Original Dream Pizza is open once again! They had to close their doors because of a fire last fall, and they were finally able to reopen earlier this month. This week I chatted with Amy Northrop, one of the pizzeria’s owners, to learn more.
Rhinestone brunch launches this Sunday, January 18!
This past weekend I was invited to stop in at Rhinestone to check out their upcoming brunch service at their new-ish brick and mortar. It was a chance to taste a variety of dishes and offer feedback before they opened it to the broader public. My friend Annie and I tried a handful of things and we enjoyed them quite a bit.
Late last year, chef Patrick McKee announced a new location for Estes, his Italian-American restaurant, in the Concordia neighborhood in Northeast Portland. Their new home on NE 30th and Killingsworth is located in the space that over the years had been Nonna, TEOTE Tavern, and Pleasure Mountain, among others. It also represents a return for Patrick, who cooked nearby at the late, great Dame back in the day.
Patrick was kind enough to chat with me over the weekend (almost to the day of our previous conversation in 2025 regarding their Broder residency) about the new location for Estes.
Around the world in January, fans of Robert Burns (1759-1796)—the national poet of Scotland—celebrate his life and poetry. This usually happens on his birthday, January 25, but other days nearby are sometimes chosen, too. Usually referred to as “Burns Suppers,” they offer a chance to gather together, dance, drink (eschewing Dry January) enjoy traditional Scottish food and music, and hear his poems recited.
Sometimes comes to Creston-Kenilworth. They’ll be offering coffee service inside Pan Con Queso, a pizzeria (or, pixxeria) in which its owners find inspiration in their Mexican and Pacific Islander heritage. Sometimes will use Passenger coffee beans and teas.