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Four Things I Learned This Week (June 24)

Midsommar at IKEA. IKEA—you know, that Dutch-headquartered multinational conglomerate that sells home goods and furniture—is celebrating mid-summer with a bunch of events Saturday and Sunday, including a strawberry cake tasting, meatballs, salmon, and mocktails. 10280 NE Cascades Pkwy, Portland

The Poptart Ice Cream Sandwich is back. Head to Kate’s Ice Cream this Saturday as well, for Poptart Ice Cream Sandwiches. They are super popular: “Last year, these sold out in 1 minute online.” No pre-orders this year, but you can line up at Kate’s at noon for your chance to get one of the 150 gluten-free and vegan ice cream sandwiches. 3713 N Mississippi Avenue, Portland

Top pizzas in Portland. According to Italian pizza-centric website, 50 Top Pizza, five Portland pizzerias made the USA list this year:

  • No. 11: Ken’s Artisan Pizza
  • No. 16: Lovely’s Fifty Fifty
  • No. 18: Apizza Scholls
  • No. 40: Nostrana
  • No. 43: Scottie’s Pizza Parlor

Thursdays On the Plaza in Montavilla. The Montavilla Farmers Market, which operates weekly on Sundays, is expanding to Thursday evenings this summer. “Starting the month of July the 79th street plaza will be back, and July 7th will be the first of a weekly event with a few vendors and live music from 4 to 7pm.” There will also be a beer garden run by Threshold Beer. This has all come to pass thanks to a Vibrant Spaces Community Events Activation Fund from the City of Portland. Check out this Willamette Week article for more info. Southeast 79th Avenue and Stark Street, Portland

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Cereus PDX Is Now Open, Offering Worldwide Cocktails, Arepas, and More

A beautiful patacon. Photo credit: Cereus PDX

Recently it appears that Cereus PDX has opened in NE Portland, in one of my favorite little corners of Portland—the buildings that sit on NE Prescott between 14th and 15th Avenues. Cereus is offering a cocktail menu I’m really excited about—even though I don’t drink alcohol right now! Cocktails, including a couple zero-proof (hello, Chicha Morada and Lyre Liar), hail from traditions around the world—from Finland to Peru.

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Old Pal Will Be Your New Summer Friend in SE Portland

Image credit: Old Pal.

I recently became aware of Old Pal, a new restaurant opening in “late June” in the Sunnyside neighborhood in SE Portland. They will offer “vegetables, little fishes, fine wines, craft brews & spirits” with a sense of purpose: “[We will] focus on doing our part to make the planet a better place to live.”

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Four Things I Learned This Week (June 17)

We took a break from this column because of Salad Week, but now it’s back. I hope you dads out there have a great Father’s Day, and I lend my respect and honor to those who find meaning in Juneteeth this weekend.

Brasa Haya will close. I read the news this morning—total bummer, as I loved their food. Final service will be Sunday brunch on June 19 (this weekend). Since the pandemic there have been a number of goodbye messages from restaurant owners in this city, but I found the line, “I’m so sorry. We tried so hard.” to be particularly heartbreaking. I wish the Brasa Haya owners and their team the best and hope good things come their way post-BH. 412 NE Beech Street, Portland

Saint Simon’s second location is open. This second location has been open for a couple of weeks now—check out this photo of the interior; it looks like a nice, airy space. I’ve driven by a few times on my way from point A to point B and have always been glad to see them open. It’s a great addition to the neighborhood and I look forward to stopping by soon. They’re open 7am to 2pm, seven days a week. 2526 NE 15th Avenue, Portland

Bipartisan Cafe celebrates 17 years. Earlier this week Montavilla’s Bipartisan Cafe announced they’ve been around for 17 years, and there is no indication that they are stopping any time soon. They revealed their own trepidation when they first opened. (“I literally broke down in tears waiting at the stop light in front of Beet’s Auto wondering if I had just sunk our family.”) They are a beloved part of the Montavilla community and I wish them another successful 17 years (or more) to come. 7901 SE Stark Street, Portland

Sandwich Week starts Monday, June 20. The Portland Mercury will launch their inaugural Sandwich Week on Monday at various spots around Portland. $8 sandwiches all week. Full transparency: There was a bit of controversy over Sandwich Week that did influence some of our decisions about Salad Week. If you’d like more info on Sandwich Week, check it out here. Various locations around Portland