STEELPORT Knife Block Launches, Party on Tuesday 10/25

Photo credit: Fernando Amaro

My colleague Francis Dyer, known for her important work with FEAST Portland and who also has been a huge help in communications for the Rocky Butte Farmers Market, sent me some details on the launch of a new product from STEELPORT Knife Co: a beautiful knife block. Plus, some holiday gift deals.

Their factory is right here in Portland, and I gotta admit: their products, knives, and block look pretty beautiful.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (October 21)

Jerry found a new home for Jerry’s Tavern, he but needs your help. After searching for months, Jerry Benedetto of what was known as Jerry’s Pizza, has found a location for his new pizza tavern (offering Midwest thin crust pizza). It is the old Night Light Lounge on 21st and Clinton in SE Portland (the neighborhood where Jerry’s Pizza began) but as you might know, it can be rather competitive when it comes to vying for commercial restaurant space in Portland. If you like what Jerry does and want to support him, you can sign his petition to help him nab this space.

In his words, “Your signature will help strengthen our letter of intent to the landlord and hopefully give our small, family-owned business a chance of bringing cracker crust to Portland. Thank you!”

Prescott Cafe has potentially sold. According to a recent OPB article, the Prescott Cafe, which closed for good at the end of September, got itself a buyer. From the article: “There’s a chance [it] could undergo another change. Owner Rose Funk says shortly after she closed the cafe’s doors for good, someone made a cash offer, seemingly with the intention of keeping it as a restaurant.” A Coldwell Banker sale page says “sale pending,” too. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Viking Soul Food is opening a brick & mortar. Good news for Viking Soul Food fans, past, present, and future. Their announcement on social media this week indicates they’ll be expanding (meaning the original truck will remain where it is on Belmont) into the Woodstock neighborhood:

“We are so excited to officially announce a new brick and mortar location coming to the Woodstock neighborhood in November! From an expanded menu, to potential deli offerings, to all the VSF classics, we can’t wait to welcome you in to our new space that’s filled with the love, warmth, values and flavors that have brought this community together for 12 beautiful years. We’re so thankful for your support and hope you’ll come see us!”

Café Zamora has a new location. I’ve always enjoyed my time spent at Café Zamora, which serves coffee from beans grown in Guatemala, and was sorry to learn they had to close. Good news, though: they have a new space on Powell near SE 36th, just three blocks away from the original location on Gladstone. They started a GoFundMe campaign and it met its goal within a few weeks, so the necessary work that needs to be done can start. In his words:

“We are waiting on plumbing permits for the landlord to start working on the water lines and sewer system, and as soon as that is done I will be able to install the sinks, grease trap, counter and do the set up for the working area to get an inspection for our licenses to operate.”

Good luck to the Café Zamora folks and I look forward to stopping by when they are back open.

Treats for Halloween 2022 in Portland

Who here wants to ride in a watermelon vehicle driven by a pumpkin?

Halloween is almost upon us! And while October 31 is the apex of “spooky season,” it pretty much starts the “sweet season,” with candy for trick-or-treaters, themed baked goods, and pumpkin everywhere. Check out some of the local treats you can claim to make your holiday delicious.

Bee’s Cakes. Bee’s is offering a Halloween pastry box, with items like eyeball cupcakes, “cookies and scream” cake slices, and a vampire-killer brioche buns. Pre-order until Tuesday October 25 at the link on the website. “We will have some of these items in store, but to make sure you get what you want please pre order!“ beescustomcakes.com, 7137 NE Fremont Street, Portland

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Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, September 2022

Data Analytics Chart

In the “better late than never” category, here are the most-read posts on Bridgetown Bites in September 2022. My editorial clients captured my attention over the past month or so, hence the tardy “top 5 posts” post (and the why behind the intermittent posting lately).

September’s top posts are an interesting mix of older and newer items, all about restaurants. Regarding Entre Compas from the República folks, the O has an update (the taproom/restaurant will open in St. Johns); and as far as the La Parilla space, it looks like something is moving in! I’ll see what I can find out.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

5. La Parilla Kitchen on NE 82nd Avenue Has Closed

enchiladas-la-parilla-portland-oregon

Over on Nextdoor there have been some recent posts by people worried that La Parilla Kitchen, a local Mexican restaurant and neighborhood favorite, has closed. Well, I’m here to be the bearer of bad news: they have indeed officially closed this location.

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Deeply Rooted Plant-Based Sports Bar Will Open on NE Fremont

Logo for Deeply Rooted’s Bend (now closed) location; look for a new logo coming soon. Image credit: Deeply Rooted

Home to past places like Nacheaux, Alameda Hop, and Bourbon Street, the pub space on NE Fremont will welcome a new tenant: Deeply Rooted. Originally from Bend, they are coming to Portland with plant-based eats, cocktails, and a place to watch the game (or fight).

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