me so much pleasure and joy serving the community and enabling my guests with dietary restrictions to feel safe and me knowing how to handle each scenario. Thank you to all my loyal customers, thank you for your patience and understanding.” 2348 SE Ankeny Street, Portland

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Small Bites: Burger Syndicate, Eclairs, Bar Casa Vale, and More


The Bandit from Burger Syndicate: Double Cajun-seared patties, bacon, cheese, fried onions, slaw, pickles, BBQ and garlic sauce.
The Bandit from Burger Syndicate: Double Cajun-seared patties, bacon, cheese, fried onions, slaw, pickles, BBQ and garlic sauce. Photo credit: Burger Syndicate.

Burger Syndicate has opened. This is a new spot downtown from the Nacheaux folks. They opened on Thursday, April 9. They wrote on social media, “Burger Syndicate is everything we’ve learned, every sacrifice, every lesson poured into one space. Creative smashburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, loaded fries, weekly specials, house-made lemonades, merch, and the same fun and flavor Nacheaux is known for.”

They have some late night hours: midnight on Sunday (after opening at 6pm that day); 1am Thursday to Saturday; and 1:30am on Monday nights. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. 221 SW Ankeny Street, Portland

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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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